Natalia's POV
A group of people stood outside a cryogenic chamber. It consisted of scientists and doctors along with an agent or two. The Headmistress, also known as Madame B, was present too. They all were preparing to defrost their top agent, Natalia Romanova in preparation for a highly-confidential mission. She had been in cryo-freeze for two months, waiting for her next assignment while in a cold slumber. Now it was time.
"She's ready," one of the scientists shouted.
Agents lined up and drew their weapons towards the chamber as a precaution for the common outbursts that most of the assets had upon waking up. They were using stun guns that were set on a low setting eliminating the factor of immediate death if they had to use it on someone. A scientist pushed some of the control buttons on the panel to unlock the pod. The whirring of the machinery drew the attention of everyone as they watched to doors slide down to allow a full view of the assassin. Strands of her blonde hair fell over her face, hiding her peaceful expression. Her pale skin seemed to match the shade of her long locks.
Two agents lifted her out of the chamber and set her in a chair. They strapped her wrists and legs down to it to prevent her from moving. One reached to move her hair out of her face, but jumped back startled by Natalia's eyes suddenly popping open to reveal her empty green orbs. Headmistress gave the agent a disapproving look. She approached Natalia with caution, knowing that she was most likely unaware of the situation and could attempt to lash out.
"What is your name?" Headmistress asked sternly.
Natalia avoided her gaze and didn't say anything.
"Must I ask you again, what is your name?"
She looked Headmistress dead in the eye, yet she still didn't say a word.
"I know you can hear me. Don't play dumb."
Natalia just blinked. Headmistress had enough of her games and struck her across the face with her hand. A red handprint appeared on Natalia's face.
Headmistress sighed. "Since you don't seem to be able to answer on your own, maybe you'll cooperate after a small wipe."
She gestured for the scientists to hook her up to the machine around her. The scientists gave Natalia the mouthpiece for her to bite down on, so she didn't grind her teeth or scream as loud. She accepted it without much of a fight, knowing the routine she used to have to go through. She leaned back in the chair as the electrical prods lowered around her head. The machine was turned on and Natalia felt the electrical currents pulse through her body. She screamed and writhed in pain at every jolt. Every so often, Headmistress would ask for name. Her questions were responded with silence. Then the shocks would begin again. This went for about an hour before Headmistress called for a stop. Once again, she asked Natalia a single question.
"What is your name?"
She hesitated. Paused to think for a moment. It was like as if the thought had been pushed to the back of her mind. "Natalia Romanova," she said slowly. "The Black Widow."
"Who do you work for?"
"The Red Room."
"Who am I?"
"Headmistress."
"Do you remember anything else?"
"Only my training."
Her mind was too much of a swampy mess for her to remember anything else. Trigger words, cryofreeze, and brainwashing does that to a person. It leaves the brain to numb for individuality to hold on to. It craves for someone to lead it other than its host.
"What is my mission?" she asked icily.
Headmistress gave the group a look to let them know that it was time for them to leave the room as she debriefed the agent. Everyone scattered, leaving the two alone in the room.
"We have a hostage here named Tony Stark. He's a famous billionaire and genius from America. He's part of the so-called superhero team, the Avengers. I need you to impersonate his teammate, Natasha Romanoff to get information from him about his work. While under this cover, you are subject to pain from your fellow agents as a way to break him."
"Who is Natasha Romanoff?"
"She's almost like you, except weaker. She has attachments and loves which holds back her potential. She hesitates before she kills certain targets. Natasha Romanoff is soft."
"What do I need to do?"
"I need you to act as if you've been held hostage here for months. While you've been here, you have for gone countless torture sessions and experiments, leaving you in a catatonic state," Headmistress informed her. "Stark will most likely fall for the ploy and tell you information he has on particular subjects. We'll come retrieve you twice a week for data debriefings. Any questions?"
"What happens when he is no longer of use?"
Headmistress scoffed. "Like any other prisoner. He dies."
Natalia smiled deviously. "When do I start?"
"Now."
She walked over to a wall panel and pressed the call button to alert the agents and scientists outside. The doors to the room opened for them to enter. They stood behind Headmistress, waiting for her to step aside before they could prepare Natalia for her mission. Headmistress moved out their way and observed them from afar. One of them began to unfasten the restraints on Natalia's arms and legs while others prepped drugs to help make the catatonia more believable and easier to pull off. Needle pricks and IV lines were barely felt by her numb body. The hustle and bustle began to fade away as she slipped far into her mind, patiently waiting for the time to slip into Natasha. Contrary to Headmistress' belief, she had a small inkling about who Natasha Romanoff was.
Russian. Assassin. Spy. Avenger. She used to be me once upon a time. She was too weak to live. She cared too much. Relied on others. I don't know how she came to be. All I know is that she's gone. The Red Room made sure of it. There was no use of her. Her loyalties were constantly switching, making it impossible for her to have stable relationships. But none of that matters now. All that matters is that Natasha Romanoff is dead. There is only Natalia now. And she's not going anywhere.
"It's time to go Natalia," Headmistress said.
She attempted to answer her but found that not a sound could be uttered out of her mouth. Nor could she move any of her limbs besides a few twitches and nods here and there. Headmistress noticed her dilemma and answered the question that Natalia was asking her inside her head.
"The drug we gave you limits your muscle movement, making it so that you can't talk or move much. It wears off every three to four days, which coordinates with the debriefings. Makes you almost truly catatonic. I'll see you in a few days… Natasha."
Natalia felt herself be hoisted up by two of the agents. Her arms rested on each of their shoulders as they led her out of the room. She was carried down the hallway to a set of doors leading to a stairway. The two agents became one as the one passed her on to the other. She was draped over his shoulder as he walked down the stairs to another hallway. This hall unlike the one she was on before, had cells. It was more populated than normal since it was the current residence to many prisoners.
At the end of the hall, there was a cell with more guards posted at it than the others. Natalia presumed it contained Tony Stark. It was a precaution in case he used his intellect to formulate a plan to escape and her presence in the room needed to be monitored. Her suspicions were proven correct as the agent carrying her walked down to the end of the hall. The guards posted there nodded at the agent and opened the cell door. A switch happened in Natalia's brain as soon as the door unlocked. You are no longer Natalia. You are Natasha Romanoff. Catatonic Natasha Romanoff. The room inside was small and grey and brightly lit. In the corner, there was a man with curious brown, doe-like eyes. He gazed earnestly at the guard and the blonde woman over his shoulder. The guard gave him a menacing look before dropping Natalia on the ground in front of him. Her body took full force of the drop since she was unable to brace herself for the landing. She heard the door close behind him.
A shuffling of feet approached her. Even with her back facing towards him, she knew who it was. Before she knew it, Tony Stark had turned her body to face him. Worried brown eyes met her empty green ones. His face was full of pity and concern.
"Natasha what's going on?"
He was met with silence.
Author's Note: SURPRISE MOFO's! Surprise update! Three chapters in one day! And now I'm done. Duces.