Pepper's eyes flickered wildly, a battle raging beneath the surface — her true self locked in a desperate fight against the dark force seeded by Obsidian's magic.
Tony's voice softened, filled with unwavering determination. "Pepgy, come back to me. Remember who you are. The woman who saved me more times than I can count."
The team held their breath as the energy chains pulsed violently.
Suddenly, Pepper screamed — a sound both anguished and fierce. Her gauntlets flared with wild, unstable power.
"Tony... you don't understand!" she cried, voice breaking. "This power... it's part of me now. I can't let it go."
Tony's heart shattered, but he refused to give in. "You're stronger than this. Not because of power, but because of who you are. Not what they made you."
Steve stepped closer, shielding her from Obsidian's looming threat. "You're not alone. We're here."
Pepper's gaze softened — a flicker of hope.
But before relief could bloom, Obsidian snarled, unleashing a devastating blast of dark energy toward the team.
The ground cracked violently.
Tony caught Pepper's hand in his, steadying her.
"We fight together," he said.
As the dark storm raged around them, a new resolve kindled in Pepper's eyes — a spark that could either save them or destroy everything.