Philophobia ➤ W.M.

| 14 |

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   Astrilde and Steve ran through Helen Cho's laboratory, both outfitted in their Asgardian armor and Captain America suit respectively. Apparently Thor had grabbed Astrilde's armor in case she had been found, which was handy for this new mission. The lab was high-tech, which was even clear from the modern, glass outside.

  The dagger in Astrilde's hand shook with uncontained excitement and anxiety. So, while she was more than happy to use her anger on people who deserved it, such as the twins, she was also fearful of even being near Ultron.

  It was clear there was a problem as soon as the duo reached the doors to where Helen was working. There was the sizzling sound of broken electronic, yet there weren't any sounds that would indicate movement. Astrilde glanced at Steve, who in turn nodded as if he also knew there was something wrong.

  Once they had gone inside, it was terrifying to see. The place was in disarray: unmoving bodies laid by different tables, scattered papers, and, most importantly, the missing cradle. Astrilde stopped dead in her tracks, familiar dread filling her entire being.

  Steve suddenly sprinted forward after their momentary pause, which caused Astrilde to follow closely after. Soon, Helen Cho's bloody body came into view. Astrilde nearly yelped in surprise, while Steve had already knelt beside the doctor. Astrilde stayed standing, her eyes surveying everything around her like a sentry would. Let your guard down once and that damn maximoff girl can manipulate you however you please.

  "He's uploading himself into the body," Helen choked out between strained breaths.

  "Where?" Steve asked, a tiny hint of urgency in his voice. He waited for a few moments, before turning, about to stand up. Helen grabbed his arm before he could though, her short breaths becoming more prominent with the small amount of energy she used.

  "The real power is inside the cradle. The gem, it's power is uncontainable. You can't just blow it up, you have to get the cradle to Stark," The doctor looked terrified,which in turn made Astrilde even more nervous. From what she knew of gems with that kind of power, they were far from uncontainable. They were made to wreak havoc, which just made them more dangerous. At least, that was what she learned from the limited information her father, Odin, had gifted her, as well as the many books present in the royal library.

  "First I have to find it," Steve responded, before pushing himself to his feet.

  "Go!" Helen urged the two desperately, "I'll be fine."

  "You guys copy that?" Steve inquired into the coms.

  "Yeah," Clint responded immediately.

  "We did," Natasha confirmed. "There's a private plane taking off across town. No manifest. That could be him."

  "There. It's a truck from the lab. Right above you, guys. On the loop by the bridge," Clint spoke, his words sure. "It's them. We've got three with the cradle and one in the cab. I could take out the driver."

  "Negative! If that truck crashes, the gem could level the city," Steve informed the group. He and Astrilde were currently climbing a service ladder that was attached to the bridge. "We need to drive out Ultron."

  "The gem is way more dangerous than you think," Astrilde said aloud unintentionally.

  "Then we'll just have to make sure we get it," Clint responded.

  Astrilde and Steve then sprinted across the one lane bridge, avoiding getting hit by several cars. Once they reached the other side, the Asgardian spotted the lab truck driving on the bridge below them. She glanced to Steve, who looked to be contemplating something while he looked at the truck.

  "No! I know that look. I'm not going to jump off a bridge Steve!" She yelped. Steve turned around, facing the other direction.

  "It's now or never. Now jump!" Steve yelled, before running and launching himself off of the bridge, narrowly avoiding getting hit by an oncoming car. Astrilde followed less than a second later, holding onto her sheathed sword in preparation.

  Unlike Steve, she didn't have to break into a roll once she landed, so she had more time to unsheath her sword and prepare for the fight against Ultron and his clones. Also unlike Steve, she had easily gotten to her feet, while he rolled semi-gracefully off the side of the truck. She knew he hadn't fallen off though, he was skilled enough to save himself.

  However, she still started off in the direction of where he had fallen off, prepared to help him up. That idea was quickly thwarted by an orange glow that she recognized as Ultron's 'powers'. Astrilde also noted the sound of a slamming door, followed closely by Steve yelling out. That easily let her assume that when the door had opened, he was holding onto it and thus sent into the side of the truck.

  Not long after that, another orange flash appeared, this time sending Steve into the air and back down past Astrilde's view. "Steve! Are you okay?" Astrilde asked as quietly as she could into the coms, careful to not alert Ultron of her presence.

  "Yeah. Ultron's definitely unhappy. I'm gonna try to keep him that way," Steve answered, his voice laboured.

  "You're not a match for him Cap," Clint suddenly spoke.

  "Thanks Barton," Steve responded semi-quietly after a few moments.

  Not long after that conversation, Astrilde saw the figure of Steve fly back onto a car's windshield. She hissed in faux pain, that had to hurt.

  "Steve!" Astrilde yelled before she could stop herself. That accidental yell was followed closely by Ultron flying out of the inside of the truck and onto the top of it. "Shit!" The Asgardian yelped as he sent a golden orange beam straight at her face. She narrowly dodged, so close that she felt like it had singed her skin just a bit. Sheathing her sword, she prepared for the next beam. The beam never came, though, because Steve landed right in front of her, blocking the attack with the shield on his back.

  "You know what's in that cradle? The power to make real change, and that terrifies you," Ultron growled.

  "I wouldn't call it a comfort," Steve responded, before grabbing his shield and throwing it at Ultron. The shield hit Ultron, before returning to Steve. In response, another orange beam was thrown at Steve, and while he managed to dodge it, Astrilde was not so lucky. She was hit straight in the chest, causing her to be shot backwards.

  Astrilde could feel herself being thrown off the front of the truck, along with searing pain where she was hit. Even her Asgardian armor couldn't hold it's own against Ultron's attack. The girl felt herself hit the car in front of the truck. She pushed herself off of the side of the car, running to safety on the side of the road. Unfortunately, she immediately fell on her butt from the pain and exhaustion.

  "Astrilde! Do you copy?" Steve's voice was distorted in the coms.

  "I copy. Tell me where to meet you and I will," Astrilde groaned, pushing herself to her feet. "Hey Clint? Could you pick me up?" Astrilde then addressed Clint through the coms.

  "Sure, but I could do something better," Clint responded immediately.

  "Like what?"

  "Do you know how to ride a motorcycle?"

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