Copper Feather

19

Evie stood up, rubbing her ears. "He knows we're here." Natasha frowned. "Evie, Wanda and Ella are gone." Evie looked around, eyes wide and concerned. Tony could see the panic rising in her eyes. He pushed past Natasha and Peter, holding Evie's shoulders. "Hey, Evie. Hey, hey, hey. Look at me." she turned her blue eyes to look at Tony. "Good. Hey, can you take a deep breath?" Evie inhaled deeply, calming slightly. "Okay, now exhale through your nose." Evie did so, repeating it a few times. "Good job, Evie. You did so great." Peter watched this process, observing how Tony kept Evie's attention on him and not on the distressing issue. "It's okay, Evie. They'll be okay, it's Wanda, remember? She's too strong to be hurt." Evie nodded at this, thanking Tony with her eyes. The man nodded like it was no problem. 

Natasha held a map of the island, and there was an x over a cave system designed for the team. "Is that where we're going?" asked Evie, looking a little pale still. Natasha nodded. "Let's go." The team walked across the plain, stopping for a moment to rest when they hit the tree line. Evie, who was feeling better, decided to climb a tree to get a better look at the island. She picked a tall pine and pulled herself up to the top. Once she reached the top, she sat on a branch that stuck out, looking out at the mountains that gave way to a beach where the cave was. The forest opened out into the plain behind her, which faded into beach about 10 miles from the dock. Evie jumped down, swinging down the branches. The conversation came to a halt when she arrived, making her suspicious. "Nothing, Evie. Just the fastest route. Catch anything?" asked Clint, changing the subject. Evie nodded, talking about the layout of the island. 

The walk through the forest was easier said than done, with the roots of the huge oak trees disguised by the shadows of the looming canopy. They walked for the most part in silence, the only words the occasional curse following a particularly bad fall. They emerged from the forest around one thirty. They were no more than 50 yards from the cave entrance. Evie stood between Tony and Peter, staring towards the cave with half steely determination and half sheer terror. Peter grabbed her hand, squeezing once, and her determination frosted over the terror, reminding the team that Evie was here for blood. "He doesn't make it off this island." The team nodded. 

And with that, they marched across the sand. 

*** 

Wanda stood in the corner of the room, hands behind her back being held roughly by two men. Evie's father stood in front of her, blond hair and blue eyes making him look like a high school jock. Just by looking into his eyes, his arrogance and ignorance were evident. Ella was strung up, arms and legs shackled together. Wanda looked scared. "Let her go." Apollo nodded towards Wanda. The men released Wanda, pushing her to the ground. "You fool. I said to bring my daughter." Wanda looked terrified, eyes wide. Ella glared daggers at Wanda, mumbling curses through the gag in her mouth. "Silence, idiot." One of Apollo's henchmen slapped Ella, who fell to the side, struggling to breathe. 

"I knew, from the very beginning. The moment I sensed my involvement with the idiot spy had created life, I knew. The powers in me are too strong to be defeated by anyone without magic. I, for a long time, felt no disturbance in the world's magic. It was all centered around me. I assumed the child and her mother had died. I knew that had been wrong, however, six years later when another spark, darest I sat brighter than mine, appeared on that map of power. And that cannot be allowed. That was when I knew I'd have to kill her." Ella and Wanda were both glaring at Apollo. "She is the only person who can kill me. None of the others are strong enough. Eldest's often have the magic." Ella looked confused. "There are others?" she murmured silently. Wanda looked at Ella, apologetic. "I brought you the girl. Evie will fight to get her back." Apollo looked at Wanda. "You betrayed your sister." Wanda froze, clearly ashamed. "You'll bring back Pietro." It was then that Ella understood. Wanda had been building a friendship with Evie since Pietro died, all in the name of bringing Pietro back. Ella felt the hot rage that accompanies being betrayed flare through her body, lighting her veins aflame. Apollo grinned. "Silly girl! I won't do any such thing!" Wanda looked incredulous. "I don't care about your stupid little siblings. Mortals are so stupid, wasting their lives on emotions!" Wanda got angry. "I love Evie, trust me. She is my sister, but Pietro is my twin." Apollo frowned. "Was." He flicked his hand, and Wanda was frozen, immobile.