174 Times
Winter awoke in a somewhat familiar cell, a low groan caused him to turn around, wincing as he did so.
The unpleasant reminders brought back made James become more present in their mind, a reassurance everything would be fine.
In various expressions of discomfort and pain were the Avengers.
The widow had clearly recognized where they were, pulling into the glazed-over mask that he vaguely recalled her wearing during their time in the red room.
The falcon had quite a few bruises and some small cuts, but he looked like he was in pretty good condition considering he had no serum and was hurled through a storefront window.
Steve looked sore and had a sizable cut on his jaw but other than the slight grogginess he seemed relatively uninjured. He had the serum, he would heal in a few hours at most.
But Toni, Toni was in the worst condition by far. Her eyes were closed and she had so many cuts from her suit and her breathing sounded labored. The civilian clothing she was wearing had blood soaking through the fabric over her lower thigh.
He reached over and gently took her hand in his own, she gently squeezed it as she offered a tired and slightly strained, but warm smile.
He would make hydra pay for what they had done to her.
The echoing of footsteps resounded through the once silent corridor.
Everyone roused themselves, clint mustering up a scowl despite clearly just waking up.
“Look who's finally awake.” Smiling down at them with a shark-like hunger, was Alexander Pierce.
“Fuck off Pierce” Toni spoke without opening her eyes. “Just get it over with. I don't feel like dealing with your leering right now. We both know what you want. You’ve asked me 174 times. My answer is the same.”
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‘Since when had Toni known Pierce was Hydra? why hadn’t she told us?’ winter rumbled into their mind space.
‘She probably didn’t have proof, or she had a hunch but dismissed it because he’s an asshole.” James murmured, ‘but she's a genius, there could be hundreds of thousands of reasons.’
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One of the seven guards that had been flanking Pierce jerked open the cell door with a painful squeal causing everyone to wince.
The other six trained their guns on the Avengers as the other seized Toni and jerked her to her feet.
Winter growled, but a pat on the shoulder from Toni silenced him.
Powerless he watched as they dragged her out of the cell.
He snarled as the lock clanked shut and they dragged her out of view.
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He hauled himself to his feet and attempted to bend the bars, but even with his vibranium arm from Toni and the super serum, they remained firmly in place.
He attempted to kick it down, hoping they hadn’t reinforced the hinges or the walls but again, nothing.
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Hours passed, winter grew restless, he felt useless.
He hadn’t felt like this since Medusa had gone missing.
He wasn’t sure how long Medusa had disappeared because he had been in cyro some of the time but it had felt worse than the chair ever had.
Every mission he would stall, hoping she would turn up, hoping he would see his friend.
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Soft footsteps raced down the hallway.
The avengers, who had been trying to plan an escape and had finally shaken off their grogginess sat ramrod straight, tensed.
Waiting.
For what, winter was unsure.
For Toni to return covered in wounds because he had been too weak to protect her?
For another one of them to be dragged away?
For more of Pierce’s leering?
To become Gorgons chew toys?
“You look like you’re having fun.” Winter would know that voice anywhere. That was the person who had truly broken him from Hydra’s hold, more than and long before Steve ever had.
“Little spider, I’m glad you found your family but… maybe not under these circumstances.” The Widow who had been withdrawn and silent was looking wide eyes and a mouth hanging slightly open. It was rare to see the widow caught off guard.
Standing before them in the armor he so clearly remembered, was medusa.
She wore the same compact armor with that gentle blue glow. Her armored boots, pink skirt, eerie mask with glowing blue eyes, and hood helped to conceal her further.
Medusa's Armor!!!!! I am aware it is a little dramatic...
Steve, Sam, and Clint all looked terribly confused.
“Ummm…. Who are you?” said Steve, eloquent, as always.
“Oh, right only Rusty and Little Spider know who I am,” she did an exaggerated bow “Medusa at your service.”
Winter couldn't help the huffed laugh he let out at the awe, shock, and dawning horror on their faces.
“You … you’re Medusa? As in THE Medusa?” Clint asked.
“Yes. As you can see, I am decapitated and have snakes for hair," the sarcasm dripping from her voice sent a flash of a rainy night through winter’s head, a memory, or at least a glimpse of one. "no, however, I am Medusa, the one who is an assassin if that is what you are asking.”
“What are you doing here?” the Widow asked cautiously “you aren’t working with Hydra are you?”
Medusa snorted “hell to the fucking no. I will work with Hydra after the apocalypse and the planet is blown up. Speaking of blowing up, step back. I didn't bring any small explosives today.”
Knowing better than to risk the weapons of one of the world's best assassins everyone moved as far from the door as fast as they humanly could. She pulled out a small disk not much larger than a watch face which she slammed onto the lock and rapidly backpedaled.
Smoke filled the air followed by a loud clang, with slightly ringing ears the avengers watched as the smoke cleared and the door, now lay bent like a funhouse mirror.
The sound of snapping fingers shook them out of their daze.
“What are you waiting for? An invitation? Get the fuck up and get the fuck out of here or you can get your revenge while I finish this. I don't care, just MOVE.”