Less than 24 hours ago, I was just about unknown to the world. At least Erika was. Most people knew me under some fake name, or as that girl who spent a few weeks here and there but never stood still. I was known as Kate, or Sara, or that girl in the apartment across the hall, but never Erika. Now here I was, standing in the Avengers tower, surrounded the world's mightiest heroes and ex-villains.
It was mostly silent with the light hum of the elevator gears as we rode up to the "Avengers" hall as it was called. I stood back in the corner, leaning casually on the railing, watching the two so called Maximoff twins.
They stood awfully close to each other, attached at the hip. Quicksilver, or Pietro as the rest of the Avengers seemed to call him, looked aggravated. His arms were folded against his chest, his aggravated glare burning holes through the elevator doors as he left foot tapped up and down impatiently. I noticed how his eyes looked tired, and how his platinum white was left in messy locks over his face.
Wanda was harder to read. She seemed curious, nervous maybe. Her dark brown lock covered most of her face, looking down at her shoes while she twirled her thumbs anxiously. She glanced at her brother occasionally, then to me, smiling softly. It seemed as if the two were conversing without even saying a word. It must be a twin thing.
"So," I muttered, breaking the uneasy silence. "What are your powers again?"
Wanda looked at her unapproachable brother, attempting to insinuate him into the conversation. Nothing but a low mumble came from his mouth in a language sounding nothing like English. She brushed him off, turning to face me again.
"My brother and I were tested on back in Sokovia." Her voice was soft and confident, but an inch of pain fell behind. "They gave us these, enhancements, so to speak. Pietro can run faster than bullets, most of the time. His increased metabolism and homeostasis helps him heal quicker than others. My powers are a bit more complicated." She was then interrupted by the soft beep of the elevator doors sliding open to the Avengers lobby.
The chrome lights were almost blinding when we entered the hall. There was a small lobby decorated with sitting chairs, couches, and a bar to the side. I stepped out the elevator admiring the high tech décor placed around us, compliments of Tony Stark I assumed.
"So, this is it, huh? The famous Avenger's tower."
"Well, the building is the Avengers tower, but many SHIELD agents work here as well. I believe that is where Mr. Fury has planned for you to go." Wanda informed.
"This is where you all live?" I asked.
"Not all of us. Pietro and I came to live here after Ultron. Cap stays here most nights, along with Vision and Banner when he stays too long in the lab." Wanda motioned to a tall red-skinned man who seemed to be levitating around the main area. "That's Vision."
He looked up from a book he seemed to be reading, floating over to us. I stood in shock while Pietro and Wanda were completely unfazed. "Hello Ms. Erika Fury. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Avengers Initiative." He took my hand gently and began to shake it.
I stood with my mouth agape in awe, shaking what seemed to be a man's hand. "Is he, um, a person? Or…" I could barely speak to Wanda.
"He's an Android." She giggled at my uncomfortable manner. "We also met him during Ultron."
"It is very nice to meet you Ms. Fury."
"It's, uh, just Erika."
"Yes, excuse me. Erika. I would love to stay, but I must go complete a few tests for Professor Banner." He nodded to Wanda and I before flying off down a corridor. I stood frozen, still in shock for meeting an android for the first time.
"Trust me, you will get used to it." Wanda laughed, grabbing my hand and dragging me down the continued hall.
We continued the tour with Wanda and I walking side by side discussing the lifestyle around the tower, with Pietro who was still silent behind us.
I looked back at Pietro, who still hadn't said a word since he had dropped me off here the night before. "Is he more of the strong silent type, or is he just mad at me?"
"Oh, he's just pouting still. He should stop soon." Wanda shot a look at her stubborn brother, who just replied a sigh and an exaggerated eye roll. "Anyway, this is the Training Hall."
The room was larger than any gym I've ever seen. There were racks of weights and a variety of weapons that hung on the walls. A boxing ring sat to the left and a large sparring ring in the center. "You all train here?"
"Yes, almost every day. Pietro and I had our first training session here." She walked over to a nearby panel, pressing a few buttons then turning to the sparring ring. Seconds later, a simulation of robots appeared in a fighting stance. I jumped slightly in fright, reaching behind me for my swords in preparation for an attack.
"Do not be afraid," Wanda acknowledged. "They are controlled, see?" She pressed a few more buttons, making the robots move at her will. "They are only for practice. Tony invented them."
"That's so cool." I admired the machines a bit further before the descended back into their resting spot. Wanda and Pietro then led me down to a smaller corridor near the kitchen that had a few doors on either side.
"And this is your room." Wanda stepped in front of a chrome door as it slid open seamlessly. She turned to me, leading me inside. In front of me sat a small bed, a desk with a seemingly high tech computer, a decent sized closet, a few chairs and throw pillows, and a small bathroom to the side.
"Mr. Stark says you can decorate it to however you like. He even offered to help pay. But be sure to tell him exactly what you want. He tends to go a bit overboard."
"Well, that's what billionaire's do." I sighed. "Spend their money quick like a kid in a candy store."
She chuckled softly, nodding her head. "Our rooms are right next door if you need anything, also."
I flopped down carefully onto the bed, resting my head on the soft pillow. "I guess this is the end of the tour, Ms. Erika." Wanda added.
"It's just Erika. None of this 'Ms' nonsense." I groaned, still recognizing Wanda's need to be polite. "But thanks for the tour guys."
"You're welcome. Training starts early tomorrow morning. We have breakfast in the main kitchen if you'd like to join us." Wanda offered sweetly.
"That sounds great." I smiled, turning my attention back to Pietro, who was leaning against the doorframe. "I'll see you both there then?" He clenched his jaw tight, a definite sign of irritation, before walking out the door.
"Um, yes." Wanda slightly stuttered, watching as her brother walked away from the room. "See you tomorrow." She muttered, before following after her steamed brother.
I shrugged my shoulders, placing my swords aside and lying back down on my new bed, staring up at the chrome ceiling above. Exhaustion had finally hit. I touched the few bruises I had on my face and body, hissing in discomfort. I sat up, gazing at the bedside mirror, looking at the purple and black scars on my face and body. I contemplated taking a trip down to the Avengers clinic, but pushed the decision aside. Weariness was taking over, and my eyelids were fighting sleep. It was only around 4 in the afternoon and I decided to go to bed and rest up for whatever was coming my way tomorrow.
Night fell quickly, and it was quiet in the Tower, expect for one particular speedster. With such an active body, sleep sometimes became difficult for Pietro. Before joining the Avengers, he rarely slept in his cell back in Sokovia. He spent most nights lying awake, the different serums and injections taking toll on his brain. Somehow, the effects of the experiments disturbed his brainwaves so that sleeping was only possible with mass amounts of activity.
This led Pietro to become a regular night runner. He would groggily rise at 1 or 2 am, and make his way down to the indoor track for a nightly jog. Sometimes he'd only need a few laps before complete exhaustion and hightailing back into his bedroom. Other nights, he would run thousands of miles, wearing out the soles of his sneakers into dirt before even letting out a light yawn.
Pietro pulled on his track pants over his light gray boxers and a running shirt on his bare chest as he headed out his bedroom door. Right when he moved to close the door, a soft squeak of a door startled him. He looked up and around, wondering who else would be awake the same time as him.
The halls were dark, only illuminated by small floor lights, making it near impossible to see. The only figure he could see was a small shadowy figure reaching the near doorway. "Hey!" Pietro shouted out. The figure gasped lightly, and then sped out the door, bolting for the elevator.
He lunged forward to speed after the stranger, but stopped as another door opened. He turned to see his sister, slowly stepping out of her bedroom, rubbing her tired eyes.
"Pietro, what's going on? It's 2 in the morning."
"Someone is escaping the tower, come with me." Pietro grabbed a lifeless Wanda and began to drag her out the door.
Wanda slowly trudged behind him. "Who would be escaping the tower? No one is prisoner here, Pietro."
"I saw someone run out and go down through the elevators. Come Wanda." He groaned, trying to drag his sister's comatose body behind him. They made their way to the elevators. Pietro pressed the down button furiously, but they didn't seem to be moving.
"Shouldn't we get the Avengers, Pietro? Steve or someone?" Wanda commented. Pietro groaned, eyeing the stairwell.
"Just come, Wanda." He grabbed tightly onto the back of her neck and picked her up by her legs, using his speed to sprint down almost 40 flights of stairs.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Pietro dropped his sister carefully and leaned onto a nearby wall. His face was bright red, and he was huffing in and out of breath. "Do you see anyone?" He panted to his sister.
The roads were dark, lit by a few street lights and the lights of a car buzzing by every few seconds. Pietro was starting to feel drowsy from the run. His vision was blurry as he stumbled behind his sister who searched up and down the road.
"Pietro, there!" Wanda hissed, pointing out a small shadowy figure running in the distance a few blocks away. "Can you run?"
"We'll see." He huffed, pushing off the wall and grabbing Wanda, racing down the New York street. He searched frantically for the shadow, or any sign of someone's escape. He felt his arms begin to give out of his hold to Wanda. He forced himself to stop, dropping Wanda carefully onto the cold concrete, reaching onto the nearby wall catching his breath. He was hunched over, his face bright red in exhaustion.
"Pietro." Wanda hurried to his side, holding him as he struggled hunched over. "No more running, we'll continue on foot and we'll turn around if we can't find them."
He agreed, waiting a few seconds to regain some strength before heading down the cold street alongside Wanda.
The two weren't familiar with New York at all. The only times they left the tower were for missions and obtaining shipment from downtown alongside the rest of the Avengers. They wandered aimlessly hoping to find any sign of the shadow.
20 minutes later, Wanda came to a stop at a familiar alley. "Pietro, this is hopeless. We won't be able to find anyone at this time of night. Whoever you saw must have seen us and is long gone by now."
"She's right, you know." A voice chuckled from above the two. He gazed up above, noticing a dark figure sat on top the building beside them. There was Erika sat upon the ledge, a dark purple hood placed on her head, with her broadswords placed on her back. "You know, you should stop taking stealth lessons from Steve, and start taking them from an actual spy."
"Why are out here?" He shouted up to her.
"Oh, so he does speak." She smiled slyly.
"Ms. Fury, what is it that you are doing?" Wanda reiterated.
"It's Erika, and what do you think I'm doing?" She hopped down from on top the rooftop, sliding down the base of a dumpster, meeting face to face with the twins. "I'm making my rounds."
"Why?" They asked simultaneously.
"Just because I'm stuck in the tower with you super heroes, doesn't mean I can't go back to being who I am. Now get lost, I work to do."
"Perfect. Come on, Wanda. We're going home." He tried to turn and leave, but was stopped by Wanda.
"Pietro, wait." She grabbed his wrist, pulling him back forcefully.
"For what? She is fine, like she said."
"We can't just leave her here, Pietro." Wanda looked back at Erika who was waiting against the nearby brick wall.
"Are you two coming or what? I don't have all night." She huffed, clearly annoyed. "If you're worried about me, don't be. I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."
"Wanda, let's go." Pietro's grip tightened on his sister's arm, motioning for her to follow.
"No Pietro. You saw her sneak out, so we'll go with her. She's our responsibility." She swiftly turned on her heel away from her brother and approached Erika.
"She's not our-Wanda!" Pietro grumbled angrily, shuffling down behind the two girls.
The three wandered down the barren streets of New York in near silence. Wanda and Erika began quiet small talk as Pietro just grumbled behind them.
"Ms. Fu-" Wanda started nervously, correcting herself quickly. "Erika, what's it like having a dad whose so, busy?"
She shrugged her shoulders, looking up and down the alleyways for suspicious activity. "Different, I guess. Father's day is kind of a bust when your dad is out fighting spies in Germany. But he's always been a good dad." Her sight drifted down to the cold pavement, a painful look on her face.
Wanda must have noticed her change in behavior as well. "Are you okay, Erika?"
"Yeah, of course." She replied, shaking her head as if she were coming back from a trance. "So what about you two? It must be strange moving from…" Her voice trailed off, waiting for a bit of assistance.
"Sokovia." Wanda corrected politely.
"Right, moving from Sokovia to here. Tell me about it."
The conversation between the two began to fade out in Pietro's mind. He was too focused on Erika. He couldn't tell what exactly, but he knew there was something he didn't like about her. It just wasn't sitting right with him. She was a thief, and not someone he'd want around his sister. Despite the fact the rest of the Avengers seemed to trust her, Pietro wanted to be cautious about it, about her.
Regardless of her status, Pietro had to admit, she was a brilliant fighter. While being surrounded by the world's best fighters and superhero's every day, and fighting alongside then, he thought she had a different style. She was quick and moved almost flawlessly with her swords. Every cut and thrash was precise and executed so perfectly, it was admirable. But whether or not he would be able to trust her was a different question.
"Why so moody, Speedy?" Erika asked, interrupting Pietro's thoughts. "You don't like spending time with me?" Her sarcastic grin just infuriated him once more.
"This is the second time I've chased you around at night. I wouldn't like to make it a habit."
She frowned, folding her arms against her chest. "Oh, that's sad. I thought we were having fun."
"Fun is the last word I would use." He scoffed.
"Wait, listen," Erika hissed quietly, raising a hand to stop the twins in their tracks. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Wanda asked in a low voice.
"It's a police scanner. Now, shut up and listen."
The radio stirred as the officer on the line began to speak. "Calling in nearby officers, we have a Code 10-8 on 1st Avenue. All nearby officers report to 1st Avenue. We have a robbery underway, criminals are armed and dangerous and hostage intake is unknown."
"That's not far from here!" Her cheerful voice sounded too eager for someone who just heard about a robbery. "Come on, let's go."
"Hold on." He paused, stopping Erika. "Look, we said we would walk with you, but this isn't our job."
"He's right, Erika." Wanda chimed in. "Isn't there someone we should call? Isn't this for the police?"
As Erika began to retaliate, the police scanner began to stir again. "Update to all nearby officers for incident on 1st Avenue. Hostage intake has been noted. There are two women, a man and a child inside, whether or not they have been injured is not known."
Erika looked back at the two twins. "Look, you guys can do whatever you want, but I'm going to help those people. You're welcome to join me."
The twins gave each other another wary look. "I knew we shouldn't have followed you out here." He mumbled angrily.
A smile came to her face. "I'm taking that as a yes, now let's go!" She rushed off towards the robbery with Pietro and Wanda close behind.
Police sirens sounded from down the street to the site of the robbery. Their cars were lined up behind a string of yellow tape that lined a perimeter around the area. A crowd of curious people and anxious reporters stood nearby poking their head through to see while the officers on site were drawing them back.
"So Erika," Pietro started arrogantly. "How do you plan to get past these officers? There are at least twenty of them. I don't think you can talk your way out of this."
"Easy." She moved her gaze from the scene ahead to Pietro. "With you, Speedy."
"Me?"
"Get back!" A loud shout came from inside the store, followed by three shots. The crowd ducked and let out a few screams starting a light panic.
"Yes, you. There's a broken window in the front next to the locked doors. You can carry us in one by one if we had a distraction."
"I can take care of the distraction." Wanda stepped from outside the alley and into the shadows. "Be ready to go when I say so."
She raised her arms to her shoulders, the rims of her brown eyes fading into a dark crimson red. Waves of red energy flew from her fingertips towards the crowd. They watched as the energy made contact with the crowd, turning their eyes red as well, being placed under her spell. "Go, now."
Pietro quickly grabbed Erika, swooping her swiftly into his arms, securing his arm behind her neck and holding tightly onto her legs. He sprinted past the crowd, dodging bystanders who seemed to still be under Wanda's spell. He looked down at Erika, who seemed panicked; her eyes glued shut and her grip almost choking. He chuckled to himself, finally reaching the store. Carefully hiding in an aisle, he sat Erika down.
"Little bit of a warning next time would be nice." Her eyes were dazed as she held a hand to her head. Pietro grinned to himself before rushing out to grab his sister.
She stood in the same spot, using her powers to control the crowd. "Wanda!" He shouted, grabbing her attention. She nodded to him, dismissing her powers from the group. They were still in a small trance, long enough for Pietro and Wanda to get in and out.
He pulled her into his arms, and raced into the building. He stopped with Wanda in his arms, placing her down on to the tile floor. "Where's Erika?" She asked. Pietro replied with a small shrug before stopping and hearing a loud grunt.
They both turned, watching as a grown man flew across the room, collapsing as he hit the concrete wall straight on. Erika stepped out into their view, brushing herself off before turning to the astonished twins. "Are you going to join me or what?" She asked as another robber attacked her viciously, grabbing her by the neck from behind.
Wanda and Pietro both ran to her aid. "I'm good!" She shouted, sending a low jab to the attackers gut. "There are three more robbers in the back. Go!"
The two hesitated, but nodded, running down the first aisle. Pietro encountered the first robber, who charged at him with a crowbar. Pietro laughed to himself at the attackers failed attempt, quickly ducking under the weapon, then sending a hard punch to his stomach. The robber grunted, stumbling backwards, clutching tightly to his ribcage. He swung again at Pietro, but was unsuccessful. Pietro sprinted around the attacker, almost blinding him. He snatched the crowbar from his hands, and hit him straight on in the back of the head, knocking him out cold.
He looked over to his sister who was dealing with her handful of robbers, and Erika as well. The two were fighting tremendously, focusing heavily on their fights. He watched the two defended off their attackers, when a second seemed to creep up behind Erika. He raised his right arm quickly, a sharp blade placed in his hand. She was oblivious to the fact and Pietro rushed forward. Zipping past Erika, he pushed her aside before being slashed by Erika's previous attacker. He groaned in pain, holding his right arm in pain. The cut was deep in his arm, meaning it would take much longer to heal.
Erika jumped back from the ground, thrashing violently at the two opposing men. She knocked both of them into the ground with one swift kick. The two laid unconscious as she ran to Pietro's side. "Are you oka-" She started, looking down at his wound.
"Pietro!" Wanda rushed to him, kneeling at his side, looking at his arm.
"I'm fine." He lied, gripping tightly onto his arm. "It's just a scratch."
Wanda's hand carefully grazed his arm. "You're hurt. It's too deep for you to fight anymore."
"We need to get out of here anyway." Erika added in.
"Police! Surrender now or we're coming in!" A loud bang erupted from the front door, a warning shot. They were planning on breaking in. Pietro and Wanda ducked behind a few of the collapsed aisles "Come out with your hands up!"
"That's our cue." Erika shouted from a few aisles back. "We have to go, quickly."
"Why can't we stay?"
"Cops don't really like vigilantes, trust me. They're not going to care whether or not you guys are Avengers." She leaned down, untying the last of the hostages and helping them out the front door. "I'll meet you at the back exit! Hurry!"
The twins listened, rushing to the back entrance, passing by the collapsed robbers. Pietro and Wanda turned, anxiously waiting to take off with Erika. He was focused on Erika, when in the corner of his eye he saw one of the robbers begin to stir. Out of their pocket, he pulled out a lighter and began to place it next to a spilt gasoline can.
"Look out!" He screamed, but was too late. The robber lit fire to the small tank of gasoline, setting off a small explosion. The three were thrown backwards by the blast. A loud ringing from the blast played through their ears. The sound of the sirens outside increased, the hostages began to panic and scream even more. The blast burned down the aisles, lighting everything in sight.
"Erika, no!" Wanda screamed in horror. Erika was trapped against the flames. The only way out was through the front which was covered by cops.
"Just go! I'm right behind you!" The fire was growing with every second, smoke mustering through the air, making it harder to see. "I'll be fine! You have to go!" She kept on shouting.
"We can't just leave you here!" Pietro shouted, coughing from inhaling the smoke.
"I'll be fine!" She choked, a breath of smoke filling into her lungs. She took out her smaller blades, untying the last hostage. They sprinted to the front doors, leaving Erika to fend for herself. "I'll meet you both back at the tower."
Another set of flames blazed behind her, almost surrounding her. Parts of the ceiling were collapsing, nearly falling on the entire group. Sparks flew through the air, falling onto Pietro's large wound. He hissed, placing his hand over it.
"Pietro, take Wanda and go while you still can!" The flames were too tall to even see Erika, and smoke was rising making it harder to breathe.
The whole store was crumbling before their eyes. Shelves were collapsing, debris flying throughout the air. A large beam fell down in front of the front door, taking away her last escape. "No!" Wanda cried out.
"I said go! Now!" Erika's voice cried out in anger. Not a hint of fear behind it surprisingly. The flames were getting closer, and soon would be covering Wanda and Pietro as well.
Pietro gave in. The flames were nearly covering Erika, and in seconds they wouldn't be able to breathe He grabbed Wanda tightly as he could and rushed through the back door, leaving Erika to find her way out of the fire. Pietro sped his way around the front corner, holding tightly onto his injured arm. Wanda jumped down from his arms, watching as the officers and firefighters rushed into the building.
"Where is she?" Wanda's voice quivered, frantically looking for any signs of Erika. The flames were getting larger as the firefighters tried to control it. "Pietro, where is she?!"
"She's going to be okay, Wanda." He tried to console her, even though he wasn't that sure if himself.
"We left her there, Pietro! Her death is on our hands!"
"She's not dead!" He shouted, silencing his sister.. "She had to have gotten out, somehow."
Wanda looked up to her brother with weary eyes. He struggled to keep his expression still. He believed the worst, just as Wanda had, but he wanted to keep her calm. Wanda looked down at Pietro's wound. "We must get you back to the tower and heal your arm."
He nodded, holding out his weak arms to her. "No, we'll walk." Wanda ordered. "You're too hurt."
He agreed. The pain was beginning to settle in, even during his own healing process. The two walked together in silence. Everything felt still and dim, only the sounds of distant police sirens and the chatter of reporters broadcasting the scene.
"Pietro?" Wanda spoke in less than a whisper. "Do you really think she'll be alright?"
He reached down with his good arm, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tight. "I hope so."