Chapter 4 - Get Schooled
Hey guys, me again. Sorry I had to pause the V-log. Stephen needed some help pushing a box demon back into another dimension.
Well, I call it a box demon only because we found it accidentally in this ancient box up in the attic above the Sanctum Chamber of Relics. It wasn't the shape and size of a cube. If anything, it looked more like a purplish-black octopus-like thing with hundreds of tentacles and one giant eyeball.
Yeah, my life is so weird.
So, where was I? Oh yeah, we came back from Tony's party, and I had just woken up the following day. Bright and fresh, and ready to start homeschooling.
It wasn't so bad. As it was the beginning of my studies, Stephen decided to test me on everything I had learned so far, and we quickly started making lists on topics that I needed to work on. Surprisingly enough, I wasn't as far behind as I thought in some subjects.
Thanks to my being a bookworm, I was pretty up to date with English and History, maybe even a little ahead. Maths too I was doing alright at; I just needed to learn a couple more grades worth of work to get up to the same level as other kids my age. Science, well, science was a little tricky.
After learning how to bend the laws of nature with magic, I kind of let myself go with science. After all, what do magic and science have to do with one another, right?
A lot, as it turns out. Even Stephen admitted that had he not had such a solid scientific background, he would've struggled to understand the more advanced levels of sorcery.
And so, it was during this rigorous testing of my scientific "prowess" that the dreaded visit that changed my entire life suddenly interrupted.
"What do the abbreviations TC and TD stand for that is seen on some laboratory pipettes?"
"To contain and to deliver."
"Correct. Now, what Greek letter symbolizes wavelength?"
"uh…Lambda?"
"Is that another question or your final answer?"
"Final answer"
"Good because it's correct. Now next question, it's a long one. For a perfectly spherical planet of uniform density, the gravitational acceleration at a point halfway to the surface from its centre will be what fraction of the gravitational acceleration at the surface?"
"Uh…?"
"Do you want time to write it out?"
"Uh…no, I should be good…um…a third."
"Wrong. The answer was in the question; it's a half. Now quickly make a note in your book to cover planetary science."
"Ugh! Fine."
"Write it down!"
"OK, chill. It's going down in the book. There. Now next question?"
"Right, now let's see…we haven't covered chemistry yet, have we? Aha! Here's a good place to start. What is the name, Atomic number and category of the element with the symbol Pb?"
"Pb is lead, which has the atomic number of eighty – no wait – eighty-two, and it is a post-transition metal."
"Very good. Now can you list some of the properties of post-transition metals?"
"Uh…they're more brittle than transition metals."
"Good. Anything else?"
"Umm…lower…melting points?"
"Correct, but still add the periodic table to your list. Now I want you to give me the name, atomic number and atomic symbol of another post-transition metal."
"Just one?"
"Just one"
"Uh… OK, let's see. Oh yeah, there's Tin. It has the atomic number fifty and the atomic symbol of Sn."
"Correct, and what does Sn stand for?"
"uh…Sn…uh…just give me a sec. Sn? Sn starts with St-"
"It's Stannum. From the Latin word for Tin."
Via and Stephen wheeled around. In the doorway of the private study, there was Tony Stark himself.
Unlike the previous night, he wore a casual pair of jeans, sneakers, a black sabbath T-shirt, and a black sports jacket.
He grinned at the sight of the sorcerer and his apprentice sitting in their kamar-taj clothes. Via was in all black with her long blue tailcoat over the top, and Stephen was in his blue ensemble with the crimson cloak of levitation draped over his shoulders.
"So, this is what the new and improved Doctor Strange looks like in his magical new day job. The beard is one thing, but I love the cape. Vintage?"
"Stark, what a pleasant surprise. We didn't hear you come in." Stephen bit out sarcastically as he forced a polite smile onto his face, his light eyes cold.
"Yeah, your pal Wong let me through the front door."
"More like he barged in," Wong grunted as he appeared behind Tony's back, arms folded and scowling as Tony swaggered inside the room, admiring the antique furniture and the ornate design.
"So…this is what this building looks like on the inside. I've always wondered, much older than I expected-"
"I could say the same of you, Mister Stark." Via smiled oh-so-sweetly as Tony's smile fell from his face. Behind his back, Stephen and Wong both exchanged an amused smirk. Oh, how they loved watching when she sassed people other than them.
"You're never gonna let that one down, are you?" Tony sighed, and Via shook her head with a smile.
"Nope. Not a chance."
"Well, I guess I can let it slide, seeing as I only have an hour or so before I'm needed back at the tower."
"Then the sooner we start, the better, please, take a seat." Stephen's smug grin widened as he conjured up a chair from thin air, enjoying the sight of the now somewhat bewildered avenger before him.
"Holy crap, that one-eyed bastard was right," Tony muttered as he reached out for the chair. Upon finding it to be solid, he gingerly sat in it, startled as his behind sank comfortably into its cushioned seat, without even the slightest hint of strain on the legs.
"Huh…not bad," he admitted quietly, only for his amazement to falter at the smug smirk of Stephen Strange as he took the big ornate chair on the other side of the desk.
He struck a rather impressive figure as he leaned lazily back, the red and gold of his cape standing out starkly against the black cushioned back of his seat.
He may not have the training, but God, he does look the part of Sorcerer Supreme.
Via huffed under her breath as she tucked her feet up on her chair, only to bring them down as Wong sent her a disapproving shake of the head.
"Fine," She crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knees in an overly lady-like pose, rolling her eyes. "Better?"
"Much," Wong muttered.
"Now, Mister Stark." Stephen ignored his friend and ward as he turned towards the man of Iron, his light eyes piercing and steady. "How may we help you today?"
Tony straightened himself up in his chair, and for the first time since Via had met him, he looked a stern businessman, even in his casual attire.
"Doc, it's more a case of how your kid over here can help me."
Of course, Via, Stephen and Wong had already heard of this proposal last night from Nick Fury, but even as it came out of the billionaire's mouth, all three of them stiffened uncomfortably in their spots.
This is it, the moment of truth.
Via bit her lip as she turned to Tony, doing her best to keep her face politely surprised.
"My help, mister Stark?"
Tony opened his mouth but quickly shut it and stared at her, eyeing her expression shrewdly.
"You already know what I'm talking about. Don't you?"
"Uh…yep." Via nodded, all pretences dropping.
"Let me guess, a crystal ball? Tarot Cards?" he rolled his eyes sardonically, much to Wong's disdain.
"More like a certain friend of yours. Nick Fury." Stephen explained, leaning forwards. "He said you and your team were having trouble tracking down a certain sceptre?"
"Yes. Loki's Sceptre." Tony sagged in his seat with defeat.
"Loki? As in the brother of Thor? The Norse trickster god?" Wong's eyes narrowed.
"Yeah, him. He was using a sceptre during his attack on New York. It was supposed to have been taken by SHIELD to be locked up, but it never arrived at their headquarters. We started searching for it, but whoever has it now has been hiding it pretty well because, for two years, there's been no sign of it."
"So, the Avengers and SHIELD can't find it?" Stephen scoffed, but Via could see the concern in his eyes. Whatever this sceptre was, it must've been a powerful relic, especially if it had been deemed a worthy weapon for an Asgardian prince.
"So, what exactly does this have to do with me?" Via frowned, crossing her arms. "I mean, I get it. This sceptre is a big deal, and obviously, it's too risky to leave in the hands of someone dangerous. But I'm just an acolyte. If you wanted help, you could've asked Stephen or Wong or any other fully qualified sorcerer. So why come for my help?"
"Three reasons. Firstly, because the rest of the team have already met you and they like you and believe me, they're difficult people to impress." Tony admitted, his smirk softening ever so slightly. "Secondly, you're the daughter of Freyja Sorenson, who was a close ally of SHIELD. Fury said that the Sorenson family is always the most reliable of all the sorcerer's SHIELD has worked alongside. And thirdly, having you help us feels right."
"It just feels, right?" Wong stared at Tony incredulously. "You're hiring a teenage acolyte of the mystic arts because she feels just right for your team?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Tony shrugged as if his answer was the most obvious thing in the world. "Though I find it odd that a guy like you seem not to have as much faith in the, what was it Fury called it? The Sorenson bloodline?"
"It's not because I lack faith in Olivia. Quite the opposite." Wong clipped chest swelling with pride. "Even without the Sorenson name behind her, she is a worthy student of the mystic arts. She has already faced powerful sorcerers and much danger within the past few months, and I'm sure she will continue to thrive and flourish. But she is still young and still has much to learn before she will reach her full potential."
"Y'know if you're trying to dissuade me from the idea, you're not doing an excellent job," Tony smirked, "I don't know about you guys, but I've personally found that a lot of the best decisions I've ever made in my life I've always made based on my gut. Does my gut always make sense? No. But it's still made more good decisions in my life than overthinking ever did. And right now, my gut is telling me that this kid has got pieces to the puzzle we have been searching for."
Stephen wanted to roll his eyes and scoff but found himself unable. Like it or not, he often thought the same way the man of Iron did. Every good decision he'd made had been made on impulse and instinct, which, while not always so straightforward, almost always taught him something new in the grand scheme of things.
This same side of him was currently battling it out with the new overprotective guardian he had so recently developed.
It would be best if you let her join them. She could learn a lot from doing something in the field. Also, he may sound bonkers, but what he says does make sense.
But she's just a child. You can't just let her dash into danger again. Not after all the horrors, she's been through. And there's still that man from the street and that boy Cassian.
"Olivia, could I have a private word?" Stephen looked pointedly at Via, who nodded at once. Wong quickly followed them but was stopped as the doctor held up a hand.
"Sorry, Wong, but could you please keep an eye on our guest. Don't let him touch a thing." He added in a soft hiss so that only the librarian could hear.
Wong nodded, and quickly Via and Stephen shut the office door behind them.
"So? Are you still up to it?" Stephen asked her quietly.
"I think so." Via looked uncertainly at the door. "But, I've been giving it a lot of thought last night and…and Wong's right. It's not going to be safe working with them."
"Well, that's a given," Stephen put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Though I doubt they'd want to put you in danger."
"It's not the danger I'm worried about." Via shook her head. "I mean, yeah, sure, I'm worried about it. But danger I can live with, I have lived with it all my life its just-They're the Avengers, Earth's greatest heroes. If it were you that was going up there to join them, it would be different, you're the next Sorcerer Supreme- but I'm just, well, me-"
"Just you? Olivia, you're the apprentice of the new Sorcerer Supreme, you're the last heir of the Sorenson bloodline, and you are the Spider Sorceress thanks to the Web of Asibikaashi"- he added, eyeing the glimmering golden dreamcatcher that hung from around her neck. - "You're barely fourteen, and you've got more titles to your name than any of those heroes did when they were teenagers, except probably Thor-"
"Oh, titles-shmitles!" Via rolled her eyes. "That still doesn't change the fact that it's me we're talking about. You and Wong say that I've earned being here, but half the time, I was winging it, relying on luck to get me out of trouble."
"I'm sensing a big but here." Stephen folded his arms.
"But I want to know more about my mom." Via looked up at him in earnest. "And maybe if I find out more, I can find out about any other threats and find ways to get past them or-or-prepare myself so that when they do come, we'll be ready next time."
"Alright," Stephen nodded, but Via wasn't listening as she continued to prattle on nervously.
"But yeah, okay, I'll agree to drop it if Stark doesn't agree to whatever conditions you apply. I get that you want to keep me safe, and I know you're only doing that because you care, so if he doesn't comply with your constrictions, then no. I won't go through with it, and I'll-"
"Olivia-Olivia," Stephen put a hand on her shoulder to silence her, "Take a deep breath."
Via sucked in a deep breath and exhaled heavily.
"Better?" Stephen smirked.
"Better." She nodded.
"Right, then let's go in. It's time to discuss the terms of your contact."
"Right." Via nodded though she still felt dragons raging in her gut as Stephen opened the door to the study.
It didn't help that the two very real dragon guardians in her bracelet had started glowing ever so slightly in readiness.
But she needn't have worried too much. Tony Stark was still sitting in his chair, shifting uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gaze of Wong.
Rather you than me, buddy.
The corners of Via's mouth twitched upwards as Stephen coughed to announce their re-entrance, making the billionaire hero all but jump startled to his feet.
"Olivia and I have talked over this decision carefully, Stark. And we've both agreed that she will join you if you and your teammates follow the conditions I set for you."
"And these conditions would be?" Tony quirked a brow, his discomfort quickly changing to a surprisingly shrewd professional stance.
I guess he is a businessman, hero or not.
Via supposed, glancing at Stephen's face as he clipped:
"Firstly, since the true nature of Olivia's work with your team is connected to the mystic arts, her presence and identity will remain confidential. Only you, your team, and a select few other third parties who are approved by the rest of our Order and me will be aware of her and her powers. Secondly, she will be protected from the press. She already has enough on her plate to get on without being pushed into the media circus. Thirdly, should you feel the need to take her out into the field, whether it's in New York, out of town, or overseas, you will need to obtain either mine or Wong's permission. And that brings me to my last condition. She stays here at the Sanctum Sanctorum and not in the Avengers Tower. She may stay there overnight if Wong or I allow, but she must be able to be here at home at least three days a week so that she can continue her homeschooling and training."
"Those are your conditions? Permission slips and anonymity?" Stark quirked an eyebrow, to which Stephen smirked sardonically.
"Those are my conditions. But I think Wong has a couple more he'd like to add. Wong?"
"Yes, I most certainly do," Wong grunted, stepping forwards, and Via was amused to see Tony stiffen in slight fear of the librarian whose voice was like ice as he said:
"I have three conditions. Firstly, you will pay Olivia for the services she offers you and your team, and you will provide her with insurance cover just like you would any other employee. Secondly, any relic of a mystical origin you and your team might find or have already found in your search will be handed over as soon as possible to our Order for purification and safekeeping. And third, and this is by far the most important, you will NOT let this child come to ANY harm while under your employment. Because, if you do, I can assure you, Mister Stark, that neither Strange nor I will hesitate to dump your dead carcass into another dimension and throw away the key. Are we clear?"
"…transparently." Tony gulped, hiding his sigh of relief as the librarian leant back out of his bubble, his eyes still as sharp and cold as a hawk.
"So, do we have a deal, Stark?" Stephen smirked, holding out his hand.
There was a pause in which Tony looked between Stephen and Wong. His expression, Via found, was difficult to read. It was something between admiration, disgruntlement, reluctance, and suspicion.
But then the billionaire's eyes found hers, and the two of them looked at one another for a full thirty seconds.
Then slowly, Tony held out his hand and shook Stephen's scarred one.
"Deal."
It was as if the temperature in the room had suddenly returned to normal.
From his spot, Wong sighed softly to himself as Tony and Stephen broke apart, gave one another a curt but respectful nod before the former turned back to Via.
"And seeing as you're a part of this deal," Tony smirked as he held out his hand towards her.
But Via didn't take it just yet.
"Listen," she said in response to the man of Iron's look of confusion. "Before I shake on it, I want to make a couple of things clear. I'm NOT a master of the mystic arts. I don't know all the secrets of the universe. I barely know much about this one in comparison to other sorcerers. I guess what I'm trying to say, mister Stark, is that I'm not going to be perfect and that there are probably going to be huge mistakes I make somewhere along the way. Are you sure you can take me on knowing that?"
Tony just raised his eyebrows, his arm still outstretched.
"Yep. Pretty sure. Besides, what are you twelve? If you weren't making mistakes, I'd be more worried."
"Alright then. If you say so." Via finally took his hand and shook it firmly, gripping it hard as he tried to pull away. "Oh yeah, and It's fourteen, not twelve, old man."
"Right…got it." Tony tugged his hand out of her grip. "Does her sass have an off switch or something?" he mumbled to Stephen and Wong, who both just shook their heads and smirked.
"No."
Oh, who were they kidding? They were going to love this.
I will admit, the first time I met Tony Stark at that party, I was not sure of what to make of him.
He just seemed so up himself and entitled that it was irritating. The other Avengers weren't so bad. Even Thor, I didn't have much of a problem with his attitude. After all, it wasn't his fault he'd been born a prince or that he hadn't grown up on Earth, according to our customs and norms.
I guess Tony didn't get asked to be born into money and status either, but unlike our dear resident Thunder God, humility didn't come as quickly to him as it did to everyone else.
But I digress.
Following our meeting, Tony left to run a couple more meetings for his company. We didn't receive word till later that night, and that was through an email on Stephen's tablet.
It was an official document congratulating me on getting a position as a paid intern at Stark Industries and that I would be reporting to Tony himself as a gofer for him and the Avengers in the tower and occasionally at "special events". (Yeah, special events, hmm, I wonder what they could be?)
Starting next week, I'd be spending four days a week, Monday to Thursday at the Avengers Tower. I'd get Friday and the Weekends off, except, of course, if there were "special events" that needed help organizing.
I guess it was a good cover. After all, it was the only way that a teenager could be seen running around with the Avengers without drawing suspicion.
Even so, it made me a little nervous.
After all, it was my first job ever.
And so Monday morning arrived and with it, Tony's car and many new changes in my life.
"Now remember you've got your sling ring, but you're only to use it in times of emergency. Otherwise, you are to keep all magic to a minimum outside the tower."
"I know-"
"And you've got money for you to use on lunch. Try not to use it on other things like clothes or souvenirs, as tempting as it might be. You will, after all, be seeing these people regularly."
"Guys, I know-"
"And remember, don't tie your hair back without brushing. Remember that wherever you work both now and in the future, you must always look presentable, and that means neat hair, neat clothes and clean appearance-"
"Oh for fu-"
"And no swearing! Be on your best behaviour-"
"ARGH! Enough Wong, I got it, okay!" Via groaned, rolling her eyes as Wong and Stephen folded their arms at her.
They were standing just inside the Sanctum's front door and wishing her goodbye before she went out to hop into the back of Tony Stark's Limo.
Relax child. They just want to make sure you're well provided for before heading out.
The smooth, soothing voice of Brynja purred in her head while her brother Asmund grunted softly.
The brat has proved that she can look after herself for the base necessities; why bother?
Via sighed. It had been more than enough drama in her life before she was a sorcerer. Now she not only had her voice to deal with inside her head but the voices of her two dragon guardians and that old woman Fala in the Dream Dimension.
Is nothing in my head private anymore?
She thought as with a sigh she faced a disgruntled Wong and Stephen.
Okay. I get it. No magic, only use Sling Ring for emergencies, spend money wisely, be on best behaviour-"
"And make sure you're back by seven o'clock at the very latest." Stephen quirked a stern brow.
"Don't worry, oh Fairy Godmother, as long as my ride doesn't turn back into a pumpkin as soon as the clock strikes the hour, I think I should be good," she added, smirking as Stephen rolled his eyes.
"Olivia-"
"Oh, chillax doc, I'm just teasing."
"Ahem! Your ride's waiting for you outside." Wong coughed as he opened the front door for her.
"Thanks, Wong." Via stepped out, gripping the strap of her tiny black leather backpack slightly tighter as she looked back at them, her gaze an odd mixture of anxiety and excitement. "I guess I'll see you guys later then."
"Yes. Have a good first day." Wong clipped, but Stephen's goodbye was far more reassuring
"You'll do fine. Just take things one step at a time."
"Thanks, guys! See ya later!" Olivia smiled as, with a wave, she rushed down the stairs towards the shiny black car parked out just in front of her.
"I still don't like the idea." Wong hissed to Stephen as they watched her quickly hop in at the back seat.
"She'll be fine," Stephen muttered though he too wasn't looking too sure.
I hope.
Via was quick to settle herself into the empty back seat of the expensive car, just as a black glass divider slowly slid down in the front.
Behind it, a stout man in a suit turned back to look at her. His face was scowling but not unkindly. It was more like a default expression than anything of malice.
"You strapped in, kid?" he grunted as he set his coffee into his drinks holder beside his seat.
"What-oh yeah, sorry", Via quickly put on her seatbelt, gulping as she looked down over herself.
She was wearing a pair of fitted black pants, with black ankle boots and a simple white tank top under a fitted navy turtleneck. She had tied back her golden curls neatly in a ponytail, and around her neck, the Web of Asibikaashi glinted in the light of the morning sun.
I hope this is alright. Stephen and Wong said this looked neat enough.
She bit her lip as she fiddled with the two dragon bracelets hidden beneath the sleeves of her turtleneck.
The email from Tony had said she could be as casual as she wanted but still, was it too simple? Too plain?
As if sensing her nerves, the driver glanced at her in his rear-view mirror, his gaze relaxing as he took in her anxious eyes as they darted between the windows.
"You okay, kid?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah-yeah. Totally fine." Via quickly gulped down on her nerves, schooling her face into what she hoped was a more composed expression as she asked.
"So…uh…I'm Via. What's your name?"
"Harold Hogan", the man grunted as he turned a corner, "my friends call me Happy, but it's Harold Hogan."
"Nice to meet you, mister Hogan."
"Mister Hogan? Hmm, I like the sound of that." The man, Happy, smirked as he preened himself off proudly, stiff shoulders relaxing. "You got good manners, kid."
"Stephen just told me to be on my best behaviour for a first day of work. Probably for the best, seeing as what happened at the Charity Ball." Via added quietly, her cheeks flushing scarlet as Happy chuckled.
"Why what happened?"
"Well…I might have insulted one of Mister Stark's guests and then shoved cake into her face." Via mumbled.
"Wait-wait, hold up a minute. You're the one who gave Sofia Caster a cake to the face?" Happy's eyes bulged in his mirror as he choked on his cup of coffee.
"Yep." Via nodded with a scowl at the memory of the lurid woman. "Old Hag."
"Come on, she's only twenty-nine", Happy chuckled.
"And I'm fourteen. Though between you and me, she seems to have the maturity of a bratty ten-year-old or even a seven-year-old." She added in a dark mutter.
"True. Very true." Happy mumbled as they stopped at a traffic light.
"Pardon?" Via muttered as she watched the many pedestrians of the city walk by her window.
"Nothing," Happy called out quickly as the light turned green, but even as he turned back to the steering wheel, he let loose a large breath.
Wow, they weren't kidding about the kid, were they?
He wouldn't admit it out loud, but deep down, he'd been apprehensive about his boss letting a young girl work with the Avengers, especially when Tony had told him that she had come from the streets.
This girl, from the streets?
Happy chanced another glance at her from his rear-view mirror. She looked like a doll with her shiny blonde curls and pretty face. But as his eyes skimmed over her expression, he was struck by how stoic she seemed, far more mature than other girls her age. A woman in mind, even if not in body.
Well, I can only hope she can put up with Tony's antics for however long she's staying.
Happy rolled his eyes as finally, he pulled the car just outside the entrance to the Avengers Tower.
"Here's our stop!" he called, and Via unbuckled her seatbelt, fingers fumbling in her nerves.
"Thanks, mister Hogan," she smiled anxiously with a slight wave at Happy as she hopped out on the pavement side.
"Good luck, kid!" Happy called, smiling approvingly as he made to drive the car around into the tower parking lot.
Nice kid. A bit odd but nice.
I have to admit. Meeting Happy put me at some ease.
He seemed a decent sort. Hardworking and loyal to a fault if his track record with Tony is anything to go by.
And speaking of everyone's favourite billionaire.
Wow, it's so different during the day.
Via nodded, impressed as she walked into the front lobby of the Avengers Tower. It was just as clean and well-polished as ever, though now several business people were seated at the front lounge, and a few receptionists sat at the front desk, which beeped and rang as telephones and computers were seen to.
It was to a free one that Via started to make her way towards, gulping nervously as a dark Hispanic woman looked up to smile genially at her.
"Hi there, how can I help you? Y'know if you're waiting for the school tour, they just left to go upstairs, but I can call the guide-"
"Oh-no-no, that won't be necessary." Via shook her head quickly, blushing pink as she said:
"Actually, uh…I'm not here for school. I'm here for an internship."
"Oh…OH!" the woman's eyes bulged in recognition. "You mean the new Stark Internship Program?"
"Uh…yeah…that one." Via nodded, her fingers drumming over the top of the marble reception desk as the woman quickly made to type something out on her computer screen.
"Alright, now I'll just need your name and your date of birth for confirmation," she mumbled as her eyes remained glued to her screen.
"Uh…Olivia Freyja Summers. Date of Birth 23rd April year 2000."
"Olivia…Olivia…" the receptionist muttered as she scrolled her mouse.
A few nerves wracking seconds later, and the receptionist smiled at her warmly.
"Aha! There you are. Miss Olivia Summers, yes, mister Stark said you'd be coming in today. And lucky you, you've been assigned to working with the team; you must be so excited?"
"Super excited," Via smiled sardonically, but the receptionist did not notice as she continued to prattle excitedly.
"Usually, we give our employees and guests an Id card here at the front desk. However, since you'll be working personally with mister Stark, he'll give you a personalized identification card himself. That card will give you more exclusive access to the top floors where you'll be working. Now why don't you take a seat while I call someone down to take you upstairs."
"Thanks, uh…"
"Clara," the receptionist smiled at Via, who smiled nervously back as she timidly made her way over to sit at the lounge.
She felt extraordinarily out of place amidst all the men and women with tailored suits and briefcases and kept glancing around at each one of them, wondering whether she had seen them at the charity ball a few nights ago.
When she realized that she could barely remember anyone else from that night except the Avengers and that Doctor Helen Cho, however, she just gave up and settled for retying the laces of her boots.
She didn't need to tie them again. She just needed something to do to avoid the curious glances the businesspeople seated and moving were giving her as they passed her by.
God, who'd have thought that merely a year ago, I was sitting in a gutter begging from these suits.
She thought as she finished tying her boots and settled for checking her bag.
"Olivia Summers?" a woman's voice called, and Via looked up just in time to see Maria Hill striding towards her in a black pantsuit. "If you would please follow me."
"Yes, mam." Via gulped on autopilot, cursing herself as she stood up and rushed off after the tall woman who was very pointedly trying to not look at her. At first, Via wondered if it was because of the way she looked, then she noticed the furtive recognition in the woman's eyes and remembered that was the same look she'd given her when they'd first met at the party a few days ago.
She knows me, or does she know mom?
But even as she pondered this, she couldn't help but notice that she'd been taken to a long corridor away from the main lifts.
"Uh…aren't we gonna use one of those back there?" She gulped as they turned a corner and found themselves standing before a glass elevator at the side of the building with a black stylized A symbol printed on the doors.
"The lower floors are mainly for Stark Industries purposes only and aren't authorized to go to the top floors." Hill clipped as she swiped her card and tapped a floor number into the elevator touchpad. "This is the only one with access to the penthouse and upper levels. And even then, there are still various levels of security you must pass before you are allowed inside."
"That secure, huh? And I thought the Batcave was a fortress." Via whistled under her breath as she looked to her side and saw through the glass wall a fantastic view of a cold grey New York city zooming further and further away as the elevator sped upwards like a bullet.
She turned back only to see Hill quirking an eyebrow at her.
"What? Haven't you ever read Batman before?"
"I have." Hill clipped, turning back to face the lift's doors as it started to slow down.
Wow, that was fast.
Via felt her stomach lurch as she now eyed the massive drop she was now standing over. It didn't help that the lift floor was also transparent. For now, she could see past the elevator's mechanisms and down a very dark chasm below.
Had she seen this a year ago, she might have thought it terrific. But after that horrible time running from Kaesilius and falling through the mirror dimension barely two weeks ago, it wasn't exactly a welcoming sight.
She was swift in following Hill and out into a vast grand atrium. It was mostly empty, save for the loud raised voices that wafted in from an open the door to the right, which they walked towards quickly.
"I still don't know whether this is a good idea inviting a kid into this lifestyle-"
"Oh, come on, Cap, loosen up. It's not as if we're going to take her onto the battlefield with us."
"Clint's right, though I don't know if we can afford to waste time babysitting a teenager-"
"You won't be babysitting her, Nat. Trust me. She's young, but she's got a head on her shoulders and a good deal of guts-"
"Well, you certainly changed your tune pretty quick, Tony."
"Well, you saw how she handled Caster. Besides, she's the ward of Stephen Strange, and he may be an ass, but he always set the bar high and doesn't suffer any idiots-"
"I'm still not sure about this. Hmm. Bruce, Thor, your thoughts?"
"I don't know. Honestly. I mean, I only met the girl for two minutes, and she seems so she might have a bit of an attitude, but maybe once we get to know her, I might get a clearer picture of what we're dealing with, uh Thor?"
"I agree with you, Banner. The girl may be young, but she has spirit. It would be rude not to give her a chance to prove herself before we-"
"Ahem!" Hill coughed as she tapped lightly on the frame of the door.
Via quietly peered around her guide, her stomach turning as she saw all six Avengers suddenly turn their heads in hers and Hill's direction.
"Oh…" Tony gulped as Hill quirked an amused brow at him and stood aside to put Via in the spotlight.
"Uh…hi, again." she gave a tiny nervous wave.
Well, that was a great introduction.
She rolled her eyes mentally as she stood there awkwardly.
"Did you just hear-" Tony pointed at him and his team, and she nodded.
"Yep." She popped the P. "Sorry old man."
"No-no! That's okay. Come on in. Thanks, Hill, we'll take it from here." Tony scowled as Clint smirked derisively at him. The billionaire led Via into the room with a hand on her shoulder with a few quick strides.
"Guys, I think you already know Via Summers from a few nights ago. Via, I believe you've met the team, but I'll introduce them again for formalities sake. Except for Cap because this is your third meeting, I believe?"
"Captain Rogers." Via gave the Super Soldier a little salute which he reciprocated with a slightly sheepish grin. It was odd, Via thought. The man looked every inch America's golden prodigal Adonis, yet he acted so shy and humble when it came to first impressions.
"Over here is Doctor Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk." Tony continued gesturing to the kindly, shorter, meek-looking Bruce, wearing a lab coat over his casual shirt and slacks and adjusting a thick pair of glasses over his nervous eyes.
"Nice to see you again, Doctor Banner," Via reached out to shake his hand and was relieved. Bruce managed a small smile.
"It's nice to see you too, kid. How's the head?"
"Oh, it's all good. All right as rain back there," Via smirked as she ran a hand over the back of her curls as Tony turned her round to face Thor, who likewise was in a T-shirt and pants who bowed his head respectfully.
"And of course, you know our resident thunder god-"
"It is good to see you again, young one."
"Right back at you, big guy." Via flushed pink, much to Clint's amusement, as he stepped forwards, dressed in track pants and a T-shirt.
"And the first half of our superspy dream team Clint Barton." Tony sighed. Just how much longer was this going to take?
"Hey, kid. Nervous?" Clint smirked only to get slapped on the shoulder by the red-haired form of-
"And last but certainly, definitely not least, Natasha Romanoff."
"It's nice to meet you, Olivia, officially." Natasha reached forwards to greet Via. Unlike the men, who had handled her like glass, the spy's grip was relatively firm as they shook hands.
"Nice to officially meet you too." Via met the grip with her firm grasp, gulping as she glanced at the shape of the woman's form showcased by her leggings and sports bra. She was curvy, but Via could see the lean, strong muscles in the woman's arms and the steely sparkle in her eyes as she all but scanned Via in return.
Via had seen that look before in several of the female masters back at Kamar Taj, and she knew at once that she'd never cross this woman if it was the last thing she'd ever do.
She was thankful for Tony's rescue as he coughed, and Natasha let her go, still keeping a close eye on her as the billionaire began speaking.
"Okay, so that's all the introductions done. Now I know I said I was hiring an intern to work with us but, that wasn't entirely true. You see, young Via here has a few extra-uh, gifts, that could be of a real asset to us finding Loki's magic Sceptre".
"What does she do magic hocus-pocus like him?" Clint snorted wryly.
"As a matter of fact, yes…she does," Tony said before Via could even open her mouth.
Clint's eyes bulged, as did everyone else's in the room.
"Wait! Hold up; I was just kidding-Holy crap, you don't mean to tell us-" Clint spluttered with incredulous laughter, only to be steamrolled by Thor's wide grin of wonderment.
"You are a sorceress? But I thought humans gave up the mystic arts long ago-"
"A lot did," Via shrugged, "But those that continued to practice the mystic arts went underground during the early witch trials of the fifteenth century."
"If sorcerers are in hiding, how did Tony ever hear about you?" Bruce frowned, his surprise surpassed by his growing curiosity.
"Through Nick Fury," Tony explained flippantly "Apparently SHIELD used to liaise with this secret society of magicians, who used to help them find and fight paranormal things with their hocus pocus and what not-"
Okay, Old Man, first off, we aren't magicians. We're sorcerers," Via glowered irritably at Tony, who bristled at the insult, "and secondly, we don't use hocus pocus. We use spells, and sometimes the odd jinx, curse and or hex-"
"Can you show us one?" Clint asked excitedly, only to waver under the withering look Via sent his way.
"Hey, give her a break okay, it's her first day. She's a human, not a performing monkey. Besides, I thought you hated magic?" Steve folded his arms at Clint, who rolled his eyes.
"Only Loki's magic. And I doubt the kid will try that mind control crap on any of us. Look, come on, just one spell. It doesn't have to be a big one. So that we can see what she can do."
"Clint-" Natasha sighed, but Via just put a hand up.
"It's okay. I'll do it just. I might need a bit of room."
"In that case, why don't we head to the training room. There's lots of room in there for you to show off your skills." Tony smirked as Via sighed in defeat.
Oh well, there went my promise for zero magic!
And that was how I began my initiation into the Stark Internship Program. My cover was utterly blown in one swoop by Tony Stark. And now, I had to showcase my relatively meagre set of skills in front of a team of Earth's greatest heroes.
Yeah, talk about no pressure.
Thanks a lot, Tony.
"Uh…do you guys' mind if I-" Via gestured to her turtle neck.
"As long as you've got something on under that, feel free," Natasha said, her eyes trained on Via as she shed the blue layer off to reveal her toned torso under her tank top.
"Those are some nasty scars, young one," Thor pointed worriedly, and Via looked down.
Crap, I knew I should've worn a T-shirt.
She cursed as she noticed, to her horror, two horrible scars spreading over both her shoulders. The one on the right was longer and more profound than the one on the left, which was more jagged and uneven.
"All part of the Sorcerer schtick," she grunted as she folded her blue top and shed her boots.
"You didn't have them at the party" Bruce eyed the marks, wincing as one of them caught the light.
"I covered it up with a small glamour spell," Via explained, though in her head she added:
For just this reason.
"Are you sure they're old? They look pretty new." Steve wondered but was interrupted by Via rolling her eyes.
"Listen, do you lot want a magic demonstration or not?"
"Go ahead, demonstrate away," Tony smirked as he gestured to the ceiling. At once, the dim lights in the room suddenly burst into bright sunlight, revealing a large square room with wooden floors and various equipment stationed at different points around the walls while the centre was left bare.
Via stepped towards it, taking in deep breaths as she let herself feel the wooden floorboards beneath her now bare feet.
I can do this. Just trust your training Via, trust your training.
She turned on her heel to face the Avengers. She wished she hadn't. They were all looking expectantly at her.
You had to do your spells before the Ancient One, the most powerful sorcerer in the world; you can show a few simple spells in front of a few heroes.
She sucked in a deep breath.
A simple shield spell should do the trick.
"Hey Cap! You still got that water bottle?" She asked, and the captain noddeOKkay good. Now throw it at me."
"What?" Steve blinked, and Via rolled her eyes yet again.
"Throw it. Like you're throwing a rock at my head. Come on."
"Are you sure? Because Cap's got a strong arm." Bruce frowned anxiously, but Via nodded.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Now throw!"
Steve gulped, hoping against hope that he wouldn't land, but after so many years of practice with his shield, his arm was already smoothly moving in a graceful but strong arc, and the water bottle went flying for the girl's face.
But it did not hit the mark.
Instead, there was a flash of amber sparks as it bounced off what appeared to be a glowing mandala that hovered before Via's outstretched hand.
But even as the light vanished, someone with red hair and pale skin darted into the ring.
"Natasha!" several male voices yelled as Via leapt out of the way of the Black Widow's attack, ducking under the woman's sweeping arm before aiming a swift roundhouse to her ribs.
The Black widow was quick to catch it. She blocked it, sweeping it upwards, but Via sensing the move, pushed herself back into a backflip, the Web of Asibikaashi around her neck helping her quickly right herself as she landed in a low crouch on the floor.
"Okay… I was not expecting that." Clint murmured as he and the rest of the male avengers watched Via quickly lunge in low, sweeping her leg out to swipe at Natasha's ankles.
Natasha quickly jumped up to avoid the sweep, but Via could see she was looking surprised even as the younger girl started blocking her quick hits and kicks.
Damn! This chick is tough!
Via winced as she met each of Natasha's blows. Though she was a slender woman, the Black Widow was deceptively strong, innovative, and was holding back.
Yes, Via could tell at once the woman was holding back her real strength but was not surprised. After all, the woman was a highly trained assassin, and Via was still a novice. If she wanted to kill her, she would have already been dead by now.
Via spotted a quick opening in the woman's defences as she reeled back from a punch, and quickly, she jabbed her fist forward in a one knuckle punch to dig painfully in-between her opponents' ribs.
Despite her strength, Natasha winced slightly, her eyes gleaming as she suddenly smirked.
It took a split second. One moment Via was standing on her own two feet; the next, she'd been swept down firmly on her back, held down hard by one of the Black Widow's armsOKkaOKkay Nat! I think that's enough." Steve called out, striding forwards quickly.
Natasha quickly got off Via, holding out a hand down to her.
"Not bad, kid," her smirk widened as she helped hoist a panting Via back up to her feet.
"Thanks…you're not too bad yourself." She turned back to the other Avengers, grinning as she caught sight of their surprised faces. "Well…that was fun. What now?"
So yeah, that happened. I did a shield spell then I sparred with the Black Widow herself. Sure, she beat me hands down, but still, it was awesome!
I mean it. Back at Kamar Taj, there weren't too many female instructors in martial arts, and I never trained with any of the older women, so fighting with a woman like Natasha was great!
But, ahem, yeah, enough about me fangirling. Because while my first few hours in the Tower were fun, outside, there was a storm brewing, and boy was it was big.
"Operation Fishbait is compromised, Baron. We must abort it." Kirill Kravenoffoff hissed into his earpiece, his black-gloved fingers drumming against the steering wheel of his black car.
"Why? Because Summers has escaped. Without him, this mission is a bust. No-no, of course-yes, I'm keeping an eye on the girl-No. No, of course not Baron. I know she's important to our plans. Wait? Check the glove compartment and take whatever is inside? What's in the glove compartment-No-wait-son of a!" Kirill swore under his breath as he hung up.
He pocketed his phone, glaring out of his car window. He'd just received word that the brat had entered the building barely an hour ago. Now he was just going to waste his day sitting around and waiting for her to get out so that he could follow her?
"Goddamn you, you little brat! I hope you're worth all this trouble."
He growled softly to himself as he reached out to the glove compartment of his car and opened it.
It was mostly empty save for a single white box. Kirill frowned.
Usually, most small tools and data sticks would be dropped off in small black boxes or in envelopes that could be easily tucked away and hidden. But a white box? And not only that but a white jewellery box?
He pulled it out and opened it, his brow furrowing even more as he examined its contents.
It was a necklace. A necklace with a silver dog tag pendant and a thin matching chain. On one side was an engraving with his initials and the Hydra symbol. A small mirror made from sharp and jagged glass fractures was on the other side.
"What the?" he turned the pendant over and over in his fingers. It did not seem thick enough to contain any data chip or other information.
He rechecked the box and was quick to find a small white card with the words.
"Put this on and await further instructions. Well, that's not odd at all. Just what is that idiot Baron thinking?" he grunted sourly, but he obeyed the order.
Yet as he was settling the pendant beneath his shirt, he caught sight of his car's rearview mirror and froze in shock.
A shadow was sitting in the back of his car!
Hand flying to his hip, he pulled out a gun to the back-middle passenger seat, only to find it...
Empty?
"I wouldn't bother with that if I were you, Kravenoff. You'll find such a weapon quite useless on someone like me." A feminine voice giggled, and Kirill looked back to the rear mirror again.
In it, he could see the face of a woman. Or at least the bottom half of a woman's face. The top half was concealed by the shadow of a large hooded black cloak.
He could only see her pale chin and neck and a stray thick golden curl that hung by the corner of her smirking red lips. Deep within the hood, Kirill could see the faintest glimmer of two cold, sharp eyes staring straight at him.
He shivered but was quick to pull himself together as he spat:
"Oh…it's you."
"Tut-tut. And to think I thought you'd be happy to see an old friend."
"Not when the old friend in question skipped out on our previous deal right when the bill came due." Kirill snapped at the woman in the mirror, only to grunt angrily. "So out with it. What do you want?"
"Goodness, fourteen years and your manners have not improved one bit." The woman sighed as she leaned back in her seat. "Very well, since you're asking, I want exactly what you want, Kirill Kravenoffoff."
"And what is it that you think I want?" Kirill hissed, blood boiling as the woman's leer widened.
"For Hydra to regain its power. For the Avengers to finally be finished and the world to fall under our order and prosper as it should. For the girl, Olivia Freyja Sorenson and others like her to come under our thumb as mindless drones where they belong."
"A pretty speech," Kirill snorted, hand fingering the gun holstered at his side. "But why should I believe a word of a deserter like you?"
"I am no deserter Kravenoff." The woman snapped her smile, curling into a sneer. "My loyalty to Hydra has never once wavered, and any absence on my part was not voluntary, I can assure you."
"So, if you're so loyal, then where have you been these last few years?" Kirill spat. "We really could have used you when Captain Friggin' America outed us last year and set the asset loose."
"I was, unfortunately, detained." The woman in the mirror snarled through gritted teeth, "My Ex-Boss and her stooges sealed me away and threw away the key to prevent me from aiding Hydra's activities. They found me only a month ago when the old bitch died, and the protection she had placed over me was lifted. Since then, the Baron and Alphard have been working around the clock to spring me from my prison."
"Can't they just send a team in? Or is this a job for one of your kind?" Kirill muttered, glancing out the tinted car window. So far, no one had noticed him seemingly talking to himself, so that was good news.
"The latter, I'm afraid." The woman in the mirror rolled her eyes. "More explicitly, it's a job that only one person can help me with,"
"And who is that?" Kirill looked back at the woman as she smiled her killer smile.
"Who do you think?"
"…Ugh…you've got to be shitting me."