Chapter 7: Jarvis?

[Third Person's PoV] 

"No, no, no, no, no," Tony kept repeating as he knelt down towards Jarvis. "This can't be happening, not you, Jarvis… not to you. Please," Tony pleaded, trying to cover the holes in Jarvis's body to keep his blood from escaping.

"I'm afraid so, young master… You'll have to forgive me… it looks like I'll have to resign shortly."

Tears streamed down Tony's face as he clung to Jarvis. "Please, Jarvis… You yourself said that I'd be killed without you. I need you…" Tony continued to cry and plead.

Blood escaped from Jarvis's mouth as he let out a cough, staining Tony's cheek. Jarvis shakily lifted his hand and wiped the blood off Tony's cheek.

"Young master… I'm afraid I'll have to go early, but I want you to promise me something," Jarvis said hurriedly, knowing his time was running out.

Tony just continued to cry as he clung to Jarvis. "What is it, Jarvis?"

Jarvis took a gulp but just ended up coughing more blood. "I've seen what you're planning. I was with you for a long time, so I know how incredibly smart and talented you are… So… I want you to do it… Please become this world's greatest hero. If anyone in this world can do it… it's you."

Tears streamed down Jarvis's face as he felt his life slipping from his grasp with every breath he took. He knew that the next breath he took would be his last.

And so, with all his willpower, Jarvis gave Tony his final words. "Tony, you are too mature for your age. You understand problems that normal people wouldn't. So, I know you can do it. I have not a single doubt in my mind that you will be an amazing…"

Jarvis didn't manage to say the last word as his eyes closed and his head dropped to the side.

"Jarvis?" Tony softly asked. "JARVIS!!"

"NO! PLEASE!" Tears streamed uncontrollably down Tony's face as he continued to cry and sob, hugging Jarvis's lifeless body.

Tears also began to stream down Melissa's cheeks as she stared in horror.

More masked men, all wearing different masks, appeared as they heard the commotion.

Their smiles grew as they saw Tony. "Heh, look boys, we hit the jackpot."

Two men took out bags, and as Melissa turned around, they put a bag over her head and lifted her off the ground, causing her to scream and kick, but they sealed the bag with her inside. When Tony looked back, hearing the commotion, he saw green smoke rising up from behind them as they put him in a bag as well.

No matter how much they kicked and called for help, no help came.

Tony heard one of them say, "The sleeping gas should last a good 30 minutes. Let's leave quickly before the police get here."

Tony just felt himself being moved around, causing him to grit his teeth with hate. The man he considered his best friend had just been murdered, and he hadn't had the time to mourn due to his kidnapping.

And that reminder brought a wave of sadness over Tony. He tried to calm himself.

"Friday… Are you there?" Tony whispered.

"How may I be of assistance, master?" Tony heard Friday say as a screen appeared in his glasses.

"I'm being kidnapped. Be sure to keep track of my location and send it to the police, the heroes, and my parents when they wake up."

"It shall be done," Friday replied.

Tony then felt himself being thrown, smashing against what he believed was the back of a truck. He then heard the sound of Melissa's cries as she was also thrown next to him.

"Melissa, can you hear me?" Tony asked out loud.

"Tony!? Is that really you? I'm scared, what's going on?" Melissa continued to cry.

"It appears we have been kidnapped."

Tony then heard someone scoff in amusement.

"And it appears we have company. So, what is it that you want? Money? Because if it's money, I have billions for pocket change."

Tony then felt himself being kicked in the stomach. "Ugh… a simple no would have sufficed, you know. You know if the merchandise gets damaged, the ransom decreases."

"Liam, stop it, he's right. We can't have anything happen to him. The boss wouldn't like it," another male voice said.

"Right, but I just couldn't help it. He's talking to us like we're merely peasants."

"Oh, so you are all working for someone. Liam, you should keep that guy's mouth shut before he spills out anything else," Tony said, acting like they were all buddy-buddy.

Tony then felt another kick, causing him to start coughing.

"Terry…"

"Sorry, sorry, but you're right. He's annoying. Let's see if we can get some tape."

"I'll keep quiet, no tape, please," Tony said quickly.

"Tony, are you alright?" Melissa asked worriedly.

"Never been better," Tony replied sarcastically.

…

In a nearby police station, monitors suddenly started flashing warning signs. Even in the commissioner's office, the computer was flashing.

"ANTHONY STARK IS CURRENTLY KIDNAPPED!" After the warning, a video from security cameras showed men wearing masks carrying two bags that were kicking around, and then throwing them into the back of a black van before driving off.

The commissioner, a burly man with red hair and a thick red beard, stood up from his seat and looked at the screen in surprise.

The door to his office opened. "Commissioner Ramsay, sir, you're gonna wanna come and see this," a black-haired man wearing a police uniform said.

"Is it about the kidnapping of Anthony Stark?"

The police officer was surprised but nodded. "Are you seeing this too, sir?"

Ramsay turned his monitor towards the officer.

"I take it this is happening on everyone's screen?" Ramsay asked.

The officer just nodded his head. "That's not all, sir. We've been receiving calls that even heroes are getting this."

"I see… Stark, huh… That must be their child that was kidnapped. But what has occurred to them?" Ramsay asked.

The screen then changed as if answering his question. "They are in the Shield residence, unconscious due to sleeping gas."

It then showed the outside of David Shield's residence, with green smoke escaping from its shattered windows.

"Who are you?" Ramsay asked.

The words then changed to two words, "Anthony Stark," causing his eyes to widen.

Ramsay then looked towards the officer in front of him, grabbed his police jacket from his chair, and put it on. "I need you to gather two separate squadrons. One needs to go to the Shield residence, and the other one to follow that vehicle. But that one needs to be stealthy. We'll keep a safe distance behind and let them get to their destination first."

"Come on, people, move it," Ramsay ordered with authority. "If anything happens to anyone named Stark, it will be our heads on the line."

Everyone started to move immediately. They all rushed towards their cop cars and went in two separate directions.

The heroes weren't any different, but their reasons for action varied. Some were motivated by greed, thinking, 'If we could get the Starks to be indebted to us, we'd be set for life.' 

But not all the heroes were like that; some were truly selfless and wanted to help because the life of a child was in danger.

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