Chapter 4
SOKOVIA
As the jet got closer to the drop off point Steve went over the plan one last time with his squad, “Nat, you and Barton infiltrate from the inside. Get me and Wanda a way in without detection, Wanda and I will take out the guards on the outside. Everyone got it?”
At their nod he motioned for them to put on their parachutes. He opened the landing pad, the cool wind immediately rushed into the jet. On his mark, the team jumped out into the bitter cold night air. They landed far enough away from the base so as not to be detected, Strucker was no fool and would take every precaution to make sure intruders would be dealt with.
Steve and Wanda stayed hidden while Natasha and Clint snuck into the base, the assassins were able to successfully take out a few of the guards at the entrances then signaling Steve and Wanda to enter the base. The group walked quietly through the concrete halls, keeping their guard up for any HYDRA soldiers.
The more they kept walking, the more suspicious they got. They were nearly to the heart of the base where Strucker was most likely to be and they hadn’t run into any more HYDRA soldiers. The answer was soon given when they entered the grand looking room and hundreds of HYDRA soldiers were there to greet them, across the room sitting in a throne like chair was Baron Strucker with a sinister grin on his face.
“Welcome, Avengers.” he greeted. “I had a feeling after our last “meeting” that you would not rest until you found me.” he was talking to Steve.
“Unfortunately, our chat will have to be prolonged further as I have important business in Russia. I shall leave you in my soldiers' capable hands… Katarina, Zemo.” he called, from the shadows to his left, a figure emerged. She had long straight black hair and piercing violet eyes. The man next to her was dressed in a black turtleneck, combat suspenders, fitted trousers and a leather coat with fur trimmed collar, he looked regal yet lethal.
Wanda felt the blood drain from her face, “Katarina…?” she horsley whispered. The other Avengers looked between the two confused,
“Farewell, Avengers. Perhaps the next time we meet, heh, if we meet- you might be better prepared." With that the Baron pressed a button on his throne chair, activating a small pod to appear from within the chair. A dome up above opened, allowing Strucker to fly off.
The HYDRA soldiers immediately began to attack the group, they launched into attack and defense mode before any serious harm could come to them. The soldiers overwhelmed them but the small Avengers group seemed to be holding their own. From the small platform where the throne chair was, the two figures stood waiting and observing.
“I don’t want to stay standing.” the black haired girl impatiently said, shadows danced from her fingertips with power that desperately craved to be used.
“Patience, Katarina. Let them come to you.” The man; Zemo, spoke with a calm authoritative tone.
“I’m tired of waiting.” The girl levitated herself into the crowd, Zemo sighed in disappointment and stepped back into the shadows. This mess was not his to clean.
In the throngs of the fighting, most of the remaining HYDRA soldiers in one corner were violently shoved aside by an invisible force. Wanda and Clint jumped back startled, Katarina landed in front of the pair, her violet eyes sparkling with power.
“Katarina, you’re alive.” Wanda breathed in relief and puzzlement.
Katarina didn’t say anything, instead she moved her hand in a certain motion as she looked directly at the pair. Wanda; not wanting to harm the teen girl, used her own powers to stun Katarina for a moment to allow her and Clint to escape.
“Don’t let her get close to you.” She warned Clint.
“Why?” He asked, but Wanda didn’t get a chance to answer as a shadow sword came whizzing past them.
“I dreamt of this moment for four months.” Katarina said as she used her powers to create a bind around Wanda who seemed to be her main target. Since Wanda didn’t anticipate how much her powers had grown she was caught off guard at the sudden immobility.
“Katarina, please. We didn’t mean to leave you behind.” Wanda tried to plead, she began to feel invisible claws scraping through her mind, panic set in and she tried to break out of the shadow created bonds.
“You never came back, you left me to fend for myself. Strucker and his men found me… you have no idea the punishment I faced because of you two.” The invisible claws began to dig into Wanda’s mind causing her pain.
“I-m sorry…” Wanda choked out, she began to feel her mind shattering. One flick of the wrist and she’d be dead.
But just before Katarina could do that, she was hit with an exploding gas filled arrow. Taken back, Katarina’s hold on Wanda was released as she staggered back dizzy from inhaling the fumes of the gas. Wanda collapsed onto the hard concrete floor shuddering, Clint ran over to her aid calling her name.
Katarina began to sway, the fumes causing her head to become clouded and her eyes heavy, she fell to the ground not dead but asleep. Once the rest of the remaining HYDRA soldiers were taken care of Steve and Natasha walked over to assess the situation with Wanda, Clint was knelt by her side running a soothing hand across her back. She still hadn’t yet recovered from the affects of Katarina’s powers,
“What happened?” Steve asked as he cast a worried look in Wanda’s direction.
“She did something to Wanda,” Clint pointed toward Katarina, “I’m not sure what but whatever it was messed her up bad.”
“Call the jet and get on board.” Steve ordered, looking at Natasha. The Russian spy nodded and stepped away to signal the jet.
“Steve, I say we take her too.” Clint motioned toward Katarina’s motionless body. Steve gave Barton a look that said “are you crazy?”, “Wanda seems to know her, they obviously have history. Maybe we can even pry some information out of her.”
Steve was still looking at Clint as if he had three heads, “it’s worth a shot.” Clint shrugged.
“Fine, but if Fury finds out and comes at us, remember this was your idea.” Steve pointed a finger at Clint, he never liked disobeying or lying to his commanding officers.
“Make sure she’s contained on the ship, we don’t want any accidents on the way back.” Clint nodded, turned back to Wanda and helped her stand. He’d take care of her first before getting Katarina onto the jet, that knock out gas would be in effect for a while so she wasn’t going anywhere.