Chapter Text
I sat there looking round the room, everyone's eyes on me. Cold, untrusting, like they couldn’t tell if I was a threat yet. Fury spoke up but i wasn’t listening, something about me being useful or having potential, i didn’t particularly care what the man thought of me, or what anyone really did. This whole ridiculous situation all started 7 hours previously.
I was sitting against a wall in some back alley, eating a stolen sandwich from the local corner shop, thinking of where I could find some money and clothes, when I heard screams… i was going to ignore them but then they got louder and more voices joined in. I stood up groaning, I swear these aliens have the worst timing possible. Walking back down the alley into the street that's when I spot the carnage unfolding in front of me, Kree of course. People were running about as these stupid aliens fired at them, the avengers nowhere to be seen, how useless. I was trying to simply walk away when something fired at me. Why me if all people? I was starting to think the world was targeting me but was soon brought back to reality when some form of laser hit right by my foot making me jump.
I look up seeing two blue skinned men approaching me with smirks, just great, this was exactly what i didn’t want right now. I sigh trying to walk away but one of them shoots his stupid laser thing again and I turn, sliding my leg under him knocking him to the ground kicking him hard and grabbing the others arm flipping him over me and against the concrete, knocking the wound out of him and dislocating his shoulder in the process. Considering how hyped up these aliens are, you’d think they’d be better fighters, but most aren’t.
I leave the creature on the floor walking back into the alley but get stopped as someone grabs me by the back of my collar. “hey - hands off old man!” I shout turning around to face the person. In front of me is a tall dark skinned man, dressed in all black with a long leather trench coat and a black eye patch, not exactly the average appearance. Then he speaks, his voice deep but calm. “Not so fast kid, I saw how you took out those Skree. You're good" he says as I look up at him, even more confused now. “Uh okay, but you can let go now” I say coldly, not showing a hint of my emotion. I was far too used to nosy adults trying to get involved with me, and it always ended badly. “He looked me up and down hesitantly, like he was gaging the danger level of a feral animal, before he finally let go of my collar and stepped back.
“Look kid, i aint tryna scare you, i just wanna talk” he says holding his hands up in mock surrender. “So you grab everyone by the collar when you wanna talk to them?” I say raising a cold eyebrow. “Look, just leave me alone okay? I don't wanna sign up for whatever pyramid scheme you're a part of” I say, turning to walk away confused at what’s so funny as he starts to laugh. “Wait wait- kid im not part of a pyramid scheme, im with S.H.E.I.L.D”
He says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world, but I do stop at his words, turning around slowly. “SHEILD? Really? What business could you have with me then?” I say, my interest piqued now, giving him a chance to explain.
“Look, I saw you back there, you acted fast and efficiently, like fighting was second nature for you, you're good for your age, like really good. You're what, 16? 17 most- we’ve been looking for someone exactly like you” He says, stepping closer, his eyes full of curiosity. “Whose ‘we’ exactly…?” I say hesitantly, like I don't know if I want to know the answer. Most people who are interested in me aren't the good ones… “you know… SHEILD… the Avengers…” he says, the words coming out slowly, like he's testing the waters, as if he doesnt know if im going to run at the mere mention of the name, like he's used to working with not exactly stable people. “Thre avengers…?” I repeat back, my voice lacking certainty. What could they possibly see in me that would have them interested?
The man is now standing right in front of me, a smirk forming, knowing he’s got me interested. “Okay well maybe not the actual avengers, but i’m… you could say… their manager… and i know what they need better than they do, and right now I think that thing is you” he says with more certainty than I've ever heard in someone's voice before, considering he’s only met me five minutes ago and knows nothing about me or my situation, he’s definitely quite sure of himself.
“So you think after seeing one fight that should… what? Become an avenger?” I say, laughing at how ridiculous that idea even is. He looks at me and laughs as well “okay well not a proper avenger, but you could train with them, if your parents are okay with it of course” he says as if this is completely normal and not the most ridiculous thing ever. I look at him giving him a ‘seriously?’ look. “Okay- i get it sounds ridiculous but im serious, here” he says and hands me a business card from his pocket with a number on it, “one you decided, give me a call” and as casually as he approaches, he turns and walks away leaving me confused.
That brings us to the present. I’m sitting in a conference room surrounded by avengers and agents, who all have no idea who I am and all definitely think I shouldn't be here. I sink deeper into the chair as the black widow speaks up. “Fury seriously? She’s just a kid- do you even know anything about her? Do you even know her name-” she says looking at me pointedly. Fury opens his mouth to respond but closes it, turning to look at me curiously “uh… whats your name kid” he asks rather sheepishly. “I look up at all of them and speak calmly but coldly “Anya” I say simply, and he nods at me, looking back at Natasha. “See, Anya, she’s a very good fighter and seems to have a head about her, i think with the right training she could have some serious talent” He says far too confidently.
Steve Rodgers turns to look at him “Look, Fury, if you’re really sure about this I guess we can take her on, but did you even do a background check on her? Talk to her parents? Ask how old she even is” steve says, as fury looks at him his eyes softening too much for my liking “she’s 16, nearly 17, has no parents, and basically no traceable background as far as we can tell, perfect for the positions I'd say" he says with a smile, and everyone around the room turns to look at me, great, now im the weirdo orphan charity case. Not even the truth as well.
Tony sighs from across the room “alright fine Fury, we have space in the compound anyway, but if this kid decides to become a nuisance she isn’t staying very long.” he says, looking at me with the same look Fury had back in the alleyway, like I’m some kind of feral animal that needs sizing up, evaluating, before getting too close. “Great, I'm sure she’ll do great.” Fury says, far too optimistic for his own good.
And just like that, i was a complementary avenger, the charity case of the team, the one no one knew about… and for now that was good enough, because no matter how much they grow to like me (i doubt they ever will), i don’t ever want them to truly find out about my past…