Chapter 35: Spilled Secrets

"Your new life is going to cost you your old one." —Unknown

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THE RAFT

LOCATION: ATLANTIC OCEAN

JULY 2, 2016

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AURORA expected she would be cuffed and monitored when she arrived at the Raft, not wanting to risk her having an outburst. It's been a few days since the team was stranded in the highly secured facility in the middle of the ocean, bored out of their damn minds. Each one was taken away to be interrogated and now she was placed in a barely lit room with hands chained to the metal table. Of course, the other agents would observe her, seeing the not-so-conspicuous mirror on the side of the left wall. Leaning against the chair as she muttered some lyrics that first popped up in her head, not once hearing someone coming in.

"Miss Stark," Thaddeus Ross stated as he began looking through her file, not once letting her silly antics distract him. She heard him the first time but decided to test his patience with how long he'll keep repeating... she counted seven times.

"It's Hunter actually, Stark is my father's last name, not mine." Aurora chirped with a small grin, holding her hands together as they were perched on the table. Looking at her nails since there was nothing else to entertain herself, besides listening to him talk in a droning manner. 

"Experimented at the age of five with an unknown serum, trained by various officials that were all HYDRA agents, and started complying with high official missions after the attack on New York. Anything else I'm forgetting?" The man analyzed the folder's contents, scanning the photographs that held her dark lifeless eyes looking at the camera footage. The other papers were the list of people she assassinated, all high-ranked international agents— and to think that a teenager was capable of doing unspeakable things.

"How about the youngest super-soldier in HYDRA history? Daughter of Tony Stark and Diana Hunter, sorry— Athena Parthenos who happens to be Thor's sister-in-law. Perhaps you heard of him? Anyway, not to mention they're both important people who have more power than you..." The teenager smugly answered, moving slightly forward with the sound of the chains clinging to the metal desk.

"I assure you, Miss Hunter, I haven't. What you did today proved where your allegiance lies." The Secretary put down the folder, she calmly glanced at it before taking the photograph of her and the Winter Soldier together. Inhaling a sharp breath... if only they knew what he did for her years ago. No one understands him like her, he may have been a killer but this wasn't the life he wanted.

Neither did Aurora.

"That Bucky Barnes is innocent," Her voice slightly croaked as the girl thought about him. Putting the image back while composing herself, looking him right in the eyes as she anticipated his next move. He nearly wanted to chuckle but all that came out with a deep frown, as if he knew something she didn't.

"You know something, Hunter? You really thought you did something, as we speak, your friends are being charged with high treason within two countries. Not to mention, there's no official whereabouts of Captain Steven Grant Rogers and Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes." The man retorted, however, it bought her some ease that at least their efforts weren't in vain.

"So they escaped?" Aurora asked innocently, sighing with relief but now it meant that Steve knew her secret. God, she hopes he won't hate her now— or worse, the others know too.

"Seems so... do you really think your smart talking will do you a favor?" The General remarked angrily, slightly looking at the cameras filming everything. Behind the glass were Natasha, T'Challa, and Everett Ross with mixed expressions. The redhead was silently proud of her, the new King of Wakanda staring intensely at her movements, and the agent looking through her records.

"Maybe not, but you can't do anything, Mr. Secretary. No matter what you try to charge me with arson, murder, theft, the list goes on. I will be unscathed by the government— you know why? Because everyone knows you can't capture a ghost." She leaned back as the teenager toyed with the metal cuffs, secretly finding a way to use her powers again.

"Even if you're right, that wouldn't stop us until the day you turn eighteen. This is the real world, you picked the wrong side, and you face the consequences." The man declared as he sneered at her overconfident behavior.

"Then I hope your superiors know they can do whatever they want but it'll be over my dead body. And when that happens the public will know the government secrets, including yours." Aurora shrugged her shoulders, hoping she could mess with his head for a bit.

"And that is?" He paused, intrigued by what she had to say. She didn't immediately tell him, liking the feeling of being the cat going for the mouse.

"How's your daughter, Secretary? Last time I heard she had a child? I think her name is Elizabeth Ross?" The teenager smiled brightly, before looking at the large mirror on the side as she gave a small wave. It was all for show, a distraction she would say to keep them off guard.

"How do you—," Ross demanded as he squinted his eyes menacingly at her, she didn't cower away when he did. Slowly standing up from her seat, hands on the table as she chuckled softly. Faintly remembering it was one of the successful missions HYDRA had in infiltrating the US Government or SHIELD.

"Tell me, did you really think all your men were loyal to you? In fact, there were seven that worked for HYDRA when you tried to terminate Banner. Perhaps you should be aware of who to trust... guess that's why you don't know the first thing about espionage," Aurora interrupted promptly, feeling a soft click around her hands.

"Are you blackmailing me?" Secretary Ross insisted as he too stood up and crossed his arms against the chest. With the staggering height difference, he was slightly impressed with how she managed her emotions.

"Not at all, merely stating that if I go down, I'm taking everyone with me." She muttered while simultaneously taking the metal cuffs off with ease. Immediately armed agents walked into the room and contained her, but she just pretended to let them think they won.

"Huh, we'll see about that. That's all for today, Miss Hunter." He signaled them to take her away, placing her power-restricting cuffs back on as she quietly obliged.

"You're no fun, can't even handle a little threat." The young Stark snickered but didn't resist as they placed her back in the cell. On the way, she realized it was a different location— this time, a maximum secured prison for her. Didn't matter to her, finally a good bed to sleep in, and did not have to worry about missing her meals either.

From what she could tell, it's been nearly a week here and painfully reminded her of the early days with HYDRA. Stuck in a cell, under constant surveillance, with no human interaction unless it was necessary, and don't forget the panic attacks. That sensation she despised of her chest clenching tight or how those negative thoughts invade the mind. And they didn't do anything about it, guess it was a way for her to say it's over. Just when she thought no one cared, the young Stark was taken near the helipads of the facility where the agents took off the collar and cuffs before releasing her.

"Come on kid, I'm here to take you home," Tony stated solemnly and slid the door open, Aurora observed how exhausted and beaten he appeared. His right hand was in a sling as her father gestured to go inside before handing the girl a duffel bag. It was some spare clothes for her to change into, but she knew something was off.

"Home? You mean with the others?" She questioned, however, Tony hesitated when she examined the vehicle that held no other passengers. Since the girl belted in and heard him call out to the pilot to move out, she gradually turned to him with a disappointed look, "They're not there.. are they?"

"When we get home... I expect you to stay in your room, young lady. Or so help me I'll—." Her father firmly but Aurora glared at him for not his lack of effort to try harder. They were her friends, hell her best friends and she didn't want to abandon them.

"Well, it can't be worse than prison? At least I wasn't alone! And why can't you let me see mom?" The teenager remarked angrily, tossing the duffle bag aside while the migraines seemed to return.

"You left me no choice, Rory. I was going to lose you if I didn't do this." Tony claimed as his eyes pleaded with the girl to give up for once. She didn't want to accept that this was the only way, her friends were heroes unlike her who didn't deserve any mercy for what she's done.

"Then you should have never made me an Avenger!" Aurora shouted in frustration, momentarily stunning herself with what she said. He didn't say anything at first and the girl knew she was fucked when he had an unreadable glint in his expression.

"You're right... starting tomorrow you'll no longer be one." Tony agreed with her decision, causing her to hitch her breath as an involuntary shiver shook her body.

"What do you mean?" She whispered as if she misunderstood him, if only that was the case. She wasn't upset that she wasn't an Avenger anymore, but rather that he completely gave up on her.

"I need everything, your suit, gadgets—." He stated but she swiftly shook her head in disagreement.

"You can't do this! That's my stuff, I made them!" Aurora raised her voice as she tried to stand up but was starting to get lightheaded. Tony didn't seem to notice at first, thinking it was an act she was putting on.

"Not until you learn that being an Avenger isn't something to be taken lightly with." Stark retaliated as he already began thinking of some punishments for her. The teenager's vision started to blur and couldn't concentrate, mumbling her words before she suddenly went unconscious and collapsed to the ground. The last thing she heard was Tony calling out to her until Aurora didn't feel anything... and he didn't know why.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ🕷: *.☽ .* :🔪 ﾟ. ───

Avengers Tower

Location: New York City, New York

March 29, 2015

"AFTER that stunt you did at SHIELD headquarters— we wouldn't want the world to know about your little secret, Agent Hunter... would you?" A man spoke through the device, Aurora's breaths hitched faintly after recognizing who it was. It was after midnight when the phone rang and echoed ominously in the room, feeling dread and for the first time the fear of being watched. It's only been seven months since the fall of HYDRA, or so she thought. She prayed that they haven't discovered Bucky yet, they couldn't have been from a foreign country with limited satellite footage.

"No... just— tell me what I have to do." Her voice slightly faltered, cursing herself for letting fear consume her. This was worse than any nightmare she's endured, this was life and death delicately placed in the hands of the masterminds of a greater evil. Aurora was known to create fear but now, she feared for herself for once. Everything she gained in the last nine months would be taken away within seconds if she didn't play by their rules.

"Has the great Phantom... lost her touch?" The man's voice taunted her, mocking her to get a reaction from Aurora. However, she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction or the idea that he succeeded. If anything, her ideals were merely 'persuaded' but that doesn't change the fact she did horrible things in the past.

"Not at all, they're my mission. They're nothing more than a means to my end." She lied through her teeth, putting the phone momentarily on mute, and commanded M.A.T.T.H.E.W. to record the call. Composing herself with a deep breath, looking out from the bedroom window before covering them with the blinds to ease the nervous tension.

"Good, now that you've... adjusted to your new life, we need to know everything about the Avengers." Her superior gave the next order, biting on her bottom lip and pondering how she'll do it. She couldn't betray them— they saved her when Aurora was in her darkest times. It was hard not to get attached when they showed her love and kindness, something she desperately needed for some time now.

"And if I do this... you'll finally tell me the whole truth?" Aurora already knew everything she had to hear, after discovering her lineage this was the only upper advantage she had. She didn't know if they were going to continue feeding lies to her but she wasn't going to be under control anymore.

"Everything you desire and more." He lied and Aurora knew it, but he didn't know that. A plan already formulating in her mind and if she succeeded, no one will ever remember her. She can finally live in peace... but peace was far from it within years.

"Consider it done," She uttered firmly, getting a small signal thanks to M.A.T.T.H.E.W. tracking down the location.

"You're doing a great service to HYDRA, remember you were always meant for the greater good." The man reminded and she almost felt herself hesitate in saluting to HYDRA. Her loyalty was broken and now they were testing her, a price she'll always pay in the end.

"But first, I need the names of everyone who survived." Aurora retaliated and knew it was against the rule to talk back to her superior.

"And why would I do that?" He barked but this meant it was working, he thought this was her old self again talking. She may always be an assassin but now within her own free will and for the better.

"So I can turn myself in and say it was you and your men that were able to capture me. You'll surely be rewarded and they get their weapon back." She teased and awaited his response, a tempting deal that anyone who had common sense will accept.

"And what's in it for you?" Her superior caught on to her suspicion, but she was already three steps ahead.

"The best part... watch as I pull the Avengers apart and annihilate the world," Aurora stated with a straight face, every word that came out of her mouth felt wrong. What once was her life mission became the thing she hated, individuals that were once superior to others became her small dysfunctional family.

"As you wish, Miss Hunter." He agreed and felt herself slowly smile as the phone call hung up. Aurora couldn't afford to go back to sleep, not with the chance to bring HYDRA down is within her grasp. Eventually, the list of names was sent to her, therefore, she wrote them down on a piece of paper before deleting it. Right away she headed to her private makeshift laboratory and connected possible pinpoints of the phone call location or face recognition around the world. In the meantime, she had her A.I. constantly update her if something came up while the girl searched for her own gadgets.

"Miss Hunter, if I may, what would you accomplish once you find them?" Matt questioned the girl, Aurora peeked at the hologram as she already had her mind set. Digging through the closet with the rest of her items, hoping Tony didn't take them away yet.

"The only logical thing... revenge." She concluded, reaching at one of the cardboard boxes with her backpack inside. She smiled once the compact mirror was found and the handguns she traded a few months back so they couldn't track her.

"Wouldn't that contradict the ideals of the Avengers?" Her A.I. voiced its concern, Aurora finally sees the daggers and places everything in the backpack again. She stood up with the items intact before heading to the computer with a conflicted expression.

"Relax, Matt. They won't know nor will I ever tell them. Besides, I'm not an Avenger." She remarked as the girl sat on her chair to rest a bit, doing some deep breaths to calm her nerves.

"Not yet but I advise you to think this out carefully. If you do this, there may be some serious consequences." M.A.T.T.H.E.W. stated firmly, she glanced at her A.I. with an annoyed look and connected the compact mirror to the computer to download the files.

"Okay, why don't you talk to me once you find something, I don't know... useful?" She sassed as she waited for the download to be completed so she could plan what to do.

"If you want me to turn off you could have said so, Miss Hunter. I'll seize the search, commencing countdown—." The A.I. declared as Aurora started to panic as the files began glitching, typing on her computer to reload until she finally caved in.

"STOP!" She shouted to the A.I. as the screen froze, sighing as she leaned back on the chair to think. The young Stark hesitated but began to apologize, "Look I'm sorry Matt. I-I thought I was done with HYDRA and now I'm being dragged back in. I have to do something even if it means more blood in my hands."

There was a moment of silence, Aurora placed her right hand on her face to message the incoming headache. The screen slowly began to reload and continue the search, M.A.T.T.H.E.W. announced, "I understand, Miss Hunter. I'll contact you with any further details regarding their locations."

"Thanks, Matt," She softly smiled, her screen notified that the download was complete so she picked it up. Seeing the time on the clock, it was getting late and she needed to eat some food before the long journey ahead. When she left the room, Aurora muttered under her breath, "Drama queen."

The following days weren't any better, Aurora was getting paranoid and sleep didn't help either unless she knew they were dead. There was still no official word of their location, so the next best thing she could do is spend some time with them. There were a few things she noticed about their interactions, they trusted each other. In a sense that they weren't just co-workers, but rather close friends with the rare occasion of disagreement. Unlike her where she didn't belong. And the other thing was only a few accepted her while some were still apprehensive which she understood why. She hoped to gain their trust one way or another if it meant some extreme measures.

Just when Aurora thought that she lost the lead forever, M.A.T.T.H.E.W. alerted her of three possible locations. One in Sokovia, another in Peru, and one in Alaska. All were secluded locations but finding the leader would be difficult. She would have to eliminate them all within 24 hours before any of them would be alerted of the attack. She tried to memorize the places she would visit with the help of google maps, thank god technology was a tool she could use. Changing into her old suit and black mask before wearing the magenta wig, ready to finish what she couldn't do. She waits to sneak out at night, to murder the fuckers who were behind her eternal suffering.

She needed to... or else they would reveal her secret.

HYDRA initially didn't want her, they thought she didn't deserve to be aligned with the organization. However, when Alexander Pierce proposed to reproduce the next super soldiers with an enhanced being like Athena, the remaining soldiers' DNA was extracted and combined with the properties of the Tesseract. One of them was Bucky Barnes. Once it was tested and proven to work, they killed the first group with Barnes the only survivor while Aurora became the key to destruction. They erased her existence from the world and narrated lies to force her to comply with them.

That's why she is connected to Bucky, both in companionship and DNA. And when she became of age, they would extract his DNA and have Aurora reproduce the next super-soldier army. Gaining abilities like herself and Bucky's original serum would make a stronger bloodline for HYDRA to use. Becoming the 'mother' of super-soldiers and 'savior' to HYDRA. But now that she's free... the young Stark will never comply again. Something she didn't dare to tell Tony or anyone, a burden she'll always carry.

The first base she infiltrated was in Peru, deep in the Amazon Rainforest, and managed to sneak up and eliminate them. Once there was no one alive, she went to the War Room and glanced at the maps to find the remaining traces of HYDRA. It didn't take long to discover that the leader was hiding in Alaska, presumably abandoning the Sokovia base. Unless it became impenetrable to enter, weighing her options closely and needed to finish the job, Aurora would need the Avengers to invade Sokovia. It's only logical as it became the remaining original base and Loki's Scepter is still missing.

Teleporting to Alaska and dressed according to the weather, she finally got to the underground bunker where they awaited her arrival. They checked for concealed weapons and the 'stolen' files of the Avengers before letting her go see the superior officer. Sometimes the best place to hide and attack is in plain sight. They purposely sealed the doors once she entered, thinking that they could prevent her from escaping now. However, Aurora simply maintained a neutral expression as the man who called her finally appeared.

He didn't say anything but outstretched his hand to which she handed the files to him. He observed them just as Aurora glanced at her surroundings while formulating a plan. There were about ten in the room, presumably the names he gave her. She managed to conceal the small dagger from the necklace but planned on taking one of the agents' guns. After a few moments, he looked at her and tried to detect anything odd about her but he instead firmly commanded, "Good work, Agent. That will do... снять ее."

"What about the deal? I need to know!" Aurora feigned a surprised expression as the men got closer to get her, but she took out the dagger and advanced on the leader. However, they got her and pinned her to the group as the superior officer cracked a sinister smile. Reminding her that resisting is futile and he started saying her deactivation code as she screamed for him to stop. When he concluded, she would remain powerless for twenty-four hours before regaining consciousness. Give them enough time to head back to Sokovia where she truly belonged.

Once they let go and examined her, the superior officer was satisfied to have her back. Except— Aurora got up and swiped the dagger at the nearest one on the neck. Catching them off guard and taking the gun from him, pointing it at the others and killing them instantly. Her superior was the only one alive and directed the weapon to him, her blank eyes staring coldly. Stepping closer and him trying to back away until he was cornered against the wall, shouting angrily, "But how?! It should have worked!"

Aurora simply smiled and reached inside her ears to take out small orange sponges and dropped them on the floor. Tilting her head slightly as she mocked the man, "Ever heard of earplugs? Try them some time, take it from me that it worked. And now I waited so long to kill you."

"So it's true... no matter how much you put up an act for them, you'll always be the same." He barked furiously, keeping his chin high while the girl reciprocated his actions.

"I am who I choose to be, and I say you're no longer needed for your service," Aurora stated as she fired the bullet going through his skull, and blood splattered on her face. Delicately smearing it off as she calmly crouched down and took the dagger up to his chest. Then she slashed his body with deep marks as it read 'Fuck HYDRA' before sending the image to the Sokovia base. A warning that they'll be next when they least expect it. Staring at the body, she whispered, "Told you I haven't gone soft."

Phantom left to search for the computer systems to activate the shutdown sequence. Any evidence that she was there would become pointless but not before taking the remaining plans of HYDRA. Leaving the underground bunker before it exploded, the teenager needed to go home and gave away their secret location to Tony and Steve. It wasn't going to be easy explaining how she acquired such information but it'll become the tool she needs to gain their trust.

And from that day forward, Aurora vowed to change her fate... even if it meant guarding her secret till death.