Fire Vs Iron

BACK TO THE PAST

Emmaline returned back to the compound and joined the others in the lab, handing over the flash drive with all the files she had on The Mandarin and project Extremis, some of them encrypted. She sat down next to Steve, Loki and Nat as Tony began to run the files and attempted to break the encryption.
"Sit back boys and girls and give the master some room" Tony stated as he learned over the computer and began to work.

"Tony, once we go through the information we need to discuss how we are going to approach Pepper regarding Killian" Emmy spoke up

"I really dont see why we have to bring Pepper into this" Tony responded without looking up "This guy is probably still the same loser he was back then."

"Tony I get that shes your ex, but you have to help her if shes in trouble" Nat chimed in "Also from all the info that Emmy has given us this far, I think Killian is as bad as she says."

"He's changed Tony" Emmy persisted "Hes used Extremis himself, its a powerful chemical, I've shown you that. Its altered who he is physically, just like me, only thing is Im not a bad person, he is and a dangerous one if he is helping the Mandarin."

"Don't worry, Emmy" Steve smiled at her "Tony can be an ass sometimes but he won't stand back and let something bad happen to Pepper or anyone else.Plus you have Nat, Loki and myself of course."

Tony just rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the screen "Seriously Capsicle? Maybe you two should get a room"

"He's not wrong Tony" Emmy shot back "You are a giant Ass. And he's just being nice, maybe you should try it sometime and you wouldnt always be alone!"

"I think he may be jealous, little one" Loki laughed as Tonys shoulders stiffened "Of all the attention our fair Captain is getting instead of him."

Before Emmy can respond, Tonys computers started beeping like crazy "Looks like I may have broken the encryption" Tony stated, he turned back to the monitors ignoring the gleaming look in Lokis eyes and Emmys sulking expression. Everyone was silent as he started working the keys, bringing up file after file. Steve moved in closer placing a supportive hand on Emmy shoulder as one of the video files pops up on screen.

Tony turned around to say something to Emmy and frowned as he noticed how close Steve was to her "If you guys are done playing 8th grade dating games, we have a file to view."

Emmy strode forward and got in Tonys face "What is your problem Stark?" She demanded "You abandoned me, just like Pepper did! And now you think you can make snide remarks about someone who trying to be a friend to me?"

Steve stepped in between the two of them "Tony stop being an ass, can we please just view the file?"

Tony only glared at Emmy and Steve, turning back to the monitors and pressing play on the video file. Everyone's attention is pulled to the monitor as the file starts running. They all watch in stunned silence as they see several images of Emmy flashing across the screen.

***⛔️ TRIGGER WARNING: TORTURE, MAIMING AND DRUGS ⛔️***

Emmy was trapped to a sterile metal bed, standing straight up along with several other individuals, her right arm had been severed at the elbow, men and women in lab coats walked around them with syringes and clip boards, taking notes as they administered Extremis to all the people there. Emmy screamed as the drug coursed through her veins, her severed arm growing back inch by painful inch.

"This one is responding quite well to this phase of Extremis, we should inform both Dr.Killian and the Master." The woman that had administered the drug said to her companion. The man next to Emmy suddenly began to scream as Extremis ran through his veins, his body glowing with the drug and getting more and more enflamed.

In the lab Emmy began to hyperventilate "Turn it off....Turn it OFF!!!!" She shouted as silent tears fell down her cheeks

"Tony that's enough" Steve shouted as he turned to Emmy "Its okay baby, just breathe" He pulled her into a tight hug.

Tony turned off the video as the image of the man being thrown into a small cell with a metal door flashed across the screen.

***⚠️ END TRIGGER WARNING⚠️***

Emmy held on to Steve for a moment longer before pulling away "Im okay Steve" She took a deep breathe and turned to Tony "Do you believe me now? Killian is a part of this and it's seems like he may be the Mandarins main hand and Pepper is in danger."

Tony was more shaken with what he had seen then he cared to admit so his next words were harsher than he had intended "I cant just go calling my ex and telling her that her new boyfriend could potentially be working with a terrorist, she wouldn't believe me!"

"Oh man up Tony!" Emmys shouted back "This is bigger than you and your giant ego! We need to get her somewhere safe and find out everything that Killians been telling her about Extremis"

"Have Jarvis contact her, Tony" Nat suggested "Tell her its Emmy that's asking her to come here and talk, that way you arent directly involved and she may actually listen."

"Fine!" Tony agreed reluctantly "Jarvis, contact Ms.Potts and request that she meet us her at the compound as per Emmys request" He turned back to Emmy "Happy?"

Emmy glared at him "Ecstatic! Im heading to bed, Im done" Felling drained and exhausted to the bone, Emmy walked out.

"Mr. Stark" Steve said in a hard tone

"Captain" Tony responded sarcastically

"Can you stop being an ass for once" Steve asked crossing his arms over his chest "Shes been through enough, Im going up to talk to her, make sure she's okay."

Before he could leave, Tony let outs deep sigh "No, let me" Tony said. Placing a hand on Steves arm stopping him "This goes deeper than the Mandarin, Cap, its time I faced the past head on"

Tony walked past both Steve and Nat and headed upstairs to speak with Emmy "This should be interesting" Nat said to both Steve and Loki.