conquer • wanda maximoff

「ONE 」

CHAPTER ONE ; NOVOCAINE

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MAY 5TH, 2012

ONE DAY AFTER
THE BATTLE OF NEW YORK

THE AVENGERS STOOD around Thor and a handcuffed, muzzled Loki as the two prepared to leave for Asgard with the Tesseract. Ayana stood alongside Tony, feeling almost under dressed as she did. He was wearing one of his suits which probably cost more money than she'd ever had in her life, and she wore a simple sweater and jeans.

Thor gave the group one final nod before he turned the handle on the containment chamber. A blinding beam of light illuminated the scene and disappeared, taking the two Gods to the other end of space with it.

"Can't say I'm going to miss Loki," Ayana said, gazing into the sky after the pair.

"I dunno, he kinda grows on you," Tony shrugged. "So what are you gonna do? Back to the day job?"

"Me? No idea. Nothing left for me here," Ayana replied with a wistful smile.

"Nothing left at all? You could come back to the tower with Bruce and I. There's more than enough room," Tony offered.

"I dunno," she said, shrugging. "New York, the city that never sleeps and all that. I don't think I could deal with it."

"But you can deal with London?"

Ayana chuckled. "London's home. It's different."

"Well, if you change your mind, the offer's always open," he said. "Anything you need, just call. You got it."

"Thank you," Ayana said, not ungrateful, but knowing it was unlikely she would ever contact him.

"See you, Ayana. Stay in touch," said Bruce, giving her a nod. She smiled and nodded back.

"Look after yourself, kid," said Tony. He gave her a quick hug before leading Bruce over to the expensive car he'd chosen to drive that day.

After a quick goodbye and a handshake with Steve, Ayana made her way over to Natasha and Clint, who were standing by a S.H.I.E.L.D. car.

"You know, S.H.I.E.L.D. has a ton of vacancies this side of the pond. Reckon you could join up," Clint said as he loaded bags into the car.

"S.H.I.E.L.D isn't for me," Ayana shook her head. "At least, not American S.H.I.E.L.D.. You lot are too much, I can't keep up. Maybe I'll go join up in London or something."

"I thought you might say that, kid. Well, whatever you do, don't be a stranger. Keep in touch," Clint said, finally closing the car door.

"I'll do my best," she said.

"You better," said Natasha. She gave her and Clint a quick hug and a wave goodbye, watching as they climbed into the car and drove away.

The smile faded from Ayana's face as she found herself left alone. She turned and began walking aimlessly, and with a loud crack and a burst of light, she teleported away.