The elevator's doors opened up and they all stopped on their track. In front of them were Steve Rogers, Peter Parker, Loki, Pietro Maximoff, and Director Carter.
"Ah children, welcome to the Academy HQ."
Usually, they would have protested being called children. But, in this condition, the fact that the one who called them was the most important person in S.H.I.E.L.D definitely gave an exception. The four of them stood in front of the now closed elevators. Even the constant jokes and remarks from William were not slipping out of his mouth. He, specifically, looked rather surprised with the sight of his Great-Grand Father, Pietro Maximoff.
Sure, he visited him occasionally, but never have Pietro be the one who showed up whenever William is in trouble. Having Peter in the Academy was a normal thing for Aqira. His cousin is pretty much his guardian. What they didn't understand was why Steve Rogers and Director Carter were there. They didn't give another thought on Loki. The moment Orlinia stepped inside the Academy, Loki immediately took her under his wing. Why? Nobody knows.
"Don't just stand there. Come on sit, sit." The Director was the one who broke the silent. The four of them walked stiffly to the empty chairs. Subconsciously they knew which chairs they were assigned to. Usually, Aqira, William and Orlinia sit next to each other, finding comfort of being near each other. But now with the Director standing there and then, they didn't object being placed separately. Yudra sat next to Steve, William next to Pietro, Aqira next to Peter and Orlinia next to Loki.
"What's all this?" Orlinia whispered to Loki. But what she earned back was just a look and a glanced from him. She gave him a weird look and turn her back on him.
"Ok," the Director walked to the screen projected in front of the room, "Let's start shall we." With a few taps, a picture of a skinny, brown haired, grey eyed young man appeared. The four of them glanced at each other, the same thing running across their minds. Who is this guy?
"Kuro Smith," the Director said before pulling up what seems to be a life record to the screen. She paused looking at the audiences before continuing. "He's been in our radar since 3 months ago. He was declared missing 3 years ago and his family thought he is dead. First shown signs of powered. There is a footage that caught his activity." She pulled up a video to the screen.
The video was taken from a surveillance camera in one corner of a busy street. A few seconds passed until a purse snatcher in action got caught in the camera. Then the camera caught the guy, Kuro Smith, wearing a grey hoodie chasing after the snatcher. The video moved to another camera and what happened next was shocking. Kuro disappeared from the sight and the snatcher fell down like someone just punched him.
The Director paused the video and turned to face her audiences "Last week, S.H.I.E.L.D's secret drone which has followed Mr. Smith around for 2 weeks finally caught another activity of his power." She moved the footage away and pulled up a new one. The camera recorded the surrounding of a stranded dark alley, not totally dark as there was a dim street light there. There was nothing for a moment until suddenly a figure emerged from the ground, leaning on the brick wall. The video stopped and the Director spoke up.
"We later discovered that his gift is size-shifting. Or in a more simple word, he can shrink," she exhaled and hold up a finger before anyone could open their mouth, "Yes, like the Ant-man," after a beat "But without the suit."
"So, another inhuman," Orlinia chirped in. "Yes, . Another inhuman, although we are not sure as there is a possibility he was experimented," the Director said, while motioning the agent standing beside him to distribute the files on his arms.
"In those files you will find everything you need to know for this mission."
"What?!" the four of them shouted simultaneously looking up from their file.
"Yes," the Director sit herself down on her chair "I believe Agent Laufeyson had mentioned to you about me considering the four of you to make a perfect team. Gentlemen and Lady, you are going to London."
"She is mental!"
Loki chuckled as the two of them walked into the elevator. He punched the number of his floor. "What makes she thinks that we are capable of a real mission? Hey, I once ordered Aqira and William to buy me some coke in the shop and they brought back a grape juice! I don't know about Yudra tho', he seems to be a perfect picture of a perfect loyal agent," she glanced at Loki waiting for his respond.
"I do remember something from 8 years ago," Loki leaned back and looked back at her with a mischievous smirk on his face, "There is this one girl, she is a unique one she is, a good student a bit rebel but that's a good addition, once I told her to find clues I hide in Central Park and to come back in 2 hours. Instead after 4 hours, I found her cuddling some black cat surrounded with snow."
She blushed "Hey ! I was 10," she glared at him "You were mad only because I named him Lokitty." The elevator stopped and the door opened, Loki walked out but turn back again and stood between the doors. "Are you coming?" he asked. Orlinia smiled, "No thanks, I'm just going to go straight back to my room". He leaned forward to pat her head, "Ok, good night Merlyn." "Nite Loks," she answered as the door closed.
The day of the mission came and the Academy HQ was full of agents running around. Well, its not a life threating mission so to say. Unless the subject of extraction accidentally harmed one of the team then that's another story. But, no matter how many times the Director or all those senior agents told them that the mission was harmless, they wouldn't stop worrying.
"What if he shrinks me and I can't grow back?!" Orlinia said while pacing back and forth in front of a very very amused Loki. "Then I will just escort you out and put you in a jar so I can bring you anywhere to be my little tiny companion," he said with a smirk. Orlinia stopped her steps to stare at him, "Unbelievable," she shook her head in disbelieve, "No one ever told you anything about comforting people yeah?"
"The point is," he got up from sitting position, grabbed a pair of fingerless glove and walked to the spot where she stood, "We will be listening all the time and if anything goes wrong, the quinjet will be over you in no time," he seized her hands up and pulled the glove on it.
"On a second thought, if things goes wrong, I will teleport there and take you back," he pulled on it again to make sure its secure, "Maximoff and Parker be damned." He grabbed her arm and teleport to the quinjet hangar.
Meanwhile, two floors above them, William and his beloved Great-grandad Pietro, despite being in his 90's still possessed the same speed as his great-grandson. "William listen to me carefully, I don't want you to be like your father, I want you to be tough. You need to take this mission seriously. I meant it, I am a humorous person but right now I am dead serious," Pietro said sitting across William who was struggling to put his special shoes on.
"Great-dad please." Although the correct term is Great-Grandfather but no one gonna bother to correct William, he would forgot it again anyway, "I'm a speedster just like you, I meant if I'm fast, he can't catch me and shrink me right?" he paused and frowned, "Or can he?" Pietro chuckled, "Kid, one thing I learned from being an Avengers is to not underestimate the power of your opponent.".
"You are going to give me directions right?" William asked now standing near the door, moving up and down, impatience. Pietro stood up and placed a comforting hand on William's shoulder, "Yes, I'm going to help you but you need to take your own decisions. See this as a mission as an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D" he smiled, "Now, we will walk to the hangar in a normal speed. You need to safe your energy for later."
The room next to them on the same floor was occupied by the Parkers. "Peter, can you stop swinging around?" Aqira stood in the middle of the room looking at his cousin who decided it's the best time to swing around the room, "I overheard the Maximoffs and William was getting advice. Where is my advice?" he said sounding a little desperate. Peter jumped down in front of him, rolling his long-sleeve shirt back down. "Don't know you need some advice. Because the last time I give you one, you said and I quote 'Shut up, Peter' which is what I'm doing now."
Aqira grunted and flopped down a bean bag, "Peter please, I'm afraid I will screw up," he covered his face with his hands. Peter stood hovering above him, "No you won't, I joined the Avengers when I'm two years younger than your age now. I was also afraid of being underestimated and screwing up. But look at me right now." He pulled Aqira up, "The key is to believe on what you believe is right. Although, being over-confidence can be a destroying key too." Aqira felt a swept of confidence over him, he stood straight taller and grabbed Peter by the shoulder, "Let's go," they teleported.
The quinjet was ready to go in the hangar. S.H.I.E.L.D's operatives have installed the containment chamber inside. The plan was to bring Kuro Smith into the chamber. With no harm if possible was the exact words the Director said at the end of the meeting the night before. At the corner near the quinjet's back door, Steve Rogers was seen giving last minute advices to Yudra. It seems that on that moment, was the first time they actually listened to the advices given to them.
"Anything you want to say to me, Mr Rogers? I don't want to screw this up," Yudra said looking sheepishly. Steve clapped one hand on to his shoulder and offered him a genuine smile. "Kid, I know everything about proofing ourselves worthy, believe me I've been there. The key is to follow the orders carefully, but if you think the orders are morally wrong, do as your gut says. And don't forget to work together with your friends, don't be selfish. Your time manipulation ability is the most important one, remember that."
"What if-" Yudra paused hesitating, "Nevermind, I haven't used my telekinesis ability in a long time, too much manipulating time, the kids in my dorm start calling me Doctor Strange 2.0." Steve chuckled on what Yudra said, "Just remember to use your power well, now go," He gave him a reassuring pat on the back before Yudra step inside the quinjet.
"We are going up in 2," the agent acting as the pilot announced to the rest of them. Peter gave Aqira a half hug and a pat on his arm, "Goodluck dude." While, Pietro might be a little bit too excited he pinched William cheek and gave him a big bear hug. William yelped and pry himself off, "I'm not five."
"For me you are," Pietro answered, "Break a leg William. Just not literally." William grinned before jogging in.
Orlinia surveyed each of the the exchanged around her. "Do you want some of that?" Loki asked with a mischief smirk on his face referring to the affections going on around them. "Don't even think about it," Orlinia said dead serious although there was a hint of smile on her face. "Just don't lose your gloves ok? It will help you compress your power and one more thing," he leaned down to whisper to her ear, "If things are getting desperate, do IT," he said emphasizing on the 'it' at the end of the sentence. Orlinia nodded, knowing what she has to do.
Orlinia sat herself down beside William, he glanced at her and smirked, "No hug and kisses?". She sighed, "Loki's my mentor, William. Not my boyfriend." She looked at William, "Or my father," she added quietly. William opened his mouth to answer when the pilot announced they're taking off. The engine started and the quinjet flew off. Ten minutes afterwards, Agent Julius, a senior agent who came along with them for the mission, stood up.
"Make sure this stays in your ears all the time," he handed each of them an earpiece.
"Damn," Aqira said, putting it in his ear, "Now they could listen to everything we say."
"Who are we connected we?" Yudra asked
"Find out by yourself," Agent Julius said.
They inserted it and gave a single tap to activate it. "Finally, hello," Orlinia visibly cringed at the sound of Loki's voice. William turned on his chair facing her, "I got my great-dad with me, do you get your boy—". Orlinia frantically leaped forward and covered his mouth and gave him her deadliest glare. Aqira was already really into talking with Peter. While Yudra seems to be concentrating on whatever he was listening to.
William hand flew to his ear to deactivate It but Agent Julius stern warning stopped him, "Don't you dare, Maximoff." William sighed dramatically "He won't stop talking."
He walked to Aqira's place and start whispering with him, continuously glancing to Yudra. Orlinia frowned at this and slowly made her way to him. "Hey," she awkwardly smiled to him "First mission, nervous?"
Yudra smiled back, "Yeah a little, its normal right?" She sat beside him, "Totally, wait a minute okay," she walked back to her chair and retrieved a package of oreo from her bag. She rip it open and offered it to Yudra, "Here, I heard you love oreo."
Yudra's eyes light up as he grabbed one, "Thanks Orlin, this really helps a lot." She smiled and left the package with him.
"How long would this flight take?" Aqira asked sounding impatient.
"10 years ago, it took 4 hours. You kids are lucky, it only takes 2 hours these days," Agent Cornwall answered from his place in the pilot seat. "Wake me up when we touch down," Aqira said before spreading across the seats. "What happened if we don't wake him up?" William said with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Don't even think about it William," Yudra said not looking up from his oreo.
"Shut up, Maximoff!" William said mockingly saying Maximoff. "Never know you will finally call me Maximoff," Yudra smirked. "Oh, do you prefer to be called Yudra the last name thief?" William shot back stomping his way to Yudra.
"Maximoff ! Both of you ! Shut up or I will throw both of you out without parachute!" Agent Julius's voice echoed around the small area of the quinjet. Fortunately, it shut them up.
"Landing position."
"Aqira wake up!" Orlinia placed her hand on Aqira's neck and formed a layer of ice on her hand. Aqira jolted up immediately nearly smacking his head on hers. He sat up, rubbing his neck looking confused. Orlinia sat on her chair trying to look as normal as she could. The quinjet jolted for a moment, before ceasing to stop. "I believe you don't need any last minute briefing. Parker has memorized the coordinates the last sighting of Smith," Agent Julius paused "Now go!"
"Hang on tight guys," Aqira said before whisking them away.
"Ok, we're here," Yudra said as soon as they re-appeared.
"Spread out. Act normal if you see anything, move cautiously. Try not to attract attention. And stay in coms," Steve ordered, "If in 3 hours, you got no sign of Smith, abort the mission," he continued.
"3 hours?!" William yelped, "What are we suppose to do that long?"
"Blending in," Loki answered and Orlinia felt she could felt his smirk through the coms. "Yeah okay whatever, can we move now?" Orlinia asked impatiently. They went in different directions to take their post where they were briefed to be.
"Hey Aqira, anything up there?" Yudra asked after taking his place in front of a bookshop. "Its going to rain soon," Orlinia said looking up to the sky. She was placed at a coffee shop. "Nothing here," Aqira finally answered from his place on a rooftop of a building just around the corner of the bookshop. "I'm bored," whined William. "Its only been like 20 minutes, William," Orlinia said with an annoyed tone.
"My legs twitching, I need a run," William said jumping up and down. "Maximoff if you leave your post, you are in really deep trouble," the Director suddenly spoke. "Sorry ma'am," William said quietly.
"Guys, I've got something," Aqira said
"Coming," the other three simultaneously responded
"Confirmed, its Smith," William said, clearly had run their. Aqira chose to teleport both Orlinia and Yudra to his post to reduce some time. "He looks harmless," William said. "Looks can be deceiving Mr Maximoff," Steve said through the coms "Don't attack try to talk to him."
Kuro Smith, a tall skinny guy with an air of mysteriousness, he was wearing a red sweatshirt, grey jeans and grey long coat. "We need to stop him," Yudra waved his hand before anyone could stop him. And the dumpster infront of Kuro moved, blocking his way. "Orlinia you go talk to him," Aqira nudged her. "Together, Mr Parker," Loki said sharply.
Aqira teleported all of them and appeared at the same time Kuro turned around when he realized the dumpster just moved and was blocking his way. Orlinia glanced at the other looking for any support. "Who the hell are you?!" Kuro asked taking a defensive posture.
"Kuro Smith, we are with S.H.I.E.L.D, we're here for your protection."