Chapter 1
An Ending And A Beginning
(Y/n) = Your Name.
The Avengers and their newfound allies have arrived in Sokovia, splitting their efforts in two directions: Bruce and Thor were to locate Natasha whilst the rest of the team focused on evacuating the civilians. Tension was high as it wasn't a case of avoiding Ultron's detection as best they could, it was more of making sure that people weren't caught in the crossfire when he did.
Under Captain America's orders the roster had divided their efforts to help lead people out of the city, splitting up to cover more ground so as not to leave anyone behind.
You are the seventh avenger, The Shadow Operative. A genetically enhanced young man, an assassin wielding an unbreakable katana. Now one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, standing alongside legends and gods that you call friends.
Under Steve's orders Clint, Wanda and yourself are leading a large group of civilians across a bridge when Ultron's forces emerge from the water, the sky and the very ground beneath you. A small horde gathers near the bridge where Wanda is ushering civilians to safety. She pushes past them, telling them to get off the bridge while she tries to buy them time to get away. And just in time as they deploy blasters from their arms and open fire.
The Maximoff twin puts up a large barrier of red energy, blocking the blasts that come her way. She then looks back to the people and tells them to run - a break in her concentration that causes one blast to get through her shield, and the force sends her to the ground head first. The suddenness of the impact sends waves of pain through her forehead, for a moment she is disorientated.
Glancing back at her direction you see her fall to the ground and spring into action, leaping over a nearby car and landing between her and Ultron's drones. As you land you cut one drone straight down the middle, another reaches for you and a swing of your sword removes it's head.
Clint notices and aids you in dispatching the rest of the horde, leaving nothing more than a pile of scrap metal where they once stood. Catching your breath you look back to Wanda and see her trying to get up off the ground, you sheathe your sword and head over to help her up. Clint meanwhile keeps vigil.
"Wanda? Wanda, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? I saw you hit your head."
"Yes, I said I'm-" She seethes as she delicately presses her fingertips to her brow, where it impacted the ground. It stings.
"Do you mind if I take a quick look? It could be worse than it seems."
Wanda shoots you slightly suspicious look, you've only been allies for a very short time after all. Still she understands the situation at hand, she removes her fingers from her brow and loops stray locks of her hair behind her ear, showing what damage there is.
From what you can see there isn't really anything to worry about, it will likely be sore and sting for some time but it will form a scab while it heals. The real worry is whether there is any damage that you can't see.
'There's already a bit of blood, but not enough for it to be a problem, it'll be fine. No dilation of the pupils either.'
"You can probably already feel the cut, but don't worry it'll be fine. How does your head feel? Dizzy, nauseous?"
"I'm fine, it just hurts."
"How is she?" Clint calls out.
"Fine so far, but I need to make absolutely sure." You answer.
"Will this take long? I need to get back out there." Wanda insists, her impatience growing.
"Which is why I'll make this quick. I just need to make sure you don't have double vision or anything just as bad. Now, how many fingers am I holding up?"
"Three."
"Good. And now?"
"One."
"Okay. Last test: how many now?"
"Five."
"Wrong? I was holding up six."
She looks at you in confusion, "What? I can see you're holding up five fingers on your hand."
"Yeah, true, but I didn't say anything about my other hand." You show your other hand, which was at your hip before, now holding up one finger as you smirk cheekily. Wanda rolls her eyes and can't help the tiny smile that pulls at her lips, obviously he was trying to boost morale.
She also can't help but be surprised. Only a few days ago you were enemies, she even made you experience your deepest fear. And yet here you are, helping her, concerned and attentive like nothing had happened at all.
Clint walks over to the two of you, gaining your attention, "The civilians are safe, they're out of the city limits. How are you?" He asks as he looks to Wanda.
"I'm fine."
Clint looks to you for confirmation. You nod, reassuring him.
'I'm really tempted to joke that she can't count but, circumstances being what they are, we can't afford to be distracted. And innocent people need our help.' You think.
"Good, 'cos we're about to have company." The Archer states as he points across the bridge, turning to follow his gaze the two of you see more Ultron drones rise from the ground like ravenous, living dead. Wanda opens her palms and they begin to glow with red energy, Clint nocks an arrow and takes aim while you grip the handle of your katana. All three of you ready as the horde begins to advance.
"Shadow Operative, do you copy?"
"This is Shadow Operative, I copy," Your comm link opens, carrying Steve's voice, "what's up, Cap?"
"Civilians trapped behind rubble near my location, we could use your help over here."
You look to Clint and Wanda, she doesn't give you acknowledgement as she keeps her eyes on the automatons approaching you all. Clint glances at you, "Go. We'll handle things here, Rookie."
"Alright, I'll catch you guys later. Good luck."
And with that you head off. Before long you find a street that leads to Steve's location, based on your minimal knowledge of the city you're not too far away and thankfully your enhancements make you much faster so you will get there sooner than most. Speaking of speed...
You hear an object cutting through the not too far behind you and gaining fast, under normal circumstances you might think it's a bullet. However recent events give you another possibility for it's identity. Turning to glance behind you you are met with the sight of Wanda's twin brother, Pietro.
He slows his pace so that he can keep up with you, the blue trail being generated behind him now much fainter as he sends you a casual "Hey."
"Hey."
"Where're you off to? I thought you were with my sister and the old man."
"I was, but Cap said he needed me to help clear some rubble. I'm headed that way now." You answer before adopting a matter-of-fact tone, "That 'Old Man's' name is Clint by the way."
"I know." He smirks.
'Smartass.' You mentally comment.
"So, why're you here? Banter, help or did you just want to annoy me?"
"All three, really. Cap asked me to help him clear some rubble, too. People are trapped behind it and I can help. Plus it looked like you needed some directions."
"Directions?"
"Yeah, you're going the wrong way."
"How do you know?"
"Well I was born and raised in this city, I thought the accent gave it away?" He states cheekily, annoying you all the while.
'Oh yeah... Walked into that one. Won't do it again.'
"There's an alley on your right seven streets ahead." Pietro explains, "Cut through there and you'll see a construction site, cut through it and you'll be near a ruined car park, head left and you'll be there in not time."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Hey, how about a race to make things interesting? See who can get there first?"
"Considering you're way faster than me, that hardly seems like a challenge."
"I know-"
WHOOSH!
Pietro shoots off with a massive burst of speed, dust kicks upwards in a cloud, some of it in your face. All that remains of his presence is his blue trail. The sound of his laugh echoing from the street and alley ahead of you.
'Again. Smartass.'
After fending off the bulk of Ultron's forces at the church and Wanda bravely volunteering to stay and protect the key, you were tasked with aiding the evacuation onto SHIELD's lifeboats. Right now you're helping a limping old man onto a shuttle, his arm over your shoulders as you steadily aid him there.
"Easy now, easy, we're almost there. Just a little bit further." You reassure him as you gently help to seat him, "Medic! Over here, this man's leg is injured, possible shin fracture."
"Thanks, Operative. I'll take it from here." A SHIELD medic hears you and rushes over, tending to him as best she can.
"Thank you, young man." He says with a tired and pained smile.
You merely smile and nod at him before stepping off of the lifeboat to help the others with the evacuation effort, all the while keeping your eyes peeled for danger. Your eyes instead meet Clint as he approaches the lifeboat.
"Hey, Clint, you okay? You look tired."
"I've been worse." He waves you off nonchalantly, "How 'bout you? Holding up okay, Rookie?"
"Not too bad, I'll get my breath back soon enough-"
As you pass Clint you hear a young woman on the shuttle behind you call for a little boy, Costel, the sharp eyed Avenger easily spots him and heads over to help him. You yourself walk off of the lifeboat and look around for tasks to complete when your sharp eyes catch something...
From the corner of your eye you see something moving in the clouds above. You would recognize it's distinct shape anywhere. 'The Quinjet?' You wonder, 'What's it doing here? Wait... who's...' You feel your stomach drop, a sense of doom and foreboding builds within your mind, your instincts tell you something is very, very wrong.
"Guys? Who's in the Quinjet?"
Tony answers you over the comms.
"No one." A chill crawls up your spine... The Avengers' jet swoops down like an angry bird of prey and it's minigun unleashes a hail of bullets further into the city. You hear the Hulk's roar, almost in a tone of outrage and defiance, fill the air like a crash of thunder.
You spot the Quinjet move in for another strafing run near your location, your attention then comes to Clint who is in the process of bringing Costel to the lifeboat...
'Oh god... No...'
You don't think, you just act, no hesitation, no thought for yourself at all as you sprint straight in Clint's direction. Despite how tired you are, however much your muscles protest you put all of your remaining energy into a sprint as adrenaline kicks in.
The Quinjet's minigun spins and unleashes another stream of bullets, tearing the ground apart and kicking up dust with each impact, Steve and Thor barely dive out of the way in time. You keep your focus on Clint and Costel, desperately trying to reach them...
You're just over halfway there... Clint sees the barrage heading his way, he knows he can't avoid it in time and makes a decision to turn his back so he can shield the boy.
'Almost there! Come on!'
From the very corner of your eye you see a blur of blue energy bolt past you, the wind it generates nearly knocks you sideways but you maintain your balance. Instantly know it's Pietro, and you see him push both Clint and Costel out of harm's way... in doing so leaving him vulnerable.
'No...'
You launch forward and tackle Pietro out of the way just as you feel the minigun's fire tear through your body, so effortlessly that you may as well be made of paper. Red-hot, searing pain grips you hard and your breathe leaves your body from the shock. Pietro himself in a similar state on the ground next to you.
His eyes closed having braced himself for the death to come, Clint opens them again and realizes that he is still breathing; and more importantly so is Costel. The Amazing Archer looks around and sees he is behind cover, behind him he sees Pietro and The Shadow Operative on the ground, riddled with bullet holes, bleeding and barely drawing breath.
"My god... Steve! Thor! Get over here now!"
Steve and Thor having dove out of the gunfire hurriedly make their way over to Clint, immediately their attention falls upon the two brave young men laying side by side on the ground and bleeding. Pietro and their own Shadow Operative. Steve looks quickly looks between the two of them then to Clint, "Get the boy on one of the shuttles. We'll check on these two."
As Clint leaves the area the two senior Avengers check on the two wounded, and possibly dying young men. Thor sets his attention on the white haired speedster, checking for signs of life. Steve also kneels down next to The Shadow Operative, he sees the bloody holes in his form, he places his fingers on his carotid artery to check his pulse...
There is a pulse. A faint one, but it's there, Steve looks to his Asgardian friend, "Thor?"
Thor meets his gaze, "He lives. Barely. (Y/n)?"
"Same. We need to get them out of here. Now."
Having obeyed his leader Clint nods and heads for the waiting SHIELD shuttle and delivers him to his older sister, she holds him tightly and little Costel hugs her back. Looking back at where he came from he sees Thor carrying Pietro and Steve carrying (Y/n), both are hurrying as much as they can while keeping their eyes open for for the Quinjet – fearing it coming round for another strafe.
Arriving on the shuttle Steve and Thor place them down on the floor, calling for any available medics to help. Clint, sore, hurt and tired walks over, "I'll keep an eye on them. You two go finish up."
"Are you sure, Barton? You look to in need of aid yourself." Thor asks in a concerned voice.
"I'll be fine. Just go."
Steve gives him a stern nod and turns to Thor, "He's right. They're down for the count but we can still get back out there." The God of Thunder agrees, the two leave the shuttle and look for possible survivors, all the while a SHIELD medic passes them and checks on the wounded young men.
His attention is seized by a man in a SHIELD uniform as he states, "Okay people, we're full up, let's this boat to the carrier!" A sigh of relief leaves his lips.
Clint does as he said he would, he keeps an eye on Pietro and (Y/n) while the medic does his duty. Clint himself is exhausted and fighting back the urge to sleep and rest, he advises the medic as best he can. Both brave young men are hardly drawing breath... but are stable for now thankfully, as he looks to Pietro his mind wanders to the other Maximoff sibling. The one still in the city... guarding the mechanism that will plunge the city into the earth below.
As the shuttle readies itself to leave and head for docking at the Helicarrier, The Amazing Archer can't help but feel a sense of foreboding. That something is wrong, amiss even... His incredible eyes catch movement the colour of scarlet, he looks and sees Wanda moving away from her post... heading out of his sight and then it happens... the city plummets.
Somewhere else in the world a hidden base of operations formerly belonging to SHIELD no activity can be seen on the outside, but, deep below ground within the labyrinthine tunnels two individuals stir. One a woman with short auburn hair and brown eyes, the other a balding man with blue eyes both of them briskly walking down a well-lit but eerie hallway with the woman far ahead, the man trying his best to catch up to her.
"Are you insane?!"
The woman does not answer or even look behind her, she just continues her pace. Calm and certain of herself, with a machine-like focus.
"We have no idea what he'll do, he might kill us."
"Maybe not me, at least I've been useful to our cause." She answers with a cold voice and tone.
"And I haven't been? Do you know how hard it is to captain a ship while it's sinking? I've done the best I could given the circumstances. I'm just saying we shouldn't be so hasty and-"
"Hasty?" The woman halts and turns to look at the man, a stern icy glare in her eyes, "In case you haven't noticed things are desperate: we're low on resources, morale is abysmal and it's only a matter of time before the Avengers come knocking at our door. The only chance HYDRA has of surviving is at the end of this hall."
"Kelly, I get where you're going with this, I do. But I just don't think this is the right thing to do." The man states, now standing in front of her, blocking her path down the hall, "Asset X was always meant to be a last resort. The last resort."
"Now is the time for last resorts, Todd. We have no other choice."
Kelly continues shoves him aside and continues down the hall.
"Fine then, have it your way. We'll activate your little pet project and hope for the best, shall we?" Todd comments sarcastically.
Soon they come to the end of the hall, to a dead end with a flickering light above them. While Todd feels a sense of foreboding upon looking at the featureless wall before them, Kelly on the other hand is studying the wall, seemingly resistant to the same fear as her colleague.
Kelly steps forward, the sound of her heel making contact with the floor echoing through the still hallway, as her eyes fall upon the only cracked panel amidst many unblemished ones. She presses her finger to it... and it gives way, moving back into the wall like a button. A red light glows within the small exposed chamber, scanning her fingerprint.
"Identity confirmed. Welcome, Doctor Kelly Brown." An emotionless and artificial voice states.
The wall then parts and slowly slides apart in an intricate manner, exposing a large pitch black room. Only one single light can be seen, orange bright and rectangular in shape, it almost seems to hover in mid air. The rooms' lights flicker on and show the room in more detail, it appears to be a storage room full of crates and boxes.
"I hoped I'd never see this room again." Todd states as he and Kelly enter the room.
Their eyes fall upon a large and long metallic container shaped eerily like a coffin or sarcophagus, it stands in the centre of the room as if awaiting them. No light comes from within, no sliding mechanism or lid to see what lies within. The only thing connected to the object are a series of thick cables that trail along the floor.
Kelly walks up to the coffin-like structure, her hand runs along the top and over the object, feeling the cold steel while a small smile creeps up her lips. Todd stays within the doorway, apprehensive and almost stunned in fact, akin to stepping into a lion's den while it sleeps.
Resting her hand just below the orange light, Doctor Brown's hand rests upon a surface that lights up on contact with her palm, a scanner. The outlines of two palm prints appear next to her hand, she looks to Todd, "Make yourself useful."
Todd grimaces and walks over, he sees the outline of his hand. They both place their hands neatly within the outlines, a pulse of orange light seemingly reacts to their presence. Text appears on the screen above their hands: identities confirmed. Activating Asset X.
Pulling their hands back the object before them makes a faint but distinguishable humming sound, what sounds like clamps releasing within can be heard. The orange light fades as the bottom half parts in two, resting at the sides neatly, the upper half slides over the top and rests at the back just as neatly. Small flickering lights show a figure that rests on what looks like a slab, a figure of metal.
Kelly, undeterred, steps forwards her eyes on the figure that doesn't appear to be moving...
"Commander Zero? Can you hear me?"
No response comes.
"Commander?"
Todd smirks out of a mixture of relief and smugness, he steps around and faces her, his back to the figure. "Looks like your pet project is a dud after all, such a shame too. All that hard work, resources and preparation for nothing. Oh well, we can at least use him for scrap metal and we'll have to incinerate his organic parts-"
He feels a hot blast of air on his back and shoulders, the sound of deep breathing follows. An icy metallic hand slowly grasps his shoulder, as if pinning him in place. Terrified, a voice speaks behind him, one with that is deep and carries an artificial, robotic echo to it that sends shivers down his spine.
"I wouldn't be so quick to judge, Matthews. Tell me, does this feel like a dud to you?" The hand upon his shoulder slowly tightens it's grip, before long he is yelling in pain as he feels his shoulder blade about to crack. He looks back and up, expecting to see eyes but is met with a pair of artificial ones coloured orange and burning bright like fire. Their gaze pierces straight through his body and soul, he feels like prey in the grip of a predator.
Alexander then feels his body leave the ground as he is flung across the small room, crashing through several small boxes much to the surprise of Doctor Brown.
The figure steps out of the coffin-like structure, seven feet tall and broad with a body made of a dark grey metal with subtle black highlights, resembling form fitting armour that is sleek but imposing in it's design. His face is covered by a mask that is structured like a skull, with slots running alongside the jaw that act as exhausts, only leaves his artificial eyes exposed. They scan the room rapidly as he carefully steps onto the cold ground.
"I guess I don't know my own strength. At least not yet."
"Commander?" She asks slowly.
"It's good to see you again, Doctor Brown." Commander Zero states as his gaze softens ever so slightly, yet sternness is still present.
"And you." She replies with a small smile, "How are you finding your new body? Is it to your liking?"
The cyborg looks down to his arms, then to his hands, he lifts one to eye level and in turning his hand, is perplexed to see it rotate 360 degrees in it's ball-joint. A metallic whirring sound emanating from the joint itself, next he looks to his arm and sees the many interconnecting plates that form an extra layer of armour on his forearm. They move up and down slightly, revealing a dark space between with wires and pistons working beneath the plating.
"It is... interesting, to say the least. I will need some time to adjust. You and I have much to discuss, in good time, of course."
"Of course." She nods respectfully. Just then the sound of a pained groan draws their attentions, looking over to one corner of the room they see that Todd is slowly getting to his feet. The remnants of a few empty crates scattered about his person.
"Ah, Todd." Commander Zero states in a mocking, sarcastic tone as if speaking to a child, "Still with us?"
"Y-Yes, Commander." Todd stammers clutching his shoulder while he leans up against a wall for support, a stain of red there as he stands up from the remnants of a crate, "I apologize for my choice of words. They were poorly chosen and-"
"Will not be repeated. I assume."
"Of course, Commander."
Commander Zero slowly steps around Doctor Brown, his gaze fixed on the man. Todd's eyes widen in fear, fearing further retribution from the cyborg that now towers above him. Instead the fusion of man and machine gently brushes off tiny bits of wood from his shoulder, then the other and finally from his head.
"There. Now you look just a... modicum more presentable." Commander Zero states in a matter-of-fact tone, he then looks to Todd's bleeding shoulder. "I too, must apologize, for my... impulse." He extends a hand down to Todd, open, offering aid.
Todd, not expecting such words to come from this man, allows his surprise to show on his face. Nonetheless he accepts the helping hand, and is gently pulled to his feet albeit with an audible seethe of pain. "Thanks." He states, "So, I'm assuming you'll be taking command over HYDRA from me, then?"
"What's left of it, yes." The cyborg now in charge of HYDRA stands so that he is gaze is firmly upon both Doctor Brown and Todd, his posture conveys authority and commands both attention and respect.
"What do we do now?" Todd asks.
"Have humanity answer for it's wrongs; it's sins. We will make it right. All of it. We will drag this world kicking and screaming into the future it needs. In due time, of course." Commander Zero answers, conviction and certainty in his words, "What I have in mind will take time, subtlety and resources. We already have the the first two, but we're in desperate need of the latter."
"And what about the Avengers? Aren't you worried about them showing up?" Todd asks the obvious question.
Commander Zero's artificial eyes lock with Todd's, an expression of... calm and composure conveyed by them – confident even, "I won't lie, it is a concern. Pierce, Strucker and even The Red Skull mad the fatal and oh so classic mistake when in command. A lesson they did not learn from their predecessors and one I already know well, in fact: I learned it the hard way."
As he speaks the last sentence, the cyborg slowly lifts a finger to his mask, it's tip rests on where his cheek would be and strokes it downwards. As if tracing the outline of a mark underneath... His hand then rests at his side, clenching into a fist of pure metal.
"...And that lesson is?" Doctor Brown asks already guessing the answer.
"Underestimating their opponents."
"I assume you have a plan already, Commander?"
"Indeed I do. It begins now."
It's here! It's finally here!
First of all, this is going to be a LONG story, somewhere between twenty to thirty chapters; nearly three years of brainstorming and research went into this (A lot of which was reading comics, so expect a few surprises along the way).
Also I should point out that from this point onwards the story won't be following the events of Age of Ultron. From here on it'll be it's own story.
Let me know what your thoughts are so far, it's always appreciated.
