Freya starts to wake in the early hours of the morning. It's still dark outside, but she can see colors starting to blossom in the east as the sun starts to rise. Quietly easing herself out of Steve's arms as to not wake him, she slips out of the Humvee and closes her door with a barely audible click. She takes a deep breath, pulling the crisp morning air into her lungs. Placing her hands in her jacket pockets, she walks further into the clearing where Monica had parked the vehicle. Wanting to get a good view of the rising sun, she floats into the air and stops once she's past the forest canopy. She watches the darkened sky slowly start to lighten into purples and blues before the sun finally breaks over the mountains. Showering everything as far as she can see in oranges and golds. The slight warmth from the large ball of light slowly rising into the sky makes Freya close her eyes and let out a content hum. Her eyebrows begin to increasingly furrow in thought as she thinks back to last night. She never in a million years would have thought that her powers would evolve the way they have.
"The weather? Seriously?" she mumbles to herself.
Looking down at her hands, she can't help but feel a mixture of anxiousness, worry and confusion. It's not only the weather situation that's making her also feel slightly unnerved, but also the moment when her powers seemed to dissolve Wanda's barrier over Westview before she had upped its protection. It was like her powers were eating away at Wanda's. Which thoroughly concerns her.
"What am I?" she asks herself.
"We wish we could help answer that, child."
"Oh, so now you finally decide to speak up," Freya replies with an annoyed eye roll. "Where the hell have you guys been?"
"We decided to let you handle matters on your own for the time being. Plus, you never asked for us."
First the first time, the tone of the voices almost seems... amused?
"Okay, great, so now the voices in my head have developed a personality," she sighs. "Do you have any idea of what I am? I thought I'd only gotten powers from my birth parents. Then those were enhanced by the Mind Stone."
"And you are correct, child. That did happen. But, there's something more beyond that. You're able to do things that you shouldn't be able to do. That should be impossible for you."
"Like controlling the weather?" she asks.
"Exactly."
"Do you have any hunches or ideas of what I could possibly be?"
"We... have a hunch. But, it's too soon to tell. To be honest with you, child, we've never been able to actually communicate with anyone who's been enhanced by the stones. You're the first."
"Wait, seriously? What does that mean?"
"We don't know..."
"Freya?"
An actual voice makes Freya look down at the ground fifty feet beneath her. She sees Jimmy looking up at her in silent question. Floating down to meet him, she plants her feet on the ground and smiles up at him.
"Good morning, Jimmy," she greets him.
"Good morning. Everything okay?" Jimmy asks.
"Oh, yeah, totally fine. Just thinking some things over," she nods.
"Say no more," he smiles.
The sound of a car door closing makes them look back at the Humvee. They see Monica walking toward them while Steve is tiredly climbing out of the vehicle while he rubs his eyes.
"Mornin'," Monica smiles, earning a greeting from the other two.
Steve tiredly ambles over to them and wraps an arm around Freya's shoulders. He kisses the top of her head.
"Hey, you," Freya chuckles.
"Morning," Steve yawns. "So what's the plan?"
"We should probably start heading over to meet my contact. They had to move the rendezvous point since Wanda decided to buy up some more real estate," Monica sighs as she checks her phone. A loud growl breaks through the conversation. All eyes turn to Jimmy, who cringes.
"Sorry, that was my stomach," Jimmy apologizes.
"There should be some MRE's in the back," Monica gestures at the Humvee. Jimmy makes a disgusted face before nodding.
"Beggars can't be choosers," Jimmy sighs.
Once the four of them stomach as much of the MRE's as they can, they climb back in the Humvee and Monica drives them toward their next destination. Freya fills them in on everything that happened the night before when Vision tried to escape the Hex. She also mentions the brief conversation she had with Billy. Once she's finished, the ride is silent and nerve-filled until Freya suddenly remembers something and leans forward in her seat toward Jimmy.
"Hey, Jimmy. Was Darcy able to get an email out to you? I didn't really have the chance to ask," Freya frowns. Jimmy pulls out his phone to check it before scoffing in disbelief.
"Darcy made it through that last firewall, all right," he says proudly.
"Oh, what'd she find?" Monica asks.
"You won't like it," Freya frowns. Jimmy nods in agreement as he starts to relay the info.
"R and D reports. All on the same project. Code name, Cataract," Jimmy says before scoffing again once he swipes to reveal blueprints. "You were right, Freya. Hayward wasn't decommissioning Vision. He was trying to bring him back online."
"That's why he's so hellbent on going after Wanda," Monica mumbles.
"And why he's been so focused on tracking Vision inside the Hex," Jimmy adds.
"That's why he wanted us to believe she had taken the body. He needed an excuse for his obsession," Freya nods. "She wouldn't take the body, but somehow still created her own Vision. Hayward wants to know how she brought him to life since he wasn't able to do it." Freya thinks for a moment before sighing in relief and sitting back into her seat with a mumble. "Thank God she isn't puppeting his corpse around."
"Someone has to tell Wanda," Steve says, silently agreeing with her comment. The others nod and fall into silence once more. It isn't long before the trail Monica had taken them on begins to open up into another clearing.
"Look. There they are," Monica smiles. Once she turns the final corner, the trees end and a vast field filled with a few trucks and a large trailer comes into view. The Hex looms ominously in the distance. Monica parks near a small, outdoor control center. Once they climb out and make their way toward everyone, a woman spots them and approaches with a smile. "Major Goodner," Monica greets her with a smile.
"Captain Rambeau," Goodner smiles.
"This is Agent Woo," Monica introduces.
"Nice to meet you," Goodner says as she shakes his hand.
"And these two are-"
"I know exactly who they are," Goodner smiles when Monica starts to introduce Steve and Freya.
"It's nice to meet you," Freya says as she shakes her hand.
"You as well," Goodner says with a large smile.
"Ma'am," Steve nods and shakes her hand. She nods politely in return before focusing on Monica.
"Thank you so much for coming. My mother would appreciate your loyalty," Monica nods.
"She's not the only one we're loyal to, Captain," Goodner smiles. "Let me show you what we brought you." Goodner leads them over to the trailer as they're beginning to unload the vehicle that Monica had requested. It's basically a miniature, one-seater tank with three axels. Freya is trying so hard not to drool over the gorgeousness of the creation. "Did we get your specs right?" Goodner asks Monica.
"She's perfect," Monica smiles before glancing over at Freya. "Your Stark is showing."
"Look at this thing!" Freya gushes.
Monica chuckles before she's led away to begin the suit up process. Jimmy wanders off to look at all of the new equipment in hopes of messing with it. Freya walks out into the middle of the open field to stare at the Hex. As she aimlessly watches it, she gets a sinking feeling in her stomach. One of her hands moves to it as her eyes widen. Steve slowly approaches her with a worried look.
"Doll?" Steve asks.
"Something's wrong," Freya whispers.
"Huh?" he asks as he stops next to her.
"Something's wrong... I-I don't know, but something doesn't feel right," she tells him.
"Can you tell if it has to do with someone?" Steve questions.
"Kinda... but it's not clear-" Something suddenly brushes against Freya's mind, making her freeze. She instantly recognizes the energy signature. "Billy...?"
"Billy? One of the twins?" Steve asks, earning a nod from his wife. "Is he okay?"
"I don't know," she shakes her head. "But I think he's trying to reach out. Gimme a moment." Freya closes her eyes and concentrates on reaching out to Billy. She focuses in on the same energy signature she felt and finally initiates a connection.
"Billy?"
"Auntie???"
"Yeah, it's me," Freya replies.
"Where have you been?! I've been trying to find you? Where are you?"
"It's complicated, sweetheart... Are you okay? What about your brother?"
"Tommy's fine. But, I have a headache. And everything is so noisy."
"I went through the same thing when I developed that power. You have to concentrate on something that can be your anchor. Something that helps you stay grounded and in control."
"But, how do I do that?" Billy asks.
"You have to find your own way. Your own anchor. You'll find it though, I promise."
"I'll do my best," he replies.
"Have you seen your dad?" Freya questions.
"I don't think he came home last night. And Mom is acting super weird. Plus, our video game is freaking out."
"What's wrong with your mom?"
"She stayed in bed forever. Then, she told us how she doesn't have answers to anything and something about everything seeming meaningless."
"Oh, boy..." Freya sighs.
Steve has been watching silently as she mentally communicates with Billy. Her sigh makes him tilt his head in question at her. She only shakes her head and holds up a finger to ask for a moment.
"Agnes came by a little bit ago and told Mom she doesn't mind watching us so she can have some 'me' time. Tommy and I are walking up to her house now."
Freya's stomach sinks and she instantly knows why she has a bad feeling.
"No! Don't go with her! You need to stay with your mom!" Freya orders frantically.
"But, why? What's wrong with Ag-"
The connection suddenly goes silent. Freya can't feel his mind anymore.
"Billy...? Billy?!"
Freya's breathing starts to speed up as she runs her fingers through her hair. She looks up at Steve with wide eyes.
"It's the kids. Agnes has the kids. And now I can't speak with Billy. She has to be the other presence I haven't been able to read," she tells Steve confidently.
"Okay, then we have to get in there, right?" Steve asks. Freya only nods before turning on her heel and jogging over to Monica. Who is in the last stages of the suit up process.
"Monica, we need to get in there. Now," Freya tells her.
"Is something wrong?" Monica asks as her last glove is fastened to her suit.
"I think it's Wanda and the twins," Freya answers. "I think something's happening to them."
"We're all set, Captain," Goodner calls out to Monica.
"Thank you," Monica nods before turning back to Freya. "Lets get in there and see what's going on." Freya nods in reply as Jimmy walks up to them.
"Darcy's not here to give her stamp of approval," Jimmy says.
"I know. She's in there," Monica says with a glance at the Hex. "And I'm gonna go get her out." There's a few tense seconds of silence before she glances over at Jimmy. "It's our last shot, Jimmy."
Jimmy silently nods while someone helps Monica place the helmet on and lock it to her suit.
"Godspeed, Captain," Jimmy tells her.
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call out to me if you can," Freya says.
"Good luck, Monica," Steve nods.
Monica nods in thanks to the three of them before heading over to the vehicle. She climbs in while the others walk over to the temporary control center.
"How much faith do you have in this thing?" Jimmy asks Goodner.
"It's our most heavily-armored space rover," Goodner replies. "She's gonna sail right through. Unharmed." She smiles and places her headphones over her ears.
Freya nervously eyes the Hex as her stomach twists in anticipation. She doesn't want to be the pessimist of the group, but she just has a knowing feeling that this won't work.
"Capcom, check," Goodner says into her mic. They all watch the live feed of inside the vehicle as Monica straps in and begins to power it up.
"Good, check." Monica's voice emits from the speakers around them as the vehicle's engine revs.
"On your order, Captain," Goodner tells her.
"Movin' out," Monica confirms.
The engine revs louder as the vehicle begins to move forward. It begins to pick up speed the closer it gets to the Hex. Goodner begins the countdown to impact.
"Contact in five, four, three, two, one..."
There's a loud bang when the vehicle rams into the Hex. They can hear Monica's surprised gasp over the speakers. The tires spin as it sits in place. They can see sparks beginning to spew from the point of contact.
"What happened to sailing right through?" Steve asks with a raised eyebrow.
"The density is matching her," Goodner announces in confusion.
"I'm close! It's gonna give!" Monica yells through the speakers.
Suddenly, the front end of the vehicle lifts and starts to drive up the side of the Hex. Monica's armored car is now sitting on its rear end, completely vertical.
"The structural integrity is failing," Goodner informs them. "It's disintegrating."
"No, it's being rewritten," Freya shakes her head. She grabs one of the mics off the table in panic. "Monica, get out of there!" She doesn't get a reply and the monitor they had been watching her on is all static now. "Do you copy, Monica?!" Freya asks.
The top hatch of the vehicle suddenly opens, but instead of it dropping back against the roof, the hand on it tears it from its hinges and sends it flying across the open grass. Freya's eyes go wide and she looks over at Steve. His eyes are wide too, having seen the same thing. They watch Monica scramble out of the vehicle before tumbling off of it and hitting the ground hard. Freya takes off at a sprint to help her with Steve on her heels.
"Get a medevac, now!" Jimmy orders before him and Goodner follow.
Monica rips off her helmet and climbs to her feet. She watches with wide eyes as the Hex pulls the vehicle in halfway before spitting it out. It sails over her head, straight at everyone else.
"Watch out!" Jimmy screams.
Freya skids to a stop and braces herself as the vehicle comes barreling right at her. Lift her hands, her eyes and aura ignite as she stops the vehicle mid air with her powers. Easing it down to her hands, she uses her brute strength to throw it off to the side away from everyone. The vehicle now a mix of an armored space rover and an astro van.
"You good?" Steve asks Freya. She nods in response as her eyes and aura power down.
Freya looks up at Monica and they lock eyes. She sees the look in Monica's eyes and knows what she's about to do. Monica stares at her like she's asking for reassurance. Freya gives her a small nod in return. When Jimmy realizes what Monica is about to do, his eyes go wide.
"No. No..." Jimmy starts to protest.
"I can get through," Monica tells him. She drops her helmet and starts sprinting toward the Hex.
"Monica! No!" Jimmy yells. He looks over at Freya in shock. "Aren't you going to stop her?!"
"She knows what she's doing," Freya replies.
They all watch as Monica makes contact with the barrier and fights to push herself inside. They can hear her grunting as she fights the Hex. Little by little, her body is absorbed into the Hex. Then she's gone. Freya intently watches the spot where she had disappeared from. All she can do it wait for some sign that Monica had made it to the other side. A sudden burst of energy makes Freya gasp. She instantly recognizes it and smiles.
"Monica made it," Freya tells everyone. "She's inside."
There's a collective sigh as everyone releases the breath they'd been holding. Jimmy and Goodner walk back over to the controls as she attempts to figure out what went wrong. Freya and Steve walk out toward the Hex.
"I hope Darcy's okay," Freya frowns. "I can feel her in there, but I can't get a good enough read on her."
"Darcy's tough," Steve nods. "I'm sure she's okay."
"I just wish there was some way for me to get in there," Freya sighs. "I obviously can't go through the barrier. And it goes far enough into the ground so you can't take a tunnel in. I'm not sure what to do."
"What if you went around it?" Steve asks suddenly.
"Around it?" Freya tilts her head at him.
"Okay, hear me out," he begins. "I know you don't directly get your powers from the stones. That's been made very clear. But, when Thanos had the stones, he teleported himself to Wakanda. And the stones are magical, right?"
"Right..." Freya says slowly, not yet understanding where he's going.
"Well, you have magic and you were empowered by the stones. So, what if-"
"Are you seriously telling me that I might be able to create a portal...?" Freya says in a monotone voice. Completely done at this point with how many weird powers are beginning to appear. "That's impossible."
"You and Wanda kinda already are the impossible," Steve cringes.
That singular sentence makes her freeze. Steve's right. Her and Wanda have already demonstrated the ability to do things that should be impossible.
"So... just try to create a portal?" she asks.
"Why not?" Steve shrugs. "Monica is headed to Wanda, so see if you can find a way to get to Darcy."
"Okay..." she sighs nervously.
Closing her eyes, her aura ignites around her. Concentrating on Darcy's signature, she lets her instincts take over. She places her hands together and lifts them in front of her. They're splayed apart with only the fingertips touching. With the tips still together, she separates her palms further from each other. A ball of energy made up of her aura begins to form in her hands. Quickly pulling her hands apart, the ball of energy expands and forms into an oval-shaped, misty doorway. One that almost identically resembles the portal Thanos had stepped out of before they fought him for the first time. Hers is just a different color.
"Did, uh, did I do it?" she asks nervously.
"Only one way to find out," Steve says as he starts to walk through it. Freya grabs him by his jacket and yanks him back.
"Don't you even think about going through first," she hisses.
He playfully rolls his eyes at her before gesturing at the portal. With a huff, she starts forward and approaches the portal cautiously. Slowly stepping through it, her feet touch solid ground on the other side. The mist clears to finally reveal her destination. Only to have some weird car honk at her and screech to a stop inches in front of her nose. Her wide eyes blink in surprise at the grill of the car before looking up at the driver. Her eyes somehow widen more when she sees Darcy's shocked face. Quickly reaching into the portal behind her, she waves her hand around in an attempt to grab Steve. He latches a hand on to hers and she yanks him through. He stumbles through to the other side and blinks once his vision clears while the portal closes behind him.
"Freya! Steve!" Darcy screeches as she leaps out of a now recognizable funnel cake truck and runs to them. She hugs both of them tightly before looking at them in question. "How the hell did you two get in?"
"Uh, I can create portals now?" Freya cringes.
"Of course you can," Darcy rolls her eyes.
"Freya?" a quiet voice asks. She looks up and gasps when she sees Vision climbing out of the truck.
"Oh, yeah! Look who I found!" Darcy grins.
Vision doesn't say anything as he approaches Freya and pulls her into a tight hug. She reciprocates as she attempts to keep herself from crying. Pulling away, she looks up at him.
"You still remember me?" Freya asks.
"Yes, I do," Vision smiles. He looks up at Steve and a flash of recognition quickly crosses his face. "Steve, right? Her husband?"
"Uh, yeah," Steve nods as he reaches out a hand. Vision politely shakes it before gesturing back at the funnel cake truck.
"Shall we take this on the road?"