FOUR
Progress.
LIST
Progress was nothing without struggle. It was a natural cycle of life. There can never be any true progress without sacrifices to be made. Fortunately, the trials were progressing well. It had been days since the last phase, and their volunteers had been reduced to three. Astoundingly, two of which had come to display and develop their powers since.
The Maximoff twins had exceeded List's initial expectations. They were the youngest of the volunteers, and were perhaps, one of the least expected to pass. While particularly healthy despite their economic status, they weren't anything unique against the many that joined. They had only their will, stubbornness, and determination to succeed. Perhaps, that was what made them survive.
The older twin, Pietro, had gained the ability of superhuman speed. He was able to go faster than the speed of sound. His homeostasis and metabolism improved to adapt to his new powers, which required him to be fed larger amounts of food. It had been an impressive find.
However, it was his twin sister that gained the most versatile and powerful ability by far. Wanda could engage in hypnosis, telekinesis, and telepathy. She seemed to have a potential for other mental capabilities List was eager to explore.
He knew just as well that Strucker was well pleased with the results so far.
List had spotted Strucker earlier, watching the twins in dire interest. There, caged in front of him, were the subjects caged in separate cells like Miss Jude's.
The older Maximoff was running around the room hysterically hitting the walls. It seemed like he was going out of control. However, he did note that it was interesting indeed when his once brown hair was now tinted with silver. His sister, on the other hand, looked exactly the same except for her glowing red eyes that appeared every time she would use her powers. She looked frightened, and was somehow levitating wooden building blocks that were surrounded by a scarlet glow.
However, they didn't merely wake up with these powers.
As he said before, progress was nothing without struggle.
After the saturation under the sceptre's rays, a sickness brews within the patient that either kills them or manifests their powers. Most of their volunteers died due to this sickness. The twins were the first two to overcome it.
This meant that they were only waiting for the last surviving one, with bated breaths.
Their curious case was still going through the sickness. Miss Jude attracted all kinds of curiosity around headquarters – Herr Strucker in particular. This was a surprisingly recent development. At the time of her arrival, Strucker wasn't interested in searching for her identity. Miss Jude was merely a convenient addition to their trials. However, since the strange events of her last phase, she was a mystery they hadn't yet been able to solve.
Three days ago, Strucker instructed Agent Basso to find more information about her. It was clear that she wasn't of Sokovian descent or citizenship. However, once Agent Basso had come back his information led to more questions than answers.
Aerith Jude was, by far, a normal human being.
She was born, Aerith Anastasia Jude, in South London, England to a literature professor and a florist. She attended a primary school, a secondary school, and even entered Cambridge University. She used to sing in weddings and funerals for her relatives. Aside from growing up near a mental institution, there was nothing out of the ordinary with her.
No mysterious disappearances or conspicuous interaction with questionable or dubious characters. Nothing to suggest any specialness towards her to invoke such a strange reaction to the sceptre. The fact that Miss Jude had no memory of any details of her life – other than her name — made Strucker frustrated and all the more curious of her.
No one could blame him, of course. Everyone was just as curious.
In a small laboratory away from but in view of Miss Jude's cell, a conglomeration of scientists gathered together discussing the said subject. However, even from across the room, he reckoned (with roughly 80-percent certainty) that they were discussing certain rumours and whatnot that reached their ears. Gossip wasn't something List tolerated in the workplace. They were here to work; not babble on who shot who and all that nonsense. Although, it wasn't like List could exactly stop them all from doing it.
It was almost easy to forget that HYDRA was a profession; a place of work. For most outside the base, they probably thought that there were no such ordinary things like coffee and lunch breaks or gossip ever occurring in the facility. Truthfully, they do happen. List supposed that it was universal. People do have a tendency to run their mouths when something of interest came their way. (List could admit that it was useful from time to time.)
As easy as it was breathing, List ignored them. His eye trained on the other side of the one-way window.
Miss Jude laid on her small, thin bed, looking ill and pallid. A sheen of sweat could be seen as well as the subtle shivers that racked her sick body. Defeating this sickness was no easy feat. It forced them to experience a crucial amount of pain at random times of the day. They would feel colder than the harshest of winters, yet hotter than the surface of the sun. They would experience nausea, fever, muscle pain, and migraines. The worst part was the nightmares. Burning into their mind and their subconscious, it often prevented them from fully resting.
The sickness was one they could not treat. No bottle of medicine, vaccines, or tablets could bring her relief. It was simply a side effect of the experiment. In a way, List liked to think of it as a test. The sceptre induces this sickness to fish out the strongest from the weakest; the worthy from the worthless. In order to receive its gifts, Miss Jude had to conquer it herself.
However, it does seem to be succeeding.
List didn't tell anyone, even Strucker, of a curious discovery he found about their patient. Truthfully, his protégé discovered it, and List found himself intrigued.
Despite her obvious agony and tribulation against the sickness, she was only feeling half of the full effects of the sickness. Hypothetically, this could mean that Miss Jude was already developing her powers even before the sickness was done.
David even theorized that perhaps it was triggered during the phase itself – when her body forced itself into a comatose sleep. It was a remarkable discovery that increased the possibility of her survival. However, a part of him deemed it better if it was unspoken to anyone else.
Of course, he made sure David kept that information to himself as well.
At the corner of his eyes, he spotted his protégé standing near the window of Miss Jude's cell. The young doctor was scribbling down notes on some blue notepad, looking as if he was ranging through different hypotheses and theories. List did plan on assigning one different scientist per patient to personally monitor them.
Junior Scientists Walker and Romero were respectively assigned to one Maximoff twins. If Miss Jude proves to be successful, perhaps David could be the doctor assigned to her. If it were the case, she also had to be moved closer to the twins, who were in another laboratory entirely. It would make the observations easier to do.
List sighed, continuing to watch Miss Jude.
Progress was indeed not possible without change. It made him wonder what change would happen to the young redhead in front of him.
AERITH
Summer was fading soon.
Aerith knelt down on a bed of lilies that grew by the altar of an abandoned church. The sun shone above her. A part of the roof had broken down, letting sunlight slip into the interior. The sun's rays illuminating the enchanting old ruins. She knelt there silently with her hands clasped together. A prayer said in silence in front of a broken altar.
Kneeling in front of the altar, her head wasn't bowed in reverence. Instead, it was held high. The bare roof offered the sight of fluffy clouds drifting on the blue canvas of the sky. Her eyes transfixed on it like an enigmatic painting she could not understand.
Time was irrelevant here. As soon as dusk began, the night awoke with glittering stars up above, with the moon as its anchor. Stars were memories. They were precious and pure. The moon was their guardian. They gave light to see in the dark when all other lights went out. The night was beautiful, but it was nothing compared to the dawn of day.
Dawn was the rising hope on the horizon of the sky.
Aerith stood up, feeling the soft fabric of her pink flowing dress. Her hair was loose, cascading like a river of water on her back. She turned around and walked away; careful not to step on the beautiful lilies surrounding her. Broken benches and shattered stained windows were before her; covered in green vines and moss. It felt nostalgic and surreal. They were absurd feelings that gave her the answer she needed.
This was just a dream.
At the end of the aisle was a door that was taller than five full-grown men. Its doors were chipped yet remained strong against the ruins. Slowly, she walked towards the closed door. Her bare feet softly padded on the ground.
A knock resounded on the door at the far end of the aisle. The knock repeated each step she took. She quickened her pace and heard the knocks match the speed. A warm rush took her by surprise.
It was Delight.
Aerith tilted her head and danced on the way to the door, laughing and glowing with happiness. She hummed a harmonious tune – familiar yet unfamiliar. It was a song lost from the seams of her mind. The knock ceased when she reached the foot of the door. Tentatively, she grabbed the handle and pressed an ear on the wood to hear the whistling wind. Carefully opening it, a wide golden barley field greeted her sight.
The wind was gentle, making the train of her dress swish like a soft current of the river. The chirps of birds could be heard from the green woods that stood a mile away from her.
Aerith closed her eyes and breathed in the cool, fresh air. Opening her eyes, she glided down the stairs and through the golden fields. The gentle breeze met her skin once more; a soft kiss and a gentle caress. A smile graced her face and she spun around in the fields. As Aerith spun, the barley turned to the specks of golden light, spiralling above her head like a crown.
Aerith stopped and she was met by the dust cloud of golden specks that glowed like little fireflies in the night. Laughter spilled out of her as she closed her eyes and stretched her arms to feel the warmth of the sun soak her skin.
"Can you play with me?" a childish voice asked behind her, startling her.
Aerith spun around at the sudden encroachment with a hand on her chest.
A little girl with bright blonde hair stood before her, looking at her with familiar azure eyes. The girl had pale, creamy skin that held a certain glow around her. A feeling inside Aerith told her she knew the girl, yet nothing came to answer. Though, she dismissed it, focusing on the little girl in front of her. After all, this was all just a dream.
Aerith smiled and nodded, "Yes, I would love to."
The little girl grinned widely and said, "Try and catch me!"
She ran off with a laugh.
With a laugh of her own, Aerith ran off and chased her playfully towards the green forest. The trees gave way as they chased each other. The forest reminded her of something, but it was so vague like a hazy dream. For now, she focused on catching the girl.
"You can't catch me!" the girl playfully teased until suddenly she stopped.
Aerith slowed down her pace.
"Tired already?" she asked with a smile still on her face.
Her question was left unanswered. Her smile faded as worry grew inside her as she approached the little girl more carefully.
"Hello?" she asked and she was unanswered yet again.
Aerith reached out a hand and touched her shoulder. The girl fell slumped on the ground, but luckily Aerith caught her. Aerith sat on the ground with the little girl in her arms. The girl's eyes were wide open and blood dripped from her nose.
A gasp came out of Aerith's mouth. Panic and fear took over her.
Suddenly, the girl started to bleed more profusely. Red blood seeped through the girl's shirt. Aerith used the skirt of her dress to apply pressure on the wound, but it wouldn't stop. It kept bleeding. Blood spewed out of the girl's mouth and eyes. It looked as though she cried it out. She twitched and shuddered until she went limp in her arms.
The girl was dead.
Oddly enough, tears did not spill for the dead child. Aerith simply closed her eyes in prayer. She stood up, her skirt now painted with red blood.
A scream was heard from far off the road, and horror once more filled Aerith's heart. Without a second though, she began running towards it. She arrived in a glen to find remnants of a village.
The houses were burnt to the ground. The grass that was once green had turned to a blackened ash, and burnt corpses littered the place either burnt or rotting. Blood painted the grass and the flowers.
Shock and fear filled Aerith. She walked, looking around her surroundings in utter grief.
A hand grabbed her wrist and she screamed, but another hand covered her mouth. It was a young boy who couldn't have been as old as her, with pale blonde hair and dark brown eyes.
"Come on! We need to get out of here." He said urgently as he whisked her off under the covering of the forest again.
The side of the forest they went through was sick beyond relief. Desolate with barren trees and dead plants. They ran and ran away from the scene with their hands entwined. Screams and angry shouts could be heard from the distance. A pungent smell roamed the area, and she knew all too well what it was.
Burnt flesh.
In the distance, drums began to play. It rocked the earth beneath their feet, sending tremors. Above her, flocks of birds flew over and beyond, flying away from the noise. With a single glance at each other, they started running. They ran faster and faster, hearing the shouts and screams of unfortunate souls as the drums began to grow louder and louder. Suddenly, the boy let go of her hand, letting her run on her own. That was when Aerith felt something wrong.
The stillness of the air suffocated her. It seemed forced. The silence was unnatural but she didn't slow down for a second. Aerith ran and ran until something snaked around her ankle and pulled her leg out from under her. Slamming her onto the ground, her forearms took the brunt of the impact.
Scraping sounds filled the air. She looked to see hundreds of dead vines slithering towards her like serpents. A thick dead vine was still around her ankle, delaying her attempts to stand up and run. The boy with her shouted her name, approaching her with a knife in hand and started cutting the vine off. However, it curled upwards towards Aerith's calf, tightening its grip and trying to ensnare her hands. Aerith could see the boy trying as hard as he could to cut them loose, but she could see the vines were creeping up to him too.
"Go." She said to him.
The boy looked at her in denial and started to protest, but Aerith cut him off saying as sternly as possible,
"Go."
The boy took one last glance at her and took off. Aerith watched as he went away. She didn't even notice that the other vines reached her, all encircling and restraining her despite her efforts.
Some were as thick as her head and covered with long thorns which dug into her skin. Blood was already pouring out of her. There were others thatwere able to knot in her hair and set her fingers at odd angles.
Aerith grabbed the boy's forgotten knife and hacked a few of the big ones. However, a vine wrapped around her wrist, stopping her. As her fingers numbed, her grip loosened and her knife dropped useless into the mass of undergrowth.
Before her, a crack opened up with a deafening sound. The wind picked up suddenly. Locks of her hair were blown out of her face and around making waves in the air. The piles of crisp leaves flew around the place. With deadly force,the vines were pulling her to the crack.
Aerith lifted her head up as much as she could, the vines gripping her hair and holding her back. The crack was stretched back into the distance, appearing as if it went on forever. At the bottom, a shadow appeared forming the shape of a man.
The vines tugged towards the shadow man. Aerith struggled with all her might, screaming for help. There was a soft yet taunting masculine laugh that seemed to echo around the walls of the crack. Amidst her struggle, she got her hands free from the vines, grabbing onto the ground of dead grass. Aerith uprooted some as she helplessly dug her nails into the ground, hoping it would slow the process, but it was all for naught.
Her strength weakened and she fell into an endless oblivion.
Aerith woke up on the floor with a scream.
Her body trembled as her mind tried to find a semblance of composure. It was the first dream she ever remembered. A dream she wished she never saw. Blinking in awareness, she felt her body protest. It ached all over and was drenched in sweat. She felt starved as her stomach grumbled and her throat felt scratchy and dry.
Aerith rubbed her blurry eyes. Stilling, she felt something move by her leg. Her movements froze in fright. Her breaths became uneven and she felt shivers trail down her spine. Slowly, she removed her hands from her eyes. In that moment, she saw what it was.
Beneath her was a bed of white flowers, not entirely unlike in her dream.
There were vines wrapped right on top of her. Aerith was afraid that they would coil around her again and strangle her, but these were different. They were a healthy green, wrapping around her like a comfy blanket. Despite all these observations, it did not lessen her gradual fear.
Looking around the room, Aerith was shocked to find that she was still in her cell.
However, it looked different.
Vines were latched onto the cement wall across from her. It was everywhere, except on the mirrored wall and the door. Flowers were spread across the floor. No crevice of cement was spared.
Hastily, Aerith climbed up her bed and under the covers. The vines were also entwined to the metal poles of the bed. She hid herself under the grey covers. It was an action that was reminiscent of a child afraid of something that was out to get her.
Aerith clutched the blanket tightly as she watched a vine slither towards her. It was a thin and small vine, but it still inspired the same kind of fear within her. As it slowly raised up to her eye-level, she closed her eyes and waited for it to puncture her eyes or slither inside her body through her ears or nostrils.
Yet, it never came.
Aerith felt a small tinge of something connecting on her cheek. It was small, swift, and gentle like a soft caress. Confused, she opened her eyes and surprise overtook her.
The vine wiped away the tears she didn't know she had shed. Some other vines entwined around her fingers. It was not hostile. It was gentle as if it tried to give her a caring and comforting squeeze. The ginger cautiously returned the favour, giving off a smile.
'How was this possible?' she thought in wonderment.
The vines started wrapping around her, creating a series of rings and bracelets with buds sprouting beautiful purple petals. Aerith couldn't help but giggle until she felt something move on her head. Lifting her hand on her hair, she felt vines move in her hair.
Peering at the mirrored wall, she saw the vines had woven themselves into a circlet perched on her head. The buds bloomed showing a hue of blue. This was when she really did laugh. All fear and anxiety left her and the dream was no more.
However, as reality would have it, her delight was short-lived.
The door opened abruptly. The vines left her and all the grown plants in the room, leaving the room the way it was before: lifeless and dull.
Strucker came in. Following him inside was Doctor List and a few armed men. They blocked her exit and Strucker stood directly in front of her. Doctor List carefully wrote on his tablet, observing the room around Aerith and remaining at a distance. The ginger sat straighter under the stare of Strucker. It unnerved her about the way he looked at her like she was some animal in a zoo.
"How are you feeling Miss Jude?" questioned Strucker with a grin.
Besides being parched and hungry, Aerith tried not to meet his gaze. "I'm alright." She muttered clutching the blanket tightly around her.
"Good, good." he muttered; his grin widening and his eyes glinting unsettlingly as he asked, "So what can you do?"
"Excuse me?" Aerith asked with confusion.
He'd seen it, he'd seen them all, but how?
The comforting presence of her instincts came to her – faint yet still as pronounced – giving her the answer. The mirror wasn't just a mirror. It was a one-sided window. This meant that they had been watching her all this time. Other than feeling utterly exposed and violated, she couldn't help but feel angry. Anger was a strange and uncomfortable emotion for her to feel for the first time. It boiled under her skin, simmering. She had to clench her fist to keep her composure.
Removing herself from her thoughts, she turned her attention back to Strucker who looked more impatient now.
"What are your powers?" he elaborated in a snappish voice.
Aerith – in all honestly - didn't know what to say. She couldn't deny it. After all, they had seen it. Denying it would prove to bring more unnecessary trouble than it was worth.
So, instead of replying, she raised her hands, slowly and hesitantly cupping it together. Honestly, Aerith had no clue what she was doing. Her instincts prodded her, filling her with encouragement. Like in the many things she had done, she trusted it, closing her eyes and feeling it do what it was supposed to do. There was a warm tingle coming from her palms. It wasn't warm in a literal or physical sense. It just felt that way.
Opening her eyes, Aerith widened her eyes to find the hollow space between her palms, filling up. Between them was a light bluish light. It seemed to twirl and weave until it dulled, revealing a bright pink flower.
She gasped at the sight, tenderly stroking the fragile petals with her fingers.
Looking up with a delighted smile, Aerith completely forgot who her audience was.
From his unimpressed scowl, Strucker looked undoubtedly displeased.
"Is there anything else you can do?" he asked, looking at the flower in disgust.
Maybe her newly achieved power was not the one he was looking for. Honestly, Aerith didn't know what other things she could do. From the motherly whispers inside her, she only knew now that she could grow flowers in the palm of her hand. It was weird and delightful, but Strucker didn't seem to share the sentiment.
Casting a glance at List, Aerith found him writing vigorously on his tablet. It seemed her powers intrigued the scientist, despite what his boss thought of it.
Strucker turned his back and walked over to List. Silently, they conversed and Aerith looked up to the guards blocking her exit. Aerith started to wonder what it would be like when she finally got out of this room. She missed the snowy forest beyond this fortress. Her thoughts were cut short when she heard Strucker's voice.
"Such a waste…" Strucker said. "I need a more powerful power. Not blossoming flowers like this."
Doctor List looked at her and then back at Strucker, he clearly looked as if he would object, but he bit his tongue.
"What should we do with her then?" List asked; his voice was levelled but there was an irritated sharpness to it.
She saw Strucker send the scientist a bland yet amused look; a face that looked annoyed by his subtle defiance. Waving dismissively, he answered in a blasé tone,
"Kill her."
The words struck Aerith cold. She froze in place, watching the tension rise and a battle of wills began to unfold. For once since the trials, she was glad of List's presence.
"You are not going to kill her." The scientist firmly stated, glaring at the monocle-wearing man, "Blossoming flowers or not, she has gained an ability. I will not have you kill her because her powers were not what you expected or because it does not meet your criteria."
Strucker laughed incredulously and said, "Growing and creating flowers is useless to our cause!"
List scoffed and looked at him in incredulous disbelief.
"That's the problem with you military men." List sniped acerbically, "You think the more destructive the power, the better it is. Offensive power is not always the best power. You will not kill this girl, hurt her, or even touch her, Baron."
There was a moment of silence as List spat out Strucker's title like it was dirt under his shoe. The amount of vitriol List spat into his words surprised Aerith – made her question her impressions of the scientist. She never thought the scientist would ever defend her. If anything, she thought he'd let him kill her.
Strucker looked at List, fury flaring through his gaze. If looks could kill, List should be burned alive at the spot. There was a sudden click and a gun was suddenly raised. Strucker aimed a gun at List's head; firm yet shaking with fury. There was a flash of fear in the scientist's eyes, but it was gone before Aerith could second guess it.
Aerith watched it all in horror and disbelief. Her heart was racing; both feeling hot yet cold. She didn't understand why Strucker would do this. Was this a test? Was it to intimidate List?
From the corner of her eye, she saw that one of the guards tensed at the action. He noticed it too. That guard stood close to List, lifting his gun subtle to aim at Strucker. If this guard thought he was serious about this too, then Strucker wasn't doing this for show or dominance.
Aerith's gut clenched in dread at the realization.
"What exactlymade you think you have any authority to undermine me or stop me, Doctor?" Strucker asked mockingly with the same amount of vitriol List had thrown him.
"The fact that this was all possible is due to me." List stated firmly, meeting his furious stare unflinchingly even with a gun on his head.
Strucker cocked the gun, readying his hold.
"Well, unfortunately for you, Doctor, you are dispensable!"
A vision flashed before her eyes. Instead of Strucker, there was a black-haired man aiming at a golden-haired girl, shouting the same words Strucker had shouted. The vision disappeared as quickly as it came. While it left her sight, the feeling of helplessness, rage, and fear still remained within her. Without a second thought, Aerith stood up, screaming
"NO!"
Strucker pulled the trigger, releasing a furious bang, and everything within Aerith snapped.
There was a rumble that enveloped the cell, trembling everything within it. The rumble forced everyone off balance. It caused Strucker to miss. Her bed frame rattled and dust dropped from her roof, covering all of them in dirt. For a moment, everything stilled.
Strucker regained his balance, whirling around to face Aerith, and shouting in glee,
"Did you do th—"
He didn't get to finish his question.
A thick brown root sprouted from the ground, breaking through the cement, and wrapped itself around Strucker. The man himself held in pain as it squeezed him to the point of stillness. The pressure around his body forced him to drop the gun. The metal clattered onto the floor. Electricity felt like it was shooting out her arms. Her instincts were growling and tense at being threatened. Every cell in her body wanted to squeeze him, trap him, and suffocate him until there was no life in him anymore. The vision haunted the recesses of her mind. A storm of emotions harrowed and clashed within her.
There were footsteps approaching her, but she ignored it. All she could focus on was the pain, the tension, and the desire to hurt him.
Suddenly, there was a gentle weight on her arm. She was broken out of her thoughts, but the tension remained. She turned her head to look at where it came from. There was a hand on her arm. An arm she didn't even notice had lifted with fingers clenched. It was a copper-coloured hand that grasped her wrist firmly yet gently. It felt reassuring somehow. Glancing up at the stranger's face, she allowed herself a moment of surprise.
In her stay here, she had met and looked into the eyes of many scientists. They were often cold, calculating, sharp, curious, arrogant, and callous. It often made her skin crawl and her hands tremble. Excluding List, Aerith would rather be caught dead than be in the clutches of the ones here. However, for the first time she looked into a scientist's eyes, she saw kindness – true and unadulterated kindness.
His brown eyes were warm and compassionate. It spoke of a gentleness that buried itself deep inside him. However, Aerith could see it clear as day; vulnerable to her assessing eyes.
Aerith knew him vaguely. He was the scientist that sometimes came with List in his assessment of her before the phases. However, she only ever saw him stand outside the door. From the day she first noticed him, he looked and acted differently. Today was just another testament of that.
He squeezed his wrist to regain her attention. Her green eyes locked into his brown ones. Clear as day, she could tell that he was trying to tell her something.
'Trust me.' Those dark brown eyes said.
Subconsciously, Aerith did. Her whole body relaxed and her arm fell back, releasing its tension. The grip on her wrist disappeared and the scientist stepped back, giving Aerith a small yet comforting smile. She didn't even notice the vines retreat back into ground, releasing Strucker into a coughing heap on the ground. It wasn't until there was a loud and unmistakable groan of pain, that she noticed her surroundings.
Looking around, the cell looked relatively untouched, except for the coughing Strucker and all fours; covered in dust particles. She did notice List had stood back, holding the arm of one guard as if he stopped him from advancing. There was a warm and appreciative glint in his eye and an even appraising one that glanced between her and the kind scientist.
There was another painful wheeze that broke through the air. This time, it didn't come from Strucker.
"Well, that was something." The guard said.
The guard who stood near List, who noticed his aggression and was ready to defend List should Strucker had pulled the trigger. The guard who was currently leaning against the wall with a hand clenching his bloody chest. While the bullet missed List, it found a new target to shoot into.
Immediately, Aerith moved, stepping on Strucker's still crouching form. She didn't care that she forced him back onto the ground. All that she could focus on was the guard. As if in the right frame of mind, List, the other guard, and the kind scientist approached the bleeding man too.
Carefully, the wounded man fell onto the ground. The other guard and the kind scientist were able to hold on him, gently lowering him down the ground. List crouched beside Aerith, examining the wound.
"There is too much blood." List muttered before he turned to the kind scientist and said, "Doctor Wang, is there an exit wound?"
Wang – the kind scientist – lifted a hand from where he held the wounded man. It was stained with blood.
"Does that answer your question?" he said grimly.
"Damn your stupidity, Strucker." List cursed before he said, "At least, we don't need to dig for the bullet, but he doesn't have much time at all."
Judging from the grim look on List's face, Aerith knew there was no chance of saving the wounded guard. They didn't have the supplies or the time. However, as Aerith looked at the quickly paling man, something clicked within her.
"I can help." She murmured without thought.
She knew that all three were looking at her incredulously. However, before anyone or even herself asked, she lifted a hand on the exposed wound.
Then, it happened.
Her hand hovered over his chest and a turquoise light glowed out of her fingertips. There were gasps that she ignored, only focusing on the guard in front of her. The light surrounded his body and the light slipped inside the wounds. It soon began to close up, leaving no trace of a scar and his chest only painted in his blood. After it was all healed, the light disappeared from her fingertips and she met the eyes of the guard she healed.
While Aerith had been expecting some shock and perhaps fear, she was completely taken aback by what she saw instead. It was of curiosity and amazement. The guard before her looked at her like he had reached an epiphany. His brown eyes bore into her green ones, and Aerith couldn't help but feel like she could trust him.
The moment was broken, however, but an audible applause that broke out from behind them. She turned and looked (like the rest of them) to see a smiling and happy Strucker, back on his feet like nothing happened. Aerith looked at the said man, who was grinning at her deviously.
"Excelle—"
"Do you regret trying to kill her now?" List interrupted sharply in annoyance, making Strucker's glee turn sour.
The man merely sneered at him; not admitting his mistake. He moved to retort. Perhaps, he was going to insult List or deny any of it, but List interrupted him once more.
"To answer your question, She's a possible botanokinetic with healing properties."
"Possible? What do you mean?" Strucker asked, his mood turning hesitantly more amicable.
List rolled his eyes and sniped, "What I mean is that it is possible that her powers can evolve to something more. Do you understand that? Or do I need to spell it out for you in a written report?"
Seeing the tension rise again, Aerith sought to break it with the innocent question of "How?".
Both men looked at her when she spoke. However, it was Wang that answered for her.
"A kinetic ability over earth is highly extensive. It could involve metal, dirt, or stones. So far, you seem to favour plant life – with your flowers and your roots of death. However, it could evolve or it could just stay the way it was, but it is too early to tell what kinetic ability you truly have."
"Really?"
Wang shrugged, "Like I said, it's possible."
Aerith – as inquisitive and interested as she was – made to ask more questions before a cough interrupted them. By now, the healed guard was standing upright next to the other unharmed guard, watching the proceedings silently.
"That is enough for now." List said, giving Wang a stern (and almost parental, but she could be mistaken) look.
Sheepishly, Wang stood up and helped Aerith up alongside him.
"I expect a full report on your findings later on my desk, Doctor." Strucker said to List.
"Shall I include a dictionary for you, Baron?" List quipped.
Aerith had never seen anyone turn so red before. Strucker glared at the old man before huffing and leaving the cell. Passing by the two guards that still remained with them. Looking at them, she was able to catch the eye of the one she healed. For the first time since the whole debacle, she actually looked at him. He was quite handsome – in a rugged sort of way. He had a growing scruff on his chin, his eyes were a wooden brown. They weren't warm like Wang's. It felt hardier yet reliable. Looking at him, she couldn't help but give him a small smile.
Tentatively, he returned it.
List moved to walk out of the room before turning to look at her and Wang.
"Come on, we need to see if there aren't any negative after effects." List prompted, leaving them without a second glance.
Wang nudged her forward and Aerith walked out with guards flanking behind them. Hurriedly, they caught up to List. Once again, she was led through a different hallway. It was lined with small empty cells, each with a bed and a toilet. Aerith gulped nervously. This was the hallways they used to observe on them and it chilled her to the bone to imagine their suffering. Having gone through the same sickness, she didn't want anyone else to go through it ever again.
Soon, they arrived at a well-lighted laboratory. They paused at the third cell next to seemingly occupied by others. This delighted Aerith to such an extent. She also started to wonder if the man she once saw was still alive. The thought made her gulp.
What if he was dead?
Aerith stepped and tried to peek at the cell beside – presumably - hers. In the cell, she saw a young man. He was standing in the centre. His arms bare and his shoulders hunched like he was containing an energy within him. His head was bowed; his dark hair mixed with silver long and choppy, blocking most of his face. However, she could see the bright blue eyes shining from his face.
It was him.
The man she met before.
The realization brought a warm feeling to her chest to know he was alive. She let a smile appear on her face, but as she continued to watch him. Then, she saw him move quickly in a blur. This made Aerith halt in her tracks.
What was that?
She stepped forwards, watching him move around his cell in an impossible blur. He had a power just like her.
A red glow came out from the mirror at the corner of his eye. She looked at the cell next to his, and saw a young woman with long brown hair. The woman bore resemblance to the man next door, perhaps they were siblings. Aerith watched as she moved some objects around with a red aura surrounding her hands and the item. She watched as her eyes glowed red. Regardless of the amazement she felt, she saw the vulnerability and terrified expressions on the both of them.
"What have you done to them?" Aerith couldn't help but ask.
Her eyes fixated on the two before her.
"The same thing we did to you." A random scientist answered, overhearing her.
Aerith turned her head to see a tall, gangly blond. The man was older than her but certainly not around List's age. He stood by a desk – filled papers and whatnot – with his hands crossed and a cocky smirk on his face.
Tauntingly, the scientist said, "We made them special."
Suddenly, her blood ran cold and his words brought a gush of anger through her.
Before any reckless actions could be made, Wang held her wrist once more. Meeting his gaze, she was surprised once more by his gentleness. However, there was a fiery glint in his eye that made her curious.
"You shouldn't get her angry, Junior Scientist Walker," Wang sniped, "Or you'd find yourself six feet underground."
"Was that a threat?" this sneering scientist asked angrily.
Calmly, Wang smiled and said sweetly, "No. Just a warning, Junior Scientist Walker. She almost did it to Strucker. I don't doubt that if you get her angry enough, she'd do the same to you."
Bristling but wary, Walker took his warning but couldn't help but sneer, "It's Doctor Walker."
Wang tutted and said, "Until you actually finish and get that doctorate, you are no doctor, Junior Scientist Walker."
With that, Wang led her away from the scowling scientist. Aerith cast him a questioning glance which he understood.
"He doesn't like that I'm MVP here."
"MVP?" Aerith asked in confusion.
Wang looked at her weirdly for a second before the proverbial light bulb clicked into place.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Well, MVP means—"
Aerith never got to hear Wang's explanation.
"We don't have all day, Doctor Wang." List interrupted them, sending another look at the wild-haired doctor.
Sheepishly, Wang apologized, casting Aerith a reassuring smile.
The smile caught her off-guard honestly. It was almost inconceivable to think she would receive anything remotely genuine from anyone here. However, it seemed she was mistaken. Unable to help herself, she smiled back; unsure but grateful all the same.
Entering her new cell, she observed that it was almost like her own. It was somewhat sterile and empty with the only thing inside was a bed. Aerith sat on her new bed, testing it tentatively. The bedding was softer than her cell before – but by not much. As she sat there, List (with the help of Wang) examined her. They flashed a torch on her eyes, checked her pulse, checked her blood pressure, and procured a blood sample.
It wasn't long until they were done.
"This is where you will be staying now. You will stay here as we monitor you and help you with your new abilities." List said promptly.
With that said, they exited the room (though, Wang gave her a friendly wave), leaving her alone inside.
Unsure of what to do, she laid down on her bed, ruminating about the events that had happened. She had gained powers, saved List, almost killed Strucker with said powers, possibly made two friends, and received two clues from what her life could have been before. However, neither yielded to be positive.
The remnants of the dream chilled and frustrated her. A part of her was screaming and clawing her way out but there was no door or window to pass through. It frustrated her to know that there was something she should remember but couldn't. Everything – from the abandoned church to the ruined town – was painfully familiar.
There was one thing that bothered her thought.
The little blonde girl had appeared in both her dream and vision. In the dream, they played and she died in her arms. In the vision, she stood before a man that was going to kill her while Aerith was helpless to stop it.
The vision haunted her. When it appeared, it felt like she was there at that moment. She remembered all those emotions she felt. Those painful, unbearable emotions she didn't know she could feel. However, what bothered her most was her reaction. It frightened her that she was going to kill Strucker. While she held no fondness for him, Aerith never really thought of killing before – not in such a visceral way.
There was so much about it she didn't understand.
Before she knew it, Aerith was crying.
Quietly, she wept. Her tears were absorbed by the fabric of her pillow. Aerith didn't know what exactly she was crying for, but she felt the need to do so nonetheless. Amongst this, she realized that there was a certain happiness that came with her newly-founded powers. However, it didn't remove her sorrow nor lighten it. Even the happy revelation that she wasn't alone could not ease her heart for the better.
She knew she wasn't alone.
She had seen them with both her eyes, but why does she still feel lonely?
A/N: YAYYY! Aerith and David Wang has met each other. For those you have previously read the version of this story before I rewritten it, I decided to incorporate Wang more, especially to strengthen and put a base on their relationship. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this. Have a good day/night!