Chapter 14: No need to say, Goodbye.
A/N: Here it it….and remember folks. No need to say goodbye. The song you will here for this ending is "The Call." By Regina Spektor. Inspired by the 2008 adaption of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
"One minute!" Maria clenched through white teeth as the monitor flashed its timer that would signal the fire of the remaining two Helicarriers afloat.
The time only seemed to have sped up since now there was only forty-five seconds after the former Commander blinked a few times in frustration. They had to make it, they just had to! Failure was not an option. Whatever happened, Maria hoped that she would be ready when the moment came to initiate the button to cause the friendly fire, and not the death of millions of innocents.
But her task would never come.
Kara appeared in the doorway of where several field agents laid dead thanks to Maria killing them. Her expression was one of strict and determination.
"Kara." Maria issued the girl to come to her, and so she did. "Listen to me. Its almost time. Thanks for having our backs. Before the brunette could go on further to express her inner gratitude, the blonde's powerful hand clasped her shoulder and they both disappeared with not a trace of where they could have gone off to.
Brock Rumlow was enjoying every aspect of kicking the ass of The Falcon. He had already been through a lot in just one day. Having to be aware that Captain America had infiltrated the base along with his renegades was a start but having to relocate his shoulder after being thrown and almost rendered unconscious by Supergirl was enough for him to call it a day. But not before he could take care of Captain America's little ass kisser that is.
With a tight grip he threw Sam onto the glass table of the forty-first floor they were on and spat some blood across the floor to speak.
"Can't wait to show Cap your corpse kid." he taunted as Sam groaned from an aching back and hip trauma. "And once that's done I'm gonna find a way to have my way with that schooled bitch you guys have."
He would've continued if not for Sam finding his strength again and rolled over to the other side of the table, Brock being on the other. Just as Rumlow planned the next move in his head, he couldn't help but watch Sam's face contort into relief, and he was looking behind him.
"Now Romanoff!" Sam panted, and Brock tensed up. The Black Widow was behind him! Who knew what move she would make to put him out of commission. He had to act quick. Channeling all the strength he had into his left bicep, Brock turned around to deliver a South Paw jab, being positive and certain that it would take the Russian by surprise. He also didn't hold back.
It was the worst mistake he would ever make of the day.
Knuckles cracked, and fingers caved in as his fist impacted with a styled "S".
He had been tricked.
"FUUUCKKK!" he shuffled across the table away from Supergirl, cradling his new injury. Now what? Now fucking What?
A large chair to the back and nape is what he got when Sam threw it at him. Normally his tough endurance and rage would've driven his anger to unimaginable lengths. But his mind was occupied and the pounding in his now bleeding hand didn't help at all, thus taking him to the ground but taking a knee.
Sam came around while rolling his shoulder and extended his forearm out. Kara must have been thinking the same thing and the two entwined their forearms the way soldiers did to signify their status as brother in arms.
"Kara."
"Sam."
The Wilson heir welcomed the gesture, but he did not expect the world to go dark in his eyes, so he could appear somewhere else. Leaving a semi defeated Rumlow alone and cursing.
Steve pushed through the pain in his shoulder as he barely avoided the shots that would've entered his abdomen had he been any millisecond late. The countdown was approaching, and he had to insert the targeting chip he had in his hand before it was too late. He was just glad that Sam had done his part before he was grounded thanks to the man who was keeping him from doing his task below the deck.
The man with the face of Bucky was not once hesitating to stop him better worse kill him. And he was putting his brutally trained body to good use by pulling himself by bars and platforms to reach his wounded adversary. The Winter Soldier was now on the walkway where their brief battle begun, and he was menacingly marching towards Captain America who was standing up due to natural reaction, waiting to defend himself rather than place the targeting chip in its designated area.
But he never had too.
A gust of wind blew behind The Winter Soldier and small fingers grabbed him by the back of his thick neck. Knowing full well that Kara was here to protect him, Steve turned around so fast his neck would've snapped and placed the chip in after removing the main one from the CPU console. The soldier turned around again to see his demented friend slam his cybernetic arm repeatedly into Kara's face as his feet dangled a good three inches off the ground along with Kara's, her face never once flinching as the appendage struck.
The Winter Soldier was now frustrated and precautious judging by his face. He once again was being confronted by the one who tore his arm out. He felt as though he should not have thought of such things because his fist was caught when he attempted another useless lighting jab. Fingers that appeared frail and pale dug into his knuckles, barely denting the metal but only because the Kryptonian allowed them too. She wanted to hurt him. Oh yes, she did. But there were other more oppressing matters here. Steve was injured, and she wasn't going to waste her energy on The Assassin anymore.
Instead she controlled her strength to slowly squeeze the muscle in his throat, cutting off the oxygen in the process. This was enough to satisfy the alien, and before Steve could shout for her to stop she spoke.
"Perish on this atrocity you heartless Pawn."
The Winter Soldier was then thrown over the inner hangar bay, his body hitting various platforms and his take in this battle ceased as his head collided harshly with the bullet proof glass and metal below. Steve grunted and grabbed onto a pipe for support, he thanked God above Kara didn't kill him.
"Steve!" the blonde made her way to her friend. Her once dominant appearance disappearing faster than she could ever move. She brought a hand to her mouth when she saw his crimson blood leak out of his shoulder and staining his suit. Just like Natasha, he had been shot. And to make matters worse, he was showing a limp due to having one in his leg. She wasted no more time in observing and grabbed him by his good shoulder to bring it around her smaller frame.
"It's okay Kara." his baritone voice panting but not once giving off any indication that he was in serious and uncomfortable pain. "I'll be fine.
He stumbled again, and had it not been for Kara he would've collapsed. Instead he leaned over the railing, searching for a certain someone. There, just a few feet away from his discarded shield, was an unconscious James Barnes.
"Bucky!" he yelled over. But there was no answer.
And there wouldn't be one. He took in another painful inhale and shouted again.
Now that he was surrounded and had nowhere to go, Pierce made one last attempt by reaching for his phone.
"Bad time Mr. All cannon and no balls, you don't get your Phone call until you go to the slammer."
Tony's infamous humor was used at a horribly time, and with a press of a button, every single Councilman looked down at their breast jacket. The sizzling was radiant and they all screamed in agony, each falling to the ground dead and causing The Avengers in the room to be on the alert. Steve and Sam clenched their fists in frustration. Maria and Fury however, un-sheathed their pistols and aimed it at the stoic mad man. Tony silently cursed from watching the Councilmen twitch due to nerves. But they were officially dead once they stopped. Then the revelation came.
The badges they wore are what caused their deaths, and Natasha was wearing one!
The redhead aimed quickly with her boss and lover, but Pierce spoke before they could even think of firing.
"Unless you want a two-inch hole in her sternum, I suggested you all stand down." He made a quick glanced to all of them, including Supergirl, who was eyeing the dead bodies cautiously.
"That was armed the moment you pinned it on…..just in case anyone tries a sneak attack." He pressed the button and everyone except Kara tensed up. When nothing happened, Pierce spoke boastfully. "The moment I let go, I wipe the Spider out, so don't try anything."
Those words were enough to make Maria be the first to slowly lower her gun, followed by Nick, then Natasha.
"You know." He turned to Supergirl. "You have amazed me, that much I'll admit."
Her hands clenched when she noticed Natasha wore a pin similar to the burnt ones on the dead primitives' dress attire. He was mocking them, and instigated that he was willing to do the same to her friend. This only kept her eyes glowing longer and longer.
"You are something new, something far more superior than anything I've ever seen. Your gifts are a true force to be reckoned with. But you follow the wrong path Supergirl. These idiots fail to understand the big picture." He waved his free arm to everyone in the room. "It's only a matter of time before the enemy, the REAL enemy, strikes us and brings us down to a point where it would take generations for us to recover. You could have been among us. In my eyes you have the potential. Those Carriers out there, only exist to primarily protect, and if needed, destroy. I could save the lives of Billions by sacrificing a few million. But with you, I could save the world, by sacrificing thousands." He caught his breath before looking out the window to see the smoke from the crashed Helicarrier.
"What a waste…But you can make up for it. And you can start by taking me away from here." He raised his phone. "Or she gets it, you have no choice either way, I suggest you get to it."
If there was one thing that Kara understood about this man, was that he was the mastermind behind this operation. His aging features only proved him to be wise but lustful for power. Because of him all of this happened. Because of him, corruption existed in this government organization she could assume the one-eyed leader, Maria, Natasha, and Steve had served. And the only method for him was persecution when ones such as her comrades tried to be the better people. What kind of ideas was this man truly thinking? What pushed him to this edge? Why had he chosen to bond with his traumatic experiences instead of arising from them.
Savages! All of them! And Natasha was being threatened.
Her Inhabitant, her friend!
"Kara." they all looked at the redhead expect for Pierce. "Kill this Fucker."
Natasha closed her eyes and squeezed the taser disk she had in her hand, everyone grew horror struck as the visible currents of blue electricity ran through the veins of the Russian. The waves struck her lungs and she collapsed with her head hitting the floor first followed by the rest of her frame. The Badge circuiting out thanks to the foreign literal shock.
Pierce heard the familiar sound and turned to see the Black Widow on the floor, her body spasming once before going still. The Man left all concentration for a moment to look at his phone, he didn't release the button, how could there be a malfunction? But then the other question hit him.
"Kara?..." the sound of a charging laser from Iron Man echoed and Pierce spun on his heal to receive a blast to the shoulder thanks to Tony's one shot Repulsor on his watch. The burning pain was not enough for his to scream since Maria and Nick raised their pistols and fired multiple rounds into his stomach. All he could do was stand there, with his brain finally catching up and he groaned terribly. But he didn't double over. Thanks to Supergirl who appeared right in front of him and raised him into the air by his neck. Her fingernails digging into his flesh, drawing blood.
It didn't end there.
Instead Kara grabbed the elbow of the arm holding the phone and snapped the limb backwards prompting Pierce to drop it, the crunching of bone caused Maria's adrenaline to rush. Nobody threatened her Woman in the same room. Nobody! Pierce's esophagus being squeezed was the only reason why he wasn't screaming in agony. His clenched eyes were enough to say it all.
Kara was completely enraged. Natasha had sacrificed herself to deliver the end that this man deserved, and the girl would not pass the opportunity. The Kryptonian focused, enduring her concentration into her optic weapons. There was no time for doubt, she had one shot at this.
Pierce mustered the courage to look down to the one holding him, he would not die without a final say. "Hail…." And then he went silent when Supergirl brought him down to meet her face to face.
"May you perish for your actions, your thirst for power ends today. I sentence you to death for the things you have done and for the things you might have done, you Primitive Tyrant." Her glowing eyes grew brighter with each unrecognizable word and the Avengers watched as a concussive shock wave of red left Kara's eyes to enter the ones of Alexander, not even a second past before blood began to leak from both ears and nose holes followed by his eyeballs melting into disgusting putty filth. The smoke coming from his eyes indicated that his brain had been burned to a crisp. Knowing full well that the leader of HYDRA was dead, Kara squeezed his neck till the crack was heard before tossing him to the ground.
Secretary Alexander Pierce, current Political Leader of HYDRA, was no more.
"My God…" whispered Steve and he had to turn away for a moment while Tony, Sam, Maria, and Nick watched with stern expressions. Their attention for the dead leader ceased when Kara rushed to Natasha on the floor, the rest were smart enough to do the same, Steve even endured his injuries a tad bit longer to seek to his comrade.
The Kryptonian plucked the burnt tag off the redhead's attire and lifted her torso, followed by Maria scooping Natasha's head with a gloved palm. They were surrounding the Russian as they crouched more and more.
"Natasha…." whispered Maria and Kara.
"Romanoff!" Nick panted.
"C'mon Natalie…." Tony pressed forward with determination.
"Don't do this Nat…." Steve said with harsh breathing.
Sam could only look on, he had to be strong with the team.
"Natasha!" Maria was glad that Kara yelled along with her, and thanks to that, the redhead jolted in fright. Bringing the uttermost relief to the team.
Natasha kept her eyes closed, that would be the first and last time she would ever do something like that. Her own tasers hurt like a bitch! Now she knew how the scum she faced in the past felt.
"Ow….." her lids fluttered slowly before opening to look at the first face among many over her, which so happened to be Kara. "Those really do sting."
Maria's lip quivered in joy and she would've kissed Natasha, but Kara beat her to it when the blonde delivered a quick peck to the forehead. The rest let out breaths they didn't know they were holding in and they backed away to give the Black Widow room to sit. Natasha found her strength again just as she had so many times whenever she took a fall but immediately regretted that decision when her legs felt like Jell-o.
"Easy Romanoff." Nick lectured as the redhead gave it another go, this time subtle. The sound of heels clicking the floor could only mean she was back on her feet and as Natasha brushed her long ginger hairs out of her cheeks and nose, she noticed Steve.
"Your Hurt!"
All the attention was now thrown onto Captain America's shoulders. Attention he didn't want. When he looked at his wounds again he saw that they were leaking through the fabric to the point where the white and blue evolved into a nasty dark brown. Standing upright was not something he wanted to do anymore and Tony along with Sam came to his aid by wrapping his big arms around their shoulders. Even a leader needed aid when necessary.
"Well I'll admit I'm a little tipsy."
Tony made the tsk tsk click multiple times. "I believe its woozy Capsicle. You haven't had one too many drinks yet."
"I thought it meant the same thing."
"Nope….it didn't you can ask anybody here right Nick?"
The tall dark man rolled his eye. "Get a move on. The copter's waiting."
The Falcon, Soldier, and Billionaire wasted no time in practically dragging one another to the glass doors on the other side of the room leading to a hangar bay. Nick paced ahead so that he could be sure to start the engine while Sam and Tony got Steve settled into one of the built-in beds used by medics. The ones that didn't seem like they were going to follow behind were Kara, Natasha, and Maria. The Russian looked to the floor to see the dead councilmen not too far from their planted feet. The body of Pierce and the burnt smell of flesh brought a smile to her lips. Good riddance.
"She did it." the redhead eyed Supergirl.
"Yes, she did, just like you told her too." Maria took a step closer to her lover. Then did the unthinkable by slapping Natasha across the face, not hard, but real enough to cause Kara to gasp. Then the Kryptonian quickly understood why. Natasha did after all triggered a lethal pellet of electricity onto herself. Yes, it could have been worse, but Kara could have disarmed him while the tyrant bathed in his ramble. There was no need for such measures.
Natasha on the other hand, pun defiantly intended, simply shook off the effect as though a breeze of air grazed her chin and looked at Maria. "Sure you don't mind telling me what that was for?"
"For scaring me, and all of us. What else did you think?" the former commander crossed her arms.
"Guess someone is getting soft, isn't she?" Natasha stepped closer.
"Triggering my worried house wife sense doesn't make me soft?" Maria copied Natasha's actions.
"Having one in the first place and admitting it, definitely paints a target on your chest?"
"Well what are you gonna do about it?"
"Kiss you." before they knew it, their faces were half a centimeter away from each other.
"What's stopping you?"
Kara was now a witness of her comrades mending their lips while closing their eyes and wrapping their arms around each other. Maria going so far as to spin Natasha twice and separating with the sound of moisturized flesh coming undone. They saw Kara smile and give them a courtesy nod in approval of their bonding.
"Hill! Romanoff! WE NEED TO LEAVE!" the sound of Nick's voice could be heard outside thanks to the speakers of the copter in sync with the mic in his pilot helmet followed by the noise of propeller blades getting faster.
"Take Kara, I'll catch up….I love you." the redhead didn't even give the two a chance to react due to turning on her heal and running towards the other office on the floor to disappear around the corner.
"Natasha." Kara extended a hand out as if she could catch her friend from such a long distance. Maria caught on and lowered the limb.
"Kara, its okay. She'll be back." the blonde eased herself thanks to Maria's comfort. "C'mon, its over, and we gotta get Steve to a hospital."
With each tug, Maria succeeded in bringing Kara by her side, and they both made their way out the glass doors and onto the hangar. The wind had picked up so hard that their hair immediately blew in all directions, Kara's from the start, and Maria's when her bun came undone and undid her tight job of secured locks. Tony was actually a few feet away on the other side of the vessel and far from the altitude of the propellers. Hill immediately ducked and headed for the empty pilot seat next to Fury, who was already offering her a helmet. She strapped it on without hesitation.
"Wilson, how is Rogers?"
"He's secured, take us away." Came the reply from the back cargo.
Tony waited on his side and right around the corner of the Triskellion came his sentient Armor, it landed right in front of him sporting paint scratches across the torso and a crushed shoulder pad, overall, he was still fully functional. "Where have you been?!"
His response was the suit turning around and opening from the back to allow him to enter, the plates closed, and he took to the sky but stopped to hover several meters.
Nick flickered with the controls to make sure they were operable. "All systems go!"
"KARA!" Hill yelled into her mic but didn't catch the attention of the caped girl looking up past the sky. "KARA WHAT ARE DOING I THOUGHT YOU WERE ON BORED ALREADY, SAM OPEN…" the brunette cut off her communication when Supergirl launched into the air just as The Black Widow came out the doors, in all her uniformed glory with the tight dark attire and gauntlets. The belt buckle of her insignia glistened in the light and her straight hair blowing in her face. She didn't need to be told anything and the cargo shuttle door opened to have Sam poke his head out.
"Lift it!" Natasha yelled over the sound of the engine as she jumped inside the copter. "Take it away!" the doors were closed with the help of the spy and the Falcon.
"Stark where is Kara?" Nick protested using the commlink with Iron Man. The Copter was finally taking off and into the air.
"I think I know where she's heading!" his rockets screamed, and the inventor soared after Supergirl as best he could.
"Where is she?!" Natasha screamed into her own earpiece.
"She's heading for the Helicarriers. This does not look good! Get away from the perimeter, Now!"
"What in God's name are you ta…." Nick couldn't finish as the sound of an explosion echoed in the heavens. Instead he took Stark's advice and rather than wasting time with increasing the altitude, he steered the transporter away from the once great base.
Kara ruptured straight through another engine of the atrocity, prompting the armada to lose another compartment helping to keep it in the air. Fire and brimstone was surrounding the vessel at this point, it's weapons doing the best it can to target Supergirl and the fleet onboard screaming for aid due to their lost coordinates.
"Sir!" the HYDRA agent sitting in his desk grew worried. "We must abandon the…"
The tremor came again, and the carrier was indeed on its last engine propeller. Kara incinerated the cannons on the lower deck effortlessly with her eye beams and flew down to position herself on the center bottom, her arms extending out as if she was holding it onto her shoulders, because she was. With a flex of her abdomen and biceps, Supergirl said in her mind full of determination.
"Great Rao, superior of all living beings. I beg of you! HELP ME END THIS REIGN OF TYRANNY!" with a flick of Kara's wrists, the carrier began to shift to the side, and after a few seconds, the colossal armada was turning upside down, the fires going upwards now to consume the up faced bottom. Kara Zor-El flew away from her spot, clenching her hands hard as the carrier was now falling to the Earth. Rao was within her, Rao was coursing through her, the Deity bestowed his child with immeasurable strength. The Kryptonian blasted higher into the atmosphere. It seemed as she was finished, but she wasn't. The sound of thunder filled the clouds and a red streak came down again, impacting the helicarrier with the result of a concussive shockwave mixed with a ball of fire. News copters thousands of feet below began recording every frame of the scene.
"This just in! We are at the Triskellion, established base of S.H.I.E.L.D. Strategic, Homeland, Intervention, Enforcement, Logistics and Division. A private organization that had just been leaked to the internet, as you can see multiple Medias are here to witness it for themselves, but nobody expected for this Campus to be such a war zone as of this moment! Citizens of Washington D.C. in our beloved skies there appeared to be giant battleships of some kind less than an hour ago, but it seems as if they are combusting into the sky as we speak. Could this be the work of the well-known HYDRA or is S.H.I.E.L.D. fighting back in retaliation for growing right under their noses!"
"Are we getting this? it looks like we are! There is now only one floating battleship in the air people of D.C., and…..Mother of All that is Holy!"
A red laser was caught on the camera, coming from a small source in the air, the beam cut straight into a fourth of the carrier, that piece was now falling, heading down to the bay in a ball of fire. Kara was quick and soared across the destroyed atrocity to gear it by the bow, little by little the carrier began to shift until it was now facing a direction, the Triskelion. She had to keep it together however due to still being elevated. But waiting for the mass of metal to sink down would only be time consuming, instead, Kara pushed the bow with very little effort upwards to where the armada was now vertical instead of horizontal.
"How is she doing that?!" Sam yelled as the shuttle door was now slightly opened for them to see, Nick had steered the copter just outside the campus and they all hovered to witness Kara putting an end to the weapons that served to kill Billions.
"Beautiful." Natasha started with the wind blowing hard. "Remarkable, Powerful, Unstoppable, she is Supergirl." Those last words could only have been in a whisper.
"Hold on to your butts." Nick interrupted, just where had he heard that phrase that he just used from? He shook the thought off since it wasn't important. The sight for impact however, was. The Kryptonian pushed the vessel faster than it took to get it three thousand feet in the air. The pressure tearing off bits and pieces of the carrier but overall keeping it how it was for the moment. The shadow started in low but then expanded all over the base as the ruined giant fighter was coming down. Kara having very little line of sight as to where exactly to put it, on reality terms, she did know. Right onto the Kingdom Capitol of HYDRA.
The Triskellion.
The tyrant had been slain, and with it, his Castle.
"Bucky…" Cap whispered and still being able to see now that the shuttle door had been pushed all the way thanks to Natasha, who purposely did so for his own view of the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Sorry Dad….I'm sorry Aunt Peggy." Iron Man's voice would be the last person that they would here as the Helicarrier caved in with the building that was founded by Howard Stark, Chester Philips, And Peggy Carter.
"Kill the Bitch, kill the Bitch, kill the Bitch. Brock murmured back and forth on the ground of the floor he was in. The man had torn a part of his shirt to tightly wrap the destroyed tendons in his hand, but the swelling and pounding had not gone down in the least. And frankly it was making him sick and tired. There was no need to stand up as one of his ear drums burst with blood at the sound of tremors above him. He didn't have time to react when the fire and rubble consumed him faster than he could let out another cuss word. It wasn't certain if he survived since his body was gone in the flames and brimstone.
Kara gripped the metal of the bow in her hands to a point where she almost tore the useless layer of metal. The alien couldn't feel the retaliating vibrations but the sound entering her ears were evidence that they were radiant. Not to mention the crater that was forming all over the small lagoon the mechanical demons arose from. The look of satisfaction was on her face, she would let gravity take its course from here. With a little help from her of course. Letting go of the carrier, Kara quickly turned up and slammed her boots where her hands once were. This drove the Armada harder into the ground and the water along with Earth, be it artificial or genuine was sent into the air. Just as Kara predicted it all went back down in a mess. The frames holding the Triskellion were no match for the Krytonian's force. Smoke was everywhere at this point. Nobody, not even Kara Zor-El would've notice the small dot of a man falling into the rushing bay when a chunk of helicarrier that was once the lower hangar broke off to collapse elsewhere.
More and more, helicopters containing members of the media showed up from seemingly nowhere.
"Guys." Tony took everyone out of their trance. "We can't stay here…..follow me."
Iron Man flew past them and Nick had no choice but to follow him. Having to stare at S.H.I.E.L.D. in ruins was the last thing he wanted to do if the smoke ever cleared. This was Sam's cue to close the shuttle door but was stopped by Natasha.
"Nat…."
"Please hold it…"
And so, he did. He figured Kara would want to join them now that she put a hard stop to the ones pursuing them.
"I don't see her." The Falcon blankly admitted.
"She's there."
Despite the copter flying away from the carnage, Kara's form could be seen just above the aurora that was the taming fire and smoke. The Kryptonian pondered with her thoughts for a moment before inhaling to a large extent and let out a gale force superior to that of hurricane winds beneath her feet. The parts of her cape that went past her ankles flew outwards. The blonde didn't want to bother with seeing her handy work, instead she closed her eyes and floated away to the heavens, disappearing behind the clouds.
The Falcon and the Black Widow said nothing when Supergirl vanished. What added to the ache developing in the redhead's heart was the sound of the propeller blades taking them away further and further. Sam let out a sigh he didn't know he was holding and turned to Natasha. The woman kept her usual posture, but her eyes were the only part of her body that told how she truly felt. Acting quickly, she aggressively shut the door and sat in one of the seats next to Steve. Nobody would say anything to her, not even Maria or Nick up front.
The currents of the water threw him onto the edge of the swampy forest, away from the battle. He coughed the excess fluids from his lungs and turned to his side to help him better. His wet mop of hair falling in all directions and dirt staining his soaked uniform. Lucky for him his arm was still functioning, but Bucky was far from fine. He just laid there, ones of the reasons of course because he was sore and tired as hell. The others, because of the memories. All those memories of his coming back to haunt him. All the things he did with Steve, all the killings he did in the war before the infiltration of the train, and all the shit he had to endure as the one and only Winter Soldier. Nobody would believe it, but James Buchanan Barnes was back. He had to have dosed off because when he awoke there was a rogue alligator snapping turtle heading for his foot, causing the Sergeant to throw himself higher onto dry land. He was still sore, but now was not the time for relaxation. He had to find his way out of this forest, and most likely away from civilization as well before he felt he was mentally stable to go look for some answers.
The Captain jolted for a moment before slowly opening his eyes and welcomed the sound of a monitor beeping. Thanks to his advanced body the tiredness in his joints were gone but he knew it wasn't good to just get up, so he stayed where was and turned his head to the right, there was no one. Except for a bouquet of flowers with the initials, "T.S." on it. That stunt was enough for him to let out a chuckle and adjust his gown. Steve felt a little lonesome already, there was no one in the room with him. He almost wanted to smack himself for thinking like a sick patient whose family never showed up to greet him. He remembered everything from today, or was it tomorrow already? Probably. The Soldier then peaked to his left and got a true surprise. Kara was sitting in the chair next to his bed with her cape wrapped around her body. She smiled upon meeting his confused stare head on. The blonde got up and reached for something on the floor. When she came back up she was holding his shield, his paint worn but otherwise intact Vibranium shield.
…..It started out as a feeling, which then grew into a Hope…
"Kara…" she came closer while setting the weapon over his lap. He was internally thankful that he still had it but now was not the time to celebrate. "What are….how did you get here?" the Captain stole a glance behind Supergirl and immediately put the pieces together, the window was open with the lock broken. They had to have been on some of the more higher floors considering he could see the morning sky, it was tomorrow after all. This threw him into a jumble, he felt as if he now had to get up. Steve creased his bruised face and he reached to rub it, but a hand caught his thick forearm.
"Steve." Kara started slowly to get the leader's attention. "Please Rest."
He didn't know what that meant but the Soldier bothered no more and fell into the comfort of the bed.
As hard as it was to believe, Kara had spent numerous hours in the vacuum of space after she had destroyed the base of the Tyrant. With how things now looked it wasn't wise to confront her peers for the moment and deep-down Kara did not want to see them. They needed their moment of peace and she did not want to be the reason they had to be on the alert again. Despite how much she really wanted to be with her comrades. She knew full well that Steve had been hurt in battle, but he was a strong man and here he was now making a seemingly quick recovery. She had entered the bay when the very young Sun of Rao went down across the horizon and searched for his shield that laid at the bottom of the water. It was only appropriate for her to return it.
….Which then turned into a quite thought which then turned into a quite Word….
"Thank you." the words echoed throughout the infirmary room and into her hearing canals. She looked at him and came closer again to the edge of his chamber.
"Kara, listen." Which was what she was doing. Since the man was not in any position to be thinking war, he felt this was a good moment to finally express how he felt for his new and powerful ally. He always did this with his established friends, and now it was Kara's turn.
….And then that word grew louder and louder, till it was a Battle Cry….
"Look….I know you don't understand me, and I don't expect you to, but thank you. Thank you for aligning with us. What a relief that Romanoff found you first. You have so much potential, so much fire in you that could make you great if you make the right decisions. Without you this all would've been a lot harder on us. Without you none of us would be alive. You fight well, you fight hard, and you fight strong. Never surrender Kara. Natasha cares for you, and she wants to show you the world that you deserve to see. A lot of things are gonna change for us, but just know that if trouble awaits again…..it would be great if you fight by your side. It's a priviledge to align with the Avengers. In my eyes, just like Sam, you have a place among us." he extended his arm out and Kara effortlessly wrapped her forearm around his to indicate they were also brother in arms. She respected the strong leader. His voice gave off that he was indeed a man of wisdom. Perhaps he was wise beyond his years which wouldn't surprise her.
….I'll come back, when you Call Me, No need to say Goodbye….
They gave each other one last firm shake before the windowless door began to open. The gust grazed Steve's face and Kara was no longer in the room, but his arm was still extent. A head peaked in belonging to a Anthony Edward Stark, Billionaire, former Playboy, and proud philanthropist in the most expensive suit Bachelors could dream of.
"Capsicle, don't mind if we come in." Steve wasn't given time to answer and Sam followed suit sporting his casual attire with a brown leather jacket. Next was Virginia Potts, CEO of Stark Industries in her beautiful dark pin strip jacket and skirt topped with Stilettos. Then came in Natasha, the infamous Black Widow with her red hair straight as ever but for this moment she wore a suit identical to Pepper's, but the design was plain. And finally, there was Maria. Who had a sleeveless dark blue business top and matching skirt, with matching pumps. Her hair was tied back, and her face was contoured with eyeliner and cherry lip gloss to make her lips more buxom.
The gang was all here, except for Kara, Nick…..Thor, Bruce and Colonel Rhodes.
"How are you Steve?" Pepper asked nicely.
"How I can." The chuckles broke out between them all except for Natasha.
"I see you got your shield back." Sam pointed out.
"Yeah Kara just dropped it by."
The noise in the room ceased to where a pin hitting the floor could be heard.
Natasha came forth. "When."
Steve was slightly confused. "I thought she was with you guys."
"When." This time the secret lovers asked together, taking them all by surprise. Steve pointed to the window and they all saw it was pried open. The redhead being Natasha rushed to the open square to peak out, flaring her head in all directions. Nobody was surprised as of now. The Black Widow hadn't gotten any sleep at all in the penthouse they were staying at after the destruction of the Triskellion. Pepper had been waiting for them but not even she could get Natasha off the couch with the lights on. Maria was the only person who could truly understand by heart when around midnight her girlfriend held her tight and didn't want to let go. The paranoia on Kara's whereabout never once left Natasha's spine. Regaining her posture, Natasha adjusted her jacket and pulled her head in. Her heels clicked as she made her way to the large couch on the right. Soon everyone followed the action and took their own seats around Steve. Sam being on the left, Tony in the arm chair, and the girls sitting side by side with Natasha.
…Just because everything's changing, doesn't mean its never been this way Before…
Tony talked to ease the silent hysteria. "She's not with us Cap, we haven't seen her since yesterday."
Pepper felt as though she had to throw it in. "I still can't believe you had Supergirl on yall's side during the fight."
"But why would Kara Leave?" Sam asked rhetorically.
Steve answered for him anyway. "I'm sorry guys, she just came to drop my shield then when the door creaked she vanished."
Maria went so far as to put a hand on her lover's back and gave a friendly pat rub to sooth Natasha. Steve decided to change the subject before things could get worse.
"Where's Nick?"
"Since S.H.I.E.L.D. is in literal ruins and the word is out about both the organization and HYDRA, he's gone. He's going to be riding alone for a while. When you rest up he wants to tell you a farewell before who knows when we'll see him again." Maria stated with absolute certain.
…All you can do is try to know who your Friends are as you had after the War…
Steve swallowed the lump in his throat. "So, I guess this is it huh? The end of something that was once great…..I can't imagine how this affects you all."
"Hey." Tony snapped his fingers to get the Captain to look at him. "You have nothing to worry about. Me and Pep are gonna take care of it whether you like it or not. Even your stay at this hospital."
Steve blinked his swollen eye to let out the throb starting to come to it. "But what about us. I'm surprised I didn't wake up in a cell along with them." He geared to Maria and Natasha, then Sam considering he aided in the assault on HYDRA.
Pepper simply shrugged then said with pride. "Figured you'd think like that Captain Rogers but since yall's names are now under Mr. Stark's care you can go ahead and shrug off those thoughts."
"Wait….What?"
Pepper ushered her head to reveal Maria's fate. "You're looking at the new Chief Expert in Human Resources at Stark Industries."
Maria did her part and gave a stern nod.
Tony added with a sarcastic interrupting cough. "And the unofficial Secretary of the Avengers topped with Money, my best Lawyers, Medical coverage, clothes, food, access to my Arsenal but first receiving my approval. Oh, and those pros go for you, Natalie, and Chicken Wings as well."
Natasha smiled but Sam spoke next.
"There's no need for that….but thanks Tony."
"Any friend of the Cap is a friend of mine, if you like guns You'll be happy with what I have. You're gonna need new wings too."
Steve was beyond relieved and he wasn't ashamed to demonstrate it in his body language. He had been on his own since he was eighteen. He had lived the life of him against the world even during his era in the forties. His God had answered his prayers and made something out of him. Becoming the first ever Super soldier, fighting to the end of the war, waking up in the future which he thought would never exist, leading a team of super powered beings far superior than him, and finally striking the heart of the terrorism that was HYDRA. Steve Rogers deserved these benefits bestowed upon his head. Damn anyone who thought or said anything else.
…Pick a Star on the Dark Horizon and follow the Light….
"The Press is still not gonna like this."
"True but they along with countless other Medias are more interested in Supergirl." Natasha briefed, it being the first sentence she let out on this visit. She stood from the middle of Pepper and Maria to walk to Steve side and gripped his shoulder.
"You just keep resting, I'll be handling the talk with the Senate."
"The What?!"
There was the devilish smile they all knew despite the grief in her eyes. "If you're still here, keep the T.V. on."
….You'll come Back, when its Over, No need to say Goodbye…
Nick placed his sunglasses onto the bridge of his nose and secured the hoodie tighter around his bald head. He had just poured the gasoline all over everything that was his in the trailer of the unmarked location thanks to Stark. His living was over, but not his life. He still had it in him to fight for the greater good. The private jet was not too far away from where he stood. Nick would take it to Europe and from there, he would hunt down the remaining HYDRA influence and cells. Maybe even contact Coulson while he was at it. He was just about to throw the match he had lit up into the large container, but a small red beam of heat barley missing his side did the task for him. And as a result, gave birth to the fires.
Nick found it in him to smirk and turned around. There was Supergirl, with her long majestic cape blowing in the unfelt wind.
….You'll come Back, when its Over, No need to say Goodbye…
"If there is one thing I had to agree about what he said, Pierce that is. Is that you truly are something new. You are far more superior than anything I've ever seen, and I've seen shit that would make you piss yourself where you stand." Kara tilted her head to the side with wonder.
"But I can tell that you've seen just as much as what we have…..so its not my place to talk you down. You're lost, you're alone, but you're not afraid…..and that's good." Nick paused for a moment to catch his breath. "Your face is all over the news Kara, they now know who you are under the name Rogers gave you, and you can't take that back. There will be some who will adore you, some who will despise you, and some…..who will hunt you down for what you are."
He slowly walked to her as the flames only got bigger, but in any form of intimidation or hostility.
"Whether you stand alone, with Romanoff, or with The Avengers…..I say this to you." Nicolas J. Fury did the one thing he never did to anyone he didn't trust. If the world was watching, they would've suffered the ultimate cardiac arrest due to visual trauma. He extended his entire forearm out in which Kara effortlessly took it, just like Steve and Sam, he was a Brother in Arms. "Good luck Brave Soldier."
He shook firmly and let go to head for the private jet. Kara watched tentatively as if she was his shadow walk away. This was the end for the leader, and the Alien was not certain if she would ever see him rise to lead again.
Even when he didn't expect it, she would keep both eyes open for him. Having felt as though this concluded her visit for "Nick" as she had heard the others call him, she made one more move.
"Nick."
He stopped, with his eye widened, in his place before spinning on his heal to see her afloat. The caped woman gave a wave of goodbye and rocketed into the heavens, a loud boom echoing for him to hear.
"Do you swear to tell the truth."
Nope.
"Only the truth."
Suck a cock.
"And nothing but the truth."
You actually have a bible for a bunch of Power Hungry Atheists?
"I do." Natasha said stoically and took her hand off the bible followed by lowering her other arm. This Senate Committee was rather stupid, but the redhead kept telling herself that she was only doing her part, Pepper would take care of the rest and Maria was not going to get involved judging by how they would arrest her on the spot along with Steve, and that her girlfriend's opinion on these assholes was like talking to a bunch of kindergarteners. Natasha could agree as she made her way past the flashing lights to take a seat around the circle, a Cop most likely standing there to take her away once they gave the order. Then the meeting began after several unnecessary reminders of how things worked.
….Now we're back to the Beginning, Its just a feeling that no one knows Yet…
"Why haven't we yet heard from Captain Rogers?" A member of the committee didn't hesitate to get to the point.
Natasha only shrugged before taking a good breath. "I don't know what there is left for him to say I think the Uprising at the Triskellion made his point very eloquently."
An unnamed General interrupted her before she could say any more. "Well he could explain how this Country is expected to maintain its National Security now that he, Maria Hill, Sam Wilson, and this new enigma known as "Supergirl" have laid waste to our intelligence apparatus."
You don't even have the balls to mention Stark.
"HYDRA was selling you all lies not intelligence."
"Many of which you seem to have a personal hand at telling."
It was now a Senator's turn. "Agent, many in this committee feel, given your service record both for this country and against it, that you belong in a Penitentiary, not mouthing off on Capitol Hill."
I don't think the guy who pays for your uniform will allow it asshole.
"You're not gonna put me in a prison, you're not gonna put any of us in Prison. You wanna know why?" the Russian said confidently.
There was a pause, but the same Senator let out a sigh of frustration. "Do enlighten us."
"Because you need us…..yes the world is a vulnerable place….and yes we help make it that way, but we are also the ones best qualified to defend it. And that makes you jealous because throwing a nuke at something the first time you can't beat is the only tactic you're good at. Then your soldiers use the excuse of we were just following orders and because it was for the good of the country. So if you wanna arrest me, arrest me…..oh wait! You can't!" she let the words sink in before fixing her posture. "Not if Mr. Stark and his CEO of the company cleaning up the mess down at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters has something to say about it. By the way, you might wanna stick around once I leave, by then your appointment with Ms. Potts would've already begun.
Now there was an argument that the Senate was just not going to win. But there was one question they had to ask just as Ms. Romanoff was beginning to stand up.
"You can at least give us some light on the whereabouts on the one truly responsible for the destruction of the Triskellion." This caused Natasha's heart to start pounding but she held it together, no weakness.
The officials, Senators, Generals, and even the Press had to look amongst one another upon hearing the topic of Supergirl becoming a thing of absolute focus. They all got out their notepads and recorders, ready to catch what they could.
Natasha now knew it would do no good just leaving, so she adjusted her seat and moisturized her lips once more. "You make a good statement Senator, but like the television has been blasting all morning, Supergirl was last seen disappearing into the sky."
Another General, a silver haired female, most likely being of Brigade Rank spoke up strong and fierce. "What are her intentions?"
Natasha wasn't impressed. "Captain Rogers had managed to convince her to join our escapade, she under stood our intentions and aided during the Uprising. But upon realizing her services were done, she vanished back from wherever she haled from."
"You didn't answer my question Agent. And it is evident that we are dealing with something much more intense than the Man from Asgard who is under the guidance of Dr. Jane Foster as we speak. This Supergirl is now somewhere in the world doing God knows what with abilities that are to be reckoned with."
"….Yes, Supergirl is a new and powerful force on the scene, and to answer your question I do not know what her true intentions are. But The Avengers can assume that she is here to fight not only for our Nation, but for this world. She is now part of a bigger universe that only we can understand. Let us all be grateful that she has not torn the roof of the White House off and grabbed the President right out of the Oval office. Taking orders doesn't seem like the best agreement she would accept according to her involvement with HYDRA's fall. But be wise if you ever hunt her down, I can't guarantee she won't show retaliation. None of us can. Supergirl is here to stay Ladies and Gentlemen." Natasha stood up quickly, ignoring the Cop and the looks the Press was giving her.
"She Lives Among Us." the Black Widow turned on her heel and walked off, leaving the Senate in awe at the act of disrespect.
….But just because they can't feel it Too, Doesn't mean that you have to Forget…
Steve now stood by Sam and Nick in jeans and a black hoodie. They were at a local Cemetery, being the only ones attending the funeral of the man who wasn't really dead.
"So you've experienced this sorta thing before?" Nick asked the Captain looking over the tombstone.
"You get used to it." he briefed.
Just there, on the tombstone, read "Col. Nicolas J. Fury- 1951-2014". Along with a sprout of white roses in front of it.
"We've been Data mining HYDRA's files, I'll be heading to Europe tonight….looks like a lot of rats didn't go down with the ship…..I was wondering if you'd come."
Steve looked down to the earth for a moment before making up his mind. "There's something I gotta do first."
"What about you Wilson." It was Sam's turn to feel silently surprised. "We could use a man with your abilities."
The Falcon chuckled. "I'm more of a soldier than a spy….besides, Kara is a faster flyer."
"Nope, she won't listen, and she actually paid goodbye to me a few hours ago. Anyway." Nick shook their hands in gratitude before stepping away. "If anybody asks for me, tell them they can find me right here."
Just like that, Nick Fury walked away, ready to start his life in hiding.
"You should be honored cuz that's about the closest way of him saying Thank You you'll ever hear." Natasha came around a lamppost, in her casual clothes and holding a folder.
Sam knew that this was a private moment and he walked away from the Soldier and former Spy. He continued to where he went behind a thick trunk of a tree, but he immediately stopped in his tracks when he saw Kara putting a finger to her lips. He didn't dare make a noise. Instead he was tossed something, and he effortlessly caught it. When he looked at his hands he noticed that they were his goggles. The ones he used as the Falcon. He looked back up to see Kara give him an understanding nod. He returned it.
"You did good kid, you did good." If only he hadn't blinked, because Kara was now gone. Not a noise or gust of wind was heard to alert anyone.
But the pattering jog behind Sam alerted the hairs on his arms.
"She was here, wasn't she?" A distressed Natasha and Steve came around him.
"Yeah…she gave me these." He raised his goggles. "Then she left."
"Kara…." the Russian whispered loudly in frustration.
Steve and Sam didn't blame her at all. The woman wanted Kara, but the blonde wasn't here.
"Nat…" Steve started in low. "She must've left for a reason…"
The Black Widow ran off in the direction of an open field.
"Nat!"
"Cap." The Soldier looked at the Pilot.
"It's okay, something tells me she's not gone for good. The Captain held the folder containing information on Bucky close to him but stared off into the distance.
"I hope you're right. She brought a light into Romanoff's life. I've never seen her treat or help anyone like this before.
"Yeah I can tell…..the Black Widow lost her baby."
Steve then smirked, having the guts to actually smirk at a time like this. "Don't let her hear you say that, she'll still kick your ass."
"Natasha!" Maria ran after her girlfriend in the woods attached to the cemetery. The Brunette now wore her dark skinny jeans, sports shoes, and her black leather jacket with a matching t shirt. Her hair was finally out of its tight bun and bounces all over her shoulders as she chased her woman. The redhead only picked up her pace causing Maria to do the same.
"Natasha!"
"Go away!"
"Natasha please!"
"I SAID GO AWAYYYY!"
The unthinkable happened and the boot of the Russian caught a hidden root causing her fall onto the leaves and dirt. This didn't stop her however and Natasha aggressively crawled away as fast as she could. It didn't last long when Maria threw herself on top of her lover. The latter doing her best to try and spasm out of her grip.
"MARIA GET OFF ME!"
"NO."
LET GOOOOO!" Then the burst of cries and the croaks escaped Natasha's lips.
Upon seeing the tears Maria immediately began to wrap her arms and legs around Natasha and sat on her rear to hold her closer.
"Baby…..My Baby…..my Baby…my beautiful Natasha…..my beautiful Natasha I love you so much." The brunette held her woman's head in the pulse of her neck. After so much time of bottled up stress and despair, the Black Widow was finally succumbing to the ache of not having Kara by her side. The red head might as well put a bullet in her skull had she not had a lover at all to stop her. Life had become so well for Natasha at this point, she had an enamored Girlfriend, a Secured clearance, and an army of Lawyers keeping her out of Jail. But the other precious soul who attached itself to her heart was missing. And Natasha wanted it now more than ever. The deadly crying woman aggressively smothered Maria's lips to which the former Commander welcomed with no restraints. They continued to kiss for as long as it took, the tears were staining Maria's cheeks and two even fell from her own clenching eyes. They parted after a long need of air when their nostrils got tired of hailing hot breath.
"Why….Why would she leave?…" Natasha's lips trembled.
"Just let it out Nat….you are not weak just let it out…."
Kara was on her knees at this point by the Creek deeper into the forest. She was also brutally crying after seeing what she had caused her friend beyond the trees being comforted by only Maria. More and more Kara kept damning herself for thinking she was doing the right thing. Upon realizing that she had finished the good fight, the Kryptonian had come to the sad conclusion that her time aiding her comrades was over. She only thought of the sort judging by how they were all recovering and facing leaders of their government that wouldn't take to kindly of her being there. They would question her. Better worse imprison her. And this Planet was not a world that would act normal upon meeting a being of Krypton. But she had already exposed herself! The blows kept striking Kara's heart as she issued farewell to Sam, Steve, and Nick. She hadn't even been able to find a moment for Anthony. The realizations were digging harder than any punishment her deceased Father had ever given her due to the lack of discipline.
"Let your Memories grow stronger and Stronger, Till they're before your Eyes…
"Why would you do such a thing…..you have no where to go." She quivered but told herself harshly.
"You have no place and nowhere to go yet you chose to abandon your new-found peers. Is this another one of your disgraceful descisions?!"
Natasha, she wanted to be with Natasha, her only key to surviving this unknown world along with Maria.
"She had done so much for you in so little time, cared for you when she took you into her home. This primitive is your guide, do not leave her now, you are alone, your people are gone, you have no home. This is your chance, choose again."
There were good people in this world. Rao had created the opportunity for her. Her life had no meaning now that Krypton was gone. Her Mother had told her that she was sent here to ensure her survival, to ensure that no force would harm her. No force would harm her, but Kara needed guidance and love now more than ever. She made her decision, she was not going to run away from this moment.
"Natasha, forgive me….." and just like that, Kara began to run in the direction of her friend, not once using her advanced speed, but a simple run that reminded her of cardiac tests she endured during her courses.
…You'll Come Back, When they Call You, No need to say Goodbye…..
The women on the forest floor continued to hold one another, the love was radiant and was never going to disappear.
"C'mon Baby." Maria whispered into Natasha's ear. "I'm taking you away from all this, we could live the life we always craved for a while."
It took a lot of strength, but Maria managed to get her woman back on her shaky legs. The fatigue was still in Natasha's face, but she didn't want to move.
"Natasha!"
Suddenly their heads shot in the direction of the scream.
"Natasha…..Maria!"
They then looked at each other and back at the sea of trees.
"NATASHA!" the call was getting louder, then the trees were torn from their trunks, timbering in opposite directions to fall elsewhere and the charger that was Supergirl stopped just a few feet in front of them. There was the deadly silence again, but Maria soon brought the noise by marching straight to Kara.
…You'll Come Back, When they Call You…..
"Don't you ever do that again….do you know how much she was worried…..how much I was worried Kara! Damn it what were you thinking?!"
Her response was the cape woman wrapping her arms tight around Maria. The lover of her friend and leader that she grew respect for. The brunette did the same and hugged the smaller girl with her strong arms. Maria felt a tap on her shoulder and withdrew to allow the Kryptonian and the Russian to see face to face. The blonde's knees began to tremble drastically, but Natasha caught her before she could fall and buried her tear stained face into the cape and hair. Natasha threatened with clenched teeth.
"If you ever leave like that again I swear I will slap you so hard with or without powers."
Kara understood the hurt in Natasha's voice and engulfed her lips with the red-haired beauty, the same way Alura In-Ze had done to her so many times to symbolize a simple act of care and kindness. Natasha accepted and quickly parted to hug her tighter. Maria was touched, and she wasn't afraid to admit it.
At this point they weren't saying anything anymore, because actions spoke louder than words. Instead the brunette opened a little space and the three women were hugging alone in the forest. The two taller humans began to pepper the girl's face with kisses, pecking her tears away that trailed from her eyes to her chin. Kara finding the courage to press her lips to Maria's buxom ones to ensure her gratitude as well.
Life had changed, S.H.I.E.L.D. was gone, and Natasha Romanoff now had her own little family, away from The Avengers, and away from the Bartons.
…No need to say Goodbye…..
A/N: That's a wrap for the Winter Soldier folks, hope yall enjoyed it! What could possibly be in store for Supergirl in the future? Stay tuned!