It felt as if he were encased in a large block of ice. Every muscle felt frozen. He could barely even twitch. He could blink and barely open and close his mouth. That was it.
He tried to call out for help. A slight groan was the only sound that emerged. Sweat beaded on his forehead and chest. What the hell is happening?!
"Poor Tony. You worked so hard on this. Blood, sweat, and tears went into this project of yours. To rid the world of your weapons...my weapons."
Stark couldn't turn but he didn't need to. He could tell that voice anywhere. Stane?
Stane stooped down into his line of vision. Tony sat frozen, staring at him.
"It's a shame it has to end like this. I always kind of liked you. Too bad your nothing like your father." Stane patted Tony's knee like a parent reassuring a child before getting a shot.
"I regret that you had to bring Ms. Potts into all of this. Tony's eyes widened. Pepper? Oh God...
"Poor Girl. She didn't deserve to die like that. But her death was necessary." All of the color drained from Tony's face. A whimpering noise emerged from his throat.
no. No. NO! She...She can't be! Oh God Why?!
Closed his eyes tight. Images of Pepper raced through his mind. He tears of joy when she saw him get off the plane. And when they had danced and he nearly kissed her. Now he would never get the chance to kiss her. Tell her how much he loved her. He fucked up. Like he did with all his relationships.
He opened his eyes when he felt a pressure in the center of his chest. His eyes opened. They were now bloodshot. Tears made tracks from the corners of his eyes.
The pressure in his chest intensified. Stane was pulling out the Arch. He watched as it was pulled all the way out. With one last yank it was pulled completely out of his chest.
Stone smiled down at Tony. "Sorry Tony. This is going to hurt...a lot." Stone didn't look sad in the least bit.
Tony let out a gasp as he felt his heart began to beat slower and slower. The pain became stronger. His chest felt as if it had two-ton of steel laying on it.
He kept gasping, now unable to draw air in. His vital organs began shutting down.
Tears now ran rampant down his cheeks, dripping onto his chest. Tears for Pepper and tears for himself. Tears for the life he wasted.
Yinsen was right. He was a man who had everything but nothing.