The sacrifice
Chapter-10
Tony couldn’t fathom what he saw. He refused to believe it. Hadn’t it been only a year that he passed away?
“Loki, turn off the cloak. I need to talk to her” Tony said almost numb.
“Stark, I don’t think it’s wise.”
“Fine. I can do it myself” tony said crackling his knuckles ready to shoot the blazing fire that was forming inside the palm.
“Very well. Stark stand still” Loki could see the turmoil of emotions in the man’s face. It was heart breaking to know about someone’s death but even more devastating is to forget them. Loki was already regretting their plan to visit Pepper. He should have asked to someone. Anyone. Now that the damage was done. He could only see the events unfold.
“Mr stark… please know that you are not alone” Peter whispered. He couldn’t believe that the woman would do something like this. He knew his Tony was hurting. Somehow he couldn’t find any happiness in it.
Stark didn’t even look back as he dashed behind the woman who was getting ready to get inside the car.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
All through the years Tony had never cared about anyone. His younger self was spoiled. He knew that he had probably broken hundreds of hearts in those times, gave fake promises to both young girls and boys. He didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy to them.
And then, Afghanistan happened. He became Iron man. He was slowly seeing his errs. All through it Pepper just stood by his side. Never complained. Never accused. Just stood by and when things got too out of control she would bring him back. But he never felt suffocated like when he was with his dad. The old man had seriously did a number on him.
He knew that he could never give Pepper a blissful life. It was in his memo. Trying to save anyone before thinking of himself twice. He didn’t care, even though Pepper came into his life- he couldn’t. If he couldn’t save others, then who would?
But then he had too much to lose- he married Pepper and had a beautiful daughter. God, Morgan stark would grow up to be a beautiful woman. He wanted to be there for her. To see her first bicycle ride, her first inventions, her first date, be the chaperone of her prom. What little dreams he had.
And even then he couldn’t stop it, that’s why when he held the gauntlet… he cried. But then he made up his mind. He thought just one thing, one life is not much to millions. He would do it. He wanted everyone to move on. But it stung to know that they had moved on so quickly. He had carried on his guilt for almost five years for not saving the Spiderman. It only took a year for his wife to move on.
Though he sounded furious, he was not planning to fight with his Pep. He was gonna beg, maybe crawl to Pepper. She would be angry first but then she will come back to him. That was always their relationship. He knew he could make it right. So yeah in the grant scheme of plans, Iron man’s plan was simple- stop Pep before going on a date with whatever loser she was seeing. Beg and get back with her.
As he was approaching the car, he heard an impish sound- “Ma you are very subtle” Morgan was leaning towards the black Porsche with a mild exasperated face. In that way, she looked just like her mom ready to sass back.
Pepper just shook her head and smiled –“Let’s go kid”.
Stark was panting by the time he reached near the car.
“Pepper honey!” Stark shouted.
“Mom, did you hear something?” Morgan asked confused.
Pepper turned back to look straight through Tony and spoke “Nah, kiddo. I think you are spending too much time with bots”.
And she got inside the car.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Afar Peter was watching the commotion unfold. Since he had a good hearing sill he could make out the words, the repeated screams of Tony “It’s me. Pep I am back. It’s me. Baby it’s daddy!” but Miss Potts got into the car unfazed.
“What’s happening?” Peter asked Loki aghast.
“The sacrifice- that’s the sacrifice.”
“What?”
“Tony can’t be seen by people who forgot him. He is ghost to people who moved on”.