アプリをダウンロード
8.33% Rebooting Destiny / Chapter 2: I am Iron Man

章 2: I am Iron Man

 

"And I... am... Iron Man."

 

And then he snapped his fingers...

 

Peter Parker landed immediately, his face a mask of anguish. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he realized what had just happened. They had won, but at what cost? His heart was breaking, splintering into pieces. This was the only way out of 14,000,605 possible outcomes. The only way to win. Yet, the victory felt hollow. The devastation in his eyes told a story that would stay with him for the rest of his life. Out of the corner of his eye, Tony caught sight of Rescue Armor—or rather, Pepper—landing nearby. She, too, was crying. Her worry was etched into every movement, as she rushed towards him. Her presence was like a gravitational pull; he could feel her concern emanating from her even before she reached him.

 

With a trembling hand, she moved Peter aside gently, her eyes never leaving Tony's face. She knelt down beside him, her face pale but determined. The tears fell freely now, unchecked, as she placed a soft, trembling hand on his cheek. Her lips quivered, and she tried to speak but couldn't find the words. Then Friday, with a voice that seemed quieter than usual, informed her that Tony's life functions were critical. Not that he needed the AI to tell him—he could feel his body slowly giving out, every inch of him fighting to stay conscious, to stay alive. But when Pepper leaned in and kissed his forehead, whispering that he could rest now, that they were going to be okay, he felt something else. Peace. The words gave him permission to let go, to release the burden he had carried for so long. He closed his eyes for the last time.

 

The enemy, that monster who believed wiping out half the universe was an act of mercy—what a fool. Tony had to admit, Thanos' delusional vision had even managed to outshine his own ego. That was something, considering Tony Stark was known for his inflated sense of self-worth. It was ironic, really. People often thought Tony took offense when someone outmatched him in arrogance, but they were wrong. His ego, his narcissism—it was part of his charm. At least, it had been once. Over the years, he had changed, softened. Pepper had a lot to do with that. Pepper Potts, his wife, his anchor, his everything. She had him wrapped around her little finger, and Tony wouldn't have had it any other way. Part of it was those long legs—no man could resist them—but it was more than that. She was his home, his sanity in a world that constantly threatened to drive him mad.

 

And now, she would have to go on without him. That thought hurt more than any physical pain he had ever felt. He had done this to save the universe, but most importantly, to save his family. His beautiful daughter, Morgan, deserved to grow up in a safe world, one without fear, one where she could be anything she wanted to be. His only regret was that he wouldn't be there to see it. He wouldn't get to see her smile, hear her laugh, or watch her grow into the brilliant woman he knew she would become. He had left Pepper to raise her alone, and that weighed heavily on his heart.

 

Then there was Peter Parker. The kid. Tony had to admit, 90% of his motivation for snapping his fingers was for Peter. Peter was like the son Tony never had, and losing him during the snap had nearly broken Tony. It was Peter's return that reignited the fire within him, the desire to do whatever it took to fix what had gone wrong. But Tony regretted how he had handled things with the kid. He had pulled Peter into the fray without proper preparation, given him a suit and a mission without the mentorship the kid needed. He had failed as a mentor, failed as a protector. That failure would haunt him until his last breath.

 

Before the so-called "time heist," Tony had known there was a chance he wouldn't make it back. He wasn't an idiot. He had been preparing for his death ever since the moment he decided to go along with the plan. He had made sure Friday knew exactly what to do if he didn't return. He had left everything in order—his company, his suits, his legacy. Pepper and Morgan would be taken care of. He had made sure of that. Rhodey, his best friend, his brother in arms, would get the War Armors Tony had designed specifically for him. Happy, his trusted friend, would inherit a few apartments, shares in Stark Industries, and his beloved cars. Tony had even made arrangements for May Parker. She and Peter would receive several penthouses and a comfortable job for May at the company. And Peter... Tony had left Peter new Spider-Man suits, EDITH, and a stake in the company. He had made Peter his successor in more ways than one, ensuring that the kid would continue the legacy he had built. Even after his death, Tony had ensured that all his loved ones would be protected, that they would thrive.

 

But death was not what he had expected. He had imagined it would be like flipping a switch—one moment he would be alive, and the next, gone. But instead, it felt like he was floating in an endless void, sinking deeper and deeper into the darkness. There was a strange peace in it, though. In the quiet, ethereal space between existence and oblivion, Tony drifted in serene stillness. Memories flickered around him like soft, glowing lights—moments of joy, of laughter, of love. There were unspoken words, regrets left behind, but even those didn't weigh him down. As the weight of his finite life faded, he was enveloped in a profound sense of peace and acceptance. It was like a soothing balm for his soul.

 

And then, just as he had resigned himself to this endless ocean of nothingness, he felt it. A pull, a warm embrace, something drawing him back. Then, everything went black.

 

Tony woke up in a cold sweat. His vision was blurry, his throat parched, and panic gripped him. He had died. He knew he had died. He had snapped and... But now, he could feel his body again. He pushed himself up, only to wince in pain. His right arm was in a sling, and another sharp pain shot through his chest. Looking down, he saw the arc reactor glowing faintly, keeping the shrapnel from piercing his heart. It didn't make sense—he had removed that reactor years ago. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion. Where was he?

 

Suddenly, the sound of rattling filled the room, and he started to lose his balance. But before he could fall, a strong arm caught him, steadying him.

 

"Hey, Tones, careful, man. There's turbulence. You shouldn't be standing—your body's dehydrated," came a familiar voice.

 

Tony squinted through the haze of confusion, trying to focus on the concerned face before him. His mind felt foggy, like he was trying to piece together fragments of a shattered puzzle.

 

"Rhodes?" Tony asked, still disoriented.

 

"Yeah, man. You okay?" Rhodey's voice was full of concern, his brow furrowed. He looked Tony over, checking for any signs of injury. After months of almost losing his best friend and scouring the earth to find him, Rhodey was on edge.

 

"Where are we, Rhodey?" Tony asked, his voice hoarse.

 

"We're on the jet, man. Just picked you up from the desert a few hours ago. We're heading to California," Rhodey explained, his voice calm but cautious. He knew Tony had been through hell, and he didn't want to overwhelm him with too much information at once.

 

Tony's eyes widened as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. This was the moment—this was the time when Obadiah Stane had betrayed him. The man he had once trusted with his life had tried to kill him and take over Stark Industries. That betrayal had cut Tony deeply, but he had dealt with it long ago.

 

Now, however, it seemed fate had given him a second chance.

 

Tony laughed at the absurdity of it all. Time travel—it had been the death of him. And yet, here he was, alive and well. Alive. The word felt strange, unfamiliar, as though it didn't belong to him anymore.

 

Rhodey watched Tony with a mixture of confusion and amusement. His best friend had always been a little eccentric, but this was something else entirely.

 

"Get ready, Tony. We're about to land," Rhodey said, helping Tony sit up straighter.

 

"Is Pepper there?" Tony asked, his voice tinged with hesitation. He already knew the answer, but something inside him needed to hear it.

 

"Yeah, Tones. She's waiting for you. She was a mess, worrying about you," Rhodey replied, his voice softening.

 

Rhodey brought out a wheelchair, but Tony shot him a look that made it clear he wasn't about to use it. After some back-and-forth, Rhodey finally managed to convince Tony to sit, if only for a few moments.

 

---

 

As the plane descended, the cargo bay door opened, flooding the space with light. Tony squinted against the sudden brightness, blinking as his eyes adjusted. Once his vision cleared, he stood from the wheelchair with a determined look on his face. He was dressed in an Armani suit—something Rhodey had brought for him. Rhodey walked out beside him, bracing him when needed.

-x---x---x-

 

The jet's engines hummed as it settled on the tarmac, and the door slowly opened to reveal a bright California morning. The warm breeze swept through the cabin, carrying the familiar scent of saltwater and fresh air. Tony paused for a moment, taking it all in—this was real. His heart pounded in his chest as he moved forward, his body still aching from the ordeal, yet his mind sharp with anticipation.

When Tony stepped off the plane, the first thing he saw was Pepper. She was standing by the black SUV waiting for him, her arms folded across her chest, her eyes red and puffy from hours of worry and sleepless nights. Despite the exhaustion in her expression, there was an undeniable relief that washed over her face the moment she saw him. It was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.

Pepper hurried toward him, her steps quickening as she closed the distance between them. Tony opened his arms just in time for her to crash into him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. She buried her face into his shoulder, and for a few moments, neither of them spoke. They simply stood there, holding each other as if the rest of the world had fallen away.

"Welcome back Tony."

She tells him with her voice trembling and finally letting her tears fall he lets her go and looks at her with his usual smirk.

"Your eyes are red. A few tears for your long-lost boss?."

He asks her going back to their usual playful banter that he loved after composing himself.

"Tears of joy. I hate job hunting."

She quips back playfully composing herself and going back to her professional persona and smiles at him.

"Common Pepper, let's go home."

As they made their way toward the waiting SUV, Tony glanced around, taking in the familiar sights of the airfield. The sharp sun glinted off the sleek, black surface of the car, and Happy Hogan stood nearby, grinning widely at the sight of his old boss. Happy opened the door for them, and Tony slid in beside Pepper, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu wash over him. It was like stepping back into a chapter of his life that he thought had already been written.

"Hey, Boss," Happy said, turning around from the driver's seat as he started the engine. "Glad to see you in one piece. You gave us quite a scare."

Tony flashed him a small smile. "Glad to see you too, Happy. Guess I still have a few lives left."

"Take us to the hospital, please, Happy."

Pepper tells Happy clearly wanting to make sure that he is alright.

"No Pep we are going home there is no need for it."

"But tony."

She tries to protest.

"Pep, I have been in captivity for three months there are two things I want to do one is cheeseburger because I have been eating shit literally I mean how could people eat that and second is."

"That's enough!

She tells him giving him a look that says she knows what he is thinking.

"Is not what you think , I will tell you in few days now cheeseburgers then we go home and set up a press conference in a week."

Both Pepper and Happy sign in exasperation as Pepper finally relents trusting that Rhodey must have checked him out she nods to which Happy drives towards the Malibu mansion causing Tony to pout and mutter.

"I am supposed to be the boss here"

 

-x---x---x-

 

By the time they arrived home, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the coastline. The Malibu house stood tall and imposing against the horizon, its sleek design blending with the rugged cliffs. The sound of waves crashing against the shore was a constant, soothing rhythm that seemed to echo Tony's own turbulent thoughts.

Pepper walked ahead, her hand still intertwined with Tony's, leading him into the house as if afraid that if she let go, he might disappear again. Inside, the familiar hum of technology greeted them—the subtle whir of Jarvis working in tandem to keep the house running smoothly.

Tony paused for a moment in the entryway, his eyes scanning the space. It was exactly as he remembered it—yet somehow, it felt different. Perhaps it was because he had been on the edge of death, or perhaps it was because he now knew what lay ahead in the future. Either way, the home that had once been a fortress of solitude now felt like something more—something fragile, precious.

.

"Pep anyone other than you is not allowed to come down here send them back and tell not to disturb me, tell the press about the press conference in a week that I will tell everything there other that no is allowed down here."

He tells her seriously to which she nods and starts to make arrangements.

Tony puts his hand on the scanner as it scans his hand and lets him into his lab he claps his hand.

"Wake up JARVIS Daddy is back."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Load failed, please RETRY

週次パワーステータス

Rank -- 推薦 ランキング
Stone -- 推薦 チケット

バッチアンロック

目次

表示オプション

バックグラウンド

フォント

大きさ

章のコメント

レビューを書く 読み取りステータス: C2
投稿に失敗します。もう一度やり直してください
  • テキストの品質
  • アップデートの安定性
  • ストーリー展開
  • キャラクターデザイン
  • 世界の背景

合計スコア 0.0

レビューが正常に投稿されました! レビューをもっと読む
パワーストーンで投票する
Rank NO.-- パワーランキング
Stone -- 推薦チケット
不適切なコンテンツを報告する
error ヒント

不正使用を報告

段落のコメント

ログイン