Illegitimate Prodigy

Just you.

Entering the parking garage to the tower, Annabelle held her breath, until she felt as if there as a huge weight crushing on her ribs and then released a big puff of air. She noticed all of her fathers luxurious cars were gone, having already been removed by movers. Pulling into the spot closest to the elevator, her hands still resting at ten and two, she stared blankly at the cement wall.

Was she suppose to just forget about how her grandfather was killed? Ignore the fact that his killer was still out there and there was nothing being done about it? Her jaw clenched, her head falling forward to rest on the steering wheel. There was a momentary pause before she pushed her head against it harder and her car horn sounded. Again, again and again. Her eyes watered in frustration, and it was then she exited the car.

The garage was quiet, Pepper's car gone, leaving Annebelle to believe she was staying at her own home tonight. She couldn't assume her father wasn't there, because he had so many forms of transportation.

Crossing her arms, she felt a small shiver go up her spine as she approached the elevator. The elevator in the parking garage wasn't your average elevator. It didn't stop at each floor. Once entering, it begins to move up, first slowly but then extremely fast. Tony wasn't a terribly patient person, and needed an elevator that went directly to the flat on the top floor.

110 floors up, Annabelle quietly paced out of the elevator. Pausing, she listened for any movement, movers, Pepper, Happy—her father. There wasn't a peep. Scanning her brown eyes up to the clock on the wall she noticed it was going on seven o'clock. Belle hadn't come straight home after dropping off Peter, and Tony was probably curious why she didn't come home right away. Not that the young Stark cared. He was tracking her anyways.

She let her feet carry her into a living area, the room opening up into high ceilings and very large windows. The room was dark, and only blinking fluorescent lights appeared on certain tech that was still running. Belle found herself at the edge of the room, staring out over New York. It reminded her of when her grandfather took her to the Empire State Building as a young child. Only this time, her grandfather wasn't here and the world didn't appear as hopeful as it once was. That... and she was standing in her father's home. Something she had never anticipated. Not in a million years.

Her eyes lifted from the streaming lines of car lights below, her brown hues meeting the horizon. A low—glowing and very fast light was coming her direction. At first she thought maybe it was her father in his suit. It was as it got closer that she noticed a green color to the eyes of the suit coming her direction. It couldn't be...? Could it? There wasn't a even a second to think as she saw something shoot out from the wings of the suit and shoot toward the Avengers Tower. "Shit." Panic pulsed through her veins as she back pedaled quickly, nearly stumbling over her own feet. "F.R.I.D.A.Y., Sound the panic alarm!" Lights began to flash, alarm sounding, causing the Stark to wince in reaction. She only had time to momentarily glance back before the weapon hit. Two more steps and Belle went leaping into the hallway that led into the room she was in. A loud explosion pierced the air, pieces of concrete flying every direction. Annabelle's placed her arms over her head in attempts to protect herself from injury.

"Annabelle, your father is on his way. Find a secure area." FRIDAY's voice could barely be heard over the ringing in her ears and the alarms around her. The explosions had ceased. Time to run, she thought to herself. Pushing herself off the floor, her feet struggling to get under her. She heard something land in what use to be the living room behind her and she didn't have the guts to turn and face it. More ammunition fired, the ceiling above her came crumbling down. The young Stark let out a painful scream as she felt the heavy sheet rock land on her back.

Annabelle whimpered from underneath the rubble, her now bloody fingers trying to drag herself out. The footsteps behind her were loud and terrifying as it moved closer. "The precious baby girl of Tony Stark,"   His voice was disguised behind a mask, making it difficult for Annabelle to decipher a real voice. Not only that but she could barely hear him over the alarm. His heavy steps grew closer, and the young Stark squeezed her eyes shut. Waiting, unsure if it would be her death next.

The Vulture's heavy boots approached her direct left, and then with one slow motion, he let his right foot press down on Belle's hand. Letting out a whimper, she tried to pull away but failed. "I have daughters, you know?" He paused, she could hear his breath under the mask. "I suppose I should say daughter, now." There was a longer pause, Annabelle's shoulders nudging and trying to push herself up. Every breath becoming a struggle. With one quick motion, his arm extended, grabbing the back of Annabelle's neck and yanking her from the rubble. Warm tears began to make a clear path down her cheeks, carving themselves through the dust. "You see . I had a great job when the Aliens came down through that wormhole.," he pulled her head closer, her brown hues looking directly into the green lights of his mask. "Your daddy took my job, after the alien attack on New York—and it's rumored he's being a little selfish keeping all the tech to himself!" The vultures voice got louder with every word. His leather gloves tightened around her neck, his other hand lifting and wiping away the tears from her cheek. "I didn't mean to kill your grandfather, Annabelle," his growl now low and menacing. " I just needed you. Just..." his index finger poked the end of her nose. "You."