Captain Marvel was in the ancient ruins of a long-forgotten people, in the company of Jane Foster, as much as she believed the woman should not be there. The fragile human was in the advanced stage of a malignant cancer whose months she had stopped fighting. She knew she would not recover and most of all did not want to spend her last moments of life in a hospital.
It was through her instance and research that Jane found that place. A story from over twenty years ago that caught her eye, where a sympathetic reporter told her about some antique objects that were mysteriously found by locals. But it turns out that such objects contained non-Earth symbols, as well as strange seals surrounding them, as if to ward off a terrible evil. By exploring the region further discovered these ruins and she called the Captain because she wasn't crazy enough to go into strange catacombs alone.
They had been down there for a few hours now, reading the stories on the walls, trying to understand their meanings, and marveling at the many curiosities these ancient people told.
There were drawings of plantations or seasons, of gold and precious stones, friends and enemies of that people, of the great and prosperous kingdom that were before they were suddenly destroyed... The ruins were located in southern Chile, but the earliest drawings told stories about Wakanda and how both tribes had been united long before the vibranium landed there, told legends about Atlantis and how a great misfortune fell there when conquerors tried to take over the most precious jewel they kept, told about ancient Egypt and how the three most important pyramids were built with the help of such jewelry. The walls said that the people of Atlantis chose to die rather than hand over the precious stone and that fortunately this ancient kingdom was able to retrieve the jewel and bring it here without the invaders knowing.
It was not too difficult to imagine what happened to this civilization if what the images told was true. Jane and the Captain wondered if the jewel was actually taken to Africa when this Kingdom was destroyed or if such conquerors managed to steal it. They also wondered how four kingdoms so far apart could communicate and reach each other's territory so quickly.
The women were already several feet below the surface, walking very slowly out of respect for Jane, who even carried an oxygen cylinder with her for the difficulty in breathing she felt.
Ahead of them the images were gone, and a large, well-carved, destroyed portal led them straight into what appeared to be a great royal hall. The Captain lifted the large stone that blocked part of the way, waiting for Jane to pass.
The human could hardly see this place, but for the strongest avenger it was one of the most beautiful places she could ever see. Strangely different plants still grew where they had previously been programmed to sprout in harmony with the environment and without trying to take over the space, water flowed quietly from a small fountain and little could be seen of the exposed paintings of that place. At the center of everything was a throne, perhaps the most striking piece of the room: imposing and grand, was visibly made for a powerful commander to sit upon it.
-It seems Asgard always has a connection with my findings. - Jane muttered in amusement as she stared at Odin's broken figure in part of the collapsed building.
-These people don't seem to like the Asgardians very much. - The Captain commented indicating some of the few drawings visible on the walls, the Father of All was portrayed as a fearsome and destructive monster, someone whose name was a protagonist of their horror stories.
After a short investigation around the region they came to the conclusion that there was nothing more to be seen in that place, the other passages were blocked and even though it was possible to remove the stones that prevented both to continue, the corridors after they had long since collapsed.
Jane went on to photograph the ancient writings of an unknown language, even the Captain seemed deeply curious to know what that kingdom left on its walls. The human coughed with some agony, her lungs tightening to force her to breathe again. Everyone thought it a bad idea that she was down there, but no one would stop this woman from ending her life the way she liked best.
The Captain picked her up carefully, sensitized a little by the state so fragile and sick that Foster was. She will not continue among the living for long, perhaps a great discovery in these ruins will make her a little happier and that counts a lot. The stronger one carried her along the way back to the surface, flying in places where the passage was not so narrow and by the time they reached the surface they were only sure, something very big was hiding in the secrets behind this place.
(...)
- Why am I always among the last to be informed about the news of this place? - James Rhodes, the war machine, asked playfully as he was allowed into the late friend Stark's house.
Pepper smiled slightly when she arrived to greet him; it was unintentional to have set the patriot aside, just too distracted lately to remember that kind of thing.
- What news are we talking about? - The redhead asked unsure of what to say.
- About the new avenger! - The man looked excited - The one that looks like Hulk and everyone is commenting!
Lin had been a hot topic in his mind for the past few weeks. But ... how were people were already spreading rumors about the Stark?!
-Are they talking about her yet? - Pepper sighed; starting to walk after making a simple gesture that silently asked the other to follow her. - The media never wastes time ...
-It's not just the media. - James laughed softly. -Even the government wants more information; the minister came to me this morning asking if I knew anything.
- And that's why you're here? - The redhead looked wry as she spoke.
- Can't I visit an old friend? - The patriot joked pretending to be innocent, it was obvious why he was there.
A loud crash was heard in the background as they descended toward Tony Stark's former workplace, which at first worried James, why would anyone be moving around?
-If you want to know her, I must first ask you not to be alarmed. - Pepper commented calmly and now in the background could be heard a fire extinguisher noise.
- Is she some kind of monster?
-No. - The redhead smiled nervously, unsure how to tell him. - But what you'll see is surprising, she looks a lot like Tony.
It didn't take long for Friday to unlock the door of the big lab when they got there and voices could be heard in the background, but James didn't recognize them. There was junk and old equipment scattered everywhere, making it difficult for both of them. Things were very disorganized and a bit dusty as well. No one had been in since Tony left, it was by far the world's most engineer-like place and moving things around was almost forbidden, as if he were coming back from another mission and fighting with those who dared to disturb his order, his precious heaven of peace. But Stark won't be back anymore... So, after thinking hard about it Pepper eventually let Lin work there.
Iron Man was as important a symbol to people as Captain America was in his day, someone who made people believe that no matter how great the evil is, good will always rise in equal size. A human who was able to fight aliens and win without forgetting the good mood, someone who captivated the affection of billions of people as the years went by, someone who was much criticized and opposed, but that no one could ever match.
The world missed Tony Stark so much, his biggest rival would bring him back if he could, because even his enemies earned a life goal by opposing him. A villain usually wastes a lot of time thinking about how to destroy the hero, but doesn't think about what will happen after he succeeds. "I finally killed him! Cool, but what do I do now? "
Then they ask why Loki hasn't killed Thor yet.
People needed the Avengers to feel safe and to have hope. Tony made people believe that it was possible to laugh in the face of evil and stand, but without him many began to lose that motivation, after all how many humans were in the group? How many of them had no special power whatsoever? Or even among the super powerful, how many got their gifts because they created them alone?
Clint wasn't exactly a good example for people, his past kept them from an ideal to follow.
But it was then that a Scarlet Witch comment spawned what is happening at the present, when the other avengers were introduced to Tony's daughter, Wanda noticed how everyone looked at her and laughed at her sarcastic comments. "They look at the girl but see Stark. " She said smiling, seemed to see the same thing." I like it, it's like she keeps his presence alive. "
Lin didn't seem comfortable with the idea they all supported, but in the end there she was: trying. Failing miserably but trying.
The avengers wanted her to become the Iron Girl. "Apparently I can't even choose my code name for heroine. Lin grunted in annoyance, crossing her arms and smiling sideways. "Why Iron Girl?" I'm not that young. "
Loki didn't comment on the day, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing since Lin wouldn't accept playing heroin if he went against it. People were sometimes annoyed that the jotun's opinion was apparently the only one that mattered.
"I'm more of a destructive monster that will ruin the world than an Iron Girl, but I can do the good thing for a while if you want." That's what she answered when Pepper questioned her about her true willingness to be an avenger.
"The idea was just to train her for now." Loki commented when her hesitation was surprised. "Not saving the world, yet. "
So here they were, when James and the redhead arrived, Loki was eating an apple lying on his stomach slouching on a sofa, his torso resting on Peter's legs as Peter showed him his comic book stories about Thor and his adventures and gave him a massage. Lin's little sister fussed over her own projects completely fun and happy to have nice people keep her company.
- That's ridiculous, I don't talk like that. -He commented as he read one of the comic book Loki scenes. - And that's not what happened either
James looked at Mrs. Stark with a raised eyebrow, as if wondering since when those two were friends.
-Peter's been sticking to both of them since he found out they didn't know The Lord of the Rings. - She laughed lightly. They stole the boy's and Morgan's attention.
The patriot would always be afraid to keep Loki around, just as any other intelligent person would, but it was a peaceful time, people always made the mistake of lowering the guard at such moments like these. James still wondered what was so surprising about the mysterious new alleged avenger so that even the young spider-man could calm down and even sympathize with the jotun.
It was then that one of Iron Man's armor came out of the pile of machines it had fallen into, all greasy, scratched and visibly old for being an old model, but still standing and struggling to stay upright. She walked to the group of people with all the superiority that Tony Stark always seemed to display, leaving the patriot a few shades paler. The traditional red and gold model seeming to spark even, probably the impact this time was somewhat more serious.
- My God ... - James exclaimed scared - Looks like I'm seeing a ghost!
- Oh really? - The robotic voice coming from the armor asked also pretending to be scared as he opened the helmet visor and looked around - I only see humans and Loki stealing my apple. - Lin frowned at his friend when he finished speaking, he in turn just stared at her and took a big bite of fruit with a mischievous smile on his face, was too comfortable with the massage to do anything else.
James chuckled nervously as he watched her out of her old armor with the aid of the lab machines and walk toward him in the awkward way she always unconsciously did. The woman stared suspiciously at him, which made the man even more uncomfortable. Finally, she just took a deep breath, relaxing her expression and extending her hand with her metallic fingers; fully aware of the expectant look Pepper was giving her. Lin was still adapting to living with humans.
- Lin Stark. - She introduced herself as he held her hand, a smile on his face kept on.
- Tony's daughter?! - The patriot looked at the redhead as if blaming her for not knowing anything, eventually forgetting to let go of her hand - Wow ... - he returned to face the younger in front of her - It's a pleasure to meet you. - Said sincerely. - I'm James Rhodes, your father was a great friend of mine.
-You're the war machine, aren't you? - She questioned slightly in surprise as she gently pulled her hand back. - I read about you in some files I borrowed from the shield. -Lin walked toward the armor keeping his gaze on the man he had just met.
- Borrowed? - James was having fun internally with her way of speaking.
-Pepper doesn't like me saying I stole it. - The girl didn't seem to care about the reproachful look she got from the redhead, she just started fiddling with the armor helmet that was where the sparks came from, fixing it with the equipment she had.
The patriot could see Tony in her actions, however small, it was as if she completely stole his attention, not in a completely good way, deceived his instincts by momentarily forgetting the threat that was sitting so few feet away. If you weren't so off guard you might think she did it on purpose.
-I think he can help you with the armor, Lin. - Pepper commented - The model he uses is not so different from the one you got.
- Help with what exactly? James asked in doubt, usually he couldn't teach the stubborn avengers anything.
- She's learning to fly. The redhead smirked, there were some fun moments in her memories of the time Tony was starting to become Iron Man. Rhodes immediately got the problem, the broken things around said a lot too, so he just nodded and approached the younger Stark without noticing Loki's watchful gaze falling on him.
Lin dealt with the armor problem as if he had been through similar things hundreds of times, seemed as natural to her as breathing, and yet all that model armor in his hands was surely one of Tony's surviving ones. The human was struck by how easy it was to understand the technology of someone like his father. According James approached the girl's body locked and trembled slightly, a reaction already so contained that only the Asgardian realized.
The role needed to be kept for now.
-Can you show me what you are doing? Maybe that way I can find the error.
- Of course, sergeant, I'm at your orders. She gave him her best sarcastic smile and walked with her helmet properly fixed to the support the armor was on and then replaced it.
Rhodes obviously noticed the scars on her body since he first saw her, but said nothing. First because he knew it might bring trauma back to her thoughts and secondly by her clothes, a black shirt that left much of her arms and chest showing, along with a simple black sweatpants: they showed that the woman He didn't care what he looked like, had an air of unwavering superiority, paced the room awkwardly with the look of a queen. His marks only said of her strength, the patriot was savvy enough to notice that pity was the last thing she wanted from him.
The machines helped her equip herself again, and it only took seconds to give Pepper and James the impression that they were seeing Tony Stark walking through the lab. The redhead, by the way, was now also sitting on the couch next to the other two, waiting anxiously for what was to come.
- Come on. - James asked the younger Stark, he was still surprised at the fact that she was using such an old technology and not the nanotechnology she had at her disposal. - Show me.
Laughter was heard in the background for the patriot's disagreement, it came from Loki.
- We're all wasting our time here. - He said.
-She won't make it... - Peter agreed.
- You should give up, Lin. - Even Pepper unmotivated her.
Rhodes seemed lost looking at them at that moment, were these people there to disturb her? Okay, coming from Loki was no surprise, but Peter and Pepper also discouraged her, that was unexpected.
Lin made his attempt, balancing in the air with difficulty, managing to hold on for just over a minute, but then falling left onto one of the many other machines present. The robot that accompanied it splashed a great deal of carbon dioxide into it while it was still falling, just as it did the other times, after all its function was to put out fires. Internally Stark wondered how Tony had never lost patience with that thing and disassembled it.
Rhodes didn't take long to see the mistake; the position that Lin usually used to stand up was different from what the armor needed. A failure so simple, but no one seemed to notice.
- You just need to change your posture. - He indicated and when he saw that her attention was on him showed how she should keep the body - See? - James moved a little, as if to show her how to get to other positions.
-And you think this will do anything? - Loki asked in his typical poisonous tone - We already said, she couldn't.
-But why is this guy right here?! - Rhodes almost shouted, already annoyed. And to think these moments before he had considered that perhaps it was not so unpleasant to be around him.
Lin stood up again, not showing whether those comments really bothered her. She tried again, taking the directions into account. Stark learns very fast, especially when it has someone to watch how it is done, so much so that sometimes Peter had fun saying that her golden eye was actually some variation of sharingan. She got off the ground, staying in the air longer than usual, her eyes instinctively searching Loki's and seeing the expectation coming from him a smile formed on her face.
Stark risked moving, and even with difficulty finding a way to match her actions with the gestures the armor needed to stay in the air, it wasn't as hard for her as walking correctly after all. Lin tried to fly around the free space of the lab, being careful not to bump into anything else. She liked the feeling, increasingly amazed at how far she could go and be free with her own talents. It was not long before she returned to the ground, coming out of the armor with many useful adjustments in her mind to the prototype of the Iron Girl she would soon create.
The human walked over to Loki and despite the acid words everyone looked at her as if they already knew she could do it. She slapped the back of the jotun's neck before grabbing the apple that was still in his hand, taking one last bite before tossing it into the room's trash, she took the long coat that hours ago was tossed in the middle of the junk. He dressed and came back to the couch as his friends got up.
-It's not dusk yet, we can go to that pizzeria you commented on, Peter. Brats like you have to feed often after all. - Loki grabbed her the pair of glasses Tony used to wear before she forgot, watching her put it on as soon as he handed it over.
-Doesn't it tell me I'm older than you? - The spider-man asked falsely sulkily.
-Not while my mind is still that of an old woman. - A smile played on her lips - Let's go Spider Brat, before I change my mind and lock myself in this lab. -They walked toward the exit with the adopted Asgardian following them closely, but before they left, she actually turned to the other three behind. - Thanks Rhodes! Hope to see you again soon. - Lin still forced herself to keep the smile - Bye little one. - She shook his sister's hair and addressed her mother. - Don't call the police if we are slow to return, Pepper. - She joked before fading from the adult sight as she waved.
- Bye Pepper! Bye Rhodes! Bye Morgan! - Peter also said goodbye before leaving. It was no surprise to anyone that Loki would not bother talking to these people.
Silence prevailed as the seconds passed and the trio left the mansion, James looked around uneasily, it was extremely strange to be in the midst of the creations his friend left on Earth, himself with some sadness able to recognize most of them. But what took the peace of their thoughts was the way they talked to Tony's daughter and not only that, but also the well-known mask of "everything is fine" that the girl showed on her face, what they did with that Stark?
Rhodes worried about how much she looked like her father. Perhaps the habit of carrying the weight of the world's troubles on his shoulders was somehow hereditary and that was definitely bad, it was exactly the same habit that made Tony leave. Was it really a good idea to turn her into an avenger? The man could see some fragility in her eyes.
-Why did you talk to her like that? - James asked, somewhat disturbed, what Pepper had expected to hear from him.
The redhead sighed, indicating that they should also leave the lab to leave the child alone as they would feel better outside. Friday locked "Stark junk's place"as they started up the stairs and focused his lookout on Morgan to make sure it would be all right, only when they were near the living room Mrs. Stark replied.
-Lin isn't exactly someone normal. - She asked us to make negative comments on each of her attempts, saying that the voices in her head would stop demotivating her and encourage her to see that everyone doubted. - The billionaire sat in an armchair - I do not understand your mind games very well, but it seems to work.
- She looks broken.
- Did you notice too? - She looked surprised.
-You were right when you said she looked like Tony, maybe she too similar to him.
-I'm very afraid that they will have the same end.