Avengers One Shots

One Last Surprise

"Well, I guess that's it Pepps...You know I have never been the best with this sentimental stuff"

Tony gave  a bitter laugh. Talking to the head of his armor was the only thing that had kept him sane for the last three weeks. He looked around at the scenery he already knew all too well, of machines, buttons, screens... All of the latest in technology and none of it could take him home.

To his Pepper.

Tony couldn't believe that, for once, he could not see a way out of this mess. That, not even considering the mess the rest of the world was in.

Iron Man has always found a way before.

A film went through his mind of all his previous escapades. Just a few years ago, he was in a similar situation to this. Lost in space.

He remembered vividly the moment he closed his eyes, the image of his current wife in his mind, just to be awaken what only seemed seconds later by Banner's thunderous scream. And what seemed like ages ago, stuck in a cave being kept prisoner, hopeless. His only chance surged in his armor and he put all his efforts in it...

Wait! That's it! The armor! It was always his way out and it couldn't be different now!

Stark took his electronic journal for the last twenty two days and joined it to the rest of the red armor. The next step was assemble all the technology in this giant ship and he could start to build his ticket out of space. It had to be done in hours, because food ended last morning and oxygen supply is running out.

He was literally running out of time.

Breaking into the Milano's engine, Tony was able to retrieve a lot of important things, especially the engine thruster. He combined it to Mark's solar plate creating a self-sufficient engine. The adrenaline was pumping through his veins just like the first time he suited up as the Iron Man.

That was a good feeling.

Stark began to reprogram Mark's system in order to direct all the nitrogen gas it produces to stay inside the machine. It was a shot in the dark, but it was better than dying lost in space. Years ago, Bruce Banner and him had a long conversation about cryogenic science, however Tony never truly believed in it.

Until now.

He is going to almost freeze his body inside his armor and ship himself to Earth. The nitrogen gas would conserve his state and lower his oxygen need, which is good because he didn't have plenty. After a sleepless night doing all the adjustments, Mark is finally ready. He prepared the Milano to open up just in time for him to get inside his new creation. Once in, he set his coordinates to the only place he could think of and turned the engine on.

"When I fall asleep, I'll dream of you. It's always you, Pepps" He said while slowly losing consciousness.