[AI] If there was a better way to go then it would find me

[earnedthename]

Apparently, the universe decided that when it was spitting out heroic archers, it might as well deposit a pair of them at once because they go together, right? Right? Close, but no cigar, universe. You tried.

Kate staggers as her feet hit the street, reaching for an arrow automatically even though her head and vision are spinning. The arrow's on the string by the time it stabilizes, and... there's nothing there. No villain, no threat, just empty and unfamiliar street, a few passing cars... and a guy with a bow she doesn't recognize at all.

She lowers her bow, frowning a little.

"Are you lost, kid?"

Like he's more than a couple years younger than her. Shhh.

Comments

[arach_nerd]

As soon as they were further away from the building, a familiar voiced called out.

"Hey! Barton, Bishop, hold up for a sec."

Spider-Man descended from a webline in front of them, until he was at eye-level, albeit upside down.

"You can relax. The Avengers decided it was too much trouble to chase after you."

[earnedthename]

Thank God for familiar faces. Or... voices, anyway. Technically it could be anyone under that mask, but duplicating the powers and the voice seems a little much. Kate pulls to a limping halt, holding up a hand to catch Clint too. It's cool, baby Hawkeye. He's a friend.

She gives Spider-Man a crooked smile. "I am so glad to see you. Though... we're seriously calling them the Avengers now? Who let that happen?"

[makethatwork]

If anyone is "Baby Hawkeye" it's you, knockoff girl. GOSH.

Clint eyes Spider-Man with no small amount of suspicion (given what just happened, he thinks it's justified), but the kid knows their names and, unlike the last people who knew them, Kate seems to be glad to see him.

"Can someone tell me where Captain America is, or am I going to be shouting that question to the heavens for the rest of my life? Seriously. My nose is broken and I did something to my shoulder on the way out and I just want someone I actually know and trust to be able to confirm or deny whatever the Knockoff Kid back there was telling us."

[arach_nerd]

"Yeah, well, Osborn was still here while everyone else was away dealing with the mess that kicked off the Cataclysm, so he had about a year and a half to entrench his collection of psychos as the only team of Avengers." Peter grumbled, a far cry from his general good-natured tone. Thinking about how much time Norman had to dig his heels in was always going to tick him off.

"Most've the heroes who have come back so far, (and yes Clint, that does include Cap, quit whining already) have set up as the Defenders."

He looked them over a bit, deciding further explanations could wait, or at least be given on the way. "I can lead you back to base if you wanna get all. that looked at. And text Steve to let him know you need to talk to him."

[earnedthename]

Kate lets out a long sigh of relief, shoulders slumping a little. The faster they can get off the street and onto safe territory, the happier she'll be - especially with both of them in costume, covered in blood, and the furthest thing from inconspicuous.

"Yes. Please. And he's definitely not going to shut up until he talks to Cap, so letting Steve know we exist is probably a good idea."

[makethatwork]

"Hey, I'm perfectly capable of shutting up about needing to talk to Cap now that I know it's going to happen," Clint protests, mostly just to protest whatever Kate says about him. He, too, seems to deflate a tiny bit with relief that they're heading towards something he understands.

Well, someone, but same difference.

"Can we get there soon? 'Cause I am not super fond of tasting my own blood for longer than necessary."