R͟u͟t͟h͟l͟e͟s͟s͟ {Q͟u͟i͟c͟k͟s͟i͟l͟v͟e͟r͟/ A͟v͟e͟n͟g͟e͟r͟s͟}

Chapter 27: Beginnings

"Whoa," I breathed, looking around in wonder. "How did-"

"The people who are resistant to Wanda's powers are pretty cool, to say the least." Steve said, smiling as we looked around in awe. "They're all incredibly talented or strong. Not to mention, most of them are brilliant."

We were standing in a lab featuring the greatest, newest, and most advanced technology I'd ever seen. From holograms to what looked like the beginnings of a portal, the entire place was futuristic and surreal. Everything glistened and test tubes and gears filled every corner. I shook myself out of it. Was this a dream?

"How in the world did you get access to these things?" Bruce seemed just as awed as we were, "The rest of the city is in ruins!" Bruce seriously looked thrilled about this new development. It was the first time I'd seen him happy for a while. He was completely speechless. "You have some of the rarest chemicals on Earth!"

"We have lots of connections. Almost all of the Invulnerables are also incredibly famous, and needless to say, rich. They had no trouble donating materials." Steve's smile turned to a frown. "But, speaking of rare chemicals on Earth..." He turned back to face Tony, gripping his shield tighter and looking serious. "Remember what this is made of?"

"Of course I do," Tony looked suspicious, "What's that got to do with anything?"

"Guess who just found a secret stash?" Steve joked dryly, "Maximoff."

Pietro raised his eyebrows.

"Wanda. Maximoff, I mean," Steve corrected.

"That's impossible. Your shield, it was the last of it," Tony argued, "Dear old dad used to talk about it all the time."

"Well, apparently not. We've heard reports of 'armor that can't be penetrated', 'tanks that don't take a hit', even-"

"I get the point. Are you sure they're not using titanium?"

"Can't be sure, but-"

"Tungsten?"

"Well, I would think-"

"Osmium?" Tony pressed.

Steve looked overwhelmed. "Hey, I can't be sure. All I know is that people of had heard rumors of incredibly, almost impossibly, strong metal and the reports say Wanda's in Africa, specifically-"

"No... Ugh. Let me guess. Wakanda?" Tony asked, sounding frustrated. I could tell he felt like pacing. "Steve, this is bad. Really bad. Vibranium... Ugh, this is terrible."

"Well, thanks for clearing this all up for us, boys," Clint said sarcastically, "I'm feeling very educated on your so called vibranium."

Tony took a tense, deep breath and looked at Clint. "Cap's shield? Made of the strongest metal on Earth. Vibranium. It's indestructible, virtually. It soaks in the sound and energy waves around it without noticeably moving the molecules on the inside. Amazing, really." Bruce looked fascinated. "Comes from a small country in Africa, Wakanda. I thought we'd used the rest of it up on his shield." Frustrated, he closed his eyes, pulled himself together, and opened them. "Fighting against Vibranium... Well, it's a losing battle to say the least. If Cap's right, and Wanda has it, I mean."

"We better hope I'm not," Steve folded his arms, pressing his mouth into a tight line.

Nervously, I got to a probably more optimistic point. "So, Steve, do you have a plan?" I asked calmly, trying to control my nerves.

Steve made a disappointed noise. "Everybody here has different ideas about what we should do. And everyone here is someone important, so they think they should have the right to lead. Standing up and figuring out what's right... I would love to do it, but doing it would just cause more divisions among us."