Chapter 3: 119-118 Days Before the Explosion

Within an hour the mob no longer felt like a mob. Marie joked and laughed with the Avengers as if they were peers, and as she heard their stories of heroics (only mildly exaggerated) it sounded more and more like a group she really could be a part of. Noelle was reserved, but nice. She was dating Geoff, a teleporter from Steve's team and the two were never far apart. Amadeus had an odd sense of humor but he knew how to handle the room and keep everyone from getting too rowdy. Even though he told her several times he never wanted to lead, Marie was unconvinced- based on what she'd seen so far he was doing perfectly without much effort.

"The only problem with being in Shadow-Ops is that if we do our jobs right then no one knows who we are," Amadeus let out a dramatic sigh.

You also don't have to fight for your superhero name, the Avenger known (ironically) as 'Echo', Maya Lopez, signed to Geoff who translated for those who needed it. Noelle quickly explained to Marie that there was a long running mock-feud between her and Inessa over who had rights to the name- not that Inessa wanted to give up being the Shadow. Maya had chosen the name before she became an Avenger and for whatever reason Inessa also had a claim on it. It was the subject of many jokes.

"I had a superhero name all picked out too, Mastermind Excello," Amadeus struck a pose.

"Thank god you're Shadow-Ops."

"Don't take him too seriously," T'Challa (technically King T'Challa) leaned over towards Marie, "he loves being Inessa's lieutenant. The mystery of it all."

"Damn skippy."

They traded banter for several minutes more. While Maya and the boys went off on a tangent, Noelle chatted with Marie, "So, any questions so far?"

She hadn't thought of anything major yet, but something popped into her mind, "Any big rules I should know?"

"No cats allowed," three Avengers said this simultaneously.

"Vision visits with Wanda- Scarlet Witch- fairly regularly, she and Inessa are best friends," Noelle explained, "and for whatever reason all cats hate him. Like, as a species. It gets ugly fast. Besides, Inessa has her wolves-"

"-by the way, Inessa has wolves," Amadeus cut in.

"-and Thor has... something he treats like a dog, plus the Tower has a PTSD-dog-"

"-we got him from Hydra. They were testing super soldier serum, so only Steve, Thor, or Natasha can walk him. If you try and he sees a pigeon, you will break your clavicle."

Noelle smirked at Amadeus, "Three dog or dog-like creatures. Cats wouldn't do so well here. That's more of a Tower rule than Avengers rule though."

"Even though every base has that rule," Amadeus pointed out, "also, no smoking and no hiding other people's gear."

"Right. Anyways, there's only one official Avengers-wide rule. If a recruit doesn't want to be part of the team, we don't force them. So long as no one causes any issues, we are not allowed to seek them out again."

"No," Amadeus countered, "it's that we're not allowed to look for Bucky Barnes specifically."

"He's an urban legend," Geoff playfully punched Amadeus in the arm, "give it up."

To his credit, Amadeus kept quiet. Only a handful of Avengers knew for sure Bucky was a live. To the others it was a myth passed amongst the members not part of the original Avengers or the lieutenants. "Um, OK," Marie had heard of Captain America's former friend, the fallen Howling Commando. She figured if he were out there then the Captain would have brought him into the team already. Hell, he'd probably be a leader.

Unofficial rules we go by here, Maya sighed to Geoff, no messing with anyone's private life. Even if it's a prank. Dates and family time are sacred.

"No putting 'Ice May Be Hazardous to Steve's Health' signs on the refrigerators," T'Challa snickered.

"No talking Vision into hiding Thor's hammer. Especially not inside or under something breakable," Geoff looked pointedly at Amadeus, who bowed.

"No playing cards against Inessa for money," Kelsey's comment got a round of agreement from everyone.

"No mattress surfing down the stairs or base jumping from the balcony," Muhammad, an oracle and one of the older members of the teams at 29, laughed.

"No eating anything cooked by Thor unless its creation was supervised by literally anyone else," flying Avenger Jessica's rules sounded more like a warning.

"No feeding the dogs dairy products then locking them in someone's room for an hour," Raj, master of invisibility, glared at T'Challa.

"There is a folder on the servers called 'Project Echo Security', the icon is a red 'X'," Noelle didn't joke with the others, "never watch it. Ever. JARVIS never erases intel, but that case has been closed for five years. Don't click the file."

Marie was surprised by how the others looked away. A few- Amadeus, Kelsey, and T'Challa looked like they'd be ill, "Is it alright to ask what it is? Specifics aren't necessary, just- is it why Maya and Inessa argue over the name Echo?" Maya had signed before that she'd only been a member of the team for two years.

No one wanted to answer the question. It hung in the air for a moment before Kelsey answered, "Hydra torture footage. Quite brutal."

"Why do they even have it?"

Amadeus took this one, and he didn't even joke about it, "A Hydra experiment in the mid-90s went haywire, everyone died except for a fetus no one knew about. The kid's uncle delivered her and brought her to the US. He didn't know she had powers at first, but when she was 14 he sold her to Hydra and they classified her recruitment as Project Echo. They tortured her for two years. That's what's in that file- every minute of it."

"What happened to her?"

"After two years she lost her mind and Hydra stuck her in a cryo tube until the Avengers got to her. They got the footage and the file before the Second Battle of New York as a way to identify both the kid and the evil monster-thing that kept attacking them from the shadows."

A shiver went up Marie's spine, "Inessa?"

Amadeus nodded, "She was in her guard uniform when you walked with her. Next time you see her in a t-shirt or shorts take a look at the skin. Most of her body is scarred. The thing attacking the Avengers was Inessa in her Shadow form- it's why we call her the Shadow, that's what they called the monster. She was trying to kill herself, they were in the way."

"Along that vein," Muhammad spoke up again, "never- even as a joke- call anyone 'little bitch' in earshot of her. If Steve does not kill you first, she will."

Marie just nodded, stunned. Inessa was captured by Hydra- her parents were Hydra. An Avengers leader with so many ties to the terrorist group, it was no wonder she was understanding about Kyle.

"Sometimes Inessa is fun and crazy and too much like Amadeus. Sometimes she is withdrawn and prefers to be alone," Noelle motioned to the group, emphasizing her absence, "when that happens, don't be offended. It isn't personal- she just has her good days and her bad days, like any of us. That's the biggest thing you need to know about her."

"That and never act against her in the twice yearly Avengers-wide prank war. Make yourself small and non-threatening and hope she doesn't see you," Amadeus' comment brought the energy back up in the room as the teams began swapping stories of this prank or that. The somber mood was broken and Noelle winked to him to show her gratitude.

"Marie, do you really want to get to know the Avengers?"

"Of course!"

"Then my next question is this: have you ever played 'Cards Against Humanity'?"

It turned out that for a group dubbed "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", the Avengers had impressively filthy minds. The two quietest of the group- Muhammad and Noelle- vied for the most points while the others were just happy to come in third. The game lasted until well into the early hours of the morning.


"Shadow Team Assemble," Inessa appeared abruptly in the corner of the room around 3am. Amadeus immediately grabbed Marie and helped pull her up from the floor to stand with Noelle in front of their leader. The other Avengers quieted down to listen, "You aren't going to like this," she warned with a yawn. Inessa looked like she'd just rolled out of bed. Supreme badass, black ops leader, the most mysterious Avenger of them all- and she was in pajama pants two sizes too large and a Doctor Who tank top.

As she yawned, Amadeus nudged Marie and pointed to his left wrist, then at Inessa. Marie looked more closely at her (potentially) new boss. There was a small silver rectangle in her wrist, initially it looked like part of a bracelet, but nothing extended out from it. It appeared to be actually embedded in the skin. Marie glanced at the skin visible on her arms and chest. There was hardly any smooth skin. Thick, ropey scars crossed melted-looking patches all over the place. Some things Marie could identify as scars from burns or skinning- unfortunately thanks to her own experience- but a lot of it was a guess. She was suddenly grateful for Noelle's warning about the video clip- if she'd seen a random file with a different picture, no matter what it was, she'd probably click it out of curiosity. Marie didn't want to see the story behind the scars.

"I just got a summons from Heimdall." Amadeus groaned and threw his head back as Inessa spoke, "There's been another uprising. I've got to go handle things over there."

"How long this time?" Noelle was nervous.

"Three weeks- maybe four. It sounds like they don't even know the scope of it yet."

She glanced from Amadeus back to Inessa, "You still can't convince them to let us come too?"

Inessa shook her head, then explained for Marie's benefit, "After Thanos' fall his children- a team of cohorts he'd created- went nuts. Half of them tried to take his throne, half locked themselves up in their solar systems to rule. One of the more annoying ones, Anansi, got hold of some dark elf stealth tech, reverse-engineered then mass-produced it, and declared himself the Shadow King. His people have been found in Vanaheim, Alfheim, Muspelheim, Niflheim, and even Asgard."

"The Asgardians couldn't fight him- their technology can't beat Dark Elf gear, and the leaders of the other realms were losing ground. Thor's exiled from Asgard, but he still sends reports back to the Counsel of Yggdrasil. They knew about me, what I could do," thankfully, Thor had left out any details that linked her and the Valley to the realm the Counsel had annihilated to defeat Thor's uncle, "-and so they voted unanimously to override King Odin's ban on Midgardians and bring me in to see if I could help. It turns out my abilities at least give us a general location of their forces." Inessa looked back to Noelle, "I've tried everything, but they won't even let me off the Bifrost platform in Asgard. Odin only tolerates me in the other realms because the Counsel made him. He won't let anyone else through and Asgard is the only link in the Bifrost that connects to Earth."

Amadeus grumbled to himself, "Anything you want us to monitor while you're gone?" he was begrudgingly moving into leader mode.

Inessa yawned again and nodded, "Break in Marie on the thing in Argentina. Make it her practice mission- something isn't right there, I can feel it."

He seemed surprised, "Not Indonesia?"

"Indonesia isn't anything urgent. Marie needs basic field work and a case study for her review. I'll send word via Heimdall if it looks like things will run long, but I think Indonesia will still be there in three weeks at least. If Marie joins the team bring her sparring with you and Noelle. Teach her what you can until I get back."

"When do you leave?"

Inessa glanced at the clock on the wall, "Four hours."

Noelle immediately waved Geoff over, "Drop me in London? Near Harrod's?"

"Anyone else for a field trip?" Raj and Jessica jumped at the chance. They stood in a group, waiting for Inessa to dismiss her team.

"You four can get going, thank you."

"I'll start moving the trunks out to the launch pad," Amadeus headed for the elevator across the room, "Marie, wanna help?" Inessa nodded to let her know she was dismissed and Marie quickly followed him.

"Sorry to interrupt the game," Inessa waved at the four remaining Avengers and vanished into the shadows to re-emerge in her kitchen. She quickly threw together a large batch of chocolate cookies. On each of her three (now four) trips to the realms after the Shadow King's rise to power, Inessa brought small gifts and "Midgardian Delicacies" to each of the twenty Asgardians who trusted her to advise the Warriors Three, their generals, in battle. Heimdall was particularly fond of Midgardian spices, so she kept stock of several costco-sized containers for him. On this visit she was ready to introduce the keeper of the Bifrost to cocoa powder and all the miraculous ways to enjoy it (that is, if Thor hadn't eaten the stash of chocolate candies and products Inessa had stored in one of the trunks for such a visit).

"No, you adorable little beggar," Inessa didn't bother looking down as the Avengers PTSD dog licked at her toes. She was the one who found him. It was before teh teams- back when the world still thought Steve was dead. She gave him the dog as a companion and a friend. It did wonders to improve his mood, having the furry, loving golden retriever around. Hydra had removed one of the dog's forelegs for some test or another and before giving it to Steve Inessa asked Tony to create a robotic one. When they named him it was meant to be a joke just between them, but the stubborn mule refused to respond to anything else...

"Barkey," she glanced down at the grinning beast, "the others are downstairs, go beg from them. I smelled pizza." The dog's tail went nuts and he licked her toes one last time before running off downstairs. He had a talent for finding prey to puppy-eye his way to a belly full of human food- especially if that food was pizza.

As soon as the cookies were in the oven Inessa went to Thor's apartment one floor up. She knocked softly on the door, then waited. There was a loud bark and several guttural gurgles, "Bilgie, get back," Thor opened the door and admitted Inessa.

"Sorry to wake you, I know you just got back from visiting Jane," she said as she entered. "How's my favorite little Bilgie doing?" she cooed to the actually very large beast. It had the body of a bear, large horns, and the head of something closely resembling a star-nosed mole. Ugly, but she was a loyal, good-natured reminder of the home Thor had given up. Inessa brought her back after her first visit to Vanaheim as a mere cub. Bilgie and Barkey were thick as thieves instantly.

"Do not worry, I have not been asleep long."

"I was called in to Asgard," Inessa said, "Niflheim, Vanaheim, and Muspelheim are reporting uprisings by the Shadow King's forces. I'm off to root them out- maybe kill him once and for all."

"Oh," Thor didn't keep his jealousy secret, he looked down, "let the Asgardians fight on your behalf, they are more evenly matched in strength. Take great care."

"I will. Anything you want to pass on to the Warrior's Three?" Inessa always smuggled messages back and fourth between Thor and his friends. Odin had forbidden it, but he couldn't stop her without inciting an inter-realm incident. Thor's stories of the just and wise Allfather seemed contrary to the man who banished his only son over something as simple as an allegiance with the Avengers. Thor insisted it was merely grief over the tragic death of Queen Frigga, that he'd begin to heal from the pain in a century or two- but who among the Avengers would still be around until then? Vision? Steve? Natasha? Maybe Banner- or would the Hulk be all that remained so long from now? Thor was more or less an immortal stuck living with mortals. He needed his Asgardian friends. Inessa was more than happy to facilitate as best she could.

Thor ducked into his study to fetch his mail. When he came back, it was with five notebooks, "For the Warrior's Three, Heimdall, and my father," he pointed to a gold one, the largest, "Reports on Midgard and our team," the others were smaller, filled with personal letters in flowing Asgardian script. Inessa didn't need to ask which book was for whom- she was fluent in Thor's native language now.

"I'll deliver them and no doubt have a hundred pounds of mail for you when I get back," it was only a slight exaggeration- the Warriors were devoted to Thor.

"Tony already prepared the next shipment of books for Forseti," he advised, "don't forget."

"Amadeus is moving them to the landing pad now," It wasn't formally part of the Counsel's treaty allowing Inessa to enter the realms, but she never went off-world without delivering a full tonne of books to the Chief Librarian in the Halls of Knowledge. As a sign of gratitude, he often gave her copies of tomes on Asgardian history (which was why she asked Thor to teach her his language). As Vanaheim was one of the realms sporting an uprising, Inessa would be able to visit the library directly.

"I've got a new member, by the way. Amadeus and Noelle are breaking her in. I'm willing to bet she chooses to stay. She's a bit shy, so don't let the others completely swarm her if I don't make it back in time for the Leader's meeting."

"I will keep an eye on her," Thor smiled at last. "Be safe in your travels little Nessie. I look forward to your expedient and healthy return."

"Take care of the crazies while I'm gone," Inessa hugged Thor and headed back to her floor to swap the trays in the oven, then headed up past Thor's floor to Steve's. When he opened the door to her knocking it was only enough so that she could see part of his face. Inessa smiled wryly, "Hi Sharon!" she called in to Steve's lieutenant and girlfriend (Grand-niece of his last girlfriend, Peggy Carter, which Tony never let him forget).

"I don't know what you're talking about," he was playing innocent. "What's up?"

Inessa smiled, "I have a guess," she let her eyes flash to make him nervous and look down pointedly. In reality she was checking on the trunks as Amadeus and Marie guided Tony's creations to the silver Bifrost landing pad on the balcony.

Steve turned beet-red, "You wouldn't!" her eyes settled back to their normal silver hue.

She changed the subject with no indication as to if she were joking or not, "I got a call from Asgard. I'm leaving at 7. Just wanted you to know."

He immediately grew serious, "Stay safe, alright? You're there to root the enemy out, not fight them. The Asgardians are more equal to the Shadow King's people."

"Why does everyone keep telling me to be safe?" Inessa grumbled.

"Because you almost lost your arm and leg last time," he was referring to a particularly heated skirmish in which a rock creature grabbed Inessa and flung her into a stone wall.

"Come back with a few broken bones one time and you never hear the end of it."

"We worry so we'll never see the end of you."

"You're awfully protective, old man."

Steve laughed, "Alright, off my porch you dag-gone kid!" he rolled his lips over his teeth and did his best grandpa voice. "I'll see you-?"

"Hopefully in three weeks, maybe four," Inessa waved then, as she walked back downstairs, she called over her shoulder, "Goodnight Sharon!"

A woman's voice called out from Steve's bedroom, "Night Nessie!" he burst out laughing and closed the door. Inessa realized suddenly she'd forgotten to mention Marie. Oh well, she thought, someone will fill him in.

By the time everything was ready to go and Noelle returned with Geoff (laden with a few dozen pounds of candy for the families of Inessa's soldiers), it was time to get going. Inessa could feel Heimdall's eyes upon her, waiting until she took her place on the silver landing pad. "Thanks for staying up and helping everyone, I'll see you soon," she smiled to her friends.

"Don't get the shit beaten out of you," Amadeus called.

"Raj, get your invisible ass off the pad," Inessa chuckled as he jumped down into the group. "Keep the old men safe until I get back- no broken hips, no new dentures. Don't let Barkey get fat, and if you party, make sure it's wild!" they cheered at that and, a moment later, Inessa and the supplies vanished in a flash of light.

Inessa could never find it no matter how many times she ran through that morning in the coming months- the moment when everything began to go so horribly wrong.


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