Failing
Steve caught Rhodey when everyone went to get ready to leave for Wakanda. “Why did it seem like Katherine was defensive about Loki?” he asked. Rhodey sighed and turned to him. “They’re like together Cap. Have been for a while.”
“He’s not controlling her or anything right? Taking advantage of her?” Steve knew he didn’t know this girl, but with Loki, you could never be sure, and he didn’t trust him as far as could throw him.
“No man, it’s not like that. I didn’t want to believe it either, but Loki really has changed. They’re like magical, mystical soulmates or something. Something to do with their magic connecting or something. I don’t know, it confuses me, but Tony gave him a chance, and so did I. He makes her happy, and from the life she had before she met us, I’ll take whatever happiness goes her way.” Rhodey said. Steve nodded, trusting Rhodey’s judgement, and Tony’s too, but he still wanted to keep an eye on Loki. It was him that Steve didn’t trust.
They were on the jet ten minutes later and Kat felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest. She’d never been on a plane before, let alone a private jet that flew way too fast for her liking. Her eyes were closed and she was holding onto her seat like her life depended on it.
“It takes some getting used to, but I promise you’re safe on the jet.” A voice said from beside her. She opened one eye and turned her head to see Steve sitting in the seat next to her.
“Thanks.” She said softly, letting out a big breath and relaxing slightly. “This would be the first time I’ve left the compound since Tony found me, and of course it had to be on a jet.”
“Why did Tony come to find you? If you don’t mind me asking.” Steve said. Kat shook her head. “It’s okay, I guess he found out about my powers and thought that I would be a good asset to the team? Maybe he felt bad about my situation too, I’m not really sure.” She told him.
“What do you mean your situation?” Steve asked her.
“I’ve been on my own since I was fifteen. There was an accident with my foster home and I didn’t have anywhere to go. I was on the street until I turned eighteen and could get into a shelter. I was there until Tony found me.” She told him. She looked down when she felt Steve’s hand lay on hers. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all that Katherine.” He told her. She smiled up at him. “Thanks. You can call me Kat.” Steve smiled and took his hand back, looking up to Nat in the pilot seat when she told them they were arriving.
Wakanda was beautiful. It was unlike anything Kat had ever seen. She was in awe when she stepped off the jet, spinning in small circles, taking in everything she could. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to find Steve and another man, with long brown hair and wait…a metal arm, grinning at her.
“This place is pretty incredible isn’t it.” The darker haired one asked. Kat nodded. “Kat, this is my friend Bucky, he’ll be an extra set of eyes out there for you if you need it okay? Rhodey told me this is your first mission, and I just want you to know, that we’ll protect you, and watch out for you.”
Kat smiled at Steve and stuck out her hand to Bucky. “Hi Bucky, I’m Kat.” She said. Bucky took her hand with his flesh one and gave her a warm smile. The rest of the team followed the King of Wakanda inside, T’Challa, she thought she heard someone say. She stayed outside with Rhodey and Bucky.
“Do you need a weapon?” Bucky asked her. She shook her head. “No, I’m my own weapon” She said jokingly, lifting her hand and wiggling her fingers at him, sparks of her magic coming off them. Bucky raised an eyebrow at her then shot his head up where there was an explosion above their heads. There was a giant forcefield around the city, but Kat wondered how long it would last.
“We got more incoming.” Rhodey said as more explosions rained down. They watched as ships soared from the sky and set up on the outside of the barrier. Just waiting. She watched Steve and Nat come out of the palace with the rest of the team, and a giant army. Kat climbed into a small ship with Steve, Bucky and Nat, flying across the field. When they got out, Kat looked around. There were hundreds of soldiers ready to fight, and she wondered if she was really ready. Her hands were shaking and she saw Steve look down at her.
“Hey.” He said softly. “You can do this. I know we just met, but I know you’re gonna be okay. Remember, we’ve got your back.” Kat let out a shaky breath and looked up at him. “Thanks Steve.” She said.
Steve, Nat and T’Challa walked down to the barrier to talk to some ugly ass aliens. Maybe they were trying to negotiate? Kat had the feeling that these weren’t the type to do so. The conversation didn’t last long, the trio returning quickly.
“They surrender?” Bucky asked to the left of her.
“Not exactly.” Steve told him.
The doors of the ships opened and droves of monsters flew at the barrier, tearing themselves apart trying to get past it.
“What the hell.” Bucky said.
“That’s gross.” Kat added.
“Guess we pissed her off.” Nat deadpanned.
The monsters started to circle around the barrier and Bruce said it they got through there wouldn’t be anything keeping them from Vision.
“On my count open the barrier.” T’Challa said.
Oh God. This was it. “Rhodey?” Kat called into her comms. “Yeah Kat?”
“I don’t know if I can do this.” She admitted. What if he had been right. What if she wasn’t ready to be an Avenger.
“Kat listen to me. I know what I said that day. I’m sorry. You have worked hard to get to where you are. You are ready. You CAN do this Kat. We believe in you. Loki believes in you.” Kat closed her eyes and felt a tear fall down her face. “Now come on, show em what you’ve got Sparkles. We need another eye in the sky.” Rhodey said. Kat rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna kill Tony.” She said laughing.
“Eye in the sky?” Steve asked. Kat glanced up at him and smiled, letting her eyes go black and her magic flow out of her hands, pushing herself up in to the air and soaring over to Rhodey and Sam. “Ready to party?” Rhodey asked her. She smirked and nodded.
T’Challa gave his command for the barrier to be opened, Kat sent down an electric shock to the first round that made it through the barrier. Rhodey came behind her for the second, sending explosives down on them. Sam pulled back, getting stragglers, and she watched as Steve led the army toward the barrier.
Kat, Rhodey and Sam were keeping a steady pace, weaving within one another to take care of the monsters. Kat looked down and saw that Bucky was getting attacked by several of them. She lifted two off him and threw them across the field. He killed the one on top of him and got up, throwing her a nod as he ran off.
“There’s too many of them!” Bruce called out as he was getting swarmed. Just then a giant beam of light came down and took out a good chunk of the monsters. Kat covered her eyes with her arm, and when the light died down, she saw a giant axe flying through the air pulsating with lightning. When it reached it’s owner, she saw a small animal, a raccoon maybe? Something that looked like a tree, and a tall blonde man that had a cape. He was dressed like Loki. That must be Thor.
Steve watched as Kat landed by Thor and ran up to him. “Are you Thor?” She asked. Thor nodded and looked down at the magic flowing through her hands. “You must be Lady Katherine, Loki told me all about you, although you are more beautiful than I pictured.” Kat smiled at him. “Thank you Thor. Is Loki here? Or is he with the rest of the Asgardians?” She asked hopefully. Thor looked down, taking her hands in his. “I’m so sorry Katherine…Loki…he…Thanos killed him. I will avenge his death I promise you. You will be under my protection as long as I live, I promised Loki that.”
Kat shook her head. “No, no, no.” She mumbled, pulling her hands from Thor’s. “I’m so sorry Katherine.” She started shaking, backing away from Thor. Steve came over to try and help. He may not have liked Loki, but he did know a thing or two about losing someone you loved. “Kat, it’s going to be alright.” Steve said softly, reaching a hand out to her. She jerked away fell to her knees, letting out an earth shattering scream, sending out waves of her magic to the monsters, leveling out a good chunk of them.
Thor flew off, screaming ‘Bring me Thanos!’ and Steve hauled Kat up from the ground, placing his hands on each side of her face. “Kat, hey. Focus.” She looked up at him and her eyes made him uneasy. He had never seen someone like this before. She was taking deep breaths, trying to focus on anything but the pain she was feeling in her heart. She focused on the pressure from Steve’s hands, which had now moved to her shoulders, trying to ground her. She focused on his heart beat, steady, calm. Her eyes changed back and Steve was smiling at her. “Okay good. I am so sorry this happened to you Kat, and you will have time to grieve, I promise you. But we have a fight to finish here, and we need you.” Damn he was good at giving pep talks. Kat nodded and took a deep breath in. “Thank you Steve.” She told him. He nodded, giving a small smile, before turning and running off, something about a Vision situation.
Kat focused on the fighting, ending up next to Bucky, back to back, him with his gun and her with her magic. “Guys, Vision needs backup now!” Sam said. Kat turned to Bucky, holding out her hand. “Come on.” She said. He tilted his head, but took her hand anyway, and she pulled him to her before sending them both up in the air, chuckling at Bucky, who tightened both his arms around her, holding on for dear life.
They landed near Wanda and Vision, and there was a rumble in the sky as a portal opened up to reveal a giant man with purple skin. “Cap, that’s him.” Bruce said. Wanda turned to Vision and started to destroy his stone.
"Kat! Protect them!' Steve told her. She slid in front of Wanda and Vision and threw up a barrier. One by one they went up against Thanos, and one by one he threw them aside. Once he reached Kat, he used the stones to push at her barrier. She pushed back just as hard, screaming at the strain it was putting on her. She could hear Vision telling Wanda that he loved her right before the stone, and Vision were destroyed. Thanos pushed her magic back at her and threw her against a tree. She clutched her head, which now had a steady flow of blood coming out of it.
She watched in horror as he used a stone to go back in time and rip the stone from Vision's head. Kat sucked in a breath as the Mad Titan added the final stone to the glove. Thor came out of the sky and threw his axe into Thanos’ chest, pushing it deeper and deeper. “You should have gone for the head.” He whispered and snapped his fingers. Thor screamed and Thanos disappeared in a portal.
Kat puled herself up and slowly made her way over to Steve who was standing by Thor. “What just happened?” She asked.
“Steve?” They turned to see Bucky walking toward them, turning into dust. Kat covered her mouth as Steve bent down to run his hand through the pile. Wanda was next to go. How many of the other team members were gone? Steve collapsed on the ground by Vision as Nat came around the corner.
“Oh God.” Steve said, realizing what had happened.
Thanos had done it.
They had failed.