His Protective Dad (Starker FF) Completed ✓

Breaking the Chains

The warehouse was alive with the hum of unnatural energy, a pulsating rhythm that seemed to sync with Tony’s heartbeat. His chest was tight, the weight of the situation pressing down on him with every breath. His son—his Peter—was caught in the grip of something far more powerful than anything they had faced before. And with every passing second, the force controlling Peter seemed to grow stronger, wrapping around his son like a suffocating blanket.

“Tony, we have to do something,” Steve said, his voice strained with urgency. He was standing beside Tony, shield raised, his eyes fixed on the glowing energy field that encased Peter. Every move they made felt like it was too little, too late.

“I know,” Tony muttered, barely able to hear himself over the pounding in his ears. “I’m trying to think, Steve. Just… just give me a second.”

But there was no more time to waste. The field around Peter flickered like a dying star, then flared brighter, an explosion of energy crashing into their bodies. Tony barely managed to hold his ground, but he could see Steve waver for a moment, the impact knocking him back slightly. They had to move faster—before they lost Peter entirely.

“We need to disrupt the energy field,” Tony said, his mind racing as he thought of a plan. His suit was filled with nanotechnology, and he could manipulate the armor’s abilities to disrupt the signal. But the interference was making it difficult to focus.

“I’ll cover you,” Steve said, stepping forward and holding his shield high as a new wave of energy shot toward them. His movements were swift, calculated, a blur of blue and red as he deflected the attack.

Tony worked quickly, tapping into his suit’s systems. “F.R.I.D.A.Y., give me a diagnostic on the energy field. I need to find a weakness.”

The AI’s voice was calm amidst the chaos. “There is a potential vulnerability in the center of the field, sir. If you can reach it, I can initiate a deactivation sequence.”

Tony’s hands flew across his suit’s interface, his fingers moving with precision, connecting wires of thought and technology. “On it.”

As he approached the glowing field, Steve continued to hold off the energy surges, his shield a glowing beacon of resilience. But Tony’s focus was on the field that surrounded Peter, the very air itself thick with the dark power at play.

“Peter, listen to me,” Tony said, his voice desperate but firm, projecting over the chaos. “You can fight this. You’re stronger than this. We’re right here. You can break free.”

For a moment, there was nothing. The warehouse was still, the energy flickering in time with Tony’s heartbeat. Then, a faint voice echoed through the tension.

“Dad… I can’t… I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

Tony’s heart clenched. He could feel Peter’s fear, his struggle, like a weight pressing down on him. This wasn’t just a fight against some faceless enemy—it was a battle for his son’s very soul.

“Just hold on, Pete,” Tony said, his voice breaking. “We’re almost there. We’re going to bring you home.”

Tony’s fingers danced across the interface, activating the deactivation sequence. There was a brief hum as the field began to shrink, its power flickering in a final attempt to hold on. But with one final push, the field collapsed in on itself, shattering like glass.

The room went silent.

And then, all at once, Peter fell forward, his body crumpling to the ground in a heap of exhaustion. Tony was by his side in an instant, lifting his son into his arms, his own body shaking with relief.

“Peter?” Tony whispered, running a hand through his son’s hair. “Are you okay? Look at me, kid.”

Peter’s eyes fluttered open, the glow in them now dimmed. He blinked up at his father, his face pale and drawn, but there was recognition in his gaze.

“I—I don’t know what happened, Dad,” Peter murmured, his voice weak. “It was like I was trapped… I couldn’t control it…”

Tony gently cupped his son’s face, brushing a tear from his cheek. “You’re okay now. We got you. We’re not going to let anything happen to you.”

Steve knelt beside them, his eyes filled with concern but also relief. “Good job, Stark,” he said quietly, a rare smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

But before Tony could respond, a sudden, sharp pain hit his chest. His hand instinctively went to his heart, the familiar ache spreading through him as if his very essence was being pulled away. It wasn’t just physical—it was an emotional wound, something that reached deeper than even his suit could protect.

“Tony?” Steve asked, his voice laced with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Tony said, his voice hoarse. “I feel—something’s not right.”

Peter, still weak, looked up at him, his brows furrowing. “Dad? What’s happening?”

But before Tony could respond, his thoughts were interrupted by an overwhelming wave of dread. The world around him seemed to blur, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something—someone—was watching them. The mysterious figure from before, the one who had controlled Peter, was still out there.

---

Meanwhile, back at Stark Tower...

MJ stood in the kitchen, her hands frozen in mid-air as she placed a mug down on the counter. A wave of unease had washed over her, something she couldn’t explain. It was a gnawing feeling in her gut, a heavy weight that pressed against her chest. It wasn’t like anything she had ever felt before.

Something was wrong.

Her gaze shifted instinctively to the kids—both babies were crying, their tiny faces scrunched up in distress. Their cries pierced the air, sending a chill down her spine. They weren’t supposed to be crying like this. They were far too young to understand fear, yet they were reacting to something only a mother could sense.

“Why are you crying, sweethearts?” MJ murmured, rushing over to pick up both babies. But as she held them close, their cries only intensified, as if they were somehow aware of the danger that loomed.

She could feel her heart racing, her body trembling. Something's wrong with Peter.

It was an undeniable instinct. The connection between a mother and her child, one so deep, so intrinsic, that it couldn’t be ignored. Her mind raced with images of Peter—was he safe? Was he okay?

A deep, haunting voice echoed in her mind, unbidden. "They're coming for him."

The words sent a shiver down her spine, and she knew, in that instant, that something was coming. The Starks were not out of danger yet.