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ATTACK ON AVENGERS TOWER

"The strongest hearts have the
most scars." —Unknown
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Avengers Tower

Location: New York City, New York

May 2, 2015

AURORA awkwardly looked around the main floor as she lightly sipped her champagne, the only non-alcoholic drink Tony allowed her. She was currently sitting on the bar stool with a few party-goers laughing and conversing, while she just barely listened to Agent Hill, Tony, and Thor. Not too far from where she was, Natasha was serving herself a drink behind the counter, smiling softly at the girl. The teenager desperately wanted to go to her room or continue training, but instead Tony insisted on coming so that he could watch her.

Therefore, Natasha took the time to dress Aurora up in a cocktail dress for the first time. The teenager refused until she gave in when she observed a nice light blush dress that Pepper gifted her. She didn't know why... but it made her feel like a child again. Maybe when her mother was alive she could have worn dresses, but that was so long ago. Nonetheless, it's a beautiful dress, Aurora concludes as she slipped it on. The dress nicely complimented her hazel-green eyes, with a low cut neckline that barely shaped her curves.

Aurora was only fourteen, yet she had managed to gain some cleavage from her chest. She just hoped it doesn't grow too much since it might be in the way with training. The dress flared out of the waistline and just above her knees, which was paired with some small silver heels. The teenager despised the shoes since she had to practice walking in them. The only thing Aurora thought she looked different was the subtle makeup she had on her face, enhancing her sharp features. 

For once, Aurora stared at herself in astonishment from the subtle transformation. Her face no longer held a serious expression... but a hopeful one. One that matched her eyes with a delicate nod, whilst Natasha was pleased with herself. The soft curls swayed, Aurora smiles gently at her reflection for a few moments. She never considered herself pretty since all she cared about was training and the missions HYDRA gave her.

What Aurora didn't know was that she reminded Natasha of her mother. Both with strong personalities and facial features that almost made the redhead woman believe it was Diana herself. Another thing was how they had a distinct appearance that radiated strength and power. Even if Aurora was born with greatness, she had greatness thrust upon herself for being the strong girl she is now.

"Where are the ladies, gentlemen?" Maria Hill declared to Tony and Thor, interrupting Aurora's thoughts as she stared at the brief interaction. The teenager sulked on the edge of the counter, simply continued drinking her champagne from the glass.

"Well, Miss Potts has a company to run. But, I have my lady right here." Tony answered sincerely, glancing over at his daughter with a soft smile.

"Yes, well I'm not even sure what country Jane's in. Her work on the Convergence has made her the world's foremost astronomer." Thor insisted shortly after interrupting the billionaire. Aurora discreetly rolled her eyes at the stubborn men, smirking to Natasha at a certain scientist hiding in the corner.

"And the company that Pepper runs is the largest tech conglomerate on earth. It's pretty exciting." Tony explained as his smile faded upon seeing that the Asgardian was persistent in his relationship with Jane Foster.

"There's even talk of Jane getting a... um, uh... Nobel prize." Thor recalled swiftly, whilst Maria Hill briefly looked at Aurora before facing the two men. 

"Yeah, they... they must be busy because they'd hate missing you guys get together," Maria explained as she purposefully coughed 'testosterone!' She then excused herself to them, strolling with Rhodey to somewhere else in the tower.

"But Jane's better," Thor declared once more, walking away towards Steve to offer him a drink. Tony came closer to Aurora as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, both staring at the people that they didn't want to socialize. The Starks kept to themselves but at least they had each other for a long night ahead of them.

"Alright, kid what do you want to have for dinner? We can have Chinese food or Cheeseburgers? You know what, how about all together?" Tony questioned her, finding some people leaving the tower for which Aurora was grateful. However, the mention of a Cheeseburger perplexed her profoundly, she never tried that before.

"What's a... cheeseburger, Tony?" Aurora asked slowly, staring into his eyes as Tony gave her a disbelief look. He seemed offended or rather wounded that she doesn't know what it is.

"What did you just say?" Tony insisted to make sure he heard her right. Aurora repeated herself once more, therefore the billionaire called Happy for an emergency. "Can you do me a favor and buy three bags full of Cheeseburgers and Chinese food?"

A few seconds passed by, with Tony, swiftly interjected on the phone, "Look I know this is your day off, Happy but Rory here never has had a cheeseburger. I know right?! Thanks."

"Seriously? Why did you do that?" Aurora asked her father for a response, however, a tall brunette man walked over to Tony inquiring for some information. Something about holographic technology and technological innovation for the future... but she wasn't focusing on that. The teenager observed him closer, probably in his mid-30s based on his chocolate-colored hair and weirdly enough... he resembled Tony himself.

"Look, now is not the time, Mr....? You know what I don't care about it now because it's a party. Just send me the information later," The billionaire rudely interrupted the young man, taking Aurora with him to somewhere more private for the evening. The Starks walked upstairs that could overlook the level below along with a few guests there. Tony insisted on them leaving to have some alone time with Aurora.

"Who was that?" The young Stark discreetly pointed at the man who continued to stare down at her. He was handsome, Aurora had to admit but something was strange about him. The way his eyes glared harshly at Tony was only caused by one emotion... jealousy. But the billionaire didn't recognize it from the carelessness he had.

"Just someone who works for me. Anyway, Happy is coming in an hour so until then what do you want to do?" Tony proposed to her, causing Aurora to smile slowly at the thought of having some bonding time. At times like these, Aurora felt like a normal teenager just bonding with her father, even if she was beyond broken.

The party had since ended, leaving the Avengers to have their own small party. And true to Tony's word, Happy bought three bags full of burgers from Burger King and Chinese food near a local restaurant. Since Aurora has a fast metabolism, she ate about six burgers and some Chinese food before settling with a Coca-Cola drink. Everyone happily chatted amongst themselves, sometimes including the young girl so she wouldn't be alone. But Aurora didn't mind, the night was still young and they planned on spending time together.

"Okay, but what's the deal with your hammer? Is it because you're worthy or something else?" Clint asked the Asgardian, interrupting the conversation that soon turned to murmurs. The teenager sat on the recliner beside Tony and Rhodey, the two best friends laughing at one another. Maria was on her left who sat on the floor along with Clint, while Natasha and Bruce sat on the same couch. To her right was Thor and Steve sitting on another couch, and Helen Cho silently sleeping on a small chair.

"Oh, no. It's much more than that." Thor answered, sounding cocky. Just like Tony when it came to his money and suits, Aurora shook her head with a faint smile.

Eventually, everyone was having a debate with Thor over how only he was able to pick up his hammer. If what he says it's true that it's about being worthy, Aurora already knew the answer to that. She wasn't... not even in a thousand years will she make up for the past mistakes she has caused. Her mind was already fucked up as it is, not even brainwashing could help her forget.

"Uh, Whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power!" Clint mocked playfully and Aurora laughed at the remark he said. "Whatever man! It's a trick." Thor chuckled at him before gesturing to his hammer. Aurora eyed the weapon curiously, while Clint glanced around at the group.

"Well please, be my guest." Thor insisted, motioning to try the hammer which was perched on the glass table in front of them. Everyone to become silent upon noticing Clint shrugged his shoulders.

"Come on," Clint said in disbelief. Tony nodded his head with a small grin, Clint glanced at the billionaire almost as if asking for permission.

"You're not backing down from a challenge are you?" Aurora taunted Clint with a teasing smile, causing the grown man to stick out his tongue at her like a toddler. 'How mature,' Aurora thought to herself, and she was supposed to be the young child here.

"Of course not!" Clint responded swiftly, getting up on his feet as he placed the drumsticks on the couch.

"Oh this is gonna be beautiful," Rhodey replies, Aurora mentally agreeing with him. Some stared at the archer while others encouraged him that it would be fine.

"Clint, you've had a tough week." The billionaire added jokingly, "We won't hold it against you if you can't get it up." Everyone laughed at Tony's joke but the young Stark just muttered under her breath.

"What's the worst it can happen? Just give it try, Clint." Aurora encouraged him solemnly, as the group watched closely for something to happen.

"You know I've seen this before, right?" Clint told Thor as he gave him a look of doubt. Thor simply nodded before the archer reached forward to seize the hammer. He used all his strength to make it budge but nothing worked. Just by watching him struggle made Aurora cringe at the look on Clint's face.

"I still don't know how you do it!" Clint exclaimed in disbelief, laughing loudly as he let go.

"Smell the silent judgment?" Tony said smugly as he drank his vodka whilst smirking at Clint. The archer rolled his eyes at him, like if he could do any before.

"Please, Stark, by all means." Clint retorted once he sat back down, pointing at the hammer on the table. Tony got up from his seat as he unbuttoned his jacket to create a dramatic flare. Maria patted Aurora's shoulder since she felt sorry for the teenager about her arrogant father. What's the deal with being a bit dramatic? Must be a Stark thing, Aurora wondered.

"Oh, here we go," Natasha called out from her seat, smiling to herself. Maria chimes in as she shook her head at the Stark, knowing his ego was only going to be diminished.

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge," Tony told the group as he approached the hammer. He smirked at Aurora as his eyes gave a mischievous glint that matched his ego.

"Get after it." Clint insisted, knowing that Tony wouldn't do any better on lifting the hammer.

"It's physics," Tony explained to everyone, believing there was more than just being worthy. Tony put his hand on the handle until he stopped himself to glance at the god, "Right, so, if I lift it, I then rule Asgard?"

"Yes, of course." Thor declared, humoring him with a small smirk.

"I will be reinstituting prima nocta," Tony stated in a serious tone, steadying himself to lift the hammer.

"May god have mercy on Asgard and the Nine Realms," Aurora remarked as the others laughed at her lame comment. Tony seemed offended as he wanted to prove her wrong. He began trying to lift the hammer, grunting and wheezing in a struggle to lift it. Eventually Tony stepped away much to the young Stark's surprise.

"I'll be right back," Tony told them before he walked away, Aurora grunted as she finished drinking her soda. She should've known better, her father would do anything to not make an embarrassment of himself. After a few minutes later, Tony returned with his Iron Man arm even then struggled to lift the hammer.

"Rhodey! Need help here!" Tony called out to his friend, and the Colonel left the room to go retrieve his War Machine arm. In all honesty, Aurora never thought that Rhodey would play along with a childish game that meant nothing. He later returned with the arm as both Tony and Rhodey attempted to lift it. At this point, no one was ever going to lift it unless it was Thor.

"Are you even pulling?" Rhodey wheezed softly as he questioned Tony. The billionaire scoffed at his response as he retorted, "Are you on my team?"

"Just represent... pull." Rhodey quickly said to him.

"Alright, let's go." Tony declared as both went back to pulling the hammer with all the strength from the Iron suits. Eventually, the two gave up to save themselves from humiliation upon not moving the weapon.

Surprisingly, Tony encourages Bruce to give it a shot in which the scientist agrees in participating. The temperamental scientist stood up and began lifting for a few moments. Then Bruce jokingly began yelling and acting loudly as if he was going to transform into the Hulk. Instead of an effort to scare them, no one seemed frightened by him. Everyone, including Aurora, smiles at him for the adorable attempt. He was nothing more but a sweet man with a conflicted heart.

"Go ahead, Steve. No pressure." Tony told the super-soldier, encouraging him to give the hammer a try. Steve sighed through his nose before finishing drinking his beer. The Captain got up from the couch and strolled towards the hammer. Everyone watched Steve rolling up his sleeves before placing his hands into the handle of the hammer.

"Come on, Cap." Rhodey cheered him as Steve began to try and lift the hammer. Aurora narrowed her eyes closely upon seeing Thor's face in amusement. Until his smile faded at the slightest when seeing the hammer creaking gently on the table. The young Stark knitted her eyebrows confused, Steve was the most selfless man she knew. So if anyone was worthy, it had to be him... right?

Steve still fails to lift it as Thor laughs in relief. It was close, too close to losing the bet. But Steve didn't mind the loss since he knew Asgard already had a great future King. "Nothing." Thor to himself, sipping on his beer. Steve only smiled as he returned to his seat as the group glanced at Natasha who stared at them.

"Widow?" Bruce insisted but Natasha immediately shook her head in disagreement.

"Oh, no, no. That's not a question I need answered." She told them as she took a long sip from her drink. Aurora got another soda to which she drank, igniting the attention she was receiving.

"Phantom? Are you up for a challenge?" Clint teased her, Aurora wanted to flip him off but knowing the Captain, she couldn't. Although she was curious about the mystery behind the hammer, after all, it's just for fun? She got up from the recliner, fixing her dress slightly and proceeded to shrug her shoulders.

"Not backing out now I guess," Aurora muttered, walking towards the table until she stepped onto the glass to have a better angle. Before she continued she told Thor, "If somehow I lift the hammer, I'm not going to rule Asgard since you're the true King. But, the stories you tell me makes me what to visit sometime if I can."

"Lady Aurora, you have my word that you may visit Asgard anytime you wish," Thor told her sincerely, although he was already planning on maybe taking her to Asgard after finishing examining Loki's scepter. Aurora then processed to grip tightly as she tried lifting it... but it was just dead weight. With her enhanced strength, she grunted until she stopped trying, there was no pointing at all.

"Well... we all knew it wasn't possible. It was worth a shot," Aurora told them, stepping off the table but Thor gave her a comforting smile. Natasha and Steve clapped for her bravery, still, she shrugged nonchalantly as she walked back with Tony wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"All deference to the Man Who Wouldn't Be King, but it's rigged." Tony finally stated what he thought, Aurora scoffed at her father's statement.

"You bet your ass," Clint chimes in, pointing his beer bottle at Tony in agreement.

"Steve, he said a bad language word," Maria utters to Steve, sounding like a child ratting out a secret. Aurora laughed at Steve's look of disbelief while the others either laughed along or smiled.

"Did you tell everyone about that?" Steve questioned Tony but he ignored him as he purposely turned the conversation back to Mjolnir.

"The handle's imprinted, right?" Tony suggested to Thor, insisting on knowing the secret, "Like a security code? Whosoever is carrying Thor's fingerprints is what I think is the literal translation."

"Yes, it's a very, very interesting theory. I have a simpler one." He told them, silently getting up from the couch as he easily picked up the hammer with minimal effort.  Thor tossed it up in the air for effect before catching it again easily, smirking at all of them."You're all not worthy."

Everyone groaned at the cheesy comment, even Clint took out his tongue at Thor. It didn't bother Aurora that she wasn't worthy, everything about her was the literal antonym of being worthy. She has seen things far beyond any normal person wouldn't last a day in her world. Although there was no science behind the mystery of the hammer, it didn't sound nearly as crazy as the other theories.

But the melody of laughter faded as a loud screeching noise invaded the scene. Aurora clenched her fists tightly since her enhanced senses amplified the noise. The young Stark winced in pain, cupping her ears to muffle it while Tony looked in confusion. Everyone was trying to see where the noise had possibly come from.

"Tony...." Aurora whispered to her dad, the billionaire looked at his phone and tried to understand what was going on. At this point, the group was on their feet as they surveyed the nearby entrance to the Stark laboratory.

"Worthy...." The teenager heard someone say from the distance. It sounded distorted and robotic as it echoed, her eyes flashed around to find the source. And once she did, an incomplete robot stood with Stark's logo vaguely on the side.

"No... How could you be worthy? You're all killers," The robot declared, Aurora flinched at the mention of killers. Oddly enough, the way the machine stared at her made the girl uncomfortable as a slight shiver went down her spine. Almost like the robot seemed to recognize her....

"Stark." Steve interrupted, glaring harshly at the robot while Tony was trying to investigate the situation.

"JARVIS," Tony called out to his A.I. system but there was no answer. He tried Aurora's A.I. as a backup plan but still nothing. The young Stark didn't like how the robot seemed to tease her with just a single stare. The machine gave her a sinister feeling— one she hasn't felt since the Avengers rescued her in London.

"I'm sorry, I was asleep... or I was a-dream?" The robot continued to say as if it was asking itself what had happened. Aurora felt her eyes slowly turning into a blue hue while she toyed with the blue mist that was overcoming her senses.

"Reboot, Legionnaire OS. We got a buggy suit." Tony commanded as he tapped on his device to shut it down. But Jarvis still wouldn't answer him.

"There was a terrible noise... and I was tangled in... in... strings. I had to kill the other guy. He was a good guy." The robot's voice droned as it looked down and raised its arm over its face. Then it gestured to the loose wires and cords hanging out of its body.

"You killed someone?" Steve asked in surprise, raising his eyebrows while the others mimicked his actions.

"Wouldn't have been my first call. But, down in the real world, we're faced with ugly choices," The robot replied to Captain America.

"Who sent you?" Thor interrogated the robot, which then began playing back a recorded message.

"I see a suit of armor around the world." The machine repeated, however, it was Tony who said it. Aurora changed her glance over at her dad who seemed surprised at the new development. Unbelievable, Aurora thought now that she knows what he and Bruce had been doing for the past few days. The young Stark couldn't believe him, didn't he understand that toying with something unfamiliar will have a disastrous outcome.

What was he trying to do? Based on the robot before them, it seemed advanced... unless. It's an advanced Artificial Intelligence, perhaps a better improvement than JARVIS or M.A.T.T.H.E.W. Aurora shook her head in disbelief to Tony, but she felt betrayed somehow.

"Ultron," Bruce confirmed, looking back at the billionaire with matching expressions.

"In the flesh." The robot, now named Ultron, responded rather dramatically before continuing. "Or, no, not yet. Not this... Chrysalis. But I'm ready. I'm on a mission."

At this point, everyone began to become uneasy at the situation. The God of Thunder tightened his grip around his hammer, whilst Maria unlocked the safety of her hidden gun. Aurora searched around for any weapon until she glanced down at her faintly glowing hands with a sly smirk. Although, the heels weren't helping with her being able to fight in the upcoming battle.

"What mission?" Natasha asked Ultron, while the machine didn't answer right away.

"Peace of our time." Ultron finally answered before other Iron Legionnaires crashed through the wall and flew into the Avengers' direction. Steve immediately flipped the coffee table to create some sort of make-shift shield while the others dodged the Iron Legionnaires. Aurora immediately lifted herself up, staring at the Iron suits circling them as she tried to use her survival skills once more.

"Bring it on!" Aurora taunted, one of the Iron Legionnaires flew towards her at full speed. The former assassin slipped off her heels and leaped towards the Iron suit as she stabbed it mercilessly until ripping off the wires. She tore the heel pump that turned into flats, making it easier for her to run.

Aurora took a moment to find everyone: Natasha and Bruce were hiding behind the bar, Clint managed to dodge the blasts by covering himself under the table. Glass shattering alerted her that Rhodey fell against the window to the level below, however, Thor seemed fine on his own. Tony was grabbing anything he could to defend himself while Steve was busily using his fists to do some damage to a robot.

Without them noticing, one of the Iron Legionnaires stole Loki's scepter and flew away from the tower. Aurora spotted Natasha and Bruce dashing towards the stairs, thus she created an energy shield to protect them as they ran. However, another Iron Legionnaire managed to blast Aurora on her abdomen, sending her flying backward until she landed harshly against the damaged couch. Grunting at the discomfort only to find a deep cut on her torso, ruining the dress with her blood.

"Fuck! I really liked this dress," Aurora mumbled to herself as she sent an energy blast at the robot that disintegrated in a second. More came after her but it didn't stop her from destroying them easily, Maria helping her shooting some down. It was to a point where it became tedious that Aurora held her hands up and manipulated the blue mist.

"That's enough!" The young Stark shouted, creating an energy wave that shut down the robots surrounding her. Tony finally disables one of the Iron Legionnaires' systems, and at the same time, Clint throws Steve's shield at him. The super-soldier dismantled the remaining robot to spare parts, thus Aurora dropped her hands yet anxious. Tony landed against the glass when the robot he was on shut down, with Aurora immediately helping him on his feet.

"That was dramatic!" Ultron commented, it's broken body swaying to the side as he walked closer towards the Avengers. Everyone gathered around closely Tony wrapping an arm around Aurora for security which she didn't really need. At that moment, she noticed how the floor was completely trashed and damaged by the outcome of the sudden attack. The machine continued, "I'm sorry, I know you mean well. You just didn't think it through."

"You want to protect the world but you don't want it to change. How is humanity saved if it's not allowed to... evolve? With these? These puppets." Ultron proclaimed, reaching down to grasp one of the Iron Legionnaires in his hand before crushing the head and tossing it to the side carelessly.

Aurora winced at the way it stared at her before saying the next phrase, "There's only one path to peace.... The Avenger's extinction." Ultron declared in a monotone voice that delivered a chill on everyone's spine. Thor threw his hammer at Ultron angrily, causing the A.I. system to dismantle as it hit the wall.

"I have strings...but now I'm free." Ultron uttered in a distorted voice before its consciousness leaves the robotic body and the light flickered out. Aurora just stood there for a moment, inhaling rapidly since she was losing some blood. She'll heal alright, just that it would take at least two hours to recover with Tony holding her steadily.

The others exchanged looks as if mentally communicating one another about what just happened. It didn't take long before they glanced at Tony with a neutral expression, all having questions of their own to ask the billionaire. One thing is for sure, Tony would never stop messing things he doesn't understand and forget about the consequences. Guess being a Stark means lacking common sense when necessary.

And it was just the beginning of a new battle.