Hi, welcome to my first fanfic. I hope you like!
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel (or Google). If I did, Coulson would be alive.
Oh yeah, about that… Let's pretend Coulson is alive. He was… saved in time by the medics. 'Kay? Good.
They have many names for me. Friends call me J, though my real name is Jezibelle Law. I prefer J, personally. But others call me 'Aether' (which is quite nice I guess), some even call me 'Oxygena, The Air Queen', which is stupid, because one, Oxygena isn't my name (not even close), and two, I am most definitely not an 'Air Queen'. More like air's worst enemy. Besides, I like to call myself 'Aether, Air Enchantress', but only when referring to myself as the super-heroine people claimed I was.
Anyway, my story begins from when I was contacted by a mysterious American organisation called SHEILD. What they shielded, I'll never know. One day, I was busy at the hospital, providing endless amounts of air for oxygen-starved patients, when my phone rang. For me, it's a rare occurrence. You wouldn't think so if you knew how many people I helped everyday, but I only give my personal phone number to very few people. The caller-id was unknown; I wondered who'd given them my contact details. Nevertheless, I answered.
"Hello, J speaking."
"Good morning Jezibelle, this is Agent Phil Coulson of SHIELD. We would like to invite you here for a meeting."
"Right, firstly, call me J, not that hideous name, second, its afternoon here in England. And third, sure, I'll meet with you, Phil Coulson of SHIELD. Got a time in mind?"
"How does 3pm sound?"
I glance at the clock on the wall, telling the time is 4pm.
"And I'm guessing that's 3pm American time? 'Coz if not, you're an hour late."
"Indeed, Miss J. It's at Stark Tower, Manhattan. Could you find your way?"
"I'm sure Google knows where that is. See you then, Mr Coulson." I hung up, a little startled, but ready for the journey.
Excusing myself from the hospital work, I exit the building, and like I know how, fly home. It's a matter of concentrating the air beneath you and pushing it out to accelerate. Simple, really.
Once home, I grab my tablet PC and flick to the internet, searching Stark Tower. My home isn't very home-like, just apartment 232b, Block 5. On the device in my hand, the results surprise me. Somewhere, somehow, I've heard of Stark, and its association with SHIELD rings a bell too… Whilst thinking, I pull on my jacket and am out the door before you can say the alphabet.
For this journey, I have to fly high. America has only had the pleasure of hosting me a few times, but I know the route by now, especially after the accident. An hour passes, and I'm finally over the Atlantic, with all of North America laid out underneath me. If memory serves correctly, Manhattan is in New York, which is on the east coast. Descending helps me focus in on the location, so I freefall for a couple minutes, and stop when I'm over the general area of New York.
I have to steady myself a little though, because for a second, I though I saw another flier. With Manhattan in sight, I swoop down, ready to land. But the same thing as before catches my eye: someone else is flying. It's annoying me now, so I stop briefly and spin around. There it is, hovering in the air, around a big skyscraper. Locking in on the airborne figure, I soar over to it. As I come closer, I see it is a red robot man. How strange. Nothing unusual though, I'm sure, for New York. It now seems to have spotted me, so I shoot over quickly now.
"So, you come here often?" I ask it, confusion riddled in my tone.
"You're not the only one who can fly y'know. Jezibelle?" It replied. A male voice, but muffled by the mask.
"How do you know my name? And don't call me it, either, I hate that."
"Oh, I know. I'm Stark, Tony Stark. Otherwise known as Iron Man."
"Tony Stark, as in the Tower? An Agent Phil Coulson of SHIELD asked me to a meeting there."
"In that case, you're early. It's only 1pm. Follow me." The red metal man flies off toward the skyscraper. Well, okay then, seeing as I have nothing better to do. He lands on a special platform, and as he walks down it, the metal suit is taken apart by some robotic arms, revealing a short but stocky man with messy black hair. My landing isn't nearly as stylish, as my heels aren't the best thing to have worn here.
I stumble into the room after him, and find a couple more people in the room. One man is in a suit, nervously clutching his drink and talking to the other man, who is wearing a black trench-coat and an eye-patch. Okay then.
"Sorry I'm early, but hey, I'm here. Which one of you is Phil Coulson?" I announce, making the two men turn their heads to me.
"Ah, J, it's good to meet you. I'm Phil, agent of SHIELD. This is Nick Fury, director." He says, standing and coming over to me, shaking my hand. I notice how he is taken aback a little when he sees that I stand at least four inches taller than him. Six feet two, what can I say? The other man stands up, so I go over to say hi.
"Hello, Nick Fury, director." I say cheerfully. "Who's this guy, by the way?" I ask, gesturing to the man who was previously a robot.
"This is Tony Stark, owner of Stark Tower. He has allowed us to use his place for the meeting, as well as being a part of it," says Nick Fury, returning to his seat.
"But I already told you that, didn't I, J?" Robot-guy makes himself a drink, obviously directing the statement to the others. Tony was about his wits, I could tell. But I am a force to be reckoned with. Though I find it quite funny when he briefly tip-toes, lifting his head before frowning to himself. Someone doesn't want to be the shortest here.
"Well, Mr Stark, it's hard to take you seriously when you're in a red robot suit." I counter, taking a seat next to Phil. "So, who else are we expecting?"
"A few more, actually, five more will be here soon. Natasha and Clint, we're expecting early, and the others are more… unpredictable. There's Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, and Thor." Coulson explains.
Finding it hard to suppress a giggle, I have to ask: "Who names their kid Thor?"
"Apparently, Odin, King of Gods."
"Oh. So, this is Thor, as in, Norse god of thunder?"
"Yes."
"Would you like a drink?" Tony calls over.
"Please." I call back. He brings over a drink for me and him, mumbling something about the British being so polite. "Thank you," I say sweetly when he hands it to me and sits down. He just beams at the SHIELD guys, and then at me.
"So, J, how do you fly?"
"I believe they call me an 'Air Enchantress'."
"What does one of those do?" Tony asks me enthusiastically. For a moment I'm convinced he's mocking me.
"It can control the air. Change it and stuff, and to extreme levels. It's rather a bit of fun." I smile. "But it is rather dangerous too. I accidently killed a pigeon once."
"Well I'd better not get on your bad side, eh?" Tony laughs sarcastically, slowly putting his drink down.
"Oh, I'd never use my power to kill a person."
"Right, well… good. So you have powerful strengths. What about weaknesses?" Fury asks. Strange thing to ask, but he seems serious, so I tell him.
"Two or three things mainly. My power depends a lot on the laws of physics, so anything like magic can seriously corrupt me. Believe me, I've been there. And my vision is rubbish because I can kind of 'see' air. Oh, and because I'm no physical wonder, I rely on sharp reflexes, which I am currently working on at the moment."
"Okay, that's good, we can work with that. We'll need someone to cover you in case of an unexpected attack. We can pair you up or something. That should work." Fury says matter-of-factly. Now I'm completely confused.
"Wait, what? No-one's here to attack me, right? I help people; I'm a healer, not a fighter."
Tony and Nick both look at Coulson with dagger eyes. "You didn't tell her, did you?" Fury asks through his teeth.
"Well, it wasn't in the notes to say so!" He says defensively. Fury face-palms and takes a sip of his drink in exasperation. Tony runs a hand though his hair. I am also getting a little irritated.
"Is there something I should know?"
"Its fine, J, it's just that Phil here forgot to tell you why he invited you." Tony sighs, rolling his eyes at the SHIELD agent.
"Well why?" I demand. Maybe it was partly my fault, he probably wasn't sure if I'd accept his invitation for a meeting with a mysterious spy organization in a foreign country without hesitation. Hmm, maybe I should get out while I still can. Despite my instant enthusiasm (and stupidity) on the phone, I didn't sign up for a battle, or any kind of violence. I'd automatically assumed a healing mission, or something involving flight, like always. I'm a lover, not a fighter. Or something, I never really understood that expression.
"Miss J, would you like to become a member of the Avengers Initiative?" Fury says. He was a very to-the-point man, no small talk or random comments.
Whereas all I can think to say is, "Who what now?"
"We're a group of 'special' people who fight 'special' bad guys." Tony explains, finishing his drink.
As I take it in, the three wait intently for my reaction. "So... beat up evil guys, help good people. And, I've been chosen because I'm known for my ability, not for my nonexistent fighting skills."
The two guys from SHIELD look at each other, whilst Tony just stares into his empty glass. A moment passes before Fury turns to look at me.
"Have you ever tried, J?"
Tadaa! Well, here's my first fic. Love it? Hate it? Feeling random? Well in that case, review! Please?
ThatsSmashing
"Initiative is doing the right thing without being told."