Batman x Ironman [Marvel]

AN: Biggest chapter 3k words. I tried a different approach for this chapter. Hope you liked it.

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Everyone was taken aback by the abrupt teleportation, their surroundings now a remote, rugged island with turbulent waves crashing against the rocky shore. No one dared question how Bruce had managed such a feat, but wariness hung in the air as they adjusted to the sudden shift.

Bruce stood a few steps ahead. His eyes were fixed on the reinforced structure in the center of the island. Without sparing anyone a glance, he motioned them forward. Fury, tense but resigned, led the way, pushing open the heavy metal doors with a grunt. Inside, a simple lobby awaited, its walls lined with holographic displays and advanced security systems.

Fury led them to a highly advanced elevator. He entered the code, and they descended at breakneck speed, a muted sense of pressure building as they plunged toward the ocean floor. The silence was suffocating, and tension hung thickly in the air as the elevator came to a stop, the doors sliding open to reveal a secured passage.

Before them was a long stretched hallway, guarded by advanced security and robots.

"Nice place you got here, Fury. Well, lead the way," Bruce said.

The group moved forward, their steps echoing down the sleek, metallic hallway. The sterile, silver walls gleamed under the bright artificial lighting, each surface so polished it reflected a warped version of the tense faces walking through. Every few feet, they passed advanced surveillance cameras, which tracked them with unsettling precision. Armed robots, standing sentry along the walls, moved mechanically to make way, but their sensors remained locked on the visitors.

As they approached the lab, a large glass door slid open with a hiss, revealing a sprawling, high-tech facility. Holographic screens projected complex data streams, displaying various energy readings, molecular structures, and live feeds from all over the world. The air was heavy with the hum of machinery, punctuated by the occasional click and whirr of robotic arms adjusting equipment or moving trays of vials between stations.

In the middle of the lab, groups of Skrull and human scientists were deep in collaboration, absorbed in their work. The Skrulls wore lab coats identical to their human colleagues, their faces masked in concentration as they studied projections and ran simulations together. There was an unspoken unity, a mutual respect between the two species that was almost jarring against the intensity of Bruce's looming threat.

At the center of the lab, within a large cylindrical glass tube, lay Tony Stark's lifeless body. Suspended in a translucent, viscous fluid, his face was serene but hauntingly pale, devoid of the spark and ingenuity he had once embodied. Fine sensors and probes connected to his chest and temples, monitoring every remnant of his physical state. Then there were multiple tubes connected to his spine, slowly sucking out the remnants of the infinity energy.

The lab workers stopped their work when they saw the group entering. Fury gave them a nod, signing them to stop whatever they were doing. They stopped what they were doing and stood silently, waiting for them to finish whatever business they had come here for.

As Bruce took in the sight of Tony's suspended body, his expression remained unreadable. He blinked before the glass tube.

The lab was silent, with only the hum of machinery filling the air as everyone's eyes moved from Tony to Bruce, waiting to see what he would do next. Harley and Selina exchanged glances, subtly bracing themselves for what they both knew would come next.

Fury swallowed hard. But now, he could only hope that Bruce would hold up his end of the bargain. Pepper, standing just behind him, clenched her fists, struggling to hold back tears as she stared at Tony's lifeless form. This was her second time here. The last time she saw Tony was when Fury brought his body here.

"So, this is what become of me?" Bruce asked, not bothering to turn around. His eyes were on the hidden compartment of the lab. It was well hidden behind holographic displays. There must be something important inside. He used X-ray vision and saw a kid inside a glass tube, floating in the greenish liquid. She looked somewhat familiar to him. "Argg!" Bruce grabbed his head as a splitting headache struck him when he tried to remember her.

There was something about her that made his heart ache... He couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew for sure that this girl was very important to him.

"Bruce?" Selina moved forward, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"No... No! I can't remember..." Bruce said, his voice hoarse as he clutched his head in pain.

Everyone looked at each other, confused. They had no idea what he was talking about.

Bruce struggled with himself, trying to keep his mind from going blank as his vision became distorted.

His breathing grew ragged, and his eyes were clouded with pain as he struggled against the blinding flashes in his mind. Each memory cut through him, sharp and fractured, until finally, one image stilled him—a little girl, her wide, innocent eyes staring up at him, a shy smile brightening her face. His heart pounded with recognition, and a name came unbidden to his lips, like a distant whisper.

"Morgan..."

The room seemed to close in, the clinical hum of machines fading to a dull throb as he focused on the memory, feeling a jolt of disbelief and wonder. Memories were clawing their way back, spilling into his mind in bursts of warmth and heartbreak. He could see her laughing, running toward him with open arms, tiny hands clutching his fingers. Her laughter was the sound of everything he'd lost, everything he'd locked away, thinking it was gone forever.

[Flashback]

Tony's fingers traced the outline of the book's worn leather cover as he nestled beside Morgan on her bed. The story was one she'd picked out herself, a fantastical tale of an inventor who created incredible machines to protect his kingdom. Morgan, curled against his side, watched him with wide, eager eyes, captivated by every word. As he read, he couldn't help but add his own twists to the tale, making the inventor sound suspiciously like himself.

"...And with one mighty swoop, the brave inventor used his machines to save everyone!" he narrated, waving his hands in the air for effect.

Morgan giggled, nudging him. "Was he scared, Daddy?"

Tony paused, looking down at her. "Oh, definitely. But being brave doesn't mean not being scared. It means fighting for the people you care about, even when you're scared."

She thought about that, nodding solemnly. Then her voice softened as she gazed up at him, her little fingers tracing patterns on his arm. "Will you save the world with your inventions, too?"

Tony's heart clenched at her innocent question. He ruffled her hair, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Kiddo, I already did," he said with a small, soft smile. "But I promise you, I'll always be here to keep you safe, no matter what."

Morgan's eyes drifted closed as she murmured, "Okay, Daddy. I love you."

Tony watched her fall asleep, brushing her hair back gently, and he whispered, "I love you too, sweetheart. More than anything."

As Bruce relived this moment, his hands trembled, feeling the deep, indescribable ache of loss. This wasn't just a bedtime story—it was a promise he'd made to his daughter, one he was now desperate to keep.

[Present time]

"Selina... Harley... Don't let anyone escape this place," Bruce ordered as he slowly began to walk toward that hidden compartment. That flashback came crashing down on him, and Bruce remembered.

"I... I remember. Morgan..." He muttered under his breath.

His memories were still hazy, but the darkness was slowly receding from his mind. There was a new clarity there, a sense of purpose that burned brighter than anything he had felt before. He thought that due to the resurrection and dimensional soul transfer, he lost his memories, the most precious ones at that. Maybe a cost like this was something that needed to be paid to come back to life.

[Flashback]

Morgan tiptoed into the workshop, her tiny face lighting up as she took in the room filled with gadgets, tools, and the various armors lining the walls. Tony, noticing her, spun around in his chair, pretending to look stern. She was decked out in her own set of pint-sized safety goggles and holding her favorite stuffed bear, who also wore a "safety helmet" made from a small plastic bowl.

"Alright, little Miss Engineer," Tony said, crossing his arms with a playful grin. "First rule of the workshop—always wear your goggles."

Morgan giggled and adjusted her oversized goggles. "Like this, Daddy?"

He couldn't help but laugh, crouching down to her level. "Perfect. Now, what are we gonna make today?"

She looked around at the scattered gears, circuits, and unfinished projects. Her gaze finally settled on a small, round device on the table. "Something that flies! Like you!"

Tony raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Well, look at you with the big ideas." He pulled up a stool beside her, grabbing a few gears. "Alright, we'll start with the basics. This is a rotor, and if you spin it fast enough—"

She was already reaching for it, eyes shining with excitement as he explained. As they worked together, he found himself wondering if one day, she might carry on his legacy. "You're a natural, kid," he murmured, watching her concentrate with such intensity it melted his heart.

"Will I be as good as you someday?" she asked, looking up at him.

He paused, his chest tightening. "You'll be even better, Morgan. I can already tell."

For Bruce, this memory cut to the core. He felt the warmth of that pride but now tasted its bitterness—his chance to guide her, to build a future together, all of it gone, all because of the choice others made.

[Present time]

"How could I forget her?" Bruce asked himself. Tears ran down his face as he struggled to get his emotions under control. He walked slowly, trying to get to the hidden compartment where Morgan was.

The room went quiet as everyone watched his unusual behavior. Bruce didn't bother about them. They had no idea how much Morgan meant to him, how important she was to him.

He wiped the tears from his eyes as he tried to walk forward.

"How did this happen? Why are you there in a freaking glass tube? What happened to you?" He continued to mumble as he slowly walked forward, his eyes fixed on the glass tube that hid behind the holographic display.

[Flashback]

The sky was streaked with colors as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the lake. Tony and Morgan sat side by side, their legs swinging off the edge of the dock as they threw stones into the water, competing to see whose stone could skip the farthest. Laughter filled the air as her stone made a satisfying skip across the surface, making her squeal with excitement.

As she ran out of stones, she turned to him, eyes wide and thoughtful. "Daddy," she asked softly, "will you be around forever?"

The question caught him off guard, and he looked at her, trying to read the thoughts that flickered behind her young eyes. He felt a pang in his chest; he'd never wanted to lie to her, but he also couldn't bear to tell her the full truth. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.

"I'll always be with you, Morgan," he said, choosing his words carefully. "Even if you can't see me, or hear me, I'll be right here." He took her small hand and placed it over her heart. "That's where I'll always be, kiddo."

Her gaze softened, and she nodded, pressing her hand against her chest. "You promise?" she whispered.

"I promise," he replied, sealing it with a kiss to her forehead. He held her tight, breathing in the scent of her hair, willing the moment to last forever.

As Bruce relived this memory, he could feel the weight of that promise pressing against his chest, a promise he'd failed to keep because of a decision made without him.

...

Morgan's eyes were fixed on the newest piece of armor Tony had crafted. She was older now, about eight, and had developed the same keen interest in technology that her father had. She circled the suit, studying it with a look of intense concentration that made Tony chuckle.

"Think you can hack it?" he teased, arms folded as he watched her.

Her eyes flashed with determination. "Oh, I know I can."

Tony crouched beside her, smirking. "Well, I'll tell you what if you ever manage to hack this suit, I'll make one just for you. The strongest suit in this whole world."

Her face lit up, and she gave him an enthusiastic high-five. "Deal!" She was already bouncing on her toes, imagining herself in her very own suit.

Tony chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder, looking at her with pride. "You've got the heart of a hero, Morgan. But a promise is a promise. Work hard, and maybe one day you'll be flying right alongside me."

As Bruce recalled the challenge, he felt a pang of sadness—and fear. Would he ever have the chance to fulfill that promise to his daughter?

[Present time]

Bruce released the nanites from his suit, breaking down the technology that was creating the holographic projections. Then he ripped the metal door open with his bare hands, revealing the hidden compartment. His eyes widened as he saw Morgan floating in the glass tube, a mask covering her face. She was grown up now and looked like a teenager, but Bruce still remembered her as a cute little girl. He remembered when she was just an infant, and he used to play with her every night. He remembered holding her little hands as she tried to take her first steps. He remembered reading her bedtime stories and listening to her childish laugh.

Bruce's heart ached as he walked closer to the glass tube, reaching out a hand to touch it.

[Flashback]

The evening was quiet, a rare calm before the impending storm that lay ahead. It was before the final battle with Thanos.

Tony had just finished tucking Morgan into bed, but she insisted on a few extra minutes with him. Not one to turn her down, he let her tug him over to the couch, where she promptly settled into his lap, resting her head against his chest. They sat in comfortable silence, watching her favorite movie as Tony's thoughts drifted to the uncertain mission ahead.

The weight of what was coming pressed on him, heavy and foreboding. His fingers absentmindedly combed through her hair, grounding himself in her presence, feeling her steady breathing. He knew that the fight against Thanos was inevitable, but the thought of leaving her, of possibly never coming back, gnawed at his heart.

"Daddy?" she murmured sleepily, turning to look up at him with half-lidded eyes.

"Yes, peanut?" he replied, his voice soft, though his heart ached with the unspoken worry.

She gazed at him, her expression serious, like she could sense the weight on his shoulders even though she was too young to understand it. "Will you be gone for a long time?"

The question cut through him. He gently pulled her closer, choosing his words with care. "I have to go do something very important, but I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?"

Morgan considered this, her little face creasing in a frown. She seemed to weigh his words, the kind of innocent, intense pondering only a child could manage. Then, with a shy smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "Well, just so you know… I love you 3000."

Tony felt his heart stutter, his throat tightening. He hugged her a little closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he tried to hold back the flood of emotions. "I love you 3000 too, Morgan," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

They stayed like that for a few more moments, the silence filled only with her soft breathing as she drifted off to sleep. As Tony looked down at her, he made a silent promise: no matter what awaited him in the battle ahead, he would do whatever it took to come back to her.

In the quiet of that night, he realized that his fight wasn't just for the world—it was for her, for the future he wanted to build with her, and for the chance to be her father for a little while longer. It didn't matter that he was living in a comic world, the feeling of paternal love he had for Morgan was real.

[Present time]

Bruce touched the glass tube where Morgan was floating. It felt cold under his hand, and he wondered how long she had been there. He wondered why they were keeping her here and why she was floating in that liquid.

He frowned, looking closely at the mask that covered her lower face. His heart was beating so fast, and his head was starting to hurt again. He was getting impatient. He quickly checked her heartbeat and saw that it was stable, but still, he didn't like the way she looked. She looked weak.

"What did they do to you, Morgan?" Bruce asked.

He looked back and released his heat vision, piercing through Fury's knees. The man let out a cry of pain as he dropped to the ground, clutching his knee.

"Argg..." He cried out in pain as Bruce approached him. He was trying to get up, but Bruce kept coming closer.

"Why is she in that tube?" Bruce asked, pointing a finger at Morgan.

Fury swallowed hard, looking at the man in front of him.

...[Powerstones and reviews]...

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[Reborn as Ironman> 7 chs]

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AN: Next Chapter on Saturday. Sorry, but I really need a little break. Drop in a few reviews if you haven't.