A game of shadow

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Tony's heart pounded in his chest as the voice crackled through the room.

"Welcome Stark, we have been expecting you."

The holographic screens flickered, showing feeds from across the world. Maps, detailed plans of Stark Tower, and blueprints of S.H.I.E.L.D bases spread out before him. Whoever was behind him has been planning for months – maybe years. This wasn't just about him. They were targetting the Avengers and their families.

Rhodey stepped closer, his suit humming with power. "We have got to get out of here."

Tony nodded, his mind already working through the possibilities. "F.R.I.D.A.Y override the doors."

"I am trying boss, but they have locked the system down tight. It's going to take a few minutes."

Suddenly an alert flash on Tony's heads-up display – something he wasn't prepared for.

"Boss, I am getting another signal. It's captain Rogers. He's.... In trouble."

Tony's heart skipped a beat. "Where is he?"

Before F.R.I.D.A.Y could respond, the screen lit up with live feed of Steve – bounded and unconscious in a darkened room. Blood trickled down his face, and his shield layed discarded on the floor beside him.

"Steve's been captured," Tony muttered, panic rising. "F.R.I.D.A.Y I need his coordinates now."

"They are blocking the exact location, but I am triangulating his position. He is still inside the facility, but not for too long if we don't move."

Tony's mind raced, his finger hovering over the controls as he tried to process what was happening. Steve was down, and now he had to get him before it was too late. But something gnawed at the back of his mind, a fear that was clawing it's way forward.

"Where are the kids?" Tony asked abruptly, his voice edged with panic.

F.R.I.D.A.Y hesitate for a moment. "Morgan, peter and MJ are still in Stark Industries, along with Harley. They are in the living quarters."

Tony exhaled, relieved they were safe. But as he stared at the screen showing Steve's motionless body, something felt wrong.

Too wrong

_________________________________________

Back at the Stark Industries, MJ, Morgan, and Harley sat in one of the living rooms, chatting quitely. They had no idea what was unfolding beyond their walls, no idea that danger was lurking closer than they realised.

Peter had insisted that they stay inside, and MJ agreed, tho she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling settling in her stomach.

Morgan, always sharp, glanced at the window and frowned. "Do you think that dad is okay?"

MJ smiled softly at her, tho she felt far from calm. "Your dad is always okay, Morgan. He is Iron man."

Harley stood by the window, peering outside. "Yeah , he can handle himself. And Peter made sure we are locked up tight here."

But just as the words left his mouth, a loud crash echoed through the room. The windows exploded inward, sending shard of glass flying in every direction. Before they could react, masked figures swarmed through the shattered windows, moving with frightening speed.

Harley barely had time to shout before one of them grabbed him, pressing a cloth over his mouth. His struggles faded quickly as the chemicals took effect, and he slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Morgan screamed, her small frame trembling as two more figures lunged for her and MJ. MJ fought back, kicking and punching with all her strength, but they were too many of them. She managed to land a solid hit on one of the attackers before a sharp pain shot through her arm. She looked down, horrified, as a needle jabbed into her skin.

"Peter!!" She screamed, but her voice faded as darkness overtook her.

Morgan cried out, trying to fight as well, but they were too strong. In a matter of seconds, all three were subdued, their bodies limp as the kidnappers carried them out through the broken windows.

__________________________________________

Tony and Rhodey were halfway through the facility when F.R.I.D.A.Y's came through again, more frantic this time.

"Boss, there's been a breach at Stark Industries."

Tony froze, his heart slamming in his chest. "What??"

"Unknown assailants have broken through the security windows. They have taken Morgan, MJ and Harley. The guards were disabled before they even had time to react."

For a second, Tony couldn't breathe. His worst nightmare was unfolding right infront of him. He had been so focused on Steve, his husband, and the mission that he had overlooked the one thing he swore to protect more than anything: his family.

"No..." Tony whispered, the world around him spinning.

Rhodey stepped forward, gripping Tony's shoulder. "Tony, we will get them back. We just need to---"

Tony shook his head, his voice hardening with fury. "I am not waiting. F.R.I.D.A.Y, get me their location now."

"I am triangulating multiple signals. They are enroute to a secondary location.... It's the same coordinates as Captain Rogers."

Tony's blood ran cold. They had Steve, and now, they had MJ, Morgan and Harley.

"They're keeping them together." Tony realised, his mind whirling. "It's a trap, they are using them all to get to me."

Rhodey's face darkened, the gravity of the situation hitting him. "Then will hit them hard. No holding back."

Tony's suit shifted, his faceplate closing as he prepared to move. "I am done playing nice. Whoever these bastards are, they have just crossed a line."

___________________________________________

Steve's head pounded as he came to, his vision blurry and disoriented. His hands were bound tightly, his shield was nowhere in sight. The room was cold and damp, lit by a single flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling.

As his eyes adjusted, he noticed movements in the corner. Three figures– small and huddled together– lay unconscious. His heart sanked as he recognised them.

"Morgan.... MJ.... Harley..." Steve whispered, horror flooding through him.

They were all here. Captured. And Tony didn't know.

He struggled against his restraints, his muscles buring as he tried to break free, but the bindings held tight. There was no way out, no immediate escape. He needed to stay calm, think this through. They wouldn't have taken them, unless they wanted something.

Steve forced himself to breathe, his mind racing. Whatever this was, they weren't just after Tony anymore. They were after his family.

___________________________________________

In the facility, Tony's eyes burned with rage. He now knew Steve had been taken, but the thought of his daughter and others being dragged into this made his hands tremble inside his suit.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y patch me into any communication from the kidnappers. I want to hear them."

"Already done, boss."

The voice crackled again through the speakers, cold and calculated. "We have them, Stark. Captain Rogers.... And your precious heir. Bring what we want, or they die."

Tony's face twisted into a grim expression. He wouldn't let them win. But the question burned in his mind: what do they want?

And how far were they willing to go?

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