This chapter delves into multi-verse travel
MCU is universe 616 which is the universe the story is based on. The Universe traveled to is a made of multiverse of 443
Thank you to Harliquinn for beta reading and editing
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The following weekend Skye was hanging out at the Sanctum with America. Steve and Dr. Strange had some Avengers business in the city. Skye had tagged along to spend time with her friend, and she had an idea. It was an idea that would land her and America in a lot of trouble if they got caught.
Once Strange and Steve were gone Skye looked at America from across the table. The two were playing a board game. "So, want to do me a favor?"
America looked at her. "What?"
"You've been to the universe that Loki is from. Want to go back?" Skye asked.
"Ah, you want to meet your variant," America said.
"Yes," Skye said. "I want to know exactly what she did to Loki and why he hates me so much."
"I've been told I'm not allowed to multiverse travel with you," America said.
"By?" Skye asked
"Dr. Strange, but it came from your dad," America said.
Skye let out a breath and nodded. She couldn't force her friend to do it, even if she wanted to.
"But I've never been good at listening to the rules," America said, smirking.
Skye tilted her head. "So you'll do it?"
"Yes," America said. "Let's go before they get back to stop us."
The two teenagers got up from their seats, and America made a portal for them to jump through.
The world they were in when they came through the other side of the portal was nothing like the world Skye knew. It looked like they were in a desert wasteland.
"We aren't in New York are we?" Skye asked.
"Yes, this is New York in this universe. Hydra is in power here and has destroyed parts of New York in their power rage," America said.
"Oh," Skye said.
"Come on this way, I know where your variant probably is," America said.
Skye followed America looking around. "Loki wasn't kidding about his world being destroyed."
"Yeah," America said.
"My variant works for Hydra in this universe?" Skye asked.
"I'll let her tell you," America said.
They walked a few more minutes before entering a building through a back door and going into a room with a desk and a few scattered boxes.
"Stay here for a minute. You shouldn't be seen," America said. "I'll be back in five minutes with your variant."
Skye nodded, and America left the room.
Skye wondered the room, unable to stay still.
America came back into the room with the other Skye.
The two Skyes looked at each other.
"Okay, this is weird," 616 Skye said.
443 Skye nodded. "Yeah."
"So, you had some questions about what went down with Loki," America said. "We should get to it because if we stay too long, we will get caught."
"Right," 616 Skye said. "So, he tells me that you manipulated him and got him to fall for you so you could get close to Thor and kill him?"
443 Skye rolled her eyes. "Thor thought he was better than Hydra. He thought he could bring them down himself. I did what I had to do. Loki is just a stupid little shit who was easy to manipulate."
616 Skye took a breath. "Where are um. . . your parents in this?" 616 Skye asked.
"Steve will never side with Hydra," 443 Skye said. "Mom works with Hydra."
616 Skye tilted her head. "Is it the same reason I can't see him ever working with Hydra in my universe? Bucky?"
"Yup," 443 Skye said. "They have this bond like nothing I have ever seen. He picks him over his own wife."
"Your parents are married in this universe?" Skye asked.
"Yeah," 443 Skye said. "So what's your universe like?"
"Not like this. Hydra is not in power, though they do try," 616 Skye said. "Don't have my mom, but I have my dad and lots of others who care about me."
"Where is your mom?" 443 Skye asked.
"She died when I was young. Hydra killed her to try and get to me," 616 Skye said. "And I have no doubt they would do the same in this universe if they needed to."
"Tried to get you? How didn't they?" 443 Skye asked.
"She put me in foster care under a different name when I was born. My dad didn't even know about me. We found each other about a year and a half ago," 616 Skye said.
"Too bad Hydra didn't get you. You would have been able to take down everyone they wanted," 443 Skye said snarkily.
"Yeah. Well, I'm glad I'm on the good side in my universe," 616 Skye said.
"You know, if you stayed in this world you would have everything you ever wanted in your hands," 443 Skye said.
616 Skye snorted. "Not a fucking chance."
443 Skye grabbed her variant's arm. "I think I'll take you to them. You won't have a choice."
616 Skye grew a fireball in her hand and threw it at 443 Skye's face. She was released, but the fireball just bounced off the other Skye's face and fizzled out.
America grabbed 616 Skye and pulled her through a portal, making sure it closed behind them.
They landed back in the right universe in front of Wong.
"Wong, hi," America said innocently.
"Were you not told not to multiverse travel with her?" Wong asked.
"Um. Well. Dr. Strange isn't here," America said.
Wong shook his head. "But he will return. And so will your father," he said, looking at Skye.
"Any chance you could not tell them?" Skye asked.
"I think you know the answer to that," Wong said, noticing a bruise forming on Skye's arm. "Are you hurt?"
Skye looked where Wong was looking and made a face and poked at her arm. "It doesn't hurt. How do I have a bruise from her just grabbing me?"
"Who grabbed you?" Wong asked.
"Um," Skye said.
Wong looked at America.
"Her variant," America admitted.
"When you two break the rules you don't go small, do you?" he asked.
"It doesn't make sense. My fireball bounced right off her. Why should her grabbing my arm cause bruising?" Skye said.
"That is why you shouldn't be traveling through the multi-verse unless necessary. You do not know what it can do to you, or your abilities," Wong said. "You know that," he said looking at America.
"It's my fault. I asked her to," Skye said.
"She should have said no," Wong said. He grabbed an ice pack and handed it to Skye before sending them to America's room to wait for Dr. Strange and Captain America.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked," Skye said as she sat on a chair in the room and held the ice pack on her arm.
"I could have said no. I didn't want to," America said. "I wanted to do it. I was waiting for you to ask."
Skye sighed and leaned her head back to look at the ceiling.
"You got your answers though," America said.
"Yeah. My variant is not a good person, and my abilities don't touch her," Skye said.
"I have a feeling if she came here, it would be the reverse. She probably couldn't hurt you," America said.
Skye nodded.
"But did the answers give you the closure you were looking for?" America asked.
"I get why Loki hates her. Rightfully so. I just wish he could see I'm not her," Skye said.
"Yeah, meeting your variant won't change that," America said.
"I thought maybe meeting her would give me insight into why she would do it. And it did. But I was hoping there was a good explanation. There isn't, though," Skye said.
The two were pretty quiet for the next couple of hours before there was a knock on America's door.
"Yes," America said.
Dr. Strange and Steve went in both looking unimpressed.
"It's my fault, I'm sorry," Skye said.
"No, it's mine. I should have said no," America said.
"I shouldn't have asked," Skye said.
"You are both responsible," Dr. Strange said silencing both of the teens before looking at Skye "How is your arm?"
Skye held it up and showed him the bruise was getting worse.
Dr. Strange examined it, prodding at it gently. "It looks like it's just a bad bruise, but you should keep a close eye on it." He said to both Skye and Steve.
Skye cringed a little when her bruise was prodded at and nodded. "I will."
"And if it gets worse make sure Dr. Banner sees it," Dr. Strange said.
"I will," Skye said.
"I will ensure he sees it regardless," Steve said.
Dr. Strange nodded. "So, what exactly happened? America," he asked looking at the teenager he had taken in.
"Skye asked if I would take her to meet her variant," America started.
"From the universe, Kid Loki is from?" Steve asked.
"Yes," America said. "And I did. The two met and talked, and the other Skye figured that if Hydra had access to two people with Skye's abilities it would help them even more. So, the other Skye grabbed her, and Skye managed to use her abilities to get out of the grasp. I pulled the two of us out before it could get any further."
"Anything to add, Skyler?" Steve asked.
"Just that I threw a fireball at my variant, and it just bounced off her. I'm sure the only reason she let go was because I surprised her," Skye said.
Steve looked at Strange. "Is it normal for abilities not to work on variants from what you have seen?"
"I've never had to try myself; I've never seen it either," Dr. Strange said.
"I have," America said. "And I have never seen it be a problem."
"I promise I have no intentions of doing that again. I learned my lesson," Skye said.
"Saw a different world and it scared you?" Dr. Strange asked.
Skye nodded. "Hydra was in power. Half of New York was a barren desert."
"Different universes can be completely different. And can be dangerous. America can travel through them, but it doesn't make it safe for her on her own let alone to bring someone else," Dr. Strange said.
Skye nodded. "I'm sorry."
Dr. Strange looked at America.
"I shouldn't have taken her," America said, looking at Steve. "I'm sorry. I didn't think she'd end up hurt."
"I believe that," Steve said. "Apology accepted."
"Anything else you want to add?" Steve asked Dr. Strange.
"No," Strange said.
"Skyler, say your goodbyes we're going," Steve said.
Skye got up from her seat and hugged her friend before saying bye to Dr. Strange.
"Bye," America said as she hugged her friend.
Steve said his goodbyes as well before he and Skye left.
Dr. Strange looked at America. "So, until now we haven't had any issues. I trusted that I could tell you not to do something and you would listen. But you didn't."
"I'm sorry," America said. "I really didn't see her getting hurt. And I understand why she wanted to meet this variant."
"I know you didn't intend for her to end up hurt. But even if she hadn't been hurt, you were told not to," Dr. Strange said.
America nodded.
"You understand there needs to be a consequence, right?" Dr. Strange asked.
America let out a breath. She had been on her own for so many years. She had never really been in trouble with an authority figure. She knew she could just leave. But she didn't want to. She liked it there and was enjoying learning all Dr. Strange had to teach her. She hated the idea that she was going to be punished somehow, but she knew it was fair. "Yes," she said.
"So, no multi-verse travel for one month, unless it is absolutely necessary," Dr. Strange told her. "And expect some extra tasks around here."
America nodded. "Understood."
On the drive home, Skye was looking out the window at everything as they passed.
"Appreciating the things you didn't before?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
"You want to talk about anything that happened in the other universe?" Steve asked.
"Well, your variant was married to my variant's mother," Skye said.
Steve nodded.
"But she works for Hydra. Your variant doesn't because of what they did to Bucky," Skye said.
"I like to think that any variant of mine who had a similar friendship with Bucky from a young age wouldn't work for Hydra," Steve said. "But there is probably a universe out there where a variant does."
"And you don't feel guilty because of it?" Skye asked.
"No, because it's not me, Skye. We are not our variants. We will have things in common, but that doesn't make us the same person," Steve said. "I know it's hard for you to wrap your mind around this. But you are not your variants."
Skye nodded. "She looks just like me. And the way she moved, I felt like I was looking in a mirror."
"Yeah, I'm sure it was strange," Steve said.
"But the way she talked and the things she said, she is not a good person," Skye said, her eyes filling with tears.
"But you are, Skye. You haven't had an easy life. You have gone through things that no one should go through, least of all an innocent child. And despite all of that, you are one of the kindest people I have ever known. You go out of your way to avoid hurting people. I can see how much it hurts you when you think someone doesn't like you or thinks you are not the good person you are. And I can see how much it's hurting you that you think there is a chance you could become like your variant and hurt the people closest to you," Steve said.
Skye wiped at the tears that were falling down her face.
At a stop light, Steve reached over and squeezed her shoulder. "You are not your variant. And you can not let the things your variants do affect you the way it is. I get it's hard. But doing so is hurting you and making you do things that get you in trouble."
Skye took a breath, trying to calm herself down, and nodded. "I'm in big trouble, aren't I?"
"You are. But right now I'm more concerned with making sure you are okay," Steve said.
"I'm okay, just going to need some time to work through what happened," Skye said.
"That's understandable," Steve said.
"I'm really sorry, Daddy," Skye said.
"I know. But there are consequences for your actions. You know this," Steve said. "You knew if you got caught you would be in trouble. Right?"
"Yes," Skye mumbled.
"I don't think I heard you," Steve said.
Skye sighed. "I said yes."
Steve nodded. "How's your arm feel?"
"It hurts," Skye said. "I don't remember the last time I bruised this badly from just a grab."
"Probably has to do with the different universe affecting your abilities," Steve said. "And maybe because it was your own variant. You are strong, so she is as strong or stronger than you."
"But my abilities didn't work on her. A fireball literally bounced off her," Skye said.
"Maybe because it's not your universe," Steve said.
"Loki has no issues with his abilities here," Skye said.
"Different people," Steve said. "And he is not exactly human. He is a god."
Skye chuckled. "He is a godly ass."
"Skyler Sarah Rogers," Steve said, trying to keep a straight face. He didn't like the swearing, but it was a well-timed insult.
"You know I'm right," she said.
"You need to stop with the swearing," Steve said.
"I don't get why it's a big deal. If I was swearing at someone, I'd understand, but they are just words," Skye said.
"Well, you were insulting someone with those words," Steve said.
"Someone who deserves it," Skye said.
"You are trying to get me to change my opinion on something, and it's not working. You can either change your tactic or the subject, because continuing down this path will not lead where you want it," Steve said.
"How was your business thing today?" Skye asked, changing the subject.
"It was fine," Steve said. "We're trying to get certain officials to accept the training of the next generation of those with abilities."
"Oh," Skye said. "And you didn't think it was a good idea to bring me along?"
"It was just the adults today," Steve said.
"And were they willing to accept the idea?" Skye asked.
"Some of them," Steve said. "It's a work in progress."
Skye nodded. "Why are they opposed?"
"The Avengers have done a lot of good, yes. But there has been a lot of damage we have done in the process. Some people want to be done with super-powered individuals," Steve said.
Skye nodded. "Hence the accords having been a thing."
"And some of the Avengers didn't agree with those," Steve said.
"I know," Skye said. "You being one of them."
"You've been doing your research," Steve said.
"Yeah. Is that okay?" Skye asked.
"Yes, I want you to be informed on all the things in the history of the Avengers. You need to be informed so when you get older you can make the right decision for you," Steve said. "But you can always ask me your questions."
Skye nodded. "Is there talk about the Accords coming back?"
"There is always someone thinking it's a good idea," Steve said.
Skye nodded.
"If it ever does and you need to make a decision, be prepared that the people you care about might choose differently," Steve said.
"I know. You know there are a lot of records of everything the Avengers have ever done, right?" Skye asked.
Steve nodded. "I know. I just don't know exactly how much you have read."
"I think all of it," Skye said.
"Okay," Steve said.
"When I first started interning with you and Wanda, I wanted to know everything and anything I could," Skye said.
Steve nodded. "About Wanda, do you miss training with her?"
Skye shrugged.
"You still having trouble trusting her?" Steve asked.
"No, I fully forgive her. But I enjoy training with everyone. So yeah, I would train with her again, but I like taking turns with who I train with. I think I learn more that way," Skye said.
Steve smiled. "I can get that. You can keep training with everyone and can work Wanda in, too. Do you know why she was the one I wanted to train with you in the beginning?"
Skye shook her head.
"When Bucky and I saw you that night we looked into who you were. When we found out you were a foster kid with a record some were worried about someone who was supposedly violent having abilities. Now we all know that you aren't violent, but we were just going off what we saw in your records. But Wanda was one of the people who defended you, even without knowing you. She argued that we didn't know you and didn't know what you had gone through in the system. You know she was in an orphanage as a child. right?" Steve asked.
"Yes, she has told me at least some of her history," Skye said. "I know about some of the things she went through. I didn't realize she was defending me even before she knew me."
Steve nodded. "And you two worked well together. She is the person whose abilities are closest to what you got from your mother. So, when we found out more about your abilities, it made sense she helped you with that.
Skye nodded. "I understand them a lot more now. And no, I'm not fully in control. But I do think I have much better control of all of my abilities."
"You do. I am incredibly proud of how far you have come, and that is because you have put in the work. You were willing to work at it. Even when you had setbacks you were willing to keep working at it," Steve said as they pulled in at home.
Skye smiled. "Thank you, Daddy."
Steve parked. "So inside and to your room. I'll be in soon."
"Okay," Skye said before she went inside and to her room.
Steve went inside as well. He passed through the kitchen, where Clint was sitting at the table.
"Hey, Barton, I didn't know you were going to be here today," Steve said.
"Hey, Cap, yeah. I had a meeting with SHIELD, so I thought I'd come and say hello to everyone," Clint said.
Steve nodded.
"So, your kid came through here and said hi but that if she didn't get to her room before you got up here, she might be in more trouble. What did she do?" Clint asked.
Steve shook his head and sat across from Clint. "She was spending time with America Chavez today. She is the kid that Dr. Strange has been mentoring."
"She's the one who can multi-verse travel right?" Clint asked.
Steve nodded. "And I think with that knowledge you can figure out what they did."
"Did they travel to another universe?" Clint asked.
Steve nodded. "I told Skye and made sure that America knew that I did not want Skye multi-verse traveling. They did it anyway. Skye got hurt by her variant, and it affected her more than just physically."
Clint shook his head. "How did Skye end up hurt?"
"Her variant grabbed her, and it has left a bruise that is just getting worse. Skye doesn't bruise like that. Strange thinks it's probably something to do with her abilities not being as effective in another universe," Steve said. "I'm going to have Banner take a look later, but right now I'm just trying to figure out what to do with Skye. She knew she wasn't allowed to do it. But, meeting the variant did answer questions for her. And, based on our conversation on the way back here, I do not think she would do it again," Steve said.
Clint nodded. "The parenting thing is hard. I don't have to do it as a single parent, and my kids don't have abilities."
"I've seen you interact with that Bishop girl. You treat her the same as your other kids," Steve said.
"Do I?" Clint asked.
"Yes," Steve said.
"Maybe, but her abilities are not supernatural. And if she decided to travel the multi-verse with America, there's not much I could do about it. She isn't exactly a child," Clint said. "And she'd ignore me if I tried."
Steve shook his head. "You mean like Skye ignored me?"
"She tried to hide it, I assume?" Clint asked.
"Wong caught them. I assume she wouldn't have told me," Steve said.
"That is the difference. Kate wouldn't bother trying to hide it. She might not tell me because she wouldn't think she needed to," Clint said.
Steve chuckled.
"Did you need advice on what to do with Skye?" Clint asked.
"No, I just needed someone to talk it out with, and you were the first person I found," Steve said. "And you have teenagers too."
"Yeah, it's about to be just one teenager again. And even that teenager is already eighteen," Clint said.
"Ah yes, Cooper's birthday is coming up. What are the plans?" Steve asked.
"He and his friends are going to Cuba for it. He has been saving up, and Laura and I are helping a bit as his birthday gift," Clint said.
"First trip without you or Laura?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Clint said. "Laura is more worried than I am. If he isn't ready for it at twenty, then we didn't teach him well enough. At some point, we have to let them go and figure it out on their own. We will be there if he needs help, but we can't keep them from experiencing life."
"I don't know if I'll ever be ready for that," Steve said.
"You will," Clint said. "But it's not something you have to worry about for years."
"Thankfully," Steve said. "You staying for dinner?" Steve asked changing the subject.
"Yes," Clint said.
"We can talk more later. I think I have left Skye to think about it long enough," Steve said before he got up from his seat and went and knocked on Skye's door.
"Yes?" Skye said.
Steve went into the room and saw her sitting on her window seat, hugging her knees. "How's your arm?"
Skye showed him. The bruise was even worse than the last time he saw it.
"Does it hurt?" Steve asked.
Skye nodded as her eyes filled with tears.
"It hurts that much?" Steve asked, sitting next to her, and wrapping her in a hug.
Skye buried her face in his shoulder and broke down sobbing.
Steve tightened his hug a little. "This is more than your arm hurting, isn't it?"
She nodded as she continued to sob.
"You are going to be okay," Steve said softly. "I will help you work through whatever it is."
Skye slowly calmed down as she rubbed her back. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes.
"What is it?" Steve asked.
"I wanted to meet my variant. But I also wanted to meet a variant of my mother because I thought at least I would get to meet some version of the mom I don't get to know. But it wouldn't be the same," Skye said.
"Is that part of the reason you were holding on to the feeling that you are the same as your variants?" Steve asked.
"Part of it yes," Skye said softly.
"I'm so sorry, Peanut. I know it's hard. If I could make it so you could meet your mom, I would. But this is an unfortunate part of life. Sometimes people die before we can know them," Steve said. "And you're right. Her variant would not be the same as her. Even if they shared some characteristics, they wouldn't be the same."
Skye nodded. "It's just not fair."
"You're right. It's not fair," Steve said.
Skye sighed defeatedly.
"What is the pain level?" he asked, gently taking her arm, and looking at the bruise.
"Six, the pain is getting worse as the bruise is growing," Skye said.
"As soon as we are done in here, we are going to get Bruce to x-ray it and make sure nothing is broken," Steve said.
"Can we just leave it at I promise I won't do it again?" Skye asked.
"I believe you won't multi-verse travel again, but you still disobeyed me and put yourself in danger. I can't just let that go," Steve said.
Skye sulked a little but nodded.
"Pouting isn't going to help," Steve said as he gently took her uninjured arm and pulled her over his lap.
"It was worth a try," she mumbled.
Steve landed a hard smack on her butt. "I heard that," he said.
Skye whimpered, "You hear everything."
Steve shook his head before he started to land a continuous stream of smacks to her butt. It didn't take long for her to start crying. He landed half a dozen more smacks to her sit spots before he sat her up and held her, letting her sob into him.
When she calmed down, he took her chin and made her look at him. "Do not disobey me again. If I ask or tell you not to do something, you don't do it. Understood?"
"I understand," Skye said.
Steve kissed her head. "Good. Now let's find Bruce and get your arm checked."
They both left Skye's room to look for Bruce.