Chapter 13
"Rogue," He says with a gentle hand on my arm to stop me from wrecking the cabin anymore and I look at him, barely holding it together now. "There isn't one here... Let's go back to the Compound, alright?"
"Yeah... Yeah, OK..." He opens a portal and leads me through it.
"Any luck?" Tony asks and Strange shakes his head while I pace the floor, thinking. "Rogue?"
"What?" I stop and look at him.
"They left already. They're gone."
"No. No. Just, no. They wouldn't have just left me here. They wouldn't. They wouldn't..." I run a hand through my hair harshly and go back to pacing because if I don't I'm going to fall over.
"You sure about that? Because that's sure as Hell what this looks like," Rhodey says simply and I reach for my knife on reflex to find it not there.
"Fucking Hell!" I harshly run a hand through my hair again and try to think of what happened, pacing still.
"I found these if that helps any," Peter says carefully as he comes back in and sets my Walkman on the table along with my old pocket knife and Dad's music stuff. "And this note. I can't read it..." I take the note and read it quickly before sinking into a chair.
"They wanted to give me the normal life on Terra that I deserve and they took my kids with them... Because it was their idea... So they took everything that had any memories connected to them or that they gave me... Including the sword that I got from Gamora... They took... Everything," I breathe and stare at the note, recognizing the handwriting. "Pops wrote this note... Probably because Doc thought I should have some sort of explanation... Because I won't have any way to contact them... Unless they come back to the cabin for Christmas..." I scoff and crumple the note up, staring at it as my eyes start to glow.
It goes up in flames and ashes settle in my palm. "Um... How'd you do that?"
"Magic, Stark. Magic."
"Uh, right... Makes sense..." I push myself to my bare feet and blow a loose strand of hair out of my face. "You want new clothes?"
"You got clothes that'll fit me?"
"Well, no. Not right now, at least."
"Then, no. Not right now, at least."
"Hey, we get that you're hurting right now, but you can't take it out on us," Bucky says simply and I look at him.
"You may be over a hundred fucking years old but that doesn't mean you get to tell me what to fucking do."
"And what are you planning on doing? Drinking? Or just continuing the destructive behavior you currently have until somebody has enough and just punches you in the face?"
"Good thing none of you are tall enough, then, huh?" I walk away and toward the elevator Peter had come off, getting on before closing the doors. "JARVIS?"
"Yes?"
"Could you take me to whatever floor has a gym in the joint?"
"Of course."
"Thanks."
"No thanks needed, Miss." The elevator goes down and I lean against the wall, frustrated and upset. "Here we are."
"Thanks, JARVIS."
"You're most welcome. If you plan to use the punching bags, equipment to do so is in the cabinet to the left of the entrance."
"Got it. Thanks, again." I get off of the elevator and go toward the gym, getting into the cabinet. None of the gloves fit so I just wrap my hands up then wrap my feet too to be safe and make a mental note to get someone to go shopping with me to get clothes and shoes. I go over to the bag and can't stand the silence. "JARVIS?"
"Yes?"
"Could you play some music?"
"What genre and time?"
"Um... Around the 70s and 80s rock, I guess... Like, um, never mind. Death metal, please."
"I can do that."
"Thanks." He responds by playing the music and I let the music flow through me for a second, relaxing slightly before I start to beat the shit out of the punching bag, relaxing more at the repetition of punching and kicking the bag.
"Y'know, I think you've won." I spin to look at a guy with an eyepatch and he was sitting in the shadows on a bench. "Maybe give the bag a break before you break it, yeah?" I respond by giving the back a roundhouse kick and sending it off of the chain into the opposite wall, raising an eyebrow at him. "Alright. Nick Fury. You are?"
"Rogue Quill Fletch Laufeyson," I respond as I drop the names Udonta and Obfonteri just like they dropped me.
"I get the feeling that used to be longer."
"Used to be, yeah. Not anymore."
"Why's that?"
"Why do you care, Fury?" He chuckles and looks at me.
"I like you. Walk with me." He heads to the elevator and I follow, both of us getting on it. "JARVIS, take us to the others."
"Of course, Director Fury." The elevator climbs and opens once we get to the floor the others were on.
"Fury, what do you want?" Tony asks and I follow, leaning against a wall.
"Where have you idiots been?"
"With me," I say simply and he looks at me. "Anybody got a hair tie?" Morgan brings me one and I smile a bit at her. "Thanks, Morgan." I pull my hair back and tie it so it looks slicked back, Fury watching me. "Wanna take a picture, dude? It'll last longer."
"I like this one," He smirks and I flip him off, making him laugh. "Yeah. Keep this one around, yeah?"
"That's the plan. She's family." I don't respond to Steve's statement and gently pat Morgan's head when she hugs me. Tony looks at me and I ignore him to instead stare at Fury.
"You look familiar."
"Do I?"
"Yeah, you do."
"Do I look like I care?" I pop my knuckles and look at him with disinterest, quirking my left eyebrow slightly above my glasses.
"You're gonna make a great addition to the Avengers."
"Wait. What?" I look at him, confusion and shock written across my face, and he smirks.
"Why else would I be here?"
"Seeing as how I have no clue who you are, I don't know."
"Wow. That hurts."
"Good. If you're going to talk in riddles, at least let me get a drink first."
"I'm the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the founder of the Avengers Initiative," He explains simply and I nod.
"Good for you. What makes you think I'd even want to join the Avengers? Had a pretty good thing going for me when I met 'em."
"How's it going for you now?"
"How about you give me a gun and I'll show you just how good it is?"
"That a death threat?"
"Who said I was making threats?"
"I did."
"Well, you're wrong. It was just a request for a gun. If I were going to threaten you, I'd threaten you. And it wouldn't be a threat, it'd be a promise."
"Whatever you say, Raziah," He smirks as I tense and Morgan goes back over to Tony and Pepper. "Facial rec has gone a long way since you were last seen on the planet. About... Twenty-five years this autumn?"
"Damn. Time flies when you're not getting the shit beat out of you, huh? Or when you are. Guess it has been that long," I scoff and look at him. "Don't really go by that name anymore. But, might start again. The only nickname I got from Rogue is Ro."
"Always a good idea to have an alias unless you're Thor. Where's that brother of yours?" I cross my arms and clench my jaw slightly.
"He sacrificed his life to save ours and get rid of those following Thanos." Fury nods a bit and looks at me as I turn my ring on my finger slightly.
"And where'd you get that?"
"None of your damned business." I stop turning my ring and push off of the wall, keeping my arms crossed.
"Alright. What special talents you got?"
"I was trained by space pirates to do what they do, can shoot people with a sniper, stab shit, tie people up with vines, and set shit on fire. I could probably control water and air if I tried hard enough."
"Oh, my God. You'd be like Aang from the Last Avatar show," Morgan gasps and I scoff slightly, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly in a smile.
"I guess, yeah."
"What else?"
"I'm a basically Goddess."
"Uh-huh. Prove it."
"I ain't gotta prove shit to you. So, kindly and respectfully, fuck off." He laughs and I ignore him to instead get a drink.
"Yeah. That ain't how this works." He levels a gun at me and I calmly pour myself some juice from a fridge at Tony's slight nod of approval.
"Oh no. A gun. How terrifying. I'm shaking in my... Wraps," I say sarcastically and put the juice up.
"You think I won't shoot you?"
"I don't care either way. Let me make this easier for you." I grab a kitchen knife and spin it slightly in my hand as I take a drink of the juice in my other, walking toward him. "At least now it'll be justified. Or, I could just stab myself through the heart and make your job easier. Not that it would do anything."
"Sure about that?"
"Yep."
"Do it then."
"I may be an asshole, but I'm not cruel enough to scar Morgan like that. Dickweed." I stop in front of him and spin the knife once more until I'm holding it by the blade, holding the handle out to him. "Also," I finish my juice and set the glass on a nearby table followed by the knife. "I'm stronger than you." I disarm him and hold his gun at my side, looking down at him. "So, kindly, fuck off and leave me alone." I hold his gun out to him and he takes it, flipping the safety back on. "Have a lovely day, Director Fury." I take the glass and knife back to where the drinks were and put the knife back, leaning against the counter.
"Can I have some juice?"
"Sure, kid." I pour her some juice and hand it to her before pouring myself a bit more.
"Thanks."
"Mhmm." I lightly clink our glasses together and she smiles as she drinks.
"Welcome to the Avengers Initiative, Emyrada," Fury says simply before he leaves and I down my drink, setting it in the sink for now.
"Well... If you're going to be one of us, you need a suit." Tony pulls up a screen and a light flashes across my body for a moment before my measurements are on the screen. I go over to him and look at it critically. "Fabric?"
"I prefer my Leathers because they have a lot of pockets and places to hide things. But... I don't have those anymore. Annoying... Hm. What do you have?"
"Everything."
"Helpful. Thank you." I look at the screen and cross my arms again. "It'll have to be lightweight and flexible. With pockets or a way to put pouches on it or something like that." He nods and starts working on a design with that. "Dark colors are always a good idea."
"Not a criminal anymore, you're a hero."
"Was a hero before too, but whatever."
"Got a color you like that isn't dark?"
"I like purple, I guess."
"Purple?"
"I don't know. I've worn dark colors my whole life. I like... Blue, red, green, black, gold, and purple. I don't know, dude."
"What about gold and orange?" Pepper suggests and I shrug, not caring right now.
"I know nothing about fashion like Segs has mentioned before. Because I don't care about it. If there's gold in it, awesome. I'll take whatever other color you add to it. I do care about getting clothes that won't be for fighting crime, though. Somebody mind coming shopping with me so I can get clothes and shoes?"
"Me, Michelle, and Peter'll come!" Morgan smiles and I give her a thumbs up.
"Sounds good, kid. Hey, Tony. We need-" He holds out a card and Morgan takes it.
"Use however much you need to get what you need and something to eat, too."
"I was going to say we need a ride... But, I just realized I don't have any money period... So, thanks..."
"Happy's waiting downstairs."
"Cool."
"We'll come too to make sure you don't get kidnapped," Steve says and I shrug slightly, heading to the elevator with them as I talk to Morgan. "Watch your-" He tries to warn me, still by Tony, but I bash my forehead into the top of the elevator doors and I stop walking, shaking my head.
"Ow." I duck into the elevator and rub my forehead slightly. "That fucking hurt." Peter was laughing and I roll my eyes at him as we take the elevator down to the bottom where a guy with a car was waiting.
"Hey, Happy!"
"Oh, good. You're back. Who's the new one?"
"Sup?" He nods and Morgan talks to him happily as we all get into the car, me in the front with him since it was the best spot for me to fit into.
"I'm gonna have to get a bigger car for when I drive you around, aren't I?"
"Uh... Maybe? Sorry..." He drives to a mall and Morgan hands Bucky the card.
"So. What do we call you now?" Peter asks and I turn a bit to look at him, thinking about that.
"Um... Raziah, I guess. Raz, Razi, Zia, Zee, Zi, Ra, or whatever nickname you can come up with...? Or Em for the start of Emyrada." I shrug and Happy parks, turning the car off. "Um, Tony said we could buy food and I was thinking Chinese if that's cool with you guys?" They nod and I look at Happy. "You want some?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. Do I need shoes to go inside this place?"
"Should be fine."
"Cool, cool." I carefully climb out of the car and almost fall on my ass, swearing loudly as I catch myself against a car, setting off the car alarm. "SHIT!" I jump away from it and fall on my ass, tense as my chest heaves.
"Been a while since you've been around cars, huh?"
"Yeah... Yeah, it has... They got more sensitive?"
"Yeah." A pissed-off woman comes over and presses a button in her hand.
"Which one of you delinquents set off my alarm?"
"That would be me... Sorry..." She looks at me and scoffs.
"I'm calling the cops."
"I just lost my balance while getting out of the car... You don't have to call the cops..." She looks at me and I look back at her, still on the ground.
"Look. You look like you're homeless and like you belong in jail with that outfit and those tattoos, if not for theft then for being a hooker. I'm calling the cops." I stand and tower over her while still trying to get her to chill.
"This is the only outfit I have and I have these tattoos in memory of important people to me. I'm sorry for setting off your car alarm. I lost my balance while getting out of the car."
"Um... It... It's fine..."
"What?"
"S-Sorry for the misunderstanding!" She runs off and I look after her, confused.
"What?"
"You scared the Karen," Peter says simply and I nod slowly.
"OK... You guys know the layout of this place so I can get shoes first?"
"Yeah. Come on. And stay close to us." They lead the way and I follow, noticing everyone turning to stare at me. I gulp slightly and tap my finger quickly against my palm to try to stay calm.
I hit Peter as the shit anxiety ticks start and wring my hands to try to keep it from happening again. "What happened to her back and throat?"
"Is she a felon?"
"She sure does have the tattoos of one."
"Is that the Winter Soldier and Captain America? What is she doing with them?"
"It must be part of a rehabilitation program."
"Have you ever seen someone so tall?"
"How'd she even get through the door?" A few people laugh and I wring my hands tighter, eyes locked to the floor in front of the others. Someone grabs one of my hands and squeezes it, making me blink to look at them. Morgan smiles up at me and I smile back a tiny bit, kinda squeezing her hand back.
"Here are the shoes. They sell socks so let's buy some of those first." Bucky grabs a package of plain white socks and pays for them before tossing them to me. Peter catches them and tears them open handing me a pair. "Put those on and we'll find some shoes for you to try on." I nod and sit on a bench to do that, leaving the wrap on.
"What kind of shoes you like?" I think and shrug, standing to look at them with Morgan staying close to me.
"Ooh! These are cool!" She points to ones that had flames on the bottoms of them and I nod. "What size shoe do you wear?"
"Um..."
"That's OK. We can get the foot measuring thing and find out that way. Hey, Uncle Steve. How do we use this?"
"She puts her foot in it and wherever her toes are, that line tells us her size."
"OK." I put my foot in it and she looks at the line. "Um... She goes past the women's sizes."
"Then do the men's sizes." I switch and she nods.
"Thirteen and a half wide."
"God, is it some kind of t****y?" Someone scoffs and I feel uncomfortable. "What a fucking t**p," They scoff and I mess with my nails a bit, having forgotten how cruel Terrans could be.
"Oh! Look! I found some in your size!" Morgan shows me the shoes and I smile a bit, looking at them as I take them. "Try them on!" I carefully try one on and my toes were a bit too tight for my liking.
"Do they have a fourteen wide?"
"Hm... I think so. Let me look!" She goes to look and I look with her, taking off the one I tried on. "Here's one!" She pulls out a box and hands it to me. I open the box and carefully try one on. "They fit better?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Morgan."
"No problem!" She smiles brightly and I smile a bit back. "Let's see if we can find some more!"
"I found some pride ones," Peter calls and I take off the one I tried on, holding onto the box as I go over to him with Morgan. "You said this one was the ally one, right?"
"Yeah."
"Here. Size fourteen wide. Try them on to make sure they fit. The sizes vary for the different brands, which is stupid." I nod my agreement and try one on, giving him a thumbs-up. "Sweet! I think that should be good for now."
"Can I get one more thing?"
"I guess so, yeah." I go over and get a pair of combat boots too. "Ready?"
"Yeah." I notice people looking at me with scorn still and Morgan stands next to me. I hug her and she looks up at me, smiling.
"I found a rainbow pride pair, too." I smile a bit and wait for the cashier to ring up the shoes and boots. Bucky pays with Tony's card, not letting me know the total, and I slip on the flame shoes, liking those because Morgan helped me pick them out and find them.
"Thanks."
"You can thank me by giving me a piggyback ride," Morgan says with a smile and I nod.
"Seems fair." I crouch slightly and she gets on my back before I continue through the mall with them to find clothes.
"Here! This place has funny shirts and references that Peter gets!" I chuckle softly and go into the store with the others, looking around enough that I don't notice the others getting clothes for me.
"Can I help you, Sir?" I keep walking through the pants and someone taps my arm, making me flinch slightly. "Can I help you, Sir?"
"Um... Just trying to find clothes that'll fit me..."
"Oh, my apologies, Ma'am."
"It's fine..."
"I can measure you to make finding your clothes easier if you wish?" Bucky nods for me and I set Morgan down so he can measure me. "Alright. I recommend getting clothes that are an inch or two bigger or longer to make sure they fit without having to try them on and just buying a belt." I nod a bit and look around with the measurements, getting some jeans and ripped jeans. Morgan points out some shorts and sweat pants so I get those too and I get some T-shirts, long sleeves, short sleeves, tank tops, and hoodies, a lot of them having pictures and stuff on them.
"Alright. I think I have enough clothes, Morgan."
"OK," She sighs and I head to the counter where the others were already waiting. The cashier finishes the transaction and we head out to the food court with all of the bags.
"I didn't need all of those clothes." They just shrug and I shake my head slightly. "I'm going to get changed into some of these."
"We'll be here when you get back." I grab a pair of ripped jeans and a shirt with a picture of Stitch wrapped in a Rainbow flag on it, going to get changed quickly.
"Looking good," Morgan says as I come back and I shake my head slightly, smiling a bit as I sit next to her. "Can we eat now?"
"Yeah. That's a good idea."
"What do you want?"
"Um... Sweet and sour pork with an eggroll and white rice, please? And a Coke?" Bucky nods and goes with Steve to get our orders.
"You still need a few more things," Michelle points out and it takes me a second to realize what she means, nodding.
"Yeah, that's true. After we eat?" She nods and I notice some people still staring at me so I end up tapping my middle finger against the table to try to deal with the rising anxiety.
"They have a bookstore here too," Morgan says with a smile and I look at her, stopping the tapping as I'm confused instead of anxious.
"I don't need books, though..."
"Everyone needs books! Especially if you like to read. You can do it in your downtime and relax," She explains and I nod slightly.
"Fair point, fair point." I look over to see the two of them were waiting in the fairly long line to get the food, near the middle of it, and tap my thumb against the corner of my mouth slightly, thinking. "They're probably gone be a minute. Wanna go check it out?"
"Yeah!"
"You know where it is and how to get back here, Morgan?" Peter asks and she nods. "Alright. Be careful and stay close to her."
"I will. Come on!" She pulls my hand slightly and I go with her, easily swinging her onto my back. She laughs and I smile, following her directions to the bookstore. "What genres do you like?"
"I like all of them. It's fun to learn about the history of places and new languages."
"Oh, like Spanish?"
"Yeah. You know any of it?"
"Un poco."
"What?"
"I said a little in Spanish... Do you not have your chip anymore?"
"Guess not..." I look at the books with a little less excitement, sad at that news, and she hugs me carefully around my neck.
"It's cool! Now we can help you learn other languages!" I smile and look through the books about languages.
"There you two are!" I turn and see Steve coming over.
"Hey. Sorry, we wanted to check out the books while we waited." He carefully grabs my arm and was pissed.
"Buck told you to stay close to us for a reason," He hisses and I notice Bucky coming in too, also looking pissed.
"Sorry..."
"I wanted to help her relax and I thought finding books would help, Uncle Steve. It was my idea. Sorry," Morgan says from my back and I hold the books I had grabbed tightly, anxiety climbing at the thoughts racing through my head on what would happen now.
"I'm sorry," I whisper and Morgan rests her chin on my shoulder. Steve sighs and rubs his face, looking at Bucky.
"Put the books back and we'll all come back later after you've got everything you need. Alright?"
"OK..." I put the books back and help Morgan slide off of my back, going back to the food court with them as I pick at my nails.