The Unknown Variable
(Edited as of 5/7/14 by Espacole) Disney, Marvel, and JK own all rights. I do not, so continue reading with this in mind.
I had learned how to hide my constant pain and fatigue from my father. It involved holograms and this blue energy drink that Mortem always brought me. It was strange, and I knew that there was nothing like it on earth, but I trusted him. So I drank the blue fizzy drink whenever the pain or tiredness became too much to handle.
Which, sadly, was becoming more often.
I had made absolutely no progress in finding a suitable replacement for the core. I also had a feeling that while my health was steadily declining, I was no longer alone in that matter.
I knew…no…I was certain that Tony was now showing the symptoms of Palladium poisoning.
While it was too early for it to hit him as hard as it had me, I knew that he was already ether really close to figuring it out…or he already had. It was one of the two…I just hoped it was the first.
Sadly, I wasn't sure how to break the topic.
But looking back on Tony's most recent actions, I couldn't try to convince myself otherwise. Tony most likely knew.
First off, he was now restarting the Stark Expo…which hadn't been done since his father ran the business years and years ago.
Also, he was home a lot more. Which wasn't a bad thing…it had just messed up the plan I had made…which was sleep while Tony was gone and be awake when he was here.
Now, with him home all the time, I just had to watch what I did more carefully.
Tony's actions were also slowly becoming more and more…instantaneous I suppose is a good word to describe them.
He just decided to do things on a whim, and did them.
Like last week, he decided that he wanted to take me to Rio. So, we took his privet jet, and after making sure that I was invisible (which hurt) flew us both to Rio for the day. It was fun, but I was so tired and in so much pain that it was hard to enjoy the trip.
Much to my annoyance, the US government was starting to breathe down Dad's neck about the Iron Man suits. My eyebrow had literally twitched when I found out that they had been doing that for months now and he just hadn't told me.
Because of the strain put on Rhodey to convince Tony to hand the suits over, and the government using his military status as a manipulator, Rhodey didn't come around as often any more.
He had assured me that it was just to keep my father and I safe, though I knew it was also so he could keep his job.
I wasn't stupid, and at times I hated how I was treated because of my age.
The whole 'let's poke our noses into Penny's business' in NM had finally calmed down. Darcy called daily, and Jane would show up at the house every once in a while, but they weren't pushing as much as they had been.
I was still a consultant, but I had completely stopped coming into the office regularly. I knew that Selvig knew that something was up. It was quiet obvious when Selvig would just stare at me for long periods of time with a thoughtful look on his face, and then demand that I come in today. Nope, that wasn't going to happen.
I groaned as I tossed another pen cap at the wall behind my bed. I was SO bored, and in pain. Boredom and pain never mix well…ever; do not try to convince me otherwise.
I wasn't sure where Mortem was…he had glared up at the ceiling an hour ago, kissed me, and then just vanished. Part of me was really annoyed at him; the other part…was just…empty I guess.
My eyebrow twitched as my Tablet rang, transferring a call from the NM house to me.
Sighing, I pressed the answer button and rolled my eyes as I saw the caller ID…I wasn't really in the mood to talk to Mrs. Hyln. She had a tendency to be overbearing and smothering.
"Hello," I answered, making sure that my voice was steady and not portraying any of my emotions.
"Hello, Penny dear." Mrs. Hyln's voice drifted through the speaker softly.
"Hi Mrs. Hyln, what can I do for you today?" I asked, hoping that what she said wouldn't drag me out of bed…it was a feeble hope though, knowing her.
"Well, it's been such a long time since you've left the house, sweetie, and I know that you don't have a lot of friends…"
'I have plenty of friends, that you very much' I mentally snapped, I didn't need her judgment.
"What do you want, Mrs. Hyln?" I asked, tired of her beating around the bush.
I heard her pause for a moment before stating, "My son, Ben, is turning eleven today…and his party is starting in about an hour. Now, I know that you don't like social events. But I think it would do you some good to get out of the house. I expect you to be over here within twenty minutes."
I groaned as Mrs. Hyln hung up. Great, I couldn't just ditch, or Hyln would show up at the house and literally drag me there.
I popped my back, and picked up my blue fizzy drink that Mortem had left me as I stood up. I pulled open my wardrobe and tried to block out the pain…why did I have such a bad feeling about this?
It was an eleven year olds birthday party…what could go wrong?
I was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, with black embroidery on the pockets, my shirt was long sleeved and a deep green color with leaves embroidered on the sleeves, my hair was pulled back with a black and green headband that Mortem had given me the week before. I was wearing my tricked out boots, and my gauntlets were hidden under the sleeves…just in case. I was also wearing a black choker that Mortem had also given me; it was a strange symbol, like a triangular eye hanging on black ribbon.
I was carrying a small box wrapped with blue paper from the local store; I had no clue what I was supposed to get an eleven year old boy for his birthday…oh well.
I popped my neck and took another sip of the blue fizzy drink that I had poured into a black water bottle. The strange blue concoction made the pain in my chest dull and gave me a greatly appreciated energy boost. Mortem had warned me, however, not to drink it all too quickly. He wouldn't specifically say why, he just said that there would be unpleasant consequences.
I rang the doorbell, as I approached the grey front door of the Hyln household. I could hear the boys run around excitedly, getting ready for the party, and their mother telling them to calm down as the door opened.
"Penny dear, come in! I'm so glad you could make it. The party will be starting soon." Mrs. Hyln said as she waved me into her brightly colored home.
A small smile flickered across my face as I gave Mrs. Hyln the poorly wrapped box. "I wasn't sure what to get…" I stated as she smiled warmly at me.
"Nonsense dear, you didn't have to. I'm sure Ben will love it." She assured me, and then turned back towards the door as more guests arrived.
My eyebrow twitched as I watched the swarm of children all pile into the living room that seemed much too small.
The party was much more than just an eleven year old birthday. Twenty kids around Ben's age had shown up, and another ten that were around his brothers' ages. Also, all twelve of Ben's cousins, all boys, also showed up; their ages ranging from six to twenty six most of them teenagers.
A few of the parents had stayed, and a few family friends were also there. Old Mr. Yin even showed up, though he fell asleep in the rocking chair quickly. Selvig, Jane and Darcy were also there. Apparently Darcy was dating one of Ben's older cousins and nether of her co-workers trusted her alone with the guy…or at least that was their story.
Cake and ice cream had already been consumed and all of the kids were now on sugar highs…it was utter madness. There were like…thirty-five kids under the age of thirteen and like...ten teenagers here. It was utter madness.
I stood in the corner as Ben tore open present after present. The gifts ranged from action figures to PJ's…I winced as I thought of my present…not typical at all.
After about an hour of gift unwrapping, Mrs. Hyln handed Ben my gift, and he tore open the paper revealing a brown box that held a small black box five inches in diameter, with a long cord wrapped up next to it and a thin remote sitting beside it.
Everyone was silent as they tried to figure out what it was, and my face flushed as people stared at me.
"How about you explain what your gift is, Penny?" Mrs. Hyln suggested, and I nodded, my face as red as my hair.
I walked over and sat next to the birthday boy, the numerous kids squashing together so I had room.
"Now," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "this is something very special, and you must be very careful with it, understood."
My words had caught the child's attention because his brown eyes were locked on mine and he was latterly bouncing in excitement as he nodded.
I picked up the small Nintendo 3DS that he had been given and turned it on, "There are two ways to use this." I said as I lifted up the small black box that had a small lens on the top.
"You can ether slide it over the screen," I told him, as the box attached to the DS's screen, "Or, you could use this cord to connect it to the TV or something."
"But what does it do?" He asked, looking at the black box attached to the DS. I smiled, and noticed that everyone else was also wondering he same thing.
"How about you turn it on and find out?" I suggested, a grin spreading across my face. The Mario Bro.'s game in the DS had already loaded and the main menu was on the scream.
I showed Ben where the small power button was and watched him with a smile, and his face lit up in joy and awe as the cube powered on.
The little box started to glow slightly as it flickered to life, and instantly right above our heads, appeared a hologram of the Mario Bro's menu.
"Oh my word!" Mrs. Hyln exclaimed in awe. While Holograms were practically common knowledge, they weren't expected to be available to the public for another seven years or so. Only those who could seriously afford them could buy them.
"You bought him a holographic projector?" One of his older cousins exclaimed in shock.
"Nope." I stated flippantly, popping the P and sounding a lot like Tony. I took another sip of the blue drink as I replied, "I made it."
That made everyone's jaws drop even farther. "It was lying around the house, and I had no clue what to get him. I thought that this would make every electronic video, either a game, show, or whatever, much more enjoyable.
"This remote controls it, and it also has to charge, so make sure to plug it in every night. This cord is almost completely universal for most new electronics. You can plug it into your Ipod, TV, a hand-held, computer…whatever you can think of."
Everyone was still looking at me in shock, except for the kids who were now watching in fascination as Ben played his new game, with all of the kids watching his progress on the hologram.
"Penny…we can't accept this. It's too much." Mrs. Hyln stated once she found her voice.
I rolled my eyes as I stood up, "Nonsense, it was a gift, and besides, if it breaks or gets a glitch I'm right next door. I could fix it within an hour."
I shook my head as I watch everyone get entranced by the projected video game.
It wasn't really that big of a deal.
About forty-five minutes later, Mrs. Hyln chased all of the kids and teens outside…apparently it was a pool party. No one had bothered tell me that.
I scowled as I leaned against the side of the house, farthest spot away from the pool that was still shaded. Everyone was splashing around and having a lot of fun in the water, it was hectic and chaotic. The only part of the pool that had a bit of elbow room was the small end of the pool were it was ten feet deep, the teenagers occupied that side, and it was a bit quieter.
"Aren't you going to swim?" Mrs. Hyln said, as she stepped next to me.
"Don't have a suit." I stated, trying to avoid the questions and wondering if I should just leave…I had a feeling that I should. But it could just be the shivers of fear creeping up my spine from the sight of the water.
"Run home and get then one, it's a salt water pool." She pushed and I had to clench my jaw to stop myself from snapping at her.
"Hmmm, I don't like water." I finally admitted slowly trying to keep my voice steady. I could already hear the echoes of my screams in the back of my mind, along with the Ten Ring's goon's laughter.
"Come on, there's nothing to be scared of." She stated as one of the teenage boys, a cousin of Ben, narrowed his eyes at me and got out of the water.
I stiffened as he said something to four other boys, all who were about my age but much bigger than me, and they all exited the pool and walked over.
My fists clenched by my sides as my instincts screamed at me to run…but they wouldn't dare do anything here…
"Hey party pooper. Does little miss genius not want to get wet?" The tallest boy, with hazel eyes and light brown hair taunted me.
I glanced around, and noticed that Mrs. Hyln was having a conversation with her brother.
"Just leave me alone." I snapped and I quickly looked around for a way out. But the five boys had encircled me, standing shoulder to shoulder, blocking any exit.
"Oh look boys. She's got a temper." Another boy pointed out, I glared at him, but he just laughed.
"I think she should join the party with all of us…don't you think." The first boy said causing all the others to gin wickedly and agree.
It happened so fast, I wasn't even sure what happened. Two of the boys tried to grab my arms, but I dodged thanks to Mortem's training, with a light kick (my boots were reinforced with metal after all) I managed to nock one of the boys away. However, as I went to kick other, the first boy managed to grab one of my arms, and I froze in shock long enough for the other boys to grab my other arm and legs.
"Let me go!" I hissed, as they laughed. I struggled to get free, and to keep my sparks back. It wouldn't do to fry them in front of everyone.
"Feisty." One of the boys commented, as they started carrying me towards the pool.
"Time to get wet, Princess." I heard one of them commented.
My eyes widened and my dread and fear turned into pull blown panic as the memories flooded my mind.
"Let me go!" I screamed as my chest constricted and my breathing quickened.
My lungs were on fire! Water clawed at my throat as I tried to breath…only to be pulled out of the water for just a moment…
"PUT ME DOWN!" I couldn't do it…not again; my chest constricted and it didn't matter that my sparks wanted to get free…the poison blocked their path.
My chest reputed in pain as I thrashed around against the boys and memories.
"LET ME GO…"
My lungs gasped as I was allowed a brief breath of air…laughter filled my ringing ears…my vision spun and blackness clawed at the edge of my vision…
The boys just laughed, I didn't even notice that we were now at the edge of the pool…my mind was trapped…trapped back in the memories.
"STOP! LET ME GO! MAKE IT STOP!"
My Core fluttered in pain as the water seeped into the mechanics…back beneath…I couldn't breathe…needed air…
Oh the pain… I just wanted it to stop…it all to end…
"One… Two…" the boys counted as they started to swing me, ignoring my hysteria and loud screams.
I had attracted a crowd…a few were cheering them on…but I vaguely remember one voice calling out to them…
More and more goons appeared because of my screaming…they all chanted each time I was dunked into the water…
"Stop! Put her down!" Selvig's voice snapped harshly as he pushed through the crowd. I distantly heard concern in his voice, though my mind was spinning so much against the memories I could be wrong.
"Whatever you say, old man." The first boy smirked…
Then, I was in the air.
"AHHHH!" I screamed.
They were laughing…their voices echoing through my water clogged ears…how could they be laughing…
I hit the water and my panic over took all thought…
My lungs burned as I struggled against their strong grip…
There was nothing to hold onto, nothing to grab…
My Core sent wave after wave of pain up my spine…
Air! I needed air…so much blue…my arms started to slow as my boots slowly dragged me down…
Air! I needed air, I couldn't breathe…I could see nothing except the dark water the existed around me…
Nothing but blue…like my sparks…it was such a great color…
I fell limp as my vision started to fade and my blood seemed to boil in protest…
…Mortem…where was…Mortem…
Everything came crashing back to me as I was pulled back into the air. I gasped as sputtered…my head spinning…
Something grabbed me around my waist; they were going to push me back in…
Laughter filled my ears as I was suddenly back beneath the water.
Why couldn't they just leave me alone…they had already caused so much pain…
Why couldn't it just end…this was just a game…a game that I didn't want to play…
Just let me go…
Please…
I didn't want to fight anymore…
Please, stop! I could breathe burning breaths for a moment…my chest felt like fire… but a different fire from before…
My lung compressed and all of the sudden my chest erupted in pain as the sharp air entered my lungs.
I struggled and tried to leave…let me go! Stop it! Let me GO!
Hands were gripping my shoulders…I had to get away…they were going to do it again…
Someone slapped me, trying to get me to stop…
I pushed them all way…there was screaming… and shouting…some even my own…
My sparks flared just or a second, and the guy was thrown across the room, I wasn't able to move before I was tackled back into submission…
"Stop…leave me alone…stop it…"
My breathing quickened as I felt something hard come in contact with my back…I couldn't get way…
"PENNY!" Tony's echoed voice from before filled my thoughts as I was pushed under once again…
"Come one Penny…You're safe here…"
What was Dad doing here…didn't they take him somewhere else in the cave?
Why couldn't it just all end…
A cold hand slowly touched my shoulder… I jumped…I couldn't go back…
"Shh…it's alright…"
The bright silver eyes looked up at me through the water…his cold hand gripped mine…
My breathing started to slow as the cold hand started rubbing circles on my back…it was nice…
Suddenly, my pain disappeared, along with my panic, as my vision faded away.
My mind slowly came back, I noticed that tears were falling down my face and my wet hair clung to my face.
My knees were brought up to my chest, with my arms wrapped around them tightly. I slowed my subconscious rocking as my vision cleared of my mental picture and my vision slowly came back.
"It's alright Penny…no one's going to hurt you…not anymore…" I recognized the voice, and my heart started to calm.
I threw my arms around him and started to sob into his chest. It may not have been Mortem, or even my father. But this truly proved that Selvig cared…
As I stifled the sobs a few minutes later, and my mind was my own again…my cheeks flushed as I noticed everyone watching me.
I had just had an extremely bad panic attack in front of over fifty people.
I hid my face back in Selvig's jacket, I didn't want their pity…I just wanted to go home.
"Come on Penny," I heard Jane's voice and noticed that she was kneeling next to Selvig, alone with Darcy. "Let's get you home."
That was all I wanted right now…I was never coming to a party again.
This was a LONG freaking chapter…yup. Like twice the size of the average. Be happy…I wasn't sure how that would work out…hopefully it was realistic. I've never had a panic attack though I have witnessed a few. So, yeah…
Anyway, next chapter should be interesting.
Thanks to everyone
Cp