The tranquility of the mountain resort was unlike anything they’d experienced in recent memory. The air was crisp, filled with the faint scent of pine, and the sounds of laughter echoed from the kids as they tried their hand at skiing and sledding. For the first few days, it seemed as though nothing could disturb this blissful retreat.
Tony was the first to wake on their fifth day at the lodge. The early morning light filtered through the large windows of their bedroom, casting a golden hue over the room. Steve stirred beside him, his breathing steady and calm. Tony allowed himself a moment to admire the serenity of the scene before quietly slipping out of bed and heading to the kitchen to make coffee.
As he sipped the warm drink, he scrolled through his tablet, casually skimming through emails and security updates. It was all standard fare until a particular alert caught his attention. His expression shifted, and he set the mug down, reading the message more closely.
“Unusual seismic activity detected near your location. Possible interference with surrounding communications.”
Tony frowned. That wasn’t normal. The resort was in a seismically stable area. No fault lines, no history of earthquakes. Yet, the alert wasn’t the type of warning to be ignored—it had come directly from F.R.I.D.A.Y., and she didn’t make mistakes.
Tony tapped the screen. “F.R.I.D.A.Y., give me a full analysis of the seismic activity.”
The AI’s familiar voice responded instantly. “Sir, the activity appears localized and non-natural. Initial scans suggest it may be caused by subterranean machinery or energy emissions. It originated approximately five miles from your current location.”
Tony’s heart sank. Subterranean machinery? Energy emissions? This had trouble written all over it. He quickly set the tablet down and began preparing for the worst.
“Tony?” Steve’s voice came from behind. He stood in the doorway, already dressed and alert, his instincts likely sensing something was off. “What’s going on?”
Tony filled him in, his voice steady but grim. “Something’s happening nearby—something man-made. I’m not sure what it is yet, but we need to be ready. Wake the kids, get them prepped. If this goes south, we need to get everyone out of here fast.”
Steve nodded without hesitation, his expression hardening as he slipped into Captain America mode. “I’ll handle it. You focus on figuring out what we’re dealing with.”
Minutes later, the lodge was a flurry of quiet but purposeful activity. Peter, Morgan, Harley, and the others were gathered in the main living area, their playful energy replaced by a tense curiosity as Steve explained the situation.
“Is it Hydra again?” Peter asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Not sure yet, kid,” Tony replied, suiting up in a modified version of his armor that he’d brought along, just in case. “But it’s better to assume the worst and hope for the best. Stay together, stay alert, and stay safe.”
The kids nodded, their trust in Tony and Steve unshaken despite the gravity of the moment.
“F.R.I.D.A.Y., pull up visuals of the source,” Tony commanded as his helmet clicked into place.
A holographic display projected from his gauntlet, showing a live feed of the forested area five miles out. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but as F.R.I.D.A.Y. enhanced the image, Tony’s stomach churned. Hidden beneath layers of camouflaged netting was a hatch—a large, circular entry point that screamed secret base.
“Steve,” Tony called, his voice echoing slightly in his helmet. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a hidden facility. I’m going to check it out.”
“You’re not going alone,” Steve replied firmly, already strapping his shield to his back.
“Someone needs to stay with the kids,” Tony countered.
Steve hesitated, his protective instincts warring with his trust in Tony’s capabilities. Before he could respond, Peter stepped forward.
“I’ll help watch them,” Peter offered, his voice steady despite the fear flickering in his eyes. “Morgan and Harley are good at staying calm, and F.R.I.D.A.Y. can keep us updated. You two should go together.”
Tony looked at Peter, proud of the young man he’d become. “Good call, Parker. Keep everyone safe.”
With that, Tony and Steve headed out into the forest. The crunch of snow under their boots and the occasional rustle of wind through the trees were the only sounds as they approached the hatch. Tony scanned the area for traps, and when none appeared, he carefully pried the hatch open.
“What do you think we’ll find?” Steve whispered, his shield at the ready.
Tony glanced down into the dark tunnel below. “Nothing good.”
They descended into the facility, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. The walls were lined with advanced machinery, glowing faintly with an eerie green light.
“Hydra’s fingerprints are all over this,” Tony muttered, scanning the devices.
Before Steve could reply, a low hum began to fill the air, growing louder and more intense. The machinery around them sprang to life, and the tunnel was suddenly illuminated by blinding lights.
“Welcome, Stark,” a cold voice echoed from the shadows.
Tony and Steve turned to see a figure step forward, flanked by armed guards. The man wore a Hydra insignia on his chest and a smug expression that sent a chill down Tony’s spine.
“You should have stayed on vacation,” the man sneered. “But since you’re here, let’s make this memorable.”
The guards raised their weapons, and chaos erupted. Tony’s repulsors flared as he fired at the nearest threats, while Steve’s shield ricocheted through the air, disarming enemies with precision.
Despite their skill and teamwork, the sheer number of guards made it clear this wasn’t going to be an easy fight.
“F.R.I.D.A.Y.,” Tony called out amidst the chaos. “Send an alert to the kids. Tell them to stay hidden and lock down the lodge. This could get ugly.”
Steve threw his shield, knocking down another wave of attackers. “Tony, we need to find out what they’re doing here—and fast.”
Tony nodded, his mind racing. Whatever Hydra was up to, it couldn’t be good. But one thing was certain: their peaceful retreat was over.
YOU ARE READING
His Protective Dad Completed ✓
FanfictionA story of Peter Parker (Stark) and his sweet, dangerous yet loving dad Tony Stark. A story where a 16 yrs old boy loves his father dearly, who can do to make his son smile. But what happened when his dad found out about him (peter) getting bullied...
