Father's Daughter

1.08

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Stark, we're losing altitude!" Fury's voice cuts through the comms, the tension in his voice unmistakable.

"Yeah. Noticed," Dad snaps back, his voice tight with focus as he continues to work on the rotor, struggling to get it back online.

Across the Helicarrier, Captain America is fighting fiercely, firing round after round to fend off Barton’s team. A sudden misstep—he blinks, losing his advantage—and before anyone can react, Steve's feet slip out from under him. He tumbles, sliding off the edge of the railing, but manages to grab onto a loose cable.

Without thinking, I leap into action. My staff appears in my hand, and I slam it into the ground, creating a shimmering shadow barrier that deflects the bullets aimed at Steve.

"Cap, hang on! I've got you covered!" I shout, my heart racing. My body thrums with adrenaline as I push my powers to their limit.

Steve looks up at me, his usual calm demeanor cracked with a sliver of gratitude. "Appreciate the assist, Lyra!" His voice is strained as he grips the cable tighter, using it to pull himself back up.

---

In the depths of the Helicarrier, Thor bursts into the detention section. His heart races as he sees Loki standing just outside his cell, seemingly ready to escape. "NO!" Thor’s voice booms, full of desperation, as he charges toward his brother.

But as Thor reaches Loki, his body passes through the trickster god—just an illusion. Thor's momentum carries him straight into the cell wall, leaving him confused and frustrated as the illusion dissipates.

The real Loki steps out from behind the cell door, which closes with a metallic clang, trapping Thor inside. A smirk curls at the corners of Loki's lips as he taunts his brother. "Are you ever not going to fall for that?"

Thor roars in fury, slamming his fists against the glass as Loki casually walks away.

---

I sense movement—Barton. He’s stalking down the catwalk, bow in hand, quick and lethal. His arrow is already nocked and aimed at Natasha. With fluid grace, she evades, turning their fight into a deadly hand-to-hand dance.

I materialize next to Natasha as Barton disarms her momentarily, pulling out a knife.

"Natasha, need a hand?" I quip, readying my staff, dark energy flickering around it.

"Definitely wouldn’t mind," she replies, keeping her gaze trained on Clint.

With a flick of my wrist, tendrils of shadow shoot from my staff, wrapping around Clint's wrist and yanking the knife from his hand. I throw it across the platform, watching it clatter harmlessly to the floor. Barton looks momentarily disoriented, and Natasha takes the opportunity to flip him over onto his back.

"Nice timing," Natasha says with a nod, her breath heavy from the exertion. I grin at her, but before I can respond, I feel the familiar pull of my father’s distress.

"Take care of him. I’ve got to go," I tell her before disappearing into the shadows.

---

Thor, still trapped in his cell, grips Mjölnir tightly. His anger and frustration are boiling over. With a furious roar, he slams the hammer against the glass.

The impact sends a violent tremor through the ship, but the glass only cracks. Loki, standing nearby, raises an eyebrow in caution. His guarding soldier looks just as unnerved.

"The humans think us immortal. Should we test that?" Loki taunts, walking toward the control panel with maddening calm.

Before Loki can press the button, the guarding soldier drops to the ground with a dull thud. Agent Coulson stands behind him, holding the Phase 2 weapon prototype.