Pepper's rage
Pepper Potts' heart raced as she sped towards the compound. The news had hit her like a freight train—Steve Rogers had tried to murder Tony, and now he was in critical condition. The Extremis protocol had been activated, a last-ditch effort to save his life. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions: fear, anger, and a fierce determination to protect the man she loved.
As she burst into the medbay, her eyes immediately found Tony in the cradle, surrounded by the team. Clint was by his side, his expression a mix of worry and resolve. Natasha was coordinating with the medical staff, her face a mask of professionalism despite the turmoil within.
"Pepper," Clint called out, his voice steady but filled with concern. "He's stable for now, but it's touch and go."
Pepper rushed to Tony's side, her eyes filling with tears as she took in his battered form. The sight of his gruesome, life-threatening injuries made her heart ache. She couldn't believe the extent of the damage Steve had inflicted.
Natasha approached, her expression grim. "Pepper, we had to initiate Protocol Last Chance... Extremis. It was the only way to save him."
Pepper's hands clenched into fists, her anger boiling over. "How could Steve do this? How could he try to kill Tony?"
Natasha didn't try to shield Pepper from the harsh reality. "It was brutal, Pepper. Tony's injuries are severe. But we're doing everything we can to save him."
Clint could barely read the full body scan results without pure rage and nausea. Tony's crushed sternum, collapsed left lung, internal bleeding, and frostbite were all too much to bear. Tony had even lost some fingers to the harsh weather in Siberia. Clint's mind raced with thoughts of retribution. He wanted to find Steve and put an explosive arrow through his head. Before S.H.I.E.L.D., he had been a marksman, assassin, and mercenary. The old instincts surged within him, but he knew he had to stay focused on Tony.
Pepper noticed Clint's turmoil and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Clint. You know Tony and I, we tried to fix our relationship," she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Tony is easy to love, isn't he?"
Clint looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and filled with emotion. "How did you know that I love him?" His voice shook as he spoke.
Pepper's smile widened, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's written all over your face, Clint. The way you look at him, the way you care for him... it's obvious to anyone who knows you."
Clint's heart ached with the weight of his feelings, but he found solace in Pepper's words. "Thank you, Pepper. For understanding."
Pepper nodded, her determination renewed. "We'll get through this together. Tony needs us now more than ever."
As the team worked tirelessly to stabilize Tony, Pepper and Clint remained by his side, their presence a constant source of strength and support. They knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with each other and the rest of the team, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Extremis Technopathy
Tony's body lay still in the cradle, the Extremis protocol working its way through his system. The advanced nanotechnology was designed to repair and enhance his body, but the process was grueling and fraught with risks. As the Extremis serum coursed through his veins, Tony's mind began to stir.
In the depths of his subconscious, Tony found himself in a vast, digital landscape. He could feel the power of the Extremis protocol merging with his own technopathic abilities, granting him unprecedented control over technology. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.
As Tony's consciousness navigated this new realm, he began to understand the full extent of his abilities. He could communicate with machines, control them with a mere thought, and even manipulate digital information. The possibilities were endless, but so were the dangers.
Back in the medbay, Clint and Pepper watched anxiously as Tony's vitals fluctuated. The Extremis protocol was pushing his body to its limits, and they could only hope that he would emerge stronger on the other side.
"Come on, Tony," Clint whispered, his voice filled with determination. "You can do this. We believe in you."
Pepper nodded, her eyes never leaving Tony's face. "We're here for you, Tony. We'll get through this together."
As the Extremis protocol continued its work, Tony's body began to heal. His crushed sternum mended, his collapsed lung reinflated, and the internal bleeding stopped. The frostbite damage was reversed, and even his lost fingers began to regenerate.
Tony's eyes fluttered open, and he took a deep breath, feeling the strength returning to his body. He looked up at Clint and Pepper, a mixture of gratitude and determination in his gaze.
"Thank you," Tony whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for believing in me."
Clint and Pepper exchanged relieved smiles, their hearts swelling with pride and love for the man who had fought so hard to survive.
The Mental Battle
Although Tony's physical health was now at 100%, he knew he had to deal with the mental health crisis he was experiencing. The revelation that his father hadn't been drink driving that night, but had been drinking club sodas before he drove, weighed heavily on him. Tony's eidetic memory replayed the events over and over, and he realized he had to grieve his parents all over again.
Tony, now enhanced in every way, went online to find help. Clint watched with a mix of concern and curiosity as Tony searched for a therapist in Lower Manhattan who specialized in working with celebrities and treating PTSD and anxiety disorders. The process of seeking help was both daunting and necessary.
"Tony, are you sure about this?" Clint asked, his voice filled with worry.
Tony nodded, his determination unwavering. "I have to do this, Clint. I need to heal, not just physically, but mentally too."
Clint placed a reassuring hand on Tony's shoulder. "We'll support you every step of the way."
Tony found a therapist who came highly recommended and made an appointment. He knew the road to recovery would be long and challenging, but with the support of his friends and the help of a professional, he was ready to face his demons and begin the process of healing.
Cleansing the Past
The first thing Tony did was clear all his hidden bottles of alcohol out of his private labs and his private rooms in the compound. Clint was right there with him, helping every step of the way. They even made a game out of it, throwing the bottles in the air and shooting at them, shattering the glass and symbolically breaking free from the past.
"Feels good, doesn't it?" Clint said, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched Tony take aim at another bottle.
Tony nodded, a sense of liberation washing over him. "Yeah, it does. Thanks for being here, Clint."
Clint placed a reassuring hand on Tony's shoulder. "Always, Tony. We're in this together."
To help Tony release his pent-up anger and frustration, Clint took him to a rage room. The room was filled with various objects to destroy, and Tony didn't hold back. He blasted everything with his repulsors, the sound of shattering glass and splintering wood echoing through the room.
Clint watched with a mix of admiration and concern as Tony unleashed his fury. "Let it all out, Tony. You deserve this."
Tony's breathing was heavy as he finally stopped, the room now a chaotic mess. He turned to Clint, a mixture of exhaustion and relief in his eyes. "Thanks, Clint. I needed that."
Clint nodded, his expression filled with understanding. "Anytime, Tony. We're going to get through this, one step at a time." Tony entwined his fingers with Clint's and kissed his knuckles with a soft warm smile.
Izzy Stark
Tony Stark sat in his private quarters, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his shoulders. Despite his physical recovery, the emotional scars ran deep. He knew he had to confront his past and heal from the trauma that had resurfaced. One of the most important steps in his journey was reconnecting with his daughter, Izzy Stark.
Izzy had always been a bright and spirited child, inheriting her father's intelligence and determination. Tony had tried to be a better father to her than Howard had been to him, but the demands of his life as Iron Man had often kept him away. Now, more than ever, he needed to make amends and strengthen their bond.
Clint, ever the supportive partner, stood by Tony's side as he prepared to reach out to Izzy. "You ready for this?" Clint asked, his voice gentle.
Tony nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Yeah, I need to do this. She deserves to know the truth and to have her father back in her life."
With Clint's encouragement, Tony picked up his phone and dialed Izzy's number. The phone rang a few times before she answered, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of apprehension. "Dad?"
Tony took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "Hey, Izzy. It's me. I... I wanted to talk to you about everything that's happened. I know I've been distant, and I'm sorry for that. But I want to make things right."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Izzy spoke, her voice trembling with emotion. "I've missed you, Dad. I want to understand what happened."
Tony's eyes filled with tears as he listened to his daughter's words. "I missed you too, Izzy. And I promise, I'll explain everything. We'll get through this together."
As Tony and Izzy began to rebuild their relationship, Clint remained a constant source of support. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with love and determination, they would face it together.
Izzy Stark drove her Chevy truck to the airport, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. At 17 years old, she was about to embark on a journey to New York to see her father for the first time in what felt like forever. She had a return ticket for a week, but she hoped it would be enough time to reconnect and heal old wounds.
As she boarded the plane, Izzy's mind raced with thoughts of her father and his new partner. Tony had always been open about his sexual orientation, and now he seemed more open and free than ever. She was excited to meet Clint, the man who had brought so much happiness into her father's life.
Not that she didn't like Pepper—Pepper had always been kind and supportive. But there had always been a lingering fear in Pepper's eyes, a fear that Tony's life as Iron Man would eventually lead to his demise. Izzy understood that fear, but she also knew that her father was a fighter, and he had found someone who truly understood and supported him.
As the plane touched down in New York, Izzy took a deep breath, steeling herself for the emotional reunion. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to make the most of their time together and rebuild the bond they once had.
Rhodes' Rage
James Rupert "Rhodey" Rhodes lay in his hospital bed, his body still recovering from the injuries he sustained in Leipzig. The paralysis in his legs was a constant reminder of the battle that had changed everything. Despite his physical limitations, his mind was sharp, and he kept himself informed about the ongoing events.
When Rhodey learned about Steve Rogers' betrayal and his attempt to murder Tony, he was filled with a rage he hadn't felt in a long time. The news hit him hard, and he struggled to process the enormity of the situation. He couldn't believe that someone they had trusted could do something so heinous.
Rhodey knew that Steve, along with Sam, Wanda, and Scott, had gone into hiding in Wakanda. The knowledge that they were out of reach only fueled his anger. He felt helpless, confined to his hospital bed, unable to take action.
As he lay there, his mind raced with thoughts of his friend. Tony had always been there for him, and now he was fighting for his life because of Steve's actions. Rhodey clenched his fists, his determination growing stronger. He vowed to support Tony in any way he could, even if it meant confronting Steve when the time was right.
"Tony, you hang in there," Rhodey muttered to himself, his voice filled with resolve. "We'll get through this, and we'll make sure Steve pays for what he's done."