3 Vipers (May 1994)

Tony was giving a sitrep in the living room. The large projector screen was down and they were watching the news. A reporter had his camera on his shoulder and was taking video of what looked like several drones that resembled Iron Man suits. They all knew where they had come from, Justin Hammer. There were 9 of them in all and they all looked basic. Gray and white but their armor looked fairly robust and they all had guns on their shoulders like Warmachine. They were shooting at cars, buildings and people randomly.

“With banner away I think we’re going to need everyone for this one. Isabella, I know you’ve not been feeling well, are you up for it?” Tony asked. She held Serena who was now 3. A very bright 3 with long, brown hair and dark eyes that seemed to know what was happening. She could speak fairly well and was already reading and doing basic math on flash cards that Isabella made for her.

Serena was learning fast. She developed faster on average than every other child her own age. It was clear that she was very intelligent and that didn't surprise Isabella considering that Serena's father was a genius. Serena was already showing interest in disassembling and reassembling toys, which thrilled Tony. As of yet there had been no signs of her mutation, but they knew it would come and they remained prepared for it.

Logan had gone through his six month probation period and had been made an official member of the team. Malia only rarely joined the team now. She and James were married and she was expecting her first child. Now that Serena was older, Isabella was back on the team. However, the past few days she had been feeling ill. At first, she suspected a stomach bug. But now? Now she wasn't so sure. She hadn't yet taken a pregnancy test because she wanted to wait a few more days.

Isabella sat with the others in the living room and she held Serena. She watched the news report and was disturbed by what she was seeing. Isabella knew Justin Hammer. He and Tony weren't exactly on the best of terms.

"Yes, I'm up for it," Isabella told him as she smoothed out some of Serena's hair.

“Ok so it appears that there are 9 drones and they are a modified version of Warmachine. What worries me is that they are based off of my designs. Older designs but my designs then were still pretty formidable,” He said. “Cap,” He said then moved and sat down and Steve Rogers stood up. “Ok, since you and Isabella have suits and can fly, you’ll need to chase down stragglers and if you can, lead them back to us so we can finish them. Logan and I will focus on creating enough threat to them that they engage us. To do that we’ll need somewhere to draw them in. There is a parking garage right across the street. If we can get them to enter it, Logan and I can take them out,” He said. “Any questions? Alright, suit up,” he said and everyone moved to get their suits on.

In the jet Steve was the pilot with Isabella as co pilot. Tony and Logan were right behind them. “Land on the garage, near the side where there’s more support,” Tony suggested. Steve circled around but even as they tried to land 5 drones attacked the jet. Bullets began to pelt the cockpit glass and a missile was fired that opened up the cabin to the outside air. “Everyone out!’ Tony yelled and Steve and Logan popped out of the shattered cockpit glass as Tony and Isabella flew up and out into the open air. They were immediately engaged by drones and Tony knew right away that this was an ambush. Even so he launched cluster missiles that took out 2 of them that had been chasing him. Drones remaining = 7.

Isabella said goodbye to Serena and left her with Happy. Happy loved Serena and was like an uncle to her (although to be fair everyone in the Tower was like an uncle to her). She got suited up and boarded the jet with the others. She sat in the co-pilot seat with Steve piloting. She glanced back at Tony and when she looked forward again she drew in a sharp breath as 5 of the drones suddenly began to attack the jet. A missile hit the jet and a hole was created in the side of the jet. All sorts of alarms began to sound. Isabella activated her face mask and jumped out of the jet with Tony and used her rocket thrusters to fly through the air. Almost immediately they were attacked by the rest of the drones. Isabella fired another set of cluster missiles and took out 1 more drone. Drones remaining = 6.

Logan Ran along the top of the jet towards the tail. The jet was on fire but he ran through it and jumped as a drone came too close. His claws raked along its sternum and it flew up and then spiraled down and crashed into the roof of the parking garage and exploded. 5 drones.

3 Drones appeared to split up and head away from them. ‘I’ll go after those 2,” Tony said an took off after them. One attacked Steve and he used his shield to block its shots. It fired a missile at him and he got knocked back and off of the roof. He fell and tumbled into a roll as he landed on the concrete below. He dodged toward his shield as more bullets came toward him and he grabbed it and rolled then ended up onto his feet.

Tony chased the two drones and one appeared to follow its buddy. They dodged and weaved and then the one in the front turned tightly and launched missiles at Tony. He managed to dodge 2 of them but the third struck him and as he was dazed he was grappled and he quickly discovered that it wasnt a drone, it was a person inside the suit!

Isabella’s drone moved quickly and it dodged everything she threw at it. It fired a missile into the front of a small shop and it exploded with destructive force as people began to scream as fire began to engulf the small building.

Isabella fought to keep up with the one drone she was following. It was fast and very agile. It dodged everything she threw at it. She had lost sight of Tony, Steve, and Logan and their initial plan seemed to be falling apart. This had been a setup and ambush. Justin had known that the team would come out if he put people's lives in danger.

Isabella watched in horror as the drone she was following fired a missile into a small bakery. There was an explosion of fire and then flames began to engulf the building. Isabella knew from her HUD display that there were people in the building. She didn't hesitate, but flew in and began to grab people and pull them out. She managed to get everyone out just in time before the building's structure began to fail.

Isabella’s fire suppression grenade had began to smother the flames as a white halon mist filled the bakery. She put the fire out but she felt a massive jolt as she suddenly fell forward. Her shields had activated but Jarvis began to speak. “Multiple contusions detected Mrs. Stark, and something attached to your back is draining your shields and power. I’m unable to counter it,” Jarvis said. As she looked up A drone was there but as its facemask lowered she saw it was a woman.

“Hello Isabella I thought I’d let you know who it was that killed you. I’m Madame Masque and you can rest easy, after you die I’ll be taking care of Tony...and that cute little girl of yours. Serena yes?” she said. The woman was quite beautiful with perfect pale skin, deep red lips and deep blue eyes. And she smiled darkly at her and then her mask went up again. “Run little rabbit, I love a good chase,” she said.

Isabella was suddenly thrown forward onto the ground. Her shields had gone up, but as she looked at her HUD she could see that the power in her suit was suddenly draining...and quickly. Her shields began to fail and she she was surprised when Jarvis said he couldn't counter it. As she looked up she saw a drone, but the face mask began to lower she could see that there was a woman inside of it. She blinked as the woman began to speak to her. Clearly she knew her name but as the woman continued to talk Isabella got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her suit's powers were almost completely gone and that meant that her defenses were completely down. However, she wasn't going to give up so easily.

She stood up and retracted her face mask and looked at her. "And what makes you think Tony would even want you? You seem rather fake and obvious to me. If you think I'm going to play your little game then you are sorely mistaken."

The woman lowered her mask once more and her smile never faded and her eyes actually almost glittered with delight. “He never told you? We were lovers for a time before my father’s ‘business’ forced me to leave. What may interest you though is when we were lovers,” she said as if she knew a secret that Isabella did not. “Tony is a remarkable man but also a man of habit as you must know by now. I give you credit Isabella, since he has been with you he’s been remarkably...monogamous,” She said. “For myself I liked his wandering eye and his...appetites,” She said and looked at isabella’s face. “Oh don’t be sad Isabella, I will take good care of him for you,” She said.

Jarvis was counting down her power reserves and her systems began to shut down one by one to conserve power. Her repulsors still worked but she wasn’t going to be able to fly away. She had to take her down now but the decision was taken from her. Her shields winked off and the woman raised up her mask.

Isabella tried not to let her words upset her about Tony. Tony had married her and had remained faithful to her since they had been married. They had a beautiful daughter together and were happy. Isabella knew her power was gone now and she needed to get away. Thankfully, she was facing the door. She saw part of a broken chair beside her. She moved quickly and grabbed it and threw it at the woman to distract her. She then started to run.

As she started to run she suddenly felt herself being hurled to the side. Isabella in her armor went through the brick wall. The force of being struck and flung sideways by the blow hurt and part of the wall and ceiling crashed down upon her. Without power her suit was heavy and encumbering and every movement felt like she had weights strapped to her wrists and ankles.

“This suit has guns and all sorts of weapons but sometimes I find doing things by hand...to be rewarding, don’t you think?” She said haughtily as Isabella felt herself being lifted and tossed back through the opening that she had made right into the street. She saw people group up to watch in horror though most ran and others kept their distance. She rolled on the concrete as Madame Masque flew up and landed on her. She knelt on her asIsabella’s punch was shoved aside easily and the woman began to rain blows upon her mask and helmet until finally she grabbed hold of it and ripped it off her head. Isabella felt her neck strain and she was lucky her head wasn’t ripped off with it. Madame Masque squeezed the helmet in her fist and crushed it like a tin can. “Well, you are beautiful Isabella, I will grant you that but not for much longer,” she said and with just a flick of her hand she slapped Isabella only using a portion of her suit’s strength. First her left cheek, then her right then her left again and she could taste the coppery taste of blood in her mouth. A few of her teeth felt loose as well as the woman dragged this out just for the pleasure of it.

Isabella movements were hindered now by the suit as it lifelessly cling to her body. Without the power it felt heavy and cumbersome and offered her little protection. She tried to remain calm, but she was in a near panic now. She struggled to get away, but Madam Masque remained right on her tail. She desperately looked around for Tony but couldn’t see him or the others nearby. She began to think that she might actually die and fear overcame her. The thought of not seeing Tony again or being able to watch her daughter grow up.

“Please...” she finally begged. “Please don’t do this.”

Madame Masque gripped Isabella’s throat. And lifted her mask. “Oh I like it when you beg. Maybe I should keep you just for my amusement. I’d like…” She began but just then her head shifted up as Tony landed about 20 feet away and he had his hands up ready to shoot. “Move away from her Whitney!” Tony yelled, nearly in a growl. Upon seeing Tony Whitney squeezed Isabella’s throat. “I was hoping you’d come Tony, Isabella and I were just having a little chat about you. I don’t know why I expected more of a fight from her,” She said as Tony stepped forward. “Every step you take Tony is killing her,” She said as she squeezed a little harder. Isabella felt her windpipe contract and as she grabbed at the woman’s arm she couldn’t budge her. She began to feel dizzy. “I could snap her neck in a moment but I won’t,” she said as she released her grip and let her neck go. As Tony appeared to relax though a long wicked spike protruded from her left wrist and she plunged it into Isabella’s abdomen. A fraction of a second later Tony blasted her with both hands and she was flung back, the spike ripped out of Isabella with the force. Tony was there in a moment and watched as Madame Masque flew away. He did not watch her go and flung off his helmet as he came down to his knees next to her.

“Isabella!” He cried. “No...NO!” He cried out as she looked at him.

Isabella gasped and struggled to breathe. She saw Tony land near her, but Madam Masque's grip only tightened. Isabella felt dizzy and black spots began to appear before her eyes. Hot tears stung her eyes, but suddenly Madam Masque's grip loosened and she let go of her. Isabella barely drew in a breath when suddenly she felt felt a hot, searing pain in her abdomen. She screamed as the spike was ripped out as Tony blasted Madam Masque and she was flung backwards. Dark red blood began to flow from the large, open wound and pool down beneath her. it was a pain unlike anything she had ever experienced before and tears came to her eyes. She looked up and saw Tony's face above her. However, his words sounded muffled and distant, as if he were in a tunnel. Then...everything went black and her body became limp in Tony's arms.

“Tony where did you go?” Steve asked as Wolverine removed his claws from the woman’s arm. He had no idea who she was but she had tried to kill Steve and might have succeeded if Logan hadn’t been there. “Isabella’s been hurt, I’m taking her to SHIELD. The jet is toast, call SHIELD in to retrieve the prisoners,” Tony said as his jet boots propelled him as fast as they could. He had added even more thrust to them for more speed and he darted through the sky toward SHIELD HQ in New York.

He landed right by the front door but even as security came out to stop him they saw who it was he held and put the call in. They raced with Tony down the hall, through the lobby, through the offices and into the medical bay. Phil Coulson was there and he looked at Isabella with a worried frown.

“What happened…” he began but Tony spoke over him. “She was stabbed in the abdomen, we’ve got to get this armor off,” he said as he laid her out in the surgical pay. His gauntlet shifted and presented a tool just off to the right of his wrist. He began plugging it into the joints in her suit and one by one he loosened their keys. Phil and another Agent helped him removed the pieces and they tossed them haphazardly as they waited for the next piece. Two surgeons and two nurses rushed toward them, Tony knew the one but not the others. “What happened Tony?” The doctor asked. “She was stabbed here,” He pointed at the large gash in her. “Ok, we need the room cleared, we’ll take it from here,” The Doctor said. Tony tried to argue but the doctor moved and pushed closed the curtain.

9 hours later he came out of the Surgical room and removed his mask. Steve, Logan, James and Malia were there. Tony had said nothing to anyone. He only stood there like a statue looking at nothing. Until the doctor came out at least then he was quite animated.

“I need to talk to you...alone Tony,” he said and Tony followed him into a smaller waiting area. “You’re scaring me doc, how is my wife?” he asked quickly. “She’s out of danger Tony but...but she was pregnant,” He said delicately. “Pregnant!” Tony exclaimed in surprise. “Yes, but...but she lost the baby Tony. There was just to much damage and with the bleeding…” he began and Tony looked at him as if preparing for another blow. “We...we had to remove her uterus...there was just too much damage and trying to save it could have killed her,” he said. Tony’s face went pale at that news but he said nothing. After a moment he snapped out of whatever it was that gripped him right then. A crushing sorrow that threatened to drag him to the floor. “Thanks doc, when can I see her?” He asked.

“A couple more hours, and recovery will not be too bad, a few weeks and a few months of light activity after,” he said.

The first thing Isabella became aware of was the light above her. It was harsh...blinding and she winced against it. The second thing she was aware of was the sharp pain in her abdomen. Her mouth felt dry, like it was stuffed with cotton and her lips felt chapped. She tried to figure out where she was. The last thing she remembered was Tony’s face above her. She shifted and something tugged on her arm and she realized it was an IV. She moved and felt a wave of pain roll through her body.

“Tony?” She asked with tears in her eyes, hoping he was there.

Tony was there in an instant with a plastic cup with a bendable straw in it. He had been where she was now and knew she had to be thirsty and very sore. “I’m here babe, let your eyes adjust to the light. Are you thirsty? Here, I have some water,” he said and touched the straw to her lips. It was odd how relieved he could be with her just drawing water from a straw but he was. “Try not to move ok? You’ve been hurt but they patched you up. We’re at the SHIELD hospital. Phil’s been wearing out the floor out there with his pacing,” He said. It was difficult not to think about what they had to do to keep her alive. Just thinking about how she was going to react…’You should have just blasted her right away!’ He thought. He had hesitated and this is what happened. His wife, his partner his everything was almost killed.

Isabella was relieved when she heard Tony’s voice. It brought her some comfort to know that she wasn’t alone. She was very thirsty and she immediately drank some water. Slowly, her memories started to come back. Everything seemed to have happened so quickly.

“Is everyone else ok?” she asked. That was typical of Isabella. She always looked out for everyone else above herself.

Tony squeezed his eyes shut as a sickening wave of guilt washed through him but he couldn’t worry about that now. Isabella needed him and so he swallowed hard and choked it all down. “Yeah and we took 2 prisoners. Eziekiel Shane and Sasha Hammer...We didn’t find...Whitney Frost,” Tony said and tried to keep the hate out of his voice for the woman. There would be no quarter given when he met her again. None!

“We’re all just worried about you Isabella,” he said as he looked at her. Her cheeks were still puffy from the bruises. “I know your face hurts so don’t talk too much, you didn’t lose any teeth and there is just bruises,” He said. He was decidedly staying away from her other injury.

Isabella was relieved to know that no one else had been hurt. She heard him mention Whitney and suddenly remembered what that woman had said to her. She was in pain, but ignored what Tony said about remaining quiet.

“That woman...Whitney...said she had a relationship with you. Is that true?”

Tony squeezed his eyes shut again but only briefly. He winced too. ‘That...that WOMAN!’ he growled to himself. He managed not to flinch though and he knew if he tried to be evasive it would only make her worry more. “We had a fling, for a little while. Until I learned who and what her family was,” Tony said softly. He knew he was forgetting something important. It was so important that it made his brow sweat and then it came to him. The CIA were investigating Count Nefaria’s crime organization but he couldn’t remember how the timing of everything played out. It was very possible that he slept with Whitney after he first slept with Isabella but he wasn’t certain about that. ‘Was it before or after that had he discovered what her father was doing?’

Isabella tried not to get upset, but she couldn’t help herself. That woman...he had slept with that woman and she had tried to kill her. She looked away from Tony with tears in her eyes. She rarely got upset with him, but today she was.

“When were you with her? She implied it had been while you were with me...”

Tony sighed. “Babe, you really want to go into this now? I almost lost you!” He said as he once again tried to remember. He honestly wasnt certain. “I dont know, it was when the CIA was investigating Count Nefaria...you were gone by then I think..but maybe not. I think, I dont even remember it really,” he said.

Isabella was upset. From the shock of almost dying to the drugs coursing through her veins she felt like crying and yelling. She knew that this woman had been manipulating her and trying to upset and distract her.

She turned to look back at Tony and decided to ask him the question she feared knowing the answer to.

“How bad is it?”

Tony tried to act like he didn’t understand the question. ‘No no no, don’t ask about that! Not now!’ He thought. He even had a confused smile. “I told you, you have all your teeth and just bruises,” He said. “You look like a very cute chipmonk,” He said.