Thank you for your support. I have been so busy with school that all my stories have fallen to the back burner but I have been working on it. Don't throw rotten fruit at me :)
I'm overwhelmed by the support and level of enthusiasm for this story and it killed me not to have the time to write this semester. Thank you again and I hope you enjoy. ;)
All We Needed Was a Purpose: Chapter 7
Tony was changing, slowly, but yes he was changing. The saddest part was that Darcy didn't think he even realized it. Inside, at least to Darcy, it seemed he hadn't given up, but knew it was lonely inside his head. Even with Loki putting a spell on Pepper every now and again, and taking her to see him, he still pretended like he wasn't losing hope.
Darcy could feel like she was very close to curing Tony. She and Bruce had determined that the virus was ever evolving and changing. She had realized that this virus needed some part of its genetic make-up altered, much like Peppers version but the difference was where it needed to be changed. One wrong move and Tony could be sent into an unregulated heat increase and destroy himself and the other people around him. Darcy had been up all night again, sure she was close to being on the right track to curing him, but she just couldn't find the right strand of DNA. Loki had gone to spend the night in Asgard with Thor to take care of some duties, even though he had no urge to leave her, and everyone else had gone to bed. She was about to do a test on sample piece from Tony when she felt her skin go on edge, her intuitive warning went off. She put up a field around herself and Tony, reaching for a weapon. The helicarrier suddenly shook and tilted to the left. Darcy yelped and grabbed onto Tony's bed, planting her feet into the ground. An alarm sounded, and Darcy put a tighter field around Tony and ran to the bullpin.
Everyone was running around, the room was dark and the only lights to be seen were emergency lights.
"Director Fury what's going on?!"
Nick Fury leaned over a computer monitor that continued to work despite the lack of power within the whole building. Darcy sent forward a light spell that gave light to the dark area. Steve, and Bruce had also appeared in the area.
"The hellicerrier has been shut down electronically with some sort of signal that throws all of our servers offline, which cut the power to our engines. We are fast falling."
Darcy's eyes got big, and she watched the altitude drop on the screen. Everybody tried to figure out how to get the power running, virus just snaked further into the system when the techs tried everything they could to remove it. Darcy wasn't sure what they were doing, but they were doing it wrong. Where was freaking Thor when you needed him, he could have conducted enough energy to get them landed. Darcy thought to herself. She hadn't begun to try and control elements yet so to try now and without Loki could be suicide, but then again if she didn't try then they would all be dead. She walked over to the computer and moved the fumbling techs out the way. She could try a back way into the system, then attempt to trap the virus, so she could remove it. She got in a back way without being kicked out, but the virus had noticed when she set a code inside to trap it so it pushed her into it, but she could get out, it was then that she realized the virus was being run remotely, by a person. So she began to play a game of cat and mouse with the controller on the other end, and then finally with a bit more effort than she expected she caught him in a removal program and she shut down the remote operator. It was only a few moments afterward she got them running again and stopped them from plunging to their deaths. Everyone yelped and shouted with excitement, but the prickling sensation Darcy had felt earlier hadn't gone away. To be safe Nick had ordered they land and get everything checked and re-secured before they got back in the sky. And soon as they landed on abandoned airfield.
"Fury, Why did we land here?"
"Our people found it as the closest and most secure place to land. We will have everyone here by the morning who can add stronger security to our defense network, and determine how they got the virus onto our motherboard."
"I'm going to check on Tony, something is not sitting right with me about this whole incident."
Once Nick nodded at her, she turned to walk away, noticing all the random people in the room, trying to pull themselves together after the near death experience. It was one guy in the corner that didn't look nervous at all, in fact he looked down right shifty. Without much pretense his veins began to glow, and Darcy shouted.
"Extremis!" Watching as man burned his shield suit from his body and began attacking, leading to others burning through the steel walls and Darcy realized they whole system shut down has been a ploy to get them down to the ground in the spot they needed them in. A vulnerable spot. She wasted no time fighting, hoping she could fight her way to Tony, who was in major danger if they got to him. Everyone was fighting, shooting and dying. She started fighting two glowing men and after a while Darcy trying to hold them off wasn't working, and one of them caught a hold on her arm, causing her to scream in pain, and lose concentration. She saw them laugh as they moved to try and double team her again, knowing they had the upperhand. Darcy was trying to throw up a shield but she was delirious with pain, and then a green flash shot out from her necklace, killing the two without much pretense. She didn't know why it had done that, but she focused on getting up to Tony. Pulling herself to her feet, she scurried along the wall, moving until she reached Tony's room. She ran in, finding her shield still in place around him.
"I knew you'd come beauty."
She spun, finding Killian leaning on the wall, behind her. She focused on analyzing him, it was hard to see beyond his confidence. She knew everyone had a weakness.
"Well if isn't Aldrich Killian. I'd say this is your doing."
He smirked, moving toward her causing her to back up."
"You would say I had a vested interest in getting this vessel landed."
"What do you want? Because if your looking to rid of that Miami Vice hairstyle I know a person."
He chuckled, Darcy didn't let him shake her, but became even more alert.
"You are definitely Tony's sister. I think a lot could be done with you."
He eyed her up and down his intentions clear on what exactly he had planned for her. She suppressed the disgusted shutter.
"Well the 80's surely did a number on you...So would you like to explain what you want, not that I care but it's about time for a villain to go on an egotistical rant and your the only one in the room who fits the bill."
"Cute. No, there won't be a rant. I've come for my invention. Imagine a Extermis Iron Man, the new superhero, the next generation of icon. Tony will be the star. I need him back."
"Too bad, too sad, for you, boo hoo. I think he's already declined working with you."
Killian, turned slightly orange, but didn't burst into full fire. Darcy looked around, trying to figure out how to get her and Tony out of this situation.
"Yes I think you both can help usher in a new era."
Without warning he melted a piece of the metal table next to him, turning it into a spear to chuck at her. She ducked and watched it dissipate against the shield she had up around Tony. Killian wasted no time walking over to her, eyes glowing, to lift her off her feet. She kicked him in the stomach and brought her elbows down on his forearms breaking his hold on her, but it didn't stop him from swinging, but Darcy ducked again, letting his fist crash into the metal where her head was supposed to be where her head was. Channeling her inner Natasha, she kicked his feet from under him, trying to run past, but screaming as he grabbed her ankle and dropping her to the ground. Finding some way to block the pain to put all her focus on getting to Tony. She kicked his face and moved away, as he grabbed his face, and then growled at her. She got to her feet with a limp and used that same foot for a flying kick, punch combo. They battled strongly, Killian almost garnered the upper hand on Darcy as her strength wavered, but inadvertently putting Darcy where she needed to be. She flew into Tony's bed, and knocked them both over, thinking he had won, or was about to at any rate, he walked over to her, with his shirt long missing, but before he could get close enough to do anymore damage, Darcy made her play, causing the sink pipes to burst and taking control of the water throwing a wall between them, and then freezing it long enough for Darcy to grab Tony's unconscious hand and make them disappear far away from the hellicarrier. She missed his angry yell as he realized she was not behind the wall of ice and was no where in the room...
Darcy looked around where she had landed, not sure exactly where she had taken them, but wherever she had landed them, was covered in dust. Adrenalin pumped through her veins, and she looked around the room. It seemed like she was in some house, but it hadn't been in use for awhile judging by the state of the place. The living room had furniture but it was covered by white sheets, that the dust had clearly conquered. She pulled her brother to the couch and got him on top of it. She didn't have time to waste. Her team and a bunch of others were still in danger. She left Tony and went back into helicarrier. It was times like this she did wish Thor and Loki were Gods like everyone thought. If they were they could hear her prayers for them to get off their asses and get their godly butts down here to help. She knew Jane and her family were sitting ducks if they were still on the ship. She arrived at their side with a thought, and they jumped screaming from the locked room. Once Jane realized who she was, she jumped into her arms crying. Darcy hissed at Jane's irritation of her wounds.
"Darcy oh my god are you okay?"
"I'm fine. We have got to get you all out of here."
"What's going on, first we are going down, next all we hear are screams and explosions." Her mom asked, tears in her eyes.
"Those people that attacked when were shopping, are here. I got Tony out of here, now its your turn."
"Take your mother and sisters first." Her dad said pushing them forward.
"No we are all going together." Her mom protested, and Darcy pondered how to get everyone out at the same time. It hit her, that she would play the monkeys in a barrel game, and hoped it worked.
"Every grab onto someone..."She couldn't finish her sentence due to the fact the locked door was melting before her eyes. Seconds later the door exploded, causing Darcy to use her powers to throw up a hasty shield. Luckily it wasn't Killian she was able to dispatch them with a small fight, tossing the unmoving men back out the door, and quickly going back into her speech.
"Everybody grab someone. Make sure they have some sort of connection to me, even if it is through someone else. NOW"
She could here more men coming and they all scrambled to be attached and once Darcy was sure she apperated them to wherever she had left Tony and thanked the gods he was still sleeping. She figured he had enough meds coursing though his system to keep him sleeping.
"I've got to go back. Everyone else is still there."
"Darcy you are hurt."
Jane said hoping to talk her friend out of putting herself in danger.
"Help Tony, if he wakes up do not engage him. Leave the room. Keep him cool until I get back."
"Darcy..."
"Mom I have to go get my team."
Darcy's mom saw the look on her face and knew she couldn't talk her daughter out of it, despite the fact that she looked a little more than worse for the wear. Darcy didn't want for approval as she transported herself back on board. Her body throbbing with a dull pain that promised more trouble for her later. The fighting was still strong, and Darcy needed to pull herself together before going back into that mess. Without much warning Loki and Thor landed in the middle reminding everyone, why people thought them gods.
"About damn time."
At that she got back into it, taking down whoever she could before the remaining Extremis retreated upon the realization the fight would not be won today. She looked around her team were in various parts of the room, other shield members scattered as well. Fury had been clearing tech below but had said he was clear in our ears. Loki took one look at Darcy and ran over to her.
"Darcy I am sorry I did not make it back sooner. Odin practically tied us to a chair saying you had no need for us to come to your rescue. Only the call of your necklace proved I needed to be here."
Darcy was barely focusing on Loki's words. The pain of her burns were coursing through her veins. Steve and Bruce noted that she didn't look so hot. Steve, ever the leader stepped forward next to Loki.
"Darcy where are Tony and Jane?"
Darcy snapped out of the borderline faint she was in and looked at the expectant faces.
"Alright people lets play monkeys in a barrel. I can't tell you where they are because in all honesty I don't have a clue. I can show you, so grab onto somebody and make sure that they are somehow connected to me."
"Are you sure you can handle this transport Darcy?"
Loki asked concerned that she would deplete her magic again.
She didn't answer, making sure everyone she needed was attached, focusing on Tony and taking them back to him.
When they arrived Jane launched herself up into Thor's arms not caring who was around to watch. Bruce and Steve scurried to check on Tony, who thankfully was still passed out cold.
"Darcy why did you bring everyone here?"
She looked around the room, after a sense of calm hit her, she said
"It felt like home."
Then promptly collapsed...
*Two days later*
Darcy woke up groggy and unsure of her surrounding. She could feel the bandages on her skin and the pain she caused by jarring herself up.
"Loki?"
She called out and before she could blink good he appeared next to her.
"Thank the nine realms you are awake. I'll kindly ask you to stop attempting to kill me via heart attacks."
Darcy smirked slightly but sat up straight.
"My bad."
"Where are we?"
"We were hoping you could tell us that. We have been here two days and have no clue where we are. Natasha says she cannot GPS our location. She says the house must have some sort of signal block.
"I can't determine where we are until I look around... Ouch this burns hurt. You didn't heal me?"
Loki looked away simultaneously ashamed and angry.
"I cannot heal you, for Killian was the one to injure you. None of my magic will work against the Magic he has gotten control of."
Darcy slightly nodded, focusing on trying to heal herself, and after two minutes it worked.
"There much better. Now I need to take a look around."
"Are you up for getting up and moving around?"
She nodded again this time with less pain. She moved to the bathroom, thankful that wherever she had taken them had running electricity and hot water. Washing all the grime that whomever had cleaned her up missed she felt alive again, though still seeming like she was missing a very important piece of the puzzle.
Loki had thought her how to conjure her clothes so she called for a dark green sweater, skinny jeans and her converses then tied her hair back, disregarding the fact it was wet.
She left out the bathroom with Loki waiting in the room.
"Everyone has been worried about you, even Tony has been annoying me about why you haven't been to visit."
That thought spurred Darcy to get down the steps to Tony.
Loki followed ready to catch her if she were to fall but enough to let her be independent.
She walked to where she left Tony but he wasn't on the couch.
"Where is Tony?"
Darcy asked turning to Loki. The couches in the room had been uncovered and while they were dated, they were very nice. Easily antiques, Darcy thought to herself.
"Oh thank heavens Darcy you are okay."
Darcy's mom came flying into the room, throwing her arms around her, and everyone else came in and started to crowd her.
"Finally she can explain where in the hell she brought us."
Sarah said to the room, rolling her eyes.
"I don't know guys. I just woke up 20 minutes ago. Don't start with me Sarah."
Darcy looking around again hoping for some clue as to where she had brought everyone. She touched the back of the couch and then the room changed. Suddenly no one was in front of her but the room was much brighter and warm. Pictures hung on the walls and she jump seeing her mother stand next to her. She heard laughing then running little footsteps, a dark hair little boy came flying around the corner, toy robot in hand.
"Tony what have I told you about running through the house?"
Tony stopped in front of his mother, cheeks slightly reddened from the exertion.
"Not to do it, But look mommy! I got my robot to work!"
Tony held it up higher, his red sweater pulling out from being tucked in his pants.
"It already worked sweetheart."
"I know, but I made it do cool stuff. Like it talks to me."
Tony pressed a little button on the front of the toy and he spoke in broken speech.
"Master Tony. Would you like to recite the Greek alphabet?"
Darcy knew Tony had to have modified it himself, no children's toy could recite the Greek alphabet.
"That's amazing. How did you do this?"
"Just like daddy does with all his robots and stuffs."
He smiled knowing he touched stuff he wasn't supposed to.
"Tony no more touching your fathers stuff. It's dangerous." Maria said with a stern look and at his eye level to let him know she was serious.
"Yes ma'm"
"Good. Now have you decided on a name for your friend yet sweetheart?
"I'm gonna name him Jarvis!"
Darcy smiled as Tony hugged their mom and the scene changed.
She blinked back into reality, looking at the worried looks on everyone's faces.
"Darcy what just happened are you okay?"
Loki stepped forward grabbing her forearms and looking into her eyes to ensure she would tell the truth.
"I'm fine. I know where we are."
"Where?"
Natasha asked while stepping closer.
"We are in the original Stark home. Tony's childhood home."
Everyone shifted at the words and looked around.
"I had a vision."
It dawned on Darcy that if Jarvis was apart of Tony's life from a young age, he should exist somewhere in the house.
"Jarvis are you on here?"
"Yes madam Stark. How are you speaking to me? Excuse me if I may but you died August 25, 1997."
Darcy looked confused for a second and spoke.
"No, Jarvis this is Darcy."
"Oh Miss Stark. I apologize for the mistake. Your voice is almost completely in the same pitch as Madam Stark. While in this household I am under strict orders to only listen to Tony Stark and Ms. Stark Woman of the household. Which according to Mr. Stark's legal documents during his incapacitation leaves you in complete charge over his estate and business. Though Ms. Potts is still CFO of Stark industries, you as of two weeks ago are the acting CEO of Stark Industries."
Darcy felt like her breath had been knocked out of her. CEO? Tony freaking made her CEO?! She had no idea how to run his company. When he woke up she was going to knock him out again.
"Just when you think Tony doesn't have much of a hand, he pulls out a wild card."
Bruce said with a slight laugh, then moving to go upstairs.
"I swear he never tells me anything."
Pepper looked at Darcy, stepping forward.
"He knew you'd outright refuse if you knew."
"B...but he can't just spring..."
"Technically you are his only living blood relative. He wanted to make sure that you and I will be taken care of. Our trust is what will keep Stark Industries running."
"Why didn't you tell me I am the CEO Pepper?"
Darcy looked at her confused, but not hurt.
"Tony asked me not to unless it couldn't be avoided. Which on this case it couldn't have been. So I'm glad you know. I don't have to make all the decisions by myself anymore. I need to spend more time with him anyhow."
"Grr... Fine. Just find me if you have any issues. Anyone want to tell me what room Tony is in?"
"Second floor, last door on your right." Darcy didn't wait for everyone to follow, she just charged up the steps into Tony's room.
He was still unmoving and Darcy stepped to his bedside, ignoring Loki following her, but silently asking him to close the door behind him, which he did.
"Loki, I think I'm at my whits end here. I can't even figure out how to stop him from overheating if we wake him up."
Loki could understand the frustration there had been many a time where he needed something to work and every plan he had tried just hadn't worked. He knew she didn't need to be held or told it would be okay, but she needed brain to bounce the idea's off of. His mother had always been his sounding board, it was time he was hers. He moved closer, waving his hand to make two chairs appear.
"Sit."
"Loki, I don't have time to sit, Tony won't make it like this much longer..."
"Darcy sit down."
She huffed, blowing a stray hair out her face, but sitting down anyway.
"You realize the one thing you haven't done this whole time is talk out the solution with someone. Tell me what the issue is, being descriptive as possible."
"Loki you know what the issue is. It's just a waste of time."hi
"Darcy, being ornery is my job, yours is to fix the problem. You want to save your brother, well this may be the step in the right direction."
Darcy knew he was right she looked him over in his black t-shirt and jeans. Knowing she had to at least give his ideas a chance after all of the crazy ideas he went along with for her.
"Fine. So Tony has been injected with Extermis, and unlike Pepper his is much more advanced and working it's way into his system and binding itself to his DNA."
"Why is that an issue Darcy why not just let him go through the transformation?" Loki said leaning back in his chair.
"He is not in control of his own self when he wakes up. It's dangerous for anyone that's not Killian."
"So what's different about Tony's virus?"
"It's bonding to him."
"Pepper's did that. You know that's not the issue. Think harder. What is different about his virus?"
"His bonding is destroying his DNA in the process of mutating it. There won't be any Tony left to save."
"So can you fix it?"
"Maybe?"
"Why maybe, why not be sure you can?"
"I can't figure out how to do it."
"What is stopping you? You said you can't, but what can't you stop?"
"Bonding."
"If you can't stop it from bonding then you have to change it right?"
"Yes but I can't figure out which one to change. If I can remove the violent strand he will be fine."
"Why not remove the one you are sure about?"
"It will send him into an unregulated heat up, but"
Darcy's wheels were turning in her head. She couldn't remove the violent heat strand, but what if she mutated just that strand?
"Give him control over the heat and more access over his brain usage. He already uses his brain at a higher capacity because of his Elemental heritage."
Darcy knew exactly how to fix Tony, and Loki sat back with a smirk.
"You can thank me later."
Darcy looked over at Loki.
"Don't worry I will thank you very properly... After I save my brother."
She smiled at him and left the room to find Bruce so they could get to work..."
"Turns out my mother is right about some things..."
Loki said tossing his hands behind his head...
Darcy left the room only to hear a whisper of her name, a brush of wind of against her cheek, and a pull against her stomach that left her breathless as she hit the carpeted rug outside of the room...
* Meanwhile*
"Soon I will have Tony Stark back in my grasp and we will have every chance to defeat the Avengers. I will rule Earth in your stead and the realms will burn Master."
Aldrich Killian said bending low in front of Malekith, various elf's listening to his ally's report. He smirked at the news. Soon he would have Odin at his feet.
"You have new developments you say will help our plans?"
"Yes, Loki's magic is useless against the spell you used on me, but he had somehow gained control over water and saved his little girlfriend from me."
"She is?" Malekith asked remembering how the girl broke the spell he and Thanos put on Loki. She owed him flesh.
"She is infinitesimal to the plan. In fact once I destroy the Avengers, give you Thor and Loki, she will be reduced to my bed warmer, a plaything to make the throne less stressful. Tony will not only be forced to do my bidding, but forced to watch as his sister is broken over and over. By my hand"
Malekith smiled, this plan would be just the thing to break the youngest Odinson...