Chapter Fourteen:
Tyron was surprised when Peter and Ned were happy to see him when he returned to school. After feeding them the very easy lie that he caught the flu, they resumed their normal friendship. The three of them quickly became inseparable. They were together whenever possible, and stayed together after school as well. Tyron couldn't remember the last time he had friends like he did with Peter and Ned.
Tyron went by the court in Queens whenever he could. Lars wasn't there anymore, but he had heard from a few other students that he was returned to his family soon after. He suffered a few broken bones, and a minor concussion, but was otherwise fine. Tyron was glad, and even came by his house too, to visit him, and bring him a basketball he got all the Avengers to sign. Lars loved it, so Tyron was happy.
Tyron had also been avoiding both Tony and Natasha, for different reasons. After what happened with Tony, he would get too many reminders of his time -- and torture -- with Baron. It made him feel sick, so he decided that avoiding the man completely would be much easier than having to willingly talk to him.
Natasha was a completely different story. He had unintentionally came out to her, and although she had a very positive response, he still felt all too wary of her. She could tell anyone and he wouldn't know. Then again, he reasoned, she hadn't told them exactly about his time with Baron. At least, to his knowledge.
Tyron was pretty sure she wouldn't, but he didn't know what to expect. And he certainly didn't expect Steve to approach him saying that they were leaving.
"Why?" Tyron asked. Steve had sat him down on the couch to break the news to him. "Do ya want me to go...?"
"No, no, it's not like that," Steve assured. "The others and I, we have to go over to Slovakia for a day or so. It won't be long. I promise."
"What do ya want me to do?" Tyron asked, confused. "Can I jus' come wit' ya?"
"No," Steve shook his head firmly. "You can't. It's going to be really dangerous -- I'm sorry. Tony told me to suggest sleeping over a friends' house, just for a few days, until we come back. That is, if you aren't comfortable staying here yourself. If not, then you can stay here. Tony has a friend that'll check up on you if you do."
"Are ya sure I can't come wit' ya? I mean, there aren't a lot of ways I can get hurt, ya know?"
"We're not going to risk it," Steve said immediately. "I'm sorry, Tyron. I don't wanna leave you like this either, but I promise we'll come back." Tyron frowned, but gave a small nod, "Thanks." Steve smiled, raising a hand and messing up his short cut hair. "I'll see you later."
"Bye," Tyron said absentmindedly. He was too busy thinking about how he was going to sneak on their ship to go with them.
- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -
Tyron felt slightly cramped, and a tad bit terrified. It had been hours, and he has kept the same, uncomfortable position.
He only had half a day to plan before they left. He made a metal clone of himself that he kept in his bedroom, and disassembled the cameras in his room, and along with the ones in his entire floor. Then, he had to get to their weird jet before the others had boarded it, and hide in the wall of the jet. In order to do this, he had to absorb the wall of the -- conveniently metal -- jet, and form the wall over hum. So, it'd look like there was nobody there, and he'd be fine. The only part that was exposed was his eyes, which he kept closed.
He had been standing for nearly six hours, and he was overwhelmingly tired. However, he didn't show his position. He could hear the others. They were all talking about some staff, that was at a HYDRA base. Tyron remembered hearing about HYDRA in school, it had something to do with World War Two, which was strange because that had been forever ago. He didn't think that the organization was still around -- and strong enough for the Avengers to look into it.
Another strange thing was the fact that he heard a very new voice as well. It was loud and very strong. By using the process of elimination, he realized that this voice probably belong to the Thor Odin. He had read about him somewhere, but all he remembered was that he had a lightning hammer called Millionaire or something. He was surprised that he had been here, if whatever they were doing involved him coming from another universe, then it certainly had to be serious.
Soon, the seven hour mark had passed and Tyron was ready to drop. He was exhausted, but refused to allow his body to show it. If he even made the slightest of movements they would notice, and he would be in a hell of a lot of trouble.
"Achoo," Clint, who had been sitting near him, sneezed.
"Bless ya," Tyron murmured, and froze once he realized what he had done. In an instant, Clint had his bow and arrow pointed at the boy.
"What's wrong?" Tony asked, slightly confused why Clint was ready to shoot a wall.
"We've smuggled a stowaway," Clint replied. Tyron sighed, and stepped out of the wall. He could feel all the eyes turning on him in slight shock. "I knew I heard something."
"Tyron!? I told you to stay home!" Steve snapped, shocked. "What are you doing here!?"
"How'd ya find me?" Tyron asked, turning to Clint and not addressing the question.
"You think too loudly," Clint replied sarcastically. "You shouldn't be here, kid."
"I didn't wanna wait at the Tower," Tyron replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
"It's too dangerous," Clint said, his voice stern.
"I'll be fine," Tyron insisted. "'Sides, it's too late to take m'back anyhow." Tyron felt the others in the room sigh softly, all trying to figure out what to do with him.
"I do not understand," Thor spoke, his voice deep enough to remind him of a viking. "Who is this child?"
"Tyron. We've... Taken him in, for all intents and purposes," Natasha spoke. "He is supposed to be at the Tower, but he somehow managed to tag along."
"Look, we land in a little over fifteen minutes," Tony spoke, "We need to start suiting up before we decide what to do with him."
The others agreed, and began grabbing their various weapons. Steve was the first to finish and sat Tyron down to talk. "You're going to stay here. I don't want to see you out there, got it?"
"What? Hell no, I came to help, not hide!" Tyron argued.
"Tyron, you can't help right now, this isn't one of your little gang fights," Steve explained. "We're keeping you here, and that's final. I don't want to see you out there, period."
"M'not hidin', Steve. I came to help ya guys--"
"We do not need your help, Tyron! The last thing we need is a kid getting hurt," Steve explained. "I want you to stay here, for all our sakes."
"M'not." Steve sighed, rubbing his temples.
"You cannot come. There's nothing you can do to help, Tyron. This is going to be an in-and-out mission. And, it's top secret; you're a civilian. You are not even allowed to see this. Geez, Tyron, you're going to get us all in trouble. We can get you out of here quickly without any of the superiors noticing."
"M'not runnin'," His voice was firm and serious. Before Steve could say another word, something hit him in the head. For a moment, he saw stars, before he fell unconscious.
- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -
Tyron woke up later, his hands and legs were tied to the chair behind him with rope. He could hear loud noises outside and groaned, his head pounding. For a moment, he was quiet, allowing his thoughts to clear, so he could think properly. He definitely heard gunshots, so they must have arrived. Tyron pulled, trying to find some metal to use in order to escape, but everything near him was covered in a tarp, leaving him with just plastic.
Tyron swore, thinking of a way to escape. He couldn't get out of the ropes without something sharp. He could dislocate his wrist, but that would be a lot of work. Tyron sighed, knowing his only other option. He hadn't done it much because it was uncomfortable to keep up, and a bit disturbing, but he wanted to help.
Along time ago, Tyron discovered that he could take the iron out of his own blood -- and occasionally someone else's -- and use it as a weapon. But only if their iron content was high. Tyron didn't use it often because it made him feel sick, but he was desperate, and needed to leave.
Tyron focused, drawing the iron out of his own body. He gritted his teeth as the feeling of fire arose from every vein in his body, but slowly, he was able to form a small bloody knife. Tyron hurried, quickly slicing through the ropes and standing.
Tyron stumbled, holding his head, and muttered a swear under his breath. "Mister Tyron, I advise you go back in your seat," JARVIS sounded over the intercom.
Tyron narrowed his eyes,searching through the cabinets and finally found an earpiece. He found a way to turn it on. It was connected to the channel the others were using. After looking for a bit, he found a small mute switch, and pressed it. "Mister Tyron, I will have to contact Master Stark if you try to leave."
"Then do it," Tyron replied, going to the closed platform used to leave. "I came here to help." Tyron found a weak point in the ship, and used began forming his own exit.
"Tyron, I know you're on this channel," Natasha growled just as he managed to make a hole wide enough for him to slip out. He sealed it just as easily when he got out. Tyron pressed unmute on his earpiece. "Listen to me, I don't know what you're planning, but--"
"I jus' came to help, Natasha," Tyron explained. "I appreciate what y'all have been doin' for me, I really do, but... Sometimes, I jus' wanna help you."
"I understand, but--" she grunted, and he heard a shout of pain from the other end. "You can't be here." Tyron noticed movement near the side, and turned. A man was nearing their jet, a small explosive in his hand.
Tyron wasted no time dropping down on the man. His hands found the man's gun and he absorbed it instantly, using the metal to obscure his face.
The man shouted angrily in a language he didn't understand, but Tyron wasn't listening. He snatched the bomb from the man, tossing it farther into the woods, far away from the ship. With a sharp punch, the man was knocked unconscious.
"What's going on?" Steve demanded, "What just happened, Tyron?"
"Someone tried to blow up ya jet," Tyron replied. "Jus' to be clear, I can't kill, can I?"
"No!" Four voices snapped back. Tyron frowned at the response.
"If you want to help, then fine," Steve finally sighed. "Guard the jet, got it?"
Tyron couldn't help the grin spreading on his face. "Ay, ay, Capt'n," Tyron smirked.
"Quiet," Steve replied, semi-annoyed, "Guard the jet. We'll deal with you when we get back."
Ten minutes had passed with little to no commotion. Tyron was beginning to get bored. He also noticed that more soldiers were coming. A few strayed, trying to take out the jet, but they were easily disposed of, their weapons confiscated. Tyron simply listened to the comms silently, as the others fought.
"Shit!" Tony exclaimed, probably getting attacked unknowingly.
"Language! JARVIS, what's the view from upstairs?" Steve asked the AI.
"The central building is protected by some kind of energy shield," JARVIS supplied. "Strucker's technology is well beyond any other Hydra base we've taken."
"Loki's scepter must be here," Thor spoke calmly. Tyron noticed that the clouds overheard were getting suspiciously thick. "Strucker couldn't mount this defense without it. At long last."
"At long last is lasting a little long, boys," Natasha grumbled, and Tyron managed to chuckle. He noticed more movement on the side, and turned. Another soldier welding a gun was coming his direction. Sighing, Tyron slid off the top of the ship.
"Yeah. I think we lost the element of surprise," Clint commented. Tyron landed on top of the man, who turned his gun to fire, only to quickly have it absorbed by Tyron. Using the metal he absorbed, Tyron made a blunt hammer-like weapon and struck the man in the head.
A gun cocked away from him, and instantly bullets fired. Tyron winced as the bullets made contact, leaving holes in the parts of his clothes that was not protected by armour. Annoyed, Tyron moved, easily coming close to the man. He slammed his face in a tree, almost feeling the urge to channel the metal he absorbed to his hand and crush his skull. But, he couldn't, because they said 'no killing'.
The man collapsed as Tyron let go, and Tyron sighed. This was getting boring and repetitive. "Wait a second. No one else is going to deal with the fact that Cap just said 'language'?" Tony asked, a bit incredulous.
"I know," Steve sighed. "It just slipped."
"Sir, the city is taking fire," JARVIS informed.
"Well, we know Strucker's not going to worry about civilian casualties," Tony scoffed. "Send in the Iron Legion."
Tyron frowned, he had heard of the Iron Legion. People didn't seem to like it very much. He vaguely wondered how they would react to that.
"Clint!" Natasha shouted, drawing Tyron out of his thoughts. "Clint's hit!"
"We have an enhanced in the field," Steve announced. "Tyron, get back in the jet."
"M'not arguing this again, Steve," Tyron drawled.
"Somebody want to deal with that bunker?" Natasha asked, annoyance on her tone.
Tyron saw something blur past and froze. Suddenly, he was pushed off the quinjet. He jumped, his hand clutching the side as he slowed down enough to jump off.
The blur came again, and Tyron was on the ground, winded by a strong punch to the chest. "What's wrong?" A heavily accented voice asked beside him. "You looked like you wanted to play." Tyron turned to see a tall young man, maybe in his early twenties. He wore a blue and white jumpsuit, had silver hair and striking blue eyes. Tyron had to admit, he was cute.
"Tyron, who is that?" Natasha asked, calmly. He didn't answer, but stood instead, grinning.
"Yeah, I did," He smirked, "M'glad ya could come." Tyron watched as the man disappeared again, and braced himself for an attack.
He came back behind him, aiming to kick his chest. When he hit him, Tyron's metal encased his leg with metal. When he tried to run again, he tripped, falling on his face. Tyron used his metal to tie his arm to a tree beside him. "Well done," The man said, a bit surprised.
"Tyron, what's going on?!" Steve demanded.
"I caught him," Tyron replied, "Uh..." He turned back to the man. "What's ya name?"
"Quicksilver, yours?"
"Still workin' on it," Tyron shrugged. He heard a loud grunt and turned. A green blur was coming quickly, carrying something in his arms.
"Well, that's my cue," Quicksilver said. He twisted his body around and forced his hand out from the metal. He jumped up, shoving Tyron into the jet as he ran away.
Tyron grunted, rubbing the back of his head, but turned to see what he had ran from.
The Hulk dropped from the trees with enough force that Tyron has to take a step back. In his hands, was Clint. His face was twisted in pain, and he held his side tenderly. Tyron tried to go to him, but the Hulk growled, his dark eyes narrowed threateningly.
"'Ey, chill, s'jus' me," Tyron said, absorbing the metal he had obscuring his face so the Hulk could recognise him.
"Tyron?" Clint spoke, looking up. "Get the jet open."
"I, uh, don't 'xactly have keys..." Tyron replied, scratching the back of his head. Clint turned, lifting his arm where his wristwatch was, and muttered something into it. The jet began to open slowly, and the Hulk turned to allow it to fall.
"Can I take him from ya?" Tyron asked the Hulk carefully. "I'll help him, promise." The Hulk looked a bit reluctantly, but gave Tyron Clint anyway.
Tyron held the man easily as he carried him into the jet. "You know, you're stronger than you look," Clint commented with a chuckle.
"Gotta be after all the shit I did with Baron," Tyron replied easily as he set him down on one of the chairs. "Where's the medical stuff?"
"Over there," Clint pointed to a cabinet with his good side. Tyron nodded, moving to the cabinet and pulling out a red-and-white first aid kit.
"Were ya shot?" Clint nodded, "Is the bullet out?" Clint shook his head. "Okay," Tyron picked up package of bandages, rubbing alcohol, and gloves.
Tyron put the gloves on. "Lift ya shirt," he ordered, and Clint did. Tyron placed a hand on the gunshot wound and slowly extracted the bullet. Clint grunted but was otherwise silent. Soon, the bullet was out and Tyron ate it.
Clint made a face, "Really?"
"What were ya gonna do with it?" Tyron replied heatedly. "Ya blood tastes good, by the way. Very high in iron." Clint chuckled, rolling his eyes. Tyron cleaned and bandaged the wound, then moved to go but the supplies away.
"You'd make a great nurse, you know," Clint commented easily.
"Oh, really?" Tyron mused, "How's that?"
"You're really patient, don't get squeamish at blood. You're probably good with kids, I mean, you're pretty much cut out for it."
Tyron chuckled, "As much as that sounds great, I don't think Nursing is what I wanna do."
"What? Is it not manly enough?" Clint joked and Tyron laughed.
"Ironically, no," Tyron chuckled. "If anything, I'd probably want to be--" a gun cocked and Tyron turned, picking up a gun beside him. As soon as they stepped in the light, Tyron shot them twice, one in the head, another in the chest.
They gagged, but fell down, their eyes glazed over. "... An assassin," Tyron finished. "I'd wanna to be an assassin."