Apex Avenger: Till The End

Ch 13

I had to be strong. These past couple days I've been more quiet because if I wasn't I would for sure break down and I had to be strong for the girls, for everyone. I was there when Pepper told Morgan that she wasn't going to see her dad again and it crushed me. But I had to put the strong persona and smile telling her she was going to be okay. Natasha has also been sad and quiet. She knew Tony for a really long time and I wanted to be the one she came to and her shoulder to cry on.

Now, today is the day, Tony's funeral. I had my all black suit on and I don't know how I'll be able to face today.

"Everybody wants a happy ending, right? But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we get it back, and something like a normal version of the planet has been restored if there ever was suck a thing. God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised. But come on, you know? The epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play. And, for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in.."

Aunt Pepper, Morgan, Happy, Rhodey, Natasha and I are in the living room of the cabin watching a hologram message Tony recorded from his Iron Man helmet. They are all sitting on the couch but I was standing against the back wall. I see the hologram of Uncle Tony sitting down as he continues to to speak.

"So I thought I'd probably better record a little greeting... in the case of an untimely death on my part. I mean, not that, death at any time isn't untimely. This time travel thing that we're gonna try and pull off tomorrow, it's, it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all. That's the thing. Then again, that's the hero gig. Part of the journey is the end."

He stands up and comes closer.

"What am I even trippin' for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to. I love you 3000." He says looking at Morgan and a small smile comes across my lips as I look down.

"Now, if everyone can please leave the room, I have a few words for Y/N." I then hear him say making me look up to see the others already looking back at me.

They all then start to leave the room without a word, Natasha pecks my cheek then walks away with the others. I'm left alone and I don't know what to expect.

'Could it be him blaming me for this?'

'Is he going to yell and scold me saying he told me so?'

"Front and center please, I know you're most likely standing in the back." He says motioning for me to stand infront of him.

I swallow thickly as I slowly make my way over to the hologram. I then stand face to face to him and my eyes tear up.

"*sighs with a smile* And then there was one. You're it kid. You're the Golden One." He says and I clench my jaw with a sniff.

"You done acting tough for the others? It's just us. You can let go of all your emotions. Cry, yell at me, hate me. I don't want you to hold in your emotions like you did with Harry. I don't want you to hold it in then explode down the line." He says softly and I break down in sobs.

"Damnit Anthony Edward Stark! Why?! Why did you do it? It should've been me!" I cry hanging my head down.

"You had aunt Pep, Morgan, you had a family man." I whimper shaking my head wiping my eyes.

"You're probably asking why I did it and you're probably saying it should've been you. You have your whole life ahead of you kid. You're not even in your prime yet. I have faith in you, I trust you, It's time for the next level."

He then extends his hand out and taps both my shoulders as if he was knighting me.

"You're an Avenger now." He says and that's the first time he's really called me an Avenger.

I keep wiping my eyes but the tears continue to stream down my face.

"You said you have my back. So take care of the girls for me like I know you will. And, get married to Nat. I know you most likely haven't yet. Get married and be happy, you deserve it. I'm sorry I won't be there to walk you down but don't worry, Harry and I will always be watching over you, being proud of you... then blaming each other when you do something stupid." He tries to joke.

I look down as I sniff.

"Hey." He says making me look up.

"Love ya 3000." He smiles and the hologram then turns off.

I sit down on the couch and put my face down in my hands. I then feel arms arms wrap around me and I recognized the perfume, it's Natasha.

"Let it out babe." She tells me softly.

"He acted like he didn't care when he cared the damn most!" I grit fighting back tears miserably.

Natasha rubs my back soothingly.

"When he said he never wanted me to do the sacrifice play *sniffs* I thought that applied to the both of us." I mumble as she continue to hold me until my cries settle.

~

Pepper carries a wreath out of the house to the waiting audience outside for the intimate funeral. Everyone you could've thought of was there and it made me really happy to see everyone. She then lays the wreath on the lake. On top of the wreath is Uncle Tony's first arc reactor which she had framed with the words "Proof That Tony Stark Has a Heart." Everyone silently watches the wreath float away. Natasha lays her head on my shoulder as I hold her close as we watch.

~

Morgan and I are sitting on the bench that is on the cabins porch, with Jasper on her lap.

"How you doing, Squirt?" I ask her. 

"*sighs* I'm okay." Jasper replies quietly pawing at his black bow tie softly.

A small smile tugs at my lips as he answers when I meant for Morgan to.

"What about you M?" I ask looking at my little cousin.

"Good." She responds.

"You good? Okay. You hungry?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Mhm." She nods.

"What do you want?" I ask.

"Cheeseburgers." She mumbles.

I smile looking forward before returning my attention to her.

"You know, your dad liked cheeseburgers. I'm gonna get you all the cheeseburgers you want." I tell her making her smile.