Chapter Text
Avengers Compound
Morning
Clint walked out into the living area of the Compound, stifling a yawn as he walked into the kitchen. As he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, he paused, looking at the couch. There, looking more peaceful than Clint had seen her in…well, ever, Wanda had made the couch into a make shift bed, lying on it with her back against the cushions as she slept sideways.
So this is where she decided to sleep, Clint mused. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there, staring at her when he was startled by Wanda’s voice.
“I can hear you thinking from here,” Wanda said sleepily as she opened her eyes.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you,” Clint apologized and she shrugged as she sup up, throwing her legs over the side of the couch.
“Didn’t really sleep that well anyway,” Wanda sighed.
“Because of Vision?” Clint asked and she looked at him in surprise. “I kind of passed by your room last night when you two had it out. Didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“I’m surprised half the Compound didn’t hear us,” Wanda said with a heavy sigh. “Things with Viz are…complicated. They always have been.”
“Young love always is,” Clint noted as he sat down beside her.
“Love. Is that what this is? I don’t know. I have nothing to compare it to,” Wanda sighed heavily once more. “There was never anyone before Viz, at least not that way. I guess I don’t what love is, at least the romantic kind.”
“Kid, you’re not even twenty yet. You have time to figure it out,” Clint said gently and she smiled weakly.
“I hope so,” Wanda said and it was silent for a long moment. “This place was the only place since my home was bombed that I have ever felt safe. And now Viz and Stark took that away from me.”
“So did you mean what you said last night about not coming back here?” Clint asked as he looked over at her in concern.
“I have nothing to come back to Clint. I’ll never stop trying to help people, but I just can’t come back here,” Wanda said and it was silent for a long moment.
“Where would you go?” Clint asked and Wanda shrugged.
“Not sure. I guess I’ll figure it out,” Wanda said tiredly.
“You could come with me,” Clint offered and she looked at him in surprise. “If Laura, the kids and I are able to go back home…you could come with us.”
“I’m not sure your wife would like that,” Wanda hedged and Clint chuckled.
“She always set up the guest room for Nat whenever she’d visit, don’t think she’ll mind too much if you stay for a while. Look, there’s no wrong answer Wanda. Just think about it, okay?”
“Okay,” Wanda said reluctantly, still looking a bit unsure.
“Okay. Now, we should get some food in us, we’ll need it for today,” Clint said as he got up and moved back towards the kitchen, moving to make some coffee and looking through the fridge.
In Luke’s room, he stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in his regular clothes and stopped, watching as Jessica put her shirt on and grabbed her jacket.
“What, didn’t see enough last night?” Jessica joked, feeling him watching her and Luke chuckled.
“Nah. Just taking it in,” Luke said as he walked up behind her. “You alright?”
“Well, there are worse ways to spent what might be my last night as a free woman,” Jessica said nonchalantly.
“Jess,” Luke said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder gently and she paused.
“Just…why couldn’t this happen before? Why does it take this for us to admit how we feel about each other?” Jessica wondered with a sigh.
“Because we’re both stubborn idiots,” Luke joked, coaxing a smile out of her. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen after today…but no matter what, I don’t regret last night.”
“I don’t either. Shit, what’s not what I meant,” Jessica tried explaining and he smiled weakly.
“It’s okay, I know what you meant. And, provided we live through this, we should get that cup of coffee. A real one, not you know,” Luke said and Jessica laughed. “And…talk.”
“I’ll hold you to that. For now, let’s go commit treason,” Jessica said with a dry smile.
Stark Industries
Mid-Morning
In her office, Pepper Potts was doing some paperwork when she felt her phone ringing. Pulling it out of her pocket, she saw Tony’s picture on the screen. She sighed, debating not answering, as she had a lot of work to do. But, against her better judgment, she swiped the answer icon and put the phone to her ear.
“Tony,” she answered.
“Hey Pep,” Tony said awkwardly.
“Do you want something?” Pepper inquired, as he hadn’t called her since they decided to take a break outside Stark Industries business.
“No, no. Well, yeah,” Tony said trying to find the words. “Look, I messed up. I know I wasn’t the best boyfriend to you, especially not the one you deserved. I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry and that, no matter what happened, I really do love you Pep.”
“Tony, is everything alright?” Pepper asked concerned, a pit of dread forming in her stomach as she realized something was wrong.
“Nothing you need to worry about. I gotta go, talk to you soon,” Tony said, hanging up before Pepper could respond.
Avengers Compound
Same time
Tony lowered his phone to his side, sighing heavily as Steve approached him from behind.
“You alright?” Steve asked concerned and Tony snapped out of his mood.
“Yeah, yeah everything’s fine,” Tony insisted although Steve really didn’t believe him. “I actually got something for you.”
Steve raised an eyebrow, confused as Tony retreated into a nearby room. He was stunned when Tony reemerged, carrying his shield.
“Tony-” Steve started.
“Look Cap, we’ve got a lot of issues that we need to work out but…this isn’t about me. We’re fighting for America, for its soul. Who better to do it than Captain America?” Tony said, holding the shield out to Steve.
For a long moment, Steve stared down at the shield with an unreadable look on his face. Then, to Tony’s shock, he shook his head no.
“I appreciate the offer Tony, more than you know. But we’re going to be storming the White House. To do so as Captain America feels…wrong. If we’re gonna do this, I have to do it as Steve Rogers, not Captain America,” Steve explained carefully.
“Alright. I guess I get that,” Tony muttered as he looked back down at the shield. “I guess I’ll just put it back in storage or something.”
“I’m not saying ever…I’m just saying not right now,” Steve tried to clarify his intentions.
Tony nodded, although Steve wasn’t sure he believed him. Steve then watched silently as Tony took the shield back inside the room.
A little later, everyone stood in the briefing room, Fury was showing everyone a diagram he’d drawn of the service tunnel that connected to the bunker underneath the White House.
“You’ll have to enter through there and then walk five miles. You’ll find a hatch that’ll open a door to the bunker. From there, it’ll be up to you,” Fury explained to the group of heroes and warriors.
“Where we’ll have to fight out way through Morgause’s army of brainwashed knights and Raft prisoners,” Sam noted dryly.
“Like you said, they’re all brainwashed. Once Morgause is dead, they should return to their old selves,” Merlin pointed out.
“So all we got to do is stall them long enough for Merlin to find Morgause and finish her,” Arthur said firmly.
“I don’t like the idea of you going alone. From what you say of Morgause, she is very powerful,” Thor pointed out as he looked over at Merlin.
“Which is why I’m going with him,” Morgana announced, to the shock of all but Arthur, who had expected it. “I have a score to settle with my sister.”
“Get in line,” Luke grumbled.
“Merlin, are you sure about this?” Gwaine asked his friend, still uncertain about Morgana.
“I’m not asking you to trust her Gwaine. But trust me when I say I believe I can count on her in this fight,” Merlin said certainly as he gave Gwaine a firm look.
“I suppose that’ll have to be enough for now,” Gwaine said with a reluctant nod before glaring at Morgana. “Betray him, and I will shove my sword through your heart.”
Morgana merely nodded. Gwaine had good reason to distrust her and no prior relationship with her like Merlin, Gwen and Arthur. She would have to earn his trust and forgiveness.
“Speaking of my sword, Morgause gave us each one when she brainwashed us. They’re enchanted and coated with a sedative. One cut will knock you out for hours,” Gwaine warned the others as he picked up his sword.
“Trust me, I remember,” Luke grumbled, remembering being cut with Gwaine’s sword.
“Sorry about that by the way,” Gwaine apologized but Luke waved him off.
“You were brainwashed, don’t worry about it.”
“Speaking of swords, we don’t anyone going in unarmed. Morgana and I conjured these for those without weapons or powers,” Merlin explained as he placed a bag of swords on the table.
“Brilliant,” Gwen said as she took one out, admiring it. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were forged by the finest blacksmith in Camelot.”
“Well done sorcerer, enchantress,” Thor said, impressed.
“Guess it’s time to start storming the castle,” Natasha said with a smirk.
“Not yet,” Matt said, looking over at Arthur as the others looked at him confused. “I paid Melvin a visit last night. It’s ready.”
“And not a moment too soon. It’s almost fate that it should be finished on the eve of our great battle,” Arthur chuckled at the irony as the others looked at the pair in confusion.
“I’m sorry; would you two like to fill us in? What’s ready?” Rhodey asked in confusion.
Not long after, Arthur stood in the room Matt had been given, Matt changing into his suit in the bathroom. On Matt’s bed was one of the cases from Melvin’s shop. Arthur slowly opened it and peaked inside.
White House, underground bunker
Afternoon
In the bunker, several secret service members were standing guard when they heard a loud screeching noise. They looked around in bewilderment before a wall suddenly opened up, revealing a door. The service members all drew their guns but they were suddenly yanked out of their hands by glowing red energy. The service members were then webbed to the walls by streams of webbing that shot out from the door.
By chance, one of the service member’s hands was free enough that he could reach towards his radio. As he made the attempt to do so, a sword was suddenly placed near his hand.
“Do not even think about it,” Ronin told him as he took the radio.
Arthur was dressed in a near all black suit, very similar to the painting he had seen weeks earlier while out with Gwen. He had knee high booths covering his black pants legs and a vest that covered his torso with a belt around the waist. The vest also had shoulder pads with a sheath for Excalibur on Arthur’s back. It had a hood that covered his face and a mask that hid his features. The black sleeves of his shirt also covered Arthur’s hands in black gloves. The only part of Arthur that was visible were his blue eyes that poked through two silt eye holes in his mask.
Arthur tossed the radio into the wall and it shattered on impact as he turned to the others as the came through the doors.
“Looks like the easy part’s over,” Matt noted, dressed in a suit that was a near replica of the one he had worn while battling the Hand, save the ‘DD’ on his chest.
“So now’s the part where we commit treason,” Clint said dryly, clutching his bow tightly in his hand.
“Spider-Man, shut them up,” Arthur ordered, gesturing to the service agents and Peter webbed their mouths shut so they couldn’t call out for help. “When all this is over, you’ll be safe and will be able to go home to your families, I promise. I’m sorry about this, but I can’t let you stop us.”
The service agents all try speaking but their voices were muffled by the webbing. Arthur gestured the group forward and they began making their way out of the bunker.
In a restricted room, Morgause sat on the floor, seemingly mediating when her eyes opened. Less than a second later, the door to the room opened and Ross walked in.
“We have a security breach. The Avengers are here,” Ross informed her.
“And they are not alone. My sister is with them, I sense her magic,” Morgause said before a cruel smile crossed her face. “It would be a shame not to greet them. Send out the knights. And bring the doctor to me.”
Not long after, Arthur was leading the group through the halls, all of them noticing how abandoned it seemed.
“Is no one else gonna comment on the fact it seems like a ghost town here?” Tony questioned.
“Morgause has taken over. Everyone here is either being held prisoner or brainwashed into serving her,” Gwaine said darkly.
“It’s just her style,” Gwen noted grimly.
“Are we sure she’s even here?” Sam asked.
“She’s close, I can feel her magic,” Morgana said certainly.
“As can I,” Merlin said, balling his hand into a fist. “She’s here. And her army won’t be far behind.”
No sooner had the words left Merlin’s mouth than the group rounded a corner and stopped short. Standing at the other end of the hall were the four Black Knights.
“I hate it when you’re right,” Gwaine grumbled to Merlin.
Arthur was silent, staring at his four knights while gripping his sword tightly. Peter silently clenched his hands into fists, remembering the last time he’d seen them, May’s death flashing through his mind.
“Slowly now,” Arthur ordered softly, beginning his approach with the others following slowly.
“You dare to enter the domain of the High Priestess?” one of the knights demanded and those who had known him recognized the voice of Leon behind the mask.
“This domain was never hers to take. We come to free it, and you,” Thor said defiantly.
“Thor, enough,” Arthur ordered before signaling his allies to stay back.
Everyone watched curiously as Arthur carefully approached the knights, lowing his hood and mask so his face was visible.
“I never knew the four of you to be cowards who would hide your faces. Show yourselves!” Arthur ordered.
For a long moment, the room was silent. Then, slowly, the four knights removed their face places, revealing the faces of Leon, Percival, Lancelot and Elyan. Gwen breathed softly as she stared at the face of her brother, his face and eyes as blank as the other knights. Gwaine gripped his sword tightly as Merlin and Morgana merely stared sadly.
“It was a mistake to come here my king,” Percival said blankly.
“I do not think so,” Arthur challenged, not backing down. “This is not you. Rounding up innocent people, killing an innocent woman. This is Morgause; she has turned you into this. Into her twisted puppets. It ends now.”
Lancelot suddenly lunged for Arthur but Arthur used his sword to block Lancelot’s strike. As their swords pushed against each other, Peter moved to help but Merlin held out an arm, blocking him.
“Not yet Peter,” Merlin whispered.
“It is too late Arthur,” Lancelot whispered, his voice shaking slightly and the blank tone lifting just a bit to reveal a hint of fear.
“It is never too late,” Arthur said, jumping back and looking at his four knights. “You are not merely my knights; you are some of my closest friends. We have fought side by side many times. Stand with me now! Regain your honor! What say you?”
For a long moment, it was silent as the four knights stared at Arthur, although their hands were noticeably shaking.
“What say you?” Arthur repeated.
“Arthur, it’s useless. Morgause’s hold over their minds is too strong,” Morgana warned her brother.
“I do not believe that. You are knights of Camelot, members of the most noble army that has ever existed. I am your king, I command you to fight with me now. What say you?!” Arthur shouted.
For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, one by one, to the shock of the others, the knights threw their swords on the ground, where they landed at Arthur’s feet. Then, they all held their heads, crying out in pain.
“No!” Morgause shouted in horror, feeling her control over the knights being broken.
The knights fell to their knees, breathing heavily as Arthur lowered his sword, everyone eying them wearily.
“Arthur…thank you,” Elyan said breathlessly as he looked up at Arthur.
“I don’t know how you did it Sire, but we’re free,” Leon said likewise out of breath.
“I didn’t do anything, it was you,” Arthur said, lowering his sword and out offering Leon a hand up.
“Sire, what are you wearing?” Percival asked as they all got a look at what Arthur was wearing.
“What passes for armor these days,” Arthur shrugged.
“I don’t understand. How can they be freed when I was in a coma?” Gwaine asked in bewilderment.
“Because you didn’t break free of Morgause’s influence. Wanda destroyed the spirit of Morgause in your mind, but her influence still remained. They managed to break free of her influence on pure will power alone,” Merlin realized in a bit of disbelief.
“It’s never been done before,” Morgana whispered in a state of shock.
“Leave it to Knights of Camelot to do so,” Merlin muttered.
Further conversation was interrupted by a loud rumbling sound.
“Thor, please tell me that was stomach,” Tony almost pleaded.
“It was not Stark,” Thor said grimly.
“I was afraid of that,” Tony muttered.
“We were meant to be the first wave of the assault on you. I fear this is the second wave,” Leon said as the knights got to their feet.
“Then we’ll meet it,” Steve said firmly, clutching the sword he had taken that morning tightly.
“You,” Percival snarled as he caught sight of Morgana.
“Not know my friend. We can hash out old grudges later. Now, we must stand together,” Arthur said firmly.
Percival glowered at Morgana but nodded, turning away. Morgana sighed sadly, remembering Percival’s family had been a victim of her and Morgause’s early raids. More that she needed to atone for.
“So any idea what we’re facing?” Natasha asked as the group readied themselves.
“A monster,” Lancelot said grimly, throwing helmet aside along with the other knights. “A beast that appears to possesses the same abilities as the Hulk.”
“Blonsky,” Natasha realized as she and Clint looked at each other startled.
“He was part of the team Ross had hunting down Banner. Ross injected him with a faulty version of the Hulk formula, it just ended up turning him into a monster,” Clint explained as he gripped his bow tightly, notching an arrow in it.
“Ross sent him to a super max prison. He was probably one of the first people Morgause turned,” Natasha noted as they heard what sounded like giant footsteps.
“It matters not. He will not best us here,” Thor declared, gripping Mjolnir tightly.
No more words were spoken as the footsteps got closer. At the end of the hall emerged a large humanoid with spikes on its back. It snarled at them. And behind him, they could several smaller figures they couldn’t make out yet. Morgause’s army.
“It does not matter who they are or how many they are. They are puppets of Morgause and we must free them,” Arthur said firmly, gripping Excalibur tightly in his hand. “Not just for Albion or America or any one nation. For the world!”
“For the world!” His knights, Merlin and Gwen all echoed his cry.
Blonsky roared at them and then the two sides rushed each other, finally beginning the battle that would determine the fate of the world.