Elemental {Avengers}

20. Run, run as fast as you can

Steve Rogers

I felt like I was falling, falling through the sky, through clouds, through the dense atmosphere. Through so many walls and doors that hid memories and feelings and landscapes, that I couldn't process them all at once. They went flying past me in a blur of colour and memories, and I felt as if I was being pulled out via a giant hook, pulling me out, out, out, until I gulped down air, as if I hadn't been breathing the entire time.

Amidst Loki's memories were Maeve's as well, as he had intercepted her mind, being able to see through it like a tv screen. Those memories were something I dreaded; if the Spectre was indeed being used to take over the minds of civilians and SHIELD agents, then the world was in danger, a lot of danger. It meant that escaping the Avengers tower would be top priority for the time being, as we figured out how to take down the people who did this. There was no way to find out what SHIELD employees were brainwashed, which would be a problem; there was no way to find out who was and wasn't.

And the memory. I couldn't understand how Maeve could tolerate such a person as Dimochka. He was evil, manipulative and downright crazy. He took what he wanted, when he wanted, and only gave back to those who would benefit him.

During the memory, I heard a banging.Bang.Bang.Bang.Like someone was trying to knock down the door to the conference room. I had tried to escape Loki's mind, and thankfully, he had listened to me, slowly leading me through his memories towards the exit.I opened my eyes, and immediately saw something that I had dreaded would happen to SHIELD.

I saw Maeve, slowly creeping towards the door, curious about what was behind it.

Bang.

The door shuddered, and she crept closer, ever cautious, but still inquisitive. The room went cold, as I sensed her summoning her powers, in case of an attack. I wondered what was behind the door as well. And, maybe the connection didn't spark in my mind, maybe it was the fact that I was fresh out of Loki's vision, because I was completely clueless that it could be mind-controlled SHIELD agents that were the source of the banging.

I couldn't move, couldn't think, stranded on the chair like a statue. I forced myself to stand up, about to alert the others of the strange banging, if they hadn't heard it already. Maeve was just a couple of metres from the door when it bust open, SHIELD agents crowding throughout the room like a swarm of wasps. She was thrown back, crying out in surprise. But she didn't land, instead a mind-controlled SHIELD agent leapt forward, holding a giant gun, glowing purple, a sure sign that it was alien weaponry. He shot it in the air right where Maeve was, releasing a jet of bright purple energy, that wrapped around her like a forcefield, rendering her unable to move.

I looked towards my Shield on the couch, where it was nestled between some pillows, partially concealed by a SHIELD agent who spilled out the door. I would have to go through him to get to my beloved Shield.

Carlos Nixen, a SHIELD commander strutted through the door, like he owned the whole building. I never like him; he never had that spark, that motivation to do good that so many other agents had. And it was unusual for me, to dislike anyone, too pick up on that sort of thing. SHIELD agents were usually quite harsh as well, so I dismissed it, never bringing his attitude up because I thought that Fury had him under control. Apparently not. Carlos never had any intentions to save people, or to build a better world. It was all about destroying the bad guys. He was cold and unkind, the perfect candidate for the spectre... or, maybe he didn't have to be mind-controlled at all." Lower your weapons; there is no use in fighting your way out of this one, Cap, we've got you outnumbered"

By now, most of the Avengers team had come out of Loki's control, looking around in confusion. Natasha was quick to adapt, walking across the room to stand at my side. " You don't want to do this, Nixen. Are you forgetting how many times we've saved the world? You are no match for us"