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Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel. I own Addison Carter.

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April 6th, 2017, Avengers Compound

Tony remained quiet, even if the video was over. I bit my bottom lip.

"It's…" He cleared his throat. "It's a lot. David...shit, he should have…" He sighed and grabbed his face, leaning on his knees. "I don't even know what to say."

"We...need to speak to…"

"The Avengers, we need to get ready, you're right," he cut me off. I pursed my lips.

He was not ready to call Steve huh…

"Tony."

"We...we have a team Addie, alright? Then we train together. And then you have the Uncanny Avengers. It's still a thing, so we'll train there too." I opened my mouth. "And you, you need to train with the wizard, right? We can't have you destroy the fabric of reality because someone finished your cereals."

"I still have to get back at Rhodey for that one." He clearly was avoiding the topic. "And find Fury. I have to find him and get that pager."

"Are you sure Strange can be trusted?" I shrugged.

"I've known him for three days, but so far I've gotten more from him than since I joined the Avengers. No offense."

"Offense taken nonetheless."

"Do you have Hill's number?"

"I don't know." I frowned.

"She...works for Stark Industries, doesn't she?" He looked uncomfortable out of sudden. "Tony?"

"She...I may have fired her." I looked at him in disbelief. "I'll check."

"I thought Pepper was CEO, she can fire people, you…"

"Hey, it's still my name…"

"Doesn't mean anything…" I whispered while he was talking.

"On the building, and contracts. I'm not listening to you scolding me."

"I'm not scolding you."

"Good. Because you have no right to. I'm the adult here." I pointed at myself.

"Twenty-seven soon I believe."

"No, you're nine and still want a Chucky doll for Christmas." I smiled faintly. "I have work to do, so if you don't mind…"

"I'll leave you to it."

I was supposed to start my training next week so that Strange and Wong sort out what was the most important for me to learn while still doing their mystical protection of Earth.

As I left his workshop, I replied to Peter's text regarding helping him, and Ned too apparently, with homework at his place.

"Addie!" I looked up at Pietro, who came out of the training room.

"Just done training?" He was sweating. "How many times have you ran around the compound?"

"I lost track after a hundred in a minute. It's more challenging when you put obstacles in my way."

"Can't argue with that," I agreed, putting my phone in my pocket. Pietro started at me. "Yes?" He scratched his cheek.

"I was wondering...are you free tonight?" I blinked.

"I'm free every night, my friend list isn't big. Why?"

"Do you want to eat with me?" I raised a brow and he cleared his throat. "I mean have dinner with me. As a date."

"A...date? With me?" He nodded, obviously nervous. "Are you sure?"

"I've been wanting to ask for a long time, so yes," he replied, slightly annoyed.

I loved Pietro as a friend, he was one of my closest friend after all and so was Wanda. I didn't want to ruin my friendships with them. There was that, but also...the twisting feeling in the pit of my stomach when I'd think about romance.

I had a thing with Barnes apparently. Even if I didn't remember him so to speak, it seemed that my subconscious did.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" I replied in a whisper. He frowned and folded his arms, expecting me to explain further. "I don't want to lose our friendship, or the one I have with Wanda, if we…" He smirked.

"You're overthinking it." I looked at him, rather confused. "We're going to eat together and hang out, it's nothing we don't do on a daily basis."

"You're the one who said it was a 'date'!"

"If it makes you this nervous, then let's replace it with 'hanging out'! Just dress fancier than usual. You know, doll up." I blinked and took a deep breath.

"It sounds...better. What do you have in mind?"

"Peter told me about a good restaurant in Queens, then maybe a movie at the theater? Dress casual, but still fancier?" I nodded.

"Yeah, I can do that. What time?" He grinned at me.

"Six?" I smiled at him. "Great! I'll...pick you up at your room." I chuckled as he left.

When I was in my room, picking an outfit and looking for a makeup tutorial, I received a text from Wanda telling me Pietro wasn't shutting up about us hanging out tonight. I smiled a little and went to my desk. I took Barnes' letter and debated over whether or not I should open it. I had feelings for him before going to Neverland but right now...I just couldn't remember him. Each time I'd think of him, it was bitterness, betrayal, sadness and among all of that, the lingering knowledge that he would understand.

I shook my head, put the letter away and started to get ready. Pietro knocked on my door at six sharp. I looked at my reflection one last time. A red lip and mascara, I had braided my hair in a fish tail braid. I was wearing a simple fitted gray dress with short sleeves and a little bit of cleavage, enough for my necklace to rest on my skin, black tights and a black perfecto with brown ankle boots with short heels. It was strange. I mean, the clothes in my room were obviously mine, but it was weird to think I had bought this. The dress was quite tight and basically hid the pounds I had gained recently. It was flattering and ended just above my knees.

I opened my door. Pietro had changed from his regular hoodie to a dressed-shirt and a denim jacket. He looked at me up and down and grinned.

"You're gorgeous Addie." I blushed a little and grabbed my purse.

"You're not bad yourself." I crossed my arms with his. "So, where to?"

"Food paradise. I hope."

The food was good, if not too spicy for my taste at some point. Pietro laughed while I was stuffing my mouth with bread. Then, we watch an action movie. We made comments to each other about the action sequences, saying how unrealistic they were, before going on a walk near the Hudson.

It was a great night. He walked me back to my room and it was when the awkwardness appeared. We just smiled to each other in silence.

"It was nice," I told him, breaking the silence. He nodded swiftly.

"Yeah, and that movie, just a bunch of bullshit."

"Yeah, totally agree!" We both took deep breaths before sighing deeply.

"Good evening." We looked at Vision, who was now next to us. He raised his invisible eyebrows. "Have you had a good time?"

"Yes!" Pietro replied. "And...and it's late, so we should go to bed. Good night!" He left quickly. Vision watched him leave, then me in confusion.

"Did I say something wrong?" I shook my head furiously before patting his shoulder.

"Of course not Vision, good night!"

I went to my room, leaving the poor android alone in the hallway.

I was so confused. I mean, I loved the time we had spent together, but going back to the Compound just...brought us back to reality. Pietro may had been crushing on me since after Sokovia, it did not mean actually acting on it was a good thing. Now though? It was out in the open, the big question mark on…

I needed to sleep.

As I told Natasha, romantic feelings were a hassle.

April 22nd, 2017, New York Sanctum

I banged my head against the book. I started my training on the 14th. To this day, I was stuck reading books about inter-dimensional travels, or what Strange liked to call it, the most important aspect of my powers I have to control in order to not destroy this reality. Strange and Wong had these Sling Rings to make portals, dimensional gateways, to a different location or even dimension. Yes, I guess the Space Stone...matched this, but using my Dark Matter Manipulation to do magic could allow me to do it too, so no Sling Ring for me.

I thought magic would...well, not be easy but not have so many stuff to remember. Of course I'd expected it to have rules to not accidentally destroy everything but you know...not that much. The biggest point to remember in magic was your will. Basically, you needed to have...imagination to do magic, unlike science where everything follows a logical and strict pattern. However, you also needed to have a very clear mind because it could easily change your intended desire, unlike once again, science where the pattern will keep you on track.

"Look, books are great," I told Wong, who was quietly putting some away. He didn't give any indication he was listening to me, but I kept talking. "However, visuals help a lot too! Can't you, I don't know, show me that Mirror Dimension you mentioned so I can associate words to actual things?"

"Not yet." I groaned. "As long as your powers are not entirely under control, letting you go into another dimension is too dangerous."

"Can't I start on learning how to control them then? I mean, I'm supposed to extract energy from Dark Matter to use Dark Matter Magic, when are we getting started on that?"

"When Stephen decides you know enough." I rolled my eyes.

"He's been here for three months."

"And started training only last May." I widened my eyes at him. "He has photographic memory."

"So not fair." Another book appeared under my nose and I felt the urge to whine but refrained myself.

The Sources of Magic. I opened it and started reading. Between this training and tracking down Fury, I didn't have much time.

It didn't keep Pietro from trapping me in the kitchen by the end of April.

"You're avoiding me."

"I could say the same," I replied. "It was wei...humph!" He had crushed his lips upon mine, my face in his hands.

I returned his kiss hesitantly. He stopped after a few seconds and I chuckled against his lips. He moved back with a small smile.

"I'm sorry, it's just…"

"Yeah, I felt it," Pietro interrupted me. "It's…"

"Nothing but friendship." I pursed my lips as he looked at me longingly. "Are you mad?"

"It's two years of feelings coming to a very disappointing ending, but...no."

"No hard feelings?" He shook his head.

"No, no hard feelings. You can't...control them anyway, and I had a date with you so I'm not complaining." I rolled my eyes with a fond smile on my face. "Friends?"

"Always," I assured him. I returned his hug. "You're not a bad kisser by the way."

"Yeah? I'm not sure I can say the same about you." I frowned and looked at him. "You clearly lack experience." I blushed, embarrassed. "I'd pity the guy if I didn't hate him."

"Is he that bad?"

"I don't know him. I know you were a mess after he left though, it's enough for me to not like him. And he broke my nose in Germany." He rubbed his nose with a grimace, clearly remembering the blow.

Germany was...I remembered an airport, fighting against everyone in the Compound but Wanda and restraining myself.

"Kids." I turned around. Logan was walking to us, leather jacket and all. "Training. Now."

"It was not planned." He raised a brow at me, daring me to repeat myself. "Fine, fine."

"Hand-to-hand. Only powers allowed are if it can regards your body's skills." He walked away.

"I bet you're glad you got to keep these adamantium katanas." I nodded at Pietro.

We got our butts kicked. Less than we used to, but still kicked.

June 25th, 2017, Greenwich Village, New York

"You passed with flying colors then? Awesome," I told Peter over the phone.

"I even beat MJ's grade!" I grinned.

"MJ huh?" He stuttered something on the line as the Sanctum appeared in sight. "I guess I'll see you a lot more now intern with the summer holidays."

"Yes, Mister Stark said we would work on some projects together. He also said there'd be someone else."

"Harley," I told him. "Another kid he apparently likes better than his own goddaughter."

"You brought this upon yourself with your college choice."

"You've gotten way too comfortable with me," I falsely reprimanded him. "I have to go Peter, talk to you later. I'm beating your ass to the ground next time you're over." I hung up while he tried to come up with an answer and entered the Sanctum. I was greeted by Strange's cloak. "Hey you. You're the only one who greets me around here." If it had a head, it would have nodded.

I followed it. Instead of the library where I'd spend my time reading, I learned a lot I had to admit, it led me to an empty room with dark blue mats on the floor. Instead of Wong, it was Strange I had in front of me.

"You're almost late." The cloak settled on his shoulders.

"Almost," I repeated. "Different program today?" He threw a crimson robe at me.

"Get changed, we're starting practical training." I widened my eyes in excitement and left to change.

The fabric was light but a little itchy. Once back in the room, my bare feet against the cold mats, I went in front of Strange.

"You've read a lot these past two months. I think it's time we try to practice what you read." I nodded eagerly. "You are going to extract the energy used to do magic from dark matter. We use this." He made a shield out of orange spark energy. "This is Eldritch Magic." I nodded. He told me about it, but I studied it more after.

"I've read about it. You gather extra-dimensional energy from the Multiverse and use it through spells or incantations, spoken or moved."

"Of course, while we can teach you spells, you won't have the same source. The thing that will be the most difficult for you will be to...surrender." I frowned.

"Surrender?"

"Magic put in perspective everything you know, if you're not ready to surrender to that you won't be able to control your powers. So far, the way you've been using dark matter was in a material way. You make it, shape it, into a physical force. It's great for some opponents, but if you were to fight others it would be your downfall." I pursed my lips.

"How do I extract the energy from the matter then?"

"How did you accidentally enter the Mirror Dimension?" I blinked. "When you felt your matter touching the fabric of reality, you were unconsciously calling upon the energy within it." I looked down at my hands.

"I could see it," I whispered to myself. "I could see it in my hands…"

Damn, I needed to ask Hank what Sinister injected me with.

"I have to do it in any kind of situation," I told him. He nodded.

"Your telekinesis is what bring the dark matter together and make it visible. You said in London in 2013, you used telekinesis to control the tornado Thor entered."

"It was dark matter."

"Not just that." I took a deep breath. "I'm here to make sure it stays under control."

"I figured." I knew already powers were linked to your emotions.

I just thought it was behind me.

I took a deep breath and materialized dark matter between my hands. Ever since Neverland, sometimes there would be some specks of red in it. I took a deep breath and moved my right hand away, trying to focus my telekinesis on what was in the matter.

It just pulled it in my right hand. I looked up at Strange. He didn't look surprised.

"I never said it would be quick or easy to do."

I didn't succeed that day, nor any other day that week. While training with the other Avengers, I'd just...try to fully get in sync with the dark matter.

Eventually, a week later, I saw black energy beneath the skin of my hand. Strange looked more interested and I moved my right hand. The...dark matter, sand like matter, crumbled and vanished before it touched the ground. I blinked.

In my right hand was a ball of dark red, darker than Wanda's, energy. I took a deep breath, feeling how it was...volatile, aching to break through...the limit of our reality.

"How does it feel?"

"Trying to escape," I replied with pursed lips.

I shaped the ball into an empty circle, thinking about the library. Then, I made it bigger as I moved it in front of me.

The library appeared, Wong having headphones in his ears and humming a Beyonce song. Strange moved next to me and raised a brow.

"There was no way he didn't know her," he whispered to himself. I chuckled.

Wong noticed us and jumped on his feet. It was enough to break my focus. The circle started to shake and imploded, closing the gate. Strange made a shield to protect himself but the blast sent me in the wall. Strange made weird hands moves and the sparks of red were swallowed by orange before extinguishing. I sat up, leaning on my hand as Strange turned to me.

"Okay, it's improvement. Now don't lose control because this magic is too closely related to dimensions and the Multiverse. You let it go, it leaves this dimension leaving damage behind."

"...sorry?" He rolled his eyes.

"It's not a critic Addison, just a remark. It's good, it teaches us more about your powers."

"I'd like to learn without releasing Dormammu you know."

"It would be greatly appreciated." He looked at me up and down when I got up. I walked up to him with a hand on my lower back. "Congratulations, you just turned seventy."

"Shut up," I grumbled. "At least it seems I'll have an easy time making dimensional gateways without a Sling Ring."

"Yes." He looked at me thoughtfully. "I think you should have a taste of the Multiverse, it would help you not be tempted to lose control."

"A tas…" He grabbed my arm, his thumb on my forehead.

"Open your mind." I was pushed out of my body and...out of this dimension.

I was falling in a spiral of blue and purple and so many more colors. Then I was floating above Earth. I was mesmerized by the view for a second before I was pulled strongly above. Earth became only a small dot as I was suddenly in a...place. There was a gate looking like a huge skull and…

I blinked at the woman staring at me. She grinned as I was pulled back a second after.

I fell on the floor, Strange kneeling next to me.

"Can you hear me?" I looked at him, panting. "Your heart stopped for a second." I widened my eyes as he helped me sit up. I put my hand on my head.

That woman...saw me. She saw me and grinned.

"What was that?"

"I sent your astral form into the Multiverse."

"You shouldn't have," Wong reprimanded him. "You're good, but nowhere near the level of the Ancient One when it comes to others' mind."

"My bad," he mumbled.

"Can we stick to this dimension?" I asked in a raspy voice. "I think...I think I like my heart beating and pumping blood." Strange nodded.

On July 4th, we had a BBQ at the Compound. Pepper was there, like May Parker. It was nice, the atmosphere was fun. However, as I watched everyone talking and laughing before the fireworks started, I couldn't help but think...people were missing.

I clenched my hand tighter around my glass of red wine.

People were missing. It was all there was to say about this.

I raised my glass to the fireworks before drinking it in one go.

To Captain America's ninety-ninth birthday.

July 22nd, 2017, Venice, Italy

The cat wouldn't stop staring at me.

We found Fury, or more like he decided to let us find him, hence why I was in Venice right now. The new Accords were still in discussion so I didn't have to justify going to Italy to anyone.

"What can I do for you?" Fury asked me.

"I'll go straight to the point. Gimme the pager." His face turned serious and he straightened up in his seat. I was glad it was only us in his 'office'.

"What pager?"

"My dad left me a video message not long before his death, but after he met Danvers." He pursed his lips, shooting the cat a quick look. "There's something bad coming, something really bad and we need Captain Marvel."

"She said it was for emergencies only," he told me sternly.

"And I would use it only for an emergency." Even if I didn't know what it would be. "Please Fury, I need that pager. My father wouldn't have told me about it if he didn't think I shouldn't have it and use it one day."

"There's more to what you're saying," he realized easily.

"I can't tell you everything, I swore." Strange and Wong both made me swear to keep my mouth shut regarding the Masters of the Mystic Arts and the Sanctums. Sure, Tony knew but that was it.

Fury stared at me for a few seconds, then at the cat who was right next to my chair.

"This danger, it's from outer space?"

"Most probably the real culprit for New York. I'm sure it was nothing next to what could, will, come at us."

I'd leave this place with the pager, that he wanted it or not. Not that I would tell him.

"Alright." I blinked.

"That's all?"

"Even if you call Carol and she comes here, I don't think having the team we have at the moment will be good." I pursed my lips. "Stark doesn't want to contact Rogers."

"I'm aware, thanks." I looked at the cat, who tilted its head on the side.

A cat?

"Maybe they don't need to speak to each other. If it's about world security, they'll work together for sure."

"I already know that," he said with a frown.

"We are getting ready in New York. We just need someone who could make sure the Rogues can get ready too. Someone who's important, has authority, who knows how to be listened to. Someone who's a leader and an ally to them. Someone who can help them get ready."

"You have someone in mind already."

"I do," I confirmed.

I needed to find a way to go to Wakanda.

Fury pulled the pager from his pocket and put it on the desk. I took it and turned it around.

"You have no idea how to use it," Fury said with a smirk.

"I was born in 1990," I replied under my breath. I stood up, putting my hood on. "Please don't tell anyone you saw me."

"I won't tell if you don't tell."

"You got a deal." I shot his cat one last look. "Okay, what's with the cat? It has pocket dimensions in it." Fury raised a brow.

"You can sense them?"

"You know about them?" We stared for a few seconds. "You won't elaborate if I don't?"

"You understand quickly." I rolled my eyes and walked away.

"Don't die again old man!"

Now, how could I possibly go to Wakanda? Sure, they were opened to the world now but...my dimensional gates were not...safe to use yet.

Wait, they opened themselves to the world by the end of 2016. Didn't Tony tell me there was a Wakandan Center somewhere in California?

I went back to the US planing my next move.

The Avengers would assemble, one way or another.

Thank you all for reading! Don't hesitate to leave a review!

Bye!