Avengers: Infinity Witch | Bucky Barnes

4. Lines in the Sand

Millicent leaned back on the couch as she sat next to Wanda, reading through the Sokovian accords. She also listened intently on the debate Sam and Rhodes was having as Steve, Natasha, Tony and Vision laid back, trying to get their thoughts all together.

"Secretary Ross, has a Congressional Medal of Honor, which is one more than you have." Rhodes spat.

"So, let's say we agree to this thing," Sam questioned. "How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals, Ross basically threatened Mill in front all of us."

"One hundred and seventeen countries want to sign this," Rhodes announced. "A hundred and seventeen, Sam, and you're just like, 'No, that's cool. We got it.'"

"How long are you gonna play both sides?" Sam interjected, Millicent raised her head from the book.

"I have an equation." Vision cuts in.

"Oh, this will clear it up." Sam said, relieved as everyone's attention turned to Vision.

"In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate." Vision explained.

"You saying it's our fault?" Steve asked.

"Well, that's ignorantly assumed, Steve." Millicent said, almost in a whisper, but everyone heard what she said as a light chuckle escaped from Natasha's lips.

"I'm saying there may be a causality." Vision imposed, he clasped his hands together trying to convey his observation. "Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict... breeds catastrophe. Oversight. Oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand."

"Tony, you're being uncharacteristically non-hyperverbal." Natasha said, as Tony scoffed.

"It's because he's already made up his mind." Steve cuts in.

"Boy, you know me so well," Tony retorted, as he painfully stood from the couch and walked to the near kitchen sink, grabbing a mug. "Actually, I'm nursing my electromagnetic headache. That's what's going on, Cap. It's just pain, and discomfort."

Tony swiped his holographic phone from his pocked and previewed a picture of a man.

"Oh, that's Charles Spencer by the way," He revealed. "A great kid. Computer engineering degree. 3.6 GPA. Had a floor-level gig at Intel planned for the fall," Tony went on as everyone stared at the picture of the boy. "But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul, before he parked it behind a desk. See the world, maybe be of service. But Charlie didn't want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer, building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where, Sokovia".

A deathly silence swept over the room, before Tony continued.

"He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass," He swallowed a aspirin and drowned a cup of water. "There's no decision making process here. We need to be put in check! And whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're bounderless, we're no better than the bad guys."

After the meeting, Steve received a phone call and quickly left the headquarters.

********

Millicent stayed in her seat, her brow furrowed as she replayed the discussion in her mind. The weight of the Sokovia Accords pressed down on her, and Tony's words, especially about Charles Spencer, struck a chord. Yet, something in her resisted the notion of being controlled by the government.

Wanda tapped her shoulder gently, snapping her out of her thoughts. 

"Hey, want to blow off some steam? Vision's been helping me refine my energy manipulation. Maybe it could help you too."

Millicent hesitated but nodded. "Sure. It might clear my head."

********

The trio moved to the Avengers' training room, a sleek, open space with reinforced walls and state-of-the-art equipment. Vision floated gracefully in the center, his calm presence setting a steady tone. Wanda stood nearby, a quiet intensity in her eyes as her crimson energy swirled lightly around her fingers.

"Your energy is remarkably versatile," Vision began as Millicent stepped forward. "But it lacks... focus. Much like Wanda's once did."

Wanda smiled faintly. "Trust me, it took time. Lots of trial and error. Let's start simple—force fields. They're the foundation for everything else."

Millicent extended her hands, summoning a shimmering barrier of bright purple energy. It flickered slightly, then solidified, but cracks ran along its surface. 

"Ugh," she groaned. "It's not stable."

"Don't worry about perfection," Wanda encouraged. "Feel the energy, don't try to control it too much. Let it flow naturally, then guide it."

Millicent closed her eyes, breathing deeply. The purple barrier reformed, smoother this time, its surface glimmering like polished glass. Vision nodded in approval. 

"Excellent. Now, let's test its resilience."

He gently launched a small energy blast from the yellow stone in his forehead, at the field. It held, though it shimmered with the impact. 

"Good," Vision said. "Now, reduce the size and reinforce it. Smaller fields are stronger."

Millicent focused, shrinking the barrier until it became a tight dome around her. When Vision sent a stronger blast, the field absorbed it completely. A grin broke across Millicent's face.

"I think I'm getting the hang of this."

Wanda stepped forward, conjuring an orb of scarlet red energy. 

"Next, let's work on precision. Energy blasts aren't just about power, they're about accuracy. You don't always need to overpower, sometimes, a precise strike is all it takes."

Millicent mimicked Wanda, forming a glowing sphere of purple energy in her hand. She aimed at a target across the room, releasing the blast. It hit off-center, leaving only a glancing scorch mark.

"Better than my first try," Wanda said with a chuckle. "But focus. Picture the target in your mind. Let the energy follow your intent."

Millicent tried again, this time imagining the exact center of the target. The blast struck dead-on, leaving a smoking hole.

"Impressive," Vision said. "Your energy is incredibly potent. With refinement, it could rival the most advanced forms of manipulation I've seen."

As the session wound down, Millicent leaned against the wall, catching her breath. Wanda handed her a bottle of water, and they sat together in comfortable silence.

"You know," Wanda said softly, "this isn't easy for any of us. The Accords, the guilt... Sometimes it feels like it's too much."

Millicent nodded. "Tony's speech... it got to me. I mean, he's not wrong. People like us can do a lot of damage. But letting someone else control us? What if they're wrong?"

Wanda sighed. "That's what scares me too. I've seen what happens when powerful people misuse control."

Millicent stared at her hands, faint traces of purple mixed with golden light still dancing across her fingertips. 

"I just... I want to protect people. But I want to do it my way. Not because someone told me to."

Vision floated over, his voice as calm as ever. "Your intentions are noble, Millicent. But remember, power without discipline can be as dangerous as no power at all. These sessions will help you find that balance."

Millicent smiled faintly. "Thanks, Vis. And thank you, Wanda. I really I needed this."

Wanda placed a hand on her shoulder. "We're in this together. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out."

As they left the training room, Millicent felt a renewed sense of purpose. She didn't have all the answers yet, but she was determined to keep growing, to keep fighting—not just for herself, but for the people who couldn't fight for themselves.