Tony's hand moved. Lightning fast. Crushed the Space Echo core in his palm.
*Crack!*
Blue spatial energy exploded from his gauntlet. Reality warped violently. Space twisted in impossible angles.
Apocalypse's eyes widened. "What?"
For 2.3 seconds, Tony controlled space itself within a fifty-meter radius. The blue energy wrapped around Pepper like a cocoon.
She vanished.
Not teleported in the traditional sense. Tony had folded space. Moved her through dimensions. Sent her to the one person he knew could protect her.
Doctor Strange.
The energy dissipated. The Space Echo burned out completely. The core in Tony's hand crumbled to dust.
Apocalypse roared. The sound shook the ruins. Made buildings collapse in the distance.
"YOU DARE?"
He swung at Tony with everything he had. No holding back. Pure rage.
Tony dodged but barely. The fist passed so close it tore his helmet partially off. Exposed his face.
'Worth it. She's safe. That's all that matters.'
Apocalypse attacked again. And again. Each blow carried enough force to shatter mountains. Tony phased. Dodged. Redirected.
But he was slower now. The Space Echo had cost him. Energy reserves depleted. Focus split between fighting and hoping Pepper arrived safely.
Across the city, Doctor Strange stood in a protective circle with Jean Grey. They were completing the dimensional anchor mapping for the Ascension Device.
Strange's mystical senses suddenly flared. "Something's coming!"
Blue light exploded beside them. Space unfolded. Pepper materialized out of nothing.
She collapsed immediately. The teleportation had been rough. Disorienting.
Strange caught her. "Pepper Potts? How did you get here?"
Before she could answer, something else materialized. A small object. Quantum-sized. Attached to her clothing.
It expanded rapidly. Unfolded into full size within seconds.
An Iron Man suit. But not like any Strange had seen before. Sleek. Advanced. Glowing with energy patterns that hurt to look at directly.
The suit moved on its own. Nanites flowing over Pepper's body. Covering her completely in protective armor.
Her eyes went wide. "What? Tony? What is this?"
M.A.R.V.E.L.'s voice came through the suit's speakers. Calm. Professional. "Ms. Potts. This is emergency protocol Omega. The suit you're wearing is the Mark Sanctuary. Designed specifically for your protection."
"I don't understand." Pepper's voice shook. "What's happening?"
"Master Stark attached this suit to you in quantum-compressed form during the spatial teleportation. It activated automatically upon arrival at the designated safe coordinates."
Strange examined the suit with his mystical sight. His eyes widened. "This is extraordinary. The technology in this armor is decades beyond anything currently available."
M.A.R.V.E.L. continued. "The Mark Sanctuary is equipped with full life support. Energy shields capable of withstanding nuclear detonations. Quantum phase shifting for dimensional travel. And if necessary, access to the quantum realm for ultimate safety."
"Why?" Pepper asked. Tears ran down her face inside the helmet. "Why would he do this?"
"Because you're carrying his child." M.A.R.V.E.L.'s voice somehow carried emotion despite being artificial. "Because he loves you. And because ensuring your safety is more important to him than victory."
Jean Grey stepped closer. Her weakened Phoenix senses could feel the life growing inside Pepper. "You're pregnant."
Right months." Pepper sobbed. "And I never got to tell him properly. Never had the chance."
Strange's expression softened. "He knows now. And he's fighting to make sure you and the child survive. No matter what it costs him."
Back in the battle, Tony was being overwhelmed. Apocalypse's fury was terrifying. Each attack faster than the last. Stronger. More brutal.
Tony's armor was shattering. Piece by piece. The nanites couldn't repair fast enough.
'I sacrificed my trump card. 34% chance of victory now. Maybe less. But she's safe. That has to be enough.'
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