Battle Scars

Hayley woke up in a bed in her room.

What happened?

Everything started to come back to her of her losing control and almost destroying the room and the team finding out she couldn’t control her powers. So, why was the room perfectly in order? Hayley swore this room was almost blown to shreds.

Her body felt like it was hit by a freight train: completely drained and beat to hell. She groaned as she forced herself out of bed, stumbling to her feet and almost falling flat on her face. Hayley took a couple deep breath breaths before walking out of the door.

Again, the energy hit her hard, and not in a good way. Hayley followed the energy to see the Avengers arguing with each other. There was a man with a weird cape on his back and she could the powerful energy radiating from him. He sat up to look at her with curious eyes.

“I’m assuming this is her,” he said, pointing to her.

The team fell silent as they turned to look at Hayley.

“Yes. That’s her,” Steve said.

He hummed in response and got up. The strange (pun intended xD) man walked up to the girl and stared down on Hayley like she was worthless.

“My name is Doctor Ste-”

“Stay back,” she screamed.

She blasted him with astral energy, which he countered with another spell. Hayley backed away from him, eyes wide and terrified that he just ignored her attack.

“Calm down Hayley. .I won’t hurt you,” he tried to say.

She looked around and saw a chair, using her powers to lift it and throw it at the doctor, along with various other objects in the room. Arms wrapped around her from behind, pinning her arms behind her back to subdue her as Hayley struggled in his arms.

“He won’t hurt you! He won’t hurt you,” Steve’s voice yelled in her ear.

It took quite a bit of coaxing from the others that this man wasn’t out to get her and to calm her down. And even then, Hayley was still twitching and flinching at his every move. Natasha and Steve’s presence was honestly the only thing keeping her from losing her mind as the doctor started to slowly walked towards her.

“My name is Stephen Strange. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he told her gently.

Hayley didn’t answer him, staring cautiously as he stood in front of her, studying her like an experiment. It was then that Hayley saw his hands: how damaged and scarred they were, slightly trembling on their own accord.

“What happened to your hands,” she asked him carefully.

She could feel the shift in his mood. Sensitive topic she guessed. He looked at his hands with sadness.

“It was a. .a car accident.”

Hayley nodded and nervously, and reached for his hands. He tensed up for a second.

“May I?”

He eyed her as she took his hands in hers. As an empath, Hayley was able to heal emotional pain and trauma, and if she tried really hard, she could heal physical wounds. Healing the emotion, however, would, in turn, take some of the pain of the injury away. All she would have to do is focus and not lose control.

Hayley took a deep breath and concentrated on his hands, feeling his pain and taking it into herself. She watched flashes of a memory from Stephen as she held his hands. She saw him on the phone in a nice car before the scene changed completely, the abrupt shift causing her to flinch as she felt everything: the car swerving off the road into the water, the shock and sudden jerk of the crash, the fear, pain, and sudden loss of air. Hayley broke away with a gasp, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Hayley was still in shock, not ready for any of that, but she tried to seem calm and collected.

“They do tell you not to text and drive right,” she pants, staring at the ground, still a little breathless.

He looked at his hands then back at her, the intrigue clearly written on his face for her to read like a book.

“Yea...Hayley, how did you do that,” he asked, tone very serious.

Subconscious panic arose and Hayley started to panic at his voice, stumbling on her words as she tried to answer.

“I-I-I d-don’t. .I’m not sure...It just happened... .I-. Please... ..,” Hayley stuttered flinching back a little bit.

The girl whimpered and struggled to stay calm as she felt the fear coming to take over. The thought of being hurt for messing up or doing something wrong by the doctor was terrifying. Natasha quickly ran over and pulled her into a hug.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey...It’s alright...Just breathe...Shh... .,” she soothed, cradling her like a child.

It was working. A foreign feeling swirling in her chest as Hayley clung to her hard as though she might disappear at any second. She kept whispering soothing words into Hayley’s hair until she was fully able to concentrate and breathe.

“You alright, honey?”

Hayley nodded and Natasha pulled away reluctantly and went back over to the rest of the team. When she looked up, she saw Stephen holding his head, blinking rapidly like he was trying to come back from being disoriented before looking at her: impressed and curious.

“Wha-what was that?”

Hayley blinked in confusion and asked, “What?”

“You sent me flashes of memory. It’s called telempathy. Powerful empaths can send messages sometimes in the form of images or flashes of a memory through emotion. It’s what you did with my hands, but the skill it takes to do that. . .”

Hayley’s eyes shifted to the ground instantly. He saw what they did? How much? What did he see? Hopefully not Lex. . . He seemed to be in shock and processing what he saw.

“I can teach you. Help you get them under control,” he told her.

Was this man serious? She met him three seconds ago and he wants her to go with him? No way. She unconsciously started to shuffle her feet. Hayley could see Thor wasn’t happy with that idea and had something else in mind, the others were mostly indifferent.

“N-no,” she said, shaking her head, backing away from him.

“Hayley, listen,” Clint started.

“No! You can’t make me go with him! I don’t trust him. Don’t make me go... I don’t want to leave...Please... .,” Hayley begged them.

She felt strangled the air that once helped her breathe now choking her. Dr. Strange seemed to sense her distress.

“Hayley, you need to breathe.”

What she needed to do was get out of here. It didn’t matter where she went, anywhere was fine, as long as she got away. Hayley disappeared into the ground and popped up, hopefully, in her room. At least she was away.

“Well hello there,” Loki said, startling her.

Well, she got out of there, just not to her room...Hayley stared at him dumbly. Great. Not only did she pop in his room, now he probably thinks she’s an idiot.

“Idiot is far from the word I’d use,” he said nonchalantly.

Hayley widened her eyes, earning a chuckle from Trickster.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come here...It was an accident. I- I wanted to- I was trying to... .I’ll just go,” she said quickly, stumbling over her words in a panic.

“And what was it that made you so upset,” he questioned, an amused smile plastered on his face as he walked up to her calmly. The girl started backing away slowly as she spoke.

“N-nothing!”

Her back was pressed against the door now, preventing her from going any further.

“You do know that they call me the God of Lies right? So, how about you try again?”

“Look, it’s not a big deal, I couldn’t trouble you over something so small. . .”

He raised an eyebrow at her, clearly not taking her response for an answer. Hayley took a deep breath and focused on his emotions: calm, amused, and curious. He wanted to mess with her! Being an empath had its perks in that she could figure out what people’s intentions were. In this instance, it made her feel a little better knowing she wasn’t about to be ripped to shreds. Now if Hayley could do this with doctors she’d be set! Still, there was always a nagging feeling of what if she was wrong and he might hurt her anyway.

“They’re fighting over me about my powers. There’s this doctor in a weird cape and he said he could help me control my powers, but I don’t trust him and I don’t want to go with him! What if he hurts me and makes me go back and I can’t escape and-”

“Slow down,” he said calmly, “You still have to breathe while you talk.”

Whoa...How true that is. She finally took the long needed breath she had been holding from talking a mile a minute.

“There’s a man who claims to be a doctor and wants to take me away and can help me with my powers.”

“Does he have a red cape?”

“Yea. . .”

His mood shifted to annoyed and mad and... .is that possessiveness?

“He is a second rate sorcerer! I can teach you more than that... .that knockoff,” Loki scoffed.

“He’s scary Loki...I don’t like doctors... .,” Hayley admitted, getting nervous just thinking about them.

This man was hard to read as she was unable to read what he was feeling now. Well, she sure knew what she was feeling...Good Ol’ sadness and fear.

“What did they do that was so horrible? Doctors are supposed to heal and be good right?”

“No! They’re demons in disguise! They did horrible things! They’re horrible...They made me a monster!”

Tears were running down her face as she spoke. He studied her like she was the most interesting thing in the world at the moment.

“You are far from a monster my dear.”

He thought he was a monster? Why?

“I could show you a hideous monster that would send you running for the hills.”

“I doubt I’d run away unless it was a doctor,” Hayley sniffled.

He moved closer, pressing her harder against the door.

“Are you scared,” he asked.

“No.”

“You should be,” he hissed.

“You won’t hurt me. You don’t scare me,” Hayley challenged.

“I will.”

She was silent as she stared at him, gulping as she stood with her back against the wall, frozen in her spot as Hayley watched the man in front of her change: his skin turning blue with intricate symbols and sigils painting his skin beautifully while his eyes turned into a beautiful shade of red. Hayley could feel the temperature in the room drop drastically but was mesmerized by the sight in front of her.

Is this what he meant when he said monster? The girl could feel the shame radiating from him, swirling his figure like a ghost. Why would he be ashamed? She felt drawn to him like his very essence was too captivating to deny as she raised a hand to touch his cheek. The instant coldness was a shock in of itself as Hayley got insight into what was the source of his feelings.

She saw flashes of him and learning what monsters Frost Giants were and the negative thoughts about them, then the shock and disgust about finding out what he was: the same Frost Giants he had been taught to hate and despise. The empath could feel everything he felt in that moment and it caused her to instantly pull away. Her hand turned a slight blue and burned from the cold of his skin. The rest of her body had gone numb.

Loki looked at her like he had just seen a ghost before glaring at Hayley with shock and anger. He had changed back to his “normal” form by now.

“You stupid little girl! Do you know what could’ve happened!? How the hell did you do that,” he seethed.
She wasn’t sure that she would remain intact at the moment anymore.

“I-I-I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to...I just- I wanted to- I...You weren’t scary... .or a monster. . . .,” she couldn’t form a coherent sentence as she whimpered and trailed off.

She closed her eyes, waiting for the incoming stab or hit.

“I- You weren’t scared?”

Hayley opened her eyes slowly to look at him, still tense and scared about being cut up into small pieces.

“N-No. .I thought you were still beautiful,” she told him honestly.

He was conflicted, knowing the empath was telling the truth and wondering how she was lying. Hm. He was also quite flustered about not knowing what to say.

“Then you’re more stupid than I realized,” he growled, storming away from her.

“Loki. . .”

“Leave!”

“IwantyoutoteachmemagicwithStrange!,” Hayley blurted.

Loki stopped, staring at her through narrowed eyes.

“What now?”

She took a deep, shaky breath.

“I want you to teach me magic with Strange."

“Absolutely not! Why would I subject myself to teaching a pathetic mortal girl with a second-rate sorcerer,” he seethed.

“Loki please,” the girl begged, “You’re stronger than him and do something if I can’t handle it and he scares me and I can’t let him teach me. Please. I don’t want to go with him. He’ll hurt me and he could kill me! What if he sends me back and I can’t escape and-"

“OK FINE! I’ll do it,” he growled, seeing her panic.

She looked at him in shock.

“R-really?”

“If it gets you to leave then yes, but you will owe me, little sorceress,” he spat the word sorceress out.

Despite his now-sour attitude, Hayley jumped at him and wrapped her arms around his waist in a big hug, tears of joy threatening to fall down her face.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” she repeated happily.

“Umm...You can let go now,” he commented.

Hayley blushed and quickly let go apologizing profusely at her slip up. He waved his hand, dismissing the apology.

“Just leave,” he said clearly annoyed.

She turned black just like the mist that swallowed her and teleported the girl back to the living room to try and convince the other Avengers to let Loki and Strange teach her at the same time.

It took a considerable amount of convincing to get the Avengers to agree, really not liking the idea of Loki training the girl, but she had come out on top. Strange would take her to the Sanctum with Loki so they could teach her magic safely. Loki was clearly still unhappy about this decision and have to help, but he stayed true to his promise and came with Strange and Hayley to the Sanctum nonetheless.

The trip to the Sanctum didn’t take long as Strange created a portal there. When the orange sparks appeared in the air, she jumped back in a panic and hid behind Loki, who was unimpressed with Strange.

“I could teleport us ya know,” Loki growled.

“I’d rather not have a psychotic maniac teleport me anywhere thank you very much,” Stephen quipped.

Their banter only served to make her more scared. What could happen if she walked through that circle? Was he trying to kill her? Oh God... .she didn’t want to die. They both went silent when Hayley let out an unconscious whimper.

“I won’t hurt you, Hayley. It will only take you to the Sanctum,” Strange said gently.

“I don’t trust you...What if you are taking me back to the Bad Place,” she only hid further behind Loki, clutching onto his black shirt as he looked down at her.

He turned to Strange who gave him an amused smile as Loki sighed and rolled his eyes. He knelt down and turned to her, his eyes soft and gentle.

“He won’t hurt you little dove...If he tries anything I’ll teleport you out of there. I’ll protect you,” he said, and Hayley could tell that he wasn’t lying.

The girl hesitantly came out from behind Loki and made her way cautiously through the portal, but not before hearing Loki growl at Strange, “Second rate sorcerer...You’ll pay for that.”

When she stepped through, she arrived inside a huge room with stairs right in front of her. Hayley could feel the magic energy coursing through her as she stared in awe around the room, marveling the decorated walls and furniture throughout the room.

Loki and Stephen soon followed, still arguing with each other about whatever had happened at the Tower. Stephen was clearly amused and enjoying the banter while Loki seemed annoyed.

“Where am I,” Hayley asked, half to stop their bickering and half out of genuine curiosity.

“This is the New York Sanctum and where you will be staying for a while,” Strange informed me.

With that, he showed us around the Sanctum and to our rooms. They weren’t as lavish as Stark Tower or anything, but she enjoyed the feel of it being homier and the energy that came with it. He showed us artifacts and the training area and finally the library. The girls' eyes widened with happiness and awe at the sight of all books.

“This is amazing! I’ve never seen so many books,” Hayley exclaimed with glee.

“You’d love the library at Asgard then,” Loki commented.

A man with a shaved haircut wearing brown robes sat at a desk, looking up as we entered.

“This is Wong. He’s another sorcerer and librarian,” Stephen commented, smiling at the man in greeting.

“Welcome back Stephen.. .,” Wong said before his eyes landed on Loki.

Instantly, he changed from calm and collected, to ready for a fight, summoning shields in his hands. Loki rolled his eyes.

“What is he doing here,” Wong spat.

“Seriously? You could’ve at least told your pathetic comrades,” Loki huffed at Stephen who pursed his lips and rolled his eyes at the Trickster.

Hayley went up to Wong who looked at her cautiously as she grabbed his arm, sending over emotions of calm and peace to the man. Strange and Loki looked at her in shock before Strange cleared his throat.

“He is here to help teach her. He’s OK Wong,” he told the librarian who lowered his weapons.

He stared down on Hayley, impressed with her.

“How did you do that,” he asked.

“I’m an empath... .,” she said shyly, “I’m Hayley.”

“Wong.”

He smiled at her as she shook his hand. Her eyes it up again as she bounced up to the two sorcerers.

“Please let me read for today! Please oh please can we train tomorrow,” Hayley begged them.

They couldn’t help but smile at her reaction. They both agreed and she bounced off to go read.

“She’s a lightbulb. Full of good energy,” Wong commented before going to deal with her and help her pick out a book.

“I had no idea she was this...Energetic. .I didn’t even know she could smile like that .,” Strange said.

“Probably because she hasn’t,” Loki hissed, leaving the room silently to go back to his room.

Strange just watched her, letting out a sad chuckle before leaving.