Chapter 29: Loneliness And Bullshit

"She knows who she is. She just forgot it for a little while." —Unknown

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AVENGERS COMPOUND

LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

JUNE 19, 2016

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NATURALLY as expected, Aurora was grounded after returning home from the conference. He was beyond furious that she recklessly headed towards danger and he didn't give her a chance to explain herself. She was being monitored in her room by FRIDAY which was unfair that her punishment was staying at the Avengers Compound until Tony decides when. What's worse is the possibility of not visiting Olympus, disappointed with herself that everything could have been avoided if she just didn't go inside. At the moment, she was chatting with her mother using a small device Hermes invented to communicate from far dimensions. Quite uniquely designed as it was a small charm for the necklace that projected a hologram to see each other.

"Hey mom, how's things at home?" The teenager asked, sitting on the bed with her legs crossed comfortably as she smiled sadly at her. Apparently, she missed her mother's birthday last week, but Athena insisted it was alright and explained time varies within different dimensions. Nonetheless, she was willing to make something special in honor of her— she just didn't know what.

"Just fine darling, your uncle Apollo was wondering when you were coming." Athena chuckled softly as the hologram showed she was slightly distracted before someone appeared with a confused expression. Upon realizing it was the Sun god teasing his sister, he greeted the girl jokingly that he was meant to take her on his chariot to see the entire Olympus. Of course, the goddess quickly denied it as she knew well enough her brother wasn't the most responsible.

"Seeing Thea won't let you have any fun when you come, I'll be the one to take you away from your boring responsibilities." The god teased which caused Aurora to hide the growing smile while Athena would roll her eyes. It was always entertaining with the Olympians considering they were adults acting like teenagers at times.

"They're not boring nor are you going to distract her with nonsense. Unless you would like to assume the throne and responsibilities I have?" The Queen questioned intrigued, as he feigned a thinking face before failing to hide his growing smile.

"If only we settle this in battle my dear sister, but I unfortunately resigned and have better things to do with my time." He sighed dramatically as she ushered him to go away, not giving him a chance to say goodbye. The young Stark wondered what it felt like having a sibling or anyone near her age to joke around, talk nonsense, and enjoy the company.

"...Is everything alright with you?" The goddess noted the sudden shift in tone with her daughter having an uneasy expression as she fidgeted uncomfortably. Aurora blinked tiredly as she hasn't slept well since the incident and the night terrors coming back, it's taking a toll on her mental state.

"No, not really. Did dad tell you about... what happened?" She admitted as she averted her eyes anywhere but at Athena. Her mother slightly nodded as she understood what the girl was referring to, it pained her to not have a chance to be every moment with her. However, the given circumstances didn't permit her to just leave Olympus for her selfish reasons, heavy is the head that wears the crown.

"...He did, Aurora. Tony told me about what happened and insisted it was in your best interest to stay there until—." Athena tried to express her disappointment however, her daughter yelled in anger that she can't go visit home now.

"But that's not fair! I want to be with you instead of this room I call prison." She grumbled while crossing her arms above the chest. Breathing heavily as she couldn't stand being trapped and yearned to do something. Her mind wandered to the past years where she didn't need to depend on anyone— and now, everything's changed.

"Although I admit your father can have... unconventional methods, I believe he wants you to understand the importance of being responsible during missions." The Queen of Olympus voiced her opinion, it wouldn't make a difference with Aurora being ungrounded.

"I am responsible! It just happened so quickly and I couldn't control it. I saw someone die right in front of me— and I couldn't do anything. I thought I was invincible with feeling nothing but... why do I feel so much pain?" The teenager confessed, clenching her fist silently at the vivid memory that never faded away.

"What it seems to me is you're conflicted with your inner consciousness. You believe that your actions clash with beliefs you grew up with, questioning your emotions because you think your feelings will make you more vulnerable." The goddess pondered for a while, seeing how torn she was as her daughter seemed distant from her usual self. The once sparkling eyes now lacked something, her smile was nothing more than a fake one.

"So what do I do?" Aurora asked curiously upon hearing the statement. Ever since the Avengers rescued her, she's changed. She was the same girl from her past, just that she was evolving into the person she is now.

"Believe that you are the person you always wanted to be, there's nothing greater than recognizing your self-worth." The Queen stated truthfully, remembering someone she loved dearly.

"Wow... I never thought it that way. Do you think you can pass along some of your wisdom to mine?" Aurora responded after a long pause, contemplating on her advice before playfully joking. Her mother was glad to see her mood change at the slightest, seeing how comfortable her daughter was becoming around her.

"There's no need, you already have it." Athena chuckled honestly, the girl stared at the hologram with longing to be in a place where she belonged. A girl from two worlds, a bridge that unites them.

"Tell Hermes I said thanks for the gift." The girl called out before ending the conversation. Her mother nodded in acknowledgment, hoping she never longer felt alone in her little world.

"Of course I will. Just remember that denying our differences is denying the truth of who we are." The goddess reminded, giving one last gentle wave before the screen faded and the glow withered away. Aurora sighed sadly as she clutched the necklace tightly, staring at the wide window showing the lawn of the territory.

"Thanks, mom," She whispered softly, reminiscing the days she was at Olympus with silent tears. The next few days were... interesting to say the least, Tony was slightly in a better mood as he promised to take her back to the Stark Tower in two weeks. Nothing of visiting Olympus was mentioned throughout their short conversations, but she knew it was coming. The atmosphere felt different after the Lagos incident, therefore, she made better use of her time than feeling sorry for herself. Of course, she felt guilt, hell even shame but this wasn't going to make the boy live again. Instead, she trained— harder, faster, stronger, better than before, to the point that her knuckles would be bruised and bleeding from the amount of force she put on herself.

That was her first mistake, emotions. They were nothing more than a liability during missions, and HYDRA taught her well, just not enough. The next was thinking she can play the hero, however, Aurora is just a soldier taking orders and executing them well. Most times the teenager was alone within her confinement, the adults were still around but with the precaution of not doing something heroic. Ironically, while the Avengers were on a break, a new hero was trending on the news with his impressive strength. Calling the hero, Spider-Man. And yes, she was intrigued by his amateur skills and tacky costume which she describes as horrific. A thought occurred if there were other heroes within New York City... just maybe.

"Are you busy?" Natasha knocked on her open door, leaning against the doorframe sporting a soft grin. The girl faced her with a confused expression as she was doing some boxing workout, sweating profusely but didn't press further why the sudden visitation. With a short sigh, she took off the gloves before grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat away while motioning the woman to enter the training room.

"No, I just— finished another session," Aurora answered shortly, taking a large sip from the water bottle as she inhaled sharply. The redhead silently observed the girl who sat on a bench, walking over to sit beside her. The two former assassins had a way of words when explaining emotions, a foreign concept they learned eventually.

"Heard you just came a few days ago... about the punishment Tony gave you, and I know it's not fair." She told the brunette, placing a gentle pat on the shoulder. Aurora slowly nodded at the statement, contemplating the many thoughts running in her mind.

"Oh that, well I wouldn't worry about it. He's probably hard on me because I'm his kid, you're different Nat. You're like an aunt to me." The teenager feigned her expressions with slight sarcasm, but Natasha knew better. After standing up with her arms crossed, her aunt gave a pointed look that she tried to resist.

"He loves you, you know," Aurora raised her head, facing Steve who she didn't know was there. Great, it seemed the whole world united for the sole purpose of not wanting her feeling isolated within the compound. The Captain placed his hands inside the pant's pockets, as he continued with his explanation, "He may not act like it, Rory but he does. Tony just doesn't know how to express his love for you ever since he knew you're his kid."

"Thank you... really, but you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine," The teenager insisted yet the two adults shared a single glance almost as if having a telepathic conversation. She could lie all she wanted to them but it won't change how she felt about herself. A teenager with broken memories that need healing for her heart.

"Look Rory, just know that you always have someone to talk to. Even if you think you don't, you're welcome with me. Anytime." Steve encouraged her, giving a gentle look to the girl he had come to view as a niece. She didn't know how to respond to their sincere actions, it was something Aurora wasn't familiar with when it came to expressing gratitude.

"Vision?" Natasha questioned the unannounced visitor, who phased through the wall to greet them formally. Often Aurora got used to him doing that but sometimes it would tick her off if he came unexpectedly. The android took some moments to scan his surroundings, before facing the trio with various expressions.

"Pardon me, but Mr. Stark requests Ms. Romanoff and Captain Rogers make an appearance for a special guest arriving. However Miss Stark must remain in her room during the meeting." Vision declared in a firm tone, immediately the teenager couldn't believe her ears. One moment Tony says something and the next he neglects their agreements.

"What? Vision I'm going whether dad likes it or not." Aurora proclaimed as she started to head towards the exit to change quickly. However, the android blocked her way, wanting her to give up as there were other reasons why she couldn't attend.

"I'm afraid I can't, the Secretary of State is here and Mr. Stark thinks it best for you to stay here." Vision affirmed to them, seeing he wasn't going to budge from his spot Natasha came forward to place a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Rory. We'll keep you updated," Aunt Nat answered with reassurance, seeing that Aurora was outnumbered and exhausted from arguing she nodded her head silently. Steve was the first to inform the android they'll be there in a few moments, the teenager was sent to her room. Loud footsteps echoed in the halls as she grumbled under her breath on missing out on the so-called important meeting.

That's when an idea struck her— genius really as she's done this many times beforehand. Checking her surroundings for anyone nearby, she ran to her bedroom and gathered the compact mirror and computer she was gifted last year for Christmas. The girl made sure the doorknob was locked and turned her A.I. online to start going through the algorithms while she would disable the cameras and microphones. FRIDAY became online as she summoned the A.I. system, "FRIDAY, I need the live feed from room 26."

"Voice activation required," The female A.I. questioned the young Stark, taking a moment to think about the new requirement. She swore it wasn't there before... guess Tony knew about her hacking history after a prior incident. Contemplating what the passcode would be, she started with a simple one.

"Aurora Hunter." She stated with confidence but after hearing the beep sound incorrectly, Aurora pondered on the next reply. Perhaps it was something else, so she tried the next answer, "How about Aurora Stark?"

"Access denied," FRIDAY answered in an affirmative tone, causing frustration on the teenager. By then, her own A.I. system couldn't manually enter the last firewall since it was encrypted with a new password every half hour that was authorized by Tony.

"Phantom." Aurora used her alias as the password, thinking that it was the right one. Her fingers flew through the keyboard to access at least the recordings for later but she kept being locked by some 'virus' trying to shut down her system.

"Access denied." The A.I. responded with the same tone, she silently cursed that she'll be missing the important details. Alright— if that's how it's going to be... she's not going to back out now.

"Damn it!... Firecracker?"

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MEANWHILE, the rest of the Avengers were gathered at the headquarters after listening to Secretary Ross' briefing, silently studying the Accords while Rhodey and Sam argued in the background. Both Steve and Natasha wondered how they'll break the news to the young Stark, while Tony sat nonchalantly about what took place fifteen minutes ago. Vision and Wanda both wore a different expression at the tension in the room, Stark discreetly thinking what he'll do to make it up to Aurora. Eventually, Rhodey interjected after disagreeing with a statement, "Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honor, which is one more than you have."

"So let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?" Sam argued with reason, already making up his mind while standing firm with his decision. Everyone else listened to the commotion, without anyone realizing someone was also paying attention. By then, the youngest Avenger managed to disable FRIDAY from Tony's control for a short while.

"117 countries want to sign this... 117, Sam. And you're just like, 'No, that's cool. We got it.'" War Machine countered with desperation, arguing across the room. Tony started to get migraines as he muttered under his breath some incoherent words, Steve continued to read the Accords booklet.

"How long are you going to play both sides?" Wilson retorted that made everyone else ponder about the question. The Avengers were never associated with any national government nor did they operate on their own terms... yet that didn't appeal well to others.

"I have an equation," Vision interrupted to dispute the hostility between them, observing everyone with careful consideration as he calculated his reasoning.

"Oh, this will clear it up," Falcon answered sarcastically as he dramatically lifted his head. Rhodey paused for a moment, mentally agreeing with Sam but won't admit to how this will help.

"In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate." The android emphasized the logic, obtaining Tony's attention as he recalled the last few years.

"Are you saying it's our fault?" Steve peeked over to him, continuing to glance at the pages with a heavy inhale. Natasha slightly leaned forward with novelty, knitting her eyebrows together as she pondered.

"I'm saying there may be a causality. Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict... breeds catastrophe. Oversight... oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand." Vision clarified with a pause afterward. Rhodey empathized with his point that made Wilson roll his eyes discreetly.

"Tony. You are being uncharacteristically non-hyper-verbal." Romanoff noted him lying on the couch, the billionaire in return, turned in her direction with a fixated expression. He winced at the incoming migraine forming, however, Rogers recognized that look anywhere.

"It's because he's already made up his mind." Steve acknowledged his quiet demeanor as he would usually use his big mouth when trying to oppose something. Seeing him now silent, there is no other logical explanation as to why he decided without the others knowing about it.

"Boy, you know me so well," Stark answered cynically, getting up from the couch as he rubbed his head in a distressed manner. He walked to the kitchen and grabbed a mug as he mentioned, "Actually, I'm nursing an electromagnetic headache. That's what's going on, Cap. It's just pain. It's discomfort. Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?"

Tony then proceeded to take out his phone and tapped on it, projecting an image of a young man smiling at the camera. The others stared at the photo, while Stark looked down then up before pretending to notice the picture for the first time. He then stated, "Oh, that's Charles Spencer, by the way. He's a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA. Had a floor-level gig at Intel planned for the fall. But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul, before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service. Charlie didn't want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where, Sokovia."

Everyone in the room had grave faces with silent stares, the tension growing each passing second. Wanda seemed the most affected as she clenched a hard fist while holding back neverending tears, no one paid attention to her suffering. Tony observed the room with exasperation, continuing on his point, "He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass. There's no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're boundary-less, we're no better than the bad guys."

"Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up," Steve interrupted with reason, ever since they formed the Avengers— everyone knew the heavy burden that came with them. Each member held a dark past that shaped them into the heroes they are, but others saw them differently.

"Who said we're giving up?" Stark retaliated with annoyance, taking the pill before drinking the coffee feverishly. A notification popped up on his device, taking a glance before squinting his eyes in thought as he turned it off. That would have to wait in the meantime.

"We are if we're not taking responsibility for our actions. This document just shifts the blame," Captain stated, placing the booklet on the coffee table as Natasha only stared with a solemn look. Nothing was ever solved with politics, nonetheless with opposing views that conflict the matter on hand.

"I'm sorry. Steve. That— that is dangerously arrogant. This is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the World Security Council, it's not SHIELD, it's not HYDRA." Rhodey interrupted the super-soldier, the last phrase made Tony uneasy at the organization.

"No, but it's run by people with agendas, and agendas change." Steve counteracted his reasons, he never did like men with power deciding what's wrong from right. It's like war, a peace treaty could be ratified and signed to signify mutual trust but would that guarantee tranquility?

"That's good. That's why I'm here. When I realized what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands, I shut it down and stopped manufacturing." Tony piped in and what he did, change the Stark legacy to what's today. He no longer partakes of anything that threatens humanity, promising himself to be better than his old man.

"Tony, you chose to do that. If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. What if this panel sends us somewhere we don't think we should go? What if there is somewhere we need to go, and they don't let us? We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own." The super soldier concluded, crossing his arms above the chest with a heavy sigh.

"If we don't do this now, it's gonna be done to us later. That's the fact. That won't be pretty." Stark advised while thinking about how he'll try to make Aurora understand that he just wants to protect her. Hell, she changed his life for the better but he still has regrets.

"Maybe Tony's right," Natasha spoke for once, causing him to look at her with a surprised expression. She didn't bother turning away from him as she continued with her thoughts, "If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take it off—."

"Aren't you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?" Sam commented with a slight smirk that was growing if he recalled it was after the Project Insight incident and Congressional hearing.

"I'm just... I'm reading the terrain. We have made... some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back." She hesitantly stated, considering the limited options they have. Both sides had valid reasons why but the result might turn out more difficult than expected.

"Focus up. I'm sorry, did I just mishear you or did you agree with me?" Tony remarked in a playful tone, tilting forward and simultaneously leaning as he made some kind of waving motion with his hand. She gave one small glance before slowly rejecting her answer from before.

"Oh, I want to take it back now." She teased him, not giving in to showing her regret with aiding his argument.

"No, no, no. You can't retract it. Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case closed— I win." Stark retaliated as he thought there was no need to continue. He went back to the kitchen for a snack, the others having their small chuckles from the interaction. Steve thought otherwise of the decision.

"Perhaps, but not everyone is here to vote on it," Steve announced calmly, Tony stopped what he was doing as the man stared directly at him in the eye. He knew who he was referring to, the one member missing from the meeting besides Thor and Bruce. 

"If you're implying on Rory, I'm not telling her anything. She's just a kid, there's no one better to make that decision than me." Tony answered nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders as he acted like it didn't affect him.

"That's not what you thought when we made her an Avenger." Natasha vocalized afterward, even if she did support Tony's claims it wasn't fair from having someone voice without her opinion.

"Who's side are you on?" The billionaire remarked at Romanoff, thinking it was in the past. Once again there was that headache coming back... what wonderful timing.

"The one not keeping secrets from her. She deserves to make her own decision." Sam joined in, although he admits the girl made quite the wrong expression during their first time. And she was a pain in the ass— besides the point, everyone was involved and it meant her too.

"And if she chooses the wrong one?" Tony responded with a worried look in his eyes. All her years of being alone, he worries it wouldn't be enough to help her change. But what if she didn't need to?

"Then we'll still be there for her. We always will." Steve affirmed, nodding his head at Natasha with appreciation. Tony could just lie about it but it would mean their trust will be broken, for both Starks have secrets of their own. It was a matter of time before finding out.