Prologue

~Three Years Ago

I slowly began to open my violet eyes. I took a deep breath as I stared at the blank wall of my cell. My hands slowly traced the collar around my neck that restricted the use of my powers.

"My name is Amara Chloe Castile. I lived in the island nation of Clatoo for thirteen years. My parents and I lived there to help the nation as part of an American relief group. At least until I was taken by HYDRA. I've been here for a long time. I don't know where I am, or why I am here." I whisper to myself.

I turn around at the sound of a clank on the floor. A small tray of food sat, waiting for me. I pushed my dirty blonde hair behind my ears as I slowly made my way to the door. I quickly grabbed the tray and returned the bed and ate in silence.

I sat under the tiny bit of sunlight that was able to reach my cell. This was the only thing that ever gave me hope of being free of this place.

I set my tray down as I ducked under the view of the cameras in my cell as I created a small ball of light at the tip of my finger. I slowly carved another tally mark on the wall next the multiple I had made.

I began making these marks the day I learned this power was awakened. HYDRA had no idea they unlocked this gift. As much I wanted to use it to free myself, I knew I wouldn't get far because of the multitude soldiers who'd gladly use the electrocution feature on the collar.

Unfortunately, they wouldn't be able to kill me. So I would have revealed my ace in the hole for nothing. I needed someone to find me. Although, anyone who would is gone now.

Suddenly, I heard gunshots being fired. I tried to reach the tiny window in my cell the get a better look. I quickly decided against that. Who ever this is may be even worse than HYDRA. I will not be a weapon for anyone.

Eventually the battle noises became louder as the fight moved inside. The sounds slowly decreased as one side was winning the battle. This was replaced by the sound of the other empty cells being opened. 'No!'

I barely had time to register what was going on when the metal man appeared in the doorway. "No! No! No!" I screamed as I resisted his attempts to grab me. They warned me this day would come.

HYDRA had been working on a type of mind control for me. They always told me when it was done I'd be taken. They created this machine to take me away. "Calm down, I'm here to help you." it tried to convince me.

Soon it grabbed me and took me out of the cell as I struggled. Before we could get too far, 6 HYDRA soldiers appeared before us. 'They must be escorts'

Then, the metal man did the unthinkable, he fired a blue beam at them. I looked at him in shock. 'He was telling the truth.'

He managed to take out most of them but, one tried to sneak up on him. Without thinking I fired a ball of light about the size of an acorn at the soldier.

This move succeeded in two things: first he was now on the ground unconscious and second one guy who was still in the fight activated the sedative function of the collar. My supposed savior punched him in the face ending all our opposers.

"Get this collar off of me. Please. If you are truly here to help remove it." I say already feeling the sedatives in my system.

"A concentrated EMP blast should turn it off." He said as he shot a small blue light at the collar shorting it out and making it fall off. I smiled weakly as he helped me walk.

"Who are you? How did you find me?" I ask as my eyes became heavier as I fought to stay awake.

"You really haven't heard of me? I'm Iron Man. SHIELD hired me to track a hacker. I was able to find the location of the hacker despite the advanced encryption used and an SOS with coordinates. I'm guessing you did all of this?" Iron Man explained to me as we reached a large ship.

Iron Man was completely supporting me by this point. I nodded weakly as two men approached us and tried to help me in. I began to panic again. I cowered into Iron Man's grip as he waved them off.

As far as I was concerned he was the only one I could trust. Once we were aboard he never left my side. He was the last thing I saw as I finally lost consciousness.