The Unknown Variable
Hello all of you wonder people who believe I own nothing. GO TO HELL ALL OF YOU OTHER SONS OF BI!%$$ WHO THING I OWN A FREAKING THING!
Pen's POV
I awoke slowly, my body not wanting to confront the world of the living just quite yet. With a mental shove I managed to open my eyes and yawn, though I instantly froze and something moved beneath me.
I instantly was alert as I realized that it wasn't the familiar coldness that was my Bonded. However, my vision was quick to focus and I sighed in relief as I recognized the Arc sitting only inches from my face.
I frowned slightly in concern as Dad moaned in his sleep and shifted again. I pulled myself up, and noticed that I was in the living room, with the blinds closed, and it was quiet.
"Dad," I spoke softly as I settled down next to my father's sleeping form, as I had been sleeping on top of him a moment before.
"Come on Dad," I said louder and I poked him, but he just continued to twitch and mumble in his sleep, obviously trapped in a nightmare. "It's only a dream."
Dad didn't respond, and his twitching turned into thrashing as his mumblings became louder. "Penny…wake up…no…"
My eyes hardened as I realized that he was dreaming about my short lived death. Probably not for the first time either.
"Daddy…Dad, I'm here. It's okay!" I said, and I shook his shoulder, trying to wake him up.
It didn't work, and his muttering just continued to get worse, so with a grimace a let small sparks dance across the skin, and shocked him lightly on his arm.
He instantly awoke with a yell and sat up, his eyes wide with fear. "PENNY!" he yelled, his breathing quick and shallow.
"Dad…Daddy…I'm right here, it's okay." I said and slowly Tony's mind caught up with his body and he focused on me.
"Thank god…" I heard him mutter before he wrapped his arms around me.
"It's alright Dad, I'm not going anywhere." I promised as I felt him relax.
Too bad I wasn't sure if I could keep that promise.
We had slept until eleven, which I was surprised about, but didn't comment on it.
Pepper had ordered brunch for us, and after I had showered (again) and dressed, the three of us all sat down to a large and scrumptious looking brunch.
"Penny?" Pepper asked once I sat down, she looked nervous, and I instantly noticed the tension between the two. What had happened?
"Yeah?" I replied in light confusion.
"Can I talk to you sometime? I…I…" Pepper seamed at a loss for words and I had a feeling… especially after glancing at Dad's look…that I knew where this was going.
"Sure." I stated waving her onto the deck, "We'll be back in a sec Dad."
"Take your time." Tony stated, and pulled out his phone and started playing with some schematics.
"So," I said after sliding the glass door closed, "What do you want to talk about?"
I say Pepper sigh and look out over the ocean, "I've realized that I've made a mess of things…I let my emotions cloud my judgment…and well...let's just say that your father made it very clear…"
Pepper was rambling, and I had a feeling she knew it. However, her last statement cause my eyes to narrow and suspicion to grow.
"What did Dad do now?" I asked, hoping that he hadn't been rash and ruined his chances with the older redhead because of our problems…
"He didn't do anything!" Pepper was quick to protest, "Well, not this time anyway…he just pointed out a few things…and…well, let's just say that I realized that I was being an idiot…and well…I'm sorry…I know I've screwed things up with you, and I would really like to start anew…"
I smiled, that was all I had been waiting for, I knew that Pepper wasn't the type of person to act like this consciously, and if her feelings for Tony had caused some jealousy to rear up then all she had to do was realize it…and that was enough for me.
"Yes," I stated, cutting off her rambling, "You have been bitchy…" Pepper looked partly angry and ashamed at the same time.
"But." She looked up at hopefully, "I think we can start over." I said, with a smile.
"Hello, I'm Penella Piper Maria Stark, nice to meet you. Call me Penny." I continued, extending my hand to the older girl.
A relieved smile appeared on her face as she took my hand and said, "Virginia Janet* Potts, call me Pepper."
"Nice to meet you Pepper," I said, glad to start things over with my father's girlfriend…I still wasn't sure if they were dating or not.
"Like wise Penny." Pepper stated with a small smile.
We wouldn't be best friends for a while yet, but it was a start…a good start.
"So how'd it go?" Dad asked as we walked back into the kitchen.
I rolled my eyes and flopped down into a stool and grabbed a pastry. "Fine Dad, everything patched up."
Dad glanced up and looked between both of us, "You sure about that?"
I sighed and nodded, "Yes Dad."
"We are Tony," Pepper stated.
"Jarvis?" Dad asked and my eyebrow twitched, of course Jarvis was watching.
"They have decided to start anew, sir. I do not believe there will be a problem in the future." Jarvis intoned, and I glared at the ceiling, I was so hacking him later.
"Good," Dad stated and he pulled a pile of French toast onto his plate.
"So," I stated looking mischievously between the two adults. "Are you two dating yet or what?"
My statement caused Dad to choke on his coffee he was drinking and Pepper to choke slightly on her food.
"You did that on purpose." Tony stated, glaring at me playfully.
"Little ol' me?" I grinned, and looked at Tony wide eyed, Tony snorted and went back to his food, set on ignoring me.
"Come on," I stated brushing some of the powdered sugar off of the flaky pastry, "you didn't answer my question!"
Dad sighed and looked up at me in irritation, "We're dating." He stated.
"We are?" Pepper asked, and my smirk faded…please don't let things go down hil…
Tony looked at Pepper with a raised eyebrow, "I thought we were."
"Okay…that works for me." Pepper stated with a smile and Tony also smiled, relieved.
I smirked and chuckled, it was going to be fun watching them.
I was about to take a bite out of my pastry, which looked really good, when my Soul twitched, alerting me that I was needed somewhere.
"Can't give me a break." I muttered, my Duties were annoying sometimes…okay, a lot of the time.
"Did you say something Pen?" Dad asked, as I set the pastry down and closed my eyes.
I used to be able to tell what was wrong by focusing on the Call….if I just focused…
My eyes snapped opened and widened as my powers listened, and showed me a mental picture of the upset.
Bruce had taken my apparent 'death' harder than I thought…shit….
"Damn," I cursed as I jumped down from the stool. "Dad, I gotta go…"
Tony didn't look happy at this, and he stood as well, "No, you're not running off again without telling me where you're going…"
"I've got something I need to fix!" I stated as I charged up my sparks and they started to spin around me, "I'll explain when I get back, no time."
"Penny!" Tony yelled as my sparks surged and I vanished.
I would deal with him later…I had an idiotic doctor to help.
I reappeared in a densely packed forest, and I instantly recognized the trees as part of the Amazon, so, Bruce was back in South America.
I glanced around, and my eyes widened and narrowed instantly afterwards as I spotted the sight before me.
Bruce was standing between two trees looking tired, worn down, and depressed, with a fucking gun in his mouth!
"Bruce!" I yelled, but I was too late, he closed his eyes and I winced as the gun shot echoed through the trees, causing many different birds and animals alike to flee in fear.
I ran towards him as he collapsed and sighed in relief as his skin instantly turn green, and in the fastest transformation I had ever seen him have, Hulk sat up and spat out the bullet.
I stepped on a twig, and he instantly turned towards me, and my heart froze in fear for a moment. This wasn't the Hulk I was used to dealing with; this was the angry machine that the government despised.
"Hey there Big Guy," I stated softly as I slowly approached, my bare feet getting wet in the damp grass. "Remember me?"
"Fire Girl." Hulk hissed angrily narrowing his eyes. "Fire girl dead. Trick."
I froze where I was and raised my hands up in surrender, "It's no trick, Big Guy, I'm not sick anymore. I'm here, I'm real."
I kept my words simple, but hoped that Hulk trusted me; I would have a big problem if he didn't.
Hulk backed down slightly but was still wary of me. "Not trick?"
"No," I stated shaking my head, "I'm alive Hulk, I'm right here. See? I have my Sparks."
I let my sparks run up my arms and dance between my fingers as Hulk calmed down. He had liked my sparks, and we used to play with them all the time, that in his mind had proven my sincerity.
"But, Fire Girl sick." Hulk frowned in confusion and I slowly walked closer.
"I'm not sick anymore, I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, I was sleeping." I stated and stopped in front of his face.
"Not sick?" Hulk asked and I shook my head. "But you smell different…"
I froze at his statement, I hadn't thought that Hulk would be able to sense…or 'smell' the difference in me…but I guessed he could.
"I am a bit different," I said slowly, "I changed so I could get better. But I'm still me."
"Still Fire Girl?" Hulk asked and I nodded with a smile.
Hulk nodded before looking at me seriously and said, "Fire Girl made Bruce sad."
I nodded, "I know, and I'm sorry."
"Bruce thinking bad things. Hulk couldn't protect." Hulk stated sadly and I patted his arm.
"I might be able to help him." I stated and Hulk looked at me in question.
"Fire Girl help Bruce?" I nodded in response to his question. "Hulk can't help…but Fire Girl can!"
Hulk exclaimed and he instantly started to shrink down. However, Bruce obviously wasn't conscious as he collapsed instantly.
I lowered him to the ground slowly as he started to wake. I felt really bad, if I had known that I meant that much to Bruce, I would have reassured him that I was alright the day before…I had no idea that the thought of losing me would make him suicidal!
"Arg…" Bruce moaned as he opened his eyes.
"Pen?" he asked in confusion, and I was so glad that he was alright that I hugged him.
"Oh thank god…you are such an idiot! What the bloody hell do you think you were doing you prick!" I yelled at him, and in my anger, I slipped into a light British accent…though I couldn't remember why…I knew it something to do with a past life.
"Am I dead?" Bruce asked hopefully and I hit him on the shoulder in response.
"No, you're not dead you idiot!" I scolded him, "and you better not die any time soon."
"But….?" Bruce started to say as he pushed himself up, but I interrupted him.
"I'm not dead either." I rolled my eyes and helped the man to his feet. "Now, are you going to listen to me, or do something stupid again?"
Bruce finally seemed to believe me as he blushed and looked down at his feet. At least this time his pants had sort of made it through Hulk Mode.
He mumbled something, and I couldn't hear him. "What did you say?" I asked his sternly.
"I said I'd be good." He mumbled a bit louder.
"Good," I said wrapping his arm around my shoulder, "Now, show me where're you're staying, we are going to talk."
I heard Bruce sigh but point east, and so I led him that way.
There was no way that there would ever be a repeat of this, not if I had a say about it.
"Have I said that you're a complete and utter idiot?" I asked him suddenly.
"Yeah, you mentioned it." Bruce stated, and though he was still really worn out, come color was returning to his cheeks. Huh, I guess I did mean that much to him.
I had been talking to Bruce for over two hours now, or well…I was lecturing the poor man.
He had finally admitted that I was the only good thing in his life, being the only one who wasn't afraid of him, and trusted him, and that he didn't want to live in a world where he was constantly feared and hated.
Apparently, he had been suicidal before I had met him, and had helped keep that side of him at bay… but my news a few days before had pushed him back over the edge.
I was keeping a close eye on him; there was no way that was happening ever again.
I had also forced him to sit down and think, really think, about his situation.
"For the thousandth time, Hulk is a part of you, and until you accept that, and try to work with him, there won't be any balance in your life."
I had given him the lecture before, but I was really laying it into him, his little stunt had freaked me out, and though I was extremely grateful that I knew it wouldn't work…I was very concerned for my friend's mental health.
"…if there isn't a balance between you two…" I froze, mid-rant as I noticed two things, one, that Bruce was now sleeping, and another…I sensed another Immortal nearby.
Frowning, I left Bruce a note saying that it wasn't a dream, and that I would kick his butt if he tried anything like that again, I carefully went invisible and crept out of the small run down hut into the jungle.
It was easy to find my Sibling, since she appeared right in front of me.
My eyes widened and I dropped my invisibility. "Insania."
"Hello sister dearest!" She exclaimed cheerfully, her two-toned hair flying around her.
Great, just what I needed.
Dad was going to kill me.
(I thought about cutting it off there…but felt bad! So, long chaptie!)
"What do you want Insania?" I asked eyeing the Immortal carefully, she was a large unknown in things, and I had no clue what to expect. She claimed that she was the reason that I was 'stuck' and that she was working with Fati… or something like that anyway.
Insania pouted and collapsed onto the ground. "You don't remember!"
I sat down in front of me and said, "I don't really remember much."
"But you were supposed to remember me!" she exclaimed sadly, and I frowned.
Something seemed familiar, but for some reason I couldn't put my figure on it…I didn't know her…did I?
"Do I know you?" I asked, wondering how much else I had forgotten.
Insania sighed and nodded, "You found me…a few life time's ago. I had been…locked away for lack of a better word. You trusted me, and gave me a chance, but never told the other Immortals about me. Not even you're Bonded…though he found out eventually, he never trusted me.
"Fati found me recently…and I've been playing with her…how are you?" Insania switched topics so quickly she left me confused, but this all felt so familiar I trusted her…this couldn't be a trick…right?
"I'm…doing alright…things are confusing…" I stated slowly, trying to wrap my head around this new information.
"They will be confusing." Insania stated with a smile, "But that's the point!"
"Huh?" I asked, wondering what on earth she was talking about.
"You need to be stuck…I mean after that deal and all…you needed to get your head on straight." Insania said in compete seriousness.
"Huh?" I repeated again, why was she making me feel dumber and dumber by the second?
Insania giggled again and threw her arm around my shoulder…when had she gotten next to me.
"Don't worry, we'll get the trio back together!" She exclaimed, and laughed as her dark silver energy swirled around us.
"What are you talking about?" I asked in concern for my safety.
"Come on, sister dearest! Hel's been lonely lately!" Insania exclaimed before my world flashed dark silver.
"What?!"
"She was supposed to remember!" I heard a voice exclaim as I regained consciousness.
"Hey! It's not my fault!" a childlike voice pouted and I recognized it instantly. Insania…
"You're the one who messed with her memories!" the colder, but friendly voice stated.
"Well sorry! Why don't you do it next time!" Insania yelled, and I finally managed to open my eyes.
The first thing I saw was a red and black swirling ceiling…that wasn't helping…
"What the bloody hell did you do to me?" I groaned as my head throbbed.
"Opps…I forgot that your still partly Mortal…But we're here!" Insania's voice went from sad to happy so quickly it left my head spinning like the ceiling….why was the ceiling spinning?
I must have asked that allowed as someone answer, "Because you're in Supplicium, silly!"
I turned towards the voices and saw Insania with someone who I usually (as far as I know) don't see much.
"Hel?" I asked looking at the black haired girl in confusion.
"Yup, glad to see your awake, sleeping beauty." Hel stated glaring at Insania.
"I am so confused…" I stated as I looked around, everything was ether, black, grey, red, or orange, and there was lava and fire everywhere as well.
But the room itself was nice, and I realized that it was a ceiling I was staring at, it was a sky.
"You will be, for a while;" Hel stated as she helped me to my feet. Her skin was cold, but nowhere near as cold as Mortem's. "But sadly, we can't explain everything…you have to figure things out for yourself."
"Huh? Figure what out?" I asked, and the two girls…who I assumed where my friends, looked at eachother, before shrugging.
"Can't help you there. You wouldn't explain everything to us…so you'll have to do it on your own." Hel stated with a sigh.
"But we can still have fun!" Insania exclaimed and started spinning in happiness, "and torment people, and prank, and randomness…randomness is amazingness…nothing can beat randomness…"
"Alright," I stated, cutting off Insania…I had a feeling she could do that for a while. "But what now?"
"Now," Hel said with a smirk, "We have some fun, and get you and Mortem on a proper date. I've been watching your life so far…"
"And you're boring." Insania butted in, causing Hel to glare at her.
"I am not!" I exclaimed in protest.
"Are too!" she chalanged me.
"Am not!" I yelled back.
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"SNICKERDOODLES RULE THE WORLD!" Insania yelled and I froze what the bloody fuck was that?
I looked over at Hel in question and she just shrugged, "You renamed her Insania for a reason."
My eyebrows shot up at that statement… "I renamed Chaos, Insania?" I asked.
"Yup," Hel stated, popping the "p".
I glanced over at the spinning, giggling girl and asked, "Was I out of my mind?"
"You were drunk…so probably…but it stuck with her, and now, she gets mad if you call her Chaos." Hel stated with a shrug.
"Great, just great." I stated with a sigh.
"My thoughts on the matter exactly." Hel stated.
"Okay…Dad's probably completely freaking out right now…can you guys come by later or something?" I asked Hel, as Insania was still spinning and singing about how snicker doodles took over the world in a massacre.
Hel shrugged, "Sure, I can't usually leave Supplicium but since you're around again, I can leave as long as there aren't any Souls causing a problem."
"Huh?" I asked wondering how that had anything to do with me. I seemed to be 'huh'ing a lot.
Hel rolled her eyes and sighed, "Let's just say that you're more humane than my Boss…though you have rubbed off on him over the years."
"I'll take your word for it." I stated, not really wanting to know how my Bonded acts around the Norse Goddess.
"So," I said, "How do I leave?"
"You focus," Insania was the one who answered me, "then you disappear into shiny spark things…I like shiny things…"
"Alright then," I stated slowly…she was going to take some getting used to.
"Don't take long." Hel stated as my sparks charged up. "I don't like being stuck with her too long."
"Okay…" I stated, and I disappeared in a whirl of sparks…
But when my sparks disappeared, and the world refocused around me, I wasn't in Malibu…
I was in New Mexico, standing right in front of Jane and Darcy…
Just great, just what I needed.
"PENNY!" they both exclaimed before tackling me to the ground.
Dad was so going to kill me for being late.
LONG CHAPTER! BE HAPPY! Seriously, I just couldn't cut it off.
Did I confuse you with Insania? I was trying to! Ehehe, nothing is ever as it seems.
*Couldn't find Pepper's middle name so I made one up. :)
Glad you all like it…not much left!
Thanks to everyone…
did you like it Sleepy Kamikins?Huh HUH HUH DID YOU! -.0
Thanks to Expecto Prongs, and Aqua Are, my betas.
Cp