"You think life could get worse. You think that everything is alright. But you think that all because of one little mistake that life ends. Well it doesn't. It gets better, doesn't it?" the next blow onto his fragile chest was even more painful.
"Does it?" another blow.
"You disgust me. High and mighty Ironman. Worship him in all his glory." another blow. This one broke a rib, and Tony gasped in pain, mouth gaping.
A rumble of a laugh escaped the enemy and he brought another blow to Stark's chest. Tony coughed and groaned in pain, his arms were tied down by his sides. His bare chest was exposed and being brutally beaten on.
"What have you to say for yourself, Tony Stark?" Tony thought for a second and then,
"You are one...hell of a...bastard."
"Hell I am."
Tony smiled at the magic words as
the suit sprang to life and shot poor Forsythe Durmrer in the forehead. Tony frantically undid his bonds, carefully working around his broken rib. Then Tony looked at his heart.
He glowed softly.
Oh God.
The glow started to fade, and Tony felt his breath fall.
Oh God, please.
He saw spots of black and then saw no more.
An hour later
"Sir? Sir are you ok?" a woman opened the door and came in. She was from SHEILD and had been sent to check on Stark's mission.
"Oh my God!" she knelt down beside him.
The glow of his heart was low, about a flicker of a candle.
"Mr. Stark? Mr. Stark!?"
She tried to do CPR, but she couldn't pump Tony's heart. She saw his broken rib and shuddered. She tried to call Fury in the dark little shack. The signal didn't go through.
"Ohhhhh..." Stark had drawn enough breath to make a sound. He saw the woman.
"Mr. Stark! Oh, um, I'm trying to get Fury, but the signal isn't going through. I need you to tell me if you can breath."
Tony Stark breathed raggedly and shook his head. The woman bit her lip.
"Leave...me..."
"No."
"Save...you..." he lifted a dying finger and pointed at her.
She couldn't carry him, and she wouldn't leave him. So she dragged him, and she felt an earthquake rumble.
"Bomb...save...you..." the woman realized exactly what he meant. She dragged him quickly and as soon as she'd scooted him out of the shack, threw her communicator at him, and began to run out the door, the house exploded.
Tony was soon found and healed.
He asked who the woman was who sacrificed her life for him.
"Her name was Carrie Donina, and she will be dearly missed." Tony thanked the grave of Carrie Donina for saving his life...
She will always be remembered for putting others before herself.
