Broken Realities

One More...

They walked out the cave to see Hades and Persephone standing at the entrance. Persephone grinning and she clapped when she saw Zoe and Bucky emerge from the cave. Hades just stood there with a goofy smile on his face and total look of love while looking at his wife who happiness meant everything to him. "Zoe my dear I am so glad to see you have been reunited with your soulmate and my my he is handsome and those eyes so blue it's like the color came from the sky it's self" said Persephone with a flirt grin. Bucky turn bright red and Hades cleared his throat. Zoe gripped Bucky hand tightly and he squeezed her's in return. Hades lean in a gave a kiss to his wife and then turned to Zoe and Bucky "Now as nice as this visit has been I do believe it is time for you to return to home" said Hades firmly. Zoe nodded "Thank you Uncle for allowing me to come here and get Bucky and for all else you have done" said Zoe with a curtsy and Bucky bowed. Hades just waved his hand "You're welcome niece besides you returned a creature I have long been seeking so it was a fair exchange but" said Hades hesitantly.

Zoe and Bucky who hadn't taken their eyes off each other snapped both of their head at the sound of Hades hesitation. Zoe tilted her head "Uncle what do you mean but...? questioned Zoe. Hades grimaced but with encouragement from Persephone. Hades began to speak "In order for you both to leave together and return to earth you have one more trial to go through" said Hades. Bucky groaned and Zoe shook her head "What the hell do you mean another trial?" asked Zoe tensely Bucky squeezed her hand and she looked at him with his azure gaze that gives her so much comfort. She turned back to Hades who just sighs " When a soul leaves the underworld without a body it has to have something to attach like another body so you two will not be able to let go of each other or look back "answered Hades. Zoe eyes just widened and she nodded "That's not too bad .."said Zoe as looked at Hades who frowned and shook his head "That's not all you still have fight the doubts and the fears that you have deep within your souls" said Hades darkened tone. Bucky gripped Zoe hand knowing that with his soul and his past this would be no easy task. He alone the fears and the doubts would be overwhelming. Zoe just cried "Haven't I been through enough why do I have to fight for just any type of happiness" snapped Zoe anger and frustration just flowing throughout her body. The ground began to shake almost knocking Persephone to the ground but Hades caught her. Zoe took deep breaths and rushed to her "Persephone I am so sorry I am still trying to get use to my powers" said Zoe. But Hades and Persephone just looked at her in wonder "You are fine, it is astonishing to see your powers at work for not even Zeus has powers to make the underworld shake."said Hades in amazement.

Zoe shrugged "I will try and be careful and not use them here Uncle, but how do Bucky and I have to fight these physically or will they just be in our heads?" asked Zoe firmly. Hades just shook his head "No physical just psychological" answered Hades. Bucky began to shake his head "I can't live through that again...my heart can't handle it" started Bucky panicking and breathing heavily. He closed his eyes but he felt two soft hands on the side of his face and Zoe's comforting scent of  Jasmine and Vanilla coming to him so closely. "Bucky....listen to me" Zoe whispered. Bucky opened his eyes to see her warm brown ones with the highlights of gold scattered throughout them. "Zoe..." Bucky gasped softly. Zoe pressed her forehead to his and the sighed she moved hand off his cheek and grabbed his hand moving it to her heart. Zoe gripped his hand "Do you feel that?" she asked. Bucky just looked at her confused and she pressed it his hand more firmly into her chest. "Do you feel my heart beating, that strong and steadiness that's is for you my heart beats for you" she says softly before leaning in and giving him a gentle kiss. "We can get through this together Bucky, this will be hard for both us. My heart will beat for the both of us and we will give each other the pull or push that the other may need" said Zoe firmly.

Bucky just lost for words and just nodded "Lead the way Angel" said Bucky giving her a kiss. Hades just smirked at them " Alright you too just remember your love and your bond and don't look back just forward" said Hades. Zoe and Bucky nodded and held on together tightly. Persephone stepped forward " Niece tell my father I am well and give my sisters and my mother a hug for me will you?" asked Persephone. Zoe nodded and smiled " Of course Aunt" answered Zoe. Hades guided them to the gates of his palace. "Farewell you two and I hope not to see you two for a very very very long time" said Hades. Zoe smiled "Ditto" responded Zoe before waving and then grabbed Bucky's hand lead the way towards the river.

They had only gotten a little bit a way from the palace when Zoe saw what looked like Hydra soldiers coming their way. "Bucky close your eyes" she said under her breath he didn't even questioned her at all and closed his eyes. The soldiers got closer they began shouting "There he is get him, we need him in the chair" yelled one of them. Bucky began to pull back but Zoe held firmly. "Don't listen, just hold on to my hand" said Zoe but she didn't look back. "Get the soldat and kill the girl" snapped one of the men. Zoe held firm and Bucky gripped her like his life depended on it. Zoe just looked ahead and then just walked past the men. The soldiers tried to get near them but were held back by some type of force. They keep shouting awful things but soon they were behind them. " Bucky you can open your eyes they are gone" she said to him

Zoe walked along a little more when she stopped so quickly that Bucky bumped into her. He looked a head to see a young blonde girl smirking them. "Who is that doll?" He asked. Zoe groaned "That's my adoptive sister Nicole" answered Zoe with disgust on her face. Bucky lean in and kissed her cheek "You got this Angel she's not real and she is nothing compared to you" whispered Bucky. Zoe said nothing but just gripped Bucky's hand.  They got closer  "Well look here comes the orphan and man time hasn't been kind to you sooo old and  why is such a gorgeous man with an ugly freak like you?" asked Nicole with disbelief on her face. Zoe grip her free hand  but held her head high. Nicole moved on " You know after mom and dad kicked you out they had a party celebrating finally getting rid of the burden that you had caused our family" laughed Nicole with a wicked grin following them "Mom said that they never should have adopted you and the only reason why they did is so it made them look good to the voters for dad's campaign" snapped Nicole. "They never loved you and were glad to finally get rid of the trash just like your real parents did.." laughed Nicole. Zoe stopped and turned to Nicole looking at this girl who had been the voice of all her doubts and insecurities for most of her life. Zoe walked up to Nicole and looked her directly in her eyes "Shut the fuck up you stupid bitch" snapped Zoe. Nicole went to say something but Zoe hand was up glowing purple shutting the girl up.
"I am not done talking, now I was mostly silent growing up listening to your words and dealing with all the hate just because I was the Freak and the Orphan. But I not going to listen anymore because I am freakin amazing and I finally found out who I truly am" said Zoe proudly. Nicole's eyes narrowed and she started yelling but nothing came out. Zoe just smiled "I am the daughter of brilliant man who died trying to protect me who loved me so much he was going to break his marriage for me. I am daughter of mother who sacrificed so much so that I could survive by giving me up even though it broke her heart and soul. I am sister to man who never gave up really looking for me and was so happy when I returned to him and wanted to see me shine, I am the goddess of souls" said Zoe firmly but continued "I may have been burden to your family but I found a family who loves me despite all my faults and I don't have to earn it they just love me just because" said Zoe said tears following down her face. She closed her eyes before turning to Nicole "Good bye Nicole I hope you get the life that you deserve" said Zoe with a smile and she walked away pulling Bucky along and leaving Nicole behind them.

Bucky didn't say anything till a few minutes later when he spoke up. "You know doll you were so hot back there totally being a boss babe and taking charge" he said in a husky voice tone. Zoe just smirked " Oh you like it when women takes control huh we might have to try that later on" replied Zoe firmly. Bucky began to cough and his eyes widened at the women before him. "I always thought a women in control was the way to go" said Zoe with a small laugh. Bucky got directly behind her and wrapping his free arm around her waist. " Oh Angel do we have a naughty side" he whispered pressing a soft kiss on her ear.
Zoe took a deep breath but didn't look back and only nodded. Bucky got closer "I can't wait to see what you have in mind doll" he said in a heated tone gripping her closely. Zoe was about to say something when she hear aloud crash. They ran a head and both Zoe and Bucky gasped at the sight before it was car crashed into a tree Howard Stark lying on the ground. Maria Stark laying lifeless in the front seat and the Winter Solider holding on to a young girl who was crying. Both Zoe and Bucky just froze at the scene before them.

Author note: if you're curious about Zoe's life before there few prequel chapters in my Marvel images book. Competition, Journey to the Past and Disgraced.