Episode 8 fanfic title: Who is in Control?~
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟴...
After everyone had ended their first training, Pepper and I made sure to keep my secret room project from everyone, including her boss, Tony Stark. Which I'm grateful that she wanted to do that, since she had never kept a secret before until I showed up.
Back to the story, she escorted all of us to another hallway where we stopped to see her hold up her mansion ID card to a scanner, which led to opening a set of doors to a conference-style room, "Huh, this is cooler than the training room." I whistled.
"And this is the assembly hall," Tony announces with pride.
An overhead light illuminates the room's large, round table emblazoned with the Avengers 'A' on it: "All the money you've thrown into this is very impressive, Tony." Hank suddenly remarks. "Were you bored? Are we your new pet project? Why are we here?"
He turns away from Tony and starts walking towards the console, just like the others did.
"Oh, that's a good question," Tony replies, hesitantly. "Kind of angry, but that's okay." He notes Hank's tone, forgetting that Hulk is standing right behind him, brooding silently over the comment that I know had offended him.
I walk over to him, and place a hand on his wrist gently, like a little kid who wants nothing more than to comfort the stranger next to them. This startled the green guy slightly, who then relaxed and heard me say, "If you feel uncomfortable, I'll stand beside you."
"Why?" Hulk asked.
I gently reply with, "Because you look like you might need it."
At first, he looked away, annoyed, but silently turned back to see my frown. He then gently poked my forehead to get my attention. I looked up, confused, when I saw him nod at my offer. I smiled, and stayed nearby, close enough to support him but far enough to give him space.
And like in the episode, he continues brooding away from the other heroes; my presence, however, seemed to lessen his loneliness. Tony, on the other hand, is ready to bring the heroes up to speed.
"JARVIS, bring up the 'Most Wanted' List." He commands, placing his metallic hands on the table, prompting JARVIS to automatically project a cylindrical holographic display of the escaped supervillains' mugshots along the table.
"74 supervillains escaped on the day of the breakout. Graviton is being held by SHIELD. We caught Mandrill."
The headshots of said supervillains are highlighted red to show their capture. I cross my arms and tell them out loud so everyone could hear me, "You all have got your work cut out. So you'd better get this done, or my report will be empty."
Everyone agreed and continued listening to Tony.
Suddenly, right next to me, I hear this.
"This was your idea." He snarls at his reflection, indicating that the Enchantress had just started making her secret appearance by pretending to be "Bruce Banner." Wasp, who had been making faces at the Hulk, turned her attention to the screen when she saw my disapproving look.
She pouted, then refocused on the conversation once more: "I know many of these villains." Thor announces, "The Wrecker and his crew are formidable. His weapon is of unearthly might."
Hank cuts in to bring up a very important topic.
"If we do recapture them all, where do we put them? The Big House is destroyed! The Vault is destroyed! We haven't heard anything about the Cube!" He says, proving a point about those being true.
But not all is destroyed, as Tony could say: "I'm working with a colleague on something now. Reed Richards has proposed a prison that's actually outside this dimension, in a place he calls the Negative Zone."
"Too much talking!" Hulk finally joins in on the conversation. "We should just go get these guys."
To emphasize this point, he smashes a fist into his open palm, to which Ant-Man argues, "We don't even know what caused the breakout in the first place! What's to stop it from happening there?!"
Wasp just yawned, already bored with the conversation, not gonna lie, it was boring, but some of the things he said were true, but what Tony said about making a new prison project with Elastic Man seems to be the perfect choice.
"Chillax, Hank." I started, as I walked over to the team, leaving Hulk behind. "I understand you want all villains cured, like you wanted for me at the Big House. But every villain has a past they'd rather forget...even I, as a past-experiment, and ex-prisoner, want to forget it all."
I paused, noticing curious looks, even from Tony.
"They don't want to be saved; they want to prove their self-reliance. I understand their struggle, but simple appeals won't work. In this world we all live in, the government, despite its intentions, often deepens problems. Therefore, Tony's Negative Zone solution is our only option for containing the villains."
No one said a word.
But at least, I made the realistic choice in point that out to not just Hank, but for everyone to understand it fully. Ironically, I said 'In this world we all live in' was funny to say it like that because I'm not part of it, even if I'm inhabiting my doppelganger's body.
Tony cleared his throat, probably trying to break the silence, or maybe he was just genuinely surprised I made a coherent point. "Well, alright then. I guess that settles that." Yawning so suddenly, I shook it off.
"How about we call it a day for now?" I suggested, "It's been a long one, and we've barely had any rest since the breakout." "She's right...and then concentrate on beating up some bad guys tomorrow." She tiredly adds.
Making Hulk huff and turn around to exit the Assembly Hall, "At least two of you know what you're doing." Thor doesn't seem pleased with the gamma giant's remark; he grips the table slightly and turns to him, "I have had enough of you, creature! Your insults end here!"
"You wanna go, Goldilocks? Let's go!" Hulk growls, getting into Thor's face.
And before anyone could land the first punch, Tony cuts in.
"Whoa! Okay!" Trying to prevent a fight from happening amongst the green guy and the God of Thunder, to which I'm not gonna lie, I wish I had my popcorn by now to witness it, "How about instead of going...we find a way to actually get along."
He continues further, "Since you two and Mia are the only ones staying at the mansion full-time, I'd appreciate it if you didn't level the place on day one." This made the Hulk snarl one last time before turning to stomp out of the room and away from Thor.
"Wow. He's gonna be fun." Wasp remarks sarcastically.
At night...
Everyone had headed home, minus Hulk, Thor, and me, since Tony had already confirmed our stay here being permanent residents of the Avengers Mansion.
Right now, it was 8 o'clock, and I had already asked the private chef through JARVIS to get us some sides of Ceviche, Mushroom ravioli, and for dessert was blueberries and strawberries with Philadelphia cheese.
I did ask Hulk if he wanted to eat, but he rejected and said that he didn't want any to which confirmed my suspicions that the Enchantress would start her plan in a few minutes, and so, I left him be.
Which led me to ask Thor, to which he happily agreed, and later, we both headed to the kitchen so we could get to know each other. We asked basic questions because of how nervous I was, but then, who wouldn't want to sit across the table with the Mythological God of Thunder?
I would.
"So, I've been meaning to ask you, Thor." I start, right after I finished my Ceviche, "I hope I don't sound weird when I say or ask, but—" "Whatever troubles you, Lady Mia." Thor cuts me off, "I am here to answer your questions."
His reassurance brought a smile as I ate his ravioli. Happy, I asked, "Have you ever met the Moon Goddess?" "Nay, I have not met her," he replied, "but I have encountered creatures from other realms in Asgard."
"Oh..." I frowned, staring at my dessert.
Noticing, Thor said, "I apologize if I couldn't provide the answers you seek, Lady Mia. But I am curious as to why you ask?"
With that, it was enough for me to look up, slightly hesitant, and sigh, "Never mind, I don't want to trouble you." I try to dismiss it, but he then insisted: "Do tell, we are comrades among friends now, and I must aid you in any way I can. So...what troubles you?"
I stare at him for a moment before deciding carefully on how to tell him that the Enchantress has already begun her evil work with her magical powers; Without telling him about the Hulk being one of the victims bound to happen.
"Well...It's just thought, at first, that now that I'm living in this mansion, and not the prison I was kept in two different places, maybe I could finally rest and feel relaxed," I pause slightly: "But for some odd reason, I can't sleep because I feel like...like someone is trying to call me. Evilly."
Thor widened his eyes before he furrowed his brows:
"' Someone is trying to call you?' " He asks, emphasizing the 'trying'. I nodded, grabbing a strawberry and twirling it in the Philadelphia cheese before eating it. "Yeah...it's like a pull, a tug. And it's not a good feeling, ya know? It's...cruel."
I shivered, even though the mansion was warm, "And I can't shake it off. It's been getting stronger every night." He leans back in his chair, taking in my words thoughtfully. "Cruel, you say? And this feeling... do you feel like it's directed at you, specifically?"
"I think so," I reply, picking at the blueberries: "I mean, who else would it be directed at? No offense to the Hulk, but he's too angry to notice anything subtle, and you...well, you're Thor. Probably too powerful for someone to try and mess with you."
I chuckled nervously, earning me a small smile from the God of Thunder, but his eyes remained serious. "There are forces in the universe, Lady Mia, that even I must treat with caution. This feeling you describe..."
"It reminds me of enchantments used by one sorcerer in realms far beyond Midgard." Now, this got me curious, even though I know who he meant, and I tilt my head as I show my confusion: "Who?"
Thor looks up to meet my gaze, and frowns: "The Enchantress."
𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙩 𝙭 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙋𝙮𝙢...
Hank now currently works on one of his Ultron robot craniums' inner circuitry of his work desk, when out of nowhere, his female superhero partner flies into his magnifying goggles' field of vision. "You never listen to me."
Jan, now in her wasp form, buzzed impatiently, "I can't believe you don't think this is cool!"
"Wait, what?" Hank asked, confused. "I do think this is cool. The AI modifications are exciting."
Jan groaned. "Not Ultron! The Avengers! We're superheroes now."
"I'm a scientist,"
Hank began, but Jan zipped in front of him, pointing: "With superpowers. On a superhero team." She exclaims, trying to reason.
"Look, I applaud the idea." He moved away from his worktable, Ultron's head in his hand: "But just because Iron Man says we're a team doesn't make it so. We're six strangers." He clarifies. "It takes time to form a team. It takes trust."
With a sigh, "I wonder where Thor slept before now. Does he even sleep?" She sits on her boyfriend's shoulder, not even listening to him to the words he's saying, "The Hulk could slept wherever he wanted. Mia is safe with two guys, so that's cool."
Then Wasp struck by a sudden thought, gasped, "I'm moving into the mansion!" "What?! You have a penthouse," Hank protested. "You don't have to—" Jan, undeterred, flew close to his face. "Firemen sleep in the firehouse!"
Hank sighed, turning to the Ultron head. "She's very excited."
𝘼𝙩 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙍𝙆 𝙄𝙉𝘿𝙐𝙎𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙎 𝙏𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍...
Tony glowered at the SHIELD Director, who had appeared unannounced in his top-floor office without even calling to let him know about his arrival at this hour: "I don't remember scheduling him," He muttered.
"He's Nick Fury. He wanted a meeting," Pepper retorted.
She excused herself to grant them privacy. Tony smirked at her departing figure before turning back to Fury, "Let me guess: SHIELD needs weapons? You wanna recruit Iron Man? You need my help. Or do you possibly want to extend Mia's house arrest?"
This made the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. chuckle at his joke.
"Not this time." Fury smirks back, "This time I came to help you. You see, believe it or not, I want your little Avengers project to succeed."
Tony was stunned like he had been thrown a stack of paperwork on his face.
𝘽𝘼𝘾𝙆 𝘼𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙂𝙀𝙍'𝙎 𝙈𝘼𝙉𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉...
Wonder what Thor and I were doing right now?
After I told him how it felt to hear voices for a while, he suggested I go to bed right now, and if I ever heard them again, I should scream so I could let him know I was in trouble: 'He's very sweet! My primus, he's a ball of sunshine!' I mentally giggle at his cuteness.
Before I thanked him and left the living room, only for Thor to stay behind to sit by the fireplace in boredom alone. On cue, JARVIS suddenly began informing the God of Thunder in the mansion, "/Pardon me, sir. There would appear to be something...wrong./"
"What be thy concern, ethereal voice?" Thor questions JARVIS, while I had already left.
"/I have no physical evidence of this, but I believe the mansion systems are being tampered with. I believe there is an intruder./"
𝙄𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢...
The first thing I did was to change into my pajamas, which consist of a white large AC/DC t-shirt for men, and baggy flannel pajama pants to go with it, brush my teeth, fix my hair in a neat ponytail so I could not drool on it, and go to bed.
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Twisting and turning in my sleep, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that someone was watching me. Fluttering my eyes open as to why there was a shadow before me, I knew I shouldn't, but the minute that I tiredly looked up.
I instantly sat up right with my eyes wide in shock when the golden-haired witch, in full sexy green clothing, used her powers to knock me out.
𝘼𝙩 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙍𝙆 𝙄𝙉𝘿𝙐𝙎𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙎 𝙏𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍...
"Officially, SHIELD tolerates superheroes, but just barely." Fury starts explaining, "A team of super-powered vigilantes, rounding up criminals, makes a lot of people uneasy. I believe in what you're doing, Tony. I believe the Avengers are important. And behind the scenes, I'll do whatever I can to help you."
Tony sat in his seat, unmoved by his speech.
"Wow... I almost believe you." He suddenly retorts with a slight smirk at how the man is trying, quote on 'trying' to convince him to join the government, "You'll help us, when you're not trying to manipulate us."
The SHIELD Director merely chuckles. "You take the good with the bad."
Suddenly, someone knocks on the door, reveals Pepper opens the door, "Tony, we've got a big... green problem." She informed Tony, worriedly about the situation bound to happen, and Fury glanced as the seriousness had taken over his face quickly.
"It's your team, hero. Deal with it."
And just as I was about to contact the Avengers, Nick Fury walks towards the door. He stops and turns around to go over to his desk, "Also, before you go hunt down the Hulk, I wanted to give you this."
He reached into his utility belt and slid something across the desk—a sleek, black light bracelet with a faint blue pulse at its center: An ankle tracker.
Tony's finger twitched: "What's this?"
"For Mia," Fury stated.
Silence fell as his jaw tightened, anger simmering beneath the surface.
"No," Tony stated flatly.
Fury raised an eyebrow, a hint of disbelief in his expression. " 'No?' "
"No. It wasn't part of the deal." Tony leaned forward, determination hardening his gaze, "Three months of monitored confinement—at the mansion, not on a leash. The deal was probation." His calm glare met Fury's.
The one-eyed man made a 'hmph' sound, and walked closer to him: "This is probation, Mr. Stark." Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to remind him, "Or have you forgotten she's a fugitive who hid after a week and later came to hack SHIELD's mainframe?"
Tony stood, the chair rolling back as he slammed a hand on the desk.
"She was experimented on, Fury. She died at the Cube, woke up in a ditch, and destroyed your DNA samples. She did you a favor by saving billions of lives that day, and you WANT to control her like she was some pet?"
His eye narrowed at the man, "And that's exactly why she's a risk. She's unpredictable. She doesn't follow orders."
Tony scoffed, "Neither do I. You still handed me a team."
"Because you're useful." Fury leaned forward: "But don't confuse her situation with yours. She's not an Avenger, Stark. She's a liability."
Tony's hands balled into a tight fist, and his knuckles were turning white by the second, "She's not a prisoner." Gritting his teeth, his voice cracked, raw with something he hadn't meant to let slip—fury, yes, but beneath it, something far more dangerous.
Protectiveness.
Fury studied him, a long, calculating pause, while investigating the billionaire's behavior, and then what he said shook the room—"You're attached."
Tony froze, eyes wide as saucers, and it earned him a lip curled from the one-eyed man.
"Admit it. You take in strays—broken things, people who don't fit. But this isn't some pet project, Stark. She's not a damn rescue mission." Tony's pulse pounded; he wanted to argue, to joke, to deflect the conversation back to Fury.
And scoffs in disbelief while accompanied by an eye roll.
"Who, me? Attached? Please." He shook his head as if offended, but Fury's words, though harsh, resonated with truth. Mia's boldness and the memory of her trusting gaze had indeed breached his defenses.
Tony can never forget the look she gave him when she was concerned about his frustration about her being treated like a lab rat, when he gripped his steering wheel tightly, had instantly relaxed with one gentle touch of her hand.
And her words of reassurance had comforted him like sweet honey.
It was as if she were someone he could rely on, but then, he tells her that he promised that she was going to be safe; She didn't believe him, but deep down, Tony knew that she secretly wanted to believe him.
And now Fury is here, daring him to slap an ankle tracker on her like she was some criminal?
What was he to do when things like that were to worsen the situation? Tony was certain that he was going to break in front of the one person who could stop his team of heroes from forming; he always kept his word (to an extent, of course).
But now, he feels like he's determined to keep it, for the first time in his life, he's never put someone before himself, and again now, that he actually cares about that one person whom he's never letting be taken to prison.
No matter what's at stake, he doesn't want to risk it.
After a lot of thinking, Tony slowly walks around his desk to stand before Fury, deadly glaring at him, "If you think I'm letting you treat her like some—some lab rat again, you've lost your damn mind."
"It's not a punishment. It's insurance. For her safety, too."
His laugh was bitter: "Right. Because SHIELD's so great at keeping people safe." His sarcastic quote hands at Fury, made his eye darkened slightly, "You're the leader of this team, Stark. Act like it." He pushed the tracker closer.
"Or would you rather I send her back to the RAFT?"
Tony's breath hitched, as his fingers curled into fists again, and as soon as he started walking out the door, he closed the door shut, leaving the billionaire alone; Who let out a breath of relief, not knowing how long he was holding in.
Using one hand to smooth his hair from his face out of frustration, while feeling the pressure of deciding on whether or not to do it; Which was an impossible decision, he could not disobey. But he shakes it off, and turns on his monitor to press the button to call the team.
"Avengers: Assemble."
==========================================================
Back to Mia...
𝘼𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠...
As it turns out, I had already woken up on someone's shoulder, and it wasn't hard to know who that belonged to.
It was the Executioner, the Enchantress's right-hand man.
Also, I forgot to mention that Enchantress had already told me that she had known, seen enough, and hates the fact that I'm being too close to Thor, which overwhelms her with jealousy.
I get the feeling that she thought before kidnapping me was almost like, "Why not kidnap someone close to Thor, bring her, and threaten him into wanting to be together forever in Asgard?"
I mean, yandere much?
Seriously, I would like to question her psychological obsession with Thor.
But I won't because that's not what I'm worried about, what I'm most worried about is the fact that I'm wearing pajamas.
IN PAJAMAS.
I'm in freaking pajamas, people!
Like, who gets kidnapped in their AC/DC tee and flannel pants? This is so not how I envisioned my midnight outgoing. "Ugh," I groan, my voice muffled by the Executioner's shoulder. "Seriously? You guys couldn't have waited 'til I put on real pants?"
He doesn't respond, of course. Just keeps trudging through Central Park like I'm a sack of potatoes. I try to wriggle free from the ropes, but his grip is like iron. Muscle-y, flesh-skinned iron.
Yeesh.
"Alright, listen up, asshole," I say, trying to sound tougher than I feel, and lift my head to look over him, "Tell your boss-lady that this whole thing is a major overreaction. Thor and I are just friends. Maybe." Okay, scratch that "maybe."
We're just friends.
He's like a giant, blonde, hammer-wielding golden retriever. An adorable one, who has a crush on a 911 nurse named Jane Foster, but still.
Still no response.
Seriously, does this guy even speak English? Probably speaks Asgardian.
I sigh dramatically, letting my head loll back against his shoulder. "Fine, be that way. But if I get a cold from being out here in my jammies, I'm blaming you. And your bitch of a boss for being so damn desirable."
I close my eyes for a second, trying to think of a plan.
I mean, I'm not exactly known for having fighting skills since I never got the chance to learn them, even back where I come from; My mom insisted that my dad get me lessons because I wanted to learn how to defend myself.
Unfortunately, it never happened.
So, the only thing I could do is just...stay like this and be in defeat. Sure, I want to untie myself, fight this guy for holding me like this, and then punch the Enchantress, or probably slap her in the face.
But if I get too involved, I'll have a field day or night of the timeline wanting to kick my ass, and worst case scenario, the show won't go as planned; So, as frustrating as it sounds, I cannot move nor free myself.
Plus, clearly not in good shape to fight them head-on just yet.
"Put her near that tree where Thor is,~" The woman suddenly appears, she was an extremely beautiful, a fair-skinned female with a voluptuous yet athletic body, hot yes, but she had long blonde hair that reached down to her waist.
Ugh, I hate blondes. (Minus Thor)!
Her emerald green eyes that show hypnotism for any man who comes her way, toned broad shoulders, buxom breasts, slim, long legs, and she wears pink lipstick. As her outfit consists of a green Asgardian skin-tight suit, which leaves her shoulders bare, and a matching mini skirt.
She wore tight green arm sleeves that went almost up to her shoulders, and black tights with green circles on the sides and a green tiara.
"That way, we can catch them off guard." I stayed quiet as I listened to her, until the Executioner did as told and took me to the tree where he placed me down in full view so I could see the fight before me.
Not gonna lie but, it's very polite of her and him to put me somewhere near the fight in full view, without having to struggle. Well, define the struggle of the ropes tied around me, "Look, I get it. You're jealous because I was near Thor, but can I just tell you that we're just friends at least?"
"And why should I believe you? You ate dinner with him." She walks over like a model, kneels in front of me, and flutters her lashes slowly as a way to show her cold green eyes at me, "I'm not lying, Enchantress. We just ate like friends, plus, I don't fancy him."
The Enchantress narrowed her eyes suspiciously as I made myself comfortable on the grass and a tree: "You're a witch, right?" "I'm more than just a witch, mortal." She retorts, glaring at me, and I start up again, "Then if you were smart, you would know who's telling the truth."
"You think I will believe you? You're tricking me into setting you free.~" The Enchantress scoffed.
I raised an eyebrow at her to emphasize my seriousness. "No, but I know you have a serious issue with not having Thor, and tricking someone gorgeous like yourself is never a crime. Especially if that someone happens to be you."
She glared.
I leaned closer, still bound. "Go on, read me. Tell me if I'm lying."
When the sound of thunder clapping from above started, I knew that Hulk was looking up to see Thor, with his hammer raised above his head, and ready to strike, but he then dodges the Asgardian weapon, grabs him by the cape, and swings him like a ragdoll.
Before tossing him away. Ouch.
As Ant-Man struggles to dislodge Hulk, Iron Man intervenes but is clotheslined by Hulk and sent crashing into the distance. But my focus was misdirected when the Enchantress surprisingly grabbed my face, nails digging into my skin, and what she did next left me in shock.
"Very well. Let's see if you are lying, mortal.~" She puts her green glow of magic over my head, and begins going through my mind, it was painful, but I bit down a scream so I wouldn't interrupt the show; When suddenly, her magic disappears.
I gasped and tiredly looked up at her, confused as to why the Enchantress stopped.
I saw that her expression wasn't her usual evil flirting glint, but one of fear: 'Wait? Fear? That's new? But why? Did she go through my mind like I told her to?' I thought, as she angrily grips the collar of my pajamas, throws me, only to use it as a way to float me onto the Executioner's shoulder.
"Let us go, and greet this mortal to her friends.~"
Time skip~
Sure enough, after what the Hulk did, one by one the Avengers began to recover from their beatings, "That went well." Tony sarcastically remarks. "Is everyone o—GAH!" The armored hero is cut off by a giant double-bladed axe, embedding itself into his armor.
"The Avengers~" A sickly sweet voice quips. "How unimpressive."
The light of the eyes of Tony's helmet fades in their blue glow, signaling that his armor has now lost all power. I was then put down to the ground on my butt, made an 'Oof' sound, and was suddenly put on the axe over my neck by the Executioner.
At this moment, I was met with Thor's shocking expression, "Mia?"
"Thor! What happened?" I asked, but then the axe was put closer to my neck that I felt a drip of blood ready to cut my head off, thought that's not the only thing I was feeling 'extremely' worried; What really worries me is the fact that Tony heard me, and I could say...
I don't think he's gonna take me kindly to seeing me this way from where he was lying right now, already knowing full well that Tony was having a problem with his now fallen armor he's wearing: "Mia? Thor, you didn't protect her?" He sounded angry.
"Aye, Miss Pepper insisted I bring the Hulk back to the mansion," Thor explained. I felt a growing sense of unease; this wouldn't end well. Meanwhile, the electricity sparking from Tony's armor began to falter.
Leaving him helpless, but his threats weren't: "You better hope someone more capable chooses to avenge you." Suddenly, then, Thor blasts with a beam of yellow, toxic-green-tinted energy.
She then places a spell over Thor's hammer, causing him to be unable to lift it, lest he wants to feel a nasty bite from the magic. Meanwhile, Iron Man tries to regain control of his armor. "JARVIS. JARVIS, raise the shields, NOW!"
The armor's backup power kicks in only for JARVIS to relay some more bad news. "/Not possible, sir. Armor systems are in critical condition and are losing power./"
"How dare you attack us, Enchantress?" Thor exclaims.
I continue to struggle through the ropes, "Wait, wait, wait! You know these people, Thor?" Iron Man questions, disbelievingly. "Aye. The Enchantress and her Executioner." He continues, "They are Asgardians. Why have you come here, Amora?"
"Oh, you love Midgard so much, Thunderer.~" The Enchantress coos. "We thought we would come and see what all the fuss was about. And to bear witness to harming your little love interest's demise." She eyes me coldly.
'If she's expecting that I was afraid of her, she's damn wrong.' With that being said, I then tell her, "You are clearly having serious yandere issues." I continue, "And for the record, Amora, as Thor called you, he and I are nothing more than friends. Like, c'mon, have you ever had any friends?"
"No.~" The Enchantress flatly responded.
I nod, "You see my point then."
"Yes, but," she said, summoning magic as she approached with her magic ready to harm me, "I can make you suffer." "A bit kinky, Amora, and I can do better," I flirtatiously tease a reply, holding her gaze.
Her eyes widened in surprise, but then her lips curled into a smirk.
Caressing my face with false kindness, she replied with: "Now, I do see why Thor and his little friends care for you. She's cute, but not beautiful.~" She uses her powers by grabbing both sides of my face, harshly, "But it's such a waste of breath, don't you think?"
I braced for her magic, but Tony shouted, "Let...go...of Mia!"
"Hmph~, I do not think so. Executioner, chop him off.~" The Enchantress ordered, as the Executioner released me and approached Tony's prone form. "Oh, this is gonna hurt," Iron Man remarks helplessly as the Executioner raises his axe, ready to strike the Avengers.
Wasp flies to Tony's rescue, blasting stingers at the axe-wielding Asgardian, putting some distance between him and the downed armored hero. Ant-Man joins her side, throwing his massive fist to strike their opponent, but misses every time.
I saw the Executioner revealing the power of his axe, and I immediately shouted late, "WATCH OUT!" With a single swing, from one blade end, a ball of fire is let loose and makes contact with Ant-Man's face, forcing him to return to his normal height.
Wasp then hovers above Tony's armored, unmoving form.
"Iron Man, now might be a good time for some kind of...something!"
Tony grunts through his armor, "Armor's...leaking energy... faster than I can recharge!" He continues: "Unless you've got some spare batteries lying around... or an electrical socket." Before Wasp could be of any help, toxic-green smoke swirls around her and binds against her like chains.
Thor is imprisoned in the same way, but with her green magic as he was kneeling on his knees next to me, "It's not your fault, y'know." I start, "We all make mistakes, and I forgive you for that." Both of us continued watching Ant-Man trying to push himself off to ground so he could help.
But he is met with a foot against his back, courtesy of the Executioner, pressing him back against the ground.
"Nah, it is my fault for not protecting you." Thor sadly looks down, then back to meet my eyes: "For not protecting my friends would have saddened me horribly." Resisting the urge to gush over the adorable golden retriever next to me, like the Marvel fan I am.
I subtly patted his hand and smiled. "Like I said, I forgive you for that. Plus, we're best friends, friends always help each other out. Even though we're tied into this mess." He nods happily, "Indeed, you're right, Lady Mia. Indeed."
After that was cleared up, we both heard the Enchantress ordering her right-hand man to use his power-like axe to chop Ant-Man off, "The giant man first." She orders darkly, "His head will make a good trophy on my wall."
Executioner's axe glows red-orange with its fire magic as he raises it above his head.
"Hank!" Wasp cries.
As much as I want to see the blood splatter from a beheaded person, I had to force myself to look away, until the Hulk drops in, literally disrupting the execution. To be honest, I was sad that it never happened.
But his timely arrival brought a smile to me, and the Executioner's face.
With the other Avengers freed, except me, Thor calls Mjolnir back into his hand, narrowly missing an Asgardian woman. Reclaiming his hammer, he summons a storm and channels lightning to charge it.
Enchantress, who in turn, remains unimpressed by him, "I do not fear your lightning, Odinson. Your magic is nothing against mine.~" I continue to watch the fight unravel before me: "You are not my target, witch!" Thor hisses.
Confused by this comment, she takes notice that behind him, Tony/Iron Man stands once more, revealing that the lightning strike was meant to re-power his armor.
"/Armor energy reserves at 214%/" JARVIS informs.
And not a moment too soon.
The Executioner was just about to slice Tony in half, if he hadn't jumped into the air. With a clear shot, he repulsor-blasts the big Asgardian buffy man, "HE'S ALIVE. HE'S ALIVE!" I exclaimed jokingly.
Remembering the little clip of the black and white Frankenstein movie that made me laugh, which in turn, did just that for me to feel at ease as I hear, "And another thing, Amora." Thor continues. "I'm not your main opponent this bout."
With all the Avengers getting together once more, Iron Man points directly at their enemy.
"Take 'em down!" Iron Man shouts.
Thor joins the clash against the green witch, while Hulk charges at the Executioner, with Wasp as his backup. At one point, Hulk is turned into an ice statue by the other blade of the Executioner's axe:
"Ha! That's what you get for messing with my friends!" I shouted at him, only for him to grow angrier and go straight towards me, but then Wasp blasted him away from me as a way to distract him again.
Enchantress blasts Thor away, sending him crashing into Ant-Man and a nearby pond. Wincing at their collision, I checked on the others. My legs were stiff from kneeling, and shifting to ease the discomfort, I fell painfully onto my left side.
Groaning, I watched Iron Man attempt to subdue the witch with repulsor blasts. Her magic proved too strong; she teleported away from each shot, then seized control of his armor, sending him crashing into a park memorial.
"Tony!" I yelled, my face etched with concern. When I finally used my time to untie my left wrist, lift myself off the concrete of the park with one arm, and then I got to my feet by tying myself back behind my back to run over to check on him.
I knelt beside Tony, who was lying where he'd been hit. "You okay?" I asked. "Yep, just my pride," he replied jokingly. His helmet met my tied-up form. "Need some help?" "Hm? Oh yeah, sure." I turned so he could untie me.
Yes, I lied, but I never told him I could've done it myself, but I wasn't about to pass up the chance to be rescued, especially since I was, indeed, an anomaly to this world who knows basically how it starts, and ends.
Once he was done, I turned around to help him up, and told him, "You got a fight to go to." Nod of affirmation, and determination, he returned to the battle, and I walked back to the bridge where I could stay above it, and from there, I watched it all.
Hulk and Wasp demonstrated their teamwork; she distracts Executioner, allowing the Hulk to deliver a knockout punch. But as the battle turns in the Avengers' favor, Enchantress brings the Hulk back with her mind-controlling powers.
Everything was going according to plan.
Short skip~
With enough space put between them, the Executioner brings his axe downward at the air, creating a rift in space for him and the Enchantress to escape. With no trace of them whatsoever, I took this time to come down from the bridge, and meet up with the Avengers.
"Does somebody...wanna explain what that was all about?"
I hear Hank groan out in pain, only for Thor to respond somberly: "Old enemies from Asgard," he continues, "The Enchantress has ever found joy in causing me pain. You have won the day, friend Hulk. Truly thou art a warrior to be reckoned with."
With a pause, he gently smiles up at Hulk and praises him by placing a hand on his shoulder: "For few can resist the Enchantress' charms."
Hulk swipes off Thor's hand.
"Nothing's changed." He growls. "All of you but Mia thought I was a savage monster. You were gonna take me down. You're no different from Ross and SHIELD. Except they're honest about it." I watched Wasp stumble after him: "Hulk, it wasn't like that."
And what he said brought me to tears.
Hulk doesn't turn to her, "I'm done."
Before he could leave, I rushed to hug him tightly, despite the pain it caused. I knew not having him around would be hard, and I couldn't bear for Hulk to be sad. Frozen, he saw it was me. "Whatever happens, call me. I'll be there."
He relaxed slightly, then gently pulled me away, placing a hand on my shoulder. I understood his gesture: "Thank you..." And with that, he leaps off into the night, to who knows where (Actually the Antarctica).
"Okay, so... not the most promising Day 2." Tony attempts to break the tension.
The Avengers and I each make our way back to the Mansion.
Bonus chapter!
After Tony carried me by flying back to the mansion, he insisted that I be escorted to my room, and not long after, asked the same question: "You sure that you'll be ok, Mia?" "Tony, for the millionth time, yes! I'll be fine. Jesus, you need a chill pill or something."
"I know but, it's...it's safety protection I give for the team." He scratches the back of his neck to which I raise an eyebrow in amusement, and turn around to cross my arms over my chest, "Really? I don't see that you do it for Thor, Janet, or her boyfriend in that matter."
I smirked, making him fumble his words, but I pretended not to notice.
"Boyfriend? Who's her boyfriend?" He asks, totally lost, "I'm kidding, you goofball." I chuckle, pushing past him and into my room: "Seriously, I'm good. Go get some sleep, Tony. You look like you haven't slept in days."
He lingers in the doorway, a worried frown still creasing his face: "Alright, alright. But seriously, Mia, if anything weird happens, you come straight to me, okay? No heroics." I roll my eyes, but a smile plays on my lips. "Yeah, yeah, I will. Now go to bed before I ask JARVIS to disarm your suit."
He finally relents, backing out of the room.
"Fine, but I'm holding you to that. Goodnight, Mia."
With one last smile, I reply: "Night, Tony." "Oh, and by the way," Tony starts, which made me confused until he grins, "Nice AC/DC top." I gasped in horror, and looked down, to which I began to blush heavily, so I punched his chest.
"Okay ow, hey, it's not shameful to be a fan of them, y'know." He teases me, and I just glare at him, "I'm not wearing a bra underneath it!" I tell him. Shit. I just had to say that to him.
Tony's eyes widen comically, and blushes deep red: "Oh. Oh! Okay, noted. Extremely noted. I will...uh...erase that from my memory banks. Goodnight! Seriously, goodnight!" He practically sprints down the hallway, leaving me standing there, mortified, clutching my AC/DC shirt.
"Stark, you are such a dork!" I yell after him, before slamming my door shut. I lean against it, taking a deep breath. Ugh, why did I even say that? Now he's gonna be even weirder about things.
I swear, sometimes I think Tony's more trouble than he's worth, genius billionaire playboy philanthropist or not. Closing the door behind him, I lean against the door for a moment, letting out a sigh.
Looking at the clock on my bedside, I spotted that it was already 10 p.m., and since everyone had finally left for bed.
An idea came to mind, as I took out the IPOD that earbuds from my bedside table that Janet had gotten me before leaving with Hank back to their home, and I plugged them into my ears so I could listen to the music that I could recognize.
When all of a sudden, the minute I pressed a song. (Click song)
'Control by Halsey' started to play.
I sat up quickly in shock, and stared at my IPOD for a moment, "How...? How the hell did I get Halsey's Control song? It hasn't been released yet until 2015!" I whisper to no one in particular, but then again, why would I?
And that's how I stayed awake all night trying to find out more on what else I could use to change an item for.
⌗
Aftermath, the next day...
Already fully awake, I yawned and decided to unplug the earbuds from my ears, as I headed to the shower, later finished, so I could come out to grab the clothes I was going to wear.
I was wearing a brown, cropped suede moto jacket with silver hardware, including zippers and snap buttons.
Beneath the jacket, I have a black turtleneck top whereas my lower body is clad in tight, black, ripped jeans, with tears prominently displayed just above the knees but I also added a pair of fingerless black gloves to wear.
A black crossbody bag with a flap closure is slung over my left shoulder, with the strap extending across my chest, and finally, the shoes are black, heeled ankle boots.
After that, I look at myself in the mirror one last time before finishing it with my hair in a high ponytail, going over to my bookshelf to take out a weird exit my room with the book called 'The Faun's Labyrinth' by Guillermo del Toro.
Which was not a surprise when it slowly dawns on me that I have a minor ability to bring whatever books and whatever music I want to listen to after I touch them, come to life. But it only changes when I feel like listening, watching, or reading something.
I go downstairs, and I see Tony sitting alone in his chair of the kitchen where Thor, and Janet were sitting together talking; And if I had to guess, I'd say Hank isn't doing a good job in staying in the balance between a relationship, and a workaholic.
"Morning everyone." I greeted happily, earning smiling looks from each of them, "Where's Hank?" "He woke up early to finish up his projects, again." Janet sighs before taking a bite of her pancakes, she slides me some and I took a seat between Tony and her.
While chatting with her and Thor, a sudden snap and click shot through my left ankle, causing me to jump in pain, and fall on the floor: "Mia, you ok?" Janet jumps to my rescue by giving me a hand to stand, I accepted and it was cut short by the sight of an ankle tracker bracelet.
I was received gasps of horror by Janet, and Thor widen his eyes in shock and anger, but then I understood this meaning.
"This is an ankle boot tracker," Tony suddenly starts, looking up from his holographic news report: "It'll let S.H.I.E.L.D. know where you're going, and if it senses the direction of going outside this mansion, you will be... electrocuted."
My jaw dropped in an instant at what he just 'bomb-dropped' on me.
While the others were pissed.
"She doesn't need one. Isn't already on house-arrest already?" Janet was pissed.
And so was Thor, "Art thou lost your mind, Stark? What changed you to be this way?" "I didn't change, I was forced to give it to Mia." Tony explained, as the two began scolding him for being stupid, not being honorable and many things they said to him.
I stood there, stunned that Iron Man, the playboy genius billionaire, had done this to me.
"Guys," I tried to call them, "Guys, listen—" What was worse, I felt no anger, sadness, or resentment. But being in this kitchen, listening to the Avengers argue, was a stark reminder of the Civil War.
I slammed my hand on the table.
Everyone went silent, the tension palpable, but I didn't care.
"CALLENSE LAS BOCAS, AND LISTEN TO ME!" I yelled.
I needed them to stop.
"I get it, you're all mad at Tony for putting this thing on me. I get it. But arguing won't solve anything." I pinched the bridge of my nose, calmly, "Look, I appreciate you sticking up for me, I really do, but now, excuse me I'll be in my room. Alone. But thank you for breakfast."
I turned and walked out of the kitchen, the tracker bumping against my ankle. I locked myself in my bedroom and leaned against the door, sighing in relief as I closed my eyes, savoring the silence.
The faint beep of the ankle tracker was the only sound, until a knock echoed through the room. I opened the door to find Tony, his face etched with guilt. "Mia, I—" I raised my hand to silence him, then lowered it, looking up at him.
"Don't. Just let me know when you're ready to apologize," I said calmly. "It's not your fault. This ankle tracker is for my protection. I know that."
Tony looked like I'd punched him.
"Plus, I'm okay with it." And what I decided to offer some relief for the man was a polite smile and kind eyes, "Even though it's uncomfortable, I'll get used to it. It's just three months, so what? My opinion of you hasn't changed one bit."
We stayed standing in front of one another for a while, and I just realized that we have been doing this often than others; Tony then finally spoke up: "I-uh...I don't know what to say." I squeezed his forearm comfortingly, "It's just...Fury came to me and wanted me to put this on you."
"I swear I didn't want to, and—"
I shake my head, and call him: "Tony."
"Yes?"
Wow, he's quick to ask.
"It's okay. You did what every leader should do, and there's nothing to be ashamed or feel guilty about it." This earned me a smile of relief from Tony, but his eyes held so much guilt, as I let go of his forearm in advance, and turn back to being serious and playful: "Now go, attend to your business meetings."
Of course, Tony instantly groans in annoyance, like a child didn't want to come and eat veggies, "Do I have to?" "Yes, and it gives you time to earn more respect from your peers," I continue to explain, "And when you're ready to apologize, I'll be here. It doesn't have to be right now."
He sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes, his posture now, fully relaxed which is great because he needs to stop stressing himself, "Fine, fine." "Now shoo!" I playfully waved him away, he chuckled and started to head down the hallway, then paused, turning back to me. "Mia?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks," he mumbled, a genuine sincerity coloring his tone. Then, before I could respond, he was gone, presumably off to charm and negotiate his way through whatever corporate hell awaited him.
I closed the door again, a small smile playing on my lips.
Tony.
He was a complicated one, but beneath all the layers of genius, sarcasm, and billionaire bravado, there was a good heart. Even if it was occasionally misguided. Then, I close and then open my eyes, as I walk towards my large window, where I open it to reveal a balcony for me.
"What's done is done. And nothing is gonna change." I quietly mumbled, as I walked towards it by letting myself lean on the balcony railing while taking in the view of New York and taking a sip of my tea.
Wondering how long the Hulk could stay hidden, and how long will the others find out that Captain America was alive?