Did you see the sparks, feel the hope? You are not alone.
Cause someone's out there, sending out flares.
Chapter Nine
"Yes!" Clint shouted, raising his fist in the air triumphantly. "The tracker that Wanda has on her was just activated."
Natasha quirked an eyebrow. "That seems kind of suspicious. Why did she just activate it now? Why not sooner? We're probably walking right into a trap."
"I know." Clint agreed reluctantly. "But if there's still a chance, we have to take it. We have to save her."
Natasha nodded. "You're right." She wanted to rescue Wanda as much as Clint did. For now, they could throw caution to the wind. And she had gotten rather attached to the kid.
She stepped out to inform the others of their plans.
"Maybe I should go in alone." No one was expecting Bucky to say anything, so when he did, everyone just stared at him.
"Why would you do that?" Natasha questioned. "It would make more sense for us all to-."
"If I go in alone then it will be harder for them to detect me." Bucky interrupted. He didn't want any of his newfound team members to get hurt. He felt responsible for their safety.
"Hey, he's got a point." Tony said.
Bucky blinked, surprised that Tony was actually agreeing with him. "So you think I should go?"
"Only if you maintain communication at all times." Natasha finally said. "And I do mean, at all times."
Bucky nodded. "But they might be blocking the communications."
"Then you won't be able to call for backup." Bruce pointed out.
"I'll go with him."
Everyone's heads turned to the right to find Steve standing tall, a determined look on his face. "And don't tell me no." He caught Bucky's glance. "Cause I'm with you till the end of the line."
The corners of Bucky's mouth went up slightly. "I'll go get my guns ready." He pivoted and disappeared into the back room.
Natasha sent Steve a small smile. "I'm going to keep Clint company up front."
Bucky came out of the room with various forms of weaponry tucked in pouches all over his suit. Steve grabbed his shield. "We'll be landing in about thirty minutes." He told Bucky.
Approximately thirty one minutes later Clint landed the Quinjet on an open field. "Make sure you hurry." He glanced up at the sky. It was bright red. "There's a storm brewing."
Bucky and Steve dashed down the jetway and raced to a grove of trees for cover. Clint had landed about a mile from the facility. The Quinjet had been in stealth mode so it was unlikely that any of the guards patrolling the perimeter would have heard it.
The plan was, if Bucky and Steve didn't return in an hour and a half, then the rest of the team would come in. They all hoped it wouldn't come to that though.
A large iron gate stood in front of them. "Think we can get over it?" Bucky asked.
Steve grinned. "Did you have to ask?"
Bucky gave him and answering grin and they continued on until they reached the gate.
They made it to the gate and Steve took out the guards while Bucky watched for signs of anyone else. They sneaked over the gate and dropped soundlessly on the other side.
Bucky noticed a giant gray building in the center of the field.
"I'm guessing that's where they are holding Wanda." Steve said. "Let's go get her."
A fierce wind blew right in their faces, making tears come to their eyes. "The wind's picking up." Steve yelled. "Let's get inside." They covered their faces with their sleeves and hurried to the door. It only took Bucky a minute to disable the alarms and open the door.
They took out the guards that were directly in front of the doors and threw them outside. Suddenly, a shriek pierced the hair. Then: "No! No, don't hurt him!"
"That's Wanda!" Bucky charged down the hallway. Steve shrugged and ran after him.
The sight they found in one of the rooms made them both stop in their tracks. Wanda was holding her head in agony while red magic swirled around the room. Pietro was strapped to a chair and was being burned by a man who looked like….a giant blue grape?
Pietro wasn't even screaming; he just stared blankly ahead while the man, Thanos probably, tortured him.
Wanda was begging for Thanos to stop. "I can't do what you're asking me." She said. "Please don't make me."
She let out another scream and collapsed on the ground her eyes glowing red.
Steve and Bucky snapped out of their trance and raced to them. Bucky cradled Wanda in his arms. "Wanda? Wanda, it's me, Bucky. What's wrong?"
Through her haze of pain, Wanda heard a voice calling to her. Was that Bucky? Did she dare to look? She cracked open one of her eyes and saw Bucky's worried face staring down at her.
She smiled, before grimacing in agony.
"What's happening with you?" Bucky questioned. She was still cradling her head and she breathed like she was in pain.
"Thanos wanted me to use my powers to destroy this reality and create a new one where he was in charge."
Steve sent her a shocked glance. He had no idea she was that powerful. With a nod at Bucky, he raced towards Thanos and punched him right in the jaw. Thanos batted him away and Steve hit the wall with a groan.
"This bracelet blocks my powers but I was using them anyway to try to save Pietro." Wanda told him. "Do you think you could get this off of me?" She held up her hand and showed him the red bracelet encircling her small wrist.
Bucky pulled out his saw. "Hold still."
Wanda nodded and held out her arm, letting out a shuddering breath.
Meanwhile, Steve had gotten back up and was running at Thanos again. He ducked the punch Thanos threw and socked him in the nose.
Thanos howled in pain and grabbed his nose. "You are nothing more than a pest." He held one of his stones. "But you will be less than that soon."
Bucky got the bracelet off of Wanda's wrist, and she got to her feet albeit a little wobbly. She made her way over to where Pietro was strapped down and took the necklace off of him.
He still stared blankly. Wanda knew what she had to do. She concentrated all her energy on the gem and it exploded. Pietro blinked several times. "Wanda?" He asked hoarsely. "Is that really you?"
Wanda smiled and several tears fell from her eyes. "Yes, it's me." She wrapped her arms around Pietro and sighed in contentment. Her brother was here. He smoothed her hair back and pressed a kiss to her temple.
"I'll go help Steve." He ran around Thanos and tangled him up in rope. Steve punched him in the face again, and Bucky knocked him out with a solid blow to his head.
"That was too easy." Bucky said.
"I broke one of the stones." Wanda informed him. "And that throws off his power for several minutes. For a while, he was just a regular man. That's how you took him out so easily."
"We have to take him with us and lock him up." Steve told them, hoisting the big man on his shoulder. "I might need a little help."
Everyone rushed to assist him.
"Self destruct sequence initiated." An electronic voice said. "Two minutes and counting."
Steve shook his head. "It's never easy is it?" They hurried out of the room.
"Which way is out?" Pietro asked, examining the maze of hallways. "I uh…do not remember myself." He said sheepishly. "But I'll go check." He zoomed away and reappeared a moment later. "This way."
By now, the building was starting to crumble. Supporting Thanos' weight, everyone raced through the corridors as fast as possible.
They jumped out and ran about ten yards before the whole building exploded. The force of the explosion carried them all several feet until they landed on the hard ground.
Bucky sat up and glanced at Wanda. She was laughing, relieved at having gotten out alive. Her hair was tangled and dirt covered her face, but she had never looked more beautiful.
Well, it was now or never. He went over to where she lay on the ground and helped her to her feet. "Wanda." He whispered, struggling to find the right words. "I…..well…I wanted to tell you that…." He cleared his throat and looked into her warm green eyes. "I love you, Wanda."
Wanda smiled softly. "I love you too."
Bucky moved closer and cupped her cheek with his hand. She covered his hand with hers.
He lowered his head and pressed his lips softly to hers. Wanda let out a tiny gasp of surprise, but then her eyes closed and she put her arms around his neck.
Bucky wrapped his arms around her waist, being careful not to press too hard.
Wanda's head was spinning. She had never been kissed before in her life. This was a completely new sensation to her.
Pietro cleared his throat and Bucky reluctantly pulled away, his lips tingling.
Steve's jaw dropped and he seemed to have trouble speaking.
"We should catch up with the others." Wanda said, leading the way to the Quinjet. A tiny smile rested on her lips. She had her brother back, a new team, and a man who loved her just for being her.
Bucky noticed Wanda's small smile and couldn't help grinning himself. He never thought anyone could love him after all he had done, but Wanda did. It was the kind of love that was so rare that it was almost never seen.
It was unconditional.
A.N- This chapter didn't turn out how I wanted but...oh well. Sorry I took so long to write this chapter, but the kiss scene had to be perfect. I still don't know I am entirely satisfied with it, but I like it well enough so I hope you guys do too :D
I am so so happy that I have all my reviews, they encourage me so much.
I regret to inform you all that there is only one chapter left. I should've given you more of a warning, but I kind of forgot. Thank you all so much for your support with this story.
Until next time, :D
