Phoenix <Book 1>

Part 1 Chapter 4

Ashlyn ran into the lab, "Did you know about this?", she glanced around, "Know about what?", Steve looked at her, "S.H.I.E.L.D using the tesseract to make weapons of mass destruction." She looked at Nick, "Because that's exactly what Earth needs." He glared at her, "Why would we need tesseract powered weapons, we don't even understand the science of the tesseract." Thor came and stood by her, "Because of him." Ashlyn frowned, "Thor?", the God nodded in agreement, "Lat year there was a grudge match that leveled a small town." Ashlyn farrowed her eyebrows, "That was all Loki and his destroyer. If you don't recall correctly Director Fury, I was involved in the grudge match has well has Thor." Thor again nodded along with Ashlyn, "And my people have no issues with yours." Nick looked at the two, "But your people aren't the only people out there." Ashlyn looked around, "Do you realize that our work with the tesseract is what drew Loki and his alien fleet in? It was under water for years and the moment it resurfaced we began testing on it." Everyone looked at her and she glanced down, ignoring the rest of the conversation until Bruce spoke, "I put a bullet in my mouth and the other guy spit it out. I got low." She glanced down and Natasha glanced at her friend, knowing that Ashlyn related. Ashlyn swallowed the lump in her throat and zoned out until Bruce picked up the scepter and she flicked her wrist, making red energy enter her palms. "Doctor Banner, put down the scepter." The computer behind him beeped and Ashlyn quickly teleported to it, "Sorry kids, I guess you don't get to see my parlor trick." Ashlyn's eyes widened and she looked at Bruce, "Oh god." Nick looked at her and then the explosion happened.

••••••••••••••••••••• 2 Years Ago •••••••••••••••••••

Ashlyn sat on her bed, her head between her knees. She was looking at the empty sleeping pill container, she took all of them an hour ago. Her phone had rang five times, and each time it was Clint. She had ignored them all, so it didn't surprise her when he broke into her house. "What the hell is wrong with you!", she glanced up, tears running down her face, "I can't come back from what happened. Clint, I almost got you and everybody else killed." He grabbed her hands, "But you didn't and you fixed your mistake." She looked at him, "Did I? Clint every time I close my eyes even after all of this time, I still blame myself for their deaths. I almost got my best friend killed and our team. What kind of person am I?" He looked at her, "You're a strong person Ash, a brave person." She shook her head, "I'm a coward Clint. Look." She handed him the bottle and he looked at her, "How many did you take?", she looked down and sobbed, "How many did you take damn it?!", she jumped, "Almost all of them." He rushed around and grabbed her some clothes and a bag, he called Nick, "Hey-", she stood up, "Clint, nothing happened. It didn't do anything." He looked at her, "My Phoenix side took over." He lowered his phone and pulled her into a hug, tears on his cheeks, "Thank god. Why would you do that? Why would you? Ash?", she glanced down, "Nemám nikoho, kto sa stará.", he put her face in her hands. "I care about you Ash, I do, more than you will ever know." She cried into his chest and his head rested on hers. "Don't tell anyone, please." He nodded, "Nobody, I promise. Nobody will know." She sighed against his chest and the two moved to her couch, where she fell asleep in his arms.

•••••••••••••••••••••• Present Day •••••••••••••••••

Ashlyn heard ringing in her ears and Tony helped her up, "Come on." She stood and shook her head, "What happened?", he looked at her along with Steve, "We have to repair engine three." She nodded, "Let's go." The three ran out and Ashlyn quickly changed into her Phoenix form, "Let's go before we lose altitude." Tony nodded, "I'll meet you two there." Steve looked at Ashlyn, "You ready?", she smirked, "Are you Captain?", he chuckled and the two sprinted off.

Tony was spinning in the engine 3, "Lever!" Ashlyn was in combat with one of Loki's guys and Steve was hanging onto a wire, "We need a minute!", Ashlyn punched the man and knocked him over the edge, "Coming over." She jumped the distance and flipped the switch and then picked up Steve, the two panting when Tony landed, "You alright Stark?", he nodded at her and she gave him a smile. She was oblivious to what was happening between Natasha and Clint, but all she heard was Nick's words. "Coulson is down." Ashlyn's breath caught and Tony glanced at her, "They called it." She took in a deep breath and tears fell, she let out a scream and energy left her body, knocking back Tony and Steve.

Ashlyn sat in her room, face frozen and tears stains present. She had energy on the door, allowing it not to open, and she heard someone knocking. "Ashlyn open up.", it was Steve, "Come on Ash." She sniffled, "Ash, Fury wants us." She stood up and wiped her face, putting on a new catsuit and boots, she grabbed her new batons that Phil got her and she frowned, "Why, God why.", she sniffled and she heard Steve about to barge in and she opened the door and he stumbled, making her laugh. He smiled at her, "There's Asher." She rolled her eyes with a smile and punched his arm, "Don't call me that Pops." He chuckled and the two walked toward the bridge then sat down at the table. "These were in Coulson's jacket, guess you never got around to signing them." Ashlyn looked at Steve and gave him a soft smile, "Yes, we were planning on making weapons using the tesseract. I thought that there was another way to defend ourself against enemies, Stark and Walsh knew that." Ashlyn looked up, "The Avengers." She glanced down, "Phil believed in this, in heroes." Ashlyn stood up and walked away, she just couldn't deal with this.

•••••••••••••••••••••• 1 Year Ago ••••••••••••••••••••

Ashlyn had her head up, Phil was wiping at the blood from her nose. "It's not broken." She sighed, "Thank god, I don't need another nose job." Phil chuckled at her and she smiled, "Thank you Phil, for everything." He gave her a smile, "You're welcome Asher." She chuckled, "You know I hate that." He smiled, "But it makes you laugh and smile everytime." She smiled, "It does." She hugged Phil, "You're gonna get blood on my suit, stop it." She laughed and he smiled, Clint walking over and laughing as well, "You took a hit Ash." She shrugged, "I'm use to it.", she looked at him, "It isn't broken though, so I don't need another surgery." The trio smiled at each other and they knew everything was going to be okay.