Part 17

White Owl and Crimson Valkyrie against the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants

By Skytower

The picture on the front page of the paper showed the ruins of Le Joueur’s casino. Athena frowned as she studied it.

“You’re worried about Le Joueur?” Tiffany asked.

“She said that she had protection,” Athena said putting the paper down. “Paid the Fiorelli Family for it. If HYDRA snatched her anyway then Fiorelli will see that as an insult. We could be looking at the start of a gang war.”

“Fiorelli is old time mob,” Tiffany nodded. “HYDRA is a terrorist organization.”

They both frowned knowing how ugly things could get and how many innocent people could get caught in the crossfire.

“More coffee?” Athena asked getting up to get her self a refil.

“No thanks.” Tiffany said.

Athena was halfway to the kitchen when the phone rang.

"Answer phone, speakerphone." Athena called out to her apartment computer.

"White Owl," the voice was hoarse and only a little above whisper, but Athena recognized it anyway.

"Le Joueur?" Athena asked.

"She has your home number?" Tiffany asked.

“I need your help,” Le Joueur whispered. “Believe it or not the Brother Hood of Evil Mutants is after me.”

“What? Why?”

“Arnim Zola and HYDRA didn’t like me helping you,” Le Joueur said. “I was hiding out at the Forellie mansion when they hit it. Old Man Forellie is dead and I’m going to join him soon.”

"Where are you?” Athena asked as the implications of what she was saying hit her. This would mean a mob war for sure.

"Hiding in one of the pits in the dock. That new shopping mall they are building by the river." Le Joueur said. "Do not come alone. I spotted some flying figures following me."

"Keep hidden I'm on my way," Athena said. "Computer hang up and trace call."

"It's a trap," Tiffany said.

"It might be," Athena said.

"Call traced to river side area," the computer said.

"But if it's a trap why tell me not to come alone? Computer contact the Avengers emergency number."

"How did she get your number?" Tiffany asked.

"I lost a bet," Athena said hoping Tiffany wouldn't ask for details.

"Roger that, White Owl, " Tania said "I'll alert the local law and the Avengers will be there as soon as possible. Ms. Marvel out."

In the monitor room at Avengers mansion Tania killed the com line and looked over at Ms. Marvel. They were alone in the room. Ms. Marvel was frozen, caught between one thought in the next. So was Tania. But the artificial intelligence that had grown in her brain was active and following a set of predetermined instructions. Ms. Marvel hadn't reached that point yet, the only thing that her AI could do was induce sleep or suspend mental activity or influence her subconsciously. Around them time moved on but the two heroines were oblivious to it.

"Slave girl three standby to deactivate," Tania said, her voice returning to normal.

"Slave girl three confirms obedience," Ms. Marvel said.

"Simultaneous deactivation in three, two, one…"

"…times this monitor duty can be almost boring," Carol finished saying.

"Waiting is hard," Tania said as she fought back a feeling of disorientation. She'd been having them more and more lately, as if something important were happening and she was missing it. "It would be nice if someone called."

"It would," Carol said "and it wouldn't. Thanks for keeping me company though."

"Thank you for sitting up with me these past few nights," Tania said. "I think you're the only reason I get any sleep."

"You did okay last night," Carol said. "And you did okay today in the gym. Maybe you've finally turned the corner."

"I hope so," Tania said. She hesitated and then continued speaking. "I know you have plans for tonight so…" Tania paused. A part of her desperately wanted Carol in bed with her. That part of her was becoming harder and harder to ignore. But Tania also knew that Carol was not interested in women. Tania knew that but it didn't matter. She wanted Carol in bed. If not for sex then just to have her physically near. The dependence she had developed on the female Avenger worried Tania. "So I… I think I can make it through the night alone."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm not," Tania admitted. "But I need to try."

Carol nodded and Tania wondered just how much the other woman had guessed. How much of her need had shown through?

"Okay then," Carol said and Tania was sure that she heard reluctance and Carol's voice. She was absolutely sure of it. "But my plans were canceled you know."

"They were?" Tania asked keeping the hope from her voice only with a great deal of effort.

"Yeah," Carol said "I had an old NASA friend who was going to treat me to dinner but he missed his flight so it will just be me and the net."

Tania suddenly, desperately wanted to ask Carol to join her. She wanted the other woman so badly… but Tania pulled back from the feelings and stood up.

"I think a night alone would do us both some good," Tania said.

"Goodnight then," Carol said.

"Goodnight," Tania said biting back the rest of the sentence that she wanted to speak. It took all of her will power to leave the room and close the door.

Tania stood by the window in the room and watched. 20 minutes after she left Carol in the monitor room she saw Carol walk out the back door of Avengers mansion and fly out into the night.

"She's going home," Tania said.

"We know," Tina said. "We're tracking her." Tina handed Tania the Ms. Marvel costume. "Put this on."

"Slave girl one confirms obedience," Tania said taking the costume.

"Team one," Tina said into her radio "confirms set up is go. Proceed with opening act, unit one will be ready with her part on time."

"Roger," Mystique's voice replied.

White Owl and Crimson Valkyrie hovered high over the docks. Athena looked at the building closely, or at what would be a building. The docks were some developer’s ideal of high concept real estate. Take a bunch of old warehouses on the docks and turn them into a shopping mall. Still, Athena thought it was at least good to be doing something with a section of the water front that even she was scared to walk alone. Silently Athena and Tiffany settled onto the tallest building. There was still no sign of life. In the distance the city went on as usual. Streetlights and car lights, the lights from office buildings and homes and even the trash fires that kept the homeless warm obliterated all but the moon from the sky.

Even if Le Joueur wasn't a friend she had still called for help and over the past year Athena had found it useful to keep the Frenchwoman around. Not to trust her really but to keep her around. Provided you won a bet her information was always reliable. Sometimes even if you didn't win the bet the information could be wheedled out of her at a price. Le Joeuer was a woman who loved pleasure and found the greatest pleasure in risk.

"There," Crimson said pointing toward the shadows near the unfinished underground parking garage. Athena looked and saw a shadow moving slowly across the entrance.

"Cover me," Athena said.

Athena glided slowly across the way listening and looking for anything that shouldn't be there. But she didn't see anything and she didn't hear anything. When she reached the ground she looked into the concrete cave that would be an underground parking garage someday.

"White Owl," a voice called. It was a weak voice, barely audible and full of pain. Athena took a small flashlight from her belt and used it to illuminate the darkness. In the beam of light next to the far wall was Le Joueur. Athena turned and beckoned Crimson before going in. The closer she got the worse Le Joueur looked. She had been wearing an elegant evening gown and it was in shreds. It looked like a few of her fingers were broken, there was a purple bruise on her jaw and one eye was black and shut.

"What happened to you?" Athena asked going over to her and bending down.

"She backed the wrong side,” A cold voice said.

Athena whirled around at the same time she heard Tiffany's startled cry. She was just in time to catch Tiffany before the other heroine slammed into the wall. Steadying her stunned friend Athena looked at the entrance. Mystique, Pyro, Avalanche and the Blob stood there smiling. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.

“We knew she called someone,” Mystique said. “Just unlucky it’s you.”

“We’ll see,” Athena said gauging the odds. They didn’t look good.

“Yes, we will,” The blue skinned mutant said. Before either heroine could react Mystique raised her gun and fired.

"No!" Athena shouted as Le Joueur was hit in the thigh.

"Don't cry for her," Avalanche said raising his arms. "Cry for yourself."

Athena and Tiffany moved without the need for talk. Athena grabbed Le Joueur and flew to the left while Tiffany flew to the right. Tiffany's magical guns appeared in her hands and she started to fire. Her first shot took Mystique's gun right out of her hand. Before she could fire again a flaming hand reached for her and Tiffany had to dodge.

Athena got barely five feet before the earth erupted in front of her and she had to stop short. Before she could do anything else the earth erupted beneath her feet and slammed her into the ceiling. Athena lost her grip on Le Joueur and was nearly buried. The Earth formed into a giant fist and held her.

Where did he get this ability, Athena wondered. He should only be able to move earth, not form things from it.

Her hand was still free so Athena reached into her belt and pulled out a flare bomb. A glance told her that Tiffany was at the far end of the garage dodging a flaming hand. Athena closed her eyes and threw the flare bomb. When she heard the cry of pain and surprise she opened them again. Avalanche had stumbled backward clutching at his face. The earthen hand collapsed and Athena landed on her feet. Before she could move the Blob was on top of her. Athena dodged his first blow but a second blow slammed into her head and threw her against the wall. He came toward her again and Athena met his charge with her own only to rebound and hit the wall even harder.

I forgot, she thought, un-movable.

Dazed as she was Athena reacted instinctively and flew up out of his reach. Or tried to. The ceiling was too low and she ran her head into it. Then he grabbed her leg and pulled her back down into a bear hug.

"Hey girlie," he said in a low base voice as his massive hands grabbed at her breasts "let’s dance."

He started to squeeze and Athena felt the air being pushed from her lungs. But before it got too serious he shouted in surprise and pain as a rock hit his head. Athena broke his grip and saw that Le Joeuer had thrown the rock. A quick glance told her that Tiffany was still being menaced by the flaming hand.

And now Avalanche is getting back up, she thought. We're losing. Where is Mystique?

The answer to that was revealed quickly as Mystique suddenly appeared behind her and pressed a smelly pad over her face.

The hand hadn't caught her yet but for Tiffany it was like fighting in an oven. It was hot enough to sear her lungs with every breath. Her mystic guns were useless against the flaming creatures and she couldn't get a clear shot at Pyro. At this rate she would pass out from the heat alone.

Desperate times, Tiffany thought as she saw Athena grabbed from behind. Stealing herself she drove through the flaming hand and came through the other side turning as she did so. Tiffany smelled her hair burning but she was through the flames before it caught fire. She was now lined up perfectly and raising her hands let loose with a blast of air. In the enclosed space the air drove the flames across the garage and they swept over the Blob, White Owl and Mystique. The Blob and Mystique lost their grip and White Owl was able to break free and fly away from them. Her move also startled Pyro and Tiffany was able to fly over to Athena.

"Thanks," Athena said still unsteady on her feet. "I hate chloroform."

"They want us alive," Tiffany said.

"I'm not sure that's a great thing," Athena said.

"Yea I don't want to end up with eight legs either," Tiffany said. "We need to take the fight outside."

"Shock bombs," Athena said reaching into her belt. "They should give us a few seconds."

"Toss them into the air," Tiffany said raising her arms.

Athena tossed the small balls into the air and Tiffany caught them all with a burst of air from her hands. The balls sailed across the space between them and the villains and then exploded. Mystique, the Blob and Avalanche staggered back. Athena and Tiffany launched themselves into the air and flew at top speed toward the exit. They had almost reached it when a wall of solid flame appeared in front of them. Both women pulled up short and at the last moment realized that they were too close together. They didn't turn fast enough to see the Blob coming toward them or to get out of the way. He landed on them and drove both of them into the ground flat on their faces. Both women were trapped under his massive body. Tiffany felt like she had just on a belly flop into cement. She couldn't get her lungs to work nor could she get her limbs to work. The Blob shifted his weight so that he was sitting on the backs of their legs. Tiffany was still too stunned to do anything when Mystique and Avalanche pulled her gloves off of her arms and then pulled her arms behind her back. They held them there and Pyro sprayed something on her arms. Tiffany felt it flow like hot oil from her elbows to her fingertips. She felt the stuff harden and tighten. In a few seconds moving her arms and her fingers was impossible. They quickly did the same to Athena.

"Fast drying liquid titanium," Mystique said smiling "very new and very strong ladies."

The Blob shifted his weight so that he was sitting on their backs and Tiffany felt her boots being pulled off. Soon her legs were encased in the metal stuff and she was completely immobile.

"Hey Mystique," Avalanche called looking around "the French chicks gone."

"First thing first," Mystique said "let's secure these two. Move Blob."

The Blob stood up and Tiffany immediately tried to fly away. She might not have been able to move her arms and legs but flying was another matter. She only made it a few feet before Mystique snagged a handful of her hair and pulled her back.

"Nice try," Mystique said handing her to the Blob. He tucked her and Athena under his arms and held them tightly.

"It's good to carry 10 million," the Blob said feeling her up.

"How come we're worth that much?" Athena demanded.

"Crimson isn't," Mystique said "but you are White Owl. If Hydra agents can be crippled with impunity then Hydra loses face. We can't fight our way through the Avengers to get Ultra Woman, but once we get through with you two the rest of the superheroes will get the message."

"Mystique." A soft voice said from the entrance. Tiffany looked up and saw a tall slim woman dressed in a blue body suit with flaring sleeves and a mask that had no eyes.

"What is it Destiny?" Mystique asked.

"A darkness is in our future," Destiny said. "We must leave here quickly."

"Blob carry them to the ship," mystique ordered. "Pyro, Avalanche stay here and look for the French woman."

Part 18

Ms. Marvel: Murderer

Athena struggled with everything she had in her against the metal. But it didn't do any good and she knew it wouldn’t do any good.

Calm down, she told herself, you've been here before.

As true as that was it didn't help any. She had been tied up before. Tied up, chained up… so why was she so scared now? Because of what had happened to the Scarlet Witch. And worse the fear that if they did that to her, she'd never get back.

The Blob carried her and Tiffany onto the ship and set them down on the back deck. It was a big yacht, two levels and a bridge and at least 20 feet long. While the Blob held them in place Mystique and Destiny attached chains to the metal on their arms and legs and secured those chains to the deck.

"Blob go help…" Mystique started to say but stopped. A black blur swooped out of the sky and slammed into the Blob's head. He staggered back and Athena realized his un-move ability could be overcome with a surprise attack. Ms. Marvel landed on the deck and hit him again and again in the face before he could recover. It took only a minute for him to fall face first on the deck unconscious.

"The darkness," Destiny said and Athena was surprised to hear a note of terror her in her voice.

"You two should be in prison," Ms. Marvel said.

“Well go back there,” Destiny said raising her hands in surrender. “But we won’t be held for long.”

"I'm tired of that," Ms. Marvel said. She stepped over to the metal railing and tore a piece of it off. Then, almost casually, she threw it across the deck and into Destiny's chest.

"Destiny!" Mystique screamed going to her friend.

"Ms. Marvel!" Athena cried out. "What did you do?"

"I just upped the game," Ms. Marvel said. “They change the Scarlet Witch into a drider I’m going to start playing hardball.”

"Bitch!" Mystique screamed pulling out her guns. Before Mystique could fire the first shot Ms. Marvel was on her. Grabbing the woman by the throat Ms. Marvel lifted her up and slammed her into the deck. Wood splintered under the impact and Mystique lay still. Ms. Marvel walked over to Destiny and pulled the railing out of her body. Blood splattered onto her but she didn't seem to notice.

"Ms. Marvel you murdered her!" Tiffany said.

"So what?" Ms. Marvel said and walked over to Mystique. She raised the railing and slammed it down. It pierced Mystique's stomach and pinned her to the deck. The unconscious villainess groaned. “This one can go slowly.”

Ms. Marvel walked over to Tiffany and Athena and tore the restraints off of their arms and legs. When Ms. Marvel bent over her Athena smelled rum on her breath.

"Oh my God you're drunk!" Athena accused.

“I can smell it too!” Tiffany said.

"Just a few drinks," Ms. Marvel said smiling. "Gotta be loose when you fight evil."

"But…" Athena started to protest.

"I'm going after the other two," Ms. Marvel said interrupting her. "You clean up here."

Without another word she flew off.

"Wait," Athena called and started to go after her. Tiffany put an arm on her shoulder to stop her and pointed off in the distance. Athena could see the lights of the police cars coming down the road.

"My God when we do?" Athena asked.

"We have to tell them what happened," Tiffany said strain in her voice almost making it crack.

Carol Danvers lay on her bed dressed in a fine chiffon nightgown. Unlike some of the other Avengers Carol didn't live in Avengers mansion. Instead she had an apartment that looked out over the Hudson. It was a spacious three room apartment that was filled with the flotsam and jetsam of her life. Mementos of her time at NASA, photographs of her family, old furniture, new furniture, a stuffed bear she’d had since childhood. It was a comfortable place and very well protected. Carol felt safe here. When she went to sleep at night it was with complete assurance that if anyone did try to attack her she’d know it. So she slept on her giant brass bed and didn't hear Tina and Tania as they stepped out of the shadows. She didn't stir as they walked across the room. Tania was still dressed as Ms. Marvel and Tina carried a half empty bottle of rum. When they were only a foot away from the bed Tina pressed a button on her watch and a clear sounding tone emanated from it. On the bed Carol opened her eyes and sat up.

"Slave girl three activated," Carol said.

"Reported infiltration level," Tina said.

"Infiltration level at 18%," Carol said. "Resistance higher than expected."

"It's good enough for now," Tina said. She held out the bottle. "Drink this."

"Slave girl three confirms obedience," Carol said taking the bottle and starting to drink.

"Take the costume off," Tina ordered Tania.

"Slave girl one confirms obedience," Tania said and started to pull off Ms. Marvel’s costume.

Tina waited patiently until after Tania had taken off the Ms. Marvel costume and Carol finished the rum. Then she handed the costume to Carol. “Put this on.”

“Slave girl three confirms obedience,” Carol said getting out of her nightgown.”

Tina took the bottle and laid it on the floor carefully half way under the bed.

"Slave girl three return to bed," Tina ordered when Carol was dressed as Ms. Marvel" deactivate when we're gone. Do not let subject awake until knock is heard at door."

"Slave girl three confirms obedience," Carol said and returned to bed.

Tina took Tania's hand and led her back into the shadows.

Athena was used to talking to the police. She was even used to talking to district attorneys. But it had never been this hard before. Abby Carmichael was a tall raw boned woman from Texas who had shed a Texas accent years before. Her dark eyes showed no emotion as Athena and Tiffany told her what happened. Around them police worked on the crime scene. Beside Abby a tall lanky man in a rumpled suit took notes.

"Then she has flew off after Avalanche and Pyro," Athena said.

"No sign of them," the lanky man said. "But we found Le Joueur. She was crawling toward the highway with a cell phone. According to her Ms. Marvel handed her the cell phone told her to call the cops and then flew toward the boat."

"Where is she now?" Athena asked.

"On the way to the hospital," Abby said. "Detective Briscoe's partner is taking her statement." Abby looked around the boat and it was clear she was wrestling with the decision. But then she turned to Detective Briscoe. "Come on, we're going to arrest Ms. Marvel."

“Shouldn’t we take a swat team?” Briscoe asked.

“She's an Avenger," Abby said "Let’s give her a chance first.”

Tina had never been a news watcher. She didn't think they ever told the whole truth anyway. But now she watched and sipped her champagne and the warm glow spread through her with each passing moment was all because of what she was seeing on the giant TV screen.

"This was the scene early this morning as the Avenger known as Ms. Marvel was led out of her apartment in handcuffs." On the screen Ms. Marvel was walked down the steps and into a patrol car. She looked dazed and surprised and Tina could well understand that. The screen shifted back to Wolf Blitzer and above his shoulder was a picture of Destiny and Mystique. "Details are still sketchy, but it is confirmed that the super villainess known as Destiny was killed last night. Another super villainess known as Mystique was severely wounded as was the local gambling czar known as Le Joueur. The Avengers currently have no comment and Ms. Marvel will be arraigned later on today."

"I knew Mystique would have to be hurt," Destiny said with some anger in her voice "but I never realized that Ultra Woman would go that far."

"A flaw in the program," Tina said. "I'm sorry it's my fault."

"It does not matter," Modok said.

"It does to me," Destiny said bristling at his dismissal of her lover’s pain.

"She will survive," Modok said.

"We’ll be getting her out as soon as we can," Tina said. "Can you see the timelines, is this going to work?"

"I can see a lot of pain for the Avengers," Destiny said reluctantly. "Beyond that the future is clouded."

"Their pain is our success," Modok said. “Success is always sweeter when your enemy feels pain.”

“There is more pain for them to come,” Destiny said.

Tania had been in many tense meetings in her life, but she would always remember this one for the mixture of pain and barely controlled anger and frustration that she felt in the room. She wasn't even sure why she was in the meeting. She wasn't an Avenger. But Carol had asked her to stay and Tania was not going to desert her.

Captain America called the meeting to order and Tania was impressed at the formality of it all. Around the table sat Wanda, Jan, Hawkeye, Hank, Jen, Tania and Carol. Tania sat next to Carol and put her hand over Carol's.

"Jen what is the situation legally?" Captain America asked.

"Legally?" Jen said. "We're cooked. I had to jump through hoops just to get her out on bail."

"I didn't do it!" Carol burst out.

"Carol this is the best frame up I've ever seen in my life," Jen said.

"But it is a frame up," Carol said. "Can't you prove that?"

"I'm not sure how," Jen said. "You have motive, opportunity, they have witnesses two of which are super heroines, they have Destiny's blood on your uniform, they have a bottle of rum at your apartment and the detective said he could smell it on your breath when you opened the door. He also said you looked hung over. Le Joueur had your cell phone! Hell the grand jury took five seconds to indict."

"I haven't had a drink in over a year," Carol said. "I went home, I had some dinner, I checked my e-mail and then I went to bed. In a nightgown." She added.

"None of that can be proven," Jen said.

"What about a mental scan?" Hank suggested. "Prof. Xavier could confirm that she's telling the truth."

"I thought about that," Jen said "but it's not admissible in court. Bottom line is that Abby Carmichael believes that you're guilty Carol. They even have White Owl's call to Avengers mansion in the log."

"I was with her," Tania said "there was no call."

"You weren't with her all the time," Jen said. "You said it yourself you went up to bed before she went off monitor duty."

"She wouldn't do this," Tania said.

"No one believes that she did," Captain America said and everyone nodded.

"But none of you will be on the jury," Jen said. "Carol in the hands of an incompetent, first year ADA this would be a slamdunk, in the hands of Abby Carmichael you've got no chance in hell. Look if you plead out I can get you a reduced sentence, a few years in a psych ward. You've got the perfect defense considering your history. Alcoholics suffer blackouts."

"I won't plead guilty to something I didn't do," Carol said obviously fighting to keep her voice under control. "I went home, I went to bed and that's it. The rest is a frame up."

"Carol it's easier for them to prove you murdered Destiny than it is for me to prove you were framed," Jen said. "That's the reality."

"We have to find the truth," Captain America said. "Whoever did this went through an incredible amount of work. I can't believe they didn't slip up somewhere."

"If they did it's going to be very hard to find where," Jan said. "But we'll find it Carol, I promise you we'll find it."

"I hope you will," Carol said "but until you do I can't be a part of this team anymore. As of now I'm submitting my right resignation."

"We understand," Captain America said. "But it's only temporary, until we clear you."

"Until that happens I'd like Ultra Woman to take my place," Carol said.

"What?" Tania asked.

"This could be the plan to weaken the Avengers," Carol said turning to Tania. "I need someone I can trust here Tania, someone battle tested. I can't think of anyone else."

"Tania hasn't fully recovered," Hank said.

"But she is recovering," Carol said. "I think she's strong enough."

"Carol do you really want me to do this?" Tania asked. "I don't want to take your place."

Carol took Tania's hand and squeezed it.

"Tania I trust you with my life and I'll feel a lot better if you'll take my place for now."

"She's right Tania," Jan said. "It's not about just Carol anymore, it's about the Avengers. She can't stay on the team with a murder charge hanging over head.”

“Besides we don’t want to be underpowered just in case who ever did this makes a move against us.” Wanda said.

"All right I'll do this for you," Tania said. "But what will you do now?"

"She stays here," Jen said "as part of her bail deal. House arrest. She can't leave the mansion."

"What is our first step then?" Tania asked.

“We get you set up with security clearance,” Captain America said. “And then we find out who did this.”

"Carol," Tania said "I swear that I will find out who did this to you."

"I know you will," Carol said hugging her.

Tania returned the hug and hoped that the moment would never end. And from the way that Carol was hugging her Tania was beginning to realize -- or was it hope? -- that Carol felt the same way.

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