Sweet Surrender

Chapter 9

The wyvern beast flew past the group on the ground almost in a blur. Every time he'd flap his wings Bucky became better and better at maneuvering throughout the sky like he'd done it all his life. Sam chuckled,
"Yes! Sign me up for that!" The next time Bucky grazed by, Sam clutched one of his horns and hopped on. His head tossed around in a fit with a roar. The initial feeling of something on his neck knocked him off guard.
"Easy...easy man..." Sam gripped the horns for dear life. Luckily it didn't take long for Bucky to escape his confusion, and it was back to high flying. The adrenaline rush through Bucky's veins and into his heart was too much to resist. They could hear Sam's shouts from clear up there through all the clouds. Steve grinned while shaking his head,
"May I?" He cordially bowed to Maxanarda after turning to face the female beast. Seeing no harm in the idea, she lowered her head to him. Suddenly a hand grabbed his arm before he could climb on,
"Not so fast, Captain. You may have helped end World War II, but you've never ridden one of these before." Colonel Lennox inserted himself in politely with a smile.
"Please, by all means." Steve's eyebrows rose as he gestured to Maxa. The moment the men climbed on, Evanna swiftly took flight. The blast of wind from her many wings knocked back those below, making their feet slide across the ground as they try to brace through it. She easily caught up with Barnes high in the sky, gliding past him.
"Mine's better!" Steve teasingly shouted to Sam.
"Hey," He chuckled, "No fair, Cap! Yours is bigger and you have her rider to boot!" Rogers playfully shrugged,
"What can I say? She's one of a kind!" He laughed, the colonel playfully rolling his eyes in the background.
"Yikes, leave it to you to say something as old as yourself!" Sam voiced as Bucky caught up. The closer he came, the more he began hearing a siren-like melody play in his mind. Seeing Maxanarda flying at that angle was nothing short of majestic to him. He was just barely underneath and behind her at the same time, making the perfect opportunity for the light to hit just right. The sun's rays beamed over her head, creating a similar look of when it rose over mountain ranges. Her wing beats became slow motion as did everything else. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so at ease. Without even knowing it, a smile etched its way onto the Soldier's face. What he also didn't realize, is that Steve noticed. He was beyond proud of Bucky, and glad to see him again for who he truly is. Give or take a few claws. And to think, all it took was a giant alien robot from the outer reaches of the cosmos.

Once the joy flights were over, the Avengers spent more time learning about the Autobots and what they were capable of. Many of the Autobot team members had someone of the Avengers team to talk to. Tony rather enjoyed the science and technology behind Ironhide's weaponry, and Wanda couldn't get enough stories about Maxanarda's past. She was intrigued by how Maxa used to live, how much of an aiding secret she used to be. Maxa spoke of her times of training both on Cybertron and Earth. She mentioned improving her flying maneuvers, or aim in archery. The second that word hit Clint's ears, he was immediately more interested in her than other present Autobots.
"Oh you don't say? Well, I've just retired, but frankly I'm quite the archer myself."
"Really? We hadn't noticed with the bag of arrows on your back." Sam added sarcastically. Clint gave him a glare,
"Anyway," he turned back to Maxa, "How about we see how our skills compare? Up for a challenge?"
"My money's on Maxa." Wanda whispered in a giggle to Natasha.
"With all do respect, I highly doubt you are of an equal match to Ms Maxanarda." Vision just had to voice. Such comments made Clint mutter something to himself.
"I accept your challenge, Hawkeye. I have never had the pleasure of doing archery with another before."
"This outta be good." Added the Autobot Sideswipe.

She opened her backside to reach for her starting arrow, whilst her left arm revealed her bow.
"Well that's convenient." Bucky's comment caused Steve to chuckle. He laughed in return,
"Hey give me a break, I still have a lot to learn about her."
"You've been by her side how long and you didn't know she keeps arrows in her back and bow in her arm?" Sam couldn't resist a good tease.
"For the record, I do know her tails can form a sword at the end. First hand, actually..." He smiled nervously at the ground while scratching the back of his head.
"Bucky..."
"Don't worry about it Steve, we didn't hurt each other too bad. Come to think of it, I don't think I hurt her at all. You'd be amazed at how-"
"Ok you know what man, just stop." Sam shook his head, and Bucky softly laughed to himself. Meanwhile the targets were being set up. Each one higher or lower than the other. The goal was to see who could shoot and hit more bullseyes the quickest in a given amount of time. Before they began, Maxa saw fit to light her first arrow aflame on its tip in a beautiful golden tone, then readied it in her bow. Sam was just utterly ecstatic to see how this would end, as well as Scott. It seemed just as soon as Wanda started the countdown they were off. Somehow Maxa managed to squeeze in the time it took to light each tip of her arrows before releasing, and was still leaving Clint in the dust. He grew increasingly frustrated while trying to pick up the pace. When time was up, Clint was shy of roughly ten bullseyes compared to his Autobot competitor.
"Don't anyone say a word." He grumbled.
"I hope for you not to be so hard on yourself, lad. Being slower than me does not mean you are lacking in skill." Clint huffed with a half smile,
"Finally, someone who's nice for a change and appreciates me."
"Sweetheart, how do we know you're not just pitying him?" Bucky dared ask, and Maxa fittingly forced steam from her nose as a warning.
"Well, there's your answer." Tony took a step back as Bucky raised his hands halfway in surrender. Maxa then turned to Clint,
"You simply need to let go of the fact you are competing. Do not let your opponent get inside your head and get the better of you." He half smiled with a nod,
"You're right, Maxa. Thanks."