Not as she seems

33. The Secret Killer

After Christmas and New Year's, Aspen went back to teaching her students. She didn't notice Gatlin standing by the door.

"My friend, Peter once told me that, 'With great power, comes great responsibility'. What does that mean exactly? Well, whether you have control over the U.S. or control of S.H.E.I.L.D or if you can do the things that I can, basically, if you have the power to do good, use it. You can't ignore. You just can't. If you do, and then the bad things happen, they happen because of you", Aspen said.

"Not all powers can be used for good. Even if you tried. Not mine, at least", Bobbi said.

"You're just struggling to control it. You can still do good. Look at me. Actually, here's a better example", Aspen said. "Wanda. She has made mistakes in the past and I mean, Lagos. But during all those other fights, like Sokovia, Thanos and many other missions, she saved people. She helped people and helped save the world. Her magic is literally chao magic, but she's a hero. And can be too".

--

After classes, Aspen went to the kitchen. She was surprised to find the kitchen empty.

She grabbed a salad from the fridge. She turned around to see Gatlin standing by the doorway.

"That was a very inspirational speech", Gatlin said.

"Their confidence is low, they need someone to build them up. They needed to hear it. They needed the truth", Aspen said.

"You're one to talk", Gatlin said. Aspen looked at him. "Do they know the truth? That you're a monster?"

"What are you talking about?" Aspen asked. Just then, Thadden and Revera came into the room.

"You were born with powers. You were chaotic. So chaotic that you destroyed your own mother", Gatlin said.

"What? No. That's not true. I saved her from the burning house-" Thadden was cut off by Gatlin.

"That Aspen caught on fire".

Aspen shook her head in disbelief. "I-I didn't mean to. I don't remember, but I know I didn't mean to", Aspen said.

"Shut it!" Gatlin shouted. He grabbed Aspen by the throat. "You're not helping those children. You're turning them into weapons".

"No. I'm not", Aspen said as Gatlin chokes her. Tears fell down her face.

"Let her go!" Revera shouted as she tried to pull Gatlin away from Aspen. Gatlin pushes Revera. Her head bangs into the table. Rev fell unconscious.

"Stop it, mate", Thadden said, pointing his knife at Gatlin. "I don't believe she did it on purpose. She was just a baby".

"I don't care. She killed Rayna. Now, I want her dead", Gatlin said.

"Let her go!" Thadden shouted. Aspen was starting to turn pale.

"Hey!"

Gatlin turned around to see Tony, standing next to Thadden. Steve, Natasha and Yelena ran into the room.

"Get away from my Goddaughter", Tony said. He punched Gatlin in the face.

Gatlin lets go of Aspen. Aspen inhales sharply and coughs. "Tony", Aspen said in a raspy voice.

"Shh. Don't talk", Tony said.

"Oh my god. Rev", Yelena said. She ran towards Revera, who remained unconscious.

Natasha ran towards Gatlin before he attacked Aspen. Natasha kicked him into the wall. Natasha got onto his back and puts him in a choke hold.

"Yelena!" Natasha shouted. Yelena ran towards them. Aspen ran towards Revera as Yelena kicked the back of Gatlin's knee. Gatlin fell to his knees.

"Stay down. Stay down!" Natasha demanded to . "If you touch Aspen again, I swear to you, on my life, I will kill you".

Wanda and Loki walked into the room. "What's happening?" Wanda asked. She noticed Revera on the ground. Wanda rushed over to her. "What happened?"

"Gatlin tried to kill Aspen", Steve said.

Wanda glared at Gatlin. Her eyes turned red.

"Well, then, I can kill him now", Loki said. He pulled out his dagger.

"He says I murdered my mom with my powers. When I was a baby", Aspen said.

Everyone looked at Aspen. "Whatever happened, you didn't do it on purpose. You were just a baby", Thadden said.

"Don't lie to her! Look what she's doing! She's turning children into Soliders", Gatlin said.

"I'm not! I swear wouldn't do that! Just because you're such a miserable, coldhearted man, doesn't mean everyone else should suffer!" Aspen shouted.

"I'm going to take Rev to her room. I would suggest you take Aspen to her's. I'll let you all take care of him", Wanda said.

Wanda grabs Revera. "Do you need help?" Steve asked.

Wanda smiled. "I got it. Thanks", Wanda said. She left the room with Revera unconscious in her arms. Yelena stared after them.

Natasha looked at Yelena. "Do you want to be apart of the interrogation? You can play bad cop", Natasha said.

"Actually...I-I'm-I think I'll go with Wanda", Yelena said. Natasha was surprised to hear her stutter. Yelena never stutters.

Before Natasha could ask, Yelena walked out of the room. "Come on, Aspen", Tony said. Tony and Aspen walked out of the room, leaving Steve, Thadden, Loki and Natasha to deal with Gatlin.