To Eternity, My Witch

by WraithSnakeZenith

James, Wanda, and the Avengers are faced with a new threat after Thanos has been vanquished in Wakanda. A new threat from the Twilight has come and this evil that threatens the entirety of the universe, to fill it with darkness and death. James and Wanda along with their new ally, Amelia, will have to face it alone. [Bucky Barnes/WS X Wanda/Scarlet Witch][Steve x Natasha] OCs

45. Ch 43 Judgment

Hello everybody and welcome back to "To Eternity, My Witch". I have an inkling that I may have this story finished before the end of the year. It will be my Christmas present to you all. As I mentioned before, but there are segments at this point of the story that I abridged out. If any of you want to read them, PM me for them... Otherwise they will remain out of the main body of the story. Those segments will just drag the story on too long.

I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi

Enjoy…

Ch 43 Judgment…

~Amelia's POV… Speaking of the past…~

I let the memories fade as I looked over to Josiah, who was crying. He was inconsolable. I looked back to the black hole core of the Whirlpool, refusing to see if he looked over to me. It was one of those memories that would stick with me forever. "If my former betrothed can find redemption, Josiah, you can too. And he hurt, maimed, and killed far more people than you did. He eventually wanted to be renamed and chose the name Paul, after the apostle Paul. Because his story was much like his own. He has been redeemed."

"How? Why would… He… want me for what I did? I killed many good people. And caused many others to suffer. Especially you most of all, mother," Josiah mumbled out, still crying.

I looked at him in the eyes, sadness was there in his eyes as well as compassion and empathy. I smiled inwardly, he had learned them finally, yet he still had a long road ahead of him. "Yes, you did, but that is where mercy and grace come in. He wants you just as He wants to see all His created to believe in Him. Doesn't mean there will not be consequences. Don't get me wrong, you will face the full consequences for what you've done, Josiah."

He nodded understanding, "I understand, mother. Tell me about my father. What did he endure and how does it pertain to you?"

I sighed, looking away, and brought up the memories of James Barnes. I had him watch the memories in full. The memories from my past had taken a full month. Though James' memories took a week and a half, and where our memories crossed took another week. Josiah had many questions. All the way up until James raping me and my escape from HYRDA and beyond. I had the memories continue as I felt myself reconnect with my body.

Stefan held me close. He was tired from a long day of training the troops. He had, over the last nine weeks since the day I had made the gems appear, taken care of me well. I had watched James and Wanda grow as a couple in the last three and half months since I fell asleep. The day Ganon was finally defeated.

Steve and Natasha were doing great as well. Though Natasha had driven Steve nearly insane with how she acted. Seems the normally calm and collected Black Widow was a chaotic hormone driven mother bear when pregnant. I cried when Pepper had delivered Morgan. Kagome, Rin, and Zelda had helped her when she had gone into labor.

I knew she had hoped for me to deliver Morgan, but she understood I was unable to help. Tony was beaming with fatherly pride, realizing that he had a new life to care for. He and Pepper had come in several times for Morgan to meet me and I loved her. She was adorable. Hopefully I could fulfill my promise to be there for both Natasha and Wanda.

I listened as Stefan sang to me. It was my sister's lullaby she had sung to the Hylian royal house millennia ago. I smiled and was able to connect with my body for a short time. I woke in his arms, warm and inviting. I looked up, seeing my mate's eyes closed as he hummed the song. I smiled, whispering, "Stefan, my mate. My love."

He paused, opening his eyes to see my eyes opened. He let out an overwhelmed gasp, "Amelia, you're awake my love."

I closed my eyes, nodding into his chest, his too familiar presence overwhelming me as I leaned into him. The bond we had was there. Our love for each other is overwhelming for us both. "I love you, Stefan. I cannot stay long. I have two more weeks before I am completely healed. Well… mostly… But I was allowed to come to tell you… I love you."

Stefan drew me closer if it was at all possible, growling deep in his chest, "I love you, Amelia. You have been asleep for about three and a half months. You've made everyone worry beyond belief. Especially Wanda, Natasha, James, and Steve."

I cuddled into him, leaning my head against his check as I closed my eyes, "I am sorry. Tell them, sometime in the next two weeks I will be awake. All I need is just a little more time to do so."

Feeling his smile, I chuckled as he growled deep in his chest, "Of course, love. How much time do you have now to stay?"

"Mmm… Two hours. Why?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

Stefan laughed deep in his chest as he gently placed me on the bed, stand and walked over to lock the door, "You know the reason, Amelia." I smiled as I nodded knowingly. We found ourselves loving each other in the oldest dance known to dragon kind.

Third Person POV… Two weeks later…

Amelia finished showing Josiah everything that needed to be shown. He understood everything now from the past. Though he still needed to think about the path choice he had made with Ganon, the consequences he would be facing.

Amelia stood and offered Josiah a hand up. He took it readily as she pulled him up before dropping her hand, and he looked to her expectantly. She smiled, "Josiah, I will make my verdict known about your sentence once I awaken from my sleep in an hour or so. Your father is in my room, hoping I will wake. He wants to talk, and he needs to hear what your sentence is."

Josiah dropped his gaze nodding in acceptance, "Whatever you choose mother. I submit myself to your decision if it means being in much better company than Ganon. If I become a wolf or a toad, I would look forward to hearing your wise words around me. Besides I know that I did wrong. I just want you to know, I love you, mother."

Amelia blushed, "I love you too, my son. Come, let us get back to Asgard. We have much to do in the next hour or so." She held out her hand to him and he took it immediately.

Lights flashed again and Josiah looked around in amazement. Amelia took them both to the room where she slept in. James was relaxing on the bed with Amelia as she slept. Amelia turned to Josiah, saying as she placed a loving hand on his check, "I am going to get inside my body and feel the full effects of sleep. You will be in a place called the Valley of Souls, Josiah, and once I call you to state your sentence is when James will wake. I will see you very soon, my son. I love you."

Josiah smiled, "I love you, mother. See you soon." Amelia waved her arm and Josiah disappeared.

She walked over to her body and entered it. James lay there beside her, staring up at the ceiling, not noticing that the cobalt blue diamond completely solidifying in her hand. Its deep blue color coming out and the gem becoming completely hardened. Amelia felt the full effects of sleep, becoming dead to the world in true sleep as every living creature did. Looking over to her, he noticed her take a deep breath, but thought it to be her breathing deep in sleep.

James' POV.

I stared up at the ceiling in the chambers that Wanda and I used. She was now over eight and a half months pregnant and as much as she was putting stress on me, waiting to have our little girls in our arms, it was worth the struggle. Though two weeks away from the due date was far better than we had hoped.

Wanda had suffered from a lot of back pain and complained about being overly fat. I made sure she knew she was beautiful every day and loved as well. Because she was. Beautiful. Stunning. Ethereal. Glowing. I glanced over at her and watched her sleep. She was beautiful when she slept and being pregnant, she was glowing. She always loved being near me, touching me, despite her crazy hormones. She always smiled whenever we were separated and then reunited, no matter how small the errand.

Like Wanda and I, Steve was nearly out of his mind dealing with Natalia being pregnant. She was the very definition of a mother bear. And her rants or outbursts were scary to the point of potential death. And though Wanda was as sweet as ever, she did have her moments of hormonal outbursts on me. Most of her rants were taken out on me though Thor, Loki, Clint, and Stefan were sometimes the recipients of her outbursts.

Only Stefan was immune to both her and Natasha's hormone-driven rants. Thor, Loki, and Clint were often left shaking in fear and were barely able to move for a few hours after. Wanda realized this and tried her best to rant to them without anger and sparking off her powers which were only able to come out when she was angry now with being pregnant.

Which is why they both would often rant to Stefan without any crazy responses from his part or from him losing his sense of self or even giving into fear. He later explained that he had to deal with a pregnant Amelia before and neither Wanda's, nor Natasha's rant, combined, came close to Amelia's pregnancy induced rants and fits. Meaning that Wanda's and Natasha's rants were calmer and far better to handle without a hint of fear. He even had them calm and back to normal in a few short minutes.

I thought about the last two and a half months. We Avengers had made ourselves known in the nine realms. We had completed missions in Asgard, Vanaheim, Jotunheim, and back on earth, Midgard as we were starting to call it. Though we had now decided to call Asgard our permanent home. We had been given, as with all the Avengers, a tower to ourselves, being heroes of the realms and all.

Steve, Clint, and I had just returned yesterday from a two-week mission in Vanaheim, trying to locate Charles' missing family and relocating them and their town back to Asgard as they were all exiled when Odin was in power. Now they repented their former crimes and were able to return. Scott, Sam, and T'Challa were back on earth dealing with a mission relating to HYDRA in Wakanda and were expected to return in the next day or so.

Though once the mission was complete, T'Challa remained in Wakanda to rule. Thor and T'Challa had established a permanent connection between Asgard and Midgard there; however, Heimdall was adamant that he'd review everyone who wished to come to Asgard and only if the council approved afterward, and then only with Thor's approval. Very few people were eligible to come, if even one got to Wakanda to do so.

I lay there in bed, holding my Wanda close as she curled up against my right side, but I was unable to sleep. I smiled, remembering back to when Wanda told me the story about the night that she met Amelia all those months ago after Thanos and I smiled at the thought. Just like how she couldn't sleep. Has it really been over eight and a half months since then? Wow time flies.

I remembered then that Stefan had mentioned to all of us and his children two weeks ago that Amelia would be waking up very soon, her health mostly back to normal. Her body was just finishing the last few finishing touches here and there. Even when she would awake, she would still be healing. He never mentioned how he knew this information, only that he had a vague sense that she was.

Wanda was elated as was Natalia. Both were giddy and excited, knowing they would probably have her there for the arrival of the children. Steve and I often were highjacked by our wives by Stefan and Clint, both giving advice on how to raise our new families. Rin, Kagome, and Zelda had been a wonderful addition with Laura, Pepper, Shuri, and MJ, even Sif. All eight women had come around Natasha and Wanda, to support them in their pregnancy. Pepper and Laura and the Draconsire daughters understand motherhood already. They imparted wisdom to both Wanda and Natalia quite a bit over the past few months.

I continued to stare up at the ceiling, annoyed that I could not fall asleep. I decided to head to Amelia and Stefan's chamber to ask Stefan if just being in Amelia's presence would calm me down enough to let me fall asleep. I quietly, gently, got out of bed and remained shirtless, my arm was causing issues since returning from the mission yesterday. Wanda moaned some, but when she found my pillow, she strangled it and went quiet.

I wrote a note for Wanda, leaving it on my side of the bed with a rose from a vase that sat on the nearby windowsill. I walked past the balcony, not noticing a set of vibrant green eyes consistently following me, silently, as I walked towards the door. The eyes narrowed a little at my leaving and the person smiled when the door closed. Leaving my room, I walked stealthily to Amelia's chambers. I never ran into anyone, save for Loki who nodded at me before going back to guard duty for the night.

I knocked on the door, though no one answered. I knocked again after several minutes. Still no answer. I quietly opened the door and found that no one, save Amelia, was in the room. Amelia remained slumbering on the bed, peacefully and alone, the cobalt blue diamond still faintly glowing in her left hand. The other gems had solidified, though they now were located deep within the treasury under Stefan's orders.

It made me worried to the end that no one was around to watch and care for her if she needed it. Deciding on what to do, I went over to lay on the bed next to her, simply laying on my back with my right hand behind my head and my left hand on my stomach. I turned my head to peer at Amelia. She still had her wings, and her hair remained a curly, dark brown. Her eyes were closed still, so I could not tell whether they were brown or if her deep sapphire blue color had returned.

Stefan regularly tried to dress Amelia as well as take her to the hot springs to bathe her every other day, often bathing himself as well. Since he was her husband, he had all the rights to do so. He had taken the outfit that Josiah had made her wear and burned it in their fireplace, only taking the jewels for a necklace.

He had dressed her in a beautiful ensemble like it, yet more modest and for everyday use. The chains remained on her wrists and ankles, which got in the way of everything, from bathing, to dressing, to eating and walking, to just… everything. While Amelia slumbered beneath the blanket, I had laid on top of it, and I could feel the chains under the blanket next to me. Amelia took a deep breath in, still slumbering, as I listened to her. I listened to her breathing, and it calmed me right down.

Her peaceful aura that had always permeated the air around her was calming now and called my mind to sleep. It sang a slow enchanting song that slowed my mind down and chased away the thoughts of my mind. I fought sleep but lost the battle as it overtook me. Last thing I knew before I fell asleep was the peace that came over my mind as I did, even as the sound of chains moving next to me came through my mind.

Third Person POV.

Amelia breathed in again, finally able to wake up. James had finally fallen asleep about ten minutes ago due to my calming presence and natural ability to put people to sleep, and he was resting peacefully. He must be truly tired from the events of his mission the last few weeks. He was shirtless. Looking at his arm, she noticed new scars on his chest and near his arm. It has irritated skins along the edges. His arm must be causing some issues. Understandable. She sat up, the chains on her wrists and ankles rattling unfortunately. Stefan had made sure she was clean and had a new change of clothes.

It was nice not to have the clothes that Josiah forced her to wear on. Pulling back the blanket and sheets as quietly as she could, Amelia got out of bed and stretched her body. Stiff and needing some fresh air, she walked out to the balcony and looked over the night covered Asgard. Her chains, heavy and long, rattled loudly and dragged on the floor as she moved unfortunately. It was most uncomfortable. However, they had to remain on as she looked over the Asgardian landscape.

Ah… Beautiful. Amelia stretched her wings and then folded them close to herself, her hair dancing in the wind. For an hour she enjoyed her time on the balcony. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Freedom. Peace. She could smell it. There was sadness and pain as well. Many had died, leaving behind heartbroken loved ones. And many others were wounded as well. Though the realms were healing. I never thought the Frost Giants and Asgardians would even be reconciled, but they are.

She sighed, her wings flared some and she opened her eyes to look over Asgard. Time to deal with Josiah… She turned to the open area on the balcony and created a ten-foot diameter area so he could move about some. Closing her eyes, she sang a song and as soon as it was done, Amelia spoke in a loud, clear voice, "Josiah, come forth."

Said person coalesced in the center of the circle, eyes closed, and right arm crossed over his chest. His arm stump moving some. He was human, a blend between herself and James, but he mostly looked like James. His hair was dark brown on top and white on the sides and back, just like Reila. Josiah wore trousers and a sleeveless shirt. Once he was fully coalesced, he opened his eyes, heterochromia iridium with one brown eye and one sapphire eye and looked to Amelia. He smiled, "Hello mother."

Amelia smiled, chuckling, "Long time no see Josiah. Welcome back to Asgard."

Inside the room, James gently woke to the sound of people talking quietly, he looked over to where Amelia lay and found her gone, her blankets gently thrown back. He heard the people talk again, chains rattling, and realized it was Amelia and Josiah. Amelia is awake! He got up and rushed to the balcony to see Amelia wide awake and Josiah, as a human, stand on the balcony. Both looked his way and James' eyes went wide. Josiah still had his left arm missing, though now he was human. He remembered that he was shirtless when Josiah's eyes teared up. Turning slightly, James frowned, embarrassed.

Amelia rattled her chains, bringing both Josiah and James' attention to her. "Josiah, I have given your sentence much though since the day I fell into Libran sleep and decided to say it here in the presence of James," Amelia ordered, no waver was in her voice. James listened with rapt attention, crossing his arms, and looking like the killer he had become with HYDRA.

Josiah lowered his head in submission, "Deliver it, mother, I await your words." That surprised James.

He seems genuinely sorry and ashamed for what he had done. Why? How…? James wondered, raising his eyebrow in curiosity; however, Amelia interrupted his thoughts without warning she was there, though she didn't cause any pain. Her mind and soul were a calming presence and hers was gently pressed against his without pain. Her voice sounded reprimanding and authoritative, and it also held a tone of disapproval and annoyance as if he were a disobedient child as she spoke into his mind.

"As he should be. The second reason I was asleep so long was because I was dealing with Josiah. I had to show him the past and why he was wrong, James. He needed to see our past and, in turn, the truth. He has realized with shame and guilt what his actions have caused billions of people and races. He is willing to suffer the worst of consequences to atone for what he has done."

But he killed many, Amelia! How can you forgive your own son… our son… for doing all that? Especially with what he did to you. How…

"Is that how Wanda and everyone dealt with you after you were freed from when you were forced by HYDRA to do terrible things?" She gently and quietly reprimanded, interrupting his triad about Josiah. She had dark, angry looking storm clouds brewing in the background of her soul landscape. She was angry with him as well. James flinched back and cowarded some when Amelia growled some at him.

James remained silent understanding her words immediately. She was right. And she knew it. She continued, grimacing, broken up about it. He looked up and over to Amelia, and he raised a cautious brow as she continued, though her voice still had a tone of authority and reprimanding, though it was gentle and calm, slow, "Much like you with HYDRA, Josiah was… poisoned by Ganon's sinister powers… twisted by his evil lore… He… became the demon slayer's monster. And he just about succeeded in conquering the realms… Much like how you were forced by HYDRA to become the winter soldier, twisted to do their evil lore. Much like how Paul was corrupted possessed by the demon Satision millennia ago."

The storm clouds of her mind collapsed into a desolate landscape with dark, scary, unknown specters moving at the far edges. James didn't want to meet any of them. He cringed back at her deep pain of loneliness, sorrow, and anger. James risked looking at her in apprehensive confusion a moment later, questioning, Paul was corrupted. How…?

Amelia looked away to Josiah, who was looking on with much confusion at the pause, yet he didn't dare to interrupt to ask, "I will tell you the story later, now isn't the time, James. But Paul had a far longer road than Josiah. A life story to last lifetimes, it's the reason we have the bond we have. He also caused much of the strife in the universe today. But let's get back to the task at hand. Josiah's sentence." James felt her immense pain and anguish at the mention of Paul's past. The unknown specters moved more menacingly as she thought about Paul; however, she pulled out of his mind just as suddenly. It left him exhausted and empty at her exit from his mind.

James turned to Josiah, trying to ignore the emptiness at Amelia's exit of his mind, as Amelia turned back to him as well. She stepped forward and she brought a reaper scythe to her hand. It was an intimidating weapon, large and old. Its blade was long and large, and it stood a head and a half taller than Amelia. The long handle was covered in bones, and from the looks of it, two whole skeletons either created or covered its handle. Both seemed old yet, in a grotesque way, in great condition. And they were bleached white.

Josiah and James stepped back in fear. Amelia's entire attire changed as well. Her wings remained there on her back; however, her wings did turn pure black. Her clothes turned entirely black and became a flowing, silky skirt with a beautiful, matching black halter top. The straps had turned into bones entirely, small, and delicate, yet strong at holding up her clothing.

Her long, thick, curly brown hair straightened and turned a solid blacker than black color, reaching easily past her knees to just above her ankles, and her left eye turned dark blood red. Even the sclera of her left eye turned a charcoal gray. In all, she was unnerving to look at. Beautiful, yet scary. A beauty that was terrifying. One could say she was cruelly beautiful.

She spoke, in a commanding voice that was deeper than her normal register and quite raspy, "For the crimes you did against the realms and against humanity, Josiah, you will go to Reslutia through the regenerancy chambers to be resurrected. There you will, upon exiting the chamber, be changed into the form of a three-legged wolf. Though the regenerancy chambers does restore the body and any missing limbs, I am not privy to change God's will. He has made it clear; you will remain having no left arm, even as a wolf. You will be assigned to Lilly Castellanos, the girl that is Stefan's and my ward.

"As her guardian and as the queen of Reslutia, you will be required to be her protection and her guide indefinitely, until she doesn't need you or I call you back to my side and assign you to someone else. Since Annika and her are like two peas in a pod, you will have to deal with Alban, who is in year 8 of serving a 21-year sentence as Annika's guardian. You'll have to get used to being in a pack with him. When and if Lilly is done with you as her guardian, you will remain a three-legged wolf in service to me indefinitely until you're deemed ready and worthy to return to human form."

Josiah bowed in obedience, "Your sentence is more than fair, mother. More than I asked for. As much as I hate to say, why such a gracious offer? Why not something more brutal?" He remained bowing to her, too scared to move, not noticing her coming forward.

James watched in shock, amazed and fearful at Amelia's authority over life and death, as well as her power to order such sentences. Her words were truth. Her scythe was intimidating and if one had noticed, the skulls nodded in agreement with Amelia, their skeletal fingers moving, tightening their grasp on the handle's smoothness as they agreed on her assessment. Amelia placed a gentle hand on Josiah's left arm stump. He gasped and looked into her eyes, sorrow bleeding through them.

Amelia gave him a sad, yet comforting smile, "I love you, my son. The reason I give you such a sentence is because even the most misled person needs grace and mercy if they see the errors of their misled life. Even though this is your sentence as the consequence of your actions, don't look at this sentence as either a bad thing or being light. Because being the guardian of an energetic little girl will bring you to your wits' end. Not only will you be around family and friends, but you will also be around a loving family. Annika and Lilly will be giving you a lot of love and will be teaching you much over your sentence as Lilly's guardian. Look at this as an opportunity to learn wisdom and gain knowledge. You'll find much space to learn love and acceptance as well and grow in them. And forgiveness, mercy, and grace."

Josiah nodded, clearly relieved. Amelia smiled, hugging Josiah, who despite having one arm, hugged her back. They parted and Amelia laughed, putting a hand to his check, "My boy." Josiah smiled, blushing as he scratched his head with his hand and looked away, clearly causing James to smile in surprise, realizing Josiah had his smile.

Amelia giggled, patting his check, "Give mother a kiss." Josiah smirked, his pride not wanting him to, though not willing to defy his mother, kissed her forehead. He blushed, knowing he was clearly forgiven, embarrassed. Amelia giggled again and pulled away. James relaxed somewhat, finally seeing the reason why she said what she did about Josiah and himself. Smirking, he would miss having to learn about his son. However, he remained attuned to what Josiah had done to Amelia and many others.

Amelia stepped back and hit her scythe hard against the ground, "I will see you later, Josiah. Your great uncle Todd, half-brother Sesshomaru, Annika, and Lilly will be meeting you on the other side. And I will see you later with Stefan. I must warn you though… avoid the shadow forest to the south and at all cost run from the wolf that is named Eren Yeager… He's an outcast and is meant to be shunned. He does not deserve good treatment right now as he has caused a bunch of havoc and murder an entire nation as a severely misguided man in another realm. Pretty much was a crime against humanity himself."

Josiah nodded, "Goodbye mother." He turned to James and nodded as he put his fist on his chest, clearly saying he respected him. "See you later, father." James bowed his head taking the farewell, returning it with a salute, before Josiah closed his eyes and he faded from sight. The circle disappeared and Amelia tapped her scythe against the ground again, causing it to disappear.

Her hair turned back to its curly, dark brown color and her left eye became its lovely blue sapphire again. Even her wings went back to normal. Her clothes remained black, however, and it had those bones attached to it. It was all rather disgusting, yet beautiful at the same time. She turned and walked to the railing, her chains rattling loudly as she went. James joined her there, standing nearly shoulder to shoulder.

Amelia leaned against the railing, taking in the beautiful Asgardian night, quietly mumbling, "Beautiful night isn't it, James?" She looked over to him, a teasing smile on her face to ease his uneasiness. He was now quite tense, though he did nod. She continued smiling and went back to looking out over the city.

They stood there enjoying the night air for several minutes in silence, simply enjoying the night sounds. Soon James couldn't take it anymore and he turned to Amelia, asking, "Why?"

Amelia knew exactly what he was asking, answering without turning as she continued to enjoy the scenery, "Josiah had much doubt about what Ganon had to offer him. I saw and knew that immediately when he arrived in the palace all those months ago as he invaded. He was doubting the words and things that the twisted, evil demon slayer had to offer and was trying to debate between what he had been taught by me years ago with what Ganon taught him.

"He was desperately trying to decipher and figure out the truth behind both. During my Libran Sleep cycle, I was able to talk with him a lot about the past and help him to see his errors and the truth, James. As a wolf, aside from him being Lilly's guardian, I will be sending him of different errands and missions. Yes… What he did was wrong, and he will be facing in full the consequences for what he caused, but he has a chance at redemption. Much like how you had been redeemed from HYDRA or Paul from being demon possessed."

James turned away, seeing her point yet still trying to rebel against it, "It still doesn't make it right that he made you suffer, Amelia, or any of us Avengers. It's going to take some time for me to be as forgiving."

Amelia's smile faded as she turned to him, a pained look of both sorrow and resignation on her face, as she glanced over the night covered Asgard before looking back to him saying, "Understandable. I would be in the same position as you if I were in your shoes. So come to terms with it in your own time. Think on this though, did you want to kill Tony's parents or assassinate President Kennedy or even rape me? When you had no control? Like how Josiah was forced by Ganon to do his bidding. Even though he had will power to do what he wanted, you must remember that he was twisted by Ganon's evil theology and beliefs, so he was following Ganon as an apprentice. Falsely led by lies, believing he couldn't leave Ganon's control because of what he had already done."

James remained silent, feeling the guilt, remembering his doubt about doing such acts, even under control of HYDRA at the time. Despite the failure on his part to stop them from happening, he remembered that he didn't want to complete those missions. He remembered he wanted to stop his actions when he did that to Amelia. His desperate debating at what was true and what was false. He saw her point. Josiah was somewhat innocent, though he did have some control over the situation.

"I see that you understand my point, James; however, I understand your position though. It will take time. And you have all the time in the world. But let's put that away for now. Josiah is serving his sentence, and we're here now. Peace has been acquired and we can relax."

James nodded and joined her in comfortable silence again, putting away his thoughts on Josiah. He felt completely relaxed around Amelia, something he rarely did around other people. They stood there for a while enjoying the night, though James was curious about what her wings felt like. Perhaps it was because of her anthrozil status, which made him curious about her wings. Or maybe because they both knew and experienced horrible situations, either because of evil people or horrible circumstances. In a way, they were both freaks, her being an anthrozil and him having a metal arm. I wonder what her wings feel like…

"You can feel my wings, James. It's something many people are curious about. I don't mind in the least." Amelia quietly stated without looking at him, happiness, and contentment in her voice. She was teasing him. He gave her a mock look of annoyance at reading his mind, which she simply giggled over. She even brought her wing over to him, allowing him to feel it. James hesitated for a moment before he reached out and took it in his hands. Her wing felt warm and was soft to the touch. Yet as soft as it was, the membrane was strong and durable.

Her scales were unlike those of a lizard or snake, warm and vibrant and strong. James looked at her wings in full and knew every inch of her wings were needed to lift her off the ground and keep her flying. Though the way she held herself, she could probably carry something rather heavy. He could tell that if she needed to, Amelia could harden her scales beyond the hardness of diamonds. I guess the legends are true, nothing is harder than dragon scales, even diamonds. Just like Tolkein's mithril shirt Bilbo had, the words ring true. As hard as dragon scales.

"I've had to carry quite a few heavy things in my life while I'm in my anthrozil form, James. And yes! Mithril! Tolkien was correct in his words when he said that. I can harden my scales to beyond diamond hardness. Also, there is such a metal called mithril that has not yet been discovered in Midgard that is just like Tolkien's mithril. As hard as dragon scales indeed!" Amelia chuckled heartly, teasing sounding in her voice.

James blushed as she turned to him without taking her wing away from his grasp. Her eyes were now blue, yet they were super pale still, a color like the color of the sky above the ocean. Her hair remained dark brown, though at the roots if one looked closely enough, one could see the hint of white peeking through. She was truly on the mend.

He fingered the chains on her wrists, wishing that they were off. These chains are unbecoming of Amelia. She of all people should never be chained. Amelia brought up her hands slightly, a wounded expression on her face, "I wish they were off too, youngling." James stepped forward and brought her into a hug. She returned it readily, bringing him close and closing her eyes as she laid her head on his chest. She was scared and lonely, and she hated chains, but she had accepted it. And he knew it, even as she said, "These chains do not bother me, James. Even though they are annoying."

James closed his eyes, resting his chin on her head, "I know, I just wish that they were off you. No… I want them off you. They aren't becoming of you. Besides no one should be chained. Least of all you." No further had those words finished leaving his mouth, he heard the quiet clicking sound of her shackles opening and felt the chains loudly clanking to the ground, right behind his feet. He opened his eyes and stepped back, the chains that were locked on Amelia's ankles and wrists were opened, having released Amelia from their grasp.

Said person hummed in pleasure and stretched her arms above her head, before she stretched out her wings in their full glory, flapping several times before she opened her eyes. She was beautiful as she beamed at him, "Thank you, James! That feels so much better." She hugged him tight, though he remained stunned.

"How…?" James asked before he hugged her back. She hummed in happiness, knowing he could feel the vibration.

Pulling back from the hug, Amelia looked up at James who marveled at her, "Well, Josiah was the one who put them on me, and he is our son. You had to realize on your own that you wanted the chains off me, and you needed time to come to that conclusion. Your wanting to have me freed from my chains. That is what caused the chains to open and free me from their heavy weight. And had you realized earlier than now, I wouldn't have had the time to talk with Josiah. Because if you had, you would have come to take them off a lot sooner. And thus, I thank you again, chosen hero." She bowed to him, staying in that position for a few moments before straightening.

James just stood there stunned looking between the now truly freed Amelia and the fallen chains. He marveled at her, glad she was truly free and happy, "Well since you're awake and free perhaps you can now help with Wanda and my twins? And with Steve and Natasha? We were all worried you'd be asleep for the twins' birth and my nephew's birth."

Amelia smiled, "I would be thrilled to help. In fact," She went forward and hugged James again. He returned the hug, though gasped in fear as she fully stretched out her wings and began to lift them off the ground with strong flaps. He whimpered a bit, though she soothed him through their minds, Relax James, I have a strong grasp on you, and I am quite strong even though I have just awoken. Trust me. He relaxed into her arms, and he held onto her, eyes closed. Hold on tight youngling. She smiled, taking him beyond the balcony, and flew around the tower once before she flew out over the palace.

She pulled his mind to hers and he saw as she did, feeling what she felt. Freedom. Peace. On top of the world. A sense of thrill and excitement as she flew high above the city. He let himself feel them as well. He heard her speak through their mental connection as she flew, This is what it means to be a dragon, James. To be free of evil. To be free period.

"This is amazing!" James exclaimed; freedom and exhilaration as he felt her excitement at flying. However, he huffed, disappointment filling him when he felt her land on the balcony again minutes later. He opened his eyes and looked down at Amelia. Her hair was whiter than before and her eyes seemed even more vibrant; bluer, like the solid blue of the ocean. She breathed heavily, yet her smile was wide and her expression carefree.

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Until next time.

WS. Z.