The pool glittered under the afternoon sun, Tony Stark lounging in it with a martini, utterly unrepentant. Howard Stark, arms crossed, glared down at him. “Okay Tony, we’re headed out. You keep an eye on your sister.”
“Yeah, sorry, can’t babysit ‘Chucky’ tonight, old man. I’m busy,” Tony drawled, swirling his drink.
Howard scoffed, glancing at Emilia, who sat nearby clutching a rabbit plushie. She was dressed in a multicolored striped long-sleeved shirt and a denim overall dress, looking small and fragile against the opulent backdrop of the mansion. He hadn't been thrilled to see her attempt to steal one of his AC/DC CDs a week ago, or the subsequent explosion when she knocked over a prototype. He’d spent days rebuilding it, ignoring her pointedly ever since.
“Busy doing *what*?” Howard pressed.
“Not babysitting,” Tony stated flatly.
Earlier that week, Emilia had tried to pilfer one of Tony's AC/DC CDs. She’d knocked over one of his inventions. Tony was upset when it sparked up in flames when he turned it on. He spent all week trying to repair it, all while ignoring her.
“Can’t I go with you and Mom?” Emilia piped up, looking up at her father, her voice small.
Howard glanced at Mia, who was listening. He was already feeling the familiar ache of frustration. “Will you start taking some responsibility for once? All I’m asking is you watch your sister while we’re gone. So cut the crap—”
Maria Stark poked her head out, silencing him with a sharp look. “Honey, we’re going to be late.” She took in the tension between them.
“Well, honey, our son here is being a complete pain in the—” Howard stopped, glancing at Mia who was listening.
“Butt…pain in the butt.” He finished.
Maria sighed, a familiar weariness settling on her face. “Now, I think we should bring Mia…it wouldn’t hurt to spend a little extra time with her. Plus, I think Peggy would love to see her.” She smiled at her daughter, who nodded eagerly.
Howard dragged a hand across his face. “There goes my plans…” He mumbled.
“Alright, let’s go, kiddo. Gonna be spending winter break with dear old Mom and Dad,” Howard said, heading back inside.
“We’ll be back soon, don’t stay in that pool forever, okay?” Maria called to Tony, who just waved her off.
She shook her head at his antics before turning to Emilia. “Mia, is there something you want to say to your brother?”
The youngest Stark turned to her Brother while holding onto a rabbit plushie.
“Bye Anthony,” Mia said waving toward her brother who didn’t even spare her a glance.
“Yeah, whatever,” He says before taking a sip from his martini. Maria just sighs and turns around takes Mia’s hands and walks out the front door.
As they drove, Mia bounced in her seat. “She said she’d teach me how to use a gun…”
Maria’s eyes widened. “Well, that’s…very nice Emi.”
“How about we hold off on that…at least until you’re older…”
•••••
The Stark family enjoyed their winter getaway, but before returning home, Howard made a quick detour to work. Maria looked back to check on Mia, finding the little girl fast asleep in the backseat. A smile tugged at her lips. “Oh, I wish she could stay like this forever, don’t you think?”
“Well, she’s Tony’s sister, so fingers crossed…” Howard chuckled.
Their conversation was cut short by a jarring screech and the sickening crunch of metal. The car swerved, then slammed into a tree. Maria was thrown forward, but the brunt of the impact landed on Howard. Mia woke with a jolt, a bloody gash blooming on her head. “Mom…Dad?”
“Stay…where you are…and close…your eyes,” Howard rasped, struggling to breathe.
Howard managed to crawl out of the wreckage, collapsing onto the cold pavement. He heard an engine stop nearby. A figure approached, silhouetted against the fading light. As he got a closer look, his blood ran cold. A man in black combat gear, a metallic arm gleaming.
“Sergeant—”
Before he could finish the word, the man’s fist connected with his jaw, then again and again, each blow crushing bone and hope. He finished by crushing Howard's skull with his cybernetic arm. He placed Howard's lifeless body back into the vehicle.
Mia covered her mouth as she heard the sudden noise and she tried her best to not move a muscle.
“Mi—Mia…” Her mother cried. It was then Mia peeked her eyes open and made eye contact with her mom. Her eyes shook as she looked upon her mother's bruised and bleeding face. However, Mia’s focus was shifted to the mysterious dark figure passing by the windows.
Mia’s eyes began to tear up in fear. “Mommy?” She whispered.
“Close your eyes,” Maria whispered as more tears streamed down her eyes.
Emilia did as her mother told her as the mysterious man then grabbed Maria by the throat and began to strangle her to death.
Maria cries out in pain but only a wheezes of air come out. Right after she falls limped hanging out of the car window dead .
Emilia now laid on the car floor shaking in fear as she heard her mother take her last breath. She was hoping that he’d go away or that this was all just a nightmare and she’d get to wake up at any given time. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
The soldier shot the nearby security camera out. Right when he was about to continue his mission he caught sight of something bright in the backseat of the car.
Emilia could feel his shadow looming over her making her tears come done even more.
When his shadow moved away Emilia’s eyes shot open and immediately began to act quickly. She hurriedly maneuvered her way out of the window like she’d done many times. ( Thanks to Tony & Peggy)
When she got out she planned to run as far as her legs could take her but before she could get a start she was caught by the neck. Her small hand gripped at the gloved one that restricted her airway. He raised her in the air and stared at her as she struggled against his hold.
“N-No p-ple-please. M-Mom!! Dad!! J-Jarvis!!” She yelled out.
He watched as his hand slowly began to strangle her, the light in her eyes and her panicked movements slowed.
“T-Ton-y…” When her brown eyes met his empty ones, he couldn’t bring himself to kill her for some reason. It was like there was some sort of barrier that kept him from doing so.
He knew he needed to kill her right then and there or he would be in a great amount of trouble.
But just this time his humanity and empathy managed to sneak up on him. So he did what thought was right… he took her and drove off.
And on that day Tony lost his family in one night.