Ignited 🔞

Eight

She was lost, but something was calling to her, telling her she had to wake up, now. She didn't want to be drugged again, so she felt for her power, feeling that it was stronger. She didn't know what to do, so in her mind she grasped onto it, as though it was her lifeline.

She felt pain radiate through her, and her body arched from it. Her eyes snapped open, seeing bright lights in her vision. Squinting around, she found that she was lying down, so she pushed herself to sit, feeling a tingling sensation over her skin. Looking down at her hands, she saw some wires attached to her, and she ripped them away. She would not be their property anymore.

Shaking her head clear, she saw a pair of feet on the floor, and she craned her neck, seeing two females, unconscious at the foot of the bed she was in. This room wasn't like Hydras, it was different, but at the same time, it felt familiar.

Pushing off the bed to stand, her legs felt weak, but taking a deep breath, the tingle sensation ran down her legs and she saw them begin to shape differently. Holding her arms up, they were no longer thin and sickly, but firm and healthy.

Not knowing where she was, she looked around, wanting a weapon to defend herself with, and saw a needle, near the bed. Picking it up, she made her way to the door, and opened it carefully. She could hear voices off to the left, and she felt a pull towards it, telling her she had to help.

Stepping out, she remained against the wall, slowly making her way to the voices.

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Tony landed on the bottom of the steps, panting. This was his fault, his mistake. He didn't think that this would happen, and yet here it was, Ultron.

'There's only one path to peace. The Avengers extinction-..'.. Ultrons words were cut off, as it exploded, scattering parts around the room.

Tony looked over, and saw Ana, a blue glow around her, and her hand was out where Ultron stood. How the hell was she awake?. He turned to see Clint take a few steps forward towards her.

'Ana? Ana it's ok, we're not here to hurt you. You're safe..'.. Clint held his hands up in surrender as he took a few steps forward to her. She cocked her head to him, her eyes a bright blue. He felt as though she was staring into his soul, and a shiver ran down him.

He got within 5ft of her, and the glow disappeared from around her. She swayed for a moment, and he just caught her as she fell forward, unconscious.

'Her mind..'.. Loki stepped forward, frowning down at her... 'It is fractured. She saw you, and images broke through, she did not see you as a threat..'

'You can see into her mind?..'.. Clint scooped her up into his arms better, and moved to lay her on the couch.

'Yes. Whatever they did to her, she put up quite the fight. Though they may have wiped her, they did so after she came into contact with the stone. I believe that's what's protected her memories. It will take so-..'.. Lokis words were interrupted by Ana screaming in fear. Her eyes were closed, but whatever it was, it was in her mind.

Her power threw them all back, sending them crashing to the ground. Clint tried to move back to her, but Loki got there first, placing a hand either side of her face. Whatever he did, calmed her and he sighed in relief... 'Though not all her memories are pleasant enough for her to sleep. I have subdued her for now..'.. Loki rocked back on his heels, clearing his throat.

He wasn't going to say a word about what he had just seen. No one should ever experience that kind of torture.

'Uh, thanks Loki..'.. Clint patted his shoulder, and moved to kneel next to Ana... 'She looks better, healthy. How's that possible? She was just skin and bones this afternoon..'

'I believe its to do with her power. I saw when she awoke, and I'm afraid she rendered two of your staff unconscious by accident..'.. Loki gestures up to the labs... She looks strong and healthy, because her power is so..'

'What is her power?..'.. Bruce asked, looking at Ana.

'From what I can gather, psionic ability, vitakinesis and precognition. Advanced strength, agility and speed. But they didnt come from the stone. The stone awoke them within her...'.. Loki nodded to Bruce.

'Precognition? That means she can see into the future, right?..'.. Nat sat on the arm of the couch, at Anas feet.

'In a way..'.. Loki shook his head trying to find the right words... 'What I can see in her mind, though it is fragile, is that when she touches a person, she can forsee to a certain extent of their future with precognition. That she awoke and came straight here, I take it she connected with you Barton. Deep down, she knows you, though she is unsure as to how..'

Clint let her hand go instantly, not wanting to cause her more pain or upset... 'She remembers me?..'.. He stood, clearing his throat.

'I think that no matter how many times they wiped her mind, they did not wipe her heart. I believe she knew you would be in trouble, and came to protect you..'.. Loki gave him a small smile, and Clint just nodded.

'Wait, hold up. So, you're saying that she had these powers all along, and touching the magic stone basically kick started them in her?..'. Tony stepped forward, gesturing to Ana.

'Yes. But I think it's possible that deep within her memories, I can find out where she came from..'.. Loki turned back to Clint... 'You say that she had no memory of her past before you?..'

'No, she didn't. She was 9 when we met. She barely spoke, and even then it was broken English. Could she have come through that bifrost thing, like you guys?..'.. Clint nodded to the two asgardians.

'No..'.. Thor stepped forward, his eyes flicking back to the unconscious young woman. He was drawn to her again, not knowing why... 'But after we deal with this Ultron, and retrieve the scepter again, we can return and ask. Her father may be from another realm. I can visit, and take samples of blood from each one, so we can narrow it down..'

'You surprise me point break..'.. Tony shook his head... 'Ok, so let's get back to the lab. Frosty..'.. Tony pointed to Loki who rolled his eyes... 'You stay with Ana. If she wakes up again, or starts having a nightmare, you're our best bet on calming her down..'

'Of course Stark. But may I suggest leaving the sergeant too? If that other girl has the ability to play with your mind, I highly doubt Barnes would want to revisit old memories..'.. Loki nodded to Bucky.

'He's still under house arrest anyway. OK, so the rest of us, let's find out what Ultron did, and get moving. Thor, Wilson, can you try tracking where they went?..'.. Both men nodded and headed off, to suit up quickly.

Clint scooped up Ana, and she shuffled in his arms. He was glad to feel some weight back on her, and carried her back to her room in the lab. The thought that she woke up, just to protect him, he couldn't help but smile. His Ana was still in there somewhere.

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