Freya, Steve and the rest of their team quickly drag the unconscious agents away and hide them in a storage container. They each grab a S.W.O.R.D. poncho before locking the container back up.
As she pulls the hood of her poncho up, Freya can't help but get angry once more about taking Hayward's bait and losing her temper. A clap of thunder suddenly rumbles throughout the sky as a storm begins to quickly roll in. A light rain starts to fall as Jimmy puts on a hat and the others pull their hoods up as well. Steve gently rubs Freya's back as he feels her anger and frustration.
"It wasn't supposed to rain today," Monica says in confusion. Freya shrugs at her as they begin to make their way back into the heart of the camp.
Their breaths come out in white puffs as they sneak along the rows of tents. Freya lets out a huff as her mind wanders back to her confrontation with Hayward and the way he seems to only want to cause unrest and turmoil. A flash of lightning lights up the night sky, quickly followed by an even louder clap of thunder. The rain begins to intensify, causing everyone to quicken their pace toward the overhang of a nearby tent. The five of them take refuge and peek out from under the awning.
"Where the hell did this come from?" Darcy questions.
"No idea," Freya hums in confusion.
The rain begins to let up, causing Steve to tilt his head in confusion as well and glance down at his wife. He suddenly feels another wave of anger emanate from Freya. As it does, the rain intensifies once more as the sky is split by lightning that spiderwebs across the night sky. Thunder rolls over the camp again as Steve looks down at his wife.
"Doll, what are you doing?" he asks.
"What are you talking about?" Freya questions in confusion. He gestures at the rain and her eyes widen. "Wait... You think I'm doing this???"
"I think you might be, unintentionally," Steve nods. "Every time I feel your anger flare up, the storm worsens."
"No... nonono," Freya shakes her head. "There's no way this is me. Controlling the weather?! That's insane!" she hisses.
"It's not far-fetched though," Darcy shrugs.
"Exactly," Steve nods. "You unlocked your full power. We don't know what you can do. I really think this is you, Frey," he presses.
Freya frowns and lets out a sigh. Peeking her head out from under the awning, she glances at the night sky.
"Well, only one way to find out," Freya sighs. She calms her mind and reaches her hands out. Her aura and eyes ignite as she reaches out with her powers. She thinks about the rain falling harder and it instantly does so. Her head tilts curiously, wondering if it was just a coincidence. She wills the rain to completely stop and it does. Her jaw drops in shock. "Oh, my God... I can control the weather..." she mumbles.
"You're a wizard, Harry!" Darcy cheers.
"Shh!" Monica shushes as she grins. She looks up at Freya and gives her a proud smile. Freya returns it with a shaky one, still reeling over the fact that she can control the weather.
"Well, more like a weather wizard," Jimmy corrects.
"True," Darcy nods.
"As awesome as this is, I think we should keep moving," Monica says.
"Let's go," Freya nods.
The five of them continue down the row of tents toward the building at the end with the server room. When they get there, they make sure the coast is clear before they slip inside. The building is eerily empty since everyone is dealing with Wanda's antics. They easily get to the server room and pull their hoods off as they walk in. Monica fixates on a TV in the room that's playing Wanda's show. The fake Pietro is talking to Wanda about why he's there.
"Huh, must be a Halloween episode," Freya assesses.
"Who is that?" Monica asks.
"Wanda's brother came to town," Jimmy answers as he walks over to the computers.
"He brought the wrong face," Darcy frowns.
"Over here," Jimmy calls out to them.
"We shouldn't hang out here too long," Monica tells them.
"Uh, give me two seconds," Darcy hums. "I just need to hack into the secure network on the base. Donezo," she announces. "Now, we should be able access the data on Hayward's devices." She plugs a thumb drive into another laptop and connects to the network. "Oh. That's interesting."
"What?" Freya asks.
"Hayward figured out a way to look through the boundary," Darcy tells her.
"And he didn't share it with the group," Monica mumbles.
"Is this Wanda right here?" Jimmy points to the monitor.
"No. The program is tracking the decay signature of vibranium," Darcy answers.
"Vision," Steve frowns down at Freya.
"Wait, why is Hayward tracking Vision?" Monica asks.
"If he already has the original body, why track this one?" Freya nods in agreement.
"I don't know," Darcy sighs. "This is all I can access so far."
"These other dots, those are Westview residents?" Jimmy asks.
"The ones in Vision's immediate vicinity, yeah," Darcy nods.
"So, Hayward must have an accurate headcount by now," Jimmy says. Monica hums in agreement. Jimmy reaches down and zooms in on the monitor. "And some sense of their well-being," he adds before pausing. "Huh... These people, near the edge of town... They're barely moving. Are they alive?"
"Wanda," Freya sighs anxiously. The monitor beeps as it reacquires its asset, Vision.
Darcy sits at the computer and begins to go through files. The others stand by and either watch her or watch Wanda's show on the nearby TV. Monica's cellphone eventually rings. She plucks it off the table with a smile.
"That's it," Monica says. "My way back into the Hex will be here in an hour. Just gotta meet my guy over the ridge. Let's roll." Freya, Steve and Jimmy begin to follow her out before Darcy stops them.
"You can't do that," Darcy tells Monica nervously.
"Sure we can. I'm a whiz at hot-wiring cars," Jimmy smiles.
"Hey, me too," Steve grins.
"You can't go back into the Hex," Darcy rolls her eyes.
"Worst case scenario, Wanda removes my free will and puts me in ultra-low-rise jeans," Monica jokes.
"Hayward has your bloodwork," Darcy reveals. Freya's eyes widen and she walks over to Darcy and stands behind her to look at the screen. Darcy turns the monitor so the others can see it too and Monica's smile slowly falls. "You've gone through the boundary twice, Monica," Darcy frowns. "The energy inside has re-written your cells on a molecular level twice. It's changing you."
"Monica," Freya quietly speaks up. "She's right. I can feel a strong energy signature from you now. The Hex is somehow causing your cells to mutate."
"I've seen enough lab results to last me a lifetime," Monica deflects. "Cells metastasizing, cells in remission. I know what Wanda's feeling and I won't stop until I help her."
Freya lets out a quiet sigh and smiles. Even with the risks, Monica still wants to help Wanda.
"Okay," Darcy sighs in defeat.
"Okay," Jimmy nods. He begins to walk away with the others until Darcy stops them again.
"But I'm staying here," Darcy says.
"Wait, you can't stay here. It's not safe," Jimmy protests.
"What? Darcy, what are you talkin' about?" Monica asks.
"You should really come with us," Steve nods.
"I haven't made it through Hayward's last firewall," Darcy tells them. "There's something big here. Something that can help us. I know it."
"Fine. Fine," Monica concedes. "I'll drop you the location, you meet us out there as soon as you can."
"I'll stay with her," Freya suddenly announces.
"What? No, Doll, we should stick together," Steve refutes.
"I know, but someone needs to stay here with her. And we can't have too many people stay behind. You should go with Jimmy and Monica and look out for them," Freya tells him.
"Are you sure?" Steve asks.
"Positive, Spangles," Freya nods. "FRIDAY has the jet ready nearby in stealth mode in case we need it."
"Okay," he nods. "Be safe. I love you."
"And I love you," she smiles. Steve leans down to connect their lips in a tender kiss before he leaves with the other two. Freya turns back to Darcy to see her grinning.
"You two are so damn cute!" Darcy gushes.
"Oh, shut up, dork," Freya chuckles. "Show me what you've found so far."
"Well, aside from Monica's medical records, it's just basic stuff. But there's one file I'm having trouble cracking. Waaaaiiiit... Got it!"
"That's my girl!" Freya cheers.
The monitor shows a new file by the name of Catarac. It states it's for Hayward's eyes only.
"Hayward, you sneaky bastard," Darcy scolds.
Darcy and Freya begin to comb through the file. Each getting angrier by the second the more they read about what Hayward was planning.
"I knew it," Freya says through clenched teeth. "Send all of this to Jimmy. We need to get out of here. We've already been here too long."
"Can't you just sense when someone's coming?" Darcy asks. "You can use your telepathy."
"I don't keep my mind open to read others' like Wanda does," Freya tells her. "I did when I was on the run with Steve, Nat and Sam. But, I don't do it anymore. Our own thoughts are the most private thing we have. I don't want to take that away from someone. Though, Hayward has been tap dancing on my last nerve," Freya growls.
"You're a really good person. You know that, Frey?" Darcy says with a warm smile.
"I try," Freya shrugs awkwardly at the compliment. "Now, email this to Jimmy so we can get the hell outta here."
"Roger, roger," Darcy replies.
"Star Wars nerd," Freya teases.
"You're just as bad as me. Admit it," Darcy sings.
"Shut up," Freya grumbles playfully while she watches Darcy type up the email. She suddenly gets a bad feeling in her stomach. Her eyes widen and her mind instantly focuses on Vision. "Something's wrong," Freya says.
"Huh?" Darcy questions as she sends the email.
"It's Vision. Something's about to happen. Pull up the map," Freya frantically orders. She reaches her mind out and feels Vision's presence closer to the barrier of the Hex than it originally was. "Oh, no," she whispers. Darcy pulls up the map that's tracking Vision and Freya's heart sinks when she sees the dot right at the barrier of the Hex. "Oh, my God. Vision's trying to get out!"
Darcy scrambles after Freya, who's already sprinting out the door. When they exit the building, they find Hayward with his goon squad surrounding a specific part of the barrier. The exact spot that Vision is now walking out of. Freya gasps when she sees Vision struggling to pull himself out of the Hex. They can hear Vision grunting from where they stand as he tries to tear himself out of Wanda's reality. Vision suddenly collapses to his knees as pieces begin to tear away from his body.
"What's happening to him?" Darcy asks.
"He can't leave the Hex..." Freya says sadly, now on the verge of tears. Knowing she has to try to do something, she sprints forward. The sound of her footsteps cause Hayward and his men to turn.
"Stay back!" Hayward orders.
Freya ignores him and pushes through everyone to get to Vision. One of the soldiers tries to grab her by the arm and pull her back. Freya just turns with a yell and sends a telekinetic blast at him that sends him flying across the open, grassy area.
"Why aren't you helping him!" Darcy screams. "Stop! He's coming apart!" Darcy tries to follow Freya, but Hayward's men grab her and hold her back.
"Hey!" Agent Monti yells as he helps hold back a flailing Darcy. Freya turns and goes to help her, but Darcy shakes her head.
"Help!" Vision yells. "The people need help!"
Turning back to Vision, Freya starts to run forward. But her knees suddenly buckle and she slides to a stop on them across the wet grass when she feels another mind invade hers. She lets out a surprised gasp. It's not Wanda. It's the same young mind she felt before when Monica was controlling the Stark drone. A face flashes through her mind. The face of one of the twins.
"Billy?" Freya asks.
"Who's there?!" Billy asks frantically.
"My name is Freya. I'm a friend of your mom."
"Auntie Frey?" Billy asks.
"Your mom calls me your auntie?- Never mind, that doesn't matter right now. You need to get your mother. It's about your dad."
"Dad's in trouble. I can feel it."
"Yes, your dad is in trouble. You need to tell your mom right now. Go!" Freya orders.
She feels Billy pull away from her mind as she pushes herself to her feet and runs to Vision. He's now curled into the fetal position as he lays on the ground, decaying right before her eyes.
"Vision!" Freya yells. She drops to her knees next to him and gently turns him on his back. He looks up at her, his expression screaming out that he's in pain. There's a flicker of confusion across his face as he looks up at her. "Hey, hey, it's okay. You're gonna be okay," she tries to sooth him.
"The people of Westview need help," Vision weakly tells her.
"I know," Freya nods. "We're gonna help them."
Her eyes glance up at the Mind Stone sitting in his forehead and lock on to it. She can't look away. It's like something is pulling her toward it. Gently reaching her right hand out, Freya cradles the side of his head. Her thumb slowly reaches up and touches the stone. A loud gasp escapes not only her, but Vision as well. She feels a sudden drain on her energy as the stone in his forehead glows brighter. The disintegration process of his body seems to slow before eventually pausing. Finally able to pull her thumb away, Freya breathes heavily as she tries to catch her breath.
"Freya?" a quiet voice asks. Freya's head jerks up to see Vision looking at her with an expression of recognition now. "Freya," he breathes out. "I remember you."
"You do?" Freya asks hopefully.
"Freya Stark, now Freya Rogers. My friend," he answers. Freya chokes back a sob as tears roll down her face. She nods vigorously and laughs.
"Yes, your friend," she tells him. Her eyes widen when she feels a surge of energy from the Hex. "Oh, no. Wanda," she whispers. She eyes the Hex and notices that it seems to be pulsating. A realization hits her and she gasps. "She's expanding the Hex." Turning to everyone, she waves her arms at them. "Run! Get out of here!" She initiates a connection with Steve and the others to warn them.
"You guys might want to drive faster," Freya tells them.
"What's wrong?" Steve asks.
"Why?" Jimmy asks.
"Vision tried to escape the Hex and now Wanda's expanding it. Whoever's driving, go faster. Much faster."
"Copy that," Monica responds.
Hayward looks up at the Hex and his eyes widen. He slowly starts to back up before turning and sprinting to a nearby SUV while he screams at everyone else to run. Freya knows she has to do something to give everyone time to get away. She looks down at Vision and sees him staring up at her.
"It's okay," he nods weakly, knowing she can't stay.
She nods sadly at him before climbing to her feet. Her eyes and aura ignite as she flies into the air and faces the Hex. Carefully eyeing it as the barrier gets closer, she waits until it swallows Vision up before using whatever power she can to hold it back. As soon as her powers make contact with the barrier, she can feel the immense strain and pressure from it. A silvery, blue and gold wall of mist begins to form against the barrier. A physical representation of Freya struggling against Wanda. There's a sizzling sound that seems to be building in volume as Freya grits her teeth and forces herself to hold strong. Bright flashes of their auras are spewing from the point of where the powers touch. Freya sees this and her heart sinks. An eruption of energy is about to happen and there's nothing she can do about it.
"Darcy, run!" Freya yells over her shoulder.
"I can't!" Darcy yells back.
Freya looks over her left shoulder and finds Darcy handcuffed to the front of one of the trucks. Bracing herself, Freya pulls her left hand away from holding on to the barrier and directs it at the handcuffs around Darcy's wrists. Though, before she can free her, the eruption that was building finally lets loose. A bright flash blossoms from the point of the powers' contact and throws Freya across the open field to the other side of the camp. Freya hits the ground with a thud and tumbles to a stop. Climbing to her feet with a groan, she watches the S.W.O.R.D. camp get swallowed up by the Hex.
"Darcy..." Freya whispers.
Looking to her right she sees Hayward's car barely escape the Hex and floor it down the highway. Freya flies after them and watches as the Hex swallows everything in its path. When it finally stops expanding, Freya flies down to the now stopped SUV as Hayward gets out of it.
"I hope you're happy," Freya tells him.
"Don't start with me, Rogers," Hayward snaps.
"What the hell are you playing at, huh?" she questions. "Why are you tracking Vision?"
"That's classified," he tells her.
"Yeah? Well classify this," she says as she flips him the bird.
Hayward's mouth falls open at her blatant disrespect. She smirks and rockets into the air as she heads toward her husband, Monica and Jimmy. She finds them in a clearing off the side of the road on the opposite side of the Hex from Hayward.
"You okay?" Steve asks when she lands after noticing the obvious grass stains on her clothes.
"I'm fine," she nods.
"Where's Darcy?" Monica asks.
"She got pulled into the Hex," Freya frowns. "I tried to get her, but I couldn't. I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize," Jimmy shakes his head. "You tried, that's all that matters."
"We will get her back," Freya says confidently.
"Yes, we will," Monica nods before sighing. "Wanda expanding the Hex caused some delays. We'll meet my guy in the morning."
"Why don't we try to get some sleep," Steve suggests.
The four of them climb into the stolen Humvee. Monica sits in the drivers seat with Jimmy on the passenger side. Steve and Freya snuggle up to each other in the back.
"Man, it's so cold," Jimmy shivers.
"Here," Monica says as she starts to turn the Humvee on.
"No, I've got it," Freya offers. She ignites her aura, which instantly puts off comfortable warmth. Steve hums happily and snuggles up to her more.
"That's really handy," Jimmy grins back at her.
"No kidding," Monica chuckles.
The four of them fall into silence as they get comfortable and start to drift off. It's eventually broken by Monica.
"Frey, you still awake?" Monica whispers over Jimmy's snoring.
"Yeah," Freya whispers back as Steve groggily snuggles into her more.
"I, um, I just wanted to say that I'm really glad you're here. I've missed you," Monica admits.
"I've missed you, too," Freya smiles.
"And, uh, thank you."
"For what?" Freya asks.
"For everything. My mom. Being here and helping," Monica whispers.
"You and Maria are family. I'd do anything for you guys," Freya tells her honestly.
"The same applies to you," Monica smiles back at her. Freya nods thankfully and Monica faces forward in her seat. "Night, cuz."
"Night, cuz," Freya smiles. She snuggles into Steve's side and quickly drifts off to sleep.