Shadowed Past: Visions of Affliction

Chapter 9: Sometimes You Gotta Fall Before You Fly

Chapter Title Credit: "Who Are You Now" by Sleeping With Sirens / Album: "Let's Cheers To This")

Everyone left Thor and I alone, and I could feel the fear coming to life in my veins.

"What did it say, Thor?"

"Do you know about Sedir?"

The word caused me to cringe.

"It keeps appearing, yes."

"It is an ancient form of Norse magic, even something I myself haven't seen in my many years of life all throughout the nine realms. Both of my parents are legendary for mastering the energy, and in their days long ago, using it. Sedir was used to re-weave destiny's web. One small change could result in an entire legacy of people never being born, or something as massive as the creation of another planet not happening."

I already knew all of that, but he didn't need to know that I did. I swallowed deeply. "Where are you going with this?"

"Howard had this file for a reason. And it's clearly been heavily used. I have a horrible feeling that Stark got himself involved with things he shouldn't have messed with."

"How though? Sedir is purely Norse, how did he get his hands on it?"

"I don't know. But I fear that something of the supernatural is wrong with you, Alex. Steve mentioned you've been having visions. Do you mind telling me what they're of?"

I paused. "I've seen, many things, but, the most recurring is a vision with these stones."

"What kind of stones?"

"There are six of them. And they have something to do with a really big, purple guy." I felt like a small child when the words escaped my mouth. Way to be descriptive.

Thor froze. "Those are the Infinity Stones. And that man you see is Thanos. I've seen him before in my mind as well."

"Is that good or bad?!" I panicked.

" Thanos is all except for good, and I do not know. I'm going to look for answers. Whatever you do, don't go off alone. Something is wrong and I fear that things may get worse with time."

Thor walked up to me and wrapped his broad figure around mine.

"Stay safe, Lady Alex, you know that I care for you much like the sister I never had." Thor said softly. He pulled away, holding my hand gently in his grasp as he raised it to his lips for a gentle kiss.

"I love you too, blondie." I grinned.

Thor left for Asgard, and Steve never left my side.

"How long has he been gone?" Steve asked.

"About an hour, Steve." I sighed, my nose deep into re-reading the journal pages Tony and I had found.

"He needs to hurry..." Steve muttered.

"Steve,"

"Did he say when he'd be back?"

"Steve,"

"I wish he would have told me first..."

"Steve!"

"What?"

"Take a deep breath, and relax. I'm fine."

He gave me a look.

"At the moment." I sighed. "Can you help me solve this other issue while we're waiting for answer about the other one?"

"What's wrong?"

"I think that Tony and I may or may not be related."

Steve froze. "Honey, there's no way..."

"According to Howard's journal pages, I believe there is more than a slight chance that we are."

"May I see them?"

"Sure," I said, handing them over to Steve.

His eyes breezed over each word with ease yet meaning. I watched as he absorbed every little detail into his mind.

I watched as Steve's facial expression changed from concentration to concern.

"I see what you mean." He said plainly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing. We don't know that anything actually happened."

"Would you be upset if it did?"

Silence.

"Steve? Would you be upset if I was related to Tony?"

"It wouldn't be the happiest news, but, I wouldn't love you any less, I wouldn't treat you any different, none of that." He said reassuringly.

"Why do you two get under each other's skin like that?"

"I don't know." He muttered.

Third Person POV

It was the middle of the night, and Piper was in a deep sleep.

Sam had gotten back around six, and they ate some pizza before going to bed for the night.

Sam's cellphone buzzing on his dresser woke him almost immediately, and he quickly answered it.

"Hello?" He said, groggy. "Are you positive?" ... "I'm on my way."

Sam darted over to the spare room where Piper was sleeping and walked over to her sleeping figure. She looked so peaceful, but this was important, and he needed to tell her where he was going.

"Piper, Piper wake up,"

"Hmm? Is it morning already?" Piper yawned.

"No, it's not even one yet. I just got a call, they found him."

"Bucky?!" She nearly shouted, more alert.

"Shh, and yes, apparently. I have to go, now, but I wanted to tell you first."

"I'm coming with you!" Piper defended.

"Piper, that's too dangerous, I can't let you!"

"Look, I know I seem stupid, but I'm not an idiot. I'm going with you!"

"Piper,"

"I'm not staying here worried sick all night! I'll be fine, Sam! Everybody always treats me like I'm some child who can't fend for herself and I'm sick of it! I'm going to put up a fight and do anything for any of you before you're my family! And I'm not going to sit back and watch while you guys fight a war without me!"

Sam exhaled. "Okay, okay. But if something happens to you..."

"It won't. And if it does, it's my fault."

"Be ready in five?"

"I'll be ready in three." Piper grinned, jumping out of bed. Sam held his head in his hands, feeling regret wash over him.

First Person POV

I felt my body gain consciousness as the sound of Steve's soft voice filled my ears. I turned in bed, my eyes scanning the dark room to try and locate where the sound was coming from.

"What do you mean you found him?" Steve muttered.

There was a pause.

"Is Piper with you?"

It was Sam. They found Bucky. I knew that's what this was about.

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can. Don't let him out of your sight, please." Steve pleaded.

I waited until Steve had hung up the phone to let him know I was awake.

"Honey, what's going on?" I said quietly, sitting up in bed.

Steve looked like a lost dog trying to find his way home again. My question seemed to fly right past him. He quickly made his way to his dresser and started digging around for his uniform.

"Steve?" I asked, louder this time.

"I have to go." He replied, rather quiet.

"Who was that on the phone?"

"It was Sam. He's got a lead on Bucky, and this time it's actually him. He's in captivity and I need to get there before he escapes again."

"I'm coming with you." I said, hopping out of bed.

"No, you're not." Steve said sternly, grabbing both of my arms and gently sitting my body back down on the bed.

"Steve, I can't just sit here and do nothing while you go and risk your life trying to save your friend. I'm coming." I said more firmly, standing up and darting past him to the closet to get my own uniform.

"Alex, I'm not letting you get hurt or worse! You're already sick! We can't take that chance!"

"Yes we can, Steve! Our entire job is about taking a chance to save people! That's what a hero does!" I shouted.

"You're sick, Alex! I can't risk you getting hurt because of something that could easily be avoided!"

"What's the point in me waiting here, helpless and alone, while you go and save your friend! I'll just be pacing back and forth worrying about you! Thor told you not to let me out of anybody's sight anyways!"

"I'll get Nat to watch you!

"Oh so I need a babysitter?! What am I a little kid to you?!" I screamed.

"I can't lose you!"

I paused, taking a deep breath and lowering my voice before I responded. "And I can't lose you! What do you think this ring means to me, Steve?! I'll be there with you, until some day death do us part. Through sickness and health, through the good and the bad. I'm in this battle just as much as you are, there's no protecting me. We're going together, and I mean it."

Steve's eyes locked on mine, and I could see the emotions racing in his mind. He was worried about me, concerned, a little frustrated even, and I understood where he was coming from. But I was tired of him treating me like a child who couldn't defend herself.

"I'm sorry," He whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. It had just hit him that we'd had our first heated argument ever in the history of our relationship.

"I'm sorry too." I breathed, feeling hot tears building in my own eyes. "But right now, we need to be strong and take care of this mission."

He nodded, putting his hands on my hips and resting our foreheads together. "I love you, so much." He kissed my forehead and held me close.

"I love you too."

Third Person POV

Sam and Piper walked into the abandoned base where Bucky had been taken to.

Two of Sam's old friends were the ones who had been helping with the search and had caught Bucky.

They escorted Sam and Piper to Bucky. He was sitting on the floor, his metal arm being held tight by a large machine, surely with a magnet.

Piper swallowed deeply, and she felt the fear wash over her. She'd heard many good things about Bucky, but that was the old Bucky. This was the Winter Soldier, a murderer, a super soldier, a ghost.

"Thanks, fellas. I'll take it from here. Watch for Rogers for me?"

The duo nodded and left.

Sam looked at Piper, making sure she was okay. She had her arms folded tightly over her torso, hugging herself tightly. She nodded lightly to signal that she was okay.

"Who are you?" Bucky said, not moving a muscle, staring at the floor.

"We're friends. We're here to help you."

He looked up, locking eyes with Sam. Piper could head the gears buzzing and whirring in his bionic arm as he readjusted himself, and it gave her chills.

"I remember you. You were with that girl, and, him."

Bucky paused.

"The man from the bridge. I remember him."

His gaze met Piper's. She froze. She got lost in his eyes. She'd seen those eyes before. She could feel how broken he was, how lost and confused. He'd been trained to hide his emotions and do nothing except for hunt and kill. She could feel that. The weight on his shoulders, his pain that he couldn't show because he didn't know how. The frustration because he could recognize Steve, but he couldn't remember everything.

"And who are you?"

Piper was snapped back into reality by his words. She found it hard to look away, but she had to. She glanced over at Sam who gave her an assuring nod.

"I'm Piper, I'm, a friend of Sam's."

Bucky looked lost. His eyebrows furrowed, and he looked down again. He was remembering more.

"Where's Steve?"

Both Piper and Sam looked up when he said the name. He really did remember.

Meanwhile in Asgard, Thor was going through the grand library in the palace. It felt odd being back in that library. The only two people who would regularly come here were his mother, and Loki. And they were both gone. It felt strange. This was the first time he'd really sat alone and thought about it. He'd been so busy with battling Ultron in Midgard.

He read through book after book, and they were just old encyclopedias about the stuff, nothing like this document was saying.

"I didn't take you as much of a reader."

Thor spun around. "Father?" He muttered, quickly correcting himself. "Father!" He said with more enthusiasm.

"Oh, do not lie. I saw that look." Odin sighed.

The two shared a small greeting before their conversation resumed.

"So, what brings you here? Back home, and sneaking around in the library?"

"I need some information on Sedir. Do you have anything that could help with my search?"

"Depends. Why are you looking for it?"

"My Midgardian friend, Alex, she's sick. And I fear that it has something to do with Asgardian magic. A curse perhaps?"

"Why would she have a curse like that?"

"I haven't got the slightest idea. That's why I'm here." Thor responded. "Are you feeling alright, father? You don't seem to be acting like yourself today."

"I feel great! I've never felt better! As a matter of fact, a little scavenger hunt is the perfect idea. I'm sure there's some more book lying around the palace, since your mother and Loki would always leave books in places without returning them. Actually, I think I saw some books on the North end. Shall we take a look?"

"Lead the way." Thor smiled.

As soon as Odin turned, Thor's smiled dropped. Something was definitely wrong. Very wrong. His father was never happy. Especially not after Frigga and Loki had died. Now he had two problems to get to the bottom of.

First Person POV

When Steve and I arrived, we both went running inside. Sam's friends told us where to go and we were both there in seconds.

Steve froze when he saw Bucky. Piper immediately ran over to me and hugged me tight.

"Buck, do you remember me?" He said.

"Your mom's name was Sarah, and you used to wear newspaper in your shoes."

Steve huffed softly to himself. Bucky was back. At least a decent amount of him was.

"You're a wanted man." Steve said caring but firmly.

"I don't do that anymore." Bucky responded.

"Well the people that think you do are coming right now. And they're not planning on taking you alive."

Steve's words were engraved into my mind. I knew that finding Bucky solved one problem but led to another. Now we were going to be in trouble with the government. That's all we need.

Bucky looked down, knowing exactly what Steve meant.

"I wish I could take it all back."

"We can't change what you did, but we can clean up the mess that got left behind." Steve said as reassuring as possible.

There was a pause in the conversation as Bucky's gaze now fell on me.

"I recognize you." Bucky said, looking at me with a confused expression.

"I don't believe we've met." I replied.

He froze again, then locked his eyes with mine. "They ordered me to kill you."

I knew exactly what he meant. I was one of Hydra's targets. Well, old targets anyways.

"Why?" I asked.

"They said you were a threat. And a way to get to Steve."

Steve and I looked at each other, knowing exactly what he meant. We were each other's greatest weakness.

Steve and Sam stayed with Bucky while I took Piper back to Sam's house. I suddenly felt light headed, and I didn't need Steve worrying about me. He was upset about me coming anyways. I felt better knowing that he was there with Sam and a few other men, so he wasn't alone with Bucky. I could tell that Piper was uneasy and I figured it was best if I got her out of there.

I was washing my face in the bathroom when Piper knocked on the door softly.

"You can come in, it's just me." I chuckled.

"Alex?" She asked gently. Her face looked pale and I could tell she was tense.

"What's wrong?"

"I felt something, when I looked into Bucky's eyes."

"What do you mean?"

"I could feel what he was feeling. Like, I was-"

"Reading his mind?"

"No, not exactly, but, I could feel his emotions, and it was the most awful of feelings..." she trailed off.

"Have you ever felt like that before?"

"No. That's why I'm kinda freaking out here."

"Well, don't worry about it for tonight. If it happens again then we can be more worried. It's odd, but it wasn't life threatening either." I said. My head was throbbing now, the lightheaded feeling still present but being drowned out by the aches and pains. "I'm gonna lay down for a while, I don't feel right."

"Okay, I'm taking a quick shower. It might be four in the morning but I actually really want one. They calm me down."

I chuckled. "I know."

"Oh! And in the morning, we have to take a look at that crystal." Piper spoke up.

"Right! Okay. Research Day. And Thor is in Asgard trying to get answers now. We gave him one of Howard's old files."

"Why did he take it?"

"It was all about Sedir, but the entire thing was in Norse. So I gave it to Thor to read and, it didn't look good. His response didn't at least."

"Why do you think that Howard had a document in Norse anyways?"

"I don't know. That's what worries me."

Stealth wasn't my best ability. But at least the invisibility helped with that.

We all split up to tackle the massive shipyard we'd arrived at. We had to find that guy, the vibranium, figure out what the heck Ultron wanted it for, and get out.

I slowly made my way across one of the raised metal walkways, making sure my boots didn't make any noise. I heard voices coming from nearby, and I began looking around to find the location of the sounds. I turned right and looked past a stack of crates to see something that scarred my mind forever.

Ultron. In the flesh. He wasn't just an AI anymore.

His metal vessel stood tall, a good seven or eight feet. His metal limbs were long, and powerful. I could only imagine the millions of gears whirring underneath the shiny metal coating.

I suddenly found myself leaning too far out into the walkway to get a better look and my body fell with a small thump.

All of them turned, the man we were after, Ultron, Wanda, and Pietro.

I quickly fixed myself as quietly as possible.

"Wanda, go and make sure we're alone." Ultron spoke.

She nodded gently and began walking in my direction. I quickly jumped and pulled myself up onto a higher platform. She walked directly under me.

After Wanda took a good lap around the area, she returned. "Secure. Must have been a rodent." She said, her accent thick.

Ultron had continued to discuss business with the man while Wanda came searching for me, and I was able to tune in to the tail end of the conversation.

"Finances, so weird. But I always say, keep your friends rich and your enemies rich and wait to find out which is which."

"Stark."

"What?" Ultron snipped.

"Tony Stark used to say that, to me. You're one of his."

"What? I'm not-" Ultron grabbed the man's arm. His guard pulled out a gun, but Wanda used her energy to keep the weapon aimed down. "You think I'm one of Stark's puppets, his hollow men. I mean look at me, do I look like Iron Man? Stark is nothing!" And then Ultron sliced the man's arm off with one whip of his metal hand.

I looked away for a second, disturbed by the sight. I'd seen nasty things, but that topped my list at this point in time.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sure that's gonna be okay. I'm sorry. It's just that I don't understand...Don't compare me, with Stark!" Ultron shoved the man down the flight of stairs that was behind him.

Just then I saw Tony and the rest coming in from behind, and I knew it was time to act.

"Stark is, he's a sickness!"

"Oh junior, you're gonna break your old man's heart."

As they all exchanged some dialogue, I snuck up behind the Maximoff twins and Ultron. Just as Ultron's robots dropped and everyone started to fight, so did I.

While the fight raged on, I noticed that Wanda began taking one after another member of my team down.

I came across Steve who was lying across the ground, practically unconscious. "Steve, Steve wake up!" I pleaded.

I felt Pietro rush by, and I quickly put up a force field around Steve and I. I saw Pietro stop and stare, rather shocked at what I'd done.

"Sucks to suck, Dash!" I shouted.

He quickly vanished, and I returned my focus to Steve. He was still breathing, but his facial expressions kept changing. Was he dreaming?

Moments later Clint showed, and I dropped the field.

Clint and I had to get Nat, Thor and Steve back to the ship. Tony went after Ultron, and Bruce was MIA.

"How's the rating for this mission?" He panted as he slung Steve over his shoulder.

"It's at the bottom, but we've had worse, right?" I replied

He gave me a look.

"Okay, new worst. Agreed."

First Person POV

I shot up bed, panting, my head throbbing. I felt my stomach churning, and my skin was on fire. I quickly jumped out of bed and darted into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I was expecting to lose my last meal, but instead I started coughing.

I held my head over the sink as my coughing fit continued. I could feel something coming up the back of my throat, and I was ready to taste the burn of stomach acid in my mouth, but instead, a warm, salty feeling washed over my tongue.

I slowly parted my lips and blood began to drip out of my mouth. I felt panic wake in my cloudy and insanely sore head as I spit out the rest of it. I turned the faucet on and washed it down the drain, holding my hair back and putting my mouth under the flow of water to get a drink. I rinsed my mouth three times before getting a fresh sip and swallowing.

Internal bleeding could be fatal. I needed to get help. Considering that I felt like crap wasn't a good sign either.

Piper knocked on the door softy before opening it.

"Alex, what's wrong?"

"Call Bruce, please." I said, my voice soft. My throat was burning like fire and I felt weak and clammy on top of everything else.

Piper didn't even question what had happened, she just knew that it was bad. She darted back into the bedroom and dialed Bruce's number immediately.

"Bruce? Yes, we need help now. It's Alex, something's wrong. Very wrong."

I slowly sank to the floor, my legs growing too weak to hold me up. Piper's voice got softer and softer as my eyes fluttered shut.