Brilliant! Really smart! Totally ignore the giant bomb on the back of Tony's shirt. Real smooth!
Bruce quickly tried to pry it off of Tony's back but, it seemed to be stuck on.
"I don't want to force it off", he explained. "just in case that any rough movement will set it off. If there's any chance of shutting it down, it would have to be while it is still attached to Tony".
The ginger that walked in earlier looked as if she was about to cry but, she was staying strong.
"Pepper", she said. "Pepper Pots, Tony's girlfriend, I wish we could have met under better circumstances" she told me sadly, holding out a hand. I shook it and pretended not to notice her shock at how cold my own was.
"Mavis", Bruce called, now wielding a screwdriver. "Could you come here? I could use your help" A couple seconds later, a black metal plate was in his hand exposing the wire in the device. "Oh god" said Bruce going pale.
I came over to him, bracing myself for what was about to happen.
"What is it?" asked Clint, who seemed somewhat impatient.
"This device, it holds the same technology that I used to try and recreate the serum. When the other guy was born." Bruce looked incredibly uncomfortable with the subject so I took over.
"Essentially, it collects all radiation of all types and concentrates it. The radiation is converted into gamma rays and is directed at an individual target using some sort of identification system. There's a vial of Tony's blood here, all radiation will be focused onto him and he will die a very painful death from the effects of radiation poisoning."
The avengers tried to mull that over.
"From what area is radiation collected?" Natasha finally asked. I hesitated and Bruce supplied an answer.
"About the state of New York" he said. Gasps came from all around.
"The radiation from Reed Richards's lab alone would be enough to kill him" I muttered, sorting through the wires. "Dr. Banner, I need a 100mL needle stat." The good doctor knew better than to question my request.
"What are you planning on doing?" Clint asked. I didn't answer.
Dr. Banner came quicker than expected, the needle in his hand. To his dismay, as soon as it was in my hand, I plunged it into my arm.
"What-" Bruce was clearly lost for words. I felt myself going faint as the needle filled up with bright red blood.
"What is she doing?" Steve whispered to Natasha. She had no response.
Suddenly Bruce began to catch on. "She's resetting the targeting system. It's going to target her instead of Tony.." He trailed off.
Finally seeing the filled vial of blood, I worked quickly, playing around with the wires in the device on Tony's back. He had been silent the entire time, which was unusual for him. Not a single sarcastic comment or sexual joke had come from his mouth. Suddenly a hand slapped down on my bicep.
"You can't do this", whispered Bruce. "This is what created the other guy". He seemed genuinely concerned.
"Of all people", I whispered back. "You should know that I'm the only option". He had a defeated look in his eyes but, he stepped out of the way.
"Alright, Tony" I whispered. "This device will be off your back in a few seconds". Closing the device, I screwed the metal plate back on. All of a sudden, I yanked it off of Tony's back and gave it a violent shake for good measure.
"The device will start working in 3, 2" I counted down the seconds before I felt a burst of pain, like a metal rod had just skewered my brain. I collapsed to the ground, leaning against the wall. Beads of sweat began to build up on my forehead. The avengers had gathered around me, with similar looks of concern on all of their faces. Pepper was rubbing Tony's back, whispering words of comfort in his ear.
I was holding my head in my hands, expecting it to melt and drip through my fingers. Finally, the device had finished its work and with a minuscule explosion, disintegrated.
"Are you ok?" asked Bruce, helping me up.
"Hydra is so going to pay" I said, gesturing to the scorch mark left on Tony's hardwood floor. The one that just so happened to be in the shape of a skull.
Cut off one head, and a thousand more will grow in its place.