Alissa strode into the Avengers Compound, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she moved with purpose. The usual hustle and bustle of the headquarters faded into the background as she approached the conference room where Tony was in a meeting with Steve, Bucky, and Natasha. She had been uneasy all day, and the knot in her stomach only tightened as she recalled Alec’s absence from their agreed-upon lunch.
She pushed the door open without knocking, and the three Avengers looked up, surprised by her sudden entrance. Tony was in the middle of discussing some tactical details, but the moment he saw Alissa, he knew something was off.
– Alissa! – Tony exclaimed, raising an eyebrow – What’s going on? We’re in the middle of a meeting here.
She didn’t waste time with pleasantries.
– Where’s Alec? He didn’t show up for our lunch date today, and I’m starting to get worried.
Tony’s expression softened, but it was quickly replaced by a defensive posture.
– We had a bit of a disagreement earlier. He’s probably just making a scene to get attention. You know how he can be. – Alissa crossed her arms, her concern deepening.
– Tony, he always shows up for our lunches on Sunday. This isn’t like him.
Steve glanced at Natasha and Bucky, sharing a silent concern.
– What was the argument about? – he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
– Alec’s been… a little too carefree lately. – Tony admitted, leaning back in his chair – You know, the whole ‘partying too hard and sleeping around’ thing.
Before Tony could respond, Natasha interjected, her expression shifting from casual interest to concern.
– Actually, I haven’t seen Alec since Friday. – the room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Bucky exchanged worried glances with Steve.
– You’re saying he hasn’t shown up for anything since then? Not even at the training sessions? – the man asks.
– No. – Natasha confirmed, crossing her arms – I thought maybe he was just taking some time for himself. But now that you mention it, it is strange for him to disappear like this.
Steve leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought.
– We need to check the security footage from the compound. If he left on Friday, we can track where he went.
Tony sighed, running a hand through his hair, his earlier nonchalance fading.
– Okay, I’ll get the tech team on it. But you know Alec can be dramatic. He might just be sulking somewhere.
Alissa shook her head, feeling the knot of worry tighten in her stomach.
– This isn’t just typical teenage drama, Alec is not like that. I know my son. If he’s not here, it’s because something is wrong.
Tony said, frustration evident in his tone.
– He’s probably just off being reckless somewhere. I’ll check his usual spots.
– No, Tony. – Alissa insisted, her voice rising slightly – This isn’t just him being a teenager. If you think something’s wrong, then we need to act. We can’t just wait around.
Bucky nodded, his expression serious.
– We can split up and search. I’ll check some of the places around the city where he might hang out. Steve, you and Nat can check with his friends. Tony, you can see if any of the security cameras caught anything.
– Okay, okay. – Tony relented, sensing the urgency in Alissa’s tone – We’ll find him. I’ll have Friday pull up any footage from the last few days.
Alissa’s expression softened, but her concern remained.
– Thank you, Tony.
Alissa watched as they scattered, her heart racing with anxiety. She hoped they were wrong about Alec, but the pit in her stomach told her otherwise. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong.
•••
  Alec lay in the dim confines of his cell, the sterile scent of metal and antiseptic filling the air. It had been a week since hydra had captured him, and the toll it was taking on his body was evident. His usual vibrancy felt muted; he could no longer teleport or heal at will, and his control over metal was a distant memory.
  Alec’s body had instinctively shifted into defense mode, and while that helped him resist their attempts to extract blood samples, it left him feeling like a shadow of his former self. Each time a needle approached, the power that coursed through his veins reacted violently; sending surges of electricity outwards, enough to send Irina’s assistants sprawling back, wide-eyed and shaking. Even silicon syringes failed to yield anything; his blood, once vibrant and strong, seemed to rot away at their mere proximity, a defense mechanism he didn’t fully understand but was grateful for nonetheless.
  But amidst the frustration and pain, Alec’s mind was alive with determination. He knew that hydra coveted his ability to copy anyone’s powers, the very thing that made him a prime target. He needed to devise a plan to “deactivate” this power temporarily, at least long enough to evade their relentless pursuit.
  Now, for him to be able to escape this place, he would need the help of just one power: persuasion – that he had gotten from Kayla Silverfox, thank you Emma Frost and Logan’s memories. Unlike the woman, Alec didn’t need to touch the person, just eye contact was enough. So how hard could it be to “shut off” all of his powers except for that one?
  In the quiet of his cell, Alec focused inward, trying to pinpoint the core of his abilities. His power had always been a reflection of others, adapting and mirroring their gifts, but now it felt like a locked door. He needed a way to close that door without losing it completely. He thought back to the times he had trained with Wanda, discussing the mental aspects of their abilities, and how focus and intent were crucial.
  He took a deep breath, trying to tune out the sound of the facility; the hum of machinery, the distant chatter of hydra agents. Instead, he directed his thoughts inward, picturing his own energy. If he could find a way to create a mental switch, something that would allow him to turn off the mimicry just long enough to avoid detection, he could buy himself some time.
– Okay, Alec, – he whispered to himself – you’ve got this. Just fucking concentrate.
  He envisioned a thick, impenetrable barrier encasing his powers, a mental lock that would keep hydra from sensing the energy that made him so valuable. He pictured it as a dim light, something he could dull and obscure, turning it into an indistinct flicker that would be undetectable.
  As he concentrated, Alec felt a familiar warmth spread through him, a soft hum of energy that he had once embraced. He focused on the sensation, willing it to recede. He managed to separate the persuasion, much like how winter soldier’s command words were in Bucky’s mind. Gradually, he felt the edges of his powers beginning to dull, like the fading light of dusk. It wasn’t easy: his powers fought back, resisting the command, but he persisted, determined to free himself from their grasp.
  With each breath, he reinforced the mental lock, imagining it tightening around the essence of his ability, reducing its potency. The hum grew quieter, and as it did, a surge of confidence washed over him. This was a temporary solution, but it was a necessary one. If he could mask his powers, hydra would underestimate him, allowing him a chance to escape and regain control.
  Suddenly, the door to his cell opened, and Dr. Irina Volkov stepped inside, flanked by two guards. Alec quickly masked his expression, adopting a nonchalant demeanor, though his heart raced with adrenaline.
– Good news, Alec. – Irina said with a smug smile – We’ve decided to change our approach. We believe we’ve pinpointed the source of your power and will attempt a different method to extract it.
– Sounds thrilling. – Alec replied, sarcasm dripping from his words – Maybe I’ll give you a signed autograph when you succeed.
  Irina’s smile faltered slightly at his defiance.
– You can try to resist all you want, but we will get what we need. Your abilities are too valuable to let you slip away.
– Good luck with that. – he said, feeling a rush of exhilaration as he sensed the barrier around his powers still held strong. If they were coming for him, he had a chance – albeit a slim one – to outsmart them.
  As they prepared to approach him, Alec steeled himself. He knew he couldn’t fight back the way he wanted, but he was ready to play the long game. If he could keep them off balance, he would find a way to break free.
•••
  Tony stood in the vast expanse of the Avengers Compound, his mind racing as he stared out the large windows overlooking the training grounds. It had been days since Alec had vanished, and despite their efforts to find him, the search had yielded no results. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of anxiety settle heavily on his shoulders. He knew he had to talk to Peter; the kid deserved to know what was happening.
  He turned and walked down the corridor toward the common area, where he knew Peter often spent time when he wasn’t at his lab, swinging through the city, or saving the day. As he approached, he spotted Peter sitting on the couch, engrossed in a video game, the sounds of explosions and dramatic music filling the room.
– Hey, kid. – Tony said, trying to keep his tone light, though the worry creased his brow.
  Peter paused the game and looked up, a smile breaking across his face.
– Hey, Mr. Stark! What’s up?
  Tony took a deep breath, deciding it was better to get straight to the point.
– We need to talk. It’s about Alec. – Peter’s face fell.
– What about Alec?
– I don’t want to freak you out, but… there’s a chance he’s been kidnapped. – Tony said, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of worry.
  Peter’s eyes widened, and he shot up from the couch, the joy of the game instantly forgotten.
– Kidnapped? By who? Do we know anything?
– Our most certain guess is hydra.
– Hydra? – Peter echoed, his voice barely above a whisper – But they’re-
– Yeah, I know. They’re bad news. And they’ve been tracking Alec for a while. We don’t know the full extent of what they want with him, but if they’ve got him… he could be in serious danger. – Tony replied, his tone grave. Peter’s fists clenched at his sides.
– We have to do something! We can’t just sit around while Alec’s in trouble!
– I’m on it, trust me. We’re coordinating a search, but I wanted you to know first. Alec’s your best friend; I thought you deserved to hear it from me. – Tony said, trying to offer reassurance.
– I need to help. – Peter insisted, his eyes bright with determination – He’s always had my back; I can’t just sit back and wait for someone else to find him!
  Tony nodded, appreciating Peter’s resolve.
– I get it. And you will help. But right now, I need you to stay focused. We need to gather information, track down any leads we can find. If Alec’s still out there, we have to figure out where.
  Peter took a deep breath, channeling his worry into resolve.
– Okay, let’s do it. I’ll start asking around. Maybe I can reach out to some of Alec’s friends and see if they know anything.
– Good idea. – Tony encouraged – And keep your head on straight. I don’t want you doing anything reckless. We’re a team; we’ll find him together.
  With a firm nod, Peter turned to leave, determination etched across his face. Tony watched him go, a mixture of pride and fear swelling in his chest. He knew Peter cared deeply for Alec, and that bond would be a driving force in their search.
  As the young hero disappeared down the hallway, Tony felt the weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders. He couldn’t lose Alec; not after everything. With his mind racing, he headed back to the command center, ready to mobilize the avengers for the mission ahead. Time was ticking, and they would stop at nothing to bring Alec back home.
•••
 Peter Parker steps up to the imposing doorway of the Xavier Institute, feeling a rare knot in his stomach. Despite all his strength and resilience, the image of Alec being taken haunted him. He had tried everything to find Alec on his own, but when no one could trace him, Peter knew there was only one place left to turn.
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  As he walked through the halls of the Xavier Institute, feeling a sense of unease he hadn’t experienced in a long time. The place was eerily calm for a school filled with young mutants, and he wondered if this was what Alec had meant when he spoke about the underlying serenity of Charles Xavier’s influence.
  Finally, Peter reached the office door of the man himself- Professor Charles Xavier. Taking a deep breath, he knocked twice.
– Come in. – a calm voice invited.
  Peter opened the door to find Professor Xavier sitting at his desk, his fingers intertwined as he smiled warmly. It was strange to think that this man, so peaceful in appearance, was one of the most powerful telepaths in existence. Peter had heard stories – mostly from Alec.
– Peter Parker, – Xavier greeted with a welcoming nod – I’ve been eager to meet you. Alec talks a lot about you.
  That caught Peter off guard. Alec wasn’t the kind of guy who opened up much, especially not about his feelings.
– Really? I didn’t know that. – the boy said, offering a nervous smile. He quickly shifted back to why he was there – But that’s not why I’m here.
  Xavier nodded, already sensing the urgency.
– Please, have a seat.
  Peter hesitated for a moment before sitting down. He leaned forward, speaking quickly.
– Alec’s been kidnapped. By hydra. We’ve been trying to track him, but he’s… he’s gone off the radar. Completely. I need your help to find him.
  Xavier’s face grew more serious, though still calm.
– Kidnapped by hydra? That is deeply troubling.
– I know you’re… well, you’re you. If anyone can find him, it’s you. Can you locate him with your powers? He trusts you. He told me once how much he admired you, that he felt safe knowing you were looking out for him.
  Xavier’s gaze softened at Peter’s words, but then he sighed, an almost imperceptible flicker of regret crossing his face.
– Peter… I wish I could help in the way you’re asking. But Alec has a mental block, a powerful one. It was something he placed on himself to protect his mind. No telepath, not even me, can reach him unless he chooses to let us in. – Peter’s heart sank.
– A block? – he had heard of Alec’s vast telepathic abilities, but the thought of him locking everyone out, even Xavier, was unsettling – Why would he do that? And… is there any way around it?
  Xavier shook his head gently.
– Alec is a powerful mutant, and his mind is like a fortress. He blocked himself from all external telepathic influence as a safeguard. It was something he learned over the years, part of his way of coping with the danger of being manipulated. He can’t afford to be vulnerable; not with everything he’s been through.
  Peter’s hands clenched into fists on his lap.
– So, there’s no way to track him? I mean, I can’t just sit around while hydra has him. They’ll- – his voice cracked, fear creeping in – They’ll do something horrible to him.
  Xavier leaned forward, his gaze intent but reassuring.
– There are ways we can help, Peter. Though I can’t enter Alec’s mind, I can work with Cerebro to search for his physical presence, to scan for his mutant signature. But I must warn you, it will take time, and we may not find him immediately.
– Time. – Peter echoed. Time wasn’t something they had – But you’ll try?
– Of course, – Xavier said, his voice steady – Alec is one of my own, and I’ve come to care for him deeply, as I do for all my students. We will find him.
  Peter felt a wave of gratitude but also an overwhelming sense of helplessness. He had hoped this would be a quick fix, that Xavier could tap into his mind and locate Alec instantly. But it wasn’t going to be that simple. Hydra had him, and Alec had locked himself away mentally, a fortress Peter didn’t know how to break through.
– Thank you. – Peter said softly, standing up – Please, let me know as soon as you find anything.
  Xavier smiled warmly again, though there was a sadness behind his eyes.
– You care about him deeply, don’t you? – the man said and Peter paused, caught off guard by the question.
– Yeah. I do. – Xavier nodded.
– I can see why Alec speaks so highly of you, kid.
  As Peter turned to leave, the weight of uncertainty hung over him, but he clung to the hope that with Xavier’s help, they would find Alec before it was too late.
•••
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