Chapter 54: "Ghost" Ava
Just as the needle was about to pierce her skin—
Hermione's figure suddenly twisted rapidly, accompanied by a sharp crack. Vanished into thin air.
Next second, the syringe passed through where she'd been. The figure behind stumbled, nearly falling.
Then space twisted again. Hermione reappeared in the same spot.
As if everything just now had been an illusion.
"Geez... scared me."
Hermione patted her chest.
Just now, her magical senses detected abnormal fluctuations behind her. Then felt a rush of wind.
Panicked, she'd Apparated instantly. Disappeared on the spot.
Since her brain hadn't thought of a destination, she reappeared in the same place next second.
Fortunately, Hermione's magic—enhanced by the Mysterious Magic Book—guaranteed successful casting... Even with an empty mind, no splinching from failed Apparition.
This instant displacement successfully dodged the ambush.
Only then did Hermione focus on the person before her.
Light gray combat suit. Total assassin aesthetic... Though the face was masked, judging by build—a woman.
The masked figure, attack failed, seemed equally shocked. After two seconds' pause, launched another attack.
"Flipendo!"
Hermione hadn't detected her earlier, allowing the approach—nearly successful ambush. Now prepared, she wouldn't allow it to continue.
A white beam struck the masked woman's chest. She flew backward, spinning midair several times before crashing down.
"Expulso!"
A thunderous boom. The ground exploded instantly. Countless debris shot toward the masked woman at high speed.
Just before impact, her figure became translucent. Unreal.
Debris passed straight through her body. Like passing through air. No damage whatsoever.
The woman strode toward Hermione, body flickering—phasing between solid and intangible.
Hermione frowned.
"Expulso!"
"Confringo!"
"Diffindo!"
Spell after spell passed through her body. Didn't affect her movement.
Reaching Hermione, she raised the syringe again.
"Apparate!"
Hermione vanished. Reappeared behind her. Dodged the attack.
Watching her semi-transparent state—like an imperfect invisibility effect—Hermione suddenly thought of something.
"Homenum Revelio!"
The spell fell. A mysterious pulse spread from Hermione in all directions. When it swept over the masked woman, her phased form solidified instantly.
The woman froze. Stared at her hand. Utterly shocked.
No matter how she tried, couldn't re-enter the phased state.
Seeing Hermione raise her wand, the woman finally spoke. "Wait—"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Next second, the woman felt her blood chill. Limbs snapped to her sides uncontrollably. Chest out, head up. Like petrified. Fell straight backward.
Only her eyes could move. Could only watch helplessly as Hermione approached.
"Fancy tricks."
Hermione looked down at the woman. Expression cold.
Tapped the wand against her forehead. The mask detached, revealing a pretty face—beautiful, even... Though didn't look Western. More Latin American.
Watching the wand tip hover overhead, the woman seemed to want to say something but couldn't open her mouth. Only her eyes showed emotion.
Hermione watched for a moment. "I'll lift the curse. Don't move. Next time won't be so gentle."
"Blink if you understand."
The woman blinked frantically. Next second, felt her body relax. Finally regained mobility.
You call that gentle...? She discreetly glanced around.
Blood had dried. Everywhere—debris, rubble, ash, remains.
Grumbled internally, but not her problem. She got up, immediately knelt before Hermione.
"My name's Ava. S.H.I.E.L.D. sent me to capture you..."
Zero hesitation in revealing everything.
Listening to Ava's account, Hermione understood the whole story.
Turned out the armed mercenaries were bait. Ava was the real weapon. The mastermind knew Hermione wouldn't go down easily—sent the assault team as sacrificial pawns. Ava used her ability to lurk nearby.
Waited for Hermione to eliminate them, let her guard down—then Ava would ambush from behind, drug her unconscious, capture her.
Poor assault team had no idea their leadership sold them out.
"So why betray S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Hermione asked.
Ava probably didn't know about HYDRA. Thought she was executing a S.H.I.E.L.D. mission.
Ava's eyes blazed with hope. "Because your ability can stabilize my condition!"
Hermione nodded. As expected.
After breaking Ava's phasing ability, she hadn't immediately eliminated her—because she remembered who this was.
Ghost. Ava Starr!
As a child, caught in a quantum explosion. Gained quantum phasing—could shift between tangible and intangible.
But quantum phasing was uncontrollable. Process too painful. Seemingly powerful ability was actually constant torture. Later, S.H.I.E.L.D. found her, promised to help treat her... In exchange, she joined S.H.I.E.L.D. Worked for them.
But they never intended to cure her. Just used her as an asset.
She'd never been truly loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. anyway. Discovering Hermione could forcibly keep her corporeal? Instant decision.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had no results for years. This girl casually stabilized her. What's there to think about?
Seeing Ava's pleading gaze, Hermione said flatly, "Why should I help you? You just tried to hurt me."
Ava panicked. Stepped forward, grabbed Hermione's sleeve. Expression sincere.
"If you can restore me to normal—free me from quantum phasing's pain—I'll pledge loyalty to you!"
After so many years, finally seeing hope. She'd do anything.
Hermione thought for a moment. Nodded internally.
This deal's worth making.
The other party came offering service. Didn't even require much payment. No reason not to accept.
Besides, currently no one else in the world could stabilize Ava's condition. No fear of betrayal.
Even without phasing, Ava still had elite operative skills.
Total gain.
Seeing Hermione agree, Ava was overjoyed.
Hermione said, "But my magic can't permanently solve this problem yet. I'll need to recast periodically to stabilize your state."
Ava froze. Slightly disappointed. But quickly rallied.
"No problem!"
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────
📖 80+ chapters ahead — full story available
🔍 Search "patreon.com/DarkGolds
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────