Author's Notes

This is based on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the general Marvel Universe, specifically Avengers. Marvel retains all rights to their characters. Carly Richards is my own creation, not based on any character I'm aware of. I hope you like her! Reviews are extremely welcome and encouraged, even correction to the canon.

Language: PG

Triggers: Mild comic-book violence, mother/daughter conflict, some captivity, sexual innuendo (teen stuff), guns

Chapter One

Carly Richards was no ordinary sixteen-year-old. "Special" was what they called people like her. In fact, her whole family was "special." Not in that ordinary sense of "special," but in that "special" sense of "special." You know. Super.

You see, her family—what was left of it—was part of a secret society bent on world domination (you know the one), and Carly has just received her first assignment. She stared at the crisp white paper with its embossing of a skull surrounded by tentacles. Whenever you received a missive from High Command, you obeyed.

Or you died.

Now, kids nowadays are taught to choose good over evil, to do the right thing, to be kind and generous. Carly had been instructed in these things as well, but only as a cover. Always smile. Always be kind. And when no one's looking, steal. Cheat. Scheme. She looked around the study of her lavish house outside of Richmond, VA, not a single item not ill-gotten.

Outwardly, Carly looked the all-American kid, blonde hair, pretty face, decent figure. She did the sports, the sweet-16 parties, the gossip, the selfies. But at home, she didn't Facebook or Tumblr much. She hacked. She spammed. She learned to use illegal weapons. She created catalogs of false personas, created outfits and looks for herself. She even created a costume, a red-and-blue vision with a mask. Wild Bird she called it, a small beak on her mask. Never had worn it.

The ensemble would work a whole lot better if she could fly. Flight seemed like the best super-power. Too bad all she had was stupid super-strength. Everyone had super-strength nowadays. Supposedly her "true" powers would manifest someday, and she'd find out what that serum she'd gotten as a baby was for. As long as it didn't give her a giant head or tentacles or lobster claws. A bigger bust might be nice. Super skin. Wings.

But alas, no other talents had presented themselves yet, so Carly resigned herself to just being a somewhat strong girl in an pretty evil organization.

Carly scanned the paper again, fingers tracing the lines. It wasn't like she hadn't hoped and prayed for a chance to prove herself, show her loyalty, do some bad things for the Cause. After all, she'd just gotten her driver's license, without taking the test. Actually, she'd gotten a bunch of licenses, different names, different states, same picture. Passports too. She lifted the mission outline and looked at the tickets underneath. The Governor's Youth Ball. Swankiest party in all Virginia, all her primping and preening about to be put to the test.

Except—what the paper suggested she do—

Carly had pledged her life to the Cause, to the glorious future where the right kind of people ruled the planet. Gone would be the government and democracy, replaced by the fist and raw power. Woe to any who resisted.

Why must her body went along with that? Seduction? Her? But sacrifices were to be made, and she had made the blood oath. No going back now. Curses. She was evil, better get used to it.

She eyed the box on the floor. A dress. Weapons to hide in her sleeves and stockings. Stuff for…later. Interrogation equipment. False evidence. Hidden cameras. Truth serum. Poison.

A hand landed on her shoulder and Carly reflexively snatched it and almost hacked her mom in the throat with her other hand.

"Carly!"

Carly relaxed, blood pumping in her ears. "Sorry, Mom. Don't sneak up on me, okay?"

Mom nodded. Mom still had her looks, something Carly admired. Mom had her own missions, leaving Carly hiding under her sheets, wondering if she'd ever see Mom again. Like how she never saw Dad again. But Mom always returned.

"You ready for this?" she asked.

Carly sighed. "I guess."

Mom slapped Carly's face. "You don't guess. You know. This is your first assignment and you won't mess it up."

Carly touched her face. It stung. One move and Mom would be on the floor, writhing. She had no idea how far Carly's super-strength had developed, but Carly saw the look in Mom's eyes. It wasn't anger. It was fear. "I'm sorry, Momma, I'll do good, I promise. I'll make you proud."

Mom relaxed a trifle. Carly hated this feeling, had all her life, of letting Mom down, a curling fear that gripped her guts.

"No, I'm sorry." Mom took Carly's head and kissed her cheek. "I…I just don't want to lose you."

Carly had no choice. She slapped her own mother. Hard. Not super-hard, but enough. "You listen to me. You will stop your blubbering. I have an assignment. We've pledged our lives to the Cause, and you will not fall apart on me."

Carly hated this more than anything, to see Mom weak, uncertain. Mom hadn't be strong with Father, only to have him disappear. Carly didn't know what really happened, but sometimes she wondered what hand Mom had in Dad's disappearance. Hopefully, he had given his life in service of the Cause, but sometimes she wondered if he had just left them. Because of Mom. Or worse.

Because of Carly. Of what he had done to her.

The thought gave her a taste of raw aspirin in her mouth. She walked over and hugged her mother. They embraced, the unsaid parts of their lives hanging over them like a bitter cloud.

"Yes. Okay, let's get you dressed. We don't have much time."