History TearJerker / IronMan3

** And then it gets worth when you read Pepper's lips [[spoiler: on the hologram while she's being tortured. "Tony, make it stop!"]]

* The "bombing" site in Tennessee, loaded with memorials and flowers. When Tony tells that soldier's mother that her son didn't kill himself (and five other soldiers) that day, even if he can't tell her what really happened, it's really hard in a totally banal, real-world way.
* This troper cried happy tears when Tony managed to save every single person falling from Air Force One.

* The "bombing" site in Tennessee, loaded with memorials and flowers. When Tony tells that soldier's mother that her son didn't kill himself (and five other soldiers) that day, even if he can't tell her what really happened, it's really hard in a totally banal, real-world way.

** The moment of sheer disbelief as she registers the scene before her, before she can even shout Tony's name.

** And the bit before that, with Tony's visible nightmare. This is no CatapultNightmare, oh no. This is ''pain.''

* Tony's reaction to [[spoiler: Pepper's (apparent) death.]] He begins to tear up and then suddenly just seems to [[HeroicBSOD stop feeling anything, with a look of complete desolation on his face]]. It's way more heartbreaking than if he'd just broken down and cried.

** Let's not forget that Killian considered taking the express trip from the rooftop to the lobby. There's a reason why he was standing on the edge and looking out at the city in the first place...

* When Tony unconsciously calls the Mark XLII and it attacks Pepper in bed, she's so scared, exhausted and frustrated that she goes to sleep downstairs. That combined with Tony's reaction is like being punched in the stomach.

* The brief shot of Pepper standing at the cliff edge after [[spoiler:Tony's DisneyDeath]]. Sure, ''we'' know he's fine, but ''she'' doesn't, and it hurts to see smart, capable Pepper in that kind of state.

* The flashback in the beginning where we first meet Maya and Aldirch. They both seem so hopefull. Maya dreaming of creating a universal cure for humanity, Aldirch is an adoring fan of Tony's who wants to create a think tank to take science to new levels. [[spoiler: Cut to over a decade later Maya has compromised her ethics in her obsession to perfecting Extermis and seems broken. And Aldirch os driven to acquire power and strength and is willing to do anything and everything to erase the sad little man waiting on top of a rooftop on New Years Eve.]]

* The flashback in the beginning where we first meet Maya and Aldirch. They both seem so hopefull. Maya dreaming of creating a universal cure for humanity, Aldirch is an adoring fan of Tony's who wants to create a think tank to take science to new levels. [[spoiler: Cut to over a decade later Maya has compromised her ethics in her obsession to perfecting Extermis and seems broken. And Aldirch os driven to acquire power and strength and is willing to do anything and everything to erase the sad little man waiting on top of a rooftop on New Years Eve.]]

* The flashback in the beginning where we first meet Maya and Aldirch. They both seem so hopefull. Maya dreaming of creating a universal cure for humanity, Aldirch is an adoring fan of Tony's who wants to create a think tank to take science to new levels. [[spoiler: cut to over a decade later Maya has compromised her ethics in her obsession to perfecting Extermis and seems broken. And Aldirch has is obsessed with power and strength and willing to do anything and everything to erase the sad little man waiting on top of a rooftop on New Years day.]]

--> The flashback in the beginning where we first meet Maya and Aldirch. They both seem so hopefull. Maya dreaming of creating a universal cure for humanity, Aldirch is an adoring fan of Tony's who wants to create a think tank to take science to new levels. [[spoiler: cut to over a decade later Maya has compromised her ethics in her obsession to perfecting Extermis and seems broken. And Aldirch has is obsessed with power and strength and willing to do anything and everything to erase the sad little man waiting on top of a rooftop on New Years day.]]

-->'''Yinsen:''' Another time, I suppose...

* Yensen's brief appearance, considering what his eventual fate will be.

* Dummy and its junior trying to hold each others' hand as the Malibu house falls apart.

--> '''JARVIS''': ''[voice slowing down]'' I think I need to sleep for a while, sir...

* Tony's reaction to [[spoiler: Pepper's (apparent) death.]] He begins to tear up and then just seems to [[HeroicBSOD stop feeling anything, with a look of complete desolation on his face]]. It's way more heartbreaking than if he'd just broken down and cried.

* Tony's reaction to [[spoiler: Pepper's (apparent) death.]] He begins to tear up and then just seems to [[HeroicBSOD stop feeling ''anything'', with a look of complete desolation on his face]]. It's way more heartbreaking than if he'd just broken down and cried.

* Tony's reaction to [[spoiler: Pepper's (apparent) death.]] He begins to tear up and then just seems to [[HeroicBSOD shut down, a look of complete desolation on his face]]. It's way more heartbreaking than if he'd just broken down and cried.

--> '''JARVIS''': I think I need to sleep for a while, sir...

* Tony reaction to [[spoiler: Pepper's (apparent) death.]] He begins to tear up and then just seems to [[HeroicBSOD shut down completely]]. It's way more heartbreaking than if he'd just broken down and cried.

* JARVIS shutting down (for the first time in the franchise) after the attack on the Malibu house and the flight to Tennessee drains all his power:

* Tony reaction to [[spoiler: Pepper's (apparent) death.]] He begins to tear up and then just seems to [[HeroicBSOD shut down completely]].

* Tony reaction to [[spoiler: Pepper's (apparent) death.]] He begins to tear up and then just seems to [[HeroicBSOD shut down completely]].