"We're not going to be able to beat Loki, we just need to distract him until we get everyone to safety" Peter says after thirty minutes of uncomfortable silence. Loki is way too powerful to beat that's for sure, but he's also intelligent. It's going to take a good plan to be able to distract him.
I glance out the window, how do we distract him? I spot a bunch of people who look around my age sitting around in the sun, all laughing and smiling. What would it be like to be like that? I know everyone has their own problems, but I don't think they have to worry about being killed by a god or saving their friends.
"We don't need a distraction" Scarlett replies, her hands tightening on the steering wheel. "You're giving him what he wants."
I blink. The whole point of teaming up with Scarlett was so we didn't hand her over to be mind-controlled or murdered, I doubt Loki had good intentions in mind. "Scarlett, the reason I came to you is so we didn't have to hand you over."
I glance at Peter, but I can't tell what he's thinking. I don't think he cares about what happens to Scarlett, I'm not sure I should either. But the simple truth is I can't move on from Scarlett, no matter how hard I try.
"Why do you care what happens to me? I'm the monster who tried to kill you" Scarlett says, rolling her eyes. She doesn't take her eyes off the road. Her knuckles are turning white from how hard she's gripping the steering wheel. I frown, unsure what Scarlett is currently thinking.
"That you are" Peter mutters but loud enough for both of us to hear. I can't really blame Peter for how he views Scarlett, he never met the Scarlett I knew, a part of me wonders if she really existed. I have to believe she did, because otherwise I'm clinging to a ghost that was never real.
"No one is giving Loki anyone, okay? Just because you gave up on me doesn't mean I don't care" I say, the sad truth is I still have my desire to keep Scarlett from harm, it may have lessened a little, but it is there. However, if it came over to Scarlett or Peter, or Scarlett or Clover, I wouldn't hesitate to pick Peter or Clover, they are the people who are most important to me.
I glance at the address on my phone, it's an apartment building of all places. I have no idea why Loki is picking such random places, but they might not be random to him. The apartment building doesn't look special or interesting, just an average red-brick apartment. The top floors have a balcony, and I can see lots of plants sitting on the balconies.
"I didn't give up on you" Scarlett says quietly, finally turning to face me. Her face is emotionless, but I can see fear in her eyes, I just don't know if it's fear for Henry or fear she's lost me for good, which she has in a way. I can't go back to how we were, not after her trying to kill me, that's not something I can forget anytime soon. "I did what I had to do to succeed and stay alive. You were protected by your parents, but most of us don't have anyone else." I bite my lip, realising I never thought of it like that. Scarlett had nowhere to run to and I can't fault her for not trusting the avengers, I told Steve and Tony to drop trying to get Scarlett because I feared she'd end up in a cell. Ashton came and did get locked up.
"Why would we trust you? You bombed a hospital" Peter reminds Scarlett. I nod, that is a pretty unforgivable crime. I can't forgive myself for what I did, and I didn't know, Scarlett knew and made the choice to do it anyway. I close my eyes, remembering Fury showing me the building in flames, people trying to run out, knowing they wouldn't escape. I caused so much pain, I'll never be an avenger, I don't deserve to be one.
"I had to look out for myself. If I refused, if I showed any loyalty to Storm, I'd be arrested" Scarlett replies. It's a selfish attitude, but sometimes that's the only way to survive. If the world turns it's back on you, turn your back on the world.
"You bashed Storm's head in, tried to drag her back to the x-men to get tortured, wrote an email planning her death, and pinned Mystique's death on her, and now we're supposed to believe you care?" Peter says, he has a point. Scarlett's shown that she puts Scarlett first, I have no doubt she will betray us if it means her and Henry's survival, I just hope she can prove me wrong, no matter how doubtful I am.
I glance out the window as we near the city, my heart racing. I wish I could somehow tell Clover that we're close, that I'm coming to save her and MJ. I hope I get a chance to tell and show her just how much she means to me.
I glance at Scarlett's necklace, she put it on before we left. She's probably thinking the same thing about Henry, hoping she'll still be able to marry him once this is all over. I couldn't imagine how I'd feel if Clover asked me to marry her and then disappeared the next day.
"Storm, we need to get Clover and MJ, whatever it takes" Peter says firmly. They are my priority, I went to Scarlett to help, not because I cared about her more than I cared for MJ or Clover. I think I care about Clover more than I've ever cared about anyone.
"Whatever it takes" I repeat firmly without hesitation. I just wish we had more of a chance, Loki's going to be hard – if not impossible to beat. I take a deep breath, if we can successfully trick Loki, we'll have a small chance at pulling this off, but it will take everything we've got.
Scarlett stops driving as we get closer. "We should stop here, we don't need him hearing a car and seeing us" she says, she's right. Scarlett's invisibility power will be great for getting her into the building, it's just a shame she can't project it onto us. Still, Peter can easily swing in, and I can fly in, so there is a chance of getting in unnoticed.
"I'll go in and distract Loki, then you get everyone out" Scarlett says firmly, she shows me a small bracelet and fastens it around my wrist. I glance at it, it's gold with a butterfly charm. Scarlett shows me a matching one on her left wrist. "It'll let me know when you're out."
"Scar, are you sure?" I ask, feeling uncomfortable with her plan. Loki could kill or brainwash her in seconds, it's not a very secure plan. "Why don't we break in together?" A part of me is also uncomfortable letting Scarlett go off on her own, there's every chance she could just free Henry and flee.
"It's Loki, the only thing he might not expect is for you to let me be the bait. Just get Henry out" Scarlett tells me. I nod, seeing her point. We need to do whatever it takes if we want to save everyone, we all came knowing we need to risk our lives and might die.
*Author's Note* What do you think will happen?
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Beautiful Ruins
Action"Maybe there was a fleeting moment where I wanted to be a hero and believed I could be one, but the truth is I'm not, I won't ever be. My past does define me, it made me a villain" - Storm. Fifteen-year-old Storm is the daughter of Black Widow and I...
