Summary: Part 4 of Red In My Ledger
Warnings: Angst, and mentions of death, you've been warned!
Word Count: 1,178
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"Anton Starkov, the son of Howard Starkov and Maria Starkova, now living in the identity as Tony Stark." Fury reads the documents in his hand, while walking back and forth. "At the age of 10, you were sent and trained in the KGB, under the guidance of General Kulikov. Highly trained martial artist, a sharp shooter and sniper."
"What does this has to do with you about me?" His Russian accent blurts out.
"Because, that makes you likely special. You can join a team that I'm currently creating." Fury drops the documents on the table.
"So you expect me to join your group because I'm special?"
"You already are, Stark. Like, I'm amazed. The way you single-handedly infiltrated inside an organization-"
"I wasn't alone." Tony said, in a firm voice. Fury cleared his throat to avoid his mistake.
"I apologise. But, I see where your backgrounds lead to, that's why I am letting you if, you can join the group."
"What will I get if I do join it?" Tony raised an eyebrow.
"Proper teamwork, facilities, chance of having everything back for what you lost."
Tony chuckled, and shakes his head at Fury's statement. "Your saying, as if you are so sure I could get back what I already lost."
"I am sure. I can't guarantee, but you might find all your answers." Fury assures.
"This is nonsense." Tony gets up the couch and grabs a bottle of water for himself. "I'm not interested in joining a group which has nothing to do with me."
"It has to do with you because according to the data we have collected about you-"
"How did you even know I was living here?" Tony turns around and tilts his head, looking serious. "Somewhere around America?"
"Technology exists, Stark. We were been able to locate you, so that I can help you find what you lost."
"I haven't lost anything, you picked the wrong guy!" Tony cried. "Now if I request you, please leave. I don't want to join your super secret boy band."
Tony was about to leave, but stopped immediately at the moment Fury said;
"We know who murdered your father, Stark."
He turns around in surprise, mixed with shock and amusement. He slowly approaches near the Director, holding a glance. "What?"
"Yes, Stark. I'm saying the truth. This is why I'm here." Fury made a worried expression.
".. this is what you wanted to tell me this all time? Then why do I need a group?"
"Stark, it's cause you can't do it alone. A team is what you require because this task really can't be done solo. The danger ahead has a trap waiting and it can risk you a lot."
"A trap?" Tony raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, a trap that HYDRA'S planning." Fury replied.
"HYDRA?"
"It's a terrorist organisation. It had been spreading like wildfire and we need to extinguish it as soon as we can, because it still exists." Fury said worriedly.
"Who's the bigger threat then?" He narrows his eyebrows. Fury then takes out a photograph from his pocket and shows it to Tony. He takes a look at the one in the photo, and looks back at the one eyed man.
"He's the threat?"
"He is, and we're trying to take him down, and this is why, we need you."
"What do I have to do with all this? Why me?"
"Because you're the prodigy. You can save the country from this upcoming threat."
Tony was a bit quiet but then he lets out a scoff. "That's what my dad said to me the since last time. Still, I failed anyway did I? I wasn't able.. to save my country, how am I going to save yours?"
"To give you a redemption. At least, so you can gain trust-"
"You know what? All of you are nothing but liars. Whatever the result is, it's always going to be you all and no one else. Showing off your pride to everyone doesn't mean you'll be the most powerful ones to exist." Tony growled and continued. "You all already crippled off the strong nation that I proudly belonged to, and I don't want to make things more worse. I'm shamelessly, living here all alone without being exposed, so that I can be prevented from being called a loser or a traitor."
"You think joining our group will immediately call you as a traitor? You don't know, not just you, but two Russians are also with us."
Tony looks in awe. "Really? Why would they even bother, joining your group knowing you all are Americans who betrayed me and everyone the last time." He chuckled.
"They too were reluctant to join, Stark. But when they realised joining the Initiative was focused on what they had missed and forward to achieve. You'll soon know about them too."
Fury puts a hand on his shoulder. "I know you have a hatred, and it's natural. But let me tell you Stark, not all people are like what you think."
Fury puts his hand back and then prepares to leave by putting back the documents in order and taking it with him in the suitcase. Tony steps forward while trying to give back the photo, but Fury didn't take it.
"You can keep it, and think about it." Fury nods. "Otherwise, you're free to refuse, good luck." Fury left his house, and Tony takes a look at the photo again. He narrows his eyebrows, as if he looked angry knowing whom could have murdered his father.
- Flashback -
Young Anton was shocked to know that the intel he had gathered was actually a fake one. He felt the USSR was now going to cripple apart. Along with General Kulikov, he takes off his hat, and gloomily looks at both.
Vasili shivered. "General, we-"
"No. It's not your fault. I think, we weren't capable of saving our nation at all. We've been betrayed, and torn apart by the Western forces. It's no use.. no use.." Kulikov leaves the room in utter disappointment. Vasili tries to calm down Anton but he suddenly bursted into tears and cried.
He felt that he failed.
"Don't cry, Tony.. we tried our best, okay? We didn't knew the intel was fake. We have to accept it one day." Vasili rubbed Anton's back.
"We failed, Vasili. We failed. Our country's gone." Anton wailed. Vasili shakes his head and hugs him, while he lets out the pain. Agent Volkov looks at them both in sadness, that somehow he too feels bad about his country now being at stake.
And by that, the Western winning was now imminent. Russia was going to lose.
December 16, 1991. The moment Anton's life was going to change forever. While driving on the wintery street alone, he suddenly caught attention to the house where he lived together with his mom and dad. Hoping his father might be there, he gets out of his car and enters the house. He sees the inside was still warm, hoping there still might be someone.
"Papa?" Anton called while rubbing his hands to ignite heat, but no response was given back. "Papa, you in there?"
Anton walks into each room, but still he can't find his dad, until..
"Tony.."
Anton turns around immediately, to see a slightly elder figure, mainly cause of the years passing by and they aged along. But, it didn't make Anton fail to recognise him.
"Papa?" He whispered. Yes, it was Howard. The old man smiled, and happily grabbed his son's cold hands. "Yes, son. It's me. You're.. you're back!"
"I knew it that you will still be here dad.. waiting for me." Anton began to cry.
"I'm so proud of you, my son. I'm so proud." Howard began to cry too, happily. "Look how grown you are."
"Papa.. I wanted to tell you something.." Anton shook his head.
"What is it, my son?" Howard responded.
Anton began to cry more badly. "We.. we failed. I couldn't save my country.. I-I'm sorry.. I've never made you proud like this!"
Howard realised his son was in constant pain, so he tried to cheer him up. "No no, son.. look at me. Look at me." He continued, as Anton looks at him with his teary eyes.
"You did what you can. It's not your fault, Tony. Not at all. I don't blame you for this. The thing is, I knew that this was possibly going to happen, we will not win, but I sent you because I had full hopes you can save it."
"But I wasn't able to!"
"This is why, you shouldn't blame yourself. We know, the Soviet Union is going to dissolute within the days, son. We did all we can.. now all we have to do is to- AGH!" Something blew off from the ceiling, making both of them crouch in defense.
"PAPA!" Anton cried, not knowing what actually attacked them by surprise. Anton saw a huge dark figure from above, glaring at them with his sniper rifle in his hands. Before he can try to escape, Anton pulled out a gun and tried to aim at it but escaped. Anton screams something in Russian before turning back to his father.
He sees that he was terribly wounded, and shot in the chest, making Anton panic. "Papa, don't worry I'll take you to the hospital, QUICK!"
"No, Tony.. nyet.. I think, after all this, we all are reaching our ends." Howard coughed blood.
"No, papa.. you can't leave on with me! First mama and not you!" Anton wailed. "Pozhalustya, papa! Pozhalustya!"
"Anton.. I know you are grown up.. you can handle it.. I trust on you.. y-you can.. d-do a l-lot better.. th-than me.. and I-I believe in y-yo-" Before he can continue his words, Howard immediately passed away in the young Russian's hands. Anton looked at his now dead father's corpse, shedding heavy tears and laid his head on Howard's chest. He sobbed and then wailed out loud, that his cry could be heard echoing around the house.
December 26, 1991. The day when Soviet Union dissolved. He silently saw the anthem playing for the last time, and seeing his flag dropping, and the new one replaced. Broken for losing his country, he tried not to break in tears too.
- Flashback End -
Tony almost shed tears while looking at the photo of the one who shot his father years back, and then looked over at himself in the mirror in front of him. His face was fueled with anger and rage.
"I will have my revenge. On those who took away whatever I had."
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