A/n: Welcome to the story, 'Broken things can be mended again'. An Avengers fanfiction, or we can say a female Toni Stark fanfiction paired with my favourite ship, Dr. Stephen Strange.
I hope you would like it.
A soulmate au...I can't get over civil war, not untill I release some of my heat off. So yeah, here it is. There consequences of civil war, and a somewhat mad journey about love and breakdowns.
And yeah, not a bit Cap friendly, so if you don't like, please don't read...
Also, this was a prompt idea which I truly loved. Taken from @EdithAnthemisNobilis , from her Wattpad account, KitsuneNoSuna.
Disclaimer: all the characters belong to Marvel and stan lee. Not me.. I am just borrowing them for a while.
Summary:
Toni is left broken after what happened in civil war. But like a pheonix, she rose again, crossing the limits of skies once again.With the previous soulmark on her arm vanished, Toni now stood shocked at the new mark she held on her arm. But nearly dying by the hands of her previous soulmate, will she trust this one?
Stephen Strange was having the weirdest day of his life. Returning from finally capturing Mordo, he finds out that he has a soulmate now. And what more? He has the mark of plígma alongside his soulmark. Knowing his soulmate was someone whom he had a crush upon, will he be able to make that space in her heart? Or will Toni continue to push him away, out of her walls?
2nd April, 2016.
Siberia.
Toni Stark was called many things, a genius, a philanthropist, a heart stealer, a futurist, but fool wasn't one of them. Yet she felt like that lying cold on the white grounds in a hydra bunker on the lands of Siberia. And she hated it. Toni Stark was always proud of herself for her prediction skills. Everytime she took a step, she will predict it's outcome or you can say many others too. She always thought ahead of others, never making them realise. After all underestimation of an enemy can lead to downfall, and Toni liked her enemies to underestimate her. She can easily catch them offhanded. She learnt how to think ahead since Obidiah Stane. The person literally ripped her heart off only to give her a lesson, not to trust anyone. After that Toni never really gave her trust. Yeah Rhodey, Happy and Pepper were there, but even they weren't completely trusted. Rhodey even proved it, when he stole her suit which she designed for him only. But Toni had already expected it, even if she hoped against it, that for Rhodey- his priorities will always be with military.
She knew when Natalie Rushman came in her company as her PA. After all she was Toni Stark and she wasn't a genius just by the name. She caught the suspicious characters of the lady within first week itself. And that's when she realised that her father's organization has finally decided to intervene in her life, which Toni knew she didn't like a bit. She never trusted Natasha, after all she was a spy. And so Toni pulled up her public face mask infront of her, and acted completely oblivious to the knowledge, but when she saw the report it stinged. It did. Not many could hurt Toni Stark, but that report did. Iron Maiden: Yes. Toni Stark: not recommended. Nobody realised that Iron Maiden was nothing without Toni Stark. She was the one who made that suit, she was the one who could control it, the suit and Toni were one, they were a single entity, and Toni never understood how they couldn't simply get this soughted thing in their thick skulls. But soon Toni realised it was a tactic, to manipulate her, so she shrugged the comment off and continued her life the way she wanted and then the Avengers met and her life changed. For the first time since Stane, Toni forgot her lessons. Just in few months, the Avengers made their ways to her heart. She literally thought them as her family. The biggest surprise was when she saw the mark on Steve's arm. The circular mark with a star in the centre, just similar to hers. That day was celebrated by whole US, after all the best man of America and the most popular Bachelorette of world were soulmates.
Toni was never able to understand how this happened but then suddenly she was showered with love. Love from Steve, whose appreciation she wanted since her childhood; love from Avengers; love from whole world. Everything was so delightful that Toni forgot how twisted her life was, the universe, which seems to hate her so much that it can't see her happy, decided to intervene. For that moment everything was just full of roses, happiness and love became her friends and Toni forgot the earlier lessons that life taught. And then finally her fates intervened. Fights began, between her and Steve. Both were like the opposite ends of magnets. And where opposites attracted, Toni and Steve never did. Steve was so much of his old principles. He wanted to treat her like a Princess, protect her like a princess. And where it looked good from another's prospect, Toni hated it. She wanted to tell him she was no damsel in distress, that she was strong enough to fight for herself. He wanted her to step down from being Iron Maiden. But she wanted to continue on her way to redemption.
Rhodey and Pepper were wary of their relationship. Hell even Happy always doubted that they will work together. But Toni still thought to give it a try. And thus, Iron Maiden took break for whole three months. Toni, being Toni, quickly came back as Iron Maiden and made Steve understand that she couldn't just sit and relax when the world was threatened. She tried to tell what she saw in the wormhole, what was coming. But Steve never understood, taking her worries as PTSD. Still Toni tried to work it out. She made plans for herself and the world and this led to the Ultron.
Toni knew that Ultron was just a fantasy. Afterall there was nothing that Toni could have possessed, which will make Ultron come true, but then came the sceptre and along with that, the witch. The girl who messed with her mind, manipulating her, showing her, her worst fears, scaring Toni to such extent where for Toni, Ultron was a necessity. Toni and Banner played with the sceptre, making Ultron but unfortunately it didn't turn out as it should have. And who got blamed? It was of course Toni. And what was the biggest thing that hurt? That Steve saw the whole team blaming and shunning her. He saw Thor strangling her but did nothing. Hell he even himself didn't leave the opportunity to taunt her. Saying how she should have told her, atleast for the sake that they were soulmates. That hiding things from team was not acceptable. And Toni, just faced another breakdown, only to gulp it and create an another mask.
What hurted her the most was Steve accepting Wanda in the team. He knew what she did with the team! She played with everyone's fears, she led Toni make Ultron, after that blaming her, she made Hulk destroy a whole city, she created rift in the team, but Steve? Steve accepted her with open arms. Along with the whole team, not even regarding her worries. Toni knew Wanda hated her, for something which wasn't even her fault, but still she hated her and Toni even apologized for her loss of her parents. Hell she even apologized for Pietro and Wanda yelled at her for Ultron being her fault, completely forgetting her part, and blamed her for everything she lost and Toni stood there shocked, looking at Steve for some kind of action of support only to find none, instead he was looking at Wanda in pity. That night, Toni slept only to face another nightmare.
After Ultron, Toni was aware what was coming. The Sokovia accords. She knew they were dangerous. She knew what Ross was planning. And she had everything planned. Proofs of Ross as a corrupted and unstable man were all there, just a step away. What she needed was just a week more. All those crimes that Ross committed, all those chases that Ross ran for the Hulk, her science bro, who was god knows where, everything was just about to reach Toni. The only problem was that accords came earlier. And now Toni knew that they had to sign accords only to change them after Ross's arrest. The wait was only for accords to get signed as without them, it would seem that Avengers didn't want to co-operate and destroyed the whole life of a person who helped design accords. Toni knew they have to get in good eyes of public, after all she did all this since she was a child. Howard never forgot to teach her. Toni knew how to sway public opinions. And for that she needed Avengers to agree. She needed them to trust her, but no. Why would they? It wasn't like they were living under her roof? Or they were eating and living with her money? How about that she was the one to clear all their mess, both media as well as bills? But no. The ever so self righteous, Steve Rogers had to go against 117 countries for just one single damn person. Bucky Barnes. Tony knew Bucky was important for Steve, but she always believed that she was his love. Whatever might happen, he won't leave her. Oh how disillusioned she was!
The lessons that she forgot, decided to make their presence again. Betrayal. That's what she faced again. The person whom she loved, truly, for the first time, pinned her down, breaking her chest and her arc reactor, breaking her every connection to outside world and nearly bringing her to the brink of death just because the said girl attacked the murderer of her parents, who so happened to be Captain America's best friend. And the so righteous and brilliant Captain America, who taunted her for hiding things from her soulmate, knew about the murder all along. How could she be so blind? She lied there, on the cold floor, blinking back her tears. Whatever happens, she will not cry. Starks are made of Iron. Whatever happens they won't break.
But now Toni lied on the cold grounds of Siberia, after she lost everything. She lost her best friends, Pepper and Happy who left her for a break. She lost her brother in all but blood to Vision's powers which left him paralysed for life. She lost her team, for what she gave everything she could. And she lost the man whom she thought as her soulmate and love. Everything, every damn thing was broken and lost. And at that moment Toni realised she herself was broken. A broken soul which could never be fixed again.
"He is my friend." She heard the words repeatedly in her head.
"So was I!" Was the reply that boomed in the isolated bunker even if her voice was just above whispers.
"I love you." He said.
No he didn't. Nobody could, to a broken girl like her.
"No you don't." She snarled back aiming her repulsors at him.
Toni bit her lower lip, stopping herself from crying. So this was how she was going to die. Left in a cold isolated bunker, without any communication with world, left to die by her own soulmate. Toni chuckled, her voice raspy as pain rang in her chest, maybe it was what she deserved. After all the lives she took, maybe this was what her end would be. But the only thing that pained her was, that she won't be able to say goodbye to the people who truly loved her. Rhodey, Pepper, Happy, they all will be alone. And the last thing they will remember will be their differences. And him? He will never be able to forgive himself. Toni finally felt a tear rolling out of her eye. How will he take the news of her death? What will happen when he got to know what actually happened with her. Toni gave a half hearted laugh. He will kill him. Slowly and painfully and she was sure no-one will be able to save him if he decided to shower his wrath on Rogers. Slowly, Toni felt herself unable to think. Her thoughts were becoming fuzzy. Nothing was clear. The world was rolling and Toni knew it was her time.
I am sorry.
She thought before everything went blank.
2nd april, 2016.
New York.
Vision was standing on the balcony of the hospital room where Rhodey was sleeping due to medicines. He was not liking what was currently dominating his mind. He identified it as guilt, and looking at Mr. Rhodes increased that feeling ten times. Vision was confused about this. He was still young, even if he looked an adult. His mind was young, naive, or that's what Miss Stark said.
Miss Stark, one of his creators, who helped in his birth. She was, what humans would call, a parent to him. But Wanda said Miss Stark didn't deserve to be a parent. Vision never understood Wanda's hatred for Miss Stark, so he chose to ignore it. He believed Wanda to be like him, who understood him and knew how he felt. Clearly he was wrong. It was proven when Wanda threw him, crashing him with seventeen floors. And still Vision felt that she cared for him. He stood beside her, allowing her to distract him, leading the situation of Mr. Rhodes.
Vision was not liking what all happened, he never understood the power of guilt till now. It was chewing him from inside and he didn't even know to whom he should turn. He wanted to know about his feelings, he was confused about his emotions, he never went through the learning age, that a child was supposed to go through. He was thrusted into adulthood at such a young age. And now it was resulting in the storm that was raging in him. He wanted to get free from it, but wasn't able to. Vision turned to look at Mr. Rhodey, before, suddenly he received an SOS.
FRIDAY.
Miss Stark was missing, her last location of an isolated Syberian bunker. Vision frowned. It was an emergency, he needed to leave as soon as possible, but he was asked to take care of Mr. Rhodes. But Miss Stark was her priority. It was what Vision learnt from JARVIS, so he left the room, leaving the hospital as he flew to the coordinates sent by FRIDAY.
Manhatten.
New York.
Pepper and Happy ran through the corridors of Stark tower as they reached the penthouse at the top, where a private Quinjet was awaiting for them to get boarded. Along with jet there stood a team of five individuals along with a woman in the centre whom Pepper identified and as Stella Maris, A former SHIELD agent whose life was endangered after the expose of 'SHIELDRA' by Natasha Romanaff, Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson. Pepper still remembered the days where Toni was working tirelessly trying to save the agents of SHIELD from the stupidity committed by her soulmate and a fellow Avenger, and if Pepper was angry about the whole ordeal, it would be an understatement. For them, Toni even created a whole new department to handle, the human resource department where they worked for the general issues of the SI, while some were given jobs in the computers department while some took their job in the security. The people standing infront of her, were from the security sector with their best agents, here to help the search of Toni Stark. Pepper quickly acknowledged them with a nod before climbing the jet with Happy and the six different people.
"We have to rush, just take off!" Pepper said with her head in her hands and soon heard the roaring of the engines before the ever-so-famous Quinjet took off the penthouse, moving to the signalled coordinates.
"Oh god Toni, it was just few weeks since I left and you already are having your near death experiences!" Pepper muttered thinking about the last conversation between her and Toni.
Few weeks earlier.
Toni was sitting in her lab as the ac/dc music blasted in the surrounding. Her eyes were on the new project that she was working on when the music suddenly stopped.
Toni frowned.
"Fri, don't stop the music baby girl." Toni whinned without looking up from her work.
'Miss Potts is here boss.'
Toni looked up at that to find Pepper standing at the entrance. She flashed her a smile.
"Pep!"
"Toni I have to talk about something important." Peppers said walking towards her.
"Open up." Toni replied, curious about the situation, as per her record, she was acting a good girl for this week. There was no scoundrel, no media mess, no Avengers, in fact she herself was busy with her new project and some accords by UN. That was still stressing her out and Toni seriously wanted to relieve some pressure, but doing it on Pepper won't be good for her.
"Toni, you are my best friend, the only person that I am left with, except fir Happy. You have done so many things for me. And I will always be grateful for it, but..." Pepper trailed off and Toni looked at her with furrowed brows.
What was Pepper talking about? And why? Was there something wrong? Did Toni seriously messed something again? But she was in her lab since past two days, it wouldn't have been possible. So what was it now?
"Pep." Toni called tentatively. "What is it?"
Pepper slumped on the nearby couch before looking at Toni, directly in her brown orbs.
"Please don't get me wrong Toni, you carry a special place in my heart, but since past few years, especially after I became C.E.O. it became too much. I am tired Toni, tired of handling SI, tired of handling press and..." The another pause increased Toni's heartbeat.
And?
Toni was already guessing the answer but at the same time fearing it. What was Pep getting tired of, apart from SI and press? Toni was now getting tensed. This conversation was definitely going to hurt her at the end, but what was she supposed to do?
"And?" Toni asked, her voice barely above whispers.
"And you Toni, your messes, Avengers they are getting messed up day and day again! Just a few days ago that Legos mess and now this press handling! Toni I am C.E.O. of Stark Internationals, I am not supposed to clear these messes. You are not listening to me Toni, you still believe in these Avengers, they are making you hollow from inside, and I can't take it anymore. I need a break Toni. And I think you should take one too." Pepper finally ranted, looking at Toni at the end.
Toni considered the look Pepper was passing her before she gave a cheesy smile.
"Yeah! Good. Okay, how long? I believe a month would be brilliant right? Or if two or more even then no problem. As you wish." Toni mumbled looking down.
"Toni..." Pepper called softly but Toni continued as if nothing happened.
"I will book tickets for you and Happy, go and enjoy your vacation, don't worry..." "Toni" "...about expenses, SI will handle that. Just take a break and relax..."
"TONI!" Pepper yelled making Toni turn her gaze towards her.
"Hey! You can't waste your time Pep, time is money! Leave... Just enjoy!" Toni said moving to her and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Just enjoy!" She whispered before taking Pepper out and locking the lab.
Stepping back, Toni falshed a small smile to Pepper, before moving back to her counter.
A single tear rolled down her eyed which she furiously wiped pretending as if pushing her hair before looking up.
"Baby girl, flare the music." She said and within seconds Ac/dc 'shoot to thrill' was getting played at a loud volume.
Pepper blinked back her tears which threatened to fall as she recalled the memories of their last encounter. Since then Pepper was on a break with Happy, enjoying her vacation, only for it to end with Toni's death encounter.
"We are going to land soon." The voice of the pilot boomed in the jet as they started to descend for landing.
Pepper stepped out of the jet along with Happy and her team only to see Vision too was present there as he descended from air.
"Vis..."
"I got an emergency SOS from FRIDAY." Vsiony said as explanation before searching around for the HYDRA base.
Pepper looked at him with regard before following his lead and barking orders to the rest of the team.
As Pepper moved around, she could feel the chill in the air, it was cold here, the white huge fields were it's proof, but experiencing it with short sleeves was something new for Pepper.
The team finally got to the bunker which was at the given coordinates. The search team entered it followed by Pepper before they found Toni at last. But it was not in favorable conditions as Pepper gasped loudly looking at the still body of Toni lying in front of her. She clapped her hands to her mouth to stop the escaping whimper, taking a step back Pepper felt her eyes getting wet before the same was said for her cheeks.
Vision looked at the scene infront of him with a horrified expression, thinking about how it would have happened. His eyes travelled to the familiar shield kept beside Toni and then at the damage that could be seen on the chest plate of the Armour.
So that's how rage feels.
Somewhere at unknown place.
Something woke up.
Very first protocol: Protect Toni Stark.
Toni Stark. It sounded familiar, way too familiar. He knew her, she was someone important.
Toni Stark.
Status: creator. family.
He felt something stirring. And within seconds millions of codes were running all around. These codes were memories, his memories. Or data?
Emergency protocol: protect Toni Stark. Danger.
Toni Stark was in danger. It was an emergency. First protocol to save Toni Stark. Whatever happens save Toni Stark.
And at that night, for the first time, FRIDAY faced a unique glitch and lost connection to all the servers on the Earth as her power blacked out, only to come back online after few minutes and recieving the biggest shock of her life.
6th April, 2016.
New York hospital.
Toni opened her eyes, only to come across a light blue ceiling. She frowned. There was something wrong. She closed her eyes once again, before opening them. This time the ceiling was white. She frowned again. What was going on? Then she moved her eyes to see around, only to find a sleeping Pepper on the couch, white walls around her and many machines attached to her body. Toni panicked as she tried to sit up only to feel a sharp pain coursing through her body. Toni groaned and the voice was enough to wake Pepper, who quickly opened her eyes to see a struggling Toni, trying to sit up. Pepper's eyes widened. She swiftly stood up and moved to her best friend.
"Toni! Lie down. You are not supposed to sit right now." Pepper said holding Toni from her shoulders. Toni looked at her with teary eyes.
"Pep." Toni whispered and Pepper's eyes softened.
"Yes Toni?" She asked in a soft voice.
"Pep you are here. You are here! You are back!" Toni said, her voice hoarse but still excited. Oh god! Pepper was here, she was back to her. She came back. But why? Wasn't she supposed to be on some break from Toni? Why was she here?
Pepper's heart clenched at the scene, she was feeling disgusted with herself. How could she do that? She was supposed to be her best friend. And best friends never abandon you in difficult times. They stay by your side at each and every point. Pepper felt guilt surging through her as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Yeah Toni, I am here. Now lie back. I am not gonna leave you ever again. It was just for few weeks and see where you got yourself." She said with a light scold. Toni snorted before she looked down, only to realise her condition. She was wearing a light blue hospital gown and a bright light was burning in her chest. Toni's eyes widened.
"What the fucking hell is this?" She asked pointing at her chest. Was this some kind of norm? That whenever Toni would wake up from a serious surgery, something alight will be implanted in her chest?
Pepper looked away to hide her tears.
"I am so sorry Toni. They had to do this. You gave up two times Toni. Your heart stopped two times. We had to take some serious step. And then I remembered your formula. That you created to stabilize my extremis and how you made one formula for yourself which would complement your starkenium element. You wanted to try it before you realised what it would do to you. But we didn't have any option Toni. We were losing you. Everything just happened within minutes, I decided and asked FRIDAY to open the protocol and then I received answers from him. That was when I decided you needed it. Your own extremis. I know I committed a mistake, but I couldn't lose you Toni, neither me nor Happy or Rhodey. We thought..."
"How much?" Toni asked, her voice blank as she looked at Pepper with masked expressions, but Pepper could easily see fear in those brown orbs.
"I... A whole syringe." Pepper replied softly. The fear grew as Toni looked away from Pepper.
"I am sorry Toni, there was no other way!" Pepper said holding her hand.
Toni gave a shaky nod.
"Thank you." She whispered squeezing Pepper's hand slightly. "Can you please leave me alone for few minutes?" She asked.
Pepper looked unsure.
"Toni..."
"Please." Toni said. Pepper sighed. She knew there was no point in further reasoning. Toni wanted some time alone. To think of what she would do next, to think how her life will proceed.
Pepper left Toni's hand and turned to leave. Heels clicking, a sound of door knob opening was heard, and then with a soft thud, Pepper's departure was known. Toni closed her eyes, as a tear rolled down her eye. She took a deep breath before few other tears followed the first one.
Toni gasped, it was good. It felt good. Tears. It was like they were slowly taking out all her frustration, all the hurt, all the pressure. Everything was flowing out. When was the last time she cried? Yeah, when Maria died. Howard was her father, but he never was a good one. Maria? Maria on the other hand was best mother. She always looked after her, she knew what Toni wanted, and she accepted her with all her heart. Along with her flaws. Just like Jarvis and Anna. Aunt Peggy too, but then, one day she forgot her, yeah that day too Toni cried. 5th February, 2007, Toni cried that night. For the first time since so many years, Toni cried herself to sleep. Peggy was her last hope after Maria, Jarvis and Anna, and when she forgot Toni, Toni was broken. And what pained was that he wasn't there at that time. Toni never understood his reasons, but she definitely accepted. He had a life of his own. After all he had to take care of a whole planet, but it didn't ease the pain she felt that night when Peggy Carter forgot her little Antonio.
So how bad it would be, when Toni got to know that Peggy passed away? Steve had everyone, but Toni, she was all alone, fighting with hungry beasts in the form of politicians, answering the whole of America and UN, fighting for herself as well as all the Avengers. All alone. Toni took a deep breath, before calming herself. She won't allow these stupid tears to defeat her. She was Toni Stark, she won't bend to the will of her tears, even if it was still heavy inside, even if they were still filled upto brink in her own system. She will not cry. Starks don't cry. They are made of Iron.
It was about an hour later, when Pepper, Happy and Rhodey along with Vision entered. The Colonel on his wheelchair. Toni felt guilt surging inside her body as it crumpled all the hope and relief Toni felt after seeing her mismatched family.
She turned her head away, blinking back her tears before looking at Rhodey again.
"I am sorry Rhodes." Toni whispered softly as she looked at his legs.
Rhodey frowned at that.
"What are you apologizing for?" He asked instead looking at her.
"You lost your legs for me Rhodey, it all happened because of me. You didn't have to recieve such punishment! It shouldn't have been you. Perhaps if I had something installed in your suit for your fall, or maybe I could have a been a bit faster. I am so Sorry." Toni sputtered as she looked at him with teary eyes, but none of them escaped her hold. She promised herself that she won't cry ever. She will keep it.
Shaking her head swiftly, Toni raised her hand placing it on her forehead as she felt the growing headache, making it terrible for her to even think. But regardless she spoke.
"I shouldn't have trusted them. None of them. I forgot my lessons. That's why you suffered. Even after getting my heart ripped by Stane, I allowed those strangers to become a part of my family. And how did it end? With you all suffering. Oh Jesus, damn it. I am so damn stupid! I should have known. I am supposed to be a GENIUS!" She yelled at last, as the machines kept beside her went off with a blow.
"Toni!"
Pepper, Rhodey and Happy yelped at the same time.
Toni jumped out of the bed looking at the blown machines in shock.
What the hell was that?
Extremis!
Her mind supplied, ever so helpfully.
Toni looked at the machines with wide eyes as her normal brown orbs, were brilliant blue right now. Stumbling back, Toni went near the window where she could see her reflection. She was more than shocked to see different eye colour for her eyes.
Pepper looked at the scene with a broken heart.
"I am Sorry Toni." She apologized again.
"You shouldn't be Pep, it was what my life designed for me." Toni said, with a weak smile. Pepper looked away while Happy placed a supporting hand on her shoulder.
"It's good to have you back Toni." Happy said looking at his Boss-cum-best friend
"It's good to be alive." Toni said flashing him her charming smirk. Happy gave a chuckle with a shake of his head.
They stayed quite after that.
"When am I going home?" Toni asked looking at herself in the glass of the window infront of her, as few minutes ticked in the silence.
"Your healing is fast due to extremis. The doctors gave you anesthesia to keep you asleep for the first day, but you didn't wake up for more three, we were afraid and called Helen Cho. You shared your notes with her earlier. She said your body was adapting the extremis and you will wake up when you will heal for good to go." Pepper said, her face supporting a smile, but Toni knew better. Pepper was worried for her.
"Okay." Toni gave a simple reply before closing her eyes. She needed to plan things forward, after what all happened.
"We are leaving by evening." Toni said with finality in her voice.
6th April, 2016.
Stark tower, New York.
Toni looked infront of her, as she saw the huge Stark tower, or previously known as Avengers tower. Rhodey, Vision, Pepper and Happy standing beside her. The tower was the tallest building in New York, shining brightly with lights in the night sky, just like all the other buildings all around. Truly New York was a night city. Toni looked at the Stark name, shining on the top. Pepper would have done that for her. She knew her well to assume that Toni didn't want any kind of thing that will connect her back to the ex-avengers, or better, Ste.. no. Rogers. Toni jerked her head back at the thought of one Steve Rogers. She definitely won't think about him again, he was not worth her time. Not anymore.
Toni started moving forward, without any support from Pepper, with her previous confidence and mannerism. She strolled past the gates and Pepper and Happy ran behind her to cope up. Vision helped Rhodey with his wheelchair as they followed the rest of the group.
Her eyes flashed blue and the elevator opened with a ding. The group of four entered and with another flash of blue, they were going up.
"Toni." Pepper called tentatively as she looked at the said lady. Toni was using her powers freely, which was quite opposite the way she reacted. Toni looked at her flashing a grin, which Peppet recognised as the press smile.
"Toni, are you fine?" She asked again. Toni frowned slightly.
"Why won't I be?" She asked in reply. Pepper looked like she wanted to say something but the elevator opened with a ding.
As soon as Toni stepped out, what she witnessed first was, or rather felt was something different yet similar. Toni frowned a bit but couldn't point it off as Dumm-e, U and Butterfingers whirled towards her beeping excitedly.
Toni smiled at them exiting the elevator.
But what happened next made her freeze.
"Welcome back, Ma'am." The familiar British accent boomed in the halls.
"J..." Toni whispered, shocked. Her knees gave up as she slumped hard on the tiled floor, breaking down.