Chapter 1: "We are all pawns in somebody's game"

She woke up in a bed. Opening her eyes slowly she realized that she was no longer in the force field cage. The girl jumped out of the bed and looked around. She was in the small, white room with no windows. Only a big glass. She couldn't see what's on the other side, it was more like a mirror, but she was smart enough to know that she is being watched. And than she realized how dreadful she looked. The girl kept staring in her grey eyes, bereft of any gleam.
They really made me a monster.
She couldn't bare the sight of her face anymore and when she finally turned, she saw that there were also two chairs and a table with a bottle of water. Jumping to it, she drank it with almost one sip.

-You're thirsty? I can get you more - she heard a voice from behind and almost choked to death. She turned as fast as she cloud, wanting to attack but somehow, she couldn't. Her powers was still stifled by the Witch.

There stood a bold, dark skinned man dressed in black leather, with an eye patch and some scars on his face. He walked slowly towards her.

-Hello, 'Raven', can I call you that? I'll call you that - he didn't even wait for the answer - I'm Nicholas Fury, the main director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Do you know what is that?

Silence.

-Ok. Let's do it other way. You ask me one question, I answer and ask you me one, agreed? - Fury sit down on the chair, with a hand ordering her to sit down as well.

She didn't.

-I am not your enemy. You don't trust me and that's good. It means you're not an idiot. But with you standing there and staring at me, we won't get far. I don't trust you too and that's why I want to talk to you.

-You want talk to know whether to kill me or not - the girl finally spoke. Her voice made Fury shiver. He didn't doubt that once she had a really beautiful, melodious voice with this impressive British accent. But now? Now it was rough, cold and stripped of all emotions.

-I'm not going to kill you. This would make no point. Why do you think I would like you dead? You are one of Strucker's mutant, and a very powerful one, as I heard. You were kept in one of their most secret bases. Even the Twins didn't know about your existence. You are very important to HYDRA and I would like to know what is so special about you.

-So I'm just a pawn, right? If I turn out useful, you will try to get me on your side and fight for what you think is right and if not you will get rid of me. How nice of you - she was far too ironical for a really sweet being she seemed to might have been one days.

-We are all pawns in somebody's game. Your only task is to decide on which side you want to fight.

-What makes you think I want to fight at all?

-Because you are too valuable to stay away, too... talented. HYDRA dragged you into this war and gave you a very special gift. As far as I am concerned there is no way to get it out of you so you can either choose an allay and fight or be forced to fight by people you despise. Or put a bullet in your head - he saw her expression and knew that finally she started to understand how valuable she is - So, let's start again, shall we? What's your name, 'Raven'?

-I don't know - she sighted with resignation. There was no point in playing resentful teenager. In fact, she was quite curious what this man has more to say.

-What?

-I don't know my name. Everybody called me Raven. I don't know why, I don't know who I am or what's so special about me. I don't remember my home, family... They deleted all of my past from my head, like I was some kind of a robot. I don't know if there's any way of getting them back. All I know is that they gave me this power and forced me to do horrible things with it.

-What power did they give you?

-I can control the sound, even materialize it. Also, few times I managed to change reality. I mean, influence things with music to change their form, color, even become something completely different. But doing this is very difficult and exhausting.

-This is amazing. But can you explain me how can you materialize sound?

-It's difficult to describe. I would show you, but that girl, Wanda... Who is she actually?

-She's like you. I mean, she is also a mutant with super powers.

-I would be grateful, if you would stop calling me 'mutant'. I prefer 'gifted'.

-Oh, right, sorry. My bad - Fury smiled - And and about your powers...

-I can kill with it, if that's what you want to know - Raven forced herself to give Fury the most dangerous look she could afforded. It didn't really worked, she was a terrible actress. At least it was worth giving a shot.

-That can be quite useful, actually. Listen, you know that we can't keep you here forever, right?

-That's obvious. What do you suggest me to do?

-Join us.

-Join? - Raven was really amused. That man really had no sense. -You freed me from HYDRA and killed these sons of bitches and I'm very grateful for that. But no, I won't join you. I won't play any stupid games. If you give ma a choice, I'll have a bullet, please. I'm tired of all this.

-I'll give you time to think on this because it's really worth concentrating. If you'll need anything, push this - he pointed on the red button on the wall, near the door. Nick stood up and left.

The girl had no idea what to do. She really wanted to believe him. But she had no proof that what he was saying was true. She needed time.

When Fury left the room she was alone once again. She wanted to rethink it all over again. So: a man, who claims to be a director of S.H.I.E.L.D. offers her to join his Avengers and take part in his war. Raven didn't trust them. Not yet. Life has taught her not to trust this kind of people. She did once and she ended up here with some shit floating through her veins without memories, without past, being nobody. Not this time.

The next few hours she spent lying on the bed and thinking.

Maybe Fury was right and I have no other way? I can't run all my life.

She heard a silent knocking and the door opened. It was Wanda. She entered the room very slowly, closed the door and came towards her.

-Hi. I' m Wanda...

-I know - Raven answered turning her head towards the wall

-I see you are much better, aren't you?

-Been worse - Raven didn't want to talk to her. She didn't want to talk to anybody at all, this was really not a good moment.

-I believe you.

-Sure you do.

-Look, I know how you feel. Let me help you. We both know that you need it.

-Yes, I need help. But what makes you think I need this help from you?

Wanda sighted and came closer.

-No matter how much you hate that idea, you are just like us. You're special. It doesn't matter how did you get this power. You have it now.

-I just want my life back - Raven's big, grey eyes filled with tears. Wanda sat beside her on the bed.

-Hey, it's ok. What's gone is not coming back. But you can have a new life, maybe not better, but good enough.

-Can you bring my memories back? - Raven suddenly turned her face to Wanda, who could see sheer pain in her eyes.

-I tried. But they are blocked. Unlocking them could kill you. It's too dangerous.

-So it's possible? - Raven turned deadly serious. For the first time she had hope. It felt... odd.

-As I said, it's too dangerous.

Raven turned away from Wanda and hid her face in her hands.

-What can I make for you to trust me? - Wanda seemed really concerned.

-I really would like to know.

-Just think it over, ok? When you'll want, just ask for me.

She stood up and left the room. Raven burst out with tears. She know there were cameras and that they were watching her through the glass but she didn't care. She just laid on the bed and cried wanting to leave this damn room. Raven didn't even know how long did they keep her in here. Now, when thinking about, it felt like if she won't go out she will go crazy. She felt like the room is getting smaller and smaller. She needed air, the urge to escape was greater than ever. Her confidence was replaced by fear, her body begun to tremble. Raven hid her face in the pillow and tried to stop thinking about this. She was exhausted.

Just fall asleep and stop thinking. There's nothing better you can do.

Misery and fear. That's all she could feel.

-Why haven't they told us about her? - Pietro asked. They were in the room just next to Raven's with two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents armed with guns "just in case". The Twins followed her ever since Steve got her out of HYDRA's base.

-Maybe they didn't trust us that much. She was 'top secret', remember? I can't image what they were going to do with her.

-They must have done something terrible to her, only what was that?

-I'm afraid that we'll never find out.

Pietro kept looking at Raven.

She could be relay pretty - a single through passed his mind.

-I through you prefer blondes - Wanda smiled at her brother, reading his mind.

-Could you please stop doing that? I told you this so many times: stay away from my thoughts! And anyways, the fact that she's pretty dosn't mean anything. It's just a fact! - Pietro shouted at his sister with frustration.

-Oh, come on. And how many timed did I ask you not to run into my room and scaring the hell out of me? Don't pretend to be a saint.

-Scaring you and digging in my private thoughts are two different things. It's like reading someone's diary. Do I read your diary?

-No, because I don't have one.

-Whoa, guys. Calm down and stop shouting. I feel like a damn babysitter - the older agent looked at them, really pissed.

-Sorry, Frank - Wanda apologized and punched her brother in the stomach.

-You're sure that there's nothing interesting out there? I mean more interesting than... this? - Frank wasn't fond of the Maximoff twins. Actually, he wasn't fond of anyone.

-Don't you want to make me some sandwiches? - Wanda asked, looking at her brother with puppy eyes and cute smile.

-I could have had a dog instead of this... - Pietro smirked at his twin sister a second before he disapered from the room.

Hope you like it so far ;) Please review, I would like to know what you think!