↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

'And I don't know how it gets better than this...' Diana Rogers trailed off as she practised yet another one of her mother's songs.

A small way for the then ten year-old to feel connected to a parent that was long gone. Ever since she could remember the sound of a guitar would bring her comfort, so playing one gave her this fuzzy feeling. One she never wanted to lose.

And thankfully as her mother was considered the literal Patron Saint of American Music. Meaning the talent was literally flowing through her veins. Ever since she had learned a bit more control over her strength, Diana's skills were vastly improving. Though it wasn't as if she didn't practise at every position second she could.

Sitting in her room she stood up and pretended to be playing to a crowd as she joyfully sang. Her fingers plucking the strings as if she had been doing this for years as she daydreamed about the future.

After months upon months of begging, crying and a short lived hunger strike, Diana finally got confirmation that she would be allowed to attend public school. Well... as public as an heiress was allowed.

The National Arts of America academy, NAOA to be exact. A place considered to be one of, if not, the greatest school for the arts, having many alumni going far in their fields. And once they got wind that a descendant of the Saint Lady Liberty wanted to attend they sent her an acceptance letter without even sending an application.

Of course there were many legal and safety issues Tony and Homeland security had to agree upon but that wasn't important to her at the time. All that mattered was the confirmation. She was going to real school. Diana would be going to school in September... and with her eleventh birthday just around the corner she could just taste that academy uniform she'd gain in only a matter of months.

She didn't even notice her parents standing before her until Pepper loudly clapped once the song was over. Breaking out of her fantasy she smiled at the pair, "Whatcha think?"

Pepper, giving a smile that seemed rather pained, came closer and kissed the child's forehead, "Amazing. As usual."

Diana gave a smile and turned to Tony, waiting for his usual joke over her loud noises that made the tower rumble. Yet nothing came. Instead she noticed him standing by the entryway, looking rather mellow for once.

She tilted her head as she looked at the sorrowful pair, "Is... everything okay?"

Tony let out a small scoff as Pepper frowned, "Can sit for a minute?"

"Um..." she could tell something was very wrong, "Yeah. Yeah, I can."

She sat down on her bed as Pepper was right next to her. Though Tony stayed a good distance away, "Did... did I do something wrong?"

"No sweetie, you did nothing-"

Diana suddenly gasped as she remembered Rhodey was currently deployed, making her tear up, "Was it Uncle Rhodey? Please tell me he's okay-"

"Hey, hey, hey," Pepper grabbed her hands and gave them a quick squeeze. "It's okay. Rhodey's okay."

"Is it Happy? Your parents?" She shook in fright.

"Nobody is hurt. Nobody is dead. It's nothing bad," she calmly explained. "It's just something that happened and we thought it was best that it came from us."

The ten year-old gave a small nod as she didn't calm down, sensing the worst, "Then what happened?"

Pepper and Tony glanced at each other before he motioned her to speak, as he was too emotional to do so. The strawberry blonde let out a small sigh as her fingers rubbed over Diana's, "Diana... they were doing some research over the Atlantic Ocean and..." she hesitated. "They finally found Steve Rogers' ship."

That's when Diana froze. As she sat there she was expecting for some emotion to suddenly hit her like a metal fist. A response to this unsolved mystery that's been plaguing her country for decades. Yet nothing came.

"Oh... did they find him?"

Pepper squeezed her hand a little tighter as she nodded, "They did."

Diana's head moved up and down as she just said, "Okay, wow," her blue eyes closed momentarily before asking. "So when's the funeral?"

Both guardians glanced at her confused, "What?"

She sighed and lifted her head up high, "His funeral. My dad should have a proper burial. He can rest next to my mom now," she turned to Tony. "It can be private if you want. I know that we keep my mom's real resting place a secret from the public. It could just be us."

After Morgan Stark-Rogers' body was recovered from the Hydra base she destroyed, many wanted to pay their respects. Howard knew first hand how overwhelming a hero's gravesite could become. When the government made a monument to Steve Rogers it was never empty. Always overcrowded and the people who truly knew him could never have a moment alone.

So when he received his sister's body he decided to trick the country. With the help of his friend Peggy Carter they staged a funeral with an empty casket to the public burial in the middle of New York. While a few nights prior the real family buried Morgan under a willow tree at the cottage Howard was planning on giving the Rogers' as a wedding present.

And just as suspected, Morgan's "grave" became a tourist spot. Even to this day people go and place flowers and guitar picks on the stones surrounding the land. If they now had Steve's body she knew his would become a landmark as well. Diana didn't want that.

Her father deserved to be next to his wife. It was his right. And it wasn't like the gravesite wasn't anything but beautiful. Diana had been to the willow tree a few times before and fell in love with the land. Since the cottage was still in the Stark name they had spent a few nights here and there, and enjoyed the peace it came with.

It would be the perfect place for her father's body.

Tony and Pepper gave each other a look as Tony came closer, "Diana that's actually what we need to talk about."

"Was there... no proper body? Like just bones?"

Tony frowned as he knelt in front of her, "Kid... this is very hard to tell you, and you may not believe us."

Diana looked at him confused as Pepper continued to squeeze her hands, "Diana, do you know much about your serum?"

She shook her head, "Just that it helps the body and makes you stronger."

"Well..." Pepper ran her fingers over Diana's knuckles, "It also seems to have some properties to help a person adapt to situations."

"It does?"

She nodded, "It seems that when your father went into the ice the serum acted as a sort of protection when he froze completely in the ice. A hibernation of sorts."

She blinked, "What?"

Tony moved closer, sighing, "Diana. When Steve went down with the ship the serum put him into a deep sleep. Shut down everything and basically froze him in time," he made eye contact with the girl. "We can't bury your father because he isn't dead... your father just woke up."

Diana was silent for a moment. Maybe it was the amount of information or it could have been the fact that she was so confused, but instead of responding her blue eyes simply rolled backwards and passed out.

╚════.✾. ═╝

And just like that it was the fourth of May. The fifteen year-old Diana Rogers-Stark let out a grumbled sigh as she stared up at the ceiling. The feelings of dread and complete disgust swirled within her stomach at what would come once the others woke up.

She loved her family, don't get her wrong. She was just... they could be too much. Especially after the events of Sokovia. Yes, even before Sokovia her family was a little overprotective but after everything... it suddenly became worse. She couldn't really explain it.

When she was eight, Diana was sent to live with her cousin Tony. The pair got along swingingly and without much rules. She loved it there.

Tony was kind to her, though as she looked back he wasn't much of a father. The way he spoke to her and the care he bestowed upon her was very brotherly.

Diana was actually terrified of him at first. You couldn't even blame her. Growing up in a lab to being placed in a random house with a man who had a glowing orb in his chest was a terrifying thing. Especially to a girl who had never been outside before.

The pair grew a special relationship. One created out of loneliness. Even if each person now grew up without their parents, they had each other. They could look out for each other.

But as Diana lifted her right arm she couldn't help but stare at the scars she had received while under Tony's care. The exact push Shield, which was actually Hydra at the time, need to regain custody of her.

╔═.✾. ════╗
Pepper grabbed Diana's shoulder and led her down the steps of the destroyed building as officers followed them out.

She huffed and adressed the officers, laying down the law as people were running from the mess created by Ivan Vonko, "When they get here, I think you should station them at the South, east and both west exits."

"We shut down the seven train in and out of Willets Point already," one told her.

She nodded, "Well, have city buses there to ferry people to operating lines."

"Yeah. Are you coming with us?" One of the five officers then asked her.

Pepper let out a sigh as she glanced around the failed expo, "No," she shook her head. "I'm gonna stay till the park is clear."

"Pepper?" Diana glanced up at her.

The woman knelt down to the child's eyeline, "I need to stay behind until this place is completely empty. My name as well as your family legacy could be at stake if we don't play this right," she explained. "These officers are going to take you somewhere safe, okay? Once you get to safety, Happy will pick you up."

Diana, feeling a little on edge about separating, trailed off, "Are you sure?"

She smiled, "I'll be fine. I promise. If you need anything you call me, okay?" she pulled the girl into a tight embrace before kissing her head. "I'll see you soon."

"Okay," Diana sadly let go of the woman before being led towards one of the police cars.

She didn't even glance at the driver as her attention was focused on Pepper before getting inside. With the doors locked upon entry Diana sat in the back of the police car and watched her cousin's girlfriend fading in the distance as they drove away.

Sitting back the nine year-old tried to make herself as comfortable as she could in the back of a police car. Watching as people scrambled to emergency buses to evacuate. Tapping her foot against the seat she turned away from the many civilians and focused on the three police cars in front of them. Watching the small convo driving away from the wreckage.

Which is why she became confused when their car turned left. Sitting up properly Diana saw the other vehicles driving away, "Why aren't we following them? Did something happen?" She asked the only officer in the car with her.

Though the moment the office started to chuckle, any sense of security melted away as she heard the familiar accent dripping from the man's lips. Diana's blue eyes widened as they made eye contact with the pair of hazel in the rear view mirror.

"I don't think the two of us have properly been introduced, Miss Rogers-Stark," she shivered as the tattooed man smirked. "They call me Vanko, but you call me Ivan."

Diana quickly tried to open the doors but was met with nothing but failure. Ivan only snickered at her meaningless attempt as he continued to drive, "I wouldn't try that. It'll be met with little progress. Your country's much money goes into these police cars.... Lucky me, eh?" He joked in his broken English.

Diana continued to try until she glanced at her weighted bracelets meant to keep her strength in check and an idea formed. Slowly unhooking her right cuff she placed it around her fingers into a makeshift brass knuckle of sorts. Punching the door off after only a few hits. Ivan skidded the car to a stop but it wasn't fast enough, with Diana jumping out seconds later and making a run for it.

Ivan let out a small huff, "Had to be the hard way..." the man grumbled before getting out of the car and following after her.

The child did her best to escape as a sudden squeezing sensation covered her right forearm. She only gave it a small glance before a current of electricity went around the whip holding her arm hostage. Her scream was so loud that not a soul could hear her suffering.

Collapsing to her knees Diana tried to pull her trapped appendage away as Ivan only stared down at her, "All you Starks are the same. You think yourselves invincible," Diana couldn't help but start to cry as the man came closer. "...but you aren't."

The small girl cried out for breath as he pulled out another whip and wrapped it around Diana's neck. She shook in terror as he forced the girl to her feet, threatening to activate his weapons again if she didn't comply.

The daughter of the bravest couple in history sobbed out a pitiful nod. Ivan only smiled and grabbed the phone from her pocket, giving it a small wave, "I planned on doing this later... but now is good. I think it'll be fun."

Diana could only whimper as the whips that were wrapped around her arm and neck like vines squeezed her ever so slightly. She knew it was a warning. Begging her to fight him back and make the suffering more enjoyable for the insane man.

Typing away on the pink bedazzled cellphone Ivan eventually found Tony's contact under the name, Doughnut Guy, and clicked the call button. Diana had to hold herself back from screaming as he put the phone on speaker, no doubt to get a reaction out of her.

'Diana, you okay? I just got Pepper out of here. Are you at the station yet? We should be on our way in a few moments. I was just about to call you,' she couldn't help but cry more as Tony picked up the phone.

"Oh, I believe her driver had a change in plans," Ivan stared directly at his captive, grinning like the devil as he taunted her cousin.

The line went cold as she could only assume Tony was either in shock or muted the call to locate them, which wouldn't be hard as they were out in the open for any Stark satellites to find her.

Diana let out another small whimper as the sounds of Tony's repulsors filled the air. Ivan let out a little chuckle as he forced the girl closer, her back now resting against his chest. She slightly hissed as the sudden movement caused her head to hit the arc reactor powering his whips.

Tony dropped to the ground with a loud bang, causing the concrete under him to break apart similar to a spiderweb. The man didn't even wait to show off every missile hidden within his newest suit and pointed them at the man holding Diana hostage.

Even if he remained silent she could tell the man was way past anger as he didn't speak. She never really had seen the man quite before, and if Ivan wasn't gripping her so tight she probably would've feared him as well.

"Ah, ah, ah," Ivan paused, tightening his bounds on the nine year-old. Diana let out a loud noise and she convulsed, begging for air as he tightened the bounds. "If I lose control. She dies."

Even with the mask covering Tony's face Diana could still hear the enraged panting behind the metal. Which only became more prominent when Diana's screams broke out as the whip, now wrapped around her entire arm, broke the skin. Making a long flow of blood leak from the cuts.

"This can be between the two of us, it is between just us," Tony pleaded, uncharacteristically calm. "She's innocent. She doesn't need to be here for this."

"Why do you think I am here, Stark? This was never about your father's company. It was about your legacy," He pulled the girl closer, "To know what it's like to lose. Didn't your little vacation in the desert teach you anything of proper value?"

The pain coursed through Diana's body as she struggled to stay awake. Her lungs burned for air as her vision went spotty. She was going to die. She knew it. After years of fighting, sleeping and fighting again, Diana knew she would eventually break.

Even after her rescue and recovery at the Stark household Diana knew it would only be for a matter of time. The fighting would never stop. Not for subject AN.3A, her real name.

Still she wasn't ready. She didn't want to go out like this. Especially with her guardian only a foot away from her. It took all her strength not to reach out for him as she cried, wanting nothing but to be comforted by him one last time.

"T..ony," she sobbed. She didn't mean to call him that, not at first. She was just terrified.

It seemed as if that made Tony completely stop. The man stared at his ward for a good second before his suit suddenly opened up, "N-no!" She gasped as Tony stepped out of his armour and raised his hands up in surrender.

"Here. Here I am," he looked Ivan in the eye. "You wanna end the Stark line, take me."

Ivan tilted his head as Diana only cried more, "Last time I check, this little one was your heir, no?"

The billionaire slightly shrugged, "Yeah, but she's not really a Stark. If anything she's just a random kid I took in," Diana could tell he didn't mean those words as he stepped even closer. "I'm the only one with the right last name so... I'm right here."

Diana's fear only grew when Ivan let out a hum. Without warning, the whip around her arm loosened and moved to Tony's neck. She gasped as her cousin let out a gag, "Maybe I should just kill two birds with one stone..."

"Tony," she was able to get out.

Tony, still struggling to breath, put his hand out to comfort her, "It's okay... it's gonna be okay, Diana," she sniffled in fear. "Sometimes... sometimes you need to take it down a notch."

His tone sounded completely off by his wording. If she had the energy she may have lifted her brow, "W-what do you-" she quickly shut up as she realised exactly what he was saying. Her eyes looked down at her bleeding arm now missing the electronic whip and cuff.

"Now you'll know what it's like to lose, Stark," Ivan's threat meant nothing to Diana as she made eye contact with her cousin. Giving a nod she reached up behind her and grabbed Ivan's arc reactor, tearing it off his person and deactivating his weapons.

The second the whips around Tony's neck were off he jumped back into his suit and grabbed the child. Ivan didn't even have the time to scream before the small missile was launched.

╚════.✾. ═╝

After a few years the scars had started to fade, but even with a shit ton of councillor the burns from Ivan Vanko's whips were still very noticeable. Starting at the centre of her palm a red line wrapped around her arm seven times before ending at the top of her shoulder. It was almost like a vine, with lines sprouting off in different directions in all different lengths.

She personally thought they looked cool, but her family seemed to think the opposite. Wanting them not to be seen or talked about.

Diana believes that must've been the exact moment Tony started to become slightly overprotective of the girl. Heightening security, adding locks to doors and making the girl wear a tracker necklace just to be safe.

She thought it was all bogus, but after his stupid tracker helped the Avengers find her after Loki got to her first... she kept her mouth shut.

So the prisoner with many different trackers on her person laid back in her bed. Waiting for the sun to come up and for her family to inevitably break into her room to sing her the obnoxious happy birthday song. A song she did not want to hear nor liked.

There were times she would have liked to go back and change things. Make a world where she actually wanted to become fifteen. But that wouldn't happen. It couldn't happen.

No, instead she laid back and closed her eyes. Thinking back to the exact inciting incident that lead to how her life became... this. This prison she thought she would never ever escape.

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

ᴊᴀɴᴜᴀʀʏ 14ᴛʜ, 2015
276 ᴅᴀʏꜱ, 6 ʜᴏᴜʀꜱ ᴀɴᴅ 10 ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇꜱ
ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴜʟᴛʀᴏɴ

Diana's hands tighten around her tablet as she read and reread and reread and reread the sheet music over and over and over again. Her breathing struggled to remain neutral as the many fears of what was to come ran through her head.

The only reason the then thirteen year-old Diana didn't start crying was because her more lax father pushed the tablet down, "Just take in a deep breath, Songbird. Breathe," Steve instructed.

Back before the events of Ultron Steve Rogers was a very relaxed man. Always smiling, always trying to find the good in things and always making sure his daughter knew she would be okay.

With the device now nothing but a memory, Diana's hands clutched her polyester pants. Following her father's instructed, though the feeling of her heart trying to beat out of the teen's chest still lingered.

Eventually the girl groaned and leaned forward, shoving her face into her lap, "You got a callback for a reason. I've listened to you practise all week. Even Bruce said you were good. You've got this, Diana," Steve did his best to comfort her, rubbing her back in a soothing motion.

"I can't just be good. I need to be flawless," she looked back up at her father. "I messed up the high note multiple times, even you know that. I can't mess up or I won't get the part. I need to complete the mission."

"The mission isn't getting the lead, Diana," Steve made his daughter face him. "The mission is to have fun. To go out there and do your best, and even if you don't get the lead you still tried. And that is flawless."

Her teeth over her chapped lip as he then squeezed Diana's shoulder, "Hey. You've got this."

Diana sighed and shook my head, making him repeat himself, "Come on, say it. You've got this."

"You've got this," she repeated him, making his brows lower.

"Diana..." he huffed, making her huff, "Okay. Okay. I've got this."

"That's my girl," he held up his clenched fist, waiting for a fist bump. Which she had to give, making the old man create an explosion noises when he opened his hand up.

When the car finally stopped Steve quickly got out first and moved over to open Diana's door like a true gentleman. Though instead of thanking him, the girl went over the words one more time. Not paying much attention as the pair walked inside the empty building, only having a small group of three waiting by the interior theatre doors.

With how dangerous it was for the superabled teenager Diana knew school would never be an option. Especially with ex-shield/Hydra agents now freely roaming the world it was too much of a security risk.

It took a lot of convincing, a few promises and one or two massive unnamed donations to the school, but finally Diana was given access to participate in the most prestigious high school's theatre department. Unlike in school they could secure the theatre and with enough security guards no child would be harmed for her involvement.

So she took this very slim opportunity very seriously.

The NAOA callbacks were a very private affair. So to avoid any clashes between jealous auditors or external affairs all callbacks were at undisclosed times, with only those with the email allowed to even attend the session.

And since this was a duet audition. It was safe to assume that the smaller girl standing with the couple was Diana's competition. At first she didn't worry much about. Even though she and this other girl would be fighting over the same role, Diana knew she couldn't stress about her partner. If she were too focussed on her partner it would only add more stress to the already stressful situation. Stressfully, she might add.

Though the moment she looked up at her competitor's midnight hair, all calm and collected thoughts had disappeared. "Shit," Diana murmured as the girl finally noticed the pair and proceeded to look the young avenger and her father up and down.

Steve glanced at the family of three with a small head tilt, "What is it? What's wrong?"

Diana tried not to shake as she stared at the familiar girl, who basically mirrored the teenager's expression before shaking her head, looking back at her parents.

"She looks slightly familiar... are you friends?" Steve asked.

Diana quickly shook her head, "That's.. that's Colette Zimmer."

Dad looked between them before humming, "Zimmer... why do I know that name?"

"Zimmer," Diana repeated. "The Zimmer family? Her mother, Mindy Zimmer-Hammer, owns Oscorp and is the guardian CEO of Hammer Industries until Harry Hammer comes of age," she explained to her father.

"Oh... oh yeah, didn't Tony say you and her nephew used to be friends?"

Diana shook her head, "That was a long time ago, dad," she huffed in fright. "Oh I am so dead."

"Okay. Now you are being dramatic- ah!" He gasped as Diana lightly slapped him.

"Do you listen to any of my rants?!" Diana loudly whispered, "That is Colette Zimmer. The Colette Zimmer. She's been the lead in every group number in my music showcases. A few months ago she's the girl who sang that solo Defying Gravity. Remember?"

It took a moment but Steve's blue eyes did widened. "Oh... Oh, yeah I remember that! She held that note for a long time," he chuckled much to his child's dismay. "She must be your duet partner, huh?"

Diana's stomach dropped at the realisation. Here she was struggling to keep a note held for a few seconds, while her competitor could hold one for almost a full minute in a small showcase.

Diana Rogers-Stark was doomed.

"I guess..."

"Great!" Steve grabbed her hand, "Let's go say hi to them, then."

She gawked in fright as Steve began to pull the girl towards the group. Even as she quietly protested he walked right up and  introduced the pair, "Excuse me, Mr. Zimmer right?"

The man turned around with a smile before his jaw fell the at the sight of his greeter, "Oh my god, it's Captain America and he knows my name," he not so quietly whispered before gasping out, "Hi! Yeah. Um..."

Steve noticed the usual struggle whenever he met someone new and immediately put out his hand for an introduction, "Steve Rogers."

Unlike their friend Sam Wilson, most people usually react like this, the only reason Sam didn't is because Sam isn't human. Sam was... Diana didn't really know what Sam was.

The man took a moment to process the hand before his wife nudged him, causing him to snap out of starstruck and shake his hand, "Uh, Glenn. Glenn Zimmer."

Steve smiled as the woman next to him shook his hand as well, "Hello, Captain. Mindy Zimmer."

"A pleasure," dad nodded before turning his attention to the girl. "And you must be Colette. I heard a lot about you."

Her dark eyes slightly widened before she went back into a prim and proper stance. Even though Diana never actually met face to face she had heard many things about her. She was very, very professional. Always held her head up high with a kind smile on her face.

She was everything Diana wanted to be.

She chuckled taking his hand, "All good I hope, Captain?"

He chuckled, "I saw you perform a few months ago with my daughter. You sounded beautiful," he complimented her, making Diana's eyes went figuratively green.

It was one thing to comment on a girl singing voice, but it was a completely different animal when that said girl is competing against his daughter for the same role in the musical.

She simply smiled and thanked the Captain before turning to her competition, "Diana, it's great to see you again."

"I..." she slightly blushed as Colette smiled at her. Not used to kids talking to her. Ever. "It's nice to see you too," Diana awkwardly chuckled. "It looks like we're singing together..."

"I guess we are, aren't we?" She put her hands together.

Chuckling filled the room as the party didn't really know what to say. But it was quickly and thankfully broken by the half Asian decent girl. She looked up to the captain and asked if she could talk to Diana privately about the performance making the man immediately agree.

She thanked him before grabbing the teen's hand and brought her behind far enough away from their parent's earshot. Colette staring at the young avenger with that permanent smile she seemed to have.

Diana awkwardly stared back and tried to start the conversation, "So... about the group number. What did you want to go over...?"

"I'm gonna stop you right there," she put a hand in front of the girl's before dropping her happy façade. "Why are you here?"

"Huh?" Diana was taken aback when she began to give me a bitch face that rivalled Natasha's.

Colette crossed her arms and looked her up and down once more, "Last time I checked you aren't a student at NAOA Academy."

"Oh, um, yeah I'm not," Diana rubbed the back of her neck. "I just got clearance to do the musicals here because as of right now it's more of a hazard for me to go to school and in a small place like this they'd be able to keep safe," she explained. "So here I am," she gave her jazz hands.

That's when her nose turned up, "That makes more sense. I for sure would've heard about someone getting kidnapped now if you went here."

Diana had to blink a few times to take in what she had just told her, "Excuse me?"

"You're excused," she crossed her arms. "Look. I worked my ass off to get into this school. And so did the many others who auditioned for this musical."

"I-I'm sorry?" Diana raised a brow, "Colette. I don't understand what your insinuation right now..."

She actually scoffed, "Seriously? I've been here for years. I've worked my way up from ensemble to side character to secondary lead, and this is my year to get a main. I've worked for this, unlike you. I don't think it's fair for some chick who doesn't even attend this school to audition, let alone get a callback, for the lead."

"Colette. I was never allowed to come to a place like this till now. The academy asked me to audition since I wasn't allowed by the government to attend," she stated, baffled. Not used to this type of treatment from people.

She nodded, "I am truly sorry for what you went through, don't you dare get me wrong, but I don't think it's fair that some girl who never applied to the school gets to try out for the lead just because she helped New York a few years ago."

Now that made Diana scoff, "Are you implying that I'm here because of nepotism?"

"I'm not implying it. I'm straight up telling you," she shrugged. "The daughter of Lady Liberty and Captain America, cousin of Tony Stark and heir to Stark Industries."

Thats when Diana started to laugh, "Okay then, Colette. Listen here, bitch," she changed her confused tone to one that would make Natahsa shiver. "I was enslaved. I never had a chance to even come here and for your information I was accepted here and the only reason I'm not even in school is because some of the people who enslaved and kidnapped me are still. On. The. Run."

She hummed and took a step closer towards the taller girl, "I'm sorry, Diana, but unlike most people you've met in your lifetime I'm not scared of you. I don't care about what you did. I don't care about what you do or will do," she began to smirk. "So don't think, just because you can wave your hand and make a portal or mind control me, that I will bow down to you."

"Honey I don't need anything besides my voice to woo the crowd. I used to sing to a god by force," she smirked.

"Was he defeated or did he just surrender to escape your voice?"

Her eyes popped out as Colette chuckled, "Now that shut you up. Just like those agents a few months ago," she hummed, walking away. Diana tried to think of another comeback, but her mind came up empty.

She wasn't completely wrong though... Diana never had anybody talk to her like that before. She was so used to them either trying to kill her or telling me how amazing she was. The teen had never experienced a girl ever telling her how unimpressed she was before.

And god she hated the way it made her feel. Like a strange bubbling in her chest would occur by just the smile of that girl. It was... loathing. Utter loathing.

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

ᴊᴀɴᴜᴀʀʏ 20ᴛʜ, 2015
270 ᴅᴀʏꜱ, 20 ʜᴏᴜʀꜱ ᴀɴᴅ 11 ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇꜱ
ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴜʟᴛʀᴏɴ

The youngest member of the Avengers rapidly fanned herself as she proceeded to walk back-and-forth around the kitchen. With her father and Sam watching her in sight concern as the laptop containing the cast list remained unopened on the counter.

"Kid. It's been over an hour, you've gotta look at the cast list eventually," Sam exclaimed.

"But what if I didn't get it?!" She stopped in her tracks. "What if Colette got it? What if neither of us got it? What if I got nothing?"

"If she did, you will congratulate her, Songbird. It's a competition and you will be respectful and happy for her," Steve calmly explained, making her eyes roll.

It turned out, to both Colette and Diana's dismay, their fathers have somehow become friends during their little private argument. After they finished their joint audition, Steve happily invited the Zimmers to lunch. Which then included a ride on a ferry together because Glenn couldn't believe Steve Rogers had never been on it before.

Meaning, the families also had to go out for dinner as well.

Colette seemed just as annoyed as the avenger was, trying to find excuses to leave every five minutes. It was a very mutual hatred.

Though sadly it seemed like Diana wasn't going to ever going to get rid of her, as Steve and Glenn exchanged numbers. Now with Sam is tagging along on their weekly getaways. With the three of them literally attending the Yankees game next weekend.

Of course as the media always found out everything, they found it amazing Captain America was making more friends and labeled them the "Dream Team". A label they enjoyed so much Glenn made t-shirts.

The Stark blooded girl groaned, "I just don't wanna know, but I need to know, you know?" She tried to explain.

Steve looked at his child like she was insane but Sam seemed to understand, "I get that. So... I'll check it out," he quickly grabbed his friend's daughter's laptop. "What's the password, kid?"

She blew a raspberry and crossed her arms, "Not telling you, Falcon. You're gonna have to guess if you want to figure out what's on my laptop."

He glanced between the blonde and the device before asking, "Broadwayoneday?" That bastard.

She looked away and whispered, "...no."

He chuckled logging in, "Okay let's see here... cast list... and ah! Here you are!"

She suddenly froze as Steve and and him both threw their faces at the screen. She stayed still and waited a moment for their excited or disappointed responses, but instead was met with nothing. For some reason, their silence was worse than an answer and she couldn't help but ask, "Okay so what did I get? Wait! Don't tell me! No! Tell me! No! What am I?!"

They remained quiet, making her freak out and grab the laptop. Looking from the bottom to the top so she wouldn't have to be completely disappointed where her name landed. Only she had to keep going up in order to find the name at the top. The very top.

Rapunzel: Diana Rogers
Rapunzel (understudy): Colette Zimmer

The breath left her body as she read and reread and reread and reread the placement, just to make sure, "I got the lead?" Diana whispered.

Tears started to form as she stared up at her family, repeating herself once more, "I got the lead... I got the lead!!!!" She screamed to the world.

The two immediately got out of their chairs and began to scream and cheer with her, "You got the lead!"

"I got the lead!" She laughed as Steve picked her up and began to spin her around the room chanting how proud he was of her.

And as Diana looked back she can't remember ever being as happy as she was in that moment. There was no big bad that needed to be taken down, there were no problems they were worried about. She was simply free.

All that mattered was Diana was going to be the lead in her very first musical. The thoughts of cheers and rose petals being thrown at her were all she needed to fill her fantasies.

Oh if only she knew that her future would be contain screams instead of cheers, as well as ash in her hair instead of flowers.

•••