Chapter Thirteen
Protectors of the Earth
"This is my army. Where is yours?"
"Avengers!"
"Assemble!"
Astoria laughs. "You're no match for me! Attack!"
Sonya imagines the following scene looks rather like something in a fantasy movie. She finds herself ducking around the first few blows, scooping her headband off the ground.
"You can't fight." A voice chuckles, "You are Sonya King. You can feel the pain of others, and so you cannot cause it."
Sonya shoots the man a crooked grin, tightening the knot on her headband. "Try me."
Pietro zips along, sending powered minions flying.
"You move fast." He tries to dodge around the woman in front of him, but she matches his movement. "But, then again, so do I."
"This is going to get old faster than me." Pietro says, making an attempt to double-cross her.
"Oh, I agree. So you'd better give up."
"I don't think so, no." He smirks, cracking his neck. With a spin, he zips off into the crowd.
The rest of the fight is a blur to Sonya, and most of the time she isn't fully registering what she'd doing, it's just "Fight, fight. Get them out of the city, don't let them hurt people. Fight!"
She stumbles and falls finally, after being thrown into a wall. She's starting to doubt herself now. It's barely noticeable, just a little, tiny voice in the back of her head. Sonya clenches her fists and grits her teeth, reminding herself of who she is, that she is a hero.
"You really are a fascinating individual." Vox hisses.
"Just get out of here." Sonya whispers.
"I was getting bored of you, anyway. Who shall I torment next?" The voice trails off, thinking. "How about your boyfriend?"
Sonya stiffens. "You touch him, and I will find a way to kill you."
"Kill me? Sofiya Elodie King, you would dare to take a life?" The hissing voice is suddenly audible, and Sonya turns to glare as Vox steps out of the shadows. "My, you really have changed."
"Not to wax poetic, but now, I actually have something worth fighting for."
"Good. That's good."
"Oh, is it?"
"It will be so much more fun to crush you this way."
Sonya narrows her eyes. This isn't boasting, not anymore. "What do you mean?"
"I've been in your head, Sonya. I'll crush you, not by harming you, but by harming them."
The healer scowls. "Just try it."
"Oh, I already have." A few meters off, Bucky stiffens, his eyes going blank.
"Ready to comply." He snaps, turning to Vox
A cold, snake-like smile, too wide for her features, twists itself across her face. "And I must say, It was a success." She gestures casually at Sonya. "She is your mission. Kill her."
Bucky nods.
Sonya can't help the frightened whimper that escapes her lips as the Asset steps towards her. She isn't brave, not anymore. She can't die, but that isn't the problem here. She can't hurt him.
"No." She hisses to herself. "Get up. That's not him, that's not Bucky."
The Asset cocks his gun.
"Bucky! Please!" The healer screams. "Bucky! I know you're in there!"
But he doesn't react. Sonya throws up her shield, stumbling with the force of the bullets slamming in to it. There's no one around to save her, not this time. They're all busy, she has to do this herself. She needs to get him back. She's the hero now, for real this time, and she needs to save James Buchanan Barnes from the monster he was forced to become.
"You can't do this. You can't fight." Vox whispers. "But it will fun to see you try." She vanishes, and Sonya knows she's off to hurt the rest of her team. She scowls, wanting to go after her, but the Asset is still intent on hurting her.
The healer throws her hands forward, sending her force-field slamming in to his chest. The Asset goes flying with surprising force. Sonya doesn't give him a chance to recover, throwing herself at him, tackling him. She knows he could kill her with just his pinkie finger, but that doesn't matter, because all of a sudden, she realizes Vox was right. Sonya can't fight. She can't hurt others. She isn't that kind of person. But there's one thing she can do, something no one else can...
Heal.
Sonya wraps her arms around Bucky's waist and opens her mind to everything the Asset is feeling, letting it pour into her. She doesn't need to hurt. She needs to understand. She clenches her fists in to his shirt just lets herself feel. She feels all of it, all of the pain and loss and emptiness inside the Asset, inside James Buchanan Barnes. Sonya braces herself against waves of pain, the feeling of her arm being torn off and her memories being wrenched out of her head, the utter loneliness of not knowing. The guilt of dozens murdered, the haunting memories of the blood in Bucky's past, the faces of those he's killed, of their fear and despair and the sounds of their last pleas, the horror of looking into the faces of both his victims and their loved ones.
All Sonya can see is light, she looks down at herself. She doesn't seem to be physical anymore, just a glowing purple silhouette. She leans forward and gently kisses Bucky on the forehead.
The light around Sonya fades, and suddenly, the Asset is gone. For good this time. Bucky Barnes stares at the girl in front of him.
"How did you? Sonya, I'm so sorry!"
"Hey, it's okay." She smiles at him.
"How'd you do that?"
"I haven't the faintest idea." She jumps to her feet. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go be an Avenger."
Bucky salutes her. "Tell me what you need!"
"Just... Guard my back."
Vox stiffens slightly, eyes fixed on the fading purple light behind her. Unbelievable. Sonya shouldn't be capable of this kind of power. She huffs, turning, stretching her mind out, searching for someone to hurt. There!
Back at the Tower, Bruce Banner is watching from the safety of the balcony, the Hulk being much too dangerous to bring out in this fight. She knew what the Hulk could do when uncontrolled, she had seen the results of Wanda Maximoff's meddling with the scientist: a city razed to the ground. Perfect.
The deafening roar rolls out over the city. Vox smiles, but she's the only one who does. Tony Stark blasts his opponent in the face and takes to the air.
"Uh, guys, we got a situation." He says. "Widow? We're gonna need a lullaby." His eyes widen as the green behemoth charges towards the battle. "And fast."
"I'm really not in a position to help!" Nat calls. She is surrounded on all sides, hard-pressed to stay on her feet.
Tony swears violently. "I'm calling in Veronica."
"Hold it!" Sonya snaps. "I might be able to do something."
"I don't know what you mean by that, doc." Tony says, "And I'm really nervous."
The healer smiles. "Don't worry, old man, I've got this."
"Hey! I'm not old!"
"Sonya." Pietro interrupts, sliding to a stop in a doorway to catch his breath. "What are you thinking?"
"If I told you, you wouldn't like it." She has to pull her earpiece away from her head as everyone starts screaming at her, giving Bucky an exasperated look.
"Calm down, guys." He says. "I'll be with her."
"Don't you DARE try to take on the Hulk, Sonya." Nat snaps.
"I'm not..."
"Goo-!"
"...Going to fight the Hulk." She finishes.
"You better not try to do what I think you're trying." Wanda snarls.
"Well, if you think I'm going to try to get Bruce back or maybe make friends with the Hulk... I am very sorry."
Everyone starts yelling again.
"SHUT UP!" Sonya yells. "I HAVE TO DO THIS, OKAY!?"
"She's right." Tony says.
"Stark..." Steve begins, but Ironman ignores him.
"Look, Doc, stay close to Bucky, I'll be watching from up top. If anything, and I mean anything goes wrong, you tell me right away, and I'll bring in Veronica. Understand?"
"Yes."
"I'll keep an eye on her." Bucky reassures everyone.
"Let's go." Sonya says, grabbing someone's abandoned motorcycle.
"You really need to do this?" Pietro asks her as she and Bucky hurry to the Hulk. "Do you want me to come back you up?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry. But I think I'm the only one who can do anything. About the backup, just stay where you are. I'll be fine."
The speedster sighs, looking up at the sky. "I understand... Just... Come back to me in one piece, yes?"
"I will. I promise." She pauses for a moment. "I love you, Pietro."
He smiles. "I love you, too, Sonya."
"Is no one gonna comment on the fact that we all witnessed a public confession of love?" Tony asks, the first one to break the awkward silence.
"Not the time, Stark." Cap says.
"I knew it." Clint stage-whispers in to the mic. "Can I be best man?"
"Oh, shut up, old man." Pietro splutters, careening out of his rest spot.
Tony hovers above the city, eyes on Bucky and Sonya. They look so tiny, especially Sonya, as they stare down the Hulk.
"I think you'd better stay here." Sonya tells Bucky.
"You sure?"
"Yes. I think you make him uncomfortable." With that, she advances forward. "Hey, big guy." She calls. The Hulk turns. "Hey!" She smiles. "You remember me, right? We met once. Last year. I'm Sonya if you forgot."
He eyes her warily, snarling.
"Oh, come on." Sonya grins. "There's no need for that. As I remember, we got along fantastically. But, anyway, I don't mean to be rude, but we kind of need Banner back."
The Hulk raised an eyebrow. "Puny Banner?"
The healer giggles. "Yeah, it seems stupid, doesn't it? But the truth is, this kind of fight isn't one you should get in to."
He looks questioning.
"The reason is, you're a lot bigger than all of us, see, and we don't want anyone getting stepped on. Also, there are a lot of civilians around, and we don't want an accident. Now, I'm not saying you'll hurt anyone on purpose, but there's a nasty lady around who likes to get in your head. If she got inside yours, there's no telling what will happen. I know you don't want to hurt anyone, but if something happens, I don't know if we could stop you. Tony..." She points up at the hovering man. "...really doesn't want to have to get the Hulkbuster out."
The Hulk's face twists up in a snarl, and he lets out a roar, charging her.
"SONYA!" Bucky and Tony yell in unison. She's bowled sideways by a streak of blue, tumbling to the ground.
"Pietro?!" She squeaks as the speedster rolls off her.
"What, you didn't see that coming?" He smirks, before calling to the others. "I think we're good here with Hulk."
"Got it." Steve says. "Everyone else, keep an eye out for Astoria."
Pietro scoops up Sonya again, hurrying her out of the way of the Hulk. He sets her down across the square, before turning and throwing himself at the beast's feet. The Hulk stumbles, roaring.
"I'll hold him off."
"I'm calling in Veronica." Tony says. "Bucky, Sonya, try not to get stepped on."
Pietro whirls by Sonya, giving her a quick smirk. "I will be fine. Hey, big guy! On your left!" He speeds away again. The Hulk is soon stumbling around, streaks of blue zipping around his ankles. Quicksilver is struck by mere chance, one of the Hulk's massive fists somehow hitting the enhanced in the ribs.
Pietro goes flying, hitting the side of a building with a sickening thud. Sonya screams, but he's already struggling to his feet, one arm hanging limply at his side. "Nice shot." He grits out. "I'm impressed." He throws himself bodily into the Big Guy's ankles. "Bet I can do you one better."
"The Hulk shouldn't be this fast." Bucky blurts.
"Vox." Sonya whispers. Pietro skids to a stop a couple of feet away from her.
"I am still faster." He smirks. "You know that." He stumbles, suddenly falling to his knees, spitting out blood. The healer jumps forward, throwing herself between him and the Hulk. The big guys freezes, confused.
"Sonya!" Quicksilver starts. She ignores him.
"Hey, big guy." She says, holding out her hand. "The sun's getting real low."
"Sonya..." Bucky whispers. "I don't... you're not Natasha."
The healer ignores him, too. "It's time to rest. The fight's all over. You're safe." She's stopped using Nat's words, saying her own. "You don't have to protect him. I need you to let Bruce come back." She gently touches his palm. "Everything's quieted down. Come on, it's okay."
The Hulk snarls, stumbling, shifting back into Bruce. The scientist shudders, giving Sonya a thankful look, before he passes out.
She smiles back, before her eyes roll back in her head and she slumps back against Bucky.
She pops back awake all of a sudden, rubbing her eyes. "I need something to eat." She mumbles as her stomach rumbles. Bucky pulls a Cliff Bar out of his pocket and hands it to her.
"Pietro insisted I give you this. Did a personal run back to the tower."
The two of them are stashed in a doorway, sounds of fighting off to the left, not far off, sometimes flashes of energy light up their hiding spot. Sonya tears into the bar. "He's okay? Where is he?"
"He said to tell you he's fine. He went back to fight."
"Good. And Bruce?"
"Recovering. Cap and Ironman and he are flirting with the idea of actually bringing the Hulk in... Like, in a controlled way."
"Things are going that bad?"
"We aren't much without you. Luckily, you were only out for about five minutes."
Sonya rubs her forehead. "You wouldn't happen to have another Cliff bar?"
"That is unnecessary!" Pietro pops around the corner, carrying two bottles. His injured arm is in a sling. "I went back to the tower. Protein shake?" He grins, ridiculously pleased with himself. Bucky laughs and mutters something in Russian, before turning.
"You two eat up. I'll head back out, be careful."
They nod, mumbling agreements around mouthfuls of shake.
"What's in this?"
"I have no clue. Bruce just said they help him after he Hulks out and whipped me up some when I explained the situation." Pietro swirls his straw around, slurping up the dregs. "It is surprisingly tasty for such a nasty color."
Sonya laughs gently as she swallows her last few mouthfuls, setting her cup aside and healing his arm. "I can't believe they let you run around with a broken arm."
"Bruce set it. It didn't hurt."
"Yes, it did." She says. "I've broken my femur. Getting a bone set hurts like shit."
The speedster grins, putting her arm around Sonya's shoulders. "Yes, fine. It did 'hurt like shit'." She rests her head against his shoulder.
"I'm glad you're okay."
They sit like that for a moment, before Sonya jumps up. "Enough sitting around. Time to get back to work."
Jumping back into the fight is shocking, to say the least. A tidal wave of sound and emotion crash over Sonya, and she's glad Pietro is carrying her at the time, so she can tense against his chest. He seems to understand her reaction and gives her a hug.
They skid to a stop next to Wanda, the Scarlet Witch giving them a fierce grin. "Sonya, stop stealing my twin-taxi!" She teases.
The healer frowns. "Didn't you get an upgrade? Flies, doesn't he?"
Wanda laughs.
"I have a mission." Sonya says. "I need to find someone."
"That's specific." Wanda replies.
"She's called Vox. Blonde hair, dark eyes, messes with people's heads? Keep an eye out."
"Got it."
"Okay, you're exhausted."
"I am fine."
Sonya rolls her eyes. "And I'm the king of England. Look, you need to take a breather."
Wanda shakes her head vehemently. "No. People need me."
"And I need you to take a break. You're no help this tired, Vision and I can handle this sector, alright?"
"Okay."
"Good. Pietro! Get your sister out of here!"
Sonya busies herself with switching out her friends, kicking Tony out for Rhodey and Sam, Steve for Bucky, and pulling Nat and Clint out for awhile, putting Spidey and Antman in their place. After a moment's thought, she switches Thor for the Hulk.
"Did we not just get Banner back?" the god complains. "This seems like a strange plan."
"I changed my mind, besides, if we get Vox, this fight is over."
Sonya realizes Pietro's missing all of a sudden. She freezes. "Has anybody seen Quicksilver?" She asks. Her question is met by noises of denial from everyone. "Okay... I'm going to go look." She ducks out of the fight, hurrying down an empty street. She pauses a good distance from the fight, letting out a mental yell. "VOX!"
She's answered suspiciously quickly. "Sonya. You called?"
"Where's Pietro?"
"What?"
"I said, WHERE IS HE?!"
"Are you accusing me because your boyfriend is missing?"
"I don't have the patience to deal with this. WHERE IS HE?!"
"Behind you."
Sonya whirls around just as Pietro zips around the corner. He leans forward, hands on his knees, panting a little. "Hey. You were looking for me, yes?"
"You're okay? How's your arm?"
He smirks, flexing the limb in question. "You worry too much. I am fine."
"That's good. I need your help."
"With finding this Vox lady?"
"Yeah."
"Did you even need to ask?" He ruffles her hair a little. "Of course."
"Oh, this is just getting more and more interesting." Vox mumbles. Pietro and Sonya whirl around. She's standing in a doorway, grinning. "Which of you will be the most fun to control?" She points at them, "Eenie... meanie...miney..."
Quicksilver throws himself forward, suddenly ricocheting off a wall of red energy. He tumbles back. A figure steps out from behind Vox, hands glowing scarlet.
"...Moe."
"Wanda?"
A/N: Yay! Another chapter done! The end is coming very soon, so hold on! Review please! Let me know what you think! Also! Finally! Sonyetro has confessed their love!