An Avenger's Tale

02|| Meeting the Avengers

The last bell of the day rang in my ears and I gathered my books in my arms, hugging them to my chest, as I walked towards my locker. I put in the combination and opened the cold, metal door. The acerbic frost seeped into my skin and relaxed me a bit.

I heaved my bag up from the floor and onto my left shoulder before slamming the door and heading towards the parking area. I walked towards the door and found a grey Audi waiting for me. I hurried down the three steps towards the car.

A man emerged from the car as I approached and he smiled at me. His hair was flecked with grey and he was clothed in a black suit with polished shoes. I stopped a metre in front of him, extending my hand as greeting.

"You must be Happy?"

"Yes, Miss Stark."

"Sage. You can just call me Sage."

He nodded courtly before opening the door to the backseat for me. I slipped inside and the door closed before Happy got in behind the wheel. He put the car into gear and started towards the Avengers Tower. He stopped in a fancy garage, clad in technology before leading me towards the main room.

As we closed in on the conference room I could hear the soft drone of voices. They were talking about a mission involving Thanos, a portal and the Chitauri. We reached the top of the stairs and Happy sharply turned to me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Stay here."

The voices were more audible for a milisecond until the door shut again. The voices sounded distant and soft yet still loud enough for me to hear.

"Now, I'd like to introduce you to our newest Avenger," I heard my father say, "my daughter, Sage..."

I inhaled steadily before stepping through the doorway. The room fell silent and every pair of eyes were burning into my flesh. Happy pulled me to stand next to my father as I stared at the heroes who were seated around a big, conference table. My gaze fell upon Peter, sitting dumbfounded next to a redhaired, slender woman.

"Peter?" I choked out.

"Sage?" He rose from his chair.

"You two know each other?" My father swiftly looked at Peter then glanced at me.

"Yes, we... ummm... met at school today."

If the room wasn't quiet before, it was now. I stared at everyone nervously. I could feel my heart pounding against my ribcage and the thought of it actually exploding in my chest made me even more uneasy.

"Anyway," my father discreetly cleared his throat, "Sage's powers are elemental control. Which means she can manipulate air, earth, fire and water. Let me introduce you, Sage."

My father placed his palm on the small of my back and led me towards the table. "This is Agent Romanoff. The Black Widow," he pointed to the redhaired woman who gave me a smile, although I think it might have been slightly forced.

"This is Bruce Banner, more commonly known as the Hulk," he pointed to a rather grey-haired man who lowered his head in respect in my presence.

"This is Thor, god of Thunder and his brother, Loki, god of Mischief," he inclined his palm to a man with long, blonde hair and a man with raven-black, shoulder-length hair that framed his face.

Loki had a mischievous grin plastered on his face, his eyes captivating but dangerous to look at. Thor smiled charmingly at me and kissed my knuckles like a real gentleman.

"This man right here is Steve, or Cap as we like to call him. He is Captain America," my dad smiled at a middle-aged man with a head of blonde hair who spared me a dashing smile, showcasing his beautiful white teeth.