land of the free

“And of all the snotty nosed brats I can help out, it’s one that I’ve never seen before,” he scoffed. Kids these days were a real pain in the ass. Who in their right mind would ever want one? “Who the hell are you and how the hell do you know me?”

"Snotty nosed-- well fuck you too buddy. Y’know what go help someone else.” America huffed, turning in the other direction and attempting to limp away, though only making it a step before she sunk down to the ground. Her ankle was twisted, or broken, she had no idea because she had never had a damn injury before. This was great. Just great.

“You do, indeed, look like a child.” Thor wasn’t trying to be rude but she did look very young. “Do you have some kind of anti-ageism device with you?”

“Anti-ageism devi--what the hell dude! I’m nineteen!”

“Yeah, I know you had it. But I wasn’t really in the mood to see a fight break out. …Actually, maybe seeing him a little humiliated might have been funny. For a bit.” She paused, then sent the other a smile. Crystal shook her head, “It was just best there wasn’t a fight, that’s all. And a little helping hand isn’t so bad. Next time I can leave you to kick some ass.”

“You’re right.” America admitted, looking around the crowded street. When she got mad she tended to block out everything else. This girl might’ve just saved her from being thrown in the slammer. “Hopefully I can return the favor.”

“Threatening me? Isn’t that such an un-heroic thing to do? But of course. I’ll quiet myself down now. Besides, I’d hate to hold you past your curfew.” She remarks with an equally sarcastic expression. 

America leaned in close, standing on her toes to get in the older woman’s face. “Haven’t you heard? Heros are out this year.” She said, punctuating the end of her sentence with her foot jabbing down on Selina’s. She held herself back from stomping so bad that it would’ve broke her foot, but it was definitely going to hurt.

Jen paused, taken aback. She was a hulk, she knew rage, she had enough of a temper herself, but she definitely hadn’t been expecting the girl to snap at her. “I’m sorry– I was just trying to help.”

"I get that, but the way you were going about it was real fucking patronizing. I don’t need your help.”

He chuckled quietly at her quick change, “Nonetheless, I have to say I’m thoroughly impressed. You are an exceptional young woman.” he smiled at her, though it faded at the mention of turncoats, “Yes. They do seem to have sighed away their free will, don’t they? Rather… spineless of them in my humble opinion.”

"I agree. There’s always an option to stand up to authority, even for regular people. These people are like, the best of the best. Some Avengers. It’s crazy that they’ve just submitted like this.”

That was a familiar voice – and she knew that tone all too well. “Whoa-kay,” Kate said, sliding up behind her friend and placing her hands on her shoulders. “Pretty sure the grocery store clerk was just trying to help, darling. How ‘bout we let the nice man off with a warning?” 

“Fine.” America huffed, shooting another glare at the clerk. “Fuck him. Should’ve let me beat him up. I would’ve gone easy.” She muttered, still heated as they walked away.

Crystal had watched the exchange absently, not daring to get involved - and why would she? This seemed kind of personal. But when the guy the other young woman was facing up against didn’t seem about to back down, she moved forwards and spoke up. “Dude, you’re just embarrassing yourself right now. I believe her when she says not to judge her - seriously, she looks like she can handle yourself. But you? Everyone is watching YOU. Maybe best to leave.” In stepping up she wasn’t exactly listening to what the girl had been saying either, but she seriously didn’t want a fight to break out right here, right now.

America stared the guy down as the other woman spoke, eventually he backed down and walked away, so she turned to the redhead. “Thanks, but I had it, but thanks, sorry shouldn’t have said that you were being nice.”

“With a CHILDISH temper like that? Could’ve had me fooled, sweetheart.” She remarks, amused by the sudden outburst. Selina was known to taunt the heroes she faced, it being a part of her CAT AND MOUSE routine. America seemed to take it a lot more seriously than most.

“Shut the fuck up, before I punch you into last week.” She said, giving the older woman a sarcastic smile.

“In my defense, I just said you were short, which I mean, you kinda are, so I’m gonna need you to take it down a few notches, actually.”

“Well you’re fucking tall. Basically a...freak of nature. Okay that was a reach.”

Frank rolled his eyes, though secretly he was a little pleased that she didn’t seem to recognize his name. It was easier to do this shit when people thought Frank Castle was dead, easier to operate when only the Punisher was in play. “Yeah. That’s funny. You do stand up?”

“No...” She crinkled her brow to make it look like she was thinking, and in the blink of an eye knocked him off his feet. “Looks like you don’t either.” Wow she was on a roll. Super speed came in handy.

He blinked, supposed it was some kind of reverse psychology, before watching her jump in the air…. and stay there. That would have been impressive enough. He opened his mouth to respond to her request, something along the lines of ‘no’ he didn’t do well in physical encounters, only for her to beat him to it. Next he he knew he saw a piece of metal flying to her skin and then bouncing to the floor, not even leaving a mark. “Gracious.” he said quietly, staring at her, “Well, that is certainly exceptional. Though, might I suggest you return to the ground, the windows aren’t covered after all.” The last thing either needed was the Strike Force returning.

“Oh shit you’re right.” She winced with a smile, dropping back to where she couldn’t be seen. “The only reason I didn’t fight them is because it’s broad daylight and they had one of their turncoat superheros on call. Wasn’t about to stay to figure out which double crosser it was.”

Wally shrugged. “These are pretty dangerous times. With so many people getting put behind bars by government goon squads, can you really afford to trust people who may end up being dead weight.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully. The idea of a war breaking out was something that Wally had also worried about, but hadn’t wanted to vocalise. “If there’s a war, wouldn’t it be better to get a few tanks on side, instead of The Breakfast Club?” 

“Tanks? C’mon. Either of us could destroy a tank in a second flat, what do you think tanks would do against people just like us?”

Cece only blinked at her in response, paranoia outweighing whatever tactics she was trying to use. “I have nothing to do with the Strike Force. I’m not one of the freaks with powers.” The empath knew that was cruel to say to someone who obviously possessed powers but it might disgust her enough to leave him alone.

America’s eyebrows drew together and her mouth fell open, an offended scoff coming out of her mouth. “What the fuck dude, you didn’t have to come for me like that. That was rude as hell.”