Chapter 14
"All of us have to be careful to not lose control then?" Dad asks and I nod, rubbing my face slightly. "You seemed to be doing fine."
"Because I was in control, even if it didn't seem like I was. I've already lost his siblings... I can't lose him... I won't..." Dad sits on the table in front of me and I look at him.
"You're too damned old to have to be worrying about this. You're turning fifty, right?" I nod and he looks at me, smiling slightly. "Now you realize what I went through with you growing up?"
"You act like I was the spawn of Satan."
"You were. To me."
"And you deserved it." He rolls his eyes and I look at LJ, brushing his hair out of his face gently when he scrunches his face up in his sleep. "Shh..." He settles back into a deep sleep and I watch him for a moment.
"I can see every ounce of fear in your body right now," Dad says, shocked, and I scoff softly, looking at him with a quirked eyebrow. "Why did you have him stay on Asgard?"
"Frigga asked me to let them raise him. She felt that they failed with Loki so they wanted to try again with their son. I think it was her way of grieving Loki being gone, replacing them with a replica."
"Why'd you let them?"
"I knew that I wouldn't be able to. I had Quill, Leta, and Stark too. I barely managed with Quill before I got left on Terra. I knew I couldn't be what he needed because I was spiraling down and could barely keep it together outside of my Quarters."
"Was getting married to the fast twin planned or a spur of the moment thing?" Loki asks and I look at them from where they were leaning against my desk, looking pissed.
"It just happened. Once we got out here, it started falling apart. I guess as soon as I got back to my normal level of sanity, it wasn't working anymore. Don't have the best track record when it comes to Terrans, huh?"
"Meaning?"
"Kevin was an ass and I'm realizing that so is Pietro. Sorta like rose-tinted glasses, I guess."
"If it matters, you were happy with him before we came back to the stars," Morgan adds and I nod slightly. "Not as happy as you were with Loki, though. Even I could see that. And I was just a kid."
"You're an idiot."
"And you've got that dopey smile back."
"Jackass."
"Dumbass," He smirks and I look at him. "Right, my apologies. Captain Dumbass."
"Hilarious. You should leave the Crew and start a stand-up act."
"Nah. Who would I annoy then?" I look at Dad and he chuckles.
"See what I put up with? 'Bout eighteen annual cycles 'a this shit. The little asshole."
"Aww! I love you too!"
"Get out!"
"Bye!" He waves exaggeratedly and bolts when I move to take off my arm.
"Were you about to use your arm as a weapon?"
"I've done it before and I'll do it again, Rocket."
"Who did you do it to before?"
"Zemo."
"Oh. Makes sense. That guy's a douche."
"Yeah. He was pissing me off."
"How?"
"He said I was warming up to him, I responded I'd also warm up to being set on fire. His next words were 'so I set you aflame?' I tried to punch him, no one let me, he kept being an asshole, and said, after Bucky told him to stop being him, that he didn't know how to be anyone else unlike me. So... I threw my arm at his face. He's become slightly less annoying since then. He isn't as much of an asshole."
"So a Terran version of Rocket?"
"Kinda, yeah. I like Rocket better, though. No one can replace your adorable pet raccoon, old man," I smirk and Rocket glares at me. "Chill out, rat. Forget how to take a joke?" He scoffs and punches me in the arm as he walks past me. "How's your arm?" I look at Loki and they come over, flexing their right hand slightly.
"It's... Different."
"Yeah. You get used to it, though. And look on the bright side."
"Which would be?"
"You're conscious as yourself while you get used to it. And you have no reason to have to worry about the chance of the Avengers using a failsafe to get rid of it because they're scared for their lives."
"And you do?"
"Oh, yeah. It was fun not having a right arm. It wasn't for very long, but the point still stands. It was frustrating, to say the least. Still managed to kick T'Challa's ass with a staff."
"You still fight with a staff?"
"Of course I do. I use everything you taught me. It's helped with everything these past few annual cycles." Loki sits on the arm of the couch next to me and I smile at them slightly. "But, anyway, you get used to the coldness of the arm, the unbalanced weight distribution, the strength difference, et cetera, et cetera."
"Good to know." They hand me a rag and I take it after a moment. "You have dried blood on your face." I nod and clean it up. "And Mother has asked me to try a new spell on your eye."
"Oh. Fun. Yeah, sure, why not." They try the spell and nothing happens for a moment.
"Anything?" I close my left eye and can see Loki.
"Huh. It worked. Cool. Any- Shit," I growl as pain erupts in my eye and feels like it's burning inside of my socket.
"Rogue, what's happening?" I grit my teeth and bend my head, covering my eye as blood pools from it.
"OK, I'll handle this. Loki, you go find Nebula and see if she has a cybernetic eye somewhere. Or if she knows where you can get one." I hear my door slide open then shut and Doc comes into my line of sight. "Rogue, I need you to move your hand. On three. One... Two... Three..." I move my hand and they cover my eye with gauze. "Good job. Tell me when the pain passes and I'll look to see what's going on. Hold this there for now."
"Moddy...? What's going on?" LJ sits up slowly and I just gently pat his shoulder. "Are you OK?"
"Rogue's gonna be fine, LJ. Why don't you go back upstairs and rest some more, OK?"
"OK..." He does that and Doc has me sit against the back of the couch, resting a hand on my shoulder.
"Pain gone yet?"
"Doesn't feel like it's on fire anymore, no..."
"Good, that's good. Let's see what I can find out, then." They have me move the gauze and stare at my eye. "Well, then... That... That's interesting..."
"The spell didn't agree with my Celestial magic, did it? And it made my eye burn?"
"Well, yes... It's like it was gouged out..."
"She found one in Med. She said it's a newer model that can be worn during the night," Loki says as they come back in and looks at me. "At least now Mother will stop trying to heal your eye."
"Yes, bright side. How great?" They hand the eye to Doc and they look it over.
"It looks clean and doesn't seem to have any damage. Put it in and it should start working immediately." I follow their instructions on putting it in and blink harshly a few times, allowing my vision to clear. "Oh. It seems to have adjusted to your DNA to match your other eye. Interesting. Can you see?"
"Yeah... Damnit, that hurt..." I rub my head slightly and sigh sharply as my wrist com dings. "PIXEL."
"You're on the news! How fun?"
"Dios Mio," I grumble and run my hand through my hair. "Show me." A holoscreen pops up and I watch for ten seconds. "OK, I'm done listening to this bitch. What the Hell ever happened to Irani, huh? I could at least tolerate her." I look at the screen for a moment and type on my wrist com for a moment.
"We seem to have a tip coming in. Hello?"
"Yeah, hi. You keep saying this shit, which is slander, and I'll come to kick your ass, Alden."
"This is just proving what I say to be true, Admiral."
"Oh, it is? Well... How about this tidbit of information? You think I'm bad now? Keep this up and you'll be lucky to make it out with the clothes on your back when I'm through with you. It would be a shame if someone were to find out about your past, wouldn't it Runner?" Her eyes widen slightly before she narrows them at the camera and I smirk.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Of course not. I'd have to be stupid to threaten Nova Prime. I'm just... Offering you some friendly advice. Stop coming at me or I'll come at you. Xandar isn't fond of things that you've done if I remember correctly. And, just so we're clear..." I tap my wrist com and a picture of her talking to a blurred-out person dressed in blue with the sign of the building blurred out badly pops up behind her on the live news stream. "Any questions, Geat? Or are we clear?"
"Crystal," She growls and I tap my wrist com again, making the picture go away.
"Good. I'd hate to have to send the original pictures to the media. And I'm sure you would hate that too, wouldn't you? Have a lovely day, Nova Prime, Ma'am." I end the transmission and watch the news stream end immediately. "Well, there's one problem solved."
"What the fuck was that?" Dad looks at me and I smile sweetly.
"Dad, if I've learned one thing in being alive this long as a Ravager, Avenger, and former HYDRA soldier, it's this. Use leverage to get what you want. And I want her to stop talking shit and I have plenty of leverage to get her to."
"So blackmail?"
"Oh, yeah. SO much blackmail."
"'M so proud 'a ya, Kid," Kraglin says as he pats my head and I roll my eyes, punching him lightly in the arm. "Taugh'cha good."
"Yeah, you did. Good job."
"So what do you have on her?"
"She is the former owner and operator of the Iron Lotus. And I have so much proof of it. It would be a shame if they were to be leaked to the public and destroy her reputation, wouldn't it?"
"You're terrifying."
"Good." A knock echoes on my door and I pull up the video feed before opening it for Tullk and Oblo. "'Sup?" Tullk hands me a holopad and I look at it, tensing slightly. "How many people have viewed this?"
"'Nough tha' all 'a the bad in the Galaxy is gon' know 'is face, Cap," Oblo says carefully and I push my hair out of my face. "We got Mor an' Indri workin' on gittin' it down."
"Tell them I want every bit of information about it. And tabs kept on the frequency that posted it." He nods and goes to do that, running once he's out of my Quarters. "Tell Nebula to increase security five percent and tell Vorker to put at least two extra people on each team for any jobs. I don't care if he already had a plan worked out for one, have him change it so that there's less chance of a stowaway."
"Aye, Cap'n. Anythin' else?" I look at the holopad again and glance toward the stairs, thinking.
"Tell Horuz not to let LJ out of his sight for longer than three minutes while they're working." He nods and goes to do that, the door shutting behind him. "Shit!" Dad takes the holopad and curses too.
"What is it?" Aleta asks and I press the heels of my palms to my head, leaning back.
"The Destroyers sold LJ out to the Kree and Skrull Radicals that work together. They've got a bounty on his head that's on par with mine. Damnit!"
"What?" I sit up and look at LJ. "What does that mean?"
"It means you've got to be careful. When we leave this ship, you are not to leave my side or Loki's."
"I can handle myself against them!"
"LJ!" I bellow and he freezes. "Enough! You aren't leaving one of our sides when we're planetside! No more arguing!"
"What are you so afraid of? They'll just try and fail to kill me! So what? What's the big deal?"
"This!" I move my neckerchief and he stares at the scars on my neck, fear plastered on his face. "They sold you to them as a slave, LJ! That's the big deal! That's what I am so afraid of! Any one of us barely survived it! You wouldn't even have a chance! What use do they have for a battle slave that loses but can't die? They don't! Do you have any clue what they would do to you? They'd..." I drift off and clench my jaw tightly, looking at him. "They would break you... And break you... And break you some more..."
"So you are afraid?" He asks as he comes closer and I rub my face.
"LJ, I am fucking terrified at the very thought of either group of them getting a hold of you... But the one where they're teamed up? Terrified doesn't even begin to cover it... Fear is the only thing that surrounds any thought when it comes to you... I am terrified that I'm gonna screw something up with you and I have been since you were born... That's why I kept my distance... I am cursed and-"
He hugs me tightly and I stumble slightly before hugging him back after a few moments. "You aren't cursed... Because if you are, then so am I... We just have awful luck..."
"The worst, huh?" I rest my chin on his head and hug him tighter. "I need you to stay safe... And for that to happen you need to follow the guidelines I'm giving you..."
"As my Captain?"
"As your parent... As someone who cares about you with all of their beings... Please," I whisper and he hugs me a little tighter.
"OK... I can do that... Do I still get to sleep where I have been?"
"Yes."
"OK, good." I let him go and rest my head against his lightly.
"Thank you," I breathe and he smiles a bit.
"So you do have a heart. How nice?" I roll my eyes at the comment and turn to look at the Avengers, crossing my arms slightly.
"What have I said about portaling into my Quarters without notifying me first?"
"We tried. PIXEL said you were busy. So... Here we are."
"That ain't the point. I'm amazed that you've got a heart."
I have Sam pinned on the floor with his arm twisted behind his back, my foot planted against his shoulder, and he hisses. "We've been over this numerous times, Sam. With a clear head, I can kick your ass. So watch. What. You. Say," I growl and bend his wrist slightly.
"OW OW OW OW! Got it! GOT IT!"
"Good." I let him go and Zemo hits him upside the head when he stands. "How did you two manage to switch how annoying you each are?"
"You've just grown to like me, Admiral. It must be because you see me as admirable."
"I will cut you. Without hesitation. If you ever say that again."
"Understood. It may also be because I have a healthy fear of you."
"Always a good idea."
"Yes, it is. We saw what was going on. Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Keep an ear and eye out for any chatter or new postings."
"For just his or yours too?" Steve asks simply and I look at him. "Nice eye, by the way."
"Both. And I know. Let me know if you hear or see anything."
"How's three thousand doing?"
"Mor's doing good. He's working on getting that post down with Indri right now."
"Oh, there was something else." Bucky comes over and hits me upside the head. "What the Hell is wrong with you? Blackmailing the current Nova Prime on live TV? Are you insane?"
"Yes, helps my rep, and everything. Also, OW!" He looks at me and I cross my arms cooly. "I know what I'm doing. Besides, I've been pissin' Novas off since I was twelve. That stupid party thing was fun. Made it so much better when we stole that artifact or whatever from right under their noses."
"Um, question..." I quirk an eyebrow at LJ and he smiles slightly. "Do I still get to go on jobs?"
"Until I'm satisfied that you can defend yourself if you get separated from the team again, no."
"Moddy-"
"Calm down. You took after me and learn quickly. Every solar cycle, you're gonna be training with me for an hour. It won't be at the same time but it will be for an hour. Got it?"
"OK. And then I can still go on jobs?"
"You're right. He did take after you," Dad scoffs and I look at LJ.
"If you can manage to defend yourself against me, then yes. Is that fair enough?"
"Yeah!" He smiles and I quirk the corner of my mouth up slightly in a smile.
"Good. You guys can leave," I tell the Avengers and Bucky looks at me for a moment before nodding.
"Don't do anything stupid until Peter's birthday, huh, Razzle Dazzle?"
"Hard to do since you're takin' all the stupid with you." Bucky scoffs and goes through Stephen's portal back to their ship.
"Two solar cycles!"
"Got it. Now go away." The portal closes and I roll my eyes. "You have no clue how annoying they all are most of the time."
"I have a good idea," Loki scoffs and I shrug slightly in agreement.
"That's fair." I look at LJ and he looks back at me, a little confused. "I got time to kill and so do you. Up for a practice lesson?"
"Why do I feel like I should be terrified?"
"Cuz ya should be," Kraglin cheers from the bar and I roll my eyes, shrugging my duster off. "Kid's crazy!"
"No shit, Sherlock. Look who I grew up around." He barks out a laugh and I look at LJ. "You won't get hurt this time. This is just so you know how it'll work. Alright?"
"OK..."
"Good. Now, first thing. Take your duster off. It'll give me, your opponent, something to grab onto while you're wearing it." He nods and takes it off, putting it over the back of the couch with mine while taking his eyes off of me.
"OW!" He turns to look at me after getting a smack to his head and rubs it slightly. "That hurt!"
"Don't take your eyes off of your opponent. Ever. Come at me."
"What?"
"Attack me." He looks hesitant as he comes forward and I grab him, pinning his wrist between his shoulder blades easily as I hold one. "Don't hesitate." I let him go and he spins to look at me, rubbing his shoulder with a slight pout. "Again." He comes forward and tries to punch me.
I easily dodge it and shove him off balance, watching him stumble. "This is stupid!"
"Calm down. If you're upset in a fight, you don't think clearly. You don't think clearly, it gives your opponent an advantage to take you down. Your form is terrible."
"You could at least soften the blow," Dad scoffs and I ignore him.
"You put too much of your body into the swing and take too long to recover from a failed swing."
"It's not like hand-to-hand combat was something Grandfather allowed me to do with the guards! I've never even seen a fight!"
"Fair enough. You learn better being shown, then?"
"I can copy it better than if you tell me what to do, yeah," He grumbles and I nod, pulling my hair back to get it out of my face.
"Up for a rematch, 'Mora?"
"Of course. Just hand-to-hand?"
"Yeah." She nods and comes over. "You stand here and watch." I move LJ over to the arm of the couch and he nods. "Good. It's about damn time I get to beat you," I smirk slightly as I look at Gamora and she rolls her eyes.
"You always were overly confident." She starts to attack me and I catch the kick she aims at my stomach, flipping her onto the floor. "That was new."
"Took me two weeks to learn that." She sweeps my feet and I roll away into a crouch, watching her punch the floor. "That had to hurt," I smirk and bend backward to avoid the knife she throws at me. "That! That right there is why I have trust issues!" I flip to my feet and look at her. "This is fun."
"Yes, it is. And you still talk too much during a fight." She swings at me and I block it, getting a kick to the side in return. "If your opponent blocks or avoids one hit, use another attack on the other side. Like I just did," She tells LJ, keeping her eyes on me, and I smirk slightly. "And to take them to the ground, as Rogue would say, there are numerous ways." She swings at me and I spin away from it slightly, hooking my arm around her knees to flip her around my shoulder. She falls onto her back on the floor with a grunt and I smile down at her.
"'Sup?"
"Still as cocky as ever." She takes out my knee and I quickly block the kick she aims at my head, catching her fist when she tries to punch me in the face.
"Shit!" She flips me onto the floor with a fancy leg move that Nat uses too and pins me with a knife resting lightly against my throat.
"So... I believe that I have won, yes?"
"Eh... Not yet. I've still got bout... Three seconds." I hit her in the chin with the heel of my left palm as I grab her knife and hook my leg around her waist to throw her to the ground, pinning her wrists above her head while pressing the blunt edge of the knife against her throat, my knees trapping her legs. "So... I think this means that I won, right?"
"Yes. Now get off of me." I stand and offer her my hand, pulling her to her feet when she takes it. "You have gotten much better."
"Here's this back." I spin her knife and hold it out to her handle first. "And thanks. Took this damn long to beat you. Fuckin' Hell," I mutter and LJ looks at us.
"OK... I can probably only do a quarter of what I just saw." I laugh shortly and look at him, smiling.
"You don't have to be able to do all of it. It was just so that you could see some kinda basic moves."
"Alright... Can I try again, then?"
"Yeah. Come at me." I gesture slightly for him to and he attacks me, swinging a kick at my head. "Still too slow," I say simply as I block it and he kind of glares at me. "It's the truth. I'm not going to sugarcoat this for you because it could mean your safety if you're separated from your group. You need to work on doing it faster. From now on we'll do this in the gym. For the first ten minutes, I'll show you how to do something. The rest of the time is gonna be you practicing it, either against me, someone else, a punching dummy, or a punching bag. Got it?"
"Yeah." He lets out a huff of breath and I look at him, noticing he still had a long-sleeve shirt on.
"So long as you have a tank top on underneath that, take it off if you're getting hot." He does after a moment of thought and I look at him again. "He is the definition of a string bean but we'll fix that," I mutter to myself and he sets his shirt over the back of the couch. "What did Odin allow you to do?"
"Read, write, anything that didn't involve... Anything that goes on here."
"Of course. You like it here better, then?" He aims a punch at my stomach and I catch his fist easily. "Form's better. Again."
"Yeah, I do." He swings at my head and I lean back, catching his arm to pin his wrist between his shoulder blades. He plants his elbow in my stomach while stomping on my foot and I let him go, nodding slightly as he spins to look at me. "How was that?"
"Not bad. It won't work more than once on someone that you aren't just practicing with, though."
"Got it."