You knew the team was worried about you, but you couldn't help your distance. You had never really confronted your past with Justine, and knowing that the end of your story was going to be one of betrayal felt like someone was driving splinters into your heart. Bucky, the only one who knew the whole story was understanding, and didn't seem phased by your withdrawal-he would only sit near you in quiet companionship.
Today he had left for target practice with Natasha, and you wandered down to the kitchens for a bite to eat. You heard voices as you approached, and you slowed your steps.
"Are you picking up anything from her?" Steve's voice floats to you from the kitchen and you still completely.
"Not really," Wanda sighs in response, "She's blocking me out mostly, but what I can pick up is not quite sadness...but resignation maybe? Some guilt?"
"We're making our move today, I'm calling the team in a few minutes. But maybe (Y/n) shouldn't be there."
You move before even making a conscious decision, rounding the door frame and crossing your arms, "The hell I won't." At least they both have the decency to look guilty. "I'm part of this more than anyone else. I need to be there when it ends."
"Who is Justine?" Wanda asks slowly and you immediately slam a mental wall around your mind, forcing her out, your eyes narrowed. But the damage had been done.
"You know someone there," Steve shakes his head, "(Y/n), why didn't you say anything?"
"Because the outcome doesn't change either way, and I didn't want to be closed out of this," You snap, "The leader of the group and I have history, but you're not stopping me from coming, and more than that I want to deal with her alone."
"(Y/n)-" Steve starts, but you cut him off, "Cut the shit Rogers, you would, and have done the same thing for Bucky. I'm just asking for the same consideration."
Steve takes a deep breath, his eyes fixed on yours while Wanda shuffles uncomfortably, "F.R.I.D.A.Y., get the team in here."
Wanda quickly incapacitates the two COBRA guards standing just inside before sealing the door you had told her Justine would be behind. Rhodie's intel that most of the group had been staging a political assassination in DC seemed to have been good, and besides you, Wanda, Bruce, and Bucky the rest of the team had headed down there to take care of that situation. You had a feeling with your abrupt disappearance Justine would have stayed behind to keep an eye on things, at least until word of your capture or death turned up.
The mutants within the room begin to panic, and you call out in a clear voice, "There's no reason to be afraid. We're not the government, and we're not here to hurt you. Just keep your hands where we can see them, and no one try anything." You nod to the others, "Don't hurt anyone, but don't let anyone leave. Not yet."
Stomach twisting uncomfortably you head toward the door, and the red glow around it disappears as Wanda releases it. You expect Justine to burst out of it, but there's no movement. Shooting Bucky a comforting glance you twist the handle and step inside, closing it behind you.
If looks could kill Justine's glare from where she sat behind her desk would have sent you straight to hell.
"So, the prodigal child returns," Justine's voice is low and cold, "At first I thought something had happened to you, you know, I worried for you. But everyone else was right, you just scurried back to your little rat hole huh? Job well done? I guess I always knew you would never have what it took to fight, never be able to do what needed to be done for the greater good."
She's on her feet, faster than you expect, and you barely are able to send flames spinning out of your palms to stop the ice soaring towards you. You grimace with the effort, teeth bared; as your fire hits her ice the ice melts, stifling your flames. The flames engulf your body, and across the room you can see the ice creeping up Justine's cheeks giving her dark skin a frosty glow. No matter how hard you push your powers there was no give; you were at a complete impasse. Apparently she thought the same, because almost in sync you both stop your attacks and draw your guns. You swallow nervously as you each have the other in your crosshairs, waiting for some unknown signal to fire.
"You think we're the monsters," Justine spits, her eyes narrowed, "But look at you, fighting against your own people. Betraying the people who care about you."
"Justine, look around you, look what you've done-"
"Shut up! You've done enough talking I think, blabbing to your new friends. What will it take for you to understand how little our lives mean to these people? Even now they're probably slaughtering the innocent mutants outside."
"They wouldn't do that, Justine-" The door bursts open behind you and you register Bucky saying your name, but all you can focus on is Justine's gun shifting from you to the man beside you. It's instinct; your finger pulls the trigger and you watch as the bullet lodges itself in her forehead just before she crumples. You hit the ground a few seconds later, your knees banging painfully onto the cement floor, your gun still clenched in your hand; in your heart Justine had died twice now and they were both your fault.
"Some people can't be saved," Bucky says gently, pulling you half into his lap, "No matter what you do."
Bucky's arm slips around your waist, and you rest your head against his shoulder but your eyes don't leave the grave in front of you.
"She did some terrible things," You tell him softly as a soft wind ruffles your black dress, "But she was just a victim of circumstance. In a better world, she would have been a better person."
"You don't have to justify coming here to me doll," Bucky responds lightly, "She was your friend."
"What happened to the rest of the mutants?"
"A lot of them scattered, but we've got the ones who didn't in safe houses until Stark can figure out something more permanent."
"I've got to do something," You tell him, "This law… People need to know what it really means."
"I know. Stark and Steve have some ideas. They were just waiting…"
"Yeah, sorry I just...needed time." After Justine's death you had hidden away in your room in the compound for almost a week. If it hadn't been for Bucky leaving food outside the door you might not have eaten.
"I know."
"Some of you may recognize me from the news footage of a robbery that aired some time ago. For those who don't, my name is (Y/n), and I'm the newest member of the Avengers. But I'm not here today as an Avenger, I'm here as an unregistered mutant and I want to talk to you all about the thousands of mutants living in the United States today and the Mutant Registration Act. Recently a group opposed to this act that went by the name of COBRA sprung up taking a militant approach to put an end to this law. Although their hearts were in the right place, they attempted to do so by the exact methods that those in power fear; using their abilities to usurp the government. To those mutants out there who are thinking of following in their footsteps, I urge you to reconsider; doing so will only prove that the public is correct in their fear of you." You take a deep breath, "COBRA has been neutralized and is no longer a threat. But COBRA is not the only threat out there," You glance over at Tony who gives you a firm nod, "The Mutant Registration Act requires all mutants to register themselves with the United States government and be fitted with a tracking microchip. Upon further investigation we have uncovered that the microchip is not just a tracker. The microchip also puts a kill switch into the bodies of every single registered mutant, and at anytime this could be activated, eliminating the majority of the mutant population."
The reporters in the crowd in front of you go mad at that, and you're suddenly blinded by flashing bulbs while questions are screamed at you. You clear your throat and raise your voice, "The Mutant Registration Act must be overturned immediately. Mutants are people, just like every single one of you out there today, and we must treat them with the same basic human rights and respect that you would treat anyone with. As for the mutants out there who have not registered, I urge you to stay in hiding until this unfair, and unjust law is overturned. Thank you."
You turn your back on the crowd and head back into the facility, your hands shaking.
"You did good kid," Tony pats you on the shoulder, "I've got the rest."