Next Avengers: Alternations

Tina spun around and stared in shock.

 

“Good.” Tony sighed in relief while Tina began to splutter in surprise.

 

“Da-I-he-he is your dad?!?” she spluttered, eyes widening in shock, still clutching her chest.

 

The Avenges surrounded Juggernaut and murmured in surprise at his condition before they began to bind him for transport.

 

“Yeah, now who exactly are you?” Matt asked, confused by her reaction until Black Widow appeared beside him, vexed.

 

“I thought I told you to hide, Matt?” she frowned.

 

Tina continued to stare at Tony, suddenly her mind went blank and she was nothing more than a little girl in a frightening and confusing situation.

 

“I-is my m-is P-Pepper, Pepper Potts alive?” she asked, looking at Matt like a frightened child that just witnessed a car accident.

 

Iron Man heard her and turned to look at her curiously before turning back to Maria in confusion.

 

“Who is this, Maria?”

 

“I'm not entirely sure. She just said she needs the help of the Avengers to get back home.” She explained then went on to describe how they found Tina, ignoring Tina’s wide mouth and admiring gaze until she finished.

 

“But we wanted to know for sure she was trustworthy, since she's already proven to be more than she appears. So we called you guys.” Matt explained, glancing at the guppy faced Tina.

 

“…Maria…” Tina muttered, a memory of something fuzzy Anya had once told her.

 

“And in case anyone didn't see she took down the Juggernaut.” Matt added.

 

Iron Man turned to Tina, still holding Maria as he sized her up warily.

 

“Who exactly are you?”

 

Still in shock Tina managed to utter two words.

 

“...I’m Tina…” she whispered.

 

Iron Man frowned, then he decided to fish further.

 

“Alright but who exactly are you, Tina…?” he asked, remaining patient.

 

Finally Tina managed to summon the guts to speak properly, somewhat.

 

“I-...I’m Tina St-... I’m Tina Stark.” She said, falling into thought as she remembered, Maria, Anya had told her she was almost named Maria but her mother had thought Tina more suitable.

 

Every Avenger had their gaze on her, those few words enough to freeze them in their places.

 

“What?” Iron Man asked, perplexed and quite unsure he heard right.

 

“I-I’m from an alternate universe...me and my team were fighting him and...” she drifted off as she stared at him, she was staring face to face with her father, the man who made her suit and willed it to her, even before she was born.

 

“.... Alternate timeline...!? .... Wait so you're saying you're my daughter from an alternate timeline??? Is that it!???” He asked, his mind catching up and he spluttered in surprise.

 

Maria seemed to have a similar issue.

 

“What!?” she gaped.

 

The Avengers murmured and conversed in confusion, everybody was confused and wanting answers.

 

Yes...uhh and I need your help to go home...” she managed as she began to break from her haze then looked at Maria with a new perspective and frowned.

 

“So if I looked more like mom I would look like you? Yikes...” she winced, for some reason being ginger didn’t settle well with her.

 

Maria didn’t seem to have understood her comment but Matt did.

 

“Hey!” he barked, unhappy at anybody dissing Maria.

 

“That can't be true! No version of me would EVER let my daughter fight! Especially at five years old!!” Iron Man burst out, staring down at Tina in bafflement.

 

Well that’s probably because you died before I was even born...most of the Avengers were- hey! I’m only a few parts to 7! Got it? SEV-EN!!” she cried, suddenly outraged by his underestimation of her age, she was sensitive about it and she didn’t care who said it, she did not tolerate it.

 

The Avengers took on a new look at Tina’s sudden outburst, and the information preceding it.

 

“What?!” Maria and Iron Man called in unison.

 

The Avengers watched, Ant Man and Thor were guppy mouthed while Hulk and Hawkeye were grinning as Tina began to rile herself up in her anger, ignoring everything but her anger and Iron Man. Wasp just stared, arms crossed and listened, both amused and confused.

 

“No more explanations till he takes that back!” she cried and started hopping around and punching the air.

 

“Come on hotshot! I don’t care if you’re my dad or whatever, I’ll take you on!!” she roared, only stopping once her chest hurts too much to continue and she was forced to reconsider.

 

“On second thought I’ll take you when I’m healed, then, and THEN I’ll kick your butt!” he corrected, scowling from her simmering outrage and the pain in her chest.

 

Iron Man resembled his guppy mouthed colleagues as he stared at the little girl threatening him.

 

“Wha-what!?” he spluttered, unable to say much else.

 

Black Widow was the first to break herself from the strange scene and realized people were beginning to emerge from their hiding places to watch the scene.

 

“We need to take this elsewhere…Whatever this is…” She called, eyeing the growing crowd of spectators.

 

“We don't know if she's telling the truth yet.” Matt pointed out, glancing at Tina warily.

 

“That's true, but we have the whole of the Avengers against one little girl. Who needs medical attention I might add.” Black Widow argued.

 

“…A-…alright.” Matt gave in, unsure of the idea then glanced at Maria then back at Tina, softening only when he saw how hurt Tina really was.

 

Black Widow glanced at Tina, her gaze just as wary as she tried to figure out what Tina could be.

 

Tina was dancing around Iron Man again and only slowed when the pain in her chest became too much.

 

“Come on you old second century windbag! Call me a 5 year old again! I took down the Juggernaut I can take YOU down TOO!” she taunted, though she knew she didn’t have any more reserves for protection.

 

The spell was broken when Hawkeye laughed.

 

“Sounds just like you, Tony.” He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement at the scene.

 

Iron Man stared at her for a moment before he apologized.

 

“…sorry...” He muttered.

 

“We really need to go.” Black Widow said, glancing around at the now big crowd surrounding them.

 

“Y-yeah...Y-…you're right.... Let's get back to the mansion...” Iron Man said, still trying to absorb the information he had been given.

 

“Hah! Tina Stark ALWAYS comes out on top!” she cheered, standing proudly, puffing out her wounded chest with her hands on her hips before she was forced to stop due to her injury then muttered under her breath.

 

“…ow.”

 

Iron Man helped Maria up and they gathered around the others as they made their plans for transportation.

 

“Let's get back to the mansion.” Tony said again, staring at Tina.

 

“You can carry your daughters back. My ride's already gonna be full.” Hawkeye grinned, earning a glare in return.

 

Suddenly Tina was unnerved and acted outraged as she backed away at the prospect of being carried.

 

“Whoa, fly without my own suit?! I’d rather walk!” she announced, uneasy at the idea of being in somebody’s care, especially one she had both admired and just insulted.

 

Tony sighed.

 

“We have to go kid.” And without another word he picked up Maria and Tina and flew off.

 

Again Tina’s outrage helped her overcome her bewilderment as she struggled in his arms, trying to keep the pressure off of her chest.

 

“I’m not 'kid' it's TINA!! You know two letters from YOUR name? You’d think he'd notice?” she frowned, speaking towards Maria for her last sentence.

 

“Stop squirming! I'm sorry, I'll call you Tina! Just don't make me drop you!” Iron Man called anxiously.

 

Tina stopped and crossed her arms, letting them act as her shield for her chest as they flew and decided to comment.

 

“Alright, I’ll let you go...THIS time.” She scowled, narrowing her eyes at him for a while.

 

Soon Maria had to break the silence.

 

“This is weird... So...if what you say is true...you're my alternate version?” she asked, trying to wrap he head around that Tina, her mirror opposite, was her in another timeline.

 

“Apparently...it’s weirding me out too and I’ve seen A LOT of weird things.” She sighed, and then decided to change the subject.

 

“So who is that Matt jerk?”

 

Maria’s face flushed

 

“... Hawkeye and Widows son....” she blurted uneasily.

 

“Are we sure we should tell her this yet?” Iron Man asked, glancing at Tina warily.

 

“...sorry...” Maria apologized suddenly guilty at compromising Matt’s identity.

 

“It's alright.” Tony said, smiling at Maria assuringly.

 

Meanwhile Tina’s eyes widened in shock and revulsion.

 

“EEWWW! That's GROSS!!” she cried out, covering her eyes as if to block out any information concerning the subject that came to mind.

 

“...What...?” Tony asked, confused, along with Maria, when Tina explained.

 

“Where III come from the only child of Clint Barton and Natasha Barton is Scarlet Arrow! That’s like saying- EWWW!! Okay no more! That was AWFUL!” she moaned.

 

Maria’s face flushed and she glanced nervously at her dad.

 

Tony looked at her, confused.

 

“Why do you look so nervous?” he pondered, then narrowed his eyes.

 

“You two weren't…?!” and he let it hang.

 

“Dad!!!!” Maria cried, covering her face with her hands as Tony, now in ‘Dad’ mode, flew to a halt and hovered as he confronted his daughter.

 

“You kissed him!?” he prompted.

 

Marias face flushed further.

 

“Daddy!!”

 

“Did you!?”

 

Tina rolled her eyes at how dramatic and hilariously unreal they seemed.

 

“Pfft, daddy, how hilariously unoriginal.” Tina commented.

 

“Did you kiss him, Maria?”


“No, I didn't!!” Maria flushed out in embarrassment.

 

“Then what? Do I have to hurt him!?” he snapped, looking angrier.

 

“No! We didn't do anything I swear!”

 

“Then why do you look guilty?”

 

“I don't!”

 

“I know when you look guilty!”

 

Tina had had enough of this soap opera.

 

“Oh for crying out loud it’s just DATING! Even though I’m nauseous about it there isn’t anything WRONG with a-ehhhh 15? 15 year old dating! Sheesh…”

 

“Tina!!!! You sell out!!!” Maria cried.

 

 “WHAT!?” Tony cried, completely surprised.

 

Tina momentarily felt her pride in her father cripple at the absolute insanity of the situation.

 

“Sheesh you’re duller than I ever could believe, I mean I’m only a few parts to 7 and I got that!”

 

Then Tony looked sad, hurt at Maria’s secret.

 

“Why didn't you tell me?”

 

Maria looked genuinely surprised looks at his saddened face.

 

“I-I thought you wouldn't like it... that'd you'd be mad and over-protective...” she answered quietly.

 

Tony nearly choked on his tears.

 

“You didn't think you could trust me...?”

 

Maria had tears slipping down her cheeks and she hugged him.

 

“I'm sorry! I'm really, really, sorry!”

 

Tony looked sad and surprised.

 

Tina moaned, the sappiness made her want to gag.

 

“Oh gross, tears, why did I have to have such sappy siblings and parents? I haven’t seen it rain this much salt since Gravitron dropped that island into the water!” she muttered to herself.

 

“I-it's alright, sweetheart. I understand...” he smiled and started flying again and Tina leaned a head onto her palm.

 

“This is gonna be a long trip…”

 

Tony glared at Tina, not liking her commentary during his moment with Maria then seemed to consider something and take an empathetic look towards Tina, who didn’t see and sulked the rest of the way.

 

Soon they arrived and Tony landed in the mansion through the skylight and set the girls down. Just to express her discomfort Tina shook herself like a dog.

 

“Next time can I bring an umbrella? Those poor New Yorkers are probably soaked from your down pour.” She muttered bitterly, not seeing Maria’s hurt expressions.

 

“I'm really sorry.” She said before running off to her room.

 

“Maria wait!” Tony called but she was already gone, feeling frustrated and upset Tony turned to Tina.

 

“Even if that's truly what you've been through I understand, but please don't take it out on Maria. She's been through enough too...” he pleaded.

 

Tina just crossed her arms.

 

“Did she watch her entire world die until all she had left was 5 people to surround herself with and a selfish Asgardian youth who ruined EVERYTHING?!” she snapped.

 

Taken aback Tony made his hasty reply.

 

“No she hasn't but she has been through a lot more than you can understand.... And as for selfish Asgardian youth's…you'll find a couple around here...” he finished bitterly.

 

Tina glared at him, he was nothing like she had hoped and expected, his recordings had sounded so much more confident.

 

“I hate this...all of this...I just want to go home.” She sulked, looking down angrily before sighing and calming herself.

 

“...I know I’m selfish...I-...I’m sorry...but I just want to go home *hides her tears* and all this mushy stuff is just too...alien to me.” She scowled, not even when Arya had ruined everything did she experience anything so…open.

 

Tony took on a sad look and put his hand on her head and pet her hair, startling Tina and making her tense up.

 

“I'm sorry. Nobody should have to go through anything like that... especially not my daughter...”

 

Tina kept looking down, touched, bewildered, and frightened…all at once. Slowly she looked up at him pleadingly.

 

“Will you help me get home?” she begged.

 

Tony looked confused.

 

“Are you sure you even want to go back there? If that world is dead, even if it is your home. Wouldn't you want to stay here and bring your friends?

 

Tina blinked then smiled, for some reason he didn’t seem so bad, and MAYBE she could get used to him.

 

“Honestly I do want to go back, its familiar, but my family isn’t there. This actually isn’t my first time going into alternate world.” She explained.