A New Beginning: A Marvel Fanfiction

[Anonymous]

So, since I’ve talked about it so much, I thought, “why not share the 1st fanfic in my 5-fanfic series?”

So, here it is, the first Marvel fanfiction in my 5-fanfic series:

A New Beginning ✨✨✨

I have 14 finished chapters so far, and I’ll update as I write new ones.

First, tags, and then I’ll share the first 4 chapters (including the prologue)!!!

@loopylin @mineralizedwritings @godlyfantasy12 @keilah-h @smiley @euodia-vision @lightoverdarkness6 @anyone-else-that-is-interested-lol-XD

 

The first 3 chapters!!!!

 

P r o l o g u e

Alex

Footsteps pounded behind her.

The uniformed man was chasing her, alright.

He wanted something from her. But she wouldn’t give it to him.

Ever.

She ran in and out of alleyways. She knew these streets better than most, having lived on them for the past six months since running from the orphanage.

She knew New York like the back of her hand.

But this man seemed to know his way around New York too.

But he still wouldn’t catch up to her.

She looked up and saw an apartment’s balcony. It was metal and easy for something to stick to. Perfect.

She jumped and shot a sticky, slimy rope from her hands and grabbed onto the balcony railing, pulling herself up onto the balcony, and she waited.

The man looked around, cursed, and pulled out his phone.

Alex smirked. ‘In your face,’ she thought.

A door slid open.

She turned, meeting the eyes of a young woman. The woman screamed, and Alex lost her grip and footing, and fell.

She hit the ground with a small thud and groaned. Her ankle hurt…bad.

She forced herself to her feet just as more uniformed men arrived, surrounding her.

Her breath heaved and her heartrate increased.

“Get her! Get the girl!”

Alex shot out more slime rope, leapt even though it hurt, and began swinging from building to building.

She saw the tallest closest building and knew that was where she needed to go.

Maybe she could get some help.

She just had to get away.

But she was still close enough to hear the lead man talk into his phone. “She got away, boss. We’ll find her. Don’t worry. Yes, she cannot escape us. Heil Hydra.”

 

C h a p t e r  1

Steve

He brushed blonde hair back off his forehead, letting out a deep breath.

The bandages wrapped around his knuckles were ripped and spots of blood seeped through.

Two sandbags were already on the floor, and he had a whole lot more.

Steve closed his eyes against the memories…the nightmares…the images that wouldn’t leave him alone no matter how hard he fought them back.

Steve bent and grabbed bandages, wrapping his knuckles and hands back up, pressing them against his knuckles to stop the bleeding.

He quietly hissed at the pain but didn’t do more than that, unwilling for anyone to hear him.

He didn’t want sympathy.

A soft cry of pain reached his ears, and Steve turned.

Someone was in the gym with him…but he had seen everyone in the living room…so…who was in the gym?

His body tensed, and he took in and let out a deep breath to help loosen his muscles.

He glanced over at his shield and took it into his grip and tightened his grip around the handle even though his bleeding knuckles protested.

Steve inched closer to the gym closet.

His fingers wrapped around the handle.

He turned the knob.

And he flung the door open.

A gasp sounded, and Steve looked down.

A girl sat on the floor of the closet, her left ankle underneath her and her right ankle sprawled out in front of her.

She clutched a purse closer to her body, fear filling her bright green eyes as her black hair framed her face. “I-I’m sorry…I-I didn’t mean to intrude…I just…I need somewhere to lay low for a little while.”

“What’s wrong? Are you in danger?”

She slowly nodded. “There were some men after me…they-they want my powers…”

Steve raised an eyebrow, his grip on his shield loosening. “Superpowers…?”

The girl nodded. “Mm hmm,” she mumbled, “and I barely escaped. That’s well…it’s how I twisted my right ankle.”

“What’s your name?”

“Alexandria…but everyone calls me Alex.”

“How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

Steve leaned back, letting go of the shield, letting it clang to the floor. He ran his hand through his hair, pushing back his blonde locks, biting his lip.

This girl was hurt…and running from people who wanted to use her for their personal gain. “Who was chasing you?”

“I-I don’t know…the leader said something like…like…Hydra.”

Steve faced Alex again. No…they’d stopped Hydra…hadn’t they? “What did you say?”

“He said ‘Heil Hydra’ as I was leaving…and said something about his boss,” Alex paused and studied Steve, “and…wait…are you…?”

“Steve Rogers. Captain America. Nice to meet you, Alex. Do you have a last name?”

Alex let out a small, low squeal before facing Steve again. “I’ve always wanted to meet you! And thank you, for helping me, I mean. And yes, I do have a last name. It-It’s…Carter.”

She had hesitated.

Steve raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that name?”

Alex’s gaze fell.

Footsteps and voices sounded, and Steve turned.

Someone was coming into the gym.

Steve picked up his shield and turned to face Alex again. “Stay here and stay quiet. Someone’s coming in here.”

She nodded, so Steve closed the closet door and stepped away from the closet just as the door to the gym opened and Thor walked inside trailed by his brother.

Steve laid his shield down and plastered a smile on his face. “Thor, Loki, how are both of you this afternoon?”

Loki smirked, coming around from behind his brother to instead stand beside him. “Thor is coming in here to pent out his fury. He’s mad that I won a game of checkers.”

“I am not. It was just a game.”

Loki laughed. “But brother, you are a sore loser when it comes to games, and everyone knows it. Isn’t that right, Captain?”

Steve nodded. “Yeah…I mean, he’s kind of right, Thor.”

Loki smirked. “Agreeing with me? See, Thor, even the Captain agrees with me.”

“Don’t get used to it.” Steve replied, before turning to Thor. “Why are you really in here?”

Thor smiled and nodded. “I came looking for you, Captain. The rest of The Avengers were wondering if you wanted to go out for lunch.”

Steve’s gaze flitted over to the closet. “…Maybe not today. I…had other plans.”

Thor’s eyebrows furrowed together. “Is something wrong, my friend…? You’ve been in this gym for a while now, and…well…” Thor nodded towards the broken sandbags on the floor and then Steve’s bleeding knuckles, “…you seem to not be entirely…yourself, my friend.”

Loki slowly nodded. “He’s right. You know, Captain, you can trust us.”

“Well, you can trust me. I’m not sure about Loki.” Thor noted, earning him a glare from his brother.

Steve gave them both a smile. “I’m fine, really. I just already had plans today.”

Loki nodded. “Do you want us to bring something back for you?”

Steve shook his head. “No. I’m good. You guys go on ahead. I’ll get something to eat here. Have fun.”

Thor smiled and nodded, giving Steve a wave. “We’ll see you later, Steve. Come on, Loki, let’s go join the others.”

Steve only let out a deep breath once they left.

He was staying to help Alex.

And besides, he was fine…he really was.

Somewhat.

 

C h a p t e r  2

Bucky

The others had left for lunch.

Tony. Rhodey. Peter. Natasha. Thor. Loki. Vision. Wanda. Sam. Bruce. Nick Fury.

They’d all left for lunch.

But Steve had stayed…and Steve probably thought he was alone.

Bucky took the stairs two at a time, careful to make his footsteps almost silent.

He’d been living in the tower for about four months now. It had been a fight to even get him into the tower…Tony, Rhodey, and Fury weren’t exactly…open to the idea.

Even a few of the others were wary at first.

Bucky let out a deep sigh.

He wasn’t quite so sure he was worth all the trouble Steve went through for him.

Bucky arrived at the door of the gym, where Steve often was and where Thor and Loki had said he was.

Bucky carefully eased the door open with his metal fingers and slipped inside, each movement as quiet as humanly possible.

Two sandbags laid on the floor against the wall, ripped open, and three more were laying on the floor ready to be put up and beaten to a pulp.

Bucky brushed brown hair back behind his ears.

There Steve was, crouched in front of the gym closet, his voice carrying across the room.

But there wasn’t anyone to talk to…no one else was here anymore except for Bucky. Well, and FRIDAY, but she didn’t count.

Bucky quietly stepped closer and closer, determined to figure out exactly who Steve was talking to.

But he wasn’t as quiet as he hoped.

Steve looked up, saw Bucky, and slammed the closet door closed, lifting to his feet.

Bucky raised an eyebrow. “Steve, what was that…? Who were you talking to?”

“Myself.”

Bucky crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall.

Everyone knew how horrible of a liar Steve was, and Bucky knew that more than anyone.

“Steve…don’t lie to me. You normally don’t turn down the opportunity to have lunch with the team…what’s up? What’s hiding in there?”

“Nothing, Buck…nothing’s in there. I was talking to myself, I told you that.”

Bucky sighed, shook his head, and stepped towards the closet. “You’re a bad liar and you know it.”

Steve stood in front of the closet door. “Nothing’s in there, Buck, and even if something was, is it your business?”

“I don’t know, Steve, is it?”

Steve stared at Bucky for a long minute before his gaze fell to his boots, as if he was a little kid that had been caught stealing candy.

Bucky crossed his arms. “What’s in there, Steve?”

He was just looking out for his friend. He at least deserved to know some things.

Steve’s gaze slowly rose, and his eyes met Bucky’s. “Promise you won’t tell anyone?”

“I promise.”

Steve nodded and turned around. He grabbed the handle. Opened the door.

A girl sat on the floor, and she looked up when she saw Bucky, her bright green eyes meeting Bucky’s blue.

Bucky blinked.

By the way she had her right ankle sprawled out, it was injured.

But who was this girl…?

Bucky faced Steve. “Steve…?”

Steve came forward and gripped Bucky’s shoulders. “Listen, Buck, I can explain…”

 

“How long do you think I’ll be able to hide here, anyways?”

Bucky looked up at Alex from where he was wrapping up her ankle.

Steve was on a mission with the other Avengers, and because of the last…incident, Bucky had been ordered to stay at the tower.

Which worked perfectly, come to think of it, since he could stay in the gym with Alex.

“You’ll stay here until you’re better.”

But if Hydra was looking for her, he didn’t know if they’d ever give up.

Hydra was persistent…that Bucky knew very well.

A chill ran up and down his spine, and he shuddered.

Alex’s hands rested on his. “You okay, Bucky?”

Bucky pulled away from Alex’s touch, but he nodded. “Yeah…yeah…I-I’m fine.”

He turned his attention back to her ankle, tightly binding it with bandages. “I’m not a doctor…I don’t know how well this is bandaged.”

Alex smiled. “Maybe it’s not the best, but it will do. Thank you, for helping me, Bucky, truly, thank you.”

Bucky shrugged. “You should thank Steve, not me.”

“But you’re helping him hide me, and you’re the one bandaging my sprained ankle right now. Don’t you deserve a thank you too?”

Bucky bit his lip.

This girl didn’t know what he had done…she didn’t know about the many people he had killed.

Bucky finished bandaging her ankle and offered Alex a small smile he didn’t entirely feel. “There we go. It’s wrapped up.”

Alex smiled. “Thank you, Bucky. You know, I feel like I know you and Steve so much already.”

Bucky’s gaze fell. She didn’t know about the huge secret he was keeping from her.

Footsteps sounded, and Bucky turned.

Steve set his shield down, removing his helmet and slicking back his bright blonde hair, still in complete uniform. He gave Bucky a small smile. “Hey, Buck.” Steve glanced at Alex. “Hey, Alex, how are you feeling?”

“I’m doing good, Steve. Oh, and hey…thank you…for hiding me and taking care of me. I’m grateful to both of you.”

Bucky slowly stood, knowing he was unworthy of her thanks.

Steve gave Alex a small smile. “You’re welcome, Alex. It’s the least we can do.”

He glanced at Bucky, and Bucky gave Steve a smile he didn’t feel before facing Alex again. “You’re welcome, Alex. I don’t mind helping.”

 

C h a p t e r  3

Tony

Something was up.

Steve and Bucky were rarely ever around, and when they were, it was only for missions or briefly. Steve kept declining the offer to go out with the team, and Bucky…well…he was seen even less than Steve. None of them knew where he even was half the time.

Which was concerning, to say the least.

Tony wasn’t exactly willing to trust Bucky Barnes anytime soon.

He hadn’t even wanted Bucky to be in the tower, but of course, Steve got whatever he wanted, even if no one else wanted it.

Either way, something was up, and something was off about both Steve and Bucky.

Tony sat in a chair at the kitchen table, his laptop out and open in front of him and a cup of steaming coffee in his hand.

Tony took a sip of his coffee just as Steve walked into the kitchen and saw him. “Oh, hey, Tony.”

“Good morning, Cap. Haven’t seen you all day except at breakfast.”

Steve shrugged. “I’ve been busy.”

“Doing what, exactly? Or do you need to keep secrets from all of us?”

Steve seemingly ignored him, grabbing a water bottle and a granola bar.

Tony stood. “Steve, what’s wrong with you? You rarely ever turned down the offer to go out with the team, and suddenly you’re doing it every time we ask. What’s up? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, Tony, I’m fine. And I’m just busy, that’s all.”

Tony rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and leaning back against the kitchen counter. “You’re a horrible liar, Cap, how many times do we have to remind you of that?”

Steve turned to leave the kitchen. “Everything’s fine, Tony, I’m just busy. I gotta go.”

Tony grabbed Steve’s arm, and his friend and teammate turned to face him. “Come on, Cap, help me out a little…I’m just trying to help everyone out.”

Steve pulled away from Tony’s grip. “Not everything’s your business, Tony.”

“When it involves the entire team, I think it is my business to know.”

Steve set the water bottle and granola bar down on the counter. Turned to face Tony.

Tony raised an eyebrow. “What are you hiding, Steve?”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

“Liar.”

Steve grabbed the bottle and bar again. “I’m leaving, Tony. I have some things I need to do.”

Tony sighed and nodded. “Alright, fine, Steve. I hope you’ll want to spend time with all of us again soon, but until then, I hope you get whatever you need to get done finished.”

Steve merely nodded. “Thanks, Tony.”

And he turned and left the room.

Tony waited until he was way out of earshot, and Tony closed his laptop and drank the last of his coffee.

He set his laptop on the counter and threw away his styrofoam cup, leaving the kitchen to follow Steve.

Steve was up to something.

And Tony was going to find out what it was.

 

Steve was in the gym again.

Sure, he went in there a lot, but recently, he’d been going in there a whole lot more.

So…the gym was where Steve was doing something. Of course.

Tony inched closer to the gym. He tapped a button on the band on his left wrist and pulled his suit glove up over his hand.

Steve was doing something, and Tony intended to find out what, even if he had to get the answer by force.

Not that he tried to use force all the time…he didn’t, but if Steve was going to be stubborn, then Tony would be just as stubborn.

Tony grabbed the handle of the gym door. Locked, of course.

But Tony had keys to all of the rooms in the tower. He’d designed and built the building after all.

Tony reached into his pockets and pulled out the large set of keys.

He’d find out about whatever Steve was hiding.

Tony finally found the key to the gym, put it in the lock, and turned, unlocking the door.

He gently eased the door open and slipped inside, carefully closing the door behind him.

He locked the door back and quietly made his way further into the gym.

Surprisingly, there weren’t broken sandbags laying on the floor.

But Tony heard voices, so he hid behind a corner of the room, glove ready and waiting.

There were two masculine voices, distinctly Steve and Bucky, and one feminine, young voice that Tony didn’t recognize in the least.

They were talking about staying hidden…making sure the other Avengers didn’t find the woman…and something about a sprained ankle.

Whoever this woman was…she was hiding, and Steve and Bucky were keeping her a secret from the other Avengers.

Not on Tony’s watch.

Tony pulled on his other glove and stepped out from behind the corner, turning on Steve, Bucky, and the girl who sat in the closet.

“That’s it…it’s over. Who is this girl?”

[Smiley]

@freedomwriter76

Awwww I loveeee it girl! The best part was when Alex figured out who Steve was and she freaked out XD

Do me a favor…. Tell Cress I meant it
-Thorne

[Anonymous]

@smiley Thx girl!!! 💗💗💗 Haha, yesssss, I love that part; glad you liked it!!! XXD

[Loopy]

@freedomwriter76 I like it! Alex is a pretty cool character

🎵It takes a long time to wait 🌻

[Anonymous]

@loopylin Thx!!! 😁 Aww, glad you like her! 💗

[MineralizedWritings]

@freedomwriter76

I love it! I’m kinda busy sometimes so I probably won’t be responding but pls keep tagging me!

"And so I left this world just as I had entered it. Confused."

[Light]

@freedomwriter76

AHHH I love it so muchhhh 😍😍😍💗💗💗 Aww I love Alex and Steve and Bucky!!! Tony 😅

Whattt?!?!?! Alex Carter?? How did I miss that?

So she’s related to Peggy?? 😍😍😍😍

#HugRikerSquad

[Anonymous]

@lightoverdarkness6 @mineralizedwritings Thx so much y’all!!!! 💗💗💗

Hmmmm, wellll, Light….I guess you’ll have to find out if she’s related or not….

@smiley @loopylin

I have more chapters to share!!!!

Here’s 5 more!!!

 

C h a p t e r  4

Alex

“Alex. That’s my name…Alex. My full name is Alexandria Leah Carter, but everyone calls me Alex.” Alex said, seated in the living room where all of the Avengers were.

Her right ankle was in a boot, after Bruce had insisted on making sure her ankle was well taken care of, regardless of whether or not she was their friend.

He seemed really kind.

“Why would you hide from us? We would have helped you.” Thor insisted, eyebrows furrowed together.

Alex slowly shook her head. “I wasn’t quite sure who to trust…and considering the way Tony and Fury feel-“

“Only because you hid from us as if you were a wanted criminal,” Tony interrupted, holding up a hand, “now, Alex, where do you live?”

“Me and my family are…homeless,” Alex whispered, “and my parents are both desperately looking for jobs.”

They’d never know the actual truth.

Bruce raised an eyebrow. “And do they know you’re here?”

Alex slowly shook her head. “No, they don’t…but I can call them if you’d like. They may not answer right away though.”

Tony typed a few things down on his laptop. “And your parents? What are their names?”

“Michael Adam Carter and Elizabeth Miriam Carter.”

Natasha turned to face Alex. “And do they know you were being chased by Hydra?”

“No…they don’t. I didn’t want to worry them…that’s why I hid here instead.”

“You could have asked for our help. We would have given it.” Wanda said softly, laying a hand on Alex’s shoulder.

Natasha nodded. “She’s right, you know.”

Sam nodded, leaning back against the wall in the living room, arms crossed. “You didn’t have to hide. If we knew you needed help, we would have given it to you.”

Alex really should have asked for help.

She knew the Avengers were heroes…but trusting people…it didn’t come easy to her. Never had.

“Do I have to leave?”

“Her ankle needs to heal first, and besides, why don’t we wait for her parents to come get her?” Bruce asked.

Natasha nodded, giving Bruce a small, quick smile. “I agree.”

Loki and Thor both nodded. Thor smiled. “We agree as well.”

Wanda, Vision, Sam, Rhodey, and even Peter also agreed, and Natasha turned to face Tony and Fury. “Well? Can she stay until her ankle heals and until her parents come and get her?”

Fury let out a deep sigh. “…Fine.”

Tony sighed and nodded, closing his laptop. “Well…I guess she can stay until her ankle heals and until her parents come and get her, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to trust her completely.”

Natasha nodded. “I didn’t say we had to.”

Fury turned to face Steve and Bucky, who were sitting on one of the couches, side by side, both with their heads down. “Now as for you two…”

Steve’s gaze slowly rose, but Bucky’s stayed down.

Steve’s blue eyes, with a hint of green, met Fury’s dark brown. “Yessir?”

Fury stepped closer to the couch, his anger clearly visible.

He seemed to have serious anger issues.

“Rogers…Barnes…you both hid something from the team. You lied to all of us. If Alex had been one of our greatest enemies, what do you think would have happened?”

Steve gave one quick glance at Bucky. Faced Fury again. “Not sure, sir…”

“You could have put the entire team in danger, Rogers, and all you can say is “not sure”?”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

Fury crossed his arms. “You better be.”

Steve’s gaze fell again.

“Rogers, you are only permitted to leave the tower for missions. And Barnes, you are not permitted to leave the tower…at all.”

Steve’s gaze jumped up as soon as Fury listed Bucky’s punishment. “But sir-“

“No. I don’t want to hear anything out of you, Rogers, on this subject. Now, I have business to attend to.”

Footsteps sounded, and Alex turned.

Hawkeye, no, Clint was his name, stood in the doorway to the living room, two girls behind him. “Is now a bad time…?”

Fury faced Clint, raising an eyebrow. “Barton? You were supposed to be back two days ago.”

Clint motioned to the two girls behind him. “I had to make a pit stop.”

Fury crossed his arms. “And why are those girls here…?”

“They have superpowers and need help controlling them, and I thought-“

Fury muttered something undiscernible under his breath and left the room.

Yep, anger issues.

Natasha stood, walked over to the three people, and gave Clint a small smile. “We just have a bit of a…situation here. Are these the girls?”

Clint nodded. “Sure are. Meela, Mayla, this is my friend Natasha. Natasha, these are my friends’ daughters Meela and Mayla.”

He pointed at each of them when he said their name, which helped Alex immensely, knowing who was who and all.

Natasha nodded and shook Meela, the first girl’s, hand. “Nice to meet you.”

They were almost completely identical with their matching straight black hair and their dark brown almond-shaped eyes, but Mayla wore glasses, which made things easier.

Alex merely watched them and listened to the conversation, curious about these two girls that seemed to be about her age.

Meela nodded and smiled. “Nice to meet you too. Clint’s told us a lot about you.”

Natasha laughed and winked. “Not too much, I hope.”

She turned to Mayla, also shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you as well. You two are twins, aren’t you?”

Mayla nodded. “Sure are.”

Meela winked. “But I’m older by a few seconds.”

Natasha nodded and motioned to the rest of the Avengers. “Well, you’ve probably heard of us, but do you two want to meet the rest of the Avengers?”

Meela and Mayla both nodded.

They quickly met some of the Avengers and Loki.

Alex smiled when they came over. “Sorry, wish I could stand up, but my ankle’s kinda broken. Nice to meet both of you. I’m Alex.” She winked and gave them both a peace symbol.

Meela and Mayla both laughed and each shook her hand. Meela smiled. “I think we’ll be great friends.”

Alex nodded. “I hope so.”

Meela, Mayla, and Natasha walked away to talk to Bucky and Steve.

Meela and Mayla introduced themselves to Bucky before both turning their attention to Steve. Meela smiled. “So…you’re Captain America?”

Steve offered them a small smile, standing now rather than sitting. “I am. But everyone calls me Steve around here.”

Mayla grinned. “We’ve always wanted to meet you. You’re our favorite Avenger.”

“What am I? Chopped liver?” Tony piped up.

“Maybe make yourself more likeable.” Bucky retorted, crossing his arms.

Steve laid a hand on Bucky’s shoulder and faced Meela and Mayla again. “Clint said you two have powers that you need to learn how to control?”

Meela slowly nodded, biting her lip. “We do…it’s the whole reason Clint picked us up and brought us here.”

Steve nodded. “Then why don’t we go to the training room? You two can show us your powers there.”

Natasha nodded at Steve and gave him a soft smile. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

Alex smiled.

This would be interesting.

 

C h a p t e r  5

Steve

“Which of you wants to go first?”

Meela and Mayla both turned to face Tony. Meela shrugged. “Guess I’ll go first.”

Tony grinned. “Good. Now, I guess you need to show us your powers by using them on someone.”

Meela raised an eyebrow. “Using them on someone? Are you sure…? We can’t completely control-“

“We’ll stop the fight if anything gets too out of hand. Hey, Cap, how about you help them out with this?”

“Tony, remember,” Natasha crossed her arms, “just because Fury can tell Steve what to do doesn’t mean you can do the-“

“It’s fine, Nat…I don’t mind.” Steve interrupted with a shrug, grabbing his shield.

He turned to Tony, Meela, and Mayla. “I’d love to help them out.”

Tony nodded. “Sounds like a plan then. Alright, Steve, Meela, you two enter the training room.”

Steve obeyed.

Okay…so maybe he had partially lied to Natasha. He was fine, happy to, actually, help Meela and Mayla. But Tony ordering him around…?

Not so much.

He was already basically grounded by Nick Fury, as if he was a rebellious teenager rather than a grown man, and he wasn’t exactly apt to letting Tony order him around.

But Meela and Mayla needed help…and Steve wouldn’t be the one to refuse to give them what they needed.

Steve entered the glass-surrounded training room with Meela.

Meela glanced around the space, eyes wide. “Won’t this glass break…?”

“It’s made of a special kind of glass that doesn’t break easily. This is so Tony and the others can see us. Now…” Steve pulled out and lifted his shield, “why don’t you show off your powers?”

“I can’t completely control them…that’s the whole reason me and Mayla are here…”

“Don’t worry, you won’t hurt me. I can take whatever you’ve got. So throw it at me.”

Meela bit her lip, but slowly, she nodded. “Okay…if you’re sure…”

Steve gave her a reassuring smile. Nodded. “I’m sure. Bring it to me.”

Meela nodded, and holding her arms out straight behind her, she ran forward. She was fast, that much was certain.

She ran past Steve.

Steve turned around to face her, only to realize that she was gone.

As if she had disappeared into thin air.

Steve grabbed his shield, tight, in his fingers, slowly lowering it to his side.

She had gone somewhere…but where? Obviously, she was still in the training room, but-“Got you!”

Steve turned, just as Meela appeared in front of him, a big grin on her face. “So, what do you think!?”

Steve lowered his shield. Raised an eyebrow. “You can run fast and disappear, then?”

Meela nodded. “I have…Ninja powers. Ability to disappear…camouflage…and I can run faster than most. But sometimes I disappear without choosing to and run faster than normal speed without meaning to.”

Steve nodded. “So…that’s how you can’t control your powers?”

Meela nodded. Laughed. “Yeah…guess I’d better tell Tony that. And now it’s my sister’s turn.”

Steve nodded. “It sure is.”

Meela smiled softly. The door opened and she left the training room. Steve followed right behind her, putting his shield on his back until he needed it again.

Meela told Tony what she had told Steve, and Tony typed it up on his computer. He looked up and gave Mayla a nod. “Your turn, Mayla.”

Mayla’s eyes slightly widened. She bit her lip, wrapping her arms around herself. “I-I’d rather not…”

Clint smiled from where he was leaning against the wall close to the twins. He playfully nudged Mayla’s shoulder. “Come on. You’ll have fun. You get to beat up Cap. That’s Tony’s favorite thing to do.”

Tony rolled his eyes, typing away at his computer.

“I don’t know…I don’t want anyone to get hurt…” Mayla whispered, rubbing her arm, worry in her dark brown eyes.

Bruce smiled, offering Mayla a slightly playful smile. “If the training room can handle me, I’m sure it can handle whatever you do.”

Steve nodded in agreement. “He’s right. You won’t hurt anyone.”

Meela wrapped an arm around her twin, giving her a big smile. “Yeah, you’ve got this, sis.”

Slowly, Mayla let her arms fall to her side. She nodded. Gave Tony a small smile. “Okay. I’m ready.”

Tony nodded. Opened the training room doors again. “Alright then. Mayla, Steve, you’re up.”

“Okay…if everyone’s sure.” Mayla whispered softly.

She walked into the training room, Steve behind her, and the door closed behind them.

Steve turned to face Mayla, pulling his shield back out. “Like I told your sister, throw whatever you have at me.”

“Are you sure about that? You don’t even know what I can do…”

Steve smiled. “I’m sure.”

Besides, could it be any worse than Hulk?

“Okay…” Mayla whispered, stepping a bit away.

Steve gave her an easy smile. “You’ve got this.”

Tony and Nick Fury may not have wanted the kids, well, teens, there, but they didn’t seem to be troublesome at all.

Besides, wouldn’t it be good to train new heroes?

He glanced over at everyone else that was outside of the room, almost all of whom stood with eyes wide, mouths open.

Steve raised an eyebrow, before facing Mayla again, instantly stepping back.

She almost looked like a giant bear, but with weird fangs, and way too many legs.

It looked like a parasite more than anything.

Meela laughed and smirked. “Y’all act like you’ve never seen a giant tardigrade before!”

“What in the world!?” Peter cried, but his eyes lit with curiosity and awe.

Steve tapped his communicator so they could hear him clearly. “What are her abilities?”

“I can turn into any microorganism I want.”

Steve faced Mayla again. “Okay…so, uhm, can you turn back now? That’s interesting, but…”

“A little terrifying!?” Loki finished, eyes wide, hiding behind Thor.

Steve slowly nodded. “A little.”

“I-I can try…” Mayla whispered, “but, yeah…uhm…y’all…I’m feeling a little…dizzy.”

She faltered and Steve narrowly escaped getting hit in the head with one of her legs.

She turned back into herself, up in the air, and, eyes closed, she fell, having fainted.

Steve rushed to catch her. “MAYLA!”

 

C h a p t e r  6

Bucky

“Is she going to be okay?”

Bucky faced Alex with a small smile. “Yeah, she’ll be fine. She just passed out, that’s all. She’ll be fine soon enough.”

His gaze drifted over to Mayla, who slept in one of the pristine white beds in the medical ward of the tower, still out, but she breathed evenly.

All of The Avengers, with the exception of Bruce, were on yet another mission.

It wasn’t exactly a good idea to bring Bruce on most missions…unless the mission was to destroy stuff.

And Bucky would have gone, but he wasn’t “allowed” to leave the tower, since Fury had basically grounded him.

Couldn’t that man not be annoying for once in his life?

Steve was partially grounded too, but at least he could leave to do missions.

Bucky was completely stuck.

Well, unless he broke the rules…which he wasn’t exactly against.

“Bucky, you there?”

“Hmm?” He turned to face Meela and gave her a small smile. “Sorry about that. What is it?”

“Mayla’s never done this before…but she normally only uses her powers by accident…do you think she’s okay?”

Bucky nodded and smiled. “I’m sure she’s fine. She just used a lot of energy.”

Meela slowly nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. Hey, Bucky, do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“What’s up?”

“Won’t you get warm in that jacket and gloves?”

Bucky froze, trying to divert Meela’s attention from his covered metal arm. “Uh…no. I get cold, actually…that’s why I wear this.”

Alex raised an eyebrow at him, knowing he was lying, since she had already seen his metal arm.

Steve…Clint…Natasha…Wanda…Sam…Thor…Loki…Vision…they all said they were his friends. They all said he was safe and free.

Then why did Bucky still feel unsafe?

Was it just fear talking? Or did he have good reasons to still be tense?

What if someone here really did want to hurt him?

Bucky wrapped his arms around himself. “Yeah…I just get cold.”

But images…memories…floated before his eyes. Ones he tried to fight back but couldn’t seem to win against.

Then again, he couldn’t seem to win against any of them.

A chill spread up and down his spine.

Alex’s hand rested on his left arm. “Bucky?”

Bucky pulled away from her touch and smiled at Meela. “Your sister will be fine, I’m sure of it,” he glanced out the window in the door, seeing Bruce coming, “and it looks like Bruce is coming back. I’ll be back later.”

He stepped away and began walking out of the medical room, leaving the door open behind him to let Bruce through.

He needed some time to ease his rapid heartbeat.

And he needed to get away from those curious and compassionate teen girls.

Because their compassion would be Bucky’s undoing.

 

C h a p t e r  7

Tony

A blast sent the Agent flying into a wall. Tony smirked. “That’s nine for me.”

“Only nine, Stark? I have at least twelve.” Thor mused, speaking through the communicators.

“Why are we keeping count?” Steve asked, his voice followed by the sound of clanging metal.

Tony turned his rocket boots up, propelling himself into the air, grabbing another agent off of a tall skyscraper and throwing him onto another roof. “Make it ten. And Steve, we’re keeping count because we’re finding out who’s going to pay for dinner after this. Not that it matters with you, since y’know, you’re grounded.”

Steve groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

Tony laughed. “Kinda your fault for hiding Alex.”

“That’s eleven for me. You need to catch up to everyone, Stank.”

“Shut up, Loki.” Tony snarled.

He hated that nickname.

It was okay on occasion…but who in the world had taught Loki the nickname!?

Clint chuckled. “Still the best nickname.”

“Tony finally got payback for all of the nicknames he gave to everyone else.”

“Shut it, Natasha,” Tony slammed another agent into a wall, “and make it eleven agents.”

“If Steve and Bucky can’t leave the tower, what will they do for food?” Wanda asked, her voice carrying through the communicator like everyone else’s.

“I’ll make us something.”

“If you can figure out how the oven works.”

Steve groaned. “Sam…”

“Just saying, Cap, just saying. Just being honest.”

Peter laughed. “Everyone knows you forget how it works sometimes.”

Steve sighed. “Is it that common knowledge…?”

“Yes, Captain, it is.” Loki replied simply.

“Shouldn’t we be paying attention to the fight?” Vision suddenly asked, breaking the banter.

“He’s right guys, we need…” Steve trailed off, “hey, we evacuated everyone out of this area, right?”

“Where are you?” Tony asked, using his suit to pull up a digital map.

“West main street. Near the prison.”

“Yep, sure did. Vision and Sam got everyone out of that area. Why?”

Steve was silent for a long moment.

“Captain, what is it?” Thor asked.

Tony’s eyebrows furrowed together. “Steve, what are you hiding now?”

“There’s a baby over here.” Steve whispered.

“What the-“

“Tony, go check it out, we’ve got this.” Natasha said, interrupting Tony.

Tony turned his rocket boots on, launching himself up, quickly turning to fly forward, heading straight for west main street, and he quickly landed behind Steve, his boots making a loud thud when they hit the concrete.

Steve was on one knee on the street, crouched over a cardboard box.

“Is the baby in there?” Tony asked, pointing at the box.

Steve turned and faced him, slowly nodded. “Yeah.”

Tony whistled. “Geez. What kind of parents does this kid have?”

“I don’t know. There’s a nametag attached to the box.”

“What’s it say?”

Steve grabbed the nametag, looking at it. “It just says Ryo. No address…no middle name, no last name…nothing but Ryo.”

Tony walked forward, removing his helmet, making it disappear into the rest of his suit. “Let me see.”

Steve stood and stepped out of the way, and Tony crouched down beside the box.

Sure enough, the white nametag attached to the cardboard box only said “Ryo” on it…nothing else.

Tony looked into the box.

A black-haired baby slept inside, a thumb in his mouth, sleeping soundly, unbothered by the sounds of fighting around him.

He couldn’t have even been two yet.

“We better find his parents.”

Steve bit his lip. “They could be anywhere, Tony…”

Tony stood and faced Steve, crossing his arms. “That’s what makes it impossible.”

“Well…not really…”

Tony shook his head, hard and fast. “Nope. Not happening. You’re not bringing him back to the tower.”

“Come on, Tony, he’s all alone and abandoned. We can’t leave him here. We’ll just keep him until his parents are found.”

“You know what Nick Fury will say. You’re already in trouble…do you want to be in even more trouble?”

Steve shook his head. “No, but I can’t just leave him here either.”

Tony rolled his eyes.

Steve always had to do everything perfectly, didn’t he?

“Whatever, Steve, but I won’t be responsible for whatever Fury says or does to you.”

Steve shrugged, gently picking up the box, and thus, Ryo, the baby. “I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

 

C h a p t e r  8

Alex

“You’ll take him back where you found him, now, Rogers, or else.”

“What is Nick Fury talking about?” Mayla whispered, finally having risen back to consciousness, sitting up in bed.

Alex gave a low chuckle. “Uhm…I have no idea.” She shrugged. “But it can’t be anything too bad. It doesn’t sound like anyone was hurt.”

Bruce’s eyebrows furrowed together. “He sounds…angry.”

“He kind of…always seems angry.” Meela whispered, helping her sister stand.

Alex smiled sweetly at Bruce. “She’s kind of right.”

Bruce slowly shook his head, removing his glasses, letting out a quiet sigh. “…I didn’t say I disagreed.”

Alex smiled softly.

Nick Fury did seem always angry, and Tony wasn’t exactly willing to have all three of them in the tower, but he still seemed nice enough.

Everyone else?

They were great.

Of course, Alex had always been a Captain America fan. Maybe there was just something about the old-school virtuous heroes that appealed to her imagination and awe.

“Maybe we should see what they’re talking about.” Mayla said, just as everyone’s voices raised.

Bruce sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Here we go again…”

Meela raised an eyebrow. “Do they yell a lot?”

“They argue basically every day, especially Tony and Steve.”

“That seems like a lot.” Mayla mused, eyebrows furrowing together.

Bruce grabbed the door handle, holding the door open for them. “Tell me about it.”

Alex went through the door, followed by Meela and Mayla, and Bruce took the back.

They were in the main foyer of the floor, that much was for sure. And if it was at all possible, their voices had gotten even louder.

They all stood in a group in the living room, almost in a circle.

Steve was holding something in his arms.

Alex stood on her tiptoes, but she still couldn’t quite see what he was holding over everyone else’s shoulders.

Too bad she was so short.

Well, she wasn’t super short, but she wasn’t exactly…tall, either.

Loki threw his hands up into the air. “Why can’t he stay, Fury!?”

“Because he doesn’t need to be here. We’re not just letting all of the kids in the world come and live in the tower. I’ve already made up my mind. He’s going back wherever he came from.”

“He was in a box in the middle of the street.” Clint noted.

Alex raised an eyebrow.

What in the world were they talking about!?

“Can we know what’s going on here?” Meela suddenly asked.

Natasha turned around. “Hey girls. Of course you can.”

She and Clint both stepped aside to make room.

And then Alex saw what Steve was holding.

Who, actually.

A baby slept in Steve’s arms, a thumb in his mouth, with messy black hair and wearing partially ragged dinosaur pajamas.

Alex gasped. “A baby!?”

Mayla’s eyes widened. “He’s adorable! What’s his name? Where did you find him?”

“He was in a cardboard box in the middle of the street. The box had a nametag that said ‘Ryo’.” Steve explained, holding the baby out a bit, showing the three girls.

Meela gently touched his forehead, brushing hair away from his eyes. “Aww. Do you think his parents got scared away from the battle?”

Steve nodded. “Sam and Vision cleared everyone out of the area, and he may have accidentally been left by his parents in the chaos of the moment.”

“Poor baby.” Mayla whispered.

Tony raised an eyebrow. “How are we not sure that his parents were getting rid of him?”

“It’s a possibility, Tony, but we need to make sure first.” Clint replied.

Fury shook his head. “He’s not staying here. Rogers, take him back.”

Alex put her hands on her hips. “He’s just a baby! Can’t he just stay here until his parents are found!?”

“I don’t want you here either, so don’t say anything.” Fury snarled in reply.

“Come on, Fury, he’s just a little baby.” Natasha argued.

Ryo’s eyes slowly fluttered open, revealing dark brown, almond shaped eyes. He looked around in pure confusion.

He was so cute…so innocent…so…precious. They couldn’t toss him back out onto the streets.

“We can’t throw a baby out onto the streets.” Wanda mused.

Vision nodded in agreement. “That would be both unwise and ill of us.”

Thor smiled down at Ryo, brushing a strand of his own blonde hair behind his ear. “He’s adorable…can’t he stay? Please?”

Fury mumbled something undiscernible under his breath, and he walked away.

Alex watched him go, before turning her attention back to Ryo.

His eyes were open, yet he wasn’t crying.

She smiled, gently grabbing hold of his tiny hand. “Hello there, Ryo…I love you already.”

[Smiley]

@freedomwriter76

So…. the Avengers tower has turned into an orphanage XD

I loveeeeee it XD!!!

Do me a favor…. Tell Cress I meant it
-Thorne

[Anonymous]

@smiley And Fury hates it 😂😂

THX SO MUCH GIRLLLL!!!!!! 💗💗💗💗

[Smiley]

@freedomwriter76

XD

yet in another fic, he adopts ten kids,

Nick confuses me XD

Do me a favor…. Tell Cress I meant it
-Thorne

[Anonymous]

@smiley lol 😂😂🤣🤣😆😆

Welllllllll, he’s a little different in that fic…he once was very much against kids and things like that…until he met and brought in Thor and Loki, and his entire view changed XD

[Smiley]

@freedomwriter76

Yeah he seems so fond of Loki in this fic XD he’s like his favorite, right next to Bucky

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Smiley.

Do me a favor…. Tell Cress I meant it
-Thorne

[Anonymous]

@smiley lol 😂😂

[Anonymous]

@smiley @loopylin @mineralizedwritings @lightoverdarkness6

And, I’m sharing 5 more chapters!!!!!

C h a p t e r  9

Steve

“How do we get him to shut up?” Tony groaned; head laid on the railing of Ryo’s crib.

Ryo screamed and cried as Clint tried to rock him to sleep.

Tony groaned. “I already had a headache, and this crazy kid is making it that much worse.”

Steve shrugged, grabbing the teddy bear Wanda had gone to the store for and bought for Ryo earlier that day, handing it to Clint. “He’s a baby. What else do you expect, Tony?”

“I don’t know…for him to be quiet!?”

“You obviously know nothing about kids.” Clint replied, handing Ryo the bear, still rocking him in his arms.

“Tony knows nothing about kids because he’s always avoided them.” Natasha replied, rolling her eyes.

Almost all of them had tried to get Ryo to go back to sleep, but so far, no such luck.

“Is he hungry?” Meela asked softly.

Peter covered his ears. “We already tried that!”

Steve shrugged. “He’s right. We’ve tried everything we can think of. He just doesn’t want to go to sleep.”

“He’s a baby, it’s normal,” Bruce shrugged, “besides, he can’t be older than a year and a half, if that, based on his size and demeanor…”

Clint nodded. “I’d say about a year and three months, somewhere around there, and I would know.”

Alex sank down beside the wall. “He’s cute…but is he going to do this every night? Everyone’s up except Fury, Thor, Loki, and Bucky…”

“He better not do this every night.” Tony mumbled, rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep.

Clint shook his head, still bouncing Ryo. “He shouldn’t do it every night…this was just his first night in a strange and new place, that’s all.”

Ryo screamed louder.

Steve flinched.

It was loud to everyone…and with his enhanced hearing…it was a whole lot worse.

Tony groaned, covering his ears.

“How are some of them not awake!?” Mayla asked, speaking louder so she could be heard over Ryo.

Natasha shrugged. “Don’t know. Thor and Loki are heavy sleepers though, Bucky may just be ignoring this, and Nick…he probably has earbuds in, knowing him.”

Ryo screamed louder, crying even more.

“When will he stop!?” Tony groaned, pressing his palms firmer against his ears.

Clint bounced Ryo more, quietly humming a song. “Give him time, Tony, he’s just a baby.”

“He’s so loud!” Peter groaned, also deeply bothered by the sounds because of his enhanced hearing, hands still pressed against his ears.

The door opened and Bucky stepped in, hair messy, wearing a jacket and gloves to hide his metal arm from Meela and Mayla. “He’s crying?”

“Good early morning, sleepyhead. Didn’t hear the baby until now?” Clint asked playfully with a smile, still bouncing Ryo.

Bucky rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “Just now woke up, leave me alone.”

Steve raised an eyebrow.

Bucky was an extremely light sleeper…unless he had a nightmare that wouldn’t let him go.

“Buck, did you have a-?”

Bucky’s glare shut Steve up.

Truth be told, his friend was intimidating.

Bucky reached out to Clint. “Give me Ryo.”

Clint shrugged and handed Ryo over along with the bear. “Sure. You can try for a bit, but none of us have been successful, so good luck.”

Bucky merely took Ryo into his arms.

Steve sat down on the floor beside Alex. “Hopefully he’ll go to sleep soon. I have to get up in a few hours.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, smiling playfully. “How early do you get up…three?”

“Close. Four. I go on an early morning run…helps to get me ready for the day.”

Meela chuckled. “Yeah, can’t do that. I need my sleep, and Mayla especially needs her sleep…she gets cranky.”

Her twin nudged her in the side, slightly narrowing her eyes. “I do not.”

Meela laughed. “Yeah you do.”

Steve smiled. Turned to Tony. “You good, Tony?”

“Other than having a very painful headache, yeah, Steve, I’m just peachy. I’m totally fine when that baby keeps screaming!”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Tony, doesn’t mean you need to be a jerk.”

Peter uncovered his ears. “Uhm…guys, I think he stopped.”

Steve paused. Peter was right…Ryo had stopped screaming.

Steve stood. Everyone turned to face Bucky, just as Bucky laid Ryo down in the crib and pulled a small blanket overtop of him.

Tony blinked a few times. “What…?”

Clint smirked. “Bucky’s a baby whisperer.”

Natasha laughed. “That’s for sure. What did you do to him, Bucky?”

Bucky shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m going back to bed.”

Steve stepped out of his friend’s way and let him pass.

The door closed behind Bucky.

Steve turned to the others, still trying to understand what he just saw. “…What just happened?”

 

C h a p t e r  10

Bucky

Voices carried from the kitchen, mixing with a few chuckles and gasps.

Bucky brushed a single strand of his shoulder-length dark brown hair behind his ear, pushing it out of the way.

It was warm inside, what with wearing a jacket and gloves.

But he wouldn’t take them off.

Meela and Mayla didn’t need to know. Besides, he’d rather not have someone else see the monster behind the mask.

Bucky stepped into the kitchen, glancing around, seeing everyone that was there.

There were…a lot of people.

But it was getting easier to be around them, even if he still didn’t trust all of them completely.

“Hey Buck.” Steve came around Tony and clasped Bucky on the shoulder.

Bucky gave him a small smile.

It was still…odd having people touch him without the intent of hurting him.

But it was also nice.

Steve gave a smile back and held up a Styrofoam cup. “I got you some coffee. I know how much you like it.”

Bucky raised an eyebrow. “You seem to think I can’t function without it.”

Steve laughed. “You can’t, but that’s okay. Neither can Tony.”

“Correction, I can function without coffee, unlike Metal Head here. I just function better when I’ve had some.”

Steve merely gave Tony a smile. “Whatever you say, Tony.” He turned to Bucky. “Here you go.”

Bucky nodded, taking the cup. “Thanks, Steve.” He smiled to let his friend know he meant it.

“Steve, the baby…?”

Steve turned around to face Natasha. “Oh, right. Had to give Bucky his coffee. Crabapples.”

Mayla laughed, a bite of pancakes on her fork. “Crabapples?”

Steve shrugged, sitting down in a chair at the table beside Ryo. “It’s just something I say on occasion.”

Bucky waved a hand in dismissal. “He’s old, forgive him.”

“You’re older than me.” Steve countered, feeding a bite of pancakes to Ryo, who sat in a highchair.

Bucky scoffed. “By a year!”

“Still makes you that much older. How old are you now, Buck? One thousand?”

“If I’m a thousand, that makes you nine-hundred-ninety-nine, so…you’re really old too.”

“Ryo seems happy this morning.” Thor mused, stepping into the room, his brother beside him.

Loki nodded. “He does. Ooh, pancakes!”

Thor’s eyes widened. “Oh, yes please!”

Clint raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms, leaning back against the kitchen counter. “Where were you two last night? Ryo was screaming and crying, and neither of you got up.”

Loki shrugged. “Didn’t hear him. I drank coffee before bed last night. It always knocks me out.”

Thor nodded. “And I listened to white noise…apparently it knocks me out. But I still do not understand why coffee puts my crazy brother to sleep.”

“Is it decaf?” Meela asked, finishing her breakfast, putting her plate in the sink, where Bruce was carefully loading the dishwasher.

“No, it has caffeine in it.” Loki replied, sitting down, as both he and Thor got things to eat.

Bucky rolled his eyes, taking a sip of coffee. “You’re a freak.”

“Hey, for once I agree with Bucky on something.” Tony mused, typing something out on his laptop.

“Now I wish I hadn’t said it.”

Tony looked up, giving Bucky a smirk. “Too late now, Metal Head.”

Bucky rolled his eyes.

Tony and his nicknames.

He walked past Tony to go sit beside Steve, but he held out one of his arms, barely making it sweep over Tony’s head.

Tony ducked. “Careful, Barnes, you might knock my head off if you’re careless.”

Bucky shook his head, letting out a low sigh. “Can’t, sadly. Your head is too big to knock off.”

Clint laughed, patting Tony on the shoulder. “Oh, Bucky’s got you pegged. He got you good.”

Tony shrugged. “Eh, who cares. Bucky’s just got one point.”

“And how many do you have, Tony? Negative ten?”

Tony turned to face Steve. “Alright, you’ll pay for that one, Capsicle.”

Steve laughed, feeding Ryo another bite. “Maybe. But it’s worth it.”

Tony turned back around. “We’ll see about that.”

Bucky sank into a chair beside Steve.

Ryo seemed pretty happy this morning…but he was getting pancakes. “He seems happy.”

“You seemed to cheer him up last night. Did you sleep well, Bucky?” Steve asked, feeding Ryo the final bite.

Bucky shrugged, taking a bit of food for himself. “Sure, yeah.”

“Bucky…don’t lie.”

“I’m not.”

“Yeah, you are.”

Bucky rolled his eyes.

What did Steve know?

Wanda picked Ryo up, carefully wiping off his face with a napkin. “I’m sure Ryo would like to play this morning, wouldn’t you?”

Ryo merely giggled, trying to grab the napkin.

Sam leaned back against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Fury’s coming in here.”

Tony closed his laptop. “Hmm. He normally doesn’t come in here. I think he tries to avoid us in the morning.”

Fury came into the kitchen through the doorway, arms behind his back, merely standing there as a powerful, stoic presence. “Ryo needs to go back wherever he came from. We’ll give him to the orphanage, they can find his parents.”

Alex shook her head fiercely. “No, we can’t give him to the orphanage! We can find his parents faster than they would!”

“Quiet. I don’t want you in the tower either, so quiet, or I’ll send you out of it.”

“Don’t you think it’s best that we wait for Ryo’s parents so-“

“That’s enough, Banner.” Fury replied coldly.

Bruce lapsed into silence.

Bucky glanced at Steve.

Fury wouldn’t just kick Ryo and Alex out…would he?

“I already risked The Avengers’ reputation by letting two criminals into the building, and you want me to allow some random kids to stay as well!?”

Steve stood. “Fury, sir-“

“No, I’ve heard enough about this out of you, Rogers. We’re a world-saving team, not a babysitting service.” Fury snarled in reply.

Thor motioned to Ryo. “He’s just a baby, can’t you let him stay?”

“No. I already ordered Rogers to take him back wherever he came from.”

“He’s so cute though…can’t we keep him?” Loki begged.

“He probably has parents that want him,” Tony replied with a roll of his eyes, “and besides, Fury said to take him back, so that’s what we’ll do.”

Natasha raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you start listening to authority?”

“Since today.” Tony replied.

Clint patted Tony’s shoulder. “You keep telling everyone that. I think you just want Ryo out of the tower.”

Tony lapsed into silence. He knew Clint was right about him.

“He hasn’t caused any trouble.” Vision reminded, fazing through one of the walls to enter the kitchen.

“Did you forget about him crying and waking everyone up last night?” Fury challenged, crossing his arms tighter and glaring harder.

“Obviously you didn’t hear him.” Natasha argued, rolling her eyes.

Fury let out a deep breath, his patience wearing thin. “I did hear him, but I ignored him. He’s not my problem.”

“Then why do you want him to leave?” Bucky retorted, thinking he had spoken too quiet to be heard.

Fury raised an eyebrow and his eyes narrowed even more. “Excuse me, Barnes? What did you just say?”

Bucky stared at Fury, his blue eyes filling with partially clouded memories.

A tingle ran up and down his fingers. A chill spread up his spine.

Memories floated before his eyes.

“Bucky…? Bucky. Buck!” He jolted out of the memory. He turned to face Steve, who was gripping his shoulders, unmasked worry in his blue eyes. “Bucky, what happened?”

“I-I’m okay Steve. Really.” Bucky turned to face Fury. “I-I need to go for a minute. May I…?”

Fury sighed and nodded, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine. Whatever, Barnes, go do whatever you need to do. I don’t care anymore.”

Bucky stood up on slightly wobbly legs. He stepped away from the table and took in a deep breath. He couldn’t let anybody notice. He couldn’t let anyone see.

“Bucky, are you sure you’re alright?” Loki asked, raising an eyebrow, not believing what Bucky had told Steve.

Bucky just nodded. “Y-yeah, I’m good. I’m just a little…warm, that’s all. I-I need to go cool off for a bit.”

“You could take your jacket and gloves off.” Mayla pointed out, a worried frown crossing her face.

Meela nodded in agreement with her sister. “Yeah, that’d probably help you cool off.”

And show them his metal arm? No way.

Not in a million years.

He just didn’t trust the twins enough for that yet.

If he had a choice, he wouldn’t have shown Alex either…but he hadn’t known she was there. She had just…been there in the closet.

“I gotta go.” Bucky replied stiffly, turning back around again to leave.

He quickly left the kitchen and headed off.

That had been too close.

 

C h a p t e r  11

Tony

Tony softly closed his laptop. He stretched his arms over his head and yawned.

That was enough work for the morning…for now.

He finished his mug of coffee, rinsed the cup out, and put it in the sink.

No one else was in the kitchen anymore. He was entirely alone. Which he didn’t mind at times.

Although he had no idea where everyone had disappeared to.

Tony stood, leaving his computer on the table for a bit.

The most problematic thing was knowing that he didn’t know where Ryo was. He hoped someone was keeping an eye on the baby.

Because Ryo seemed like he’d be a troublemaker. Tony could just feel it.

They were also going to start some of the more serious training with Meela and Mayla in a few days. Alex had powers too, but she seemed to be able to control them.

Ryo was just a regular baby though.

He heard a child-like, loud giggle. Undeniably Ryo.

Tony walked out of the kitchen and into the adjacent living room. He stopped right in his tracks. “What the-!? Wanda!?”

Nick Fury was floating through the air, surrounded by a glow, arms crossed as he floated in the air. “Stark, you better find a way to get me down.”

Wanda walked into the room and her eyes widened. “Fury? What…?”

Tony took a second look. Fury had a light blue glow around him…not the red of Wanda’s telekinesis.

Vision came in from behind Wanda, and the other Avengers were right behind him.

Clint smirked, leaning back against the doorframe. “Fury really looks like he’s having fun.”

“Not sarcasm right now, Clint,” Natasha elbowed her friend and teammate in the side, “Tony, what’s going on?”

“I-I don’t know…it’s not Wanda…”

Another giggle.

Tony turned to face Ryo. Ryo’s hair, usually black, was glowing light blue, and his eyes, usually dark brown, were glowing the same color.

He giggled and clapped his hands.

Mayla gasped. “Oh my goodness!!! He’s a super powered baby!”

“He has powers! That’s epic!” Meela cried, in agreement with her twin.

Alex smiled brightly. “Ahh! I can’t believe it! Ryo is super too!? That’s so cool! He’s also just so cute!”

Tony thought they were going to explode. He rolled his eyes. “We need to get Fury down.”

“Yes, you do.” Fury replied, unmasked anger and impatience in his tone.

“I’ll get him.” Steve offered, reaching to help Fury down.

Thor went over to Ryo, who looked over at him and smiled. “Ryo…I know you don’t like Fury-“

“Who would?” Bucky interrupted; arms crossed.

“Not helping, Barnes.” Tony retorted.

Bucky rolled his eyes.

“I know you don’t like Fury…but you have to let him down.”

“Yes, Thor is right Ryo. I know you are having fun, but you need to let Fury down.” Loki said with a smile, standing beside his brother.

Ryo tilted his head, confusion on his face, pursing his lips.

Fury kept floating, and Steve finally grabbed hold of his legs. “Got him.”

Ryo giggled.

Fury floated higher, picking Steve up off the floor.

“Ryo…you need to put them down.” Natasha said, eyes on Fury and Steve.

Clint raised an eyebrow, facing Ryo, who was giggling still. “Does he even know he’s doing it?”

“This is why I didn’t want this kid in the tower.” Fury muttered, arms still crossed, eyebrows furrowed together.

Maybe it would have been best to leave Ryo where he was left.

“I think he’s right.”

“Tony…” Steve sighed, still also floating through the air, still holding onto Fury.

Bucky walked over to Ryo, crouching down in front of him. “Hey Ryo. How are you doing kiddo?”

Ryo smiled and looked at Bucky, holding out his arms for Bucky to hold him. The glow in his eyes and his hair disappeared.

Steve and Fury fell and hit the floor with a thud, Fury landing on top of Steve.

Fury got to his feet as fast as he could. “This kid needs to go.”

“He has powers like us…powers evil people could use! You can’t throw him out into the-“

“I don’t want you in this tower either, Alexandria, so you better shut it.”

“But what if Ryo needs-“

Tony held up a hand, silencing Peter. “Stay out of this, kid. Fury’s right.”

Steve stood, brushing dust off his brown leather jacket. “Are you always going to take the easy way out, Tony?”

“Are you always going to fight every order you’re given? I thought you were a soldier.”

Steve stepped closer to Tony. “A good soldier knows what orders can’t be followed.”

“Ah, so you’re the perfect soldier…I see. Because you do everything right, don’t you, Steve? Captain America is the perfect little American hero that does everything right.”

“You know nothing about me Tony.”

Tony laughed and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t? I know more about you than you realize. I know that you’re Steve Rogers, I know you’re Captain America, I know you fought Red Skull, I know you fell into the ocean and was a Capsicle for seventy something years, I know Bucky is your best friend for reasons I will never understand. And do you know what I know most of all, Steve?” He stepped closer to Steve.

Their noses almost touched they were so close to each other.

Steve rolled his eyes. “No, I don’t. Do enlighten me, Tony.”

“I know that you’re nothing but a lab experiment, and that you’re trying to prove yourself by being a perfect little hero.”

“Hey!” Bucky cried, having set Ryo down on the couch, almost going forward, but Thor grabbed him and stopped him.

Steve glanced from Bucky and back to Tony. “You wanna prove yourself right now, Tony? Let’s see how well you can fight hand-to-hand.”

“I’m in the mood to fight you, Capsicle. Let’s do this.”

“I’ll get my uniform on, you put on your suit; let’s go a few rounds.”

Tony smirked. “Let’s do it.”

Ryo burst into tears, his loud cries carrying through the room. Loki scooped him up and bounced him in his arms. “Shh, Ryo…shh, don’t cry.” Loki soothed.

“You two are making the baby cry.” Clint noted, scolded, gently taking Ryo from Loki’s arms.

He quickly got Ryo to quiet down.

Steve faced Tony again. “I’ll go get my uniform on. Let’s just go a few rounds. Let’s see who wins.”

“I’m gonna beat you to a pulp, Steve. Prepare to lose.”

An alarm rang.

“Looks like we have a mission.” Sam noted. “Maybe we should hold off on this, Cap.”

Steve glanced over at Sam. He nodded. “Yeah. A mission is more important.”

Fury checked his phone. “It’s not a huge mission. We don’t need everyone. Rogers, you’re staying here.”

“Sir-!”

“No arguing. They’re just goons. The others can go. You’ll stay.”

“But sir-“

“No arguing, Rogers.” Fury snarled.

He turned to Tony and the others. “Head out. Do whatever needs to be done.”

Tony nodded. “Will do.”

 

C h a p t e r  12

Alex

They were taking longer than she had expected.

Fury had said it was just a few goons…had he been wrong?

Alex paced back and forth across the floor. Meela and Mayla were in the kitchen making themselves a snack, Ryo was napping, she didn’t know where Fury or Bucky were, and Steve had disappeared into the gym.

Long story short, the Avengers were taking forever, and Alex was basically alone in the tower.

She fluffed the pillows on the foyer couch, mind elsewhere.

She couldn’t let them send Ryo away. She knew what the orphanage was like. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, let the sweet, little, innocent baby boy go there.

Alex finished fluffing the pillows. She flopped onto the blue couch with a sigh.

A blue screen appeared in front of her.

Alex jumped. What had she clicked!?

“There is a visitor outside the tower.”

Ohhhh, it was F.R.I.D.A.Y, Tony’s AI tech that practically ran the tower. She remembered Tony explaining it…but he had lost her after a bit.

But she had heard and understood enough of it to sort of understand what F.R.I.D.A.Y was and did.

Alex studied the screen and the person standing at the door.

None of the Avengers. No one she knew.

A woman dressed in a business suit, with black hair…wearing heels…a purse at her side.

An agent, maybe? An agent that worked for Fury, perhaps?

She knew SHIELD had fell a couple years back, but even still…Fury had people that worked for him.

Alex sat up. She stood, getting off of the couch.

She heard footsteps beside her; she turned around.

“What’s going on…who’s that, what did you do?”

Alex faced the screen again, studying it once more. “I-I don’t know, Fury. Someone’s here…don’t they work for you?”

“I don’t recognize that woman at all.” Fury replied, already heading for the front door.

Alex followed behind him, curious to see who it was.

Fury told F.R.I.D.A.Y to open the door, and the sliding doors of the tower opened.

The woman standing at the doorway smiled, her ruby red lips contrasting with her fair skin. “Director Fury? It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.” The woman spoke with a German accented voice.

Fury crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Who are you; what are you doing here?”

“I am Viola Juliana Kurt…and I’m here because I have heard that you have my child…”

“Excuse me?”

The woman, Viola, smiled sadly, her blue eyes brimmed with tears. “…I lost my son a few months ago…he disappeared while a babysitter was watching him…and I haven’t seen him since. My husband died a year ago, you see, and I’ve been looking so hard to find my son. His name is Ryo…and I’ve heard that The Avengers found him…is my son here?”

Fury slowly uncrossed his arms. “There is a baby here. How old is your son?”

“A little bit older than a year old…a year and a few months. I have his birth certificate if you need to see.”

Fury just nodded. “Alex, go get Ryo.”

This just seemed so…odd.

There was something weird about this woman.

“But Fury-“

“You heard the order.” Fury snarled in reply.

Footsteps sounded and Bucky came around the corner; Ryo, who must have woken from the nap, in his arms.

Viola rushed to Bucky. “Oh, Ryo, darling! Oh, my son, my baby boy!” She took Ryo into her arms.

Ryo just rubbed his eyes, as if he didn’t even know she was there.

Viola faced Fury again. “Thank you so, so much for finding my son…I was worried the worst may have happened to him.”

Fury nodded. “They found him in a box in the street that had his name on it.”

The woman gasped. “I…I….I can’t believe someone would do that to my baby. Oh, my darling, what have you been through? I’m so sorry for losing you, baby!”

No…this seemed too much like an act.

“The Avengers should be back before long. Would you enjoy staying for a bit longer so you can possibly thank them yourself, if you want to?” Fury offered, likely just to impress the woman so she would take Ryo faster.

Alex knew how much Fury couldn’t stand Ryo.

Viola smiled, still holding Ryo close. Her gaze strayed and landed on Bucky. “I’d love nothing more.”

 

C h a p t e r  13

Steve

He readjusted the strap on his helmet; he ran as fast as he could.

They had been gone for too long, and judging by the news, something bad was going on.

Not that he fully trusted the news anymore…he’d seen, heard, and done too much to do so.

Steve kept running.

Fury had banned him from going on this mission, but everyone else needed his help, and he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

From what he’d heard and seen, the others were up against a super-powered man…one who wasn’t giving up easily.

Steve pushed. He pumped.

He ran as fast as he possibly could.

He could hear…smell…see the destruction.

He knew exactly where he needed to go.

Steve narrowly missed colliding into someone on the sidewalk. “Sorry!” he called, running faster again. He had to reach his team before it was too late.

He couldn’t fail them.

He’d already failed at enough things.

He couldn’t fail his team too.

He clicked on his earpiece, connecting him to the others. “Hold on, guys. I’m on my way.”

“Didn’t Fury,” a blast sounded, “tell you to stay at the tower?”

“Shut up, Tony. Steve, we’d appreciate your help.” Natasha said through the communicators, her words followed by a painful groan.

“Nat! You good?” Clint asked.

She didn’t reply.

“Natasha? Natasha! Steve-“

“I’ll get her, Wanda. Where is she?” Steve asked, finally reaching the site of the battle.

A tall skyscraper surrounded by smaller buildings.

“Guys-“

“We already got everyone out Cap,” Sam grunted, “and you need to get to Natasha. She’s on the left side.”

“Got it. On my way now.” Steve replied, already rushing forward, heading for the left side of the skyscraper, heading for Natasha.

He grabbed the shield off of his back, tossing aside Hydra agents. Looked like it was more than just a few goons, and Hydra goons at that.

But where was the super-powered man that had been spoken of…? Something hard slammed into Steve, and he hit the wall with a thud.

He groaned.

A man stood in front of him, smirking, wearing a super-suit that even covered most of his face, and goggles on his eyes that hid his eyes. “Hello, Captain America…we finally meet. What an honor.” Sarcasm tinged the man’s words.

He obviously didn’t want anyone to know who he was, judging by the fact that his suit covered almost every inch of his body.

Steve grabbed his shield and ran forward, slamming into the man, making him stumble and roll, but he got back to his feet just as fast as he had fallen. “Nice try, but I know you can do better than that, Captain. I’ll take you down…you’re all alone.”

“Except he’s not alone,” Tony landed beside Steve, “oh, hey Cap.”

“Hey Tony. You’re my backup?”

“As am I.” Thor said, landing on the ground on Steve’s other side.

The man’s hands erupted into flames. “Let’s see how fast I can take all three of you down.”

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