What If Tony Stark Was The Villain

Part 29 - Alone

Rhodey was in his home, surrounded by the deep sadness and darkness that's been surrounding him lately. Ever since Pepper's loss he not only lost her, one of his closest people, but he clearly also lost his best friend. The person that has been with him all his life. The person that he knew the best. Or at least he thought he knew him.

When he heard the things that Tony did, he couldn't believe it. Tony? His Tony? Doing these things? Absolutely not, he thought. But he soon realised that it was true, he did the things he heard but even more. Even worse. And then he tried confronting him, but that also didn't go well.

After that, Tony disappeared for a while. After the S.H.I.E.L.D. mess in his property. Rhodey didn't know anything about Tony's whereabouts, whether he was dead or alive, if he was coming back or not. It's like suddenly he was a stranger to him and that feeling shredded his heart in a million pieces.

That was, of course, until one day he heard a knock on his door and went over to open it. He was expecting to see a familiar face like Happy's, but no. It was Tony in the flesh, standing in front of him. His first reaction was to close the door quickly, but Tony saw that coming and grabbed it before it really closed.

"No!" Rhodey said.

"Please. Rhodey, please" Tony quietly begged from behind the door.

"You don't deserve to do this to me. I don't deserve this" Rhodey shakes his head.

"Let me talk to you, even if it is for the last time. I really need to talk to you" the sadness in Tony's voice eventually breaks Rhodey and he lets go of the door so he can walk in.

"Thank you" Tony says sincerely.

He gets inside and walks around slowly. He looks back at Rhodey, who's waiting for Tony's moves before he does anything, and then takes a seat on the couch. Rhodey then follows him but sits away from him. That doesn't surprise Tony. He knows very well that their relationship is damaged, he's not fooling himself.

"I thought you were dead" Rhodey breaks the silence.

"You, out of all people, would know it if I died" Tony chuckles.

"You think this is funny? That any of this is funny?" he doesn't get the same mood as a response.

"Of course not. I know very well how serious are the things I've done. I would just, really, let you know if something like that had actually happened" he explains himself.

"Good to know there's a part of you that still cares" Rhodey replies.

"I never stopped caring. Actually, caring too much is what brought me here" Tony stands up for himself.

"Is this what you really think? Because what I see is that you care for nothing and no one. You destroyed people's lives, families, you destroyed me!" Rhodey bursts.

"I'm sorry" Tony closes his eyes.

"That means nothing to me. I've been living a nightmare ever since I found out the truth about you. I can't believe you did all this... and I don't know how much more that I don't even know of" he shakes his head.

"I had to do it for Pepper. She deserves revenge" Tony says louder.

"She would never want you to act that way" Rhodey joins his loud tone.

"She's not here to stop me, I'll do what I think is right for her" he clenches his jaw.

"Do what you think is best, I'm done trying to fix the mess you've created. Where the hell have you even been all this time?" he asks.

"Asgard" he replies blankly.

"What? What did you do, Tony?" his face drops.

"What had to be done" he gulps.

"I can't believe you. This is why you're back here. You're done with your killing spree and you're looking for forgiveness" Rhodey closes his eyes in desperation.

"No, I'm not. I don't want to be forgiven by you, I know you're too good to ever forgive me. I just thought that maybe for one night we could be like before" he says carefully.

"We can't. I can't look away from reality and from what you've done just because you're finally done with your goal and now you want your life back" Rhodey shuts down his hopes.

"I really need a friend right now, Rhodey" his voice is almost cracking.

"I can't help you, Tony. Unfortunately, my friend is long gone" he stands up and gulps seriously.

"I'm still here, I promise. I'm the same person" Tony stands up too.

"No, you're not. My friend was gone the moment Pepper died" he sounds stern.

"I don't know what to do without her. Please, only for tonight, be my friend" Tony's heart is hurting.

"Goodbye, Tony" Rhodey keeps a straight face as he stares into Tony's desperate eyes.

"I need you, Rhodey, please" he takes a step closer to him, voice cracking.

"I said goodbye, Tony" Rhodey gulps.

"I-" Tony cuts his own words after seeing his best friend's serious face and reaction.

"I'll leave" he clears his throat, trying to not seem weak and like the mess he actually is currently.

"Don't worry, I won't bother you again" he fake smiles and tries to pat Rhodey's shoulder.

Although, Rhodey pulls his body back, once again showing to Tony that he's sticking with his decision to cut him off. Tony's heart is hurting, almost more than it ever has before. But he's staying strong for now and putting on a brave face.

"Goodbye" he continues and looks ok the floor as he turns his back on Rhodey and walks out of the door.

Alone. Again.

It's certain now, he's all by himself. No friends, no family, no happiness, no hope. Nothing for him out there. And that's what he has to live with.