"Mayday, mayday! Does anybody copy?! We're on the lower level! It's flooding!"
Freya groans as she comes to. The voice in her earpiece shaking her from her unconsciousness.
"We are drowning! Does anybody copy?! Mayday!"
Rhodey's second cry for help makes her eyes fly wide open. But she can't see anything. Enveloped by darkness, her own hand isn't even visible in front of her face.
"Wait! I'm here! I'm here! Can you hear me?" Scott calls out.
"Yes! Help, please! We've got water pouring in and we're trapped!" Rhodey begs.
"I'm on my way!"
Freya breathes a sigh of relief, knowing that Scott is on his way to help Rhodey and whoever is trapped with him. She attempts to move, but screams out in pain when she does. Her leg is immovable and pain is radiating up from her ankle. Knowing she needs light, she ignites her aura. Illuminating the pocket she's in under the rubble. Looking down, she sees her foot trapped under a large piece of debris. Not only that, but it's visibly twisted at an odd angle. She knows for sure that her ankle is broken. A sigh of relief escapes her when Steve reaches out over their link.
Freya! Can you hear me?!
"Yeah, I'm here!"
Oh, thank God! Where are you?
"I'm not sure. I'm trapped under some rubble. I'm working on getting myself out now. Are you okay?"
I'm fine. I've got Tony and Thor with me. Are you hurt?
"My ankle. It's broken. I'll be fine, though."
Let me find you and I'll get you o-
"No. Don't worry about me. I'll be okay."
But, Frey-
"Steve, no! I know Thanos is out there. I can feel it. You've gotta make sure he doesn't get the stones. I'll be right behind you."
Are you sure?
"Yes! Now, go!"
Yes, ma'am.
She rolls her eyes at his response and looks back down at her ankle. Assessing the damage and planning her escape. Eyeing the debris around her, she knows that if she moves one piece, the whole thing will completely collapse on her. The only way out requires her to move everything together.
A crack of thunder echoes throughout the compound. Freya smirks, knowing that Thor is gearing up for battle.
Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes and lets the familiar surge of her powers flow through her. Throwing up her arms, she pushes her energy out toward the debris in an attempt to move it. The rubble shifts and groans, but doesn't move much. She keeps pushing, but the rubble is only moving a little bit at a time.
An overwhelming feeling of anxiety and anger hits her as the sound of a fight from outside filters through the rubble. She can feel Steve's emotions as he engages Thanos with her dad and uncle.
Panic fills her, knowing she has to get outside and help. With a yell, her eyes glow and her aura brightens as she pushes her arms out again. This time, the debris goes flying in all directions and she's finally able to see. Eyeing her surroundings, she notices she had been thrown through the wall and into the lounge on the other side of the lab. Averting her gaze to her right ankle, she reaches down and takes a few deep breaths before twisting it back into place with an agonized scream.
Staggering to her feet, she can already feel it healing, but it still hurts like hell. Trying to fight through the pain, she limps through the rubble and stumbles through the lab. Stopping at the edge of room, she's met with a clean drop off. The mortars that hit the compound had created craters around the property. Turning the area into a wasteland. One that she vividly recognizes from the nightmares she's been having over the past week. The sounds of the fight makes her look up. She watches her dad initiate a power absorption panel on his back that's connected to six blasters. Limping forward, she hears Tony over comms.
"Okay, Thor. Hit me!"
Her eyes avert to Thor, who's standing a good twenty yards behind him. With a yell, he summons a large lightning bolt. Aiming Stormbreaker and Mjölnir, he directs the lightning at her father. His suit absorbs the energy, powering him up. Bringing up his hands, he fires those at Thanos alongside the six other blasters on his back.
Thanos brings up his weapon and spins it rapidly. Deflecting all of the beams. Thor tosses Mjölnir into the air and uses Stormbreaker like a bat. Swinging, he connects with the hammer and it flies at Thanos with deadly speed. Tony had slowly been approaching the titan. Now that he's close enough, Thanos picks him up and uses him as a shield. Mjölnir hits Tony, sending him flying into the nearby rubble. His head drops back and he falls unconscious.
Freya attempts to hobble forward, but pain shoots up her leg. Making her let out a hiss and drop to her knees. She knows if she goes out there now, she'll only get in the way. All she can do is watch while her body repairs itself. Knowing it won't be long until her ankle is healed enough, she anxiously continues to watch the fight.
Steve runs at Thanos and flips. Bringing his leg down, he lands a solid kick to the titan's face. Hardly phased, Thanos turns and throws a heavy right. Steve barely gets his shield up in time, but the force of the punch knocks him back into the rubble. His head collides with the rocks and his body rolls to a stop. He struggles to get up as he fights to stay conscious.
Thor runs back into the fight as Thanos throws his weapon at him. Dropping into a slide, Thor avoids it. The weapon spins back into Thanos' grasp and he raises it in time to block the swing of Thor's ax. They fight for dominance briefly before Thanos knocks the ax away. Thor swings it again, but it's dodged. Thanos takes the opening and knocks the weapon out of the god's hands. Gripping Thor by the collar of his suit, he flings him into a pile of rubble. He punches him twice before throwing him again across the clearing.
Freya watches fearfully as her uncle's back hits a slab of cement and Thanos advances on him. The titan brings his foot down on the other man's face before punching him again. Dazed, Thor reaches out and summons his ax. But Thanos intercepts it and brings it down on Thor instead. He forces the ax down as Thor tries to fight him. It slowly begins to penetrate the god's armor and impale his chest. Thor lets out a pained yell and continues to struggle. Before Thanos can push the ax into Thor's chest any further, he's suddenly knocked off balance by projectile. Freya's eyes go wide as she watches Mjölnir return to its wielder. Steve catches the hammer and squares up. She lets out a yell of excitement when she sees her husband with the weapon.
"I fucking knew it!" she exclaims.
Thanos kicks Thor down and turns on Steve. The Captain runs at the titan while he spins the hammer. Propelling himself off of a piece of debris, Steve brings the hammer up. Making a solid connection with Thanos' jaw. The titan flies backwards and lands on his back. Climbing to his feet, he's forced to deflect Steve's shield. With a grunt, Steve throws Mjölnir at his shield. When the two weapons connect, a powerful shock wave is sent out. It hits Thanos in the back, making him stumble and fall to his knees.
Both weapons return to Steve's hands and he advances on the larger man, who's trying to get back on his feet. Once he does, he instantly receives Steve's knee when it connects with his chest. Steve then swings the hammer down, making contact with Thanos' left knee before bringing his shield up and nailing the titan in the face. He doesn't let up and swings the hammer again connecting it with his face then bringing it back for a backhanded swing to catch him in the jaw again. Throwing his shield, it bounces off Thanos' face. He combos it with a swing from the hammer, sending the shield back at its target. Making the larger man groan in pain.
The pain now lessening, Freya gets to her feet and tests her weight on her ankle. She winces, but knows she should be fine in a minute. She watches Steve summon lightning. It travels over the ground before hitting Thanos straight on. The titan screams out and flies back from the force, landing on his back once again. Summoning a larger bolt of lightning from the sky, Steve brings it down. Hitting the other man while he's still on the ground. He takes a running leap and attempts to bring the hammer down on Thanos' head. But Thanos is able to roll away and avoid the hit. Quick to get back on his feet, he grabs Steve by the neck and slams him into the ground. Using the break in the fight, he reacquires his weapon and advances on the Captain as he angrily rips his helmet off.
Thanos lets out a yell as he takes a swing. Steve stumbles back to avoid it. Having to duck again when the weapon is swung once more. Missing a second time, Thanos tries bring his blade straight down on Steve. It's dodged and cuts through a fallen tree next to them. He takes a backhanded swing, but it's deflected with the shield. He lunges at the Captain this time, landing a hit on his inner thigh, making him cry out in pain. Freya growls in anger and ignites her eyes and aura. Lifting herself in the air, she propels herself forward toward the fight. Not caring if her ankle isn't completely healed yet.
She sees Thanos knock Mjölnir from Steve's hand and before sending him tumbling across the ground. Trying to get there as fast as she can, Freya watches helplessly as the titan brings his blade down on Steve's shield over and over. Watching the impossible happen as his weapon continuously cuts chunks out of it. Another hard blow sends Steve to the ground again as he looks at his destroyed shield in disbelief. Thanos yells as he performs an underhanded swing, sending Steve into a pile of debris. When Steve finally comes to a stop he lays on his back, unmoving. Just as Thanos advances on him to deliver the killing blow, Freya flies in and makes contact with the titan in mid air. Thanos is sent rolling along the ground. He digs his weapon into the soil, bringing him to a sliding halt. He looks up to see an angry Freya standing protectively in front of Steve. Her aura and eyes are bright and her fists are clenched in anger.
"You," Thanos chuckles as he gets to his feet. "I'll not only acquire the stones, but I'll get you back as well."
"I was never yours to begin with," she growls.
"Oh, but you are, you see. I made you. I gave you the power that courses through your veins."
"Not all of my powers," she smirks. Hoping for some assistance, she reaches out to her powers.
"I could really use you guys right now."
Met with complete silence she sighs in frustration.
"Time to do this the old fashioned way," she mumbles.
She summons Mjölnir and grips it tightly as Thanos begins to stalk toward her. Watching him, she analyzes the situation and knows she'll have to fight with care. Even with her returned strength after the snap, she's still regaining it and isn't even close to being at her full potential. Not to mention her ankle that's still healing. His weapon can also apparently cut through vibranium. So taking a blow from it is out of the question. The blade will just cut through her suit.
When he finally gets in range, he brings his blade down. She flings Mjölnir, but it flies past him. Causing a look of confusion to fall on his face. But he continues to swing his weapon. Without the hammer in her gasp, she has two free hands to bring up to block his swing.
His blade is stopped mid air by silver wisps that engulf it. He eyes the wisps curiously, but stumbles back when Freya throws his own weapon back at him. It nails him in the face, taking him by surprise. Calling the hammer back, it returns to her at a ridiculous speed and connects with the back of the titan's head before she grabs it out of the air. She has the urge to summon Stormbreaker, but knows that she will most likely need her free hand for her powers.
The blow makes Thanos face plant. Smirking, Freya gets an idea in mind. As Thanos climbs to his feet, he eyes the woman in front of him. An intense look on her face as she wields the hammer. He yells and takes a running leap at her. Swinging his blade down, confusion sets in when she doesn't move. That confusion deepens when his weapon slices right through her. The image of her shimmers before disappearing.
Hearing movement behind him, he tries to turn. But isn't able to in time. Leaping at him, Freya lands a heavy blow with Mjölnir to his head. Sending him to the ground once more. He angrily climbs to his feet and swings at the woman. Yet again, his weapon goes through her and her figure disappears. A hard blow is dealt to his back. Sending him flying into the pile of debris in front of him. Sticking Mjölnir in the air, Freya summons a large bolt of lightning and directs it at the titan. He screams in pain when it makes contact and his body crashes through the rubble. He rolls to a stop and staggers to his feet.
He growls in frustration and throws his weapon at her. Running at him and ignoring the pain in her ankle, she deflects it with her powers and closes the gap between them. Swinging Mjölnir, she lands a solid blow to his gut before connecting her left fist with his jaw. The sound of his weapon spinning through the air makes her dive to the ground. It flies over her, just missing her head. Catching his weapon, he leaps at her and swings.
He lets out a frustrated yell when it goes through her and she disappears again. Turning, he meets the swing of her hammer. Blindly swinging, consumed by his rage, he meets another one of her clones. A blow to the back of his had causes him to whip around, but instead of swinging at the image in front of him. He quickly spins around, anticipating her move. His weapon already swinging at its intended target.
Freya's eyes go wide and she throws up her free hand to block his attack. Struggling to keep him at bay with one had, she attempts to bring up the hammer, but it's swiftly kicked out of her hand and sent to the ground. Bringing up her second hand, she holds his weapon in place. His new found rage making him stronger as she strains under his weapon.
"You and your damn magic tricks. You're just like your father," he growls.
"I'll take that as a compliment," she retorts. Her voice strained as she struggles.
With a yell, she directs her hands upward and throws his weapon into the air. Sending her leg out, she attempts to kick him in the midsection, but he catches it mid swing and easily throws her across the clearing like a rag doll. Gritting her teeth, she climbs to her feet as he stomps toward her. Throwing up her hands, she shoots her energy at him. He spins his weapon just like he had done with her dad. Deflecting both beams, he continues to walk toward her.
When he gets in range, she discontinues her beams. This makes him stop spinning his weapon and she sends a swift kick to his face when she finds a brief opening. He stumbles back in surprise. Not letting him get his footing, she spins and sends another kick at him. This one solidly connects with his chest. He's sent tumbling backwards. Looking up from the ground, he glares at her. She meets his glare and advances on him while he begins to climb to his feet again.
As he stands to his full height, one of his hands suddenly cradles the side of his head as he yells out in pain. Striding toward him, Freya's eyes glow brighter as she continues her mental assault. Movement just behind Thanos breaks her concentration, though. Her eyes go wide when she sees Steve stagger to his feet. Still in a daze from the beating he took. The titan notices him, too. With a sadistic grin, he raises his weapon to bring it down on her husband.
"No!" She screams as she takes off into the air toward them.
Reaching a hand out, she attempts to hold his weapon in place. Trying to give herself enough time to reach them. Thanos struggles under her resistance, but is eventually able to break free with a yell. Steve finally notices the other man and looks up with wide eyes.
In a flash, his blade comes down on the Captain.
In desperation, Freya is able to put her body in front of Steve's. The weapon connects, sending them both flying across the clearing. The two of them land in a heap and come to a rolling stop. Opening his eyes, Steve looks down at himself and sees he hadn't been hit. He instantly panics, knowing Freya took the blow intended for him. Looking up, he sees her lying face down a few feet from him. Motionless. Her aura now out.
"Freya!" He scrambles over to her and gently turns her over. She let's out a pained groan as he does. His eyes immediately find a large, deep wound in left her side. Her suit had been cut cleanly and blood is pouring out.
"Frey. Freya, look at me," Steve begs. "Hey, look at me. There you go." Her eyes open, meeting his panicked one's.
"Hey, Spangles," she croaks out.
"You shouldn't have done that, Doll. Why did you do that?" his voice cracks.
"Because I love you, dumb-ass," she chuckles weakly. He shakes his head and puts pressure on her wound, making her yelp in pain.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she breathes out. "I can already feel it healing. It's a clean cut. It won't take long."
Steve knows this to be true as he watches the wound slowly heal before his eyes. But, he can see she's still weak from it due to the blood loss.
"Help me up," she groans as she sits up.
"Freya-"
"Just help me up, dammit."
Sighing, he pulls her to her feet. She shakily stands and holds her left side. Steve supports her as he winces himself. Pain radiating down his leg and up his arm.
"In all my years of conquest..." Thanos' voice makes their heads jerk up. They watch him as he looks around. "Violence... slaughter... it was never personal. But I'll tell you now... what I'm about to do to your stubborn, annoying little planet... I'm gonna enjoy it... very, very much."
Steve and Freya watch with wide eyes as an army marches over the hill across the field. A beam of light produces the members of the Black Order. More ships begin to land. Unloading vicious, monstrous creatures. Freya's heart sinks as she watches the enemy Chitauri army gather. Waiting for their signal to charge. She glances up at Steve, who looks down at her. They watch each other in silence. Knowing that the other person will fight until their last breath. Knowing that this is it.
"I love you."
"And I love you."
They share a nod before he reaches up to his shield. He yanks one of the straps tighter with a pained grunt due to the large wound on his left arm. Freya stands up straight, thankful that her ankle is now fully healed. But is still struggling with the currently healing wound in her side. Reaching down, Steve grips her hand. She grasps it tightly as the two of them begin to walk forward.
"Hey, Cap, Merc, you read me?"
The voice over comms makes the two of them freeze. They look at each other with wide eyes.
"Cap, Merc, it's Sam. Can you hear me?"
Hearing the voice again, they bring their hands up to their comms to make sure they're actually hearing it. That it's real. They glance around, trying to spot their friend.
"On your left."
Whipping around to their left, they watch as an orange-rimmed, sparking portal opens. Freya almost screams in happiness at the sight. When it's fully open, three figures slowly start to exit it. Her heart leaps with joy when she sees T'Challa, Shuri and Okoye. T'Challa's mask retracts and he gives them a small smile.
Movement behind them makes them looks up. Freya actually does let out a cry of happiness this time when Sam flies out of the portal and overhead. He circles around them as more portals begin to open up. Steve pulls her into a side hug as they grin. Pressing a kiss to her head, they look up and watch their friends and family return. Tears gather in her eyes when she sees Stephen Strange appear in one of the portals. He's joined by the rest of the Guardians before Peter swings into view. Freya lets out a sob mixed with a happy noise when she spots him. Dropping to his feet, his mask retracts and he grins when he spots Freya.
"Yibambe!" T'Challa leads the Wakandan army that flanks him in a war chant as more people spill out of the portals.
Looking above them, Freya sees the Ravagers and Wakandan airships enter the fray. Her tears start falling when she watches Bucky exit one of the portals. A rifle in hand and Groot on his right. Valkyrie lands on her Pegasus leading whatever Asgardian soldiers she had been able to round up with Miek and Korg at her sides. Freya grins when she sees a very pissed off Wanda land in front of them. Wong leads his own army of sorcerers as he steps out of a portal. In the midst of them, Hope Van Dyne enlarges to her normal size as she joins. Even though she's crying, Freya lets out a laugh of joy when she sees Pepper land in her Rescue suit.
There's a loud rumble as the ground shakes. Everyone watches with wide eyes as a giant Scott breaks through the rubble of the compound. Reaching a hand out, he deposits Bruce, Rhodey and Rocket, who's hanging on to Rhodey, on to the battle field. Steve and Freya look at each other with matching expressions of determination. Grabbing her hand, they turn to face Thanos as their army cheers behind them and closes in on their flank.
The two of them adorn a look of rage when their eyes fall back on the titan and his army. Unclasping their hands, they take position as everyone behind them waits for orders. There's a loud thud as Thor lands behind them. Freya reignites her aura as her eyes glow. A feeling of pure hatred consuming her as she stares at the enemy.
"Avengers..." Steve calls out, readying their forces. Reaching his arm out, he recalls Mjölnir.
There's a moment of silence before all hell breaks loose when Steve utters the one word they've all been waiting to hear.
"Assemble."
The epic battle begins!!!
Every time I hear Cap say those two words, I get chills.
Every. Fucking. Time.
I just want to let out my own battle cry like Thor when he does!
Hoping to get the next part out soon.
Enjoy!
- Mitzy 💖