A/N: PHEW! This one became another REALLY long chapter. (chuckles) Don't worry, they'll get shorter and less full-packed after this one! (At least for a tiny while…)

THANK YOU, so very, very much, for all your AMAZING reviews and support! They mean THE WORLD to me. (HUGS)

Awkay, because we're in for a WILD ride… Let's go! HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS, FOLKS! I really hope that you'll enjoy the turbulent flight.

Set the World on Fire

Three days passed by without anyone from the Avengers left noticing, all of them too distracted to keep track of time. The tracking device Natasha helped attach on Clint kept them updated on where the archer was. The problem was that they weren't entirely sure what to do.

Trying to break Clint free would've been operating against the law. Which wasn't a step they could take lightly. While Natasha exhausted all the resources she had and Bruce worked tirelessly with Dr. Cho Steve and Thor were left with frustratingly little else to do but wait. Tony remained suspiciously quiet through it all and kept disappearing.

Eventually Steve decided that it was high time to confront his friend. The billionaire was just finishing a phone call when the Captain cornered him, eyes narrowed. "What is wrong with you?"

Tony frowned but the man's gulp revealed more. "What are you talking about?" Usually the Iron Man was a better liar than that.

"The rest of us are working with our all to get Clint back. Bruce so intently that a couple of times we've forced him to get some sleep before the Other Guy would've taken over. And for days, now, we've barely seen you. You've barely talked to any of us." Steve gritted his teeth. "So I'm asking again. What's wrong with you?"

Tony seemed ready to argue. The man's eyes blazed even after the billionaire made up his mind. "You wanna know what's wrong, huh? You wanna know what's been bugging me?" With far from steady hands the man unlocked and opened a drawer on his desk. Then dug out a file and tossed it at the soldier. "This is what's wrong!"

The silence lingering in the massive room could've been cut by a knife. No one was even rustling with the papers anymore, they were all scattered on the desk in front of them. All that remained was the shock.

Steve was the one who spoke first. His unreadable eyes on the picture of one of the child-victims. "And Ross gave you this?" The soldier's tone was tight and clipped. "Are you sure…?"

"It all checks out. I made sure." Tony felt sick to his stomach, this all going way over his head. "You don't like Ross, I don't like Ross, none of us likes Ross. But he didn't lie about this one." He swallowed. "This time… he may even have a reason behind doing… what he did. The fire… It really happened."

"So you think that gives Ross the right to have Clint locked up like some lab-rat? Because that's exactly what he's doing." Natasha's tone was full of threat and venom. The glare she aimed at the billionaire made everyone in the room shiver. "I was that lab-rat until I was an adult, Stark! And I'm not letting the same thing happen to my best friend!"

Tony lifted his hands placatingly, even if it was too late to stop the tide. "I wasn't saying that I approve! I was just saying that I get his reasoning."

Bruce decided to step in before Natasha would've actually attacked Tony, and Steve's left eyebrow was already twitching dangerously. "Hey, hey! Enough. Whatever Ross' reasons are, the fact stands that Clint needs our help! And we won't be able to help him if we fight with each other!" He felt like he was dealing with acting up children and it did his hazardous temper no favors.

The three, at least, had the decency to appear sheepish. Steve's jaw clenched to what had to be a painful extend. "We need a plan."

"Yeah." Bruce sighed heavily, the weight of having to be the rational one heavy on his shoulders. "Look… I don't think there's a legal way to get Clint back from Ross. It's gonna be… messy. And once we get him back the problem of helping him stay in control over his powers remains. Cho and I will have to work on that before we even try to help."

"And what are the rest of us going to do in the meantime?" Tony sounded every bit as patient as Bruce felt. "Sit here looking pretty?"

"We'll brace ourselves." Steve's eyes flashed in a nearly chilling manner that wasn't seen often. "Maybe we'll be able to find something to use against Ross. We need a bargaining chip."

This time Tony's eyes flashed. "I know someone who may be able to help. A… P.I., or something like that. She's good at handling the… messy and unpleasant."

Natasha snorted. "Where did you meet her? At a bar?" At the billionaire's silence and sheepish facial expression she growled. "Stark…!"

"Is she trustworthy?" Steve cut in.

"For enough alcohol as a payment, yeah." Seeing his friends' reluctance, the genius groaned with frustration. "Do you guys have any better options? I'm all ears!"

"Call her", Steve consented at last. Bruce and Thor agreed with solemn nods.

In the end even Natasha groaned. Fury's connections weren't what they used to be with S.H.I.E.L.D down and she'd already contacted all possible… old friends. She hated it but had to admit that Tony was right. "Well. She can't make this much worse. What's her name?" Because she wasn't an amateur enough to not conduct a background check of her own.

The sounds of punches landing and bones breaking were the only noises heard in the small, dimly lit training room far away from the Tower. The smell of blood and sweat was thick in the air. And then, with a loud thud, a body was slammed mercilessly against the floor. A howl of complete, utter agony echoed with the sound of a spine breaking.

The woman observing the display snapped her fingers with a frosty, satisfied smile. "Enough. Finish him", she commanded.

The fighter who was still able to function nodded obediently and straightened. The room gained a great deal more light when flames began to dance around his hand. With no emotion on his face he unleashed the fire, sealing the practice battle.

Thaddeus Ross had been observing the spectacle with a grin of satisfaction but had to look away when the dying man screamed while getting burned alive. Instead he focused on Clint Barton, who stood straight as a soldier, staring at the wall, waiting for orders. "That… was impressive", Ross admitted.

Edith Barton returned his smile with a similar. "I'm glad that you're pleased." She turned her attention to the man standing at her left, in a pose similar to Clint's. "Stand down, soldier. He did his duty. You have no cause to interfere."

The addressed man took a step back, the flames rising from the burning corpse shining on a metallic arm.

When the fire died out Ross finally nodded towards the deceased man. "I'm just curious… Who was he?"

She shrugged carelessly. "Just… a remnant from a failed, long ago buried program. I brought him back from ice because he was the only opponent I had tough enough to show how much Clint has improved."

As usual Ross didn't ask any questions. "That he proved. I've… never seen any human being fight like that." Catching his own words, the man laughed. "Well, as far as we can use the word 'human' in this case…"

Edith laughed back with every bit as little sincerity. Then decided that the time for playing and dancing around was over. "I'm aware of how much you hate my kind." They met each other's eyes, honest with each other for the first time. "But I also know that if you want to wipe out the whole mutant race… you're going to need more of those like Clint. A full army." Sensing a rising protest as much as intrigue, she barreled on in a velvet smooth tone. "You have no idea what you're up against. I do. And I'm the only one who can give you the soldiers you need to defeat them. That is, of course, if you can guarantee the sufficient funding."

Ross' eyebrow arched. "You'd doom your own kind to extinction just for money?"

She snorted. "Have I ever seemed the type that's prone to sentimentality to you?" She tilted her head. "I can create an army of those like Clint. With my help you can wipe out every single mutant on this planet. Let's call it 'Project X'. I've understood that you're familiar with the name." She gave him a sideways glance. With all the flames having died out her eyes seemed darker than before. "Do we have a deal?"

Ross stared at the charred remains. And grinned with satisfaction. "Yes, we have a deal. Looks like I have to call the president again. He did say that he'd love to re-start that program…"

Once Ross had left she took her phone and dialed. "Evening, Erik. Didn't I tell you that I'd persuade him without using force? Time for phase two."

A couple of hours later, once Thor had headed to Asgard and Steve was letting out some steam in a training room, Natasha approached Tony and Bruce. The two were just going through some test results but noticed her instantly. Tony tensed up a little bit. "Look, if you wanna have another fight…"

"There's something I need to tell you. Before Steve comes back." Her voice was so tight that it was barely recognizable. "Tony, you're not the only one who's been keeping secrets." She revealed a thin file of her own. One with several photographs and copies of documents. "The woman who came to the Tower and nearly killed Clint… Fury finally had her identified and the identification confirmed." She took a deep breath. "She's Clint's own mother, Edith Barton. She was a Hydra agent before she was presumed dead. And I'm willing to bet money that she's got some business going on with Ross. We just have to prove it and figure out what they're up to."

Bruce blanched and shivered. To imagine how the archer would feel if he ever found out… "Oh, god…"

Tony's eyes flashed with rage. "Seriously? And you waited until now before finally sharing this little piece of information?"

Natasha returned the tirade with a glare. "I had to wait until I could be sure. And until Steve wasn't present to hear this final part. Because Clint isn't the only person we know she's connected to." She showed another page, a copy of an official document. "She used to work on the Winter Soldier Program. She's the only one of those who worked on it still alive. According to the pieces of notes Fury's contact was able to obtain before S.H.I.E.L.D fell there were several other… test subjects aside the one we've already met. There's no existing data on what happened to the others." Her facial muscles taught, she looked at her friends. "Now do you get why I had to wait until I was sure, and until Steve wasn't present to hear?"

The two men nodded slowly. They did understand, far past the chilling possibility that there may be more of those like Bucky Barnes when the man lost control left. They knew that the moment Steve would hear Bucky's name, after first grieving and then seeking desperately… The Captain would lose what little patience he had left and do something stupid. Even if Bucky was no longer under Hydra's control and remained missing somewhere out there, Steve would act on whatever little desperate hope he'd get. Do anything to save at least one of his friends.

And then there was another, very big problem they'd need to wrap their heads around. They knew now what the woman behind this was capable of. Tony felt sick again, deeply sorry for his friend. "So… Mind control again, huh? That's sort of getting old." Clint was able to get back on his feet after Loki. Would he be able to do it again, especially if his mother was involved, if they'd get him back? (Not if, Tony corrected himself fiercely, when.) And it would've been stupid to ignore the fact that by the time they'd get to the archer the man might be very, very dangerous.

Bruce nodded, agreeing sullenly. The man rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Who's going to tell Steve that Hydra's messing with another one of his friends?"

Natasha's shoulders slumped. "I'll do it. I already have to look him in the eye knowing that I chose to keep things from him. This way I'll at least know that I kept as little as possible."

None of them was quite certain where to go from there, but one thing was for certain – this whole nightmare was a lot messier than they originally thought.

That night Clint had a very strange dream. Or was it a memory? These days it was harder and harder to tell those two apart.

He lay in his bed, once again a little boy, trembling from fever and pain. But at least he wasn't alone. His mother's gentle hand stroked his hair, soothed some of his comfort. He buried his face into her shoulder. "… hurts, mommy …"

"Shh…" She kissed the top of his head. The affection in her voice helped even more than the touch. "It's okay, love. You'll feel better soon, I promise."

Clint's eyes fluttered open to find a dark room he couldn't recognize immediately. Alarmed, he struggled to sit up. Only to realize that his wrists and ankles were strapped firmly.

"Edith, I'm not sure if he can handle a dosage like this…!"

"Just do your job, Karl."

This time seeing his mother didn't calm Clint down. He struggled and writhed. "… go", he demanded huskily. One of the restraints was almost broken already. Just a little more time, just a few more seconds… "Let me go." It was around then he noticed the I.V. line and realized that some sort of serum flowed into his veins. Dread sped through his whole body.

His mother pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh… You'll feel better soon."

A few moments later his scream echoed through the hallways.

Six Weeks Later

What no one knew to expect was that a tiny city called Samas, which most people had never even heard of, would be where the chaos would truly begin.

No one in Samas had ever heard of mutants or Hydra. So when a little girl who screamed from pain was brought to a hospital, her whole body sparking from fire and electricity, everyone was confused. And very, very afraid.

"Please… Please…! She's… She's in my head!" the child whimpered. "Get her out, please…! She's in my head…!"

The sparks began to intensify. Only one doctor was brave enough to approach her. "Who is in your head, sweetheart?" The doctor then noticed the Hydra symbol and her brows furrowed further. "What…?"

Only the child heard the words. 'Use your full potential, Amba.'

The little girl screamed and the whole building exploded. Outside people screamed and ran, seeking cover, as flames and debris fell down. Then there was nothing left of the hospital.

Elsewhere Edith opened her eyes with a smile. "It began. Soon the whole world will see what we're capable of."

A few more days passed by. Despite the fact that he came from a different time Steve wasn't as naïve as people liked to imagine. He could tell when things were kept from him. When people were lying to him. And he could tell that aside the obvious issue of Clint being in a world of trouble something was wrong.

Over the past month and a half Steve had had far too much time to think. To process and mull things over. Far too often his thoughts strayed to his missing friends. To the things they might be forced to do. He destroyed an unhealthy amount of punching bags wishing that it was Ross' face instead. And wondered just how far he was actually ready to go for those he cared about.

It was either fate or bad luck that in the middle of such dark, idiotic thoughts he happened the see news on TV. A solemn faced anchor took a deep breath. "In the light of the recent tragic events in Samas, president Ellis and the leaders many other nations have decided to sign a deal to prevent such events from happening again. This poses new, strict limitations to enhanced or individuals with innate powers, as well as to organizations, such as the Avengers. The public has already been divided as people have gathered to express both their support for and protests against these new regulations. The following press conference was filmed two hours ago in Washington."

And like that hadn't been enough president Ellis continued. "… era of chaos has continued for too long. It's time to face the fact that these exceptional individuals live among us. And to admit that in order to co-exists safely, steps must be taken to ensure that the kind of a tragedy we witnessed won't ever happen again. The paper I signed today has been in the making since the tragic Battle of New York and was supposed to go by a different name. But as from today we'll know it as Samas Accords. And this will be the start of a better, safer future for us all. The victims of Samas will not be forgotten."

Steve barely heard the words. He couldn't focus on the clearer than clear threat. Because all he saw was the three men very close to the president. Thaddeus Ross. Along with Clint and… "Bucky…!"

A couple of hours later Tony was watching the same broadcast with grim look on his face. Bruce stood just as solemn beside him. So this was Ross' plan. This was what the man had been aiming for all along.

It was only a matter of time before the Avengers would be deemed outlaws, because there was no way any of them was going to sign the Accords.

"How long do you think it'll take before he's here?" Bruce inquired tightly.

Tony had no time to answer because his phone bleeped. For the first time in… he had no idea how long cautious hope rose when he read the words of his shady but efficient P.I. 'I have all you need to nail Ross. Make your move.' He showed his friend the message. "Whenever he gets here, we're ready."

Whatever triumph he might've experienced vanished when a computer voice spoke out. "Sir? Captain Rogers left the Tower three hours ago." And at that very moment Tony saw Bucky on the screen.

The genius' eyes widened a fraction. "Shit…!" He clenched his jaw. "Let me guess. He checked the tracking system before taking off?"

"He did, sir, and took one of your jets. He specifically insisted that I'd give him a three-hour head start. And an apology for him."

"Where is that idiot headed?" Tony growled. His stomach squirmed painfully. Something told him that soon things would somehow get a lot worse.

"To Sokovia."

In a cold room far away two pairs of eyes turned when a door was opened and Wolfgang von Strucker walked in. "This day is what all your training and suffering have braced you for. Our leader will be here soon and your true mission begins. Get ready. You have ten minutes." He left without giving the two the chance to ask a thing.

The Maximoffs looked at each other with identical frowns. True, they sought Hydra's help for a reason. But something about this didn't sit well with them. Wanda gave her brother's hand a squeeze, then made her way to the room's window.

Three people were walking towards the base. A woman, accompanied by two men who looked like bodyguards. She frowned and allowed her mind to seek.

Pietro tensed up when Wanda gasped, her face blanching. Only due to his abilities he was fast enough to catch her when she stumbled. "What is?" he demanded urgently and wrapped his arms protectively around his sister.

She gasped, her eyes wide and wild. "She… She's a monster."

Downstairs Edith was met by Strucker. "Ma'am, I just received a word. Apparently Captain America is on his way here. Do you wish me to…?"

"No. Tell all your men to stand down unless I instruct otherwise. I believe that my… associates are more than capable", she declined quickly and snapped her fingers. "Clint, go greet the intruder. Take him down." Once her son was out of earshot even with his enhanced senses she focused on Bucky. "Follow him. Subtly. If he falters or fails… Kill him. I have no use for failed experiments." When both men were gone she smiled at Strucker, who seemed surprised. "This seems like the perfect opportunity to arrange a small test."

The cold Steve experienced upon walking towards the seemingly abandoned Hydra base reminded him far too much of when he crashed into ice. He shivered and let his gaze dart around restlessly. He had a very unnerving feeling that someone was watching him.

He was proven correct when steps could be heard. He'd already pulled his shield up to use it when he froze. As it turned out he didn't have to seek long…

It was definitely Clint who approached him and stopped a few steps away. But the man was barely recognizable. "She said that you'd come looking. Here I am."

Steve approached further until the Hawk pointed a gun at him. The soldier swallowed. Although he'd seen Bucky out of control the look in Clint's eyes still chilled him. He lifted his hands, showing that he had no intention of harming the man. "You're confused, I get that. And hurting. But… You remember me, right? You know who I am."

Clint nodded. "Yeah, I know you. You're a hostile intruder."

"No, I'm not." His heart was hammering as he wondered whether any amount of reasoning would get through. "I'm your friend. And I'm… I'm here, to take you home. Remember home? I'm here to help you become you again. I'm here because I care about you."

Clint frowned. The man's genuine confusion was heartbreaking. "Why?" The archer didn't seem to have the slightest clue why someone would care about him.

Steve did his best to smile. "I already told you. Because I'm your friend. And I believe in you. I believe that you're more than… this. More than a machine following orders. You deserve better."

At first Steve thought with a heavy heart that he'd been too late, after all. Until something changed in Clint's eyes, subtly but visibly. They filled with such trust and relief that ached the Captain's heart. "Steve…" The archer made it no further than that before the shot was fired.

Steve watched, frozen from sheer terror, as a bullet slammed right at Clint's chest and his friend slumped down to lay unmoving. The soldier remained paralyzed for at least five full seconds until he remembered the shooter and peered over his shoulder. To find Bucky lowering a gun.

"That was very sweet, Steve. And I admire your courage." A woman he quickly recognized as Edith Barton appeared to stand beside Bucky. She had a cold, triumphant smirk on her lips. "I admire strength, and until you came along that was what my son possessed. Unfortunately he failed his test. Maybe you'll do better."

Steve's jaw tightened. This was just a nightmare, right? Soon he'd wake up and…

"You have a firearm with you." Edith nodded with disconcerting accuracy towards where the mentioned item was hiding. "Take it."

Steve obeyed gladly. Clint was dying quickly just a couple of steps away. And then there was Bucky, who needed to be pulled back from the darkness where he'd slipped. He pointed the gun at Edith.

She laughed. "You're disappointingly predictable. Go on ahead", she encouraged. "Pull the trigger. If I die, Bucky here is under orders to kill you before taking his own life."

Despair clawed at what little was left intact of Steve's heart. It took absolutely all his will to not break down. This was like the train and the bridge all over again… "Buck…" Before the last syllable's echo died the addressed man had placed his gun under his own chin.

"A-ah", Edith tutted. "Enough of talking. I've always believe that actions speak far louder than any words." She held a pause, obviously for drama. "Like I said, my son failed his test, and now it's time for yours."

"What the hell do you expect me to do?" Steve hissed in a voice he didn't recognize.

"Simple. Choose." Edith's tone showed no other emotion aside vague amusement. "Take a lethal shot. You know already that I'm not an option. And if you try to be noble and end your own life Bucky here will follow in a flash. Then all three of you are as good as dead. Or you can walk away like a coward and leave them both to die. I highly doubt you'd do that. Which leaves you with one…" She pointed at Clint. "… two…" She pointed at Bucky. "… possible targets. You have…" She checked the time. "… fifteen seconds before Bucky here makes the decision for you."

This couldn't be happening. This had to be just a cruel trick of his imagination. But Clint's wheezing, shallow breaths dragged Steve mercilessly from sweet delusion. Tears finally started running as it dawned on him what he'd have to live with. It didn't help at all that Clint's barely open, hazy eyes looked at him with confusion, and Bucky stared at him in a unflinching manner with those cold stranger's eyes.

He couldn't do this, couldn't, couldn't, couldn't…!

"… six, five, four …"

But he had no choice. So he took aim and closed his eyes. He might just get this done but there was no way he'd be able to watch. "I'm sorry…", he choked. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…!" He had no idea how many times he repeated it before and after the shot was fired.

A security camera dangling from a nearby building's ceiling caught the bullet finding its target. As well as Edith's response. "And how about that. The famous, noble Captain America isn't so innocent, after all."

With that gunshot it was Steve Rogers' turn to become undone.

TBC

A/N: Oh… dear…! SO, that was what Ross and Edith had planned. Will the remaining Avengers be able to stop her and save the day? And DAAAANG, will everyone live?! We now have all main-players in position, and after a brief breather the final game is about to begin. (And forgive Steve for being a little bit of an idiot, there – he CAN'T think rationally when Bucky's involved.)

Are you still alive and conscious after that roller-coaster? Was it too much? PLEASE, do leave a note! I LOVE hearing from you.

Awkay, I'm still gonna get some typing done before heading to bed, sooooo… Until next time! I REALLY hope that you'll all join in for that one.

Take care!

SomeRandomHuman: Don't worry even one bit! I LOVE your reviews. (HUGS)

Poor Clint indeed! And it isn't gonna get better… (whimpers) And poor Steve, too! Because he WILL find out…

I REALLY hope that you'll find what's to come as captivating.

Colossal thank yous for the review! Until next time.