With Great Power

Comes Great Consequences

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(what if...? + the falcon and the winter soldier spoilers below!)

Ana's head whipped to the side. Blood splattered everywhere. It stained the mahogany walls. The tiled floors. Her favourite baseball jersey. Her eyes watered. Pain messed her mind up. She couldn't think straight. All she knew was that her right cheekbone had been fractured and her jaw was hanging on by a thread. More blood spilled out from the corners of her mouth. She swirled the mix of saliva and blood and spat it out at the feet in front of her. That earned her another hit. This time she cried out when there was an audible crunch of broken bone. There goes her nose. Migraine was gone. She couldn't even feel her head.

Ana could barely see the dark green runes rotating around Mordo's forearms. They pulsed with every hit he gave her. As well as his eyes. He was feeding on her strength. Enhancing his own. A complex spell. Usually ends up with the source dead. But Ana had all kinds of magic and cosmic power in her veins. She was a seemingly endless power supply. Something he had thought about on many occasions. He liked to keep in mind potential opponents. Find their weaknesses and exploit them. Use them to his advantage.

For the past two years, after their conversation in the Bar With No Doors, he watched her. Mordo knew Ana wouldn't always follow his instructions. He didn't trust her one bit. That eventually, she would break the unspoken vow and venture out on her own to right the wrongs she believed needed fixing. Mordo wasn't surprised when he found her in the middle of another reality. At that moment, he was overcome with so much anger. A burning hot sensation of rage. The portal Ana made that led to another Earth was shattered by him. She was barely able to recognise him lurking in the shadows of the Sanctum before he attacked.

"I told you what happens when we mess with the laws of the universe." Mordo glowered. His fists were covered in Ana's blood. Runes as old as time were ablaze in rings around his wrists and forearms. Dark magic. If Ana was able to hold her concentration for just a moment, she would be able to hear the magic hum with stolen screams and miserable pleas. "You leave me no choice."

Ana braced herself for the last hit that would send her into unconsciousness or beyond. She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. She was ready to take it. She wasn't willing to fight back. She knew what she had done. She knew she went against everything she swore to protect. She went against her own values and promises. Ana had travelled to a place just like her universe, except for one small difference — the Infinity Stones were still in their tangible forms. She had obtained the Mind Stone when Karl Mordo intercepted. She remembered the look in his eyes. He was furious. Wrathful. Ana couldn't even spell a shield to ward off his attacks in time. He had dragged her back to their universe and forced her to pay for her mistakes.

Ana's head was aching. It felt as if it would split in two. Her eyes were stained with blood and vision was out of focus. She couldn't remember why she did it. Only that at one point prior to exploring a new reality, that an idea made itself known and nothing could stop her from acting on it. She got carried away. Made a bad decision. She deserved the consequences. Ana tried her best to keep her head high, and peered up at Mordo's face. "I...I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." She rasped out. "Please, I'll do anything. Just don't take it away from me..."

Mordo blinked. His fists tightened. With her words, came so many other voices, pleading the same passage. Men, women, children. Those he believed didn't deserve the right to call themselves Masters of the Mystic Arts. He saw Ana's hand twitch at her sides and he inhaled sharply. He considered his pause a moment of weakness. Mordo grabbed her head and Ana screamed when a new kind of pain ripped her apart from the inside. His fingertips glowed with her mystic energy. He was draining it from her. He had done this many times to many sorcerers in the past. It fuelled him. Brought him more power. He was beginning to develop a taste for it. And he hungered for Ana's. It was mostly moulded by Vishanti's magic. Light magic. But it also had a hint of cosmic energy. A rare mix. One he was convinced she wasn't deserving of.

It had been just the two of them in the big and empty Sanctum Sanctorum. No one was within earshot. They couldn't hear her screams or the booming of Mordo's unkind sorcery as it was unleashed on his next victim. Then, a new arrival. A dark figure blinked into existence. Clad in a black cloak that casted a shadow over their unknown features. Mordo wasn't able to deduce just how they appeared. And the figure was fast. They barrelled into Mordo before he could drain Ana completely, severing the connection, allowing Ana's magic to reabsorb into her. Ana dropped on her side, groaning as her body ached with bone numbing pain. She forced herself to focus on the two caught in a brawl of magic and fists. Ana recognised the cloaked presence. It was same person she had chased into the Sanctorum after bringing Richard to Earth. At first she thought it was Mordo. He led her to believe it was him. Thinking back she realised he never really made it clear.

Mordo was pinned underneath the person, his back digging into the grand staircase. His eyes widened when he had a clear view of the stranger. "You?" He shook his head sternly, a growl escaping his lips. "This isn't possible!"

The figure covered Mordo's mouth with their pale hand. A dagger with a blue blade was aimed at his throat. Ana tried to concentrate on it. Trying to piece it together. The figure faced her, and titled their head. Within a few seconds, Ana's head lulled and a cloud of sleep washed over her. Ana slumped on the floor on her back, unresponsive. Unable to recall what came next.

- - -

Ana shot up from her place on the floor and clutched the leather bound book to her thumping chest. The corners were digging into her arms as she held it protectively, as if it was a source of comfort from the mind numbing nightmare she had just experienced for the hundredth time. Breathlessly looking around, Ana realised she had nodded off in the library again. Her back ached from lying down on the hard tiled floors, and her exposed skin was covered in goosebumps. The Sanctum had been getting colder as of late. Ana wasn't sure why. She tried numerous times to build fires, to warm up the mansion, but to no avail. Ana had a feeling the Sanctum wanted her to leave. She had been cooped up for weeks, avoiding life outside the four walls.

Ana considered her reason to do so was valid. It was nearing the two year anniversary of half of the universe's disappearance. A tough time for Ana to go through. A tough time for almost all of the remaining population to go through. It marked how long it had been since she lost her friends and family. All the work she went through to try and move on crumbled down to pieces. Now they laid there, at her feet, waiting to be put back together once more. Though as soon as Ana fixed the pieces in their places, the foundation would weaken until one day, she won't be able to hold it up any longer. It would break down again. And she would break down again. The cycle would continue until eventually everything stopped.

Ana rubbed at her tired eyes. She glanced down at the book in her possession and traced the thousand year old pages gingerly. The Sanskrit words lit up, with runes blinking in and out of view in her field of vision. A small showing of sympathy. Something to calm her down. Ease her into reality. The book was all about finding inner peace. On how to deal with past distress in a way that would clear her mind and make her a better sorcerer. She was only on the first chapter. It wasn't doing much help.

Light footsteps approached the library. Ana smelt him before he could even say anything. Singed leather and blood on brand new sneakers. Heard the sound of rattling chains and mending bones. She stood up and smoothed down her robes, tucking the book underneath one arm as the other waved away the maroon curtains to make way for the sun to stream in. "Morning, Robbie." Ana yawned, sending the Ghost Rider a small wave once he was in view.

Robbie's face was lit up in amusement. "What are you takin' about? It's almost midnight."

Ana frowned then. She craned her head to face the windows. Sure enough, no sun was in sight. How long had she been out? "Sorry, I guess I'm still running on space time." Ana mumbled, running a hand through her hair. It had grown past her shoulders. Would've been longer if Morgan hadn't threaded slime through the brown strands. Pepper couldn't stop apologising when she cut Ana's hair that day. Tony thought it was hilarious until Ana chased him around his cabin with a handful of slime, threatening to smear it all over his great hair.

"I just came by to drop this off. Thanks for letting me borrow it." Robbie handed Ana the Black Mirror, a mystic artefact capable of showing viewers other dimensions. The size of it always changed. When she had first given it to Robbie, it was as big as a dinner plate. Now, Ana held the palm sized mirror in her free hand, letting out a hum.

"Did it work?" Ana asked him.

"I tried." Robbie shook his head, his lips turning upside down at the sides. "Still can't find it."

"I'm sure your Charger couldn't have gone far." Ana suggested. "Where would a possessed car drive off to anyway?"

"I thought of Hell. But even Blaze claims he hasn't seen it." Robbie grumbled. "I think he's lying." Then, a hopeful look made its way onto his face. He looked to Ana, and asked, "Can I possibly borrow your bike?"

Ana tilted her head. "What bike? I don't own a bike." When Robbie's eyes squinted in confusion, Ana was hit with realisation. James' motorcycle. She kept it in the garage back at her house in Queens. It was collecting dust. Tucked away in a corner along with more of his belongings. "Oh, that bike. Robbie, I'm sorry. I can't. It's not mine." She said softly, casting her eyes downwards.

Robbie nodded understandingly. It would explain why he never seen Ana take it out for a spin. "No, that's okay. I get it. You don't have to apologise."

A billow of silence settled upon them. Ana was beginning to fidget with the mirror in her hand and the book at her side. Robbie was able to take a better look at Ana. Her robes were crinkled. Hair was fizzed around her hairline. She looked like she hadn't stepped outside in days. "Did you hear about the vigil tomorrow night?" He asked, changing the subject.

Ana lifted her head and shook it, inviting him to elaborate. "They're hosting it at Central Park. It's for those who disappeared two years ago. Will you be going?" He questioned.

Ana pursed her lips. She didn't think facing a large crowd of mourners would do her any good. A number of them had openly blamed the Avengers for what happened. "I... I'm not sure. If I'm not busy, I can drop by for a minute or two. But then there's Bruce. He's still in that coma. I wanna be with him when he wakes up and that could be any hour now." She hurried to say, placing the book on a nearby table and pocketing the Black Mirror in her robes. The mention of Bruce reminded her she was late for a visit. She could feel her heart rate go up. Mixed thoughts filled her mind. It was troublesome to find a little clarity up there. Even spending a moment thinking of James got her eyes prickling with tears. For once, she wished, she could think of them and feel something other than grief.

Robbie moved closer. This was a familiar event. He lost count how many times he had seen Ana flustered. He reached up and rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. That was all he had to do for his friend. Ana slowed. She took a breath. "I know it's not like your ride, Robbie, but you can always borrow my car."

Robbie scrunched his nose up. "Uh, no thanks. I've seen what you've got parked out front. I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing."

"It's an old S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicle from the Lighthouse."

"Yeah, a black sedan with tinted windows and no plates. Might as well paint 'G-Man' across my forehead."

The corner of Ana's lips pulled up in a half smile. "Then give Daisy a call. I'm sure she can help you out."

Robbie's eyes narrowed. Ana wouldn't quit trying to get him and Daisy in the same room. "Fine. I'll take the car." He caved and turned around.

Ana chuckled to herself as he walked out of the library. "Keys are by the front door!"

"Man, I miss my demon-possessed car."

Ana was slumped back in the chair that was beside Bruce's bed, feet propped up and crossed on the edge of the frame. She listened to the cyclic beeps and chirps coming from the machines he was hooked up to. She was glad his vitals were doing good. As she trailed her eyes over him, she couldn't pinpoint just how many wires were taped to his chest and head. He probably theorised this was how he was going to end up when he took that little psychic trip with his old friend, Doc Samson, in an effort to confront the Incredible Hulk hidden within. Ana wasn't there when it happened. She was in space. Doing a little good with Richard Rider.

Nova was up to his ears in distress calls. She was worried about him. He never took a break. He literally crashed and burned when it became too much for him to handle. That was when Worldmind pinged Ana their location across the galaxies. Richard wasn't happy to see her. Ana didn't show him just how much that hurt her. She wanted to help him. He thought he didn't need help. It was an awkward and uncomfortable few months working side by side with Richard as they answered calls. Their time together showed Ana another side of him. He had this misguided notion that it was all up to him.

Ana grabbed ahold of Richard's uninjured hand with her injured one before he could walk away from their argument. "Hey, none of this is on you." She stressed, unable to comprehend why he was so harsh with himself over not being able to save Xandar when he wasn't even in the same universe. "When are you going to get that through your bucket head, Rider?"

"I should have been there with them." Richard countered, taking his hand back. He stumbled in the rubble of a downed city they tried to evacuate, still a little clouded from a recent bump to the head. Their surroundings had taken him back to the day he saw what was left of Xandar — of his home. "I should've been there."

Ana stood up from her place on the ground. She had torn a piece of her suit at the sleeve to wrap around her sliced up palm. Her muscles flexed as she tightened the knot before her hands shook at her sides. "If you were there then you would've died with them. That's not what Nova Prime would've wanted for you. She knew you were still out there. Irani gave Marcus her helmet in hopes of it finding you."

Richard turned away from Ana. He dragged a hand down his cheeks underneath the curve of his helmet to wipe away tears. His gaze landed on a charred child's toy. It resembled a creature he had seen buzzing around Xandar. They were gentle animals. Tiny and fast. Reminded him of Earth's hummingbirds. As he went to pick it up, Wolrdmind's voice filled his ears. "When you're ready, I've intercepted another distress signal in a nearby galaxy. Seems the Kree are involved."

Richard had to scoff. Back to business. He brushed off the dust to get a better look at the toy. He thought of the child that might be missing it. Were they buried under the destruction? Or had they fled to safety? When Richard hadn't said anything else, Ana frowned. "Are you talking to Worldmind?"

"Worldmind is good with the global concepts. Doesn't do so well with the personal touch." Richard murmured, kneeling down to place the toy back on the rubble.

Ana's heart sank. She shuffled closer and knelt down in front of him. He still wouldn't look up. Ana reached for the helmet. Richard didn't protest as she removed it from his head and set it on the ground. The strands of his deep brown hair were stuck to his forehead. Ana brushed them away, wiping the mix of blood and tears from his face. His gazed up at her. Copper eyes were glossy and red. She sighed and enveloped him in an embrace, resting one hand on the base of his neck as her other arm wrapped around his back. Richard gripped Ana's sides, sniffling against her shoulder. "I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier." He whispered. "I'm glad you're here. I really am."

"Tell that to your face." Ana remarked. She felt him chuckle against her.

"It's been punched to a point where I can't feel it." Richard mentioned.

Ana broke away from Richard despite the feeling in the pit of her stomach that wanted to hold onto him a little while longer. The voice in her head liked to remind her who she was really missing. "Maybe another hit will knock everything back into place." She suggested, faking a jab to his chin.

Richard's eyes sparkled. He caught her hand and held it away from his face. Her cheeks flushed. "You just want an excuse to hit me."

"You stole my slice of cake at Tony's wedding."

"That wasn't me!"

Ana clasped her hands over her stomach, still wearing her robes, and closed her eyes for a few minutes. The lights on the ceiling were too bright for her at that moment and she chose to listen out for nothing in particular. A little habit she picked up from Steve. She heard Bruce's steady heartbeat. The leaves shaking as the dawn wind entered the compound. The sound of an engine being turned off as it parked on the gravel outside. From the constant, caffeine induced mumbling, she knew it was Tony stopping by to check on his friend. Ana peeked an eye open when she knew she wouldn't be able to hear Natasha roaming around as the Widow was in Wakanda with Okoye.

Ana lifted her head suddenly and faced Bruce when she heard something weird. A hitch in his heart rate. Frowning, Ana listened to the rumbling growl coming from his chest. It was muffled. She sat up and reached for the wooly blanket over him, pulling it down to reveal his torso. She pushed a dozen wires away to get a better look at the swelling spot of gamma green over his sternum. He was changing while he was still unconscious. Ana didn't think that was possible. Her lips parted in shock. She moved to the monitor that displayed his heartbeat. It was rising significantly. 140. 160. 180. Ana held her breath as she removed all the wires. Bruce was concerned his experiment would turn sour, and that the Other Guy would take over completely. Ana had to be prepared to contain the uncontainable.

"Come on, Bruce. You got this." Ana told him, watching with wide eyes as his skin and body started to convulse and change. For a split moment, Ana feared the possibility of never seeing Bruce Banner again. Then, the words he had spoken to her before this all happened echoed in her mind.

"Promise me you'll take care of him. And I don't mean that in a bad way. He can still do good even if I'm not there anymore." Bruce stated, holding Ana's hands in his own.