➢𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗦➢

『 There's a song we sing
Elemental sound
Where it all begins
It can draw you in, drag it out 』
―𝘈𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨, 𝘛𝘰 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳

⟶𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 29: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏⟵


















" on your left."

-𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟕𝐓𝐇, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-

𝐄 𝐀 𝐑 𝐓 𝐇

Steve Rogers has never run faster in his life.

Leg bleeding, chest filled with so much pain due to the bruises and other wounds that mark themselves underneath, all that is irrelevant. Nonsequential.

His face which is covered in black dirt and dust kicked up through the previous fight does not take away from the abstract terror and franticness he expresses. That he feels.

That he has felt constantly ever since his daughter went up against the Mad Titan.

Her strength, for the most part, is unmatched, unlike any other opponent thus far―even including the God of Space, and for that presumably, nothing was to be worried about. She was strong, she was fast, and she was now the Blue Phoenix.

But where a fight went down, fierce and tough actions emitted from the once sheltered and orphaned small-shaking child―one who proudly showcased herself as an unstoppable young woman, has indeed been stopped. 

Not by Thanos, by her own, humane limits.

It was the human-essence inside her, the deal made with the devil ever since birth, the deal her psychotic parents made that cursed the child with having to live and sustain an unearthly amount of energy. To always be aware of being the Success, yes, but at the same time a complete weapon of destruction. Self-destruction, self-infliction.

And right here and now, previously against the demigod responsible for decimating half the universe, a past version of himself, as the other one was dead... Danielle Mairead Rockland finds herself in just about the same position. Dead.

She is dying.

She is dead.

Once before, this had occurred, not too long ago, actually. In London, when a group of six far from normal individuals, plus one who was human, took on the vicious Deborah Rockland and her goons in order to officially take down the FORCE Headquarters. To take back their lives.

Dani led this initial charge/came up with a plan.

The leader qualities inherited from both Captain America and Black Widow came back to help her at that moment.

Recalling the last and first time the eighteen year old's heart stopped, she again had exerted herself too far with her pulsating abilities. Loosely lost control... and it was because of her emotions and what she already possessed, which was her own sustainable energy source, as well as the quarter-sized one belonging to her late mother. Her evil mother, whom she turned to ashes when an explosion occurred, even leading to a hole in space.

This time, the girl was caught. She lost focus for only a moment but that was the most crucial, unfortunately, but Dani has no operation over that. No... control over her humanistic features, and organs.

Last time, when her heart stopped, she was revived, healed by the orange-aura boy who later became her love. In a desperate act to save her, Dante took away her pain. Their similarity in energy sources is what linked them together and gave them this opportunity. Him being... an Efficient. An Experiment.

He is not able to get to her this time or at least would not be able to do much considering this time is much worse than the last. The young woman's heart has taken more of a strain than ever before. Been stricken harsher by her abilities... than ever before.

This time is different. This time, Dani is actually dead.

Her heart no longer beats, and who is to say it ever will again.

She didn't lose the battle, but most certainly... is losing her life.

STEVE ROGERS HAS NEVER RUN FASTER IN HIS LIFE. Sincerely, his boots pound harshly on the battlefield floor as vigorously, but achingly with the injuries he suffers―still staggers his way over to his daughter Dani as quickly as he can.

Rapidly, he kneels down next to her.

She lays on her back unresponsive, skin lit up blue like the aura coating her, where the veins poke out. Where her skin cracked from using her abilities, but just as the Captain makes his way over it flutters away. No sign of them active. Not a good sign.

"Hey, hey Dani? Dani!"

Steve tries his hardest to suppress a groan while he leans over her freezing, unmoving figure, and diligently―but still frantically―his blue eyes search closed ones and her body for any symbolization that she was just unconscious.

That she was breathing, she is not. The father's breath nearly hitches in his throat.

He panics, "No. No, no, no, no, no, Munchkin? Hey, open your eyes. Look at me. Please."

He begs, tears glistening in the corner of his eyes and his nose clogs up when the inevitable is so dangerously close to being confirmed―and for that, the SuperSoldier doesn't believe he could go on, EVER. 

"Dani. DANI! Dammit. God dammit!"

There is no rise or fall to her chest, pulse remaining unchecked but it is safe to say there is none, and for that Steve begins to lose all composure.

Instead of shouting he nears her face and slides his dirty fingers across it, the skin still ever so soft, and that only makes the man shake more in sorrow. In dread.

"Baby, please, please please come back to me, Sweetheart." He begs again, his heart clenching itself as it starts to break, and that is when a choked, wet sob seeps out from his dry lips, "Honey, please."

There are blatant tears in Steve Rogers' blue eyes as he fails to admit the truth, that his adopted daughter, his baby, has joined his fellow Co-Parent now... So then without hesitation he repositions himself and places his hands over her heart, going into chest compressions. Thirty, trying to physically pump the blood and to get things starting again.

He does this anything but carefully, definitely cracking a rib, though through it all Steve continues to plead―to beg to any Gods above listening, as he was powerless. As he right now, is not a superhero, but... is just a Dad. A Dad who cannot bear to lose his daughter. His child.

It will break him. He is already broken.

Captain America shouts as he fuels the anger, "Come on, Danielle. Come on! Please, please!"

"P-please," his voice cracks as she remains unconscious.

"Don't... don't..."

He continues pushing down on her chest until suddenly he feels movement, and reacts nimbly with all speed in the world when Dani Rockland gasps!

Seafoam green eyes burst open along with the added breath, and the girl starts coughing. Her neck twitches a bit at the odd sensation traveling through her body, that is her blood, most importantly flowing through her heart at a relatively normal rate now. She is alive.

Dani Rockland came back to life.

Steve Rogers nearly jumps out of his skin, words cannot express his relief.

Words are not accessible to him at this time.

He is in shock, instinct kicking in fast, and continuing to check her over the man confirms for himself that Dani is indeed... breathing again. Her heart is working now. Thank God.

But how?

Captain America glances up briefly while still on his knees, expression pulling together as he with a gaped open mouth internally voices to himself, subtly―Romanoff. We almost lost her. I almost lost her. 

He swallows before lowering his helmeted head back down.

All in all, it is extreme luck and fortune that Dani has snapped back, because rightfully, easily... she would have not done that. It will forever remain a mystery how she survived. Nonetheless, that is not the primary focus right now. Captain America hugs the Blue Phoenix who still lays down.

"Oh... my god." He breathes, trying to be mindful of the sensitivity regarding the young woman coming back to life but cannot help himself in holding onto her tight, a hand brushing the back of her head while the upper half of his body rests on hers.

And Dani, while admittedly struggling to inhale, decides not to say more. The tightness of her Dad's grip and the fear laced in his tone explains it all. He seriously thought he just lost her. He needs to hold her, and she needs to be held by him.

Steve helps her sit up, both hands still attentively on her, and the eighteen-year-old proceeds to work on intaking oxygen before a cheeky phrase slips through her lips―one her slightly delirious self cannot help, "You got my back?"

The reversed phrase from the daughter causes her father to nod his head, and then the two are forced to look at what surrounds them. Only them.

First is the Mad Titan's statement bestowed upon them while they both remain on the ground.

"In all my years of conquest... violence... slaughter..."

Another raspy hack escapes Dani's lips and Steve is by her side in an instant, hand rubbing her back. The girl again battles sucking in air.

Thanos emits, "It was never personal."

Then articulates, "But I'll tell you both now, what I'm about to do to your stubborn, annoying little planet... I'm gonna enjoy it very, very much."

Dani's gaze tips and all around her and her father are Thanos' army. His Children, Chitauri, Leviathans, and other creatures descend onto Earth, millions of them. Seeing this, the daughter eyes the SuperSoldier who does not look back at her. Instead, Steve slowly gets back to his feet, with help from Dani. 

He helps Dani, and both of them rely on one another for stability.

The two of them, just like in the beginning, together. Always. Fighting till the end.

A fierce determination strictly, and equally present inside both, the Captain tightens his broken shield onto his left arm, the other one supporting―being supported by the enhanced young woman.

Standing against Thanos' giant army alone, are the two.

Steve and Dani slowly, nobly, walk towards their death.

Captain America and his adopted child, but emerging adult, Blue Phoenix, are making their way into battle―both beaten to hell and Dani having just died and been resuscitated―when they are interrupted in their stride.

When... Suddenly, a crackling comes in on their communicators.

"Hey ,Cap, Dan, you read me?"

AT FIRST, DANI THINKS SHE IS DREAMING. No doubt the expression on her face is one of complete and utter bewilderment, and her cut-up and blue vein-receded features twist and turn in almost denial... belief, that her mind is playing tricks on her.

She did not just hear that familiar voice within her and her father's earpiece. She did not just hear her Uncle Sam's voice... No.

No way...

It comes on again, repeating, "Cap, Dan, it's Sam. Can you hear me?"

https://youtu.be/F_mhWxOjxp4

"... On your left."

An orange portal opens behind them.

Steve's hand shortly drops from holding his ear and winds back around his daughter... and tucked into his right side, Dani catches glimpse of three figures who make their way out of this mystic portal.

A portal that leads from Wakanda.

There, in the distance, are Okoye, Shuri, and Black Panther himself. All in line, restored, alive... and ready to fight.

T'Challa looks at a bloody and battered-faced Steve, momentarily, and gives what is a signifying nod.

That they... are back. 

FALCON SOARS IN NEXT AND FOLLOWED BY THAT are dozens of other portals, that stem from different locations.

All have the same purpose.

Entering out of that same portal that her father, aunt, and aunt figure just came out of, from Wakanda, is one Princess Ania Udaku.

She is still the same age as when she had left, sixteen, however, her determination and spirit have grown so much more. For her... she has a reason to fight now. She has gained a loss.

She and Dani, similar to their fathers, lock eyes for a brief moment. The eighteen-year-old stares long and hard, afraid that if she looks away Ania will disappear.

But that will not happen again.

Ania offers the most earnest smile possible in her current state, emotionally, but it is enough to be reassuring―assuring that she is ready for war now.

Both her and Tarik Umoya.

Dani curls further into the right side of Steve while opposing his happy expression with her continuously perturbed one. Nonetheless, the two continue to watch the arrival of these other enhanced, out-of-this-world, heroes.

DOCTOR STRANGE SEEMS TO BE THE ORCHESTRATOR, HE and the rest of Kamar-Taj and  Mystic Artists from the different Sanctums across the world help bring everyone here.

The portal Stephen descends from, levitating with his red cloak, hands positioned, includes the Guardians of the Galaxy―the ones that faded away.

Drax, Mantis, and Peter Quill all return in their respective battle positions.

Web-slinging off Titan and onto the grungy battlefield of the Earth is most definitely... Peter Parker.

Dimples indent in his cheeks as he starts to smile, and that action is replicated.

It is replicated when walking forwards briskly out of the same orange-conjured gateway... is that of a certain Troubled Youth. Caitlyn Elizabeth Strange.

Although they may share their differences, the fifteen-year-old katana-wielding blondie additionally having her own matters that were to be put aside right now, her lips turn up into a smirk-type of a smile when acknowledging Dani Rockland.

Dani's mouth gapes impossibly wider.

She watches in confusion but mostly awes now as more heroes arrive on the scene... some she expected, and others she did not.

"YIBAMBE!"

"YIBAMBE!"

"YIBAMBE!"

"YIBAMBE!"

Black Panther chants to his neverending army of Wakandans, of warriors, and those include Ania and Tarik. The Golden Duo.

Bucky Barnes and Groot stride out of a portal summoned by a mystic artist and from there on the other side enter an army from New Asgard, aircraft(s) and all. Korg and Miek, weapons raised, are ready to take out some aliens.

Brunnhilde, better known as Valkyrie, rides her white Valkyrie steed―the angelic animal fluttering its pegasus-like wings... and by her side is, of course, her godson.

Her son, Everett of Asgard.

The muscular-built boy with a sleeveless black chest plate and blue cape holds onto his mother's mace, face tied up into an undeniably charming wonder-filled smirk. A smile. Now he's finally getting in on the action.

They all are.

Dani breathes a huge breath of relief when Wanda Maximoff with red mist encircling her palms promptly lands down on the battlefield. She, despite her most recent loss, is not going to miss out on helping to save the world. Avenging.

Nobody is.

Because all that has gathered, from Space, from Earth, from another planet... Everyone has one goal and one goal only: protecting people. Saving people, saving the universe.

And now that they are together... They can do it. One last mission. One last fight.

Wong and Bexley Nightingale summon mandalas which are copied by all the other sorcerers, while Hope Van Dyne searches for Scott Lang when re-materializing―and Thor grabs Stormbreaker with a smile.

After that is when Pepper Potts arrives on the battlefield, set in her own, unique metal suit. She plans to rescue as many as she can.

Nearly everyone has come by now, causing Dani to release from her father's hold and, with a bit of stumbling, she manages to stand on her own, shaking. It is the least she can do. It is almost all she can do, unfortunately, but right now she must fight.

Doctor Strange, who is next to his niece, faces a prepared Wong, "Is that everyone?"

"What? You wanted more?"

Caitlyn hangs on to her sarcasm when replying, "Think we can do better."

Her timing is perfect.

Ant-Man―or now Giant-Man―emerges from the rubble of the Avengers Facility with Professor Hulk, War Machine, and Rocket. The Raccoon cocks his gun.

Our heroes then take up battle positions. The Avengers, Guardians, Wakandans, Asgardians, and Ravagers stand across Thanos' forces, meanwhile within the individual groups are individual forces. Forces to be reckoned with, that's for sure.

The Blue Phoenix never strays from her father's side, though stands on her own two feet next to the Winter Soldier and Wanda. The White Cat is not too far behind her, next to her father as well, and her childhood best friend. Caitlyn is in line further back alongside Bexley.

Captain America turns back to Thanos as he leads, the demigod truly at a loss for words as he did not expect such a huge assault. He should have.

Steve Rogers calls out loudly while summoning Mjölnir, "AVENGERS!"

All ready themselves in place.

He enlists, "Assemble."

... And then the FORCES charge into battle.

━━━✰━━━

Love from Alessandra 

Well ... we did it. I did it. You did it. They did ... it.

The Avengers have assembled and all Forces have returned. I mean all (hehe, yup... including Everett too) Gangs all here :)

What does this mean now going forward? For the next 2 chapters? Lot's of action, lot's of fun, cool, easter-egg type scenes (both deleted and canon, and ones made by me) and if you thought the party couldn't get any bigger ... just wait. Some peeps still have to make their entrances and one of them may be Dani's current boyfriend. 🤭 You shall see soon.

Okay, so when I posted the last chapter on Friday I think (I had Mid-Semester break so that is why y'all get 2 chapters and now it's back to Forces Friday so maybe don't expect another one for a week or 2) I was talking about my college roommate situation. Well ... it's crazy. Not really anymore because over the break my roommate just kind of ... moved out? Like I opened the door to my dorm room and all her stuff was gone. Not to mention she put all her trash in my trash cause hers was overflowed and made my parents and I take it out. Rude. But seriously... I just kinda don't have a roommate anymore.

If you want an actual storytime/more tea, have no fear because I'm honestly considering making this entire situation into a YouTube video that will hopefully rack them views. Because this is by far the craziest thing that has ever happened to me. (She is crazy, and did a lot of wacky stuff).

Anyway, I am enjoying my dingle (double that was supposed to be a single) and hopefully can have a nice rest of the semester now that I don't have to deal with her anymore. Anyway. Back to FORCES.

Thoughts??? Did ya miss our girls Caitlyn and Ania because I sure missed writing them, and there is a lot coming so don't worry. 

That's all for now, I gotta read my self-help book now to try and cure the anxiety and PTSD I've picked up from this whole situation and yeah .. classes tomorrow as well. See ya.

xoxo, dreamkept

❤️