V. SHITTY FORMS OF ESCAPISM
__________

The room Barnes was in was bare, a single desk in front of his bulletproof cage. The man himself sat chained to a reinforced chair, his hair slick with sweat as he struggled against the confinements across his chest. Luna didn't know how to feel. Bucky Barnes was innocent, she believed this, but The Winter Soldier was inside his mind and ready to pop out at any given moment.

Luna stood beside Tony and Natasha in front of the many screens that showed the entire live feed of Barnes' cell, government lackeys working around them.

The doors to Barnes' cell opened and his psychiatrist, Broussard, walked inside, taking a seat at the desk, laying a file on the table in front of him. He took a moment to set up his tablet. He looked like a man in his thirties, with a small scruff on his chin and neatly kept brown hair. There were no guards within the room, which made the entire scene eerily quiet. Barnes kept still, his hair like a curtain in front of his face.

"Your first name is James?" the psychiatrist asked.
          
Barnes didn't reply.
          
Broussard sighed, opening the file. "I'm not here to judge you. I just want to ask you a few questions," he said. "Do you know where you are, James?"

A man typing on his keyboard next to Luna filled the silence.

"I can't help you if you don't talk to me, James."

Luna noted Broussard's accent; she couldn't quite pinpoint where it was from. His name was French and his nationality was American, but his accent was neither.

"My name is Bucky," Bucky said, his voice filled with gravel, probably dry from dehydration.
          
Broussard nodded thoughtfully, scribbling in his notebook as he continued asking questions.

"There's something I don't understand," Luna spoke up, talking beneath her breath just in case the suits in the room weren't as 'trustworthy' as they had thought. "Those photos of Barnes on the news... why release them?"
         
"Barnes has been going under everybody's radar for years," Natasha replied. "Get the people on the ground to keep an eye out for him too, better chance you find him."
          
"But Bucky's innocent," she stated, keeping a wary eye on Everett Ross, who was standing off to the side. "These pictures were faked... Maybe someone wanted to get him out of hiding?"
         
"Fake security tapes and get the entire world knowing The Winter Soldier's face," Natasha figured. "Someone framed him to find him."

A light flickered on in Luna's mind. "That's why they bombed the UN. They needed global attention so they'd be able to get him anywhere he went. Except they don't have him, we have."
          
"You think they're gonna try something to take him?"
          
Luna shook her head slowly, turning back to the security feed. "Yeah... maybe."

"Tell me, Bucky," Broussard said, "You've seen a great deal, haven't you?"
          
Bucky's voice was rough when he spoke, "I don't wanna talk about it."
          
"You fear that if you open your mouth, the horrors might never stop." He looked on his tablet for a second. "Don't worry," he said. "We only have to talk about one."

The room went dark as the electricity was cut. The screens in front of Luna flashed off as the alarm lights began flashing red. Immediately everybody was on high-alert.

"Come on, guys," Ross said into his walkie, "get me eyes on Barnes." He looked at Tony, Natasha and Luna, motioning stressfully at the door.

"The psychiatrist," Luna said as she and Natasha followed after Tony. "I knew something was off about him."
          
"This was their plan," Natasha realized. "Get us to capture Barnes and then take him for themselves."
          
"How the hell is one guy going to break out a super soldier?"
          
Natasha's eyes widened. "He's not." The two of them quickly fell into a fast pace beside Tony. "Please tell me you brought a suit," she said to him.

"Sure did," Tony answered. "It's a lovely Tom Ford, three-piece, two-button."
          
"Your sass ain't gonna do shit against a super soldier, Stark," Luna snapped.

Tony led them through a long corridor until eventually it opened up into a large, public area, filled with tables and chair. They stood with their backs against the wall as they heard fighting going on around the corner. Quickly, Luna and Tony split off from Natasha, waiting for her to give them the signal.

"I'm in position," came Natasha's voice through their earpieces.

Luna watched in astonishment as Tony tapped his watch twice and pulled a growing Ironman gauntlet over his hand. He stood away from the wall and aimed a blast at Bucky's chest. Except what went off wasn't a laser, it was a bright blinding light that made Bucky flinch backwards, shielding his eyes.

Luna took this as her sign as she swiftly ran behind Bucky and bend the earth from underneath the building up through the floor, no longer caring about property damage, and send it barreling toward Bucky. It hit and he stumbled backwards with a hurt grunt, right into Tony. He was quick to react as Tony charged into combat, fighting off the man with his gun.

A shot went off and Luna thanked the stars that Tony had thought to make his glasses bullet-resistant as the bullet only cracked the glass, and not his head. Barnes took advantage of Tony's stunned state of mind and kicked him into the air, sending him barreling into a table.

Luna charged again as she noticed Natasha coming up from behind Barnes. She bend the water out of her flask and send it like bullets flying toward Barnes. He deflected most of them with his metal arm, but the ones that did hit were sure to leave a few bruises.

Luna ran closer, sending a well-aimed kick to his face. Barnes was flung around to Natasha, who went for his legs. Together, they engaged Barnes. But he was stronger than the two of them combined, more agile, more resistant.

With his normal arm he managed to land a hit in Luna's stomach, sending her flying into a group of chairs. Her head hit something hard and her vision blurred, nausea settling in her stomach.

When she came to, T'Challa had arrived and was going toe-to-toe with the super soldier. Luna quickly went to help Natasha up from the ground, watching the fight carefully from the corner of her eye. Barnes had managed to defend himself against T'Challa and was running up the stairs away from him.

T'Challa never did give up easy. He ran back before charging forward, leaping all the way up the stairs, stopping Barnes in his tracks. Again, they fought. Their jabs were quick and precise, their strength and stamina almost like equals.

Luna knew this was personal for T'Challa, he had a thirst for vengeance, but she also knew that Bucky was innocent and she was not going to let T'Challa kill an innocent man.

When she finally recovered from the hit, the two had dropped down to a lower level. She used air bending to levitate herself down, ready to stop either of them from killing the other, only to find T'Challa standing by himself. Bucky had managed to escape. It was when Tony and Natasha finally joined them that she learned Steve and Sam also did.

T'Challa marched to the nearest wall and hit his hand flat against its surface, letting out a frustrated yell.
         
"T'Challa," Luna said warningly.
         
"I have failed," he muttered. "Again."
         
"You didn't," she insisted. "Barnes is not the guy you want."
         
With a confused glance, he turned to face her. "The footage—"
          

"Faked and planted for us to find. All of it."

T'Challa stared into Luna's eyes, trying to find the truth behind them. "Then who?"
          
"The psychiatrist, Broussard, or whatever the hell his real name is," she explained as Tony and Natasha joined them. "He must've been planning this for a long time. And we finally gave him the opportunity at the UN. He managed to flush Barnes out of hiding by framing him, knowing we'd find him and bring him here, right where he wanted us to."
          
"He infiltrated the building as Broussard, taking his identity," Natasha added. "And he had the words that activated HYDRA's programming inside Barnes' mind."

Sharon Carter ran into the room, her eyes going wildly to all the damage before she caught the four of them in the middle of it. "What the fuck happened?" she asked frantically, stopping them from answering as she added, "never mind. Ross needs to see you three."

• • •

"I don't suppose you have any idea where they are?" Secretary Ross said, his hair slicked back as usual and his moustache neatly trimmed.
           
Luna leaned back in a chair and held a puddle of cooling water over her stomach, where a bruise was starting to form. "Oh, what made you think that? Your keen investigation skills?" she said sarcastically.

"We will," assured Tony. "GSG 9's got the borders covered. Recon's flying 24/7. You've got a perimeter around the building and gunships in the air looking for Barnes. They'll get a hit. We'll handle it," he gestured to him, Natasha and Luna.
           
"Unless we're too late with the borders and he's already managed to flee the country."
           
Tony turned to her. "You know, we could really do without your negativity right about now."

"It's not yours to handle," Ross interrupted. "It's clear you can't be objective. Especially you," he cast a keen glance to Luna. "I'm putting Special Ops on this."
           
Luna scoffed as she stood up, facing the CIA agent. "D'you really think some puny little agents are a match against not one, but two super soldiers? I'm the Avatar, Ross, and even I have trouble dealing with them."
           
Ross let out a frustrated yet contained breath. "My agents are equipped with the latest technology in weapons—"

"What are you gonna do?" Natasha wondered. "Kill Steve Rogers?"
           
"If provoked," he said. "Barnes would've been eliminated in Romania if it wasn't for Rogers. There are dead people who would be alive now if it wasn't for Steve Rogers."
           
Luna bit her tongue as she sat back down.

"All due respect," Tony said. "you're not gonna solve this with boys and bullets, Ross. You gotta let us bring them in."
           
"Preferably alive," Luna added.
           
"How would that end any differently than last time?"
           
Tony sat up straighter. "Because this time I won't be wearing loafers and a silk shirt. 72 hours, guaranteed."
           
Ross considered it. "36 hours. Barnes, Rogers, Wilson."

The group let out a simultaneous deep breath as he stomped out of the room. Natasha stood from her chair and approached Tony.
           
"My left arm's numb, is that normal?" he asked.
           
"You alright?" Natasha asked, laying a hand on his shoulder.
           
"Always."

"What if we just leave?" Luna muttered as she leaned her head on her hand, held up on the table by her elbow. "Early retirement?"
           
"You heard what Ross said," Tony replied. "36 hours. Jeez..."
           
Luna looked up a frown on her face. "You really want to do this? Both of you?" she quickly glanced at Natasha. "These are our friends, guys, our family—" her voice cracked. Running a hand through her hair, she cleared her throat. "You both know what's on the other end of this. Steve isn't gonna come quietly and Sam will follow him straight into hell for all we know." She groaned and let her head fall into her hands. "I never should've signed those Accords..."

"Then why are you here?" Tony asked, an edge to his voice. "Barnes might not have bombed the UN, but he's not innocent by a long shot. You could retire, go join Clint on his little farm. Live the quiet life."
           
"Because—'cause you're my family too." She looked up at them. "How can you not see what's happening? It's like I'm stuck choosing between mom and dad in a divorce," she said sarcastically.

        
Natasha sat down in front of her. "Luna," she said softly. "There's a reason you signed those Accords. To stop the destruction we leave in our wake. If we don't stop Steve, who knows what's gonna happen next?" she continued.

When Luna looked up at her, she could see a tiny speck of hesitation behind her eyes.
           
Luna nodded tiredly. "We can't go after them with just us."
          
"I've got a solution for that," Tony spoke up.
          
"I think I do too," Luna said.
           
"Where's yours?"
           
Luna looked weirdly at Tony. "Downstairs. Why? Where's yours?"

• • •

Luna stood in the garage, waiting patiently in front of a sleek gray car. People walking past eyed her curiously but she paid them no mind, especially as the man she wanted to speak to came into view.

"Luna," T'Challa greeted with a smile, a Dora Milaje bodyguard next to him. The Dora Milaje stepped forward but T'Challa quickly waved her back.
           
"T'Challa," Luna nodded at him. "You really think you can find him on your own?"
           
"My resources are considerable, as you well know," he replied, walking past her to open his car door.

"Don't get cocky," she said. "I took the world 70 years to find Barnes so if you've got a life-time you're willing to spend on this, be my guest. However, I agree he does need to be brought in."
          
T'Challa faced her. "You know where he is," he surmised.
           
She shrugged. "I know a guy. Actually," she corrected. "Nat knows a guy. You in?"

"Okay," he said. "But after, you have to come back to Wakanda with me."
           
Luna frowned as she began to lead T'Challa and the Dora Milaje back into the building. "Why? You were so eager to get rid of me the last time."
           
He rolled his eyes. "Shuri misses you—"
           
"Of course she does. My presence is very impactful."
           
"—and, there has been some interesting developments concerning your brother."

Luna stopped mid-stride and grabbed the man's arm to turn him to her, raising her eyebrows in question.
           
"It's not bad news," T'Challa answered and Luna let out the breath she had been holding. "It also is not good news," he added.
           
"Is he waking up or not?" she asked firmly.
           
"Neither. His vitals have been concerningly low for the past two years, as you know, but recently they've begun spiking at random moments. No pattern, nothing to indicate he's getting worse or getting better."          

Luna licked her lips and crossed her arms, deep in thought. "That makes no sense," she muttered. "Maybe it's got something to do with the spirit? It went into him, can't exactly be good for a person, right?"
           
T'Challa nodded thoughtfully. "I'll have Shuri scour the library for anything on the spirits, but I cannot guarantee she will find something of use..."
           
"No, I know," she replied quickly before looking up at the ceiling. "This would be a real good time to show me that massive library you promised, Pikachu!" Nobody responded. "Asshole," Luna mumbled, before waving off T'Challa's confused expression. "We better get upstairs, Nat's waiting."

"What about Stark?" T'Challa wondered.
           

Luna sighed deeply. "Exactly: what about Stark? He said he had an idea and just took off in a plane towards New York. Queens, he said. Wouldn't say why."
           
"That is reassuring."

With that, T'Challa send his bodyguard away and followed Luna toward Natasha in one of the private rooms. Luna took out her bag and stroked the fabric of her suit carefully before pulling it out. T'Challa had stepped out of the room as Natasha and Luna began to change into their suits.

"You ready for this?" Natasha asked the younger girl.
           
"Don't got much of a choice, do I?" Luna answered bitterly. "But yeah, sure, I'm ready. We're only arresting our family. Our fucked up family that fights all the time, but still..."
           
"I get it," Natasha replied. "I don't want to do this, but they've become dangerous. And what's worse, they believe they're doing the right thing."
           
"Yeah," she said quietly, "I know. It's just..." she trailed off, her mind going to auburn hair and intense stares, and cheeky smiles and white, floppy hair.
           
"The twins," she guessed.

Luna groaned in frustration, running a hand through her hair. "They fucking hate me!" she exclaimed. "I feel like I'm going against them, but I'm not! Why can't they see that I'm doing this for them? I'm trying to make the world see them like I see them."
           
"You can't control how they feel, Luna. All you can do is explain and hope they understand."
           
"And if that doesn't work?"
           
"Then they're not really family."

Luna didn't say anything after that. They finished getting dressed and met back up with T'Challa, getting into an undercover car and making their way to the airport, where Tony's plane was already waiting for them. The entrance slowly opened and a hefty man with greying hair stepped out, waving them inside from across the long runway.

"'Sup, Happy? How you doing?" Luna said with a smile as she launched herself to the top of the steps, blowing air into Happy's face.
           
The older man sighed. "Great. They're waiting inside. Romanoff, your Highness," he nodded to the two that followed Luna inside.
           
"Hold up, did you say they're waiting? Who did Tony..." Luna didn't finish her sentence as she spotted a young boy bouncing up and down one of the chair of the private jet. He was wearing some dumb science shirt and sincerely looked as if he didn't belong in something this fancy.

Luna met Tony's eye and her glare intensified as she sat down opposite of the man. "What the fuck, Tony?" she spat.
           
"Alright, don't get you panties in a twist," he quickly said. "Kid." He beckoned the kid over and the boy hesitantly took a seat beside him. "Peter, meet Luna."
           
Luna's stared the boy down and was pleased to see him squirm in his seat. She nodded intimidatingly in greeting.
           
Tony rolled his eyes. "Okay, don't act tough. Look, kid, she's not really that scary."
           
Luna huffed and crossed her arms. "Yes I am."

"You're the Avatar," Peter said, leaning forward with wonder in his eyes. "You're my friend Ned's favorite superhero!"
           
She narrowed her eyes, trying to ignore the blush that spread on her cheeks. "Not yours?"
           
Peter's eyes widened as he scrambled for an answer.

"I'm kidding," she quickly reassured, a small smile on her lips. "How old are you?" she asked suspiciously.
           
"Fifteen, ma'am."
           
"Tony—"
           
"Don't start, Luna. Wanna remind me how old you were when you started?" Tony quickly retorted.

"That was an end of the world situation, Stark, not some pissing match between you and Steve." She watched the younger boy in front of her as he looked between the two of them like a tennis match. "Alright, kid—"
           
"He's three years younger than you, Carter," said Tony.
           
Luna glared at him. "I'm sorry, but I had to endure y'all call me 'kid' for years, so