A Brave New World

Chapter 2

Tony Stark woke up in a strange room which reminded him of one of those "recovery" places he had been sent to when he had problems. He had had his fair share of waking up in strange rooms or just surfaces with no clue what had led him there.

With a jolt, he rose, holding out his right arm which was covered in bandages. He limped out looking for clues or doors or even a window. He couldn't see the outside but he felt sunshine everywhere. There wasn't a single light but the room was bright. He tried to figure out what he had gotten himself into. 

Tony still remembered Thanos, the gauntlet, and Pepper's face calmly telling him to rest while her eyes held a variety of emotions. Rhodey, his oldest friend, the only one who had stuck by him for years. And of course Peter Parker, one of the best beings he ever knew, the one for whom he had literally altered the reality.

He didn't even want to think about his little girl and life, Morgan. Would she ever know what had happened to her dad, would she blame him for the choices he had made? He felt the start of a panic attack, he was trying the breathing thing his therapist had tried right after Morgan was born. He had wanted to be semi-normal, he didn't want to scare Morgan or trouble Pepper with his baggage.

Tony was so focused on controlling himself he almost didn't notice a kid with bright blue hair glancing at him from a door that was definitely not there when he had looked earlier. The kid let out a shriek and ran off screaming something.

A moment later, Doctor Strange walked in with a young lady who was also in one of those wizard costumes. Tony was glad to see a familiar face, even though he wasn't sure he fully trusted the sorcerer who had led him to his almost death. Was he ever dead? Was he in recovery? Finally, he'd get some answers.

"Hey Houdini, you got a good explanation for me?" Tony quipped. "Please tell me Pepper knows I'm here or she's going to get the wrong idea."

"Glad to see your sarcasm hasn't lessened any." Strange said dryly. "Well you've been declared dead for nearly six months now." 

Tony took in everything as Strange explained. The Mistress of Death, Death, his funeral and people moving on. Without him. At least his snap had worked, the world was moving on.

"So we need a good way to bring the news of my alive-status to the others without freaking them out." Tony said at last. "We need to tell Pepper first. We can hold a press conference to announce to the world when I'm good and ready to deal with the mess and the vultures. We'll keep it in-house. Strictly avengers, whoever's left anyway." 

"Well, Thor is off-world with the "Guardians of the Galaxy" as they called themselves. Professor Hulk is in Wakanda. Barton and Lang are with their families, essentially retired. Captain America, I'm going to let you be surprised on that one. That spider- kid of yours is still helping out while attending high school. The rest are off doing their own thing and laying low. Only Wilson and Barnes are actively being heroes." Strange explained like he didn't really want to but Harry was looking at him till he finished.

Tony took in the information coolly. He looked at the green eyed witch who was silently observing the conversation.

“It seems like I owe you much little witch.” Tony addressed Harry with a winning smile. 

"I couldn’t exactly say no to the good doctor who left me no choice." Harry quipped, giving Strange a teasing grin. Tony was surprised at their closeness, when Strange gave her an exasperated look.

Harry glanced at the door and Teddy peaked out, his hair a bright pink this time. Tony would have to get used to that kid's impromptu hair color changes.