Chapter 8. Grounded
"Shit!" A scream ripped out of her throat at the sudden death spin they were forced into at the switch of gravity. The force was enough to rip her from Bruce's grasp as he too was caught off guard, wind blinding and pushing as it flew by them. Ellie twisted her body to make the wind charge at her back so she could see what was going on, squinting as her eyes watered, searching for her companions.
She almost shouted out in victory when she saw Tony's Ironman suit rocket towards them, snagging Clint quickly around the belt before clipping sharply down to where Ellie noticed Bruce was shooting down. With a power boost in his boosters he plucked the other billionaire out of the air, spinning to keep his balance at the sudden addition of weight and loss of his hand boosters.
It was about that time when she noticed that she had fallen passed their level and no one had gotten her. Refusing to look at the quickly approaching surface she knew was there, she closed her eyes and held in the food she had eaten that morning. Someone always gets you she assured herself, clenching her eyes shut, it's just the matter of when they get you.
There was a sound of thunder and a crack of lightning before she was shooting up in the air, her body folding at the force that the arm around her middle put on her while fighting against gravity. Her breath flew out of her mouth with an oomph while blindly clinging to the weird feeling arm. Chancing a look, she was met with a red cape – but the blond hair billowing after it erased the idea that it was magically Clark.
"Lady Ellie!" A booming voice jerked her head to the side to see the face of her driver to see a gruff, yet handsome, man smiling brightly down at her, and passed his face, as Ellie could see as she strained her head further back, she could see his hand gripping a strap that was connected to a-… hammer? Blinking in confusion she focused back on the man.
"Uh-" she fumbled with her words, still recovering from her stomach twisting in knots, and trying to once again place his face, and she speedily went through all the faces she saw in folders, "Odin…son?"
"Pleasure!" he laughed out facing forward while Ellie turned her head to his back to rest her aching neck, "I am Thor, the Man of Iron had requested I be of assistance, I had not expected his company to fall out of the sky, though!"
"I wish we hadn't" she muttered under her breath before focusing on keeping her grip on his bulging arm that was covered in some sort of chainmail, "it's nice to finally meet you!" she yelled back over the screeching wind, and it was true. Now that she had a name, she connected it with gossip, the God of Thunder and his brute strength.
"As with you" he stated, and she could hear the smile in his voice, "Man of Iron and Dr. Banner have filled me in about you, you sound most amusing!"
"Really, now?" she snorted at the thought of what Tony would've said about her and a small part of her hoped Bruce was there to defend her, "all good I hope!"
"Of course, Lady Ellie!" he stated gleefully as he angled them down towards the landing pad of the helicarrier, "brace yourself!"
"With what?!" Ellie questioned as she bent further over his arm and tensed herself for whatever landing he pulled. He lurched back from his forward position, letting his hammer weigh them down with gravity. Not again she mentally groaned as her stomach dropped along with them. The impact was solid and snapped her head forward.
"Friends!" Thor called out as he took a few steps to slow himself down safetly, carefully cradling the stiff woman on his arm, "I have delivered Lady Ellie!" He smiled at the small group that awaited him, Tony just slapping the new man in the shoulder – still in his armor, which was sure to hurt. The new man looked ruffled, suit crinkled and hair looking tangle, Clint had already straightened himself out, hair too short to really look any different.
"Swing her over!" Tony's metal voice barked over, clapping his hands together and opening his arms as if preparing to catch the subject of his request. Of course he wasn't really expecting to, so when Thor paused to consider the mass on his arm he had to quickly correct himself, "it's a joke, don't really throw her, you numbskull"
Bruce Wayne considered the red and gold armored man beside him, inspecting the edges and gaps, looking for a weak spot as a precaution if things went bad. The suit was high tech and allowed considerable mobility, as well as operating on a stable amount of energy. The soles of both feet and hands both had boosters, most likely used for offensive actions as well. Looking back over to the mountain supporting Ellie, he eyed the weapon hanging casually by his wrist.
My skull is numb Elli thought as she straightened herself out and let her feet touch the ground hesitantly, wobbly as her blood rushed out of her head and her hand finding her back, the dull ache from the other night flaring up. Her vision swam a moment before rapid blinking put focus back into them, and the first thing she saw was a red head a bit too close to Clint. Blinking again she looked somewhere else, focusing on an out of place Bruce- err, they both look out of place.
Bruce Wayne looked overly weary and Bruce Banner stood awkwardly in the back with his hands stuck in his pockets.
"Let's go" she muttered to Thor who was still mulling over what Tony called him, and tugged his arm to get him to move towards the group. Of course, the goal was to introduce her Bruce to everyone so she wouldn't feel guilty leaving him alone to talk to the other Bruce- that was until Fury barked out over the intercom for them to meet in the conference room. Hesitating, she allowed Thor to take over the lead, clasping her hand in her father's as she passed by, deafly swinging it.
"Can we trust them?" he whispered, hefting the duffle bag higher on his shoulder, taking in the floating fortress. He expected this, weariness and perplexity, just not housing with a government agency- where apparently everyone knew his alias, that in itself didn't sit well.
"Everyone not wearing a uniform" she informed, sparing Clint and the red head a glance. Looking forward she smiled happily when she saw the other Bruce waiting beside the door, cracking a small smile at the sight of hers. "But I want you to meet someone, he you can trust" eagerly she treaded forward, eyes set on the shy man.
"Ellie" the doctor welcomed, sticking his hands in his pockets as he turned his attention to the dark haired man beside her, standing broodingly over her, almost glaring at everything he passed. Tempted to fix his glasses and fumble with his hands as a nervous habit, he freed one of his hands and stuck it out in offering, "Bruce Banner, Mr. Wayne"
A dark eyebrow raised as he eyed the man offering his hand, looking down at Ellie for a second, "Bruce, hu?" he gripped the hand in his own, a short, stiff shake ensued.
"Small world" was the offered reply, "I, uh, already told everyone to address me as Doctor, so you have the, uh, honor of your namesake"
"That's no fun" Ellie butted in the awkward meeting, though in reality she was glad that it their similar names wouldn't be an issue while in the same room, "anywho, as you already know this is Doctor Bruce Banner, any trouble, go to him – better than Tony, wouldn't you say Doctor?"
"Definitely" Bruce chuckled awkwardly, sparing a glance at the approaching Ironman, "speaking of which, we should hurry along"
"Run along, kiddies" Tony's voice came through in a metallic manner, fiddling with his wrist as he stopped beside them, the center of his suit blaring with power before it all started folding away, centering towards his chest, revealing a straight suit and soon a red and gold suitcase. Adjusting his bow tie with one hand he continued, "How do I look? Dashing I hope"
Ellie huffed as she tossed his collar back to him, "I'd like you to meet my Dad, Bruce Wayne" she held up her hand that was clasped in said father's, "Dad, this is Tony Stark, Ironman"
"We've been briefly acquainted" Tony quipped with a punch to Wayne's shoulder but snapped back when his wrist was almost broken with a deft twist of the other's hand, "feisty" he paused, "I like it".
Ellie sighed and looked up when she felt a pat on her shoulder, quirking a smile as she saw it was her favorite Doctor. A crooked smile and a wink was returned.
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"Avengers" Furry called as he strode into the office, looking at each one in turn, "and guests" he added as afterthought. Ellie was sitting in between Bruce, the doctor, and Tony – she had tried to take a seat next to her father but Tony had tipped her into the chair next to him, making both Bruces sit next to each other.
"It has come to our attention that a.." Ellie toned him out as the Director rambled about on information that she already knew or didn't concern her. She played with her hands to pass time, stealing glances at her father to make sure he was okay- even though he could probably handle himself better than she had, he was concentrating on what the director was telling him and piecing together his own details that he collected over the years. Looking opposite, she eyed Clint who was ever the efficient agent, back straight, eyes hard.
Typical, no fun at all.
Though, opposite of him, next to her was Tony, bored and mimicking Fury behind her back but in clear view of Clint and Thor- Bruce, either one, if they leaned back. Clearly making use of his time. Ellie glanced at Bruce, to her side, and almost blanched at his dozing form, blinking in astonishment. She stopped herself from waking him up as she took a closer look at him, he seemed tired, more exhausted than she thought, deep lines finally relaxing in his state.
Surely he wouldn't get in trouble, he already knew his part in this and Tony probably filled him in on things he wouldn't want to know.
Glancing to make sure she wasn't in the center of anyone's attention, she delicately touched his forearm that was resting on her chair's arm. She felt the familiar pull, leaning back to rest her head against the chair with her hand placed on his rough arm.
Shaking her head to get the hair out of her face, she squinted against the harsh winds to find she was on the platform of the helicarrier, no one around.
"Hello!" she called out, one hand on her head to keep her hair intact, turning around in a circle to try and catch sight of the doctor. Turning around once more she felt a sense of déjà vu when she couldn't find anyone. "Come on, Bruce!"
Suddenly the whole carrier shook, jerking to the side and smoke billowing out of one of the engines. Even if it was a dream state, Ellie wasn't sure what would happen if she were to die in this – just wake up or serious repercussions? She crouched on and gained leverage, racing towards the nearest entrance, waving her arms once or twice as the grouched shook and lurched against her motion. Flinging the door open she was tempted to brace herself on the wall for a moment but instead was bracing herself against oncoming traffic of bodies, flinching as they fazed right through her.
"That's new" usually people in dream states were real, seeing as the dreamer made them real, even being an animal. Maybe Bruce wasn't here when this happened and was just rerunning scenes that others put in his head? Or knocked out from the blast to the engines and woke up later to make his surroundings concrete? Ellie continued trying to figure her state as she jogged through the familiar hallways, flinching every time agents barreled through her.
"Clint?" she asked shocked as she saw him taking down agents left and right, a strange blue light in his eyes and bland expression on his face. Forgetting about Bruce for a moment she followed him about, heart rate picking up in anticipation the closer he maneuvered to the control center- but faltered when she heard an unmistakable roar and stumbled when she was pushed aside from a suddenly solid body.
Wringing out her hands quickly she high tailed towards the animalistic noise, jumping over fallen bodies and turning sharp corners and sliding down a staircase before came to a stumbling halt.
The red head from before was dashing straight for her and The Hulk was barreling right behind her.
"Ah shit" Ellie hummed wide eyed, not sure if the other guy counted as Bruce's conscience and would react to her presence unlike everyone else. "Uh, hey!" when they still came closer and closer she began to panic, not wanting to test out how her physical body would react to mental trauma, "Hey" still nothing, "HEY!"
A split second before they slammed dunked her into any crates she used her speed to propel her to a pipe above, barely getting a grip before screaming, "HULK!"
The big guy falter as his victim speed ahead, oblivious to the change of outcome. Looking up, his blind rage dissolved seeing a familiar face, muscles twitching as he tilted his head. Arms stretched out as his hands gathered her up, letting her sit on them like a chair.
"El-ee?" He questioned bringing her closer to his face, nose skimming her chin making her giggle. Green eyes shinned curiously.
"Miss me?" she asked experimentally skimming a hand along his chin, grinning when he rested his whole head against her in content, "what happened here, buddy?"
"Bruce hurt" he rumbled, falling backwards to sit on the ground, having Ellie clutch at him to stay put, arms grasping around his fuzzy head, "Hulk help"
"Is Bruce okay?" Ellie asked, frowning in concern. Of course he was, but he was reliving this, the emotions were still there. "Are you okay?"
He snorted, pulling back to stubbornly stare back at her, puffing out, "Bruce hurt, Hulk strong"
"I know" she amended, flicking his ear lobe playfully, "very strong, stronger than me"
"Ellie fast" he added, blinking at her, "Ellie talk to Hulk", a sudden intelligence entered his eyes, the green browning around the edges, "How?" he voice altered between the two personalities.
"I'm not just fast" she lowered her voice, pursing her lips and decided a little clarity between her and him wouldn't hurt, "is Bruce here?"
"I'm here" Hulk still held her up, but his voice altered further towards Bruce's and his eyes swirled with a tint of brown in them.
"My mum loved cats" Ellie condensed, "cats loved her, so much they saved her life" she paused, tilting her head to look over his face, "brought her back to life- on a conscious level they connected, so it wasn't a surprise when I came out, I had an affinity with animals" she waited for him to speak but after a pregnant pause she asked, "do you understand?"
"Not animal" his voice teetered back and forth on octaves, green batting away at the brown of his eyes.
"No, you're not" she soothed, not wanting to work up the tension between the bound personalities, "you are a gift to everyone, but on a primal level everyone has animalistic tendencies, and I sometimes tap into that human side"
"Not only Hulk?" he questioned almost hurt, but he had slackened down a bit in stature.
"I only did it with cats, maybe the occasional rat" Ellie conceded with a twinkle in her eye, remembering the rat Calvary she sent after Clint, after he had shot her with his tranq arrow, "you're the only person, scout's honor"
His smile was worth the years of unquenched curiosity that she went through holding back from experimenting, the glee he radiated.
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Steve glanced worriedly at Ellie, as her face seemed to pale, eyes shifting restlessly under her lids. She was usually bright, even seeing her for a day he got the hint that she wasn't one to sit around for a long time, more alive. It wouldn't have bothered him if it wasn't for the persons next to her to compare to. Bruce Banner snoozed soundly, color bright on his skin, face calm and eyes at rest behind his glass. Tony on her other side- Steve had to withhold a shiver- was leaning against Ellie's chair with his eyes halfway open, sleeping as well, his enhanced hearing picking up his slight snores. He too had warmth under his skin, eyes staring into nothing.
As Fury was still in a debate with Mr. Wayne and Natasha, Thor had too turned towards him.
"Are our friends well?" he questioned the soldier, brows furrowed at the grouped three.
"I'm…" Steve thought about it, still concerned over Ellie's state, "not sure"
"Friends?" Thor called out softly, not budging them an inch, "Friend Ellie? Man of Iron? Friend Banner?" he even started to reach out to shake one of them awake when Tony twitched, blinking rapidly awake to stare at the hand in front of his face.
"How…" Steve trailed off, scowling.
"I am the Spectre!" he moaned in a ghostly voice, "I see all!"
A loud bang on the table had everyone jumping to attention, Ellie jerking forward, Banner jerking back and Tony burped in surprise. They all turned towards Bruce Wayne who stared coldly at Stark who waved back with a sly grin.
"I wouldn't play like that, Mr. Stark" he ground out, his voice scratching, "now that these worlds have an open door to each other, it wouldn't be wise to insult Vengeance so out rightly"
"You buds with Vengeance?" Tony came back, rubbing his hands together, "maybe you can cut me a deal? You know, kick Hammer around a bit and in return bring back good Ole Daddy-o? That'd be pain enough for me"
Steve bristled at the mention of Howard in such a negative manner but Wayne interrupted his comeback, "He kills, Mr. Stark, not cutting deals, and the dead don't lie as still as you think, careful what you wish for"
"Well, good Ole Howey wasn't careful about it when he knocked up his Best friend's girl's daughter, now was he?"
"That's it!" Steve exploded and lunged at the billionaire in front of him, spurring everyone else into action.
Well. Kicked myself out of the house for a few hours to visit the local comic store. Three good posters later and 4 issues/rounds of Avengers v. X-Men later, got the urge to write. Questions, question away.