Chapter 9

I fumbled at the collar of my suit, feeling the material stretch against my skin.

It was an all-black halter one suit with bare arms that allowed more movement in the material.

An inbuilt hoodie and mask were also situated behind my back with numerous holsters lined along my waist.

My black military boots had hidden daggers and compartments just in case. The lines of the outfit still colour changed to numerous shades of blue and green.

What's new was the X swirl shape across my chest.

It also colour-changed to numerous shades of blue and green, illuminating who I was as the Dark Witch.

Signature style of my abilities.

As the Quinjet moved steadily along the coast of Africa the team began to get ready. We had been cooped up for several hours in here, it's no surprise how uncomfortable some of us may feel.

Especially with the growing tension.

Tension, most of us choose to ignore.

We were nearing our destination at this point, and the time to dish out a plan was now. Hopefully, it would end quickly.

"The twins are going to be there when we arrive," I began, watching as the team look at me for information.

"Snow White's fast so don't let him knock you off your feet. Scarlet's a little tricky. She's no good in physical combat but her powers are similar to mine."

They all nodded solemnly, accepting the new Intel.

Most of the team are spread across the hangar. Natasha and Clint are reloading their weapons, Banner and Thor had their arms crossed on the opposite wall.

"Do not engage them unless absolutely necessary. They're victim's in this," Steve voiced out, hoping the rest of them understood.

Clint let out a disgruntled snort which was quickly silenced when Natasha slapped his thigh.

I can't help but sigh.

Sure they were innocent--it's not like they chose to team up with a murderous organization and when that didn't work out, they went with the big metal guy instead.

You know, the one that threatened to cause the Avengers extinction?

"We got it, Cap, we know they're just kids," Natasha added, giving Steve a nod.

"Ultron on the other hand?" I hummed out loud, raising both hands. "I get first dibs in punching his metal face,"

Steve gives me a disapproving look to which I happily ignore.

"Tony, once we're in, I need you to-"

"How long has this been going on?" My brother abruptly cuts Steve off, having been quiet this entire time. He's sitting at the very end of the hangar, right by the cockpit.

I rolled my eyes at his obliviousness.

"Tony, is now really the time?" Came my annoyed huff.

Tony glares vehemently at me with a raised finger. "Did you all know?" He gestures to the team.

The team shrugs in reply, all of them exchanging glances, but it was Clint who said it first. "For a smartass, you sure are oblivious to what's in front of you,"

Natasha nods, agreeing with Clint.

"Thor?" Tony raised an eyebrow.

"I'm afraid I've known since I returned to Midgard." His deep voice resounded back, sounding slightly sheepish.

Tony scoffed and stood up, with his hand clawing at the back of his hair in frustration. He walks down to the ramp, practically stomping.

"My sister is dating a 97-year-old man." He mumbles angrily, making me glare.

"Cool it, Tony, now is not the time for your over-protectiveness." I hissed at him. He needed to focus on the mission. My love life had nothing to do with him.

Hell, we weren't hurting anyone.

"When were you going to tell me?" He demanded, brown orbs shining with betrayal almost.

Jesus Christ, couldn't he understand that I was a grown woman? I get to choose my own decisions!

"Tony now is really not the time." Bruce sighed, stepping up to his science buddy and trying to calm him down.

"Now is the perfect time!" He shouted, his voice echoing around the Quinjet.

Where was all this anger coming from?

It was spilling out of him, mixing in waves with the rest of the team.

Within minutes Tony's crossed the jet and was now face to face with the standing Steve.

"Did you take advantage of her?" He demanded, jabbing a finger into Steve's chest. "Are you using her? My sister is already unstable as she is, she doesn't make right choices."

I could only gape in pure horror and astonishment.

What...?

"You think you know her, but you don't. You don't even know that the more she uses her powers, the more she loses it--"

"Stop it." My voice shook.

Tony was still going at it. He was practically yelling at this point. "Do you even know she has nightmares that keep her up at night?!"

"Tony!" Rushing forward, I push him aside, quickly getting in between them, feeling my emotions clatter all at once.

How dare he!

The silence between all of us was uncomfortable. Clint, Natasha, Bruce and Thor looked like they wanted to get out but had nowhere else to go.

Tony was glaring angrily at Steve who's face had this shocked look on it at what my brother said.

"Yeah, thought so," Tony spat bitterly.

"You don't deserve to do that!" I jabbed at Tony, backing him away from Steve.

He practically shouted at everyone that I was unable to sleep because of my nightmares. And that I was unstable.

Is that how he always looked at me?

A person that could just blow at any given moment?

I thought he trusted me.

Something about that thought cracks my facade. It makes my heart bleed.

Tony's brown orbs narrowed. "Blues--"

"NO!" Lights zapped around us and the Quinjet shook madly.

Thor, Clint, Natasha and Bruce immediately grabbed hold of the railings, their faces telling me they were uneasy with how things were looking.

My anger has reached an all-time high.

"Stay out of this Tony. You stay the fuck, out of it do you hear me!?"

The force of my voice and my resounding powers sends Tony flying back to the bench.

He hits it with a thud and his expression falters, showing just how shocked he was over the fact that I intentionally used my powers so threateningly against him.

My breathing comes out uncontrollably and lights spark across my fingers.

We stare at each other, brown to brown, youngest to oldest.

"Riles," Natasha says carefully. "Let it go."

I didn't want to.

I wanted to strangle my brother, I wanted to make him understand just how betrayed I felt.

He had no right telling people what I was going through.

Absolutely no right.

"Guys, we're coming up the drop zone." Clint interrupts, with a careful eye at both Tony and me, who refuses to look away.

Right... the mission.

That was more important. Not my messy relationship with my brother, not my growing dislike for things I could not control.

Taking a step closer, I raise a finger in his direction "Focus on the mission, Tony. We're here to take down a bot you created."

The intonation was obvious.

Stop getting involved in things that don't concern you.

I stomped away, not wanting to be in the same area as he was so instead I headed to the cockpit.

"Get ready," I barked to my team, switching off autopilot and choosing an area nearby the shipyards.

There was no reply but I could feel them moving around and gearing up for what's to come.

I chose a spot hidden by the trees and gently set us down, the jet powering down ever so slowly. When we touch down, I immediately put up the cloaker and disengaged the engines.

Focus.

Every movement seemed to irritate me, every sound had me clenching my fingers.

Getting up, I practically shot off from my seat and slammed the red button, opening the ramp all at once.

My anger was palpable and I needed to let it out.

All my life people have tried to control me.

And this one thing. This one, thing, I choose on my own was being judged and picked apart.

"Stick to the plan," Steve commented to us all, through the ear comm as I put it on.

"Bruce do not engage until we give you the code green alright?" I schooled my features carefully towards Banner, keeping my expression blank.

He nodded timidly and hung back, his hands clenched the side of his jeans in apparent nervousness.

"Let's go," My voice was void of emotions and had no room left to argue.

This was the soldier Fury trained me to be.

This was the Assassin under SHIELD.

This was the Dark Witch under HYDRA.

Steve flank beside me and Tony flew overhead. Thor opted to linger behind at the tail end of the group and the two spies jump into action, climbing aboard the ship from above.

We split up from here, understanding that the man we were looking for was somewhere within the ship.

If it wasn't for the loud sounds of construction that gave it away it was the billowing smoke coming out from the incinerator above.

I whip out an energy blade and tore apart a hole through the hull of the ship, not caring if I alerted anyone.

I would've felt anyone through the other side so it didn't matter.

"Thor, Steve, up." Gesturing upwards where rusty pipes and metal have made themselves home, I feel three energy waves retract back at me.

The twins and Ultron.

Although Ultron was metal and not organic, there was still a small hue, that alerted me he was here.

Thor moved first, using the wind to his advantage. He flew upwards, hammer out. Steve quickly followed but I stopped him. Needing some sort of reassurance... or anything.

"Steve--" I dropped my hand, suddenly feeling tired. So tired...

He looks at my fallen hand but doesn't move to raise his eyes.

"Were you going to tell me?" He says quietly.

I blink. Unsure what he meant. "What-"

"The nightmares. Were you going to tell me?"

My heart falls and I shook my head, feeling ashamed. "I'm okay Steve, I swear-"

"That's not the problem Lorelie," He sighed, switching the shield to his other hand.

My mouth falls open. He's never used my full name before. No, more than that, his feelings are bubbling, practically breaking the surface.

Swallowing hard, I reeled back my emotions. "Look, if it's about Tony--"

"You didn't trust me enough to tell me." He harshly points out and I immediately step back, feeling the waft of his anger, hit me like a ton of bricks.

That's not it.

I never meant to hide this from him.

I opened my mouth to say something. Anything.

But Steve has spoken his truth. He climbed up the ladders and disappear down the complicated hallways before I could say anything else.

I looked at where he once was. My gaze burned with frustration and anger.

Where was your confidence Lorelie? Where were your witty comments? You were always a crucial member of your team but don't you see? You're becoming useless. You don't even know what's happening to you.

Painful searing pain ceased my wrists and I cried out, swiping my sleeves up to see the blue burnt veins had grown up to my forearms.

I held back a muffled cry and clasp the mask on my mouth, hoping it shield back everything I was feeling.

Not now.

I can't afford to lose it here. They still need me.

Mission.

You have a mission.

Obey your mission.

~~@ @ @~~

A/N

Its starting...

The end of it all...

:(