NOTE: Hello, readers! Some of you may have noticed that all the chapters following chapter one have been deleted, and this is due to a major revision I am going to make with them. When the chapters come back, they will be far better than they once were, and you will thank me for it. If enough people get mad at me, I may release the chapters earlier than when I'm finished with them, so, if you're mad, please let me know without swearing me out. :)

Fate Aligns the Paths of Heroes

Tony Stark had never been more stressed in his life. And he had been pretty stressed in the past. Facing Loki and his armies, Ultron and his armies, and then even having some quarrels amongst him and the other Avengers. All of that was over now, and Tony had to move forward, in life, in heroics, and in business.

For a long time, New York and Metropolis were at odds, and had often competed for business and economics. But now, for the first time in history, they would unite. Gotham, a nearby neighbor of Metropolis, is where the CEO of Wayne Enterprises lived, and he was planning on making a business deal with Tony, and with Stark Industries. Tony hoped greatly that everything would go well. There had been some serious feuding in the past, to the point where New Yorkers wouldn't even mention anyone from Metropolis or Gotham. And it needed to stop.

Tony probably should have been preparing a speech for the conference with Wayne Enterprises, but he wasn't. He had a screwdriver in one hand, and a blowtorch in the other, along with various other armor tools strapped to his belt. On a table, he had a new suit lain out, with only a top-half of the helmet made, and also, the suit was black, made from a new metal compound that Tony was trying out. He tinkered without pausing, to keep his mind off the stressful conference approaching soon.

Bruce Banner walked in, carrying a stack of papers. "Hey, Tony. I was preparing a speech, but I can't decide which one to use. Maybe you could take one of mine, since you wasted all day on this new suit of yours."

"Appreciate the gesture, Bruce, but I'm fine." Tony kept a solid face as he worked.

Bruce set the papers down on the table. "Tony, this nervousness, it isn't just about the conference, is it?"

Tony sighed. "I've been having dreams again. Pepper keeps on breaking up with me in every one. Sometimes she even dies."

"Listen, you just got to let her go. She can't handle your armor, even though that's who you are. You are Iron Man. If she doesn't like that, she's not for you. Clearly you still hold on somewhere in your head, based on your dreams. I'm a therapist, Tony. I know these kinds of things."

"Ugh, you're probably right." Tony set his tools down. "I'm going to get my formal suit on."

Bruce didn't remember a formal suit. "Formal suit?"

"Yeah, I built it for the conference. I might as well go in style, right?" Tony flashed his classic smile, and walked upstairs and out of the lab to get ready. Bruce rolled his eyes, and began to read over the speeches again.

In Wayne Manor...

After the Justice League was organized, and they faced off with various enemies, all Bruce Wayne wanted to do was relax. Using his high-speed computer and vast knowledge he had gained over the years, he wrote a speech in five minutes flat.

Alfred came in, carrying a plate of 3 breakfast muffins and a glass of milk. "Sir, you didn't eat this morning."

"Sorry, Alfred. I was busy taking down the Joker on Baris Street."

"I see, sir." Alfred set the plate down, and walked out.

Once Alfred left, Bruce opened up the file he was looking at on his computer. He pulled up a photo on his screen, of a man with long black hair, walking the streets of Gotham. The man wore a golden necklace under his black coat, and a green shirt peeked out from beneath it as well.

The picture was taken from a street camera the day that the factory at Wayne Enterprises had had a chemical fire.

Bruce looked closely, trying to recognize the face. He looked up the symbol on the necklace, and found page after page of Norse tales of a land called Asgard. The symbol was that of Loki, who wore green, and often had long, dark hair in the fables.

"Loki?" Bruce muttered.

The sign Loki was looking at in the street was the sign of the upcoming conference, and the path of his eyes seemed to be reading directly on the words "Tony Stark". Looking more closely, Bruce noticed a golden dagger in Loki's sleeve, and anger in his face.

"I've got a bad feeling about this." Bruce declared. "Alfred?" he yelled.

Alfred came down. "Yes, sir?"

"Pack my suit in the limo. We might need it."

"Of course, sir." Alfred left. Bruce got up from his computer, straightened his tie in the mirror, and went through his sliding door and out into the reading room in Wayne Manor. He walked down the stairs and out into the lobby, slipping on a coat, and then grabbing a batarang, which he put in his pocket last-second.

Alfred walked over to him on his way out. "What might the suit be for, sir, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Let's just say the conference may end a little early." and that was all Bruce said. He drove off in the limo, heading for the airplane that would take him overseas to New York.

Alfred shrugged, and walked back inside.

In Daily Planet...

Clark Kent sat in his cubicle at the Daily Planet, writing an interesting article with lighting speed. The chief walked up to him, and cleared his throat. "Ahem."

Clark looked up. "Yes, chief?"

"Listen, Kent, the reporter who was going to cover the conference in New York has called in sick. You're the next best guy to do the job. Get out there, and write me a story. And make it good, too!"

"You got it, chief." Clark got up from his seat and pulled on his suit jacket.

"Hey, Clark, you need a ride?"

"Nope."

The chief shrugged, and Clark Kent ran out of the building, stopping at a telephone booth. "Time to fly." he said. Once inside the booth, he pulled apart his shirt buttons; revealing a red "S".

In the conference building...

Loki slunk in to the conference room, his black coat trailing behind him. He saw a few overweight businessmen, and muttered, "Filthy mortals". He continued on his way down the isle of seats in the conference and sat down. He put on a pair of dark sunglasses, waiting the arrival of the "mighty" Iron Man.

Another figure entered, from the opposite side of the room, and sat near the back. He had a bandage over half his face, and a glove on one hand. He fingered a scratched coin in between his fingers. Loki nodded at him. Two-Face nodded back.

Over time, people filtered in, slowly hiding Loki and Two-Face in the crowd. Bruce Wayne walked in, and sat facing the isles of seats, in a chair next to the podium stand. Bruce Banner walked in as well, and shook Bruce Wayne's hand, taking a seat next to him, in one of the reserved spots for Stark Industries members.

Clark Kent walked in, buttoning the last button on his shirt, and straightening his tie. He sat in a chair off to the right of the isles, where there were press cameras and members of the New York Times, and others. A young man walked in, in his late teens, and sat down next to Clark, pulling out a small notepad. Clark used his super vision to find the name written on the front; Peter Parker.

Peter finished writing his first little bit of notes, and Clark outstretched his hand. "Hello, young man. I'm Clark Kent. Daily Planet."

"Hey. I'm Sp- Peter Parker. Daily Bugle."

"Nice to meet you." Clark noticed that Peter looked nervous, and also observant, trying to take in every detail he could. "First time on the job?"

"Outside of my work building? Yes."

"Well, The key is to watch closely how the center of attention is acting. In this case, that would be the conference speakers. How does Bruce Wayne look? How does Bruce Banner look? Are they nervous? Just try and read their emotions as best as you can. Once it starts, record the biggest points of the speeches. That's about it. Most important of all, make it sound interesting. That's it."

"Thanks, Mr. Kent. I'll try my best."

"Ok, kid. Looks like it's starting." Clark leaned back, pulling out a notepad himself. He watched Bruce Wayne come to the stand, and began to write.

"Welcome, native New Yorkers, and those who came in from Metropolis and Gotham. Welcome, all. Mr. Stark is running late, so I thought I'd begin the conference. Let me just start off by saying thank you, to all of those who promoted peace between rivals. This partnership of companies will lead to something great, I'm sure of it."

The crowd applauded, and the press took photos. Bruce Wayne continued, "Our company plans on using new technology and new tactics to keep the crime rates lower than ever."

"Crime? Heh. You can never shrink that." Two-Face muttered.

Just then, the lights in the ceiling began to go on and off, in a pattern, and even began to display different colors. Tony flew in in his formal suit, with a grey helmet and black armor, painted and chiseled to look like a tux. He took his seat next to Bruce Banner, who rolled his eyes again. Tony pulled back his helmet, leaning in his chair.

"Sorry, did I interrupt anything?" Tony asked. The crowd applauded as the lights returned to normal.

Bruce Wayne was annoyed. "Welcome, Tony. You're a little late."

"Sorry, I had to get ready for the party." More applause.

"Anyway, our partnership will help make the world a better place, as well as help businesses and the economy in general have a better system." mild applause.

"Hey, Mr. Wayne, sorry to cut you off, but maybe I could add some points?" Tony interjected playfully.

"Sure." Bruce Wayne was not amused. He sat down, as Tony went to the stand.

"In the past, I have donated money to charities, and helped with relief efforts, but now, we have our own new charity and relief effort; the Stark and Wayne Foundation." Applause. "This foundation will be dedicated to the service of those who need it, victims of disease, victims of crime, victims of alien attacks, which I'm sure many of you have seen."

The people nodded, remembering Ultron(not an alien, but still), and Loki, as well as the Joining, a DC alien enemy, which terrorized areas and almost won, had the Justice League not stepped in.

"What about the heroes? Are they supportive? Clearly Mr. Stark is, but how about Batman?" one of the press asked.

"I met with Batman before I came here, and he supports it. He would have been here, were it not for another crime he had to stop back in Gotham." Bruce Wayne said.

"You can't speak on Batman's behalf! You don't even know him." Two-Face said, standing up in anger.

Bruce Wayne recognized Two-Face, and fingered the batarang in his pocket as he stood up. "Sir, it's not polite to yell during a conference." he gave Two-Face a glare, and Two-Face sat back down.

"Of course, sorry to interrupt." Two-Face had a smile when he sat down, and he crossed his arms smugly.

Bruce Wayne sat back down as well, but not without noticing Two-Face's expression first. He firmly gripped the batarang now, alert even more than before. He looked towards the press chairs, and saw a few of them were missing; including Clark...

Tony continued talking, unaware that anything was wrong. Tony brought up another subject as he talked, and began saying a phrase, when a golden dagger went sailing through the air. One of the vents in the ceiling shut closed, as if it had just been opened, right when the dagger headed for Tony.

Tony didn't even see the dagger, until it was too late. The blade was inches from his face, when out of nowhere, a blue blur streaked past, along with a web trail. In a matter of seconds, Tony was on the ground, Superman on top of him, and the golden dagger had been webbed into Spider-man's hand.

"Can't have a party without Spider-man, right?" Tony said. The crowd applauded, unaware that Tony just almost died. They all thought it was a show.

"And the Man of Steel, as well. Glad you could join us, Superman." Bruce Wayne said. "What is your stance on the new foundation?"

"I feel if it's what the people need, it's what they should get. I can't save everyone, right?" the audience laughed a little. "I hear someone who needs help. I better go. Good bye, fellows." Superman flew out the door, and in a little while, Clark Kent walked back in. "Sorry, had to take a restroom break. Did I miss anything?" he asked a nearby press worker.

"Buddy, you missed a lot." the press worker went to his camera, snapping a few more photos of Tony and Bruce Wayne. He then snapped a picture or two as Spider-man went out.

"Gotta go, guys. pleasure meeting everyone." he swung out the door. Peter Parker soon entered back in, and took his seat, writing about what he could.

"Wow. After that little bit of excitement, I feel like we can close this meeting, and I feel Mr. Stark agrees. Do you?" Bruce Wayne asked.

"Yep. Sorry, folks. Party's over." Tony announced. The people began to filter out, and Two-Face made a quick exit. Bruce Wayne saw this, and followed him out. He ran into a closet, and then pulled on his bat-suit, which he had brought in his briefcase. Batman came out of the closet, and went through a nearby window, sliding down the side of the building.

Two-Face already had opened the door of his rusty pickup truck, and Batman wasn't about to let him get away. He ran to the car, stealthily, and bataranged the door shut. The batarang's razor-sharp blade stabbed through the car door and into the body of the car as well, closing it completely.

Two-Face was surprised, but still managed a smile. "Batman. Fancy seeing you here."

"I was looking for a person who was concerned about a certain foundation. I guess a phony is close enough." Batman pressed Two-Face against his car.

"I have no idea what the heck you're talking about." Two-Face said, slyly.

"You mean that little stunt that almost killed a multi-millionaire?" Batman wasn't happy one bit.

Two-Face didn't respond.

"Yeah. I know a diversion when I see one." Batman glared Two-Face down.

"How do you? You weren't at the meeting." Two-Face smirked.

"I was. I sat in the back. You made Bruce pretty angry." Batman stated.

"Yeah, and what's Bruce going to do? Speech my ear off?" Two-Face taunted.

"Basically. But Batman has a much better plan in mind." Batman said, menacingly.

"And what's that, detective?" Two-Face was not intimidated.

"One word: Loki. Spill the beans." Batman had caught him.

Two-Face was once again silent. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Two-Face tried hard to not blow his cover.

"This batarang I have here is just dying to meet you..." Batman pulled out his shiny blade and held it close to Two-Face.

Two-Face stared into Batman's eyes. "Fine. I'll talk." the coin in Two-Face's hand was shiny side up. Batman let go of him, seeing this. "But I don't have long before Loki comes back, wanting an explanation for his loss."

Batman nodded. He opened the bataranged door, and climbed in. "Hop in the passenger side. I'm going to drive you over to my car." Once Two-Face was inside, they drove off, and Batman continued. "So, what do you know?"

"For starters, you're Bruce Wayne."

"Where'd you hear that?" Batman was baffled.

"Didn't have to. You have the same eyes; almost black, and very menacing when they need to be." Two-Face stated, matter-of-factly

Batman was surprised. "Since when were you so observant?"

"Loki taught me a thing or two."

"So, what else?" Batman was dying to know more, as long as Two-Face wasn't hostile.

"There's a person, I'm not sure who, but he is pulling Loki's strings, like a puppet. Once Loki taught me how to see emotions like that, I used my skills on him, and saw that he's not the one in charge."

"These skills- are they magic?"

"In a sense. More like heightened senses. I got them from this necklace Loki gave me while I trained under him." Two-Face pulled out the necklace from the photo.

"So, you haven't trained under him for very long, then?" Batman recognized the necklace, it being the one from the photo.

"Wha?"

"The necklace, Loki was wearing it in a photo I saw, taken several weeks ago."

"Clever." Two-Face was impressed.

"Go on."

"Loki told me that he needed to kill Stark- that it was important for some reason, something about a nuke, and revenge." Two-Face said, getting serious.

"Using a nuke?"

"No, like Stark used a nuke."

"Hmm. I'll have to look that up at the Batcave." Batman thought on this...

"Am I coming in the Batcave?"

"No. Once that coin flips the wrong way, you'll be back in business."

"I am back in business." the coin had scratched side up. Two-Face tried to punch Batman, but Batman caught his fist, and continued driving. They were almost to his car. He just had to hold off Two-Face for the small amount of time.

Two-Face pulled back his fist, and began to pull at the steering wheel, turning the car to where it was aimed straight for Bruce Wayne's limo. Batman tried to stop it, but the old truck collided with the sleek car, and glass shards flew straight at Two-Face and Batman as they fell forward into the windshield. Batman blacked out in the explosion- the last thing he saw being Two-Face running from the burning vehicles.

Enjoy it so far? Please let me know! :)