Doctor Stark (C. Barton)

Chapter Thirty Three

The moment Mercedes woke up in her home with Bean and Pumpkin near by, she was truly confused. She didn't know exactly what was going on, but she did know that something wasn't right. Immediately after she woke up, she called Clint. She wanted to know what was going on, and she hoped he could explain it to her.

Only moments after she got off the phone, a man came out of a magical circle. He looked like he was important, but he also looked like he knew what was going on. Mercedes approached the man, and allowed him entrance into her home.

"Who are you?" She asked, as the man entered the home.

"I'm Dr. Strange," He replied,"I need you to come with me. I will bring your children to your father's house, then we'll collect the others. Today is the day we save everyone from Thanos and his army." He said, and she nodded.

Mercedes grabbed her children, and allowed the man to lead her through his circle of magic. She was surprised when she seen the house in front of her. The moment she stepped out of the magic, Pepper came running out of the house.

"Oh, my babies!" She cried, as she hugged the three of them.

"Mrs. Stark, Mrs. Barton and I need to get the others and help them take down Thanos and his army. If you would be so kind, as to watch over these children while we fight to save the world." Dr. Strange commented, and Pepper nodded while wiping her eyes.

"Mercedes, come with me," Pepper said, leading Mercedes to the garage,"Tony built you a suit. He made it to feel like you were still here, and if you ever came back, he wanted to give it to you. This way he'd know he could protect you when he wasn't around." She informed, motioning to the purple and silver Iron Man suit that looked almost exactly like her father's.

"Thank you, Pep." Mercedes replied, before she went over to the suit and easily put it on.

Pepper knew that Tony use to let the girl wear the Iron Man suit, so this suit really wasn't much different. Anyhow, once she was in the suit, she followed Dr. Strange back into his circle of magic. Pepper took the two children inside and introduced them to Morgan. She then called Happy and asked him to watch them. There was no way she was going to let her husband and oldest daughter fight this battle without her.

When Mercedes stepped out of the magic circle with the others, she went on the search for her father, Clint, and Natasha. Clint was the first person she found, and by found, she technically caught him from being thrown. His eyes widened when she did, and when she opened the helmet on her suit, his heart skipped a beat.

The man pulled her in for a kiss, and he could almost cry. She was really back, he could feel her, and he was never letting her go. He was a little curious about her suit, but he made a mental note to ask her later. For now, he was going to fight by her side to protect her and his children.

The next person Mercedes found was her father. She had landed beside him, scaring him slightly. He was a little surprised by the suit, but when she opened the helmet and he seen her, he couldn't help but pull her into his arms. His little girl was back, and he could barely believe his eyes.

"Thanks for the suit, Dad." Mercedes said, and Tony grinned.

"I should've gave you one the moment you left the house to get your own job." Tony replied, making her chuckle.

Their playful banter didn't last long. Things grew heated once more, and Mercedes had to do everything she could to protect herself and those around her. She protected Peter, the boy who had became like a brother to her, after they had talked because of Tony.

When everyone thought they had failed again, everyone seemed to stop in place. They watched as Thanos held his hand up with his gauntlet. Mercedes felt her heart beating wildly in her chest.

"I am inevitable." Thanos claimed, then snapped, but nothing happened.

"And I...am...Iron Man." Tony retorted, as he raised his hand, showing the stones.

Tony snapped his fingers, and Mercedes watched as pain coursed through his body. She screamed, feeling like her heart had been ripped from her chest. The girl let her helmet down once more, as she ran over towards her father. Tony sat down on the ground against a large rock.

"Dad," She cried,"Oh god, what did you do?" She felt tears in her eyes,"Why would you do this? Why didn't you let someone else do it?"

"I did this...for my children." He rasped, making Mercedes try to hold back a sob.

Peter landed beside her, and he tried to talk to Tony. Tony was barely hanging on, and anyone with eyes could see that. Pepper landed soon after, and she laid a hand on Peter's shoulder. Peter stood up, as Pepper talked to Tony. When the arc reactor turned off and Tony's eyes closed, a loud, gut-wrenching sob left Mercedes' lips.

Pepper pulled the girl to her, as they both cried over Tony. Mercedes felt like her entire world was collapsing. She had just gotten back, only for her father to be ripped away from her. Rhodey stepped over with tears, and pulled Mercedes from Pepper, allowing the woman to try and console the teenage boy she cared for as well.

Everyone else on the battle field kneeled for Tony as a sign of respect. Rhodey felt horrible for his niece. She had lost so much, and she simply wasn't able to hold herself together. She was in pain, and her pain hurt her so much that everyone else around her could feel it too...