Broken - (Loki x OC)

[Rescue Mission]

Tony's POV:

The atmosphere in the room was charged with tension as we geared up for the rescue mission. Loki stood among us, a stark reminder of the unexpected twist in our plans. As much as I wanted to trust him, there was a lingering doubt, a nagging voice at the back of my mind questioning his motives. But for now, we had a common goal – to bring Elizabeth back home, safe and sound.

I checked my suit, ensuring that every component was functioning perfectly. The familiar hum of the arc reactor soothed my nerves, grounding me in the present moment. Steve and Nat were huddled together, discussing tactics in hushed tones, while Bruce double-checked our route on a digital map.

"Alright, everyone," Steve's voice cut through the room, commanding attention. "We need to be prepared for anything. This won't be easy, but we've faced worse odds before. Elizabeth is counting on us, and we won't let her down."

I nodded, a sense of determination flooding my veins. Elizabeth was out there, somewhere, and we were her only hope. As we made our way to the vehicle that would take us to our destination, I stole a glance at Loki, who seemed lost in thought. Whatever his overall intentions were, I hoped they were aligned with ours.

We boarded the sleek, black SUV, Bruce taking the wheel. I took the passenger seat beside him, a silent acknowledgment of the turmoil swirling in my mind. Despite my instinctive desire to take control, I knew that my current state of distraction posed too great a risk behind the wheel. In the rear of the vehicle, Loki sat in his restraints, a constant reminder of the delicate balance we walked between ally and adversary. Thor positioned himself beside his brother, his watchful gaze a silent promise to keep a close eye on him. Meanwhile, Nat, Clint, and Steve settled into the middle seats, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension. Fortunately, the spacious interior of the SUV accommodated us all comfortably.

The engine purred to life beneath us as we ventured off, following the navigation that will take us to the abandoned facility. The journey ahead was uncertain and long, and I just hope that we'll make it there in time before it's too late. Who knows what her kidnapper could be doing to her at this very moment. I try not to think about it.

The first 45 minutes of the journey passed in silence, the rhythmic hum of the vehicle serving as a backdrop to the thoughts racing through our minds. But as the quiet stretched on, a question lingered unspoken, a shadow of unease that refused to be ignored.

"The voice in the video said we would not only face his crew, but Liz as well," I finally voiced the question that had been gnawing at the edges of my consciousness. "Does anyone have any idea what that could mean?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered and unsettling. We exchanged wary glances, each of us grappling with the implications of the kidnapper's chilling words. Steve furrowed his brow, his mind working overtime to unravel the mystery that shrouded our mission.

"It doesn't make sense," Bruce mused, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Unless...unless they've somehow manipulated her, controlled her."

The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a fierce sense of protectiveness within me. The idea of Elizabeth being used as a pawn in someone else's twisted game filled me with a deep-seated rage, a primal instinct to shield her from harm at any cost.

"But how?" Thor interjected, his voice heavy with concern. "She wouldn't just turn against us."

I nodded in agreement, my jaw clenched with determination. "We need to be prepared for anything," I declared, my voice firm and resolute. "No matter what we find inside that facility, we stick together. We'll get Liz out of there, no matter what it takes."