Book One of the Shadows Series: Shadow of Redemption

Trust and Trials

The sun was just beginning to rise over the Avengers Compound, casting a golden hue over the training grounds. Sera stood at the edge of the training mat, her muscles taut with anticipation. Today was another training session, and she was determined to push herself harder, to regain the strength and control she had lost. Bucky stood across from her, his expression a mix of sternness and encouragement. "Ready, Sera?" he asked, his voice steady.

Sera nodded, her brown hair tied back tightly, blue eyes sharp with focus. "Ready."

They started with basic hand-to-hand combat. Sera's movements were swift but lacked the fluidity she once had. Every punch, every kick, was met with resistance from her own body, a frustrating reminder of how far she still had to go.

"Don't overthink it," Bucky advised, blocking a punch. "Let your instincts guide you."

Sera gritted her teeth and nodded, trying to follow his advice. But every movement felt sluggish, every step heavy. Her frustration was palpable.

Nearby, Yelena watched, arms crossed. She had been hesitant to take on a mentorship role, fearing she would mess things up. But seeing Sera's determination, she felt a surge of protective instinct. "Come on, Sera, you're better than this," she called out. "Focus!"

Sera shot her a quick glare but took the advice to heart. She adjusted her stance and threw another punch, this time landing it solidly on Bucky's side. He grunted but smiled. "That's more like it."

The training session continued, with Sera gradually finding her rhythm. However, as they sparred, Sera suddenly stumbled, her body feeling inexplicably heavy. Her vision blurred, and she felt a strange sensation in her hands. Bucky caught her before she hit the ground, concern etched on his face. "Sera, what's happening?"

Sera tried to speak, but her throat was dry, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. She felt a strange sensation in her hands and looked down to see golden orbs forming, a manifestation of her powers that she didn't understand. Panic set in.

"I...I don't know," she managed to say, her voice trembling.

Bucky looked around, desperate for help. "Someone get Doctor Strange!"

Within moments, Stephen Strange arrived, his expression calm but serious. He examined Sera, his fingers tracing the golden orbs. "The same thing is happening as yesterday. Interesting," he murmured. "Her powers are reacting to her emotional state."

Sera felt the world tilting around her, her strength draining rapidly. "Make it stop," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Strange nodded, his hands glowing as he cast a calming spell. The orbs dissipated, but Sera was still weak, her body barely able to support her. "She needs rest," Strange said, looking at Bucky. "And we need to figure out what's going on with her powers."

Bucky nodded, lifting Sera into his arms. "I'll take her to her room."

As they walked through the compound, Bucky encountered several of the Avengers. Clint, Shuri, and the Langs all expressed their concerns, their faces etched with worry.

"Is she okay?" Shuri asked, her scientific curiosity piqued.

"We're figuring it out," Bucky replied, his tone guarded. "She just needs some rest."

In Sera's room, Bucky gently laid her down on the bed. She looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with exhaustion and confusion. "James? Why does this keep happening?" Bucky didn't know how to answer. "I-I'm not sure, Sera. But I think that Doctor Strange is working on figuring it out." Her eyebrows were tight with worry. Then, a sad expression took over her face. "HYDRA was right about one thing," she whispered. "I really am nothing without them." Then, she was out. Her breathing evened, signaling to Bucky she was asleep. But her words stuck with him. They had told him the same thing whenever he questioned them. They'd have to tell him that he was a savior to mankind by doing what he did. He was respected because of the Winter Soldier. But he now knows that that isn't the case. He just added helping Sera see this, too, to his list of things to help the girl with. It was already long enough to touch the floor.

Once he was completely sure that she was asleep, he tucked her in and shut the door behind him. As he headed back to the main meeting room in the compound, he ran into Yelena.

As he stepped into the hallway, he ran into Yelena. She looked at him, her expression a mix of concern and guilt. "How is she?"

"She's resting," Bucky replied, his voice strained. "Can I trust you to help her tonight if she needs it?"

Yelena sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah. You can trust me," she said and he smiled. He thanked her silently and it was almost like there wasn't an escaped HYDRA weapon a few doors down. There was no pressure, only their usual, light atmosphere. "Can you grow your hair back out?" she asked innocently.

"What? Why?"

"I need someone to practice on." Then they laughed. Really laughed. For them, laughing came off and on. Often, it wasn't real. But when it was just them, everything was genuine.

"I think you're doing a great job on your own," he admitted, pulling on one of the braids. She swatted his hand away like a little kid, and put out her arm. He wrapped his around her's and they made their way to the meeting room together, laughing and sharing jokes like no one was watching. Maybe this was a good premonition. A glimpse of a promising and happy future.