Chapter 35 Dream Team

"Alexander, Alex, Barton, the one with the ability to manipulate your dreams and make them become a reality," JARVIS said. "Hawkmancer and Mageeye is what he's known by for HYDRA. They kept his files even more classified as how Rose's files were kept when she first joined SHIELD. Rosalina is not his first victim: citizens across the nation have reported their dreams coming to life. Because of how ridiculous the dreams were, they have been placed in mental asylums."

"So much for happy thoughts," Clint remarked.

After I had found out who Alex was, I didn't do so well in my fight. The only reason I wasn't killed, since Alex had me on the ground at gunpoint, was because of Vision seeing that I was in danger and quickly racing over to give me a hand. Alex then attacked the others and we had no choice but to retreat.

I was mentally kicking myself as we were getting back to the base. I had an edge. I was doing well. But when I realized who Alex was, my whole momentum was thrown off. If it wasn't for me, then we would've had this problem settled with. Both Clint and Vision had told me to not be too hard on myself, but it was difficult not to, especially since there was the possibility that we could all be back home resting by now, taking a break from the crime fighting.

"That's great and all, but how do we defend against him?" I said. "This is literally completely mental."

"Maybe I could do something about that," Vision offered. "I do have the Mind Gem."

"Unless it is your mind he's getting into, then you won't be much help," JARVIS replied. "Even with the Mind Gem. He can make himself completely hidden when he's provoking a mental attack."

"Great, so what do we do?" Rhodey said.

"Strike before he has the opportunity to do his thing," Bobbi said. "That's the only thing we can do."

"If we can solo him, then chances are we can beat him, but if he's with Carma and Gregory, then we're not going to have much of a chance to even defeat one of them," Bonita said.

"Unless we're able to use each other's powers," Clint said.

"Use each other's powers," I repeated. perking up as an idea came to my head. "That's it! Clint, you're a genius!"

"I appreciate the compliment, but I'd appreciate it more if I actually understood what you meant by me saying that," Clint said.

"It's just an idea now, but what if we had a communicator that, when we went on to a channel to talk with just one person, we could also gain their powers and abilities temporarily, no matter how they got them?" I said. "For instance, if I went onto a channel with Vision, he could access my magic and I could access his phasing ability. Divided, yet not."

"That sounds all well and good and everything, but how are we supposed to get that kind of technology?" Rhodey said.

"I'd need some time, but I think I could do something," I said. I looked at Vision and added, "I'd need your help, though."

"Of course I'll help," Vision said. "If this falls through, then we will be in great shape next time we need to go into battle."

"That could also include the powers of the Mind Gem," I added. "Thus countering Alex's dream-manipulation powers."

"That's the best news I've heard in a long time," Simon remarked. "What do you need from us?"

"I just need time," I said as I got to my feet and went to the computer. "I may have to have each of you come in and tell me in detail about your powers and abilities if it comes to that. I don't know that I'm actually going to need."

"We'll just tell us if you need it and we'll help you," Clint said. "We're going to be running simulations against Alex to come up with different ways to fight as a backup plan."

The others got to their feet and walked out so that it was just Vision and I left, Vision watching as I started the blueprints for the communicators.

"JARVIS," I said without stopping in my work. "As I work on this, perform a scan to make sure there's nothing that will cause the program to crash."

"Already doing that," JARVIS replied.

"If you can get this done, Rose, then you will be one of the best superhero that I have ever met," Vision said. "This will definitely make a huge impact on the battle of good versus evil."

"Potentially," I said. "I don't know if it would work with AI depending on how their minds are. There it could potentially be just us there."

"Better than nothing," Vision said. "What do you want me to do?"

"Part of this will have to be focusing on the neurons, their connectors, and how they fire," I said. "I know about just as much about the actual science of that as a fish knows how to fly. I'll need you to help me understand that so that I can make this program perfect."

"Of course," Vision said. "I'll help you there."

I nodded. "Thank you," I said, giving him a quick kiss before I continued to type.

When it came to the part where I needed a better understanding of neuroscience, I paused what I was doing and Vision guided me through how the brain worked.

In the middle of his explanation, the alarm began to sound.

The others rushed into the room as Vision went to the computer and brought up a map. "It's them again," he said as he turned to Clint. "We're not ready with the communicators yet."

"We'll buy you time," Clint said. "Just hurry as much as you can."

"We believe that you two can do this," Tigra said as encouragement. "We're counting on you."

Vision and I nodded as the others rush out of the room.

"This put us under pressure, but it's a good thing," Vision said. "A little bit of pressure is good."

"Right," I said. "A little pressure, but not so much so that I'll become overwhelmed."

We sat down again and Vision continued his explanation, though I found myself struggling now to pay close attention to every detail he said.

"Rose, zoning out," Vision said, putting a hand on my shoulder and shaking me gently.

I blinked a couple times, not even realizing that I was even doing that. "Sorry," I said. "Didn't realize it."

"Would you like me to just go ahead and input the information into the program and explain it to you later?" Vision suggested.

I nodded after a moment. "Yea, I think that would be best," I said.

"Alright," Vision said as he got to his feet and kissed my forehead before going to the computer and picking up where I left off.

I got up and moved next to him as I watched what he typed.

"Rose, how we looking so far?" Clint asked into my communicator. "We're getting creamed out here without you or Vision!"

"We're almost done, but we're not going to have time to test it to make sure it works," I said.

"You have to test out something like that," Clint protested. "We can last a few more minutes."

"We're going as fast as we can," I said. "I'll let you know when we're on the way."

"Roger that," Clint said.

We broke connection as Vision finished typing.

"I think we're good," he said.

I looked through the whole program again. "Let's test this thing out," I said. "JARVIS, program this into two fresh communicators."

"Yes, ma'am," JARVIS replied as he started to upload the program into a couple spare communicators. "Upload complete."

We both grabbed one and replaced it with our old communicators.

"Let's hope this works," Vision said. "I'll try to turn into something."

"And I'll try to phase through a chair," I said.

We both clicked our communicators to a free channel and I took a deep breath before concentrating on Vision's phasing ability. I reached out to one of the chairs and let a smile cross my face as my hand went through it. I looked over at Vision and saw him as a bird moments before he turned back to normal.

"JARVIS, upload the program into the remaining communicators," I said as we smiled at each other.

"Yes, ma'am," JARVIS said as he used the remaining communicators. "Upload complete."

We grabbed the rest of the communicators.

"Clint, heading your way," I said in his communicator. "Get ready for a huge shift in momentum."

XXX

"They're on the way, guys!" Clint called to the others as they tried to fight Alex, Carma, and Gregory. "We have to buy them time!"

"You won't have time," Carma said.

Alex kicked back Bonita and Tigra as they charged at him and he placed his hands on their foreheads, them glowing for a moment before he released them and they fell to the ground. He did a wave to the sky and clouds suddenly began to form before it started to pour.

"No, no, no!" Tigra exclaimed as she tried to race to shelter, her coat becoming drenched.

"I can't use my powers!" Bonita cried as the rain put out the fire she summoned.

"We're not going to last long at this point, Clint!" Rhodey said.

"Tigra, Bonita, fall back!" Clint said as he shot an explosive arrow at Alex. "Wait until Rose and Vision get here!"

Tigra darted under an entrance to a store that was currently close to get some relief from the rain.

"Unless this is including the ability to fight in the rain, we're going to be no help!" Bonita replied as she went next to Tigra.

Before Alex could retaliate on the others, Vision and I suddenly phased up in front of him, both of us sending a plasma ball at him.

"It definitely works!" Simon said as Alex was thrown back.

"Everyone, put this in!" I said as we tossed each of them their new communicator.

The others switched out their communicators.

"Clint," I said as I switched from Vision's channel to Clint's. "Let's show them what Bartons can truly do."

"I hear you," Clint replied.

The two of us teamed up against Alex as the others took on Carma and Gregory.

"I see you in a totally new way," Clint remarked as he cast a plasma ball at Alex. "These powers are amazing!"

"I know they are," I replied, kicking at Alex. "I have them."

"Well your sass comes from me," Clint said.

"That I'm not arguing with, because it's true," I said.

Alex got to his feet and tried to send a gust of wind at us but Clint sent a lightning bolt at him, causing him to collapse, knocked out.

As he fell, the rain stopped.

"Alright, now we're talking!" Bonita said. "Come on, Tigra! Let's join this fight again!"

"I hear you loud and clear!" Tigra replied as the two of them leapt out from where they were taking shelter and hitting Gregory and Carma from behind.

Clint went to Alex and handcuffed him from behind as Vision and Rhodey went to Gregory and Carma.

"Gregory, Carma, and Alex Barton, you three are under arrest," Clint said.

"It was a good run while it lasted," I said. "But you're through."