Lieutenant - Daughter of the Captain

Chapter 15.0 - Calm

"Sir, the girl is conscious, but in distress," J.A.R.V.I.S Spoke up in Tony's earpiece.

"Tell her to sit tight, I've gotta keep these things contained," He ordered the A.I.. It was Steve who spoke next.

"Stark, what've you got?" He didn't need to elaborate, his tone was telling enough.

"She's in the tower, unharmed and operating of her own free will, but not entirely conscious. And Cap-" Tony didn't get to finish, Steve already giving orders.

"Good, we'll keep her there, she'll be safer off the streets," He said, obviously forming a game plan for defending the city.

"Cap, you should know-" Tony was once again interrupted, this time by Loki's alien minions attacking. He sighed, deciding it wasn't the time.

"Let's get to work,"

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The vast expanse of space...
Trillions of stars, planets, and galaxies...

She could see them all. She could see the universe being made, each element erupting into existence right before her very eyes.

And she could hear a voice in her head.

She couldn't understand what they were saying...they seemed to switch from entirely foriegn tongues, as if trying to find the correct one.

Then, she could understand.

...Child...

She went to respond, but all of the sudden six glowing stones appeared in front of her.

They moved as if they were sentient, creating a circle around her.

They radiated power, and though she couldn't tell how, she could feel it. One of the stones in particular pulled at her. Not physically, though she subconsciously got closer as she noticed the pull become stronger.

It pulled at her mind, urging her to do...something...

She reach for it, and everything went quiet. The other stones dissapeared and all she could think of was holding this stone in her hand.

But as soon as she did, it was all over.

The galaxies, that stars, the stones all vanished into thin air...

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Natasha was already there when Tony and Steve arrived. She had the Scepter pointed at a prone Loki.

She locked eyes with Steve, and nodded to the bar, not moving from her position as the other Avengers all began to take up their weapons and direct them at the god.

He rounded the counter, and froze at the sight.

He had gotten used to the strong, capable girl he was introduced to.

To see her unconscious, whimpering form tucked behind the counter with tears staining her face, was almost enough to bring tears to his own eyes.

"Cap..?" Natasha called, concerned when she noticed him pause.

He snapped from his stupor, glancing over his shoulder, but not responding. He finally approached her, coming to kneel beside her on the floor.

"Cap, wait," It was Tony who spoke up this time, and Steve turned to see him standing behind him, with a hesitant look on his face. He sighed.

"She's different, now...the Scepter did something to her," He tried to keep his words vague, not entirely sure how to explain it.

Natasha heard them speaking from across the room, locking eyes with Clint. He shook his head as if to deny what she implied, but the concerned look they both sported did not fade.