I was scared. I was really really scared. But, in a way I also missed it. I missed the adrenaline and the running, the feel of the mask molding perfectly to my face. It was all so confusing. I wanted to hold my mask and look at it forever and burn it at the same time. I looked at it one last time before slowly raising it to my face and letting it smoothly click into place. I hadn't worn it in two years. I almost cried when I opened my eyes and saw the red filtering that I remember way too well. The same red that would flash in my eyes every time the electricity coursed through my nerves and into my brain. The only color I could remember after the wipings. I knew Winter would be there and that was the only reason I was doing this, I told myself over and over. It scared me to think that this was just my programming coming back, making me ache to fight again. I walked to my mirror and took it all in. My boots were laced up and the baggy pants were buttoned. I had my guns strapped to back, plus my knives strapped to my chest. My light brown hair was loose and framed my mask well. I put on my leather gloves and felt the rough plastic of my mask on my fingertips. This was the most ready I would ever be. I already missed Peter, but if Winter needed me, I would never hesitate to be by his side. He was like an older brother to me. We bonded over HYDRAs tortures and fought together most of the time, even if I worked better solo. I hadn't seen him a long, long time. After we were rescued we went our separate ways. We both needed a fresh start and unfortunately we weren't included in each other's. I was hurt at first, but recognized that I was better off without him. I was so vulnerable after the events at HYDRA I knew I needed to put everything involved with them behind me if I were to truly move on. I went to a high school that specialized in sciences in the Queen's area and that's where I met Peter, Ned, and Michelle. My best friends. Im 15 now. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm surprised my suit even still fits, but then again I really haven't grown much since my 13 year old days. I'm still flat as ever. I felt guilty telling Peter a white lie about where I was going this weekend, but it turned out he had the Stark internship anyways. Peter was the first person I met at Blackwood High and ever since I saw him I thought he was cute. He easily makes me blush and he's probably the most intense crush I've ever had. Just thinking about him hugging me or putting his arm around me like he does when we walk home from school makes my heart turn to mush. It's disgusting. He doesn't know any of this. Ned has probably caught on by now, but I highly doubt it. I turned back to the mirror. This is it. "Eclipse." I whisper under my breath. I look badass.
When I got to the airport in Germany I don't know what I was expecting. Definitely not this. Sam, Steve, Winter and a couple other people were waiting outside and we talked for a bit. I hugged Winter and I saw a tear fall down his cheek. It was so nice to see him again. He looked so much healthier. I was glad to be able to help him in a situation like this. He introduced me to his friends and I showed them my powers and strengths. Both me and Winter were experimented on, but while he was made a super soldier, I was made a mutant. So far my powers include super speed, invisibility and quick healing. Lately they've been getting much more powerful. I'm curious about wether or not I'll get any more powers because I've read about multiple instances where artificial mutants gain more powers as they grow and become stronger. I haven't used my powers to fight in two years. I've used them for stupid stuff like skipping and getting to school, but Im out of practice in fighting terms. I was snapped out of my thoughts when Steve spoke.
"Bucky, they should be coming soon. We need to get ready." I turned around.
"Bucky?" And gave a questioning look to Winter. He looked back at me.
"In the two years I've been back in the real world I've learned a lot about my past life. My real name is Bucky and that's what I go by now. Have you found your name?"
"No, but I like the name Olive and that's what all my friends call me." I fiddled with my thumbs. It was uncomfortable to talk about how much we had both moved on from our HYDRA days. Finding his real name is all Winter ever wanted to do and I remember vowing to help him find it, but now he's found it without me. I'm proud of him. The man named Sam turned to me. "Alright, we really need to get ready now. Do you have everything you need Eclipse?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
Sam turned his head towards Hawkeye.
"She's only fifteen!" He whispered, thinking I couldn't hear.
"Damn." Hawkeye replied.
Steve addressed the crowd. "Wanda, Antman, Clint? You guys ready?"
They all nodded and murmured.
"Alright good lets-"
Steve was cut off by Iron Man walking towards our group. "I see you got a trainee too. Interesting." Steve and Tony continued to argue while I zoned out and scanned the surrounding area. There were lots of heat signatures surrounding us.
"Uh, Winter-"
Iron Man noticed me trying to get the soldier's attention and cut me off shouting "Underoos!" I was extremely confused until I saw a flash of red and blue swing towards Steve. I recognized him as the vigalante from my home town, Queen's. I've studied his intricate web solution before and still haven't figured it out. Spiderman flung just above Steve's head and on the way over, stole his sheild and binded his wrists in one swift move. He landed on top of the white van behind us.
"Uh- hi I'm Spiderman. You must be Captain America! I love your work!" He continued on gushing like this until Tony was rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger in frustration.
"Enough." Tony finally said.
Steve turned to Tony, angry. "So you have us surrounded, I presume?"
"Yeah actually." Tony said, his usual cocky self. I then see Black Widow, Vision, and War Machine emerge from the area. They have their weapons drawn. "Come with us quietly, and there won't be a fuss Steve." He said slowly.
"I don't think thats gonna happen." Steve replied sharply.
"Alright then, hard way it is." Tony flipped the face of his helmet down and powered up his weapons. Sam leaned towards me. "Spread out. I see you eyeing the spider kid. Can you get him and then come help the rest of us?" He whispered.
"Roger." I affirmed.
We leaned apart and turned to Steve. He was discussing with Tony. "Are we gonna fight or not, Tony."
"Oh, we're gonna fight. You made a huge mistake, Cap."
Recognizing that Steve was stalling I began slowly working my way towards Spiderman. I needed to get him away from everyone else and take him out quickly before he could assist his friends. He had gotten off of the van and was standing in the line with his team. By now we had all lined up with a counterpart, ready to charge at any signal. He had the same idea and began lining up with me. We met eyes through our masks and he waved weakly. I didn't return it. I was just aching to run and punch. It's all I could feel, the adrenaline starting to pump in my veins. I stared him down. I wasn't gonna waste my bullets on this kid. I reminded myself he was probably older than me and got back on track. I planned different strategies on how I could take this guy out. He seemed nervous. If I caught him off guard, he would most likely stumble and trip up. Before I knew it, Tony had fired at Steve and someone from the other side of the open lot had yelled "GO!"
I turned to Spiderman. "I heard youre pretty fast." He said staring at me.
"So I've been told." I replied.
I didn't take more than a second to run towards him and knock him off his feet using my speed. "Damn, you're like a blur." He said, out of breath. He shot a web at me and I easily dodged, kicking him back onto the ground. He managed to get back up swinging his fists blindly at my lightning fast form. I ran back to him and kicked him square in the jaw. He tumbled back down and groaned in pain. I started walking away, thinking he was done before I felt a tug at my back. He had grabbed me backwards with his web and I rolled backwards back towards him. I grabbed a knife from my side and swiftly cut the web, coming back onto one knee. I turned towards him. "Oh, shit, sorry are you okay?" He kind of mumbled.
"Ill be alright." I muttered. I was just about done with this dude. As he was stuttering I sped over and punched him right in the eye with all my force. He flew backwards and hit a pile of crates twenty feet away. I looked back at him and he was out cold. I spent way too much time on him and now I need to go find Sam or Winter. Im kind of rusty and I cursed myself for not finishing off that guy sooner. I turned invisible and sped through all the small fights taking place. Everybody seemed to have paired up with someone. I spotted Sam struggling with someone in a cat suit that he had told me about earlier. I easily rushed over and kicked the dude off of Sam. He thanked me and we went off to go find Winter.
After about 3 hours of fighting our whole team seemed to find each other. Winter ran over to me hastily and grabbed my shoulders. "Look, Eclipse, this isn't working as well as we thought. We're losing. You're the only one with a chance to leave before they start capturing us and taking us to the Pentagon. Leave now while you can. Lay low for a while and then we'll contact you."
"But-" I tried to protest.
"That's an order, Olive." He said before I could finish. His use of my new name struck something in me and I'm not sure wether it was good or bad. I had always seen him as a brother to me and here he was asking me to abandon him. "Please, Olive." He said again. This time with more urgency. I nodded and walked over to him. I wrapped my arms around him tightly and tried not to cry. "For what it's worth I missed you a lot." I say, my words choked.
"I missed you too, Clipse. Once we get out of this I promise to visit you. But only if you leave now and stay safe."
"Alright." I said, straining. I backed away and turned invisible I walked all the way out of the airport, only looking back once to see if Spiderman was still there. He was. He reminded me of someone but I wasn't sure who. I took a couple more steps before running through the area surrounding the airport. I ran all the way back to Queens, across the ocean. All the way there I thought about what I was gonna do now that I woke up the Eclipse side of me again.
