You're not mine (Part 3)
Started: 16.11.2023
Finished: 08.09.2024
Edited: 08.09.2024
Age: 15
Word count: 3,925
Pairings: WinterWidow
Warnings: Swearing
Request: Yes (Wattpad)
Note: Special thanks to @mutlifandomloverblog for beta reading and proofreading this for me 🧡
Part 2
—
Night blanketed the Avengers Compound in an unusual hush, the kind that settled deep in the bones.
To outsiders, it might seem like a tranquil evening, a rare gem in the chaotic lives of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. But to a seasoned sailor, it felt like the eerie calm before a tempest, the kind that hinted at an impending storm.
Natasha and Bucky’s relationship had frayed beyond recognition, tension crackling in the air between them.
So it was no shock when they arrived at the compound one night, both seeking solitude in separate corners, each weighed down by their own burdens.
As they moved through the familiar halls, they hoped that the presence of friends would offer a welcome distraction from their racing thoughts, if only for a little while.
—
Natasha lay awake in bed that night, just like Bucky in the next room, listening to the soft, rhythmic breaths of little Tanya as she slept peacefully.
The guilt weighed heavily on Natasha, the voices in her head whispering harsh truths, blaming her for what had happened to Y/N.
And deep down, she knew they were right.
Bucky was right. Tanya was right. Their friends were right.
The only one responsible for her daughter’s disappearance was her.
—
It was deep into the night when Natasha started to surrend to the pull of sleep, her mind tetheering between the reality and the dreams.
It was just then when alarms started ringing, lights flashing heratically to signal that something was happening.
“Alert! Alert!” FRIDAY's voice echoed through the compound "Intruders detected in the west wing. Security systems are compromised." The AI said, providing a detailed update on the situation
Natasha jumped out of bed, shaking her head to wake herself fully, her first reflex was to reach out for Tanya and lift her in her arms.
“Mama...” The sleepy girl whimpered scared, unable to comprehend what was happening around her just yet
“It’s okay, baby.” Natasha breathed out, kissing the top of Tanya’s head
“Tanya!” Bucky shouted over the alarms, bursting inside the room
Natasha watched as Bucky crossed the room in a second, stopping in front of her and Tanya to carress their daughter’s hair.
“Are you okay, baby doll?” Bucky kissed Tanya’s little forehead, ignoring Natasha’s presence
“We need to get her to the safe room, James.” Natasha said, earning a nod from Bucky
From a quick move, Bucky took Tanya into his arms and took off sprinting towards the safe room, Natasha hot on his heels to ensure they aren’t attacked while getting Tanya to safety.
Natasha and Bucky moved fast, faster than they have done in their entire lives.
The urgency of the moment propelled them forward, every step taken with precision and purpose. As they navigated the labyrinthine corridors, Natasha's senses were on high alert, her eyes scanning for any sign of danger. She could hear Tanya's soft whimpers, the only sound she could focus on.
Bucky's grip on Tanya was firm yet gentle, his metallic arm gleaming in the dim light.
He moved with a fluidity that spoke of years of training, his focus entirely on protecting his daughter.
They rounded a corner and came to a heavy steel door embedded in the wall. Bucky placed his hand on the biometric scanner, and after a tense moment, the door slid open with a soft hiss.
They quickly stepped inside, and the door closed behind them, sealing them in the reinforced safe room.
The room was sparsely furnished, designed for functionality over comfort. A small cot was tucked into one corner, and a table with emergency supplies occupied another.
Bucky gently set Tanya down on the cot, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
"You're safe now, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice soft but steady. Tanya looked up at him with wide eyes, her fear slowly giving way to trust.
Natasha quickly scanned the room, checking the surveillance monitors mounted on the wall. She watched the feeds, her sharp eyes noting any movement outside their sanctuary.
For the moment, everything appeared calm, but she knew better than to let her guard down.
Natasha turned back to Tanya, her expression softening. She knelt beside the cot, reaching out to hold her daughter's hand. "How are you feeling, honey?"
Tanya's eyes flickered between her parents, her small voice trembling. "I was scared, Mama."
Natasha's heart ached at the vulnerability in her daughter's words. "I know, sweetheart. But we're here now, and we won't let anything happen to you."
"Natasha," Bucky called "We have to go. The others are waiting for us."
Natasha silently nodded before turning back to face Tanya.
"Wait for us here, baby." She planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead "Mama and Papa will soon be back."
And with that, Natasha turned around and started running towards the door, pulling Bucky along by his metal arm.
—
When Natasha and Bucky exited the safe room, they saw Steve, who was already in is suit, running towards them.
"Tony, Nat, Bucky, with me." Steve yelled, as Tony showed up in his armor. "We'll head to the west wing and deal with the intruders directly. Thor, stay with Tanya and make sure she’s safe. Bruce, get ready to go green if needed. Wanda and Vision, secure the perimeter and look for any additional threats. Clint, get to a vantage point and provide cover."
"FRIDAY, give us a layout of the intruders' positions," Tony commanded.
"Displaying now," FRIDAY responded, projecting a holographic map showing red dots representing the intruders moving through the compound.
"Not as many as we expected." Wanda tilted her head to the side, surprised. "Just... One."
Natasha adjusted her Widow Bites around her wrists glancing at Bucky. "Just like old times, huh?" she said with a smirk, trying to ease the permanent tension in between them.
"Let's hope it's easier than the old times." Bucky sighed, his metal arm glinting under the emergency lights.
The team quickly split up, each heading to their assigned tasks with the precision and efficiency born of countless battles together.
As they moved through the hallways, the sounds of shattering glass and blaring alarms filled the air, creating a chaotic symphony.
Yet, they were too familiar with it.
Captain America lead the group through the dimly lit corridors of the west wing, his shield at the ready.
Meanwhile, Thor stood guard over Tanya, his hammer, Mjolnir, crackling with lightning.
Tanya clung to his side, her eyes wide with fear but trusting in the Asgardian's protection.
"Do not worry, little one," Thor assured her with a smile. "No harm shall come to you while I am here. Uncle Thor will protect you, human baby."
—
The living room of the Avengers compound was supposed to be a sanctuary, a place where the heroes could unwind. But as the door burst open, the atmosphere shifted from calm to chaos in an instant.
The intruder, a lithe figure cloaked in crackling energy, face masked, stood defiantly in the center, electric arcs dancing around their limbs, as they looked much shorter than they expected at first.
The team took a quick glance towards the unknown intruder, but they knew not to waste too much time.
“Get them!” Steve shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.
He led the charge, shield raised high, flanked by Natasha, Bucky, Clint, and Tony. They had faced countless foes, but something about this one felt different.
The moment they advanced, the intruder unleashed a torrent of electrical bolts. They zipped through the air, illuminating the room with flashes of blue and white.
The team scattered, dodging the deadly projectiles as they ricocheted off the walls, leaving scorch marks in their wake.
“Stay on your toes!” Natasha shouted, her instincts kicking in.
Natasha lunged forward, Widow bites primed and ready, aiming straight for the intruder’s heart.
Suddenly, with a flick of their wrist, the intruder twisted the air around them, redirecting the projectiles back at Natasha.
A jolt of electricity struck her, sending her sprawling across the floor.
Natasha knew her how powerful her Widow Bites are, but the pain she felt had doubled in intensity.
She could only guess that the intruder overcharged her Bites with electricity.
“Nat!” Bucky yelled, moving to cover her.
"I'm good." The red head groaned.
Bucky turned around and charged in, his metal arm poised to deliver a crushing blow.
But the intruder was quick. Quicker than expected.
With a flicker of energy, she sent a surge through his arm, rendering it useless.
Bucky grunted in frustration, trying to shake the numbness away. Yet, he could not.
Clint notched an arrow, his focus razor-sharp. “I’ve got this!” he declared, releasing the arrow.
But the intruder merely raised their hand, and with a casual flick, the arrow transformed mid-flight, exploding into a shower of sparks that lit up the room.
Clint ducked, narrowly avoiding the debris.
“Enough of this!” Steve barked, frustration boiling over.
He threw his shield with precision, aiming to knock the intruder off balance.
The intruder, anticipating his move, charged the vibranium with raw electricity. As it came hurtling back at him, Steve barely had time to brace himself before the shield collided with his chest, sending him stumbling back.
“Tony, we need air support!” Steve shouted, trying to catch his breath.
“On it, Cap!” Tony replied, rocketing into the air.
His suit hummed with energy, weapons primed for action. But as he soared toward the intruder, they focused their gaze on him, their eyes glinting with mischief.
In an instant, they reached out with their mind, hijacking FRIDAY’s systems.
“Tony, watch out!” Natasha warned, but it was too late.
The suit turned against its owner, firing repulsors wildly in every direction. The room erupted in chaos as explosions rocked the space, sending Tony crashing to the ground amidst a plume of smoke and debris.
As the dust began to settle, the Avengers gathered themselves, panting and bruised. They exchanged glances, realizing the magnitude of their predicament. They were outmatched, and the intruder was only getting started.
Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a booming voice echoed through the compound.
“Enough!” Thor descended from above, Mjolnir crackling with energy.
He unleashed a powerful torrent of lightning toward the intruder, channeling his might in a single, devastating strike.
But in a shocking twist, the intruder caught the lightning mid-air, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity.
With a swift motion, they redirected the energy back at Thor, blasting him through the wall with a thunderous crash.
“Thor!” Steve shouted, rushing to his fallen comrade.
The room was filled with the smell of burnt wood and singed air, remnants of the battle swirling in the aftermath.
As the Avengers regrouped, they observed the intruder intently.
The intruder had been wounded in the fray, a small gash visible on their left side of their body, but even now, they summoned a spark of electricity, channeling it into the injury.
With a quick flicker, the wound began to heal, the skin knitting together as the enemy harnessed the very energy that had attacked them moments before.
“Is everyone okay?” Steve asked, looking around at his team, who were panting and bruised but mostly intact.
“I think so,” Natasha said, slowly getting back to her feet. “But they're strong. We underestimated them.”
“Where did it even come from?” Clint asked, still shaken by the chaos.
Before they could discuss further, the unknown intruder, now mostly healed, turned their back to them.
Without a word, the enemy fled the scene, their figure disappearing into the shadows.
The Avengers stood in stunned silence, the remnants of their defeat hanging in the air.
“What just happened?” Clint gasped, shaking his head in disbelief.
“I don’t know,” Steve replied, his brow furrowed. “But we need to regroup and figure out what we’re dealing with.”
As they caught their breath, the reality sank in.
This was no ordinary adversary.
The intruder hadn’t spoken a single word, yet they had proven their power in an instant.
The quiet before the storm lingered, an ominous reminder that they had only begun to scratch the surface of the challenge ahead.
The Avengers knew one thing for sure: they had to be ready for whatever came next.
—
"That was my new suit!" Tony yelled, pointing at his chest.
"And that was my arm!" Bucky shot back. "I lost it in that battle!"
The meeting room was filled with protests, as the Avengers gathered early in the morning to talk about the previous night's events.
"Can you quit with that joke already?" Natasha groaned tiredly "You sound like little children."
"Agent Hill," Fury interjected, stopping the useless complaining. "Please give our agents a quick rundown on the enemy's powers."
"Of course, Sir," Hill said, turning to the group. "Listen up, guys. From the footage we analyzed last night, we identified five key powers, all linked by one element." She paused, scanning the room. "Electricity."
"No shit." Clint chuckled ironically. "We haven't notived that last night."
"Electrokinesis," Maria firmly started, ignoring Clint, "is the ability to generate and control electricity. This includes shooting bolts, creating fields, or powering devices with their body. You've all seen them do this."
Maria recieved a collective nod.
"Electromagnetism," Maria continued, "controlling magnetic fields, manipulating objects, or flying using electromagnetic propulsion. This is why they’ve evaded our attacks so effortlessly. Steve and Natasha know this firsthand."
Steve put his head in his hands, still feeling embarressed after last night's battle.
"Electric Absorption: the ability to absorb and store electricity, enhancing their powers or releasing bursts of energy." Maria boomed, trying to mock Thor.
"For Mjolnir sake." Thor sighed.
"Technopathy: the power to control or communicate with electronic devices, manipulating technology with their minds or integrating with networks." Maria looked at Tony, earning an eye roll from him.
"It was my new suit." Tony repeated
"Electric Healing," Maria chukled, "the ability to heal or rejuvenate oneself or others using electrical energy, speeding up natural processes."
"That shit was impressive." Clint pointed with his finger towards Maria.
"We will face another attack soon," Fury asserted. "We need a plan to stop them and capture them alive. This won’t end until they get what they want." He fixed a stern gaze on Natasha. "Don’t let me down."
With that, Fury stood and left.
"You’re all dismissed for now," Maria announced. "Stay prepared."
—
The room was abuzz with tension and murmurs after Maria's detailed briefing on the enemy's powers. Each agent's mind was racing, trying to piece together strategies to counter such formidable abilities.
Tony, still slightly agitated about his ruined suit, took a deep breath and turned to the others. "Alright, team, let's get to work. We need to come up with a solid plan. Any ideas?"
"We need to exploit their weaknesses. Every power has a limitation. If they're relying heavily on electricity, we could consider ways to short-circuit their abilities." Steve stepped forward, his face set with determination.
Natasha nodded, mindlessly playing with a pen. "EMP devices. If we can deploy them effectively, we might be able to neutralize their powers temporarily. But we need a backup plan in case that fails."
Bruce, who hadn't been at the compound last night when the attack happened, had been quietly observing everyone, silently trying to absorbe all information before he spoke up.
"Electromagnetism and electric absorption make direct confrontations risky. But if we can overload their absorption capacity, it might destabilize them." The doctor said "We need to carefully calculate the amount of electricity needed to do that."
"And what about their technopathy?" Clint added "They could turn our own tech against us. We'll need manual overrides and non-digital communication methods to stay one step ahead."
"Right." Tony, surprisingly, agreed. "No relying on our usual tech. We'll go analog wherever possible. But we still need to pinpoint their location and predict their next move."
"We analized if any key points with high electricity had been targeted recently before the attack on us and, based on their previous patterns, they do target high-energy facilities." Maria, still present, interjected, "Power plants, research labs, places with significant electrical infrastructure. We should prioritize securing these locations that are nearby."
Steve nodded. "Good point. We'll need to divide our forces to cover as many potential targets as possible. We should also set traps and surveillance in these areas to give us an early warning."
Bucky, who had been silently fuming about the earlier exchange, finally spoke up. "And when we do face them, we need to coordinate our attacks. Distraction and misdirection could give us the upper hand."
Tony took a deep breath. "Alright, team, here's the plan: EMP devices, strategic deployment at high-risk locations, manual overrides for our tech, and coordinated attacks. We'll split into smaller units to cover more ground. Let's get to work and be ready for anything."
"Alright, sunshine." Bucky mockingly smiled at Tony
Tony rolled his eyes but made no move to protest. Instead, he stood up, and left the room.
As the team dispersed to prepare, Maria watched them go with a steely resolve. She knew the upcoming battle would test their limits, but she also knew they were the best hope for stopping this new threat.
And yet, they still had to learn what was the reason behind these new attacks.
With a final nod to herself, she turned to finalize the details and ensure everything was in place for the imminent confrontation.
—
The room began to empty as people filed out, chatting amongst themselves, leaving Natasha standing alone in the dim light.
She saw that Bucky stood up from his seat aswell, preparing to leave, when she caught him by him right arm, her grip firm but gentle, pulling him back to her.
“James, please.” Her voice was soft, almost fragile. “Can we talk?”
Bucky stood there, his jaw clenched, anger flickering in his eyes. He hesitated, the tension between them thick enough to cut.
“What is there to talk about, Natasha?" He sighed. "You've already made your choices, and look where it got us.”
Natasha lowered her gaze, taking a deep breath as the weight of her mistakes settled on her shoulders. “I know I made mistakes. I’m sorry. I should have been a better mother for Y/N.”
Bucky's glare was fierce as his daughter's name got mentioned. He was ready to start an arguement, but as he searched her face, he saw the sincerity in her eyes, leaving him unsure of what to think.
“You can’t just say sorry and expect everything to be fine, Nat." He raised his voice, tears gathering in his eyes. "This isn’t something that just goes away. Not when my daughter is out there, who knows in what condition, probably fighting for her life as we talk.”
Natasha swallowed hard when she heard his words, guilt creeping again in her mind.
Stepping closer, her voice trembled with raw emotion. “I know, James. I don’t expect it to. But I need you to understand… I care about our family. I care about Y/N. More than I’ve ever let on.” She paused for a second. "I was just too scared to allow myself to love her fully after Tanya was born, and now, I regret it deeply."
Bucky’s shoulders sagged, the anger seeping away as he absorbed her words.
After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled her into a hug, their bodies fitting together like pieces of a puzzle that had been lost for too long.
They stood in silence, the world around them fading as thoughts of their daughters, the mysterious intruder, and the dangers lurking ahead filled their minds.
“I can't forgive you. Not yet. We need to bring Y/N back home first. But I promise we’ll figure this out,” Bucky whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “Together.”
Natasha nodded, holding him tighter, finding solace in their shared resolve.
The room felt heavy with unspoken fears and hopes, but in that embrace, they found a flicker of strength to face whatever lay ahead.
—
Fury and Maria were right when they told the team that an attack will soon follow, because not even 3 nights later, the Avengers' headquarters erupted in chaos, debris flying as their relentless foe, returned with a vengeance.
This time, Natasha and Bucky haven't brought Tanya with them. Instead, they left her with Wanda at their house.
They knew a new attack was imminent and they didn't wanted to drag their young daughter in this again.
—
The enemy stood tall, eyes glinting with malice. "You cannot stop me, Avengers! Your time ends now!"
The intruder's voice was powerful, yet it sounded more robotic than human.
The team, weary and battered, exchanged glances filled with concern.
"Oh, so we can talk." Tony spat, trying to ease the tension.
Tony, in his brand new Iron Man suit, turned to Natasha. "We need a plan, Nat. This thing is too powerful."
They knew they couldn't engage in a battle that could drag on forever and end in their defeat.
Again.
They were expecting this new attack, so they couldn't afford to lose time. They needed to act.
And act fast.
Natasha, ever the strategist, responded, "I have an idea, but it's risky. We need to overload their power source. Push it beyond its limits, and it might shut down."
Thor, gripping his hammer, nodded fiercely. "Aye, let's try it. My lightning may be of use in this."
Steve stepped forward, shield at the ready. "We'll channel all our energy into our attacks. Together, we can do this!"
"You have no source of electrical power, Stevie." Bucky laughed.
"Maybe not." Steve smirked. "But my shield can conduct the energy."
Raising their weapons and abilities, the Avengers rallied.
Thor summoned crackling lightning, Thor powered up his repulsors, Steve took position, shield at the ready, and Natasha poised for a precise strike, alongisde the others.
"You think you can challenge me?" The intruder taunted them. "I am beyond your comprehension!"
With a unified battle cry, the team unleashed a concentrated barrage of energy.
The room exploded with blinding light as their powers converged on their enemy.
The intruder struggled, their form wavering under the onslaught. "No! This cannot be!" They shouted in pain.
The energy intensified, breaking through the defenses. The enemy staggered, faltering under the relentless assault.
"Keep pushing!" Natasha urged, gritting her teeth. "We've almost got it! It's working."
With a deafening blast, the enemy convulsed and collapsed, the room trembling with the aftermath.
Silence followed, broken only by the team's heavy breaths, as their victory settled in.
—
Bucky felt a ringing in his ears as pain shot through his entire body.
He let out a loud groan, pushing himself into a sitting position. Looking around, he saw the rest of the team scattered across the room.
"Damn it!" Natasha groaned, following Bucky's lead as she pushed herself up.
"Is everyone alright?!" Steve shouted worried.
As everyone regained their senses, Bucky noticed the intruder lying unconscious in the center of the room and stood up.
With calculated steps, he approached their enemy, kneeling beside them with deliberate movements.
"We'll see who is the bastard who dares to challenge us," Bucky mumbled angrily under his breath as he reached to remove the intruder's mask.
A collective gasp echoed through the room as the mask came off, followed by a stunned silence.
Bucky's eyes widened and a shocked whisper resonated throughout the room.
This couldn't be real.
It just, couldn't be.
"Y/N..."
—
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