Guardian (Captain America FF book 2)

Chapter 30: The death of an Avenger

Jade Aurora Lokidotter

I stood in the peaceful tranquility of the park. Enjoying my surroundings, a warm fall afternoon, families having picnics, children running around in the leaves, couples on dates. In mere seconds they would be running in fear due to a probable Hydra army.

I hadn't left any heart warming gifts for the others as I did last time. To much has changed. To much is different.

I had left a note on a shirt I had bought Steve years ago in DC. It was a sweet note but it was still something. I was going to miss him so much. I didn't want to die. Not at all. But it had to happen. I love Steve, and I want him to know that.

Suddenly there were screams of bystanders, people running towards the outskirts of the parks to escape. I remained still, knowing I had company.

I felt something stir deep in my chest. Something I despised. Fear. Actual fear. Emotion was still a new concept for me but I remembered all those years ago that emotion was natural. I saw Markus leading his men over the hill. Which was odd. Because Markus wasn't one to do his own dirty work. He usually had his goons do it.

I narrowed my eyes at him as he flashed a triumphant smirk at me. Markus knew he had won. But it was only because I yielded, so it didn't count. He and his one hundred and fifty troops reached me in no time at all. "Jade Quill. You have no idea how surprised I was to get your message." Markus said in his annoying voice.

I crossed my arms in disgust and hiss "Oh, believe me. I'm still getting over this myself." I tossed him a small USB of my own invention, after plugging it into any camera it would link to any devise in the USA. I didn't have time to invent one that would broadcast worldwide. But I left Tony a note so he could invent it.

"Plug it into a camera and it will broadcast nationwide." I explain, still not believing I was surrendering. Markus waves his hands, gesturing to me. His men surge forward and slap power inhibiting cuffs around my wrists and force me to my knees with my hands cuffed in front of me. A camera was quickly set up as Markus produced a sleek black gun. He looked all the more menacing with it.

The camera began rolling and Markus wasted no time. "Citizens of America. Do not be alarmed. For today marks an important day in human history. The death of Jade Quill. Yes. She was once an Avenger, whom you looked to for protection and guardianship. But she couldn't be more of a villain. She is responsible for many deaths. And she kneels here today ready to embrace her own death."

Markus turns to me, a sickening evil filled his eyes. "Any last words Quill?"
Smirking up at him. "See you in hell you bug eyed bastard." (Sorry. Had to use a Lost quote) Markus got pissed of with my statement and didn't hesitate to smack the butt of his gun across my face.

I winced in pain and spit blood on his shoe. I just wanted it to be over. I wanted a quick death, was that to
much to ask for? "This woman had escaped Hydras wrath one to many times. She will now pay the price for her actions and defying Hydra."

He cocked the gun, and spoke in an almost taunting time, as if he was sentencing me. "Farewell." Then it happened in slow motion. A shot fired, and instead of going through my skull and killing me instantly I felt excruciating pain in my abdomen. "That was for playing Hydra."

Another shot fired, sticky scarlet blood stained my white dress that now ordained two bullet holes.
"That was for the 1,609 people you have killed."

A third and final shot fired.
"And that was for relying on heroes to save your broken mind."

I groaned in pain as my body fell sideways. I lay there shaking in the grass glaring up at Markus "You lying sick son of a bitch! You promised!" Markus kicked me in the chest, causing me to roll a few feet. "It takes one to know one-" his words were cut short by a red, white and blue shield nailing him in the stomach.

I looked to my left and saw The Avengers fighting the Hydra troops and Steve sprinting towards me. Markus chuckled as he stood a few feet from an extremely angered Captain America. "You're too late. She is far past saving."

Steves eyes filled with rage as he seethed "No. You are." I struggled to remain awake I as I saw something I thought I'd never see. Steve killing in cold blood. Steve swiftly snapped Markus's neck, his body falling limp to the ground.

I erupted into a fit of coughing, blood spraying from my mouth as I did. Steve snapped out of his raving daze and rushed to my side, gently lifting me into his arms.

I clutch his suit with a cuffed hand, my body tense and rigid. "D-on't le-ave me." Steves eyes filled with tears, his hand stroking my cheek tenderly "I won't leave you. I promise. Just stay awake. Help us on the way."

I relaxed, my grip loosening on his suit. I could feel where the bullets had entered, it felt like someone stabbed me three times with a white hot pole. There was no saving me, at this point I would need a miracle.

"I'm sorry Steve. I'm-agh-so sorry." I sputtered, struggling with every word. Steve shook his head, his blue orbs filled with nothing but distraught. "Don't apologize. This isn't over. You're going to be just fine."

I shake my head, gripping Steves desperately. I didn't want to leave him, but I really had no choice at this point. "It's to late for me Steve. Ju-st promise me that yo-u will find someone else to start that family with."

Steve wasn't having any of what I was saying. Tears fell from his eyes, his rough fingers caressing my face in a gentle manor. "No. I won't. It's only you, and if you question it we will talk about it over dinner. Just stay awake, stay right here with me."

I coughed up more blood, letting out a strangled cry due to the excruciating pain of death. With little strength I lifted my bloodied hand and touched Steves face for the last time, before I said softly "Thank you for changing my world. I love you." Then everything got bright then darkened instantly. My hand fell from Steves cheek and I felt nothing but cold and darkness. I felt death.

Steve Rogers

Captain America

Her hand fell from my face, her eyes closed and her chest stopped falling and rising. "No! Jade, wake up! Please stay here with me! We can start that life, just please stay with me!" I sobbed, not excepting that she was gone. I lifted her into a sitting position on my lap, expecting Jade to wake up and tell me this was all a joke. Yet her head fell limp and her body was dead weight.

I held her body to my chest, cradling her as I cried. "I love you too Jade. I love you too." But she was to far gone to hear me. The others finished fighting off Hydra and hurried over to my sobbing form. When they saw all the blood and Jades limp body they knew she was gone.

Thor looked completely grief stricken as he asked with strain "My niece, has she-passed on?" I looked down at Jades hand, one of them still pressed against my chest as I replied "She's gone."

Medical units pulled up and rushed over with a gurney. I refused to give them Jade. Tony and Bucky held me back with struggle. "She's gone! There's nothing you can do!" I protested as they wheeled her back towards the transport unit. Once they loaded her up and pulled away I was released.

I dropped to my knees, sobbing. Hulk slowly turned back into Bruce, Tony kicked Markus's dead body across the park, Clint stood there solemnly as Natasha cried into him as her boyfriend, my best friend placed a hand on my shoulder. Thor finally said "I shall go speak to Loki." He spun his hammer and the Bifrost took him to Asgard.

"I'm sorry I failed you Jade. I'm so sorry."