2012
New York City
Underground Sewer Tunnel
(Ava Starr POV)
"Join you?" I questioned while glancing skeptically at the handso young man beside . "What do you an by that?"
Brock made no attempt to hide his amusent from my words. His cold hazel eyes sparkled with delight in the dark tunnel as he studied .
"I won't go into my whole backstory, but let's just say you and I are in similar situations," he explained. "We're both stuck as tools to be used by our masters. Forced to serve their goals. Both expendable. But neither of us wants to die. So I figure...why not share the burden? Why not stick together and start building a better future for ourselves instead of just surviving?"
I scowled at his words.
"I've already dealt with one monster who tried to use for their own purposes," I reminded him, "and I'd like to avoid dealing with another."
But Brock simply shrugged and rolled his eyes.
"Not like you have much choice," he scoffed. "The way I see it, you're just going to waste away in that armor until you eventually die. So it's either that or you join and try to make sothing more of yourself than just being Fury's weapon. It might feel like your just trading one master for another...but at least with , you'll have a chance at making a real life for yourself."
I paused for a mont to think over the young man's words.
I knew he was right. There were few options available to .
Keep doing what I'm doing until I literally run out of ti. Or...join forces with soone new.
A man with powerful unknown abilities...who sees things differently than I do. Soone who isn't afraid to get his own hands dirty.
Soone who doesn't want to sit idly by and let others determine his fate.
I thought carefully about Brock's words before letting out a deep sigh.
"Fine," I muttered. " I don't really know what it is you're after...but if you promise to help find a cure and get from under Fury's thumb, then I'll help you with whatever you need."
Brock smiled at my submission.
"Then we have a deal?" he asked and reached his hand out toward .
I hesitated for a mont, looking at his hand for a long ti before finally taking it.
"Deal," I agreed with a slight grin of my own.
Brock grinned back at and I felt a chill run through at having made a decision that might change my destiny forever.
Whether for better or worse...only ti would tell.
*******
New York City
Underground Sewer Tunnel
(Brock POV)
Ava led further down the tunnel, chatting about so of the missions she was sent on and how her powers worked. I listened intently, curious to hear every detail, but didn't contribute much to the conversation, knowing that I couldn't afford to give away any more information than necessary.
When she was done talking, I asked a few questions about her past to make her feel more comfortable around .
She told about her father, who worked for S.H.I.E.L.D as a scientist alongside Hank Pym, and how she witnessed the fallout of their partnership, resulting in Pym kicking her father out of S.H.I.E.L.D. and saring his na within the scientific community.
"My father tried to continue his research independently, desperate to restore his na. So, he took risks. Too many, until...sothing went wrong. He told us to run. I could tell he was scared. I didn't want him to be alone... When I woke up, my parents were dead. I wasn't so lucky."
Ava shivered at the mory and I reached over to put my hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. I could feel her stiffen at first, but after a mont she relaxed against my touch and let out an uneasy sigh.
"Sorry," I murmured.
"For what?" She questioned.
"I didn't an to bring up any bad mories," I apologized.
Ava slowly nodded her head and glanced over at .
"Thanks," she whispered. "I appreciate it."
I pulled my hand back and kept walking, trying to give her space.
"So, what happened to you after that?" I asked. "You said you ran..."
Ava nodded her head.
"One of my father's ex-colleagues, Bill Foster, found and took into S.H.I.E.L.D. He cared for like family. But he couldn't protect from those who saw opportunity in my affliction."
The tunnel grew somber for a mont as Ava reflected on her past, and we continued on in silence.
The sound of running water and scurrying rats filled my ears as we eventually made our way to a ladder leading up to a manhole cover.
"This is our exit," Ava inford . "It's supposed to lead to a secluded area of Washington Square Park, but I don't know for sure. Let go up first and scout around, then I'll knock on the cover to let you know when it's safe."
"Sounds good," I replied.
Ava nodded her head and climbed the ladder first, phasing through the manhole cover above.
I waited patiently for a minute, using my enhanced senses to listen out for any commotion above before a soft knock sounded on the tal cover.
Hearing the signal, I climb up the ladder and effortlessly move the cover out of the way to reveal the midday sky above. I quickly stepped outside the sewer and scanned the surrounding area.
I was standing in a patch of trees to the side of the park where a holess couple was currently sleeping. Potholes, Smashed cars and Fallen trees were littered throughout the park. The grassy field empty, except for a small group of people who were queuing up at the entrance, waiting to get to the dical tents which were lined up down the street.
As I glanced around the damaged park, I abruptly felt a small vibration throughout my body and turned my head to the side as I sensed Ava's invisible form move beside .
The air around her shifted as she faded into view.
"So...what now?" She asked.
I took a mont to think it over.
Currently, my main goal is to get from under both S.H.I.E.L.D and Hydra's thumb while snatching as much Information, Resources, and Power as I can get.
With the side objective of finding a cure for Ava and securing her complete loyalty.
But after that...
What is my purpose?
Truthfully...I had no idea.
I've been in this universe for so long, but I never really thought about what I wanted to do with this new life. Until now.
Sure, there were so old scores I had to settle...
Dr. Whitehall.
Taskmaster.
But after that...
I shook my head and let out a tired sigh, deciding to think about my plans later. Right now, I should focus on completing this first goal before I start thinking deeply about my purpose in life.
"Now, you go back to Fury and give your report. I'm sure I don't need to remind you to keep certain things under wraps," I look over at Ava, who gives a nod. "After that, I'll et you back at S.H.I.E.L.D HQ and we can figure out a way to cure you. Sound good?"
Ava nodded at my words.
"Sounds good...Captain?" She said questioningly.
I stared hard at her for a mont before letting out a slow exhale.
"Let's just call 'Brock'," I told her. "For now."
Ava nodded her head in agreent.
"Alright, Brock... But what do you plan on doing ?" She asked.
I gave her a long pause before replying.
"I have to go grab the rest of my spoils."
**********
A/n: Hey Guys! So this chapter marks the end of the avenger arc. I know so of you were expecting Brock to fully leave both Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D after this but he still needs so ti to garner allies that will make up for his weaknesses, gather resources, and figure out what he ultimately wants to do with his powers.
Hope you are enjoying the story so far and as always thanks for reading!
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