Disclaimer: I own nothing. Stan Lee is God.
A/n: So, despite the fact that I have so much to do, and a story in the works with the sequel written on my phone, both nearly completed.. I could not resist writing this. I thank tripnskip, one of my favorite blogs on Tumblr, for reblogging the gif set behind this idea, and adding her input on one key factor. Then saying it HAD to be written. And who am I to deny genius...? This is going to be heart breaking, but I hope you guys like it anyway! Enjoy!
Legacy
By: BetterxWithxAxPen
1]
Reoccurring nightmares are never taken seriously. As kids, we are told they mean nothing, just our mind playing tricks on us. Irrational childish fears that will never happen. A lie to sooth a child.
As we grow out of our childish innocence, we soon learn that nightmares are merely worries and fears your subconscious brings to the forefront. Your worst fears brought to images to force you to face what you ignore or run away from. Still, its said to be nothing, that it will never happen. Another lie to help you cope.
Pepper Potts had one nightmare when Tony Stark became Iron Man. One reoccurring fear. Shoved down by Tony's kind words and examples of technology designed to keep Pepper's fears at bay. And she believed it, for as long as fate allowed. She believed it and prayed to God's she didn't believe in that the nightmares never came true. And it was easy to believe it wouldn't happen. Because, even when the most dangerous thing happened, when he was sucked into a black hole attached to a missile, Tony Stark kept his promise.
He came home to Pepper.
The sad truth about some nightmares, even some dreams, is that there is a possibility of them coming true. Even if you don't think they will, it happens. Sometimes good, sometimes random, and, sadly, sometimes bad.
Pepper didn't want to believe that this was more than a nightmare. She didn't want to believe anything. She wanted to still be arguing with Tony over the giant stuffed rabbit in their living room. Moments before the terrible blow. Because every fight led to making up. To bring together. To living.
But this wasn't Pepper's ideal world. It was a nightmare come to life. It was loss and pain and agony etched into one moment. It was what she always feared.
Virginia "Pepper" Potts woke up in a hospital bed, surrounded in too much white for her comfort. The room was uncomfortable. It wasn't her warm bed. She wasn't being held by Tony or feeling him nip at her neck to wake her in his morning need.
She woke up to a sad-faced Director Nick Fury standing over her, holding the last remaining part of the Mark 42 in his hands. Tony's face plate. As her eyes freshly opened, his lips spoke the words of Pepper's biggest fears and worst nightmares.
"Tony didn't make it.."
In that moment, in such a simple sentence, Pepper's world ended. And all she could do was scream...
Because not all nightmares stay in your head. Some make their way out and mix with fate and circumstance. Sometimes, your worst fears become reality. In a split second, even the most deeply kept promises can break.
And your left like Pepper.
Screaming into the night in pure agony and sadness. And you're alone.
You're all alone.
From the ashes of pain, comes rebirth. It may seem as if it will never come. But it mixes with the same components: Fate and circumstance... When you least expect it. And even good can come from your worst nightmare come to light.
A/N: A bit vague, but more is explained in the next chapter, which is in the works. Reviews are life. So supply so I may live?
- BetterxWithxAxPen