Unforeseen¹

Chapter 45- Chasing shadows

29th May 2015

"They may or may not know we're coming, but we have a solid plan. Any divergences could put it all at risk. That means no gallivanting. If you come across anything unpredictable, then you report it through comms," Steve addressed them all in his Captainy voice.

"This isn't our first rodeo, Rogers," Tony rolled his eyes from where he fiddled with the wires inside his gauntlet.

"Not for all of us." He pointed his gaze toward the three recently appointed Avengers.

"I think they'll have it handled if your training has anything to do with it." Clint laughed as he jumped down the stairs from the Quinjet's cockpit.

"Yeah, training to sit out," Jayden muttered, crossing her arms with a scowl.

"None of that," Steve snapped. "We went through it yesterday."

"But-"

"No," he interrupted, shaking his head. "It's been decided. You should count your blessings that we allowed you to come at all."

"Unfair."

"You are a child. Not a soldier. It is your right to be here, but you will not fight," Steve tiredly explained, rubbing his eyes.

"Fighting is my right, too. This is Hydra."

"So you keep saying, Jadie," Tony critiqued, his exasperation clear. "We heard it all in the meeting. If our stances on the matter didn't change then, I'm not sure why you think today will be any different."

She sulked, her expression scrunched up. Stupid meeting. Stupid Avengers all being on the same page. Yesterday she tried, she really tried to change their minds, but not one of them budged. By the end, the adults were jaded by her persistence, reminded that she was still a child who bit back when she didn't get her own way.

"But you need me."

"I think we'll be fine."

"I helped against Ultron!"

"Ultron was a whole different ballpark, and you know it," Tony sniped. "Enough. I don't want to hear it."

She sulked, going limp in her seat with her arms crossed and glaring at the ceiling.

"This reminds me much of my own childhood," Thor chuckled, twirling Mjölnir as he stood in the middle of the jet. "My father often barred me from what I believed to be my right to battle. As a boy-"

"Yeah, no offence, Goldilocks, but this isn't the time for nostalgic story time."

"What is this Goldilocks you speak of?" he wondered through narrowed eyes. "Nevertheless, young Jayden, I shall tell you what my father did me: patience is a virtue. Before you battle, you must have the experience of living. Your time will come, and when it does, I have no doubt that you will be a great warrior."

She exhaled through her nose, and her face felt warm as she nodded, still annoyed but finally stepping down from her stubborn pedestal.

"That was surprisingly helpful," Theo blinked.

"Of course it was," Thor scoffed. "I am a god who has lived for over a thousand years. I know how the small taste of battle can allure the young ones." He mused and then suddenly studied her with great interest. "Despite that, you have grown much since I last saw you, young Jayden."

"Stop calling me young," she kicked her feet against the metal floor. "And it's only been two months. I can't have grown that much."

"Has it only been that long? Perhaps time works differently in the Nine Realms. Would you wish to hear of it?"