First Light | Steve Rogers (Book Two)

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Return

"I like your hair, by the way. Twins, am I right?" Nat quietly laughed as we strode through the dark and empty train station, "You're not one for big changes. How come you got it cut?"

My smile faded and I quickly ducked behind a pillar, motioning for her to be quiet. Sam soared overhead, firing two rockets at the strange figures stood a few metres ahead of us. They were dressed oddly with greyish skin and long, gangly limbs.

We sprinted forwards and I aimed a few shots at one of the creatures. They let out a roar of anger, viciously swiping at me with their gold and electric blue spear. I managed to dodge it, shooting them square in the chest with my blaster. They fell back and I smirked, making my way over to them. I opened my mouth to say something but was silenced as their hand collided with my face, causing me to fly backwards into a tourist board.

There was a loud screech of metal connecting with metal and I looked up, seeing that Steve was stood above me, blocking her spear. The two began to trade blows and I leapt up, hitting her from behind with my gun. Nat joined in, the three of us desperately trying to face off against the strange creature. 

I took another hit to the head and staggered slightly from the force of the blow, dazedly watching as Sam swooped down and kicked them away from us. They landed next to their fallen friend, glaring up at us. "We don't wanna kill you, but we will" Nat warned as we advanced on them.

"You'll never get the chance again" they growled, their voice sounding slightly distorted. We watched in confusion as they grabbed onto their friend. A blinding beam of green light shone down on them from above and they both began to rise into the air, disappearing from sight. The spear in Steve's hand was taken as well.

Any sign that they had been there, aside from the damage done to the station, vanished into an eerie ship that hung in the sky. It was barely visible through the hazy midnight sky, but the mere sight of it made be feel uneasy. I hated feeling uneasy.

We made our way over to the two people huddled against a railing. Vision was gasping in pain, clutching at a large wound in his abdomen. Wanda was crouched next to him as she tried to comfort him.

"Can you stand?" Sam asked, helping Vision up from the ground.

There was a pause and I gave Wanda a quick smile. "Thank you, Captain," Vision murmured after an uncomfortable silence and an exchange of wary glances.

Steve finally nodded, "Let's get you on the jet"

——————

I took a seat next to Wanda, pulling her into a tight hug. "I missed you" she grinned excitedly, something familiar about her expression making me hold my breath for a second.

I shook it off quickly as I avoided Steve's concerned gaze, which I could feel burning into the back of my head. "I missed you too, kid" I replied softly.

We glanced over at Nat, who was staring out at Edinburgh's nightscape as the ramp slowly closed. "Now," she huffed sternly as she turned to look at the girl, "I thought we had a deal. Stay close, check in, don't take any chances"

"I'm sorry," Wanda sighed, "We just wanted time"

Sam turned around in his seat in the cockpit, "Where to, Cap?"

There was a pause and his eyes met mine, "Home"

——————

The Avengers' Compound was just as I remembered it. Its polished walls were decorated with the occasional poster or picture, although all of the ones including the original team had been taken down. A small cherry tree stood solitary in a small, boxed-up garden, its pale blossom desperately clinging to the branches as the last few days of spring faded away.

"Here goes" I heard Nat mutter as we entered the building.

Rhodes was stood in the main living area, talking to a hologram of Secretary Ross. The man turned to stare at us in surprise, outrage and something I hadn't entirely expected: fear. "Mr Secretary" Steve greeted him tersely, his tired eyes warily watching him.

The man slowly approached us and I heard his voice shake slightly, "You've got some nerve, I'll give you that"

"You could use some of that right now" Nat shrugged.

"The world's on fire and you think all is forgiven?"

Steve drew in a deep breath as he glared at Ross, "I'm not looking for forgiveness, and I'm way past asking permission. Earth just lost her best defender. So we're here to fight. And if you wanna stand in our way, we'll fight you too"

I could see a vein bulge slightly in he hologram's temple as he desperately tried to keep his temper. He span around to face Rhodes, "Arrest them"

"All over it" he replied. He then swiped his hand across the secretary's image, causing him and he rest of the cabinet behind him to fade from view. "That's a court-martial," he man huffed after a pause, "It's good to see you, Cap"

"You too, Rhodey"

Nat and I went to greet him, and I tensed up when he pulled both of us into a hug. "Wow," he chuckled as he stared around at us, "You guys... really look like crap. Must've been a rough couple of years"

Sam smirked, "Yeah, well, the hotels weren't exactly five stars"

"Uh, I think you look great"

We all span around, staring at the man in surprise as he trudged into the room. Banner chuckled nervously, his eyes lingering on Nat for a moment, "Yeah, I'm back"

The blonde watched him anxiously as he approached us, "Hi, Bruce"

"Nat"