Malen'kaya Zemlya [2] [P. Parker]

1.4 Civil Wars

The plane ride was a silent one.

Ryker and I barely moved all flight, only to get water or food.

The flying economy really sucked.

Jess had called me while we were at the airport, asking where we were.

Ryker and I both agreed to keep it quiet.

"We're getting pizza." I had said. "We'll be home later."

Off the plane, I started getting jittery. Not only were we facing off against the Avengers, but we were also facing off against our friends, our family.

Outside, we found a small blue car and a grey van.

There were people standing around them.

"Cap." I said, leaning against the hood of the blue car.

"Ashley. You shouldn't be fighting," he replied.

"None of us should," I replied coolly. "Do we have a choice?"

"Not really," Clint said.

Steve turned back to him. "How about our other recruit?"

"He's raring to go. Had to put a little coffee in him, but... He should be good." Clint pulled open the door of the van.

A sleeping man jerked awake.

I arched a brow.

"What time zone is this?" the man asked.

I arched my brow further as Ryker's eyes widened.

"What?" I asked him.
"He's like... a criminal," he replied, his eyes still wide.

"Yeah, well, so are we now." I sighed.

When we turned back to the rest of the heroes, the strange - and apparently criminal - man was shaking Steve's hand.

"It's an honour," he said. "I'm shaking your hand too long. Wow! This is awesome! Captain America." He looked at Wanda. "I know you too. You're great!"

He weirdly reached up and felt Steve's shoulders.

Steve looked away uncomfortably.

"Jeez." the man continued. "Ah, look, I wanna say, I know you know a lot of super people, so... Thinks for thanking of me."

I almost face-palmed. I'd be fighting with this guy?

He looked at Sam, who I hadn't seen. "Hey, man!"

"What's up, Tic Tac?" Sam nodded.

"Uh, good to see you. Look, what happened last time when I-"

"It was a great audition, but it'll... It'll never happen again."

I cut in there. "I'm sorry," I said, taking a few steps forwards. "Who's this?"

"Oh, I'm Scott. Lang. Scott Lang. Hi." the strange man said.

I nodded awkwardly. "Hi. I'm Ashley."

He nodded. "You're... You're a teenager?"

"Yes."

"And a superhero?"

"Yes."

"Awesome."

Scott turned back to Steve. "Uh-"

"They tell you what we're up against?" Steve asked him.

Ryker and I exchanged wary glances. He'd told us over the phone after we said we were coming in.