A/N: It's been a long time...miss me?
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Chapter 9
Revelations
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YEARS AGO…
Qwarrel sighed as he alighted from his cruiser, taking a moment to survey the scene that met his rather covert arrival. Despite the numerous visits he'd made to this blasted mud ball of a planet, the atmosphere never seemed to agree with him as the cold evening air whipped across his battle-scarred face.
"Yup, this is one helluva mess…", sighed the Bounty Hunter.
The base he was sent to investigate had been reduced to a battered aftershock of a warzone, with debris strewn across the wreckage of what was previously an alien hideout for smugglers. Qwarrel could see signs of a fight as well, different trace marks of burns and laser fire strewn across the place and even puddles of…Leptidorran slime?
His gaze drifted over to the litter of scrap and debris that trailed towards a massive hole in the bunker, the gaping wound in the metal walls now fizzing with sparks from damaged electronics, which had presumably once powered the base. Qwarrel's eyes narrowed, something had torn through layers of metal with reckless abandon, judging from the jagged edges it wasn't a clean cut. Whatever it was clearly must have been desperate, or insane.
Or both. Either way, Qwarrel could rule out foul play for now
"Yondu? It's me", the bounty hunter grunted into his communicator, the holographic image of his boss popping up live, "looks like I found your missing contacts…or what's left of em"
"Seriously?", Yondu groaned, the space pirate none too pleased that yet another deal had fallen through. His contacts were supposed to close a secret smuggling deal on earth, but it seemed this planet always had other plans for him.
"Dammit, that's the last time I'm gonna outsource jobs to some Terran grockmunchers"
"Well, I don't wanna say I told you so…", Qwarrel piped in, much to Yondu's displeasure
"I think your wise-ass remarks are the last thing I wanna hear, Qwarrel", The Centaurian grumbled, his low tone indicative of his soured mood, "mind doing us both a favor and clearing up this mess? Wanna see if I can get my money's worth at least…"
"Y'know, maybe I should charge you for my wise-ass remarks", the veteran replied, "that way you can actually get your money's worth when you don't make hasty back-end deals like these"
"I get my money's worth when you do your damn job, Qwarrel"
A guttural growl cut through their conversation, putting Qwarrel on alert. The aged veteran's eyes snapped back to the ominous hole in the wall, periodic sparks illuminating the darkness within.
"Looks like something's still here…", the veteran bounty hunter muttered, drawing his sidearm as he quickly cut the connection. Whatever monster that caused this level of mayhem wouldn't take so kindly to being disturbed
The signs that trailed into the bunker were more unsettling as the bounty hunter passed on. Ghastly scratches across the walls, scorch marks leaving charred remains and massive dents were all that Qwarrel needed to go on that the bunker was on the receiving end of something nasty.
"Leeeavvveeeee…", a strangled voice echoed through the bunker.
"Hello?", Qwarrel asked into the empty room before turning on his flashlight. The beam split through the darkness before resting on the veteran's quarry.
Qwarrel had seen many things throughout his years as a bounty hunter, but the sight that stood hunched over before him left the veteran almost stunned. The creature was covered in rags that barely clung to his bulky, misshapen form. He seemed to be an almagam of sorts, a frankenstein's monster of limbs and organs from various recognizable species
"Leeeavvvveeee meee allooooneee!!!", the creature yelled, upon being discovered. His pyronite arm glowed before erupting in a conflagration, sending a wave of fire that nearly singed Qwarrel's thick mustache. The bounty hunter took cover in time, readying himself for a fight
"Pleeeaaassseeeee….", the voice whimpered
Qwarrel halted, somewhat puzzled. Was it…pleading? He risked a peek from his vantage point and saw the creature grip his head with his other hand, his body wracked in fits of agony as he staggered backwards.
Against his better judgement, the bounty hunter ventured closer as he watched the bizarre creature slumped to his knees, clawing and grunting until eventually he stopped—and glanced directly at Qwarrel's hiding spot.
"Leeeaaa…", he slurred, the Osmosian's words dissolving into a raspy whisper.
"Can't do that pal-", replied the bounty hunter, stepping out of the shadows, "I've got a job to do…and it looks like you're part of it"
So much for subtelty, the veteran thought as kept his firearm trained on the Osmosian. The creature shrunk back, the demeanour of Qwarrel's supposed monster that tore through the base replaced by a timid puppy raising it's head up to look at his pursuer.
Two sets of eyes stared back at the bounty hunter, on one side were two Tetramand eyes glowing amber with barely suppressed rage. The other side was a singular, massive eye—presumably Galvan in nature. It stared back with an almost childlike innocence, confusion and fear mixed together within the lone orb. The exchange of looks between the two was brief, but Qwarrel sensed…something from the creature. Something primal, yet genuine.
A cry for help
"Huh…you're just a kid", Qwarrel felt the gun grow heavier in his hands. He sighed, letting both arms slowly droop to his sides, shaking his head at the unprecedented complications
"C-c-can't…hoooolllllldddd…", the young Kevin rasped, shuddering as he slunk back in fear. Qwarrel wasn't sure of what. The tense exchange was broken as Qwarrel's communicator buzzed back to life, boy's multiple eyes widened before he turned heel, further retreating into the shadows
"Qwarrel!! What the hell's going on down there?!"
The bounty hunter in question sighed, taking out the offending device, "There's been a…complication of sorts. Our perp's a kid"
"Oh, you gotta be shitting me! The Ravagers ain't no damn daycare, Qwarrel!!!"
The veteran grunted, "Didn't stop you the last time"
"Don't you bring that up now, dammit!!!"
Qwarrel scoffed as he turned his attention back to the fleeing Kevin, however his gaze shifted as something else caught his eye. Reaching down to scoop what seemed to be a piece of Kevin's discarded garment, the bounty hunter held up the curious item to eye level.
"Huh…looks like there's something else", Qwarrel squinted as he made out the letters emblazoned beneath the unfamiliar logo.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
...
Water splashed onto Ben's face, cool droplets cascading down his skin. The sound of the running water echoed in the small bathroom, creating a soothing background noise that helped to momentarily drown out the chaos surrounding him. Ben let the water run down his face in rivulets, staring blankly at the sink as the water swirled into the drain. His mind swirling with unsettled thoughts, the shapeshifter looked up at the mirror with sunken eyes and blew an exhausted breath.
The shapeshifter's gaze drifted to the familiar yet alien device anchored to his left wrist, his eyes reflecting the dull glow of its dial. Despite wielding the most powerful device in the known galaxy, Ben had never felt so powerless harsh irony burned at the back of his mind. The shapeshifter blinked away the exhaustion that clung to his eyes, his mind replaying the recent events with an unsettling clarity.
The past few hours came and went in a blur, with the aftermath of the Rooters fight leaving Ben and Nat alone with only the keys to Kevin's car left behind. It took only a few minutes of reconfiguring the tracking device on the console before they had managed to track down Cap and Sharon, the other duo still on the run from SHIELD.
Needless to say, Sam Wilson was quite surprised to see an unusual car parked in front of his apartment, along with three strangers and Captain America in tow. The atmosphere was considerably permeated with a subtle heaviness, as though the room itself held its breath--acutely aware of the gravity of the situation unfolding before them.
"It was a trap"
Sharon had recapped their encounter at the SHIELD Bunker, along with the details of the Pandora's Box that was Fury's thumb drive. While Ben had suspected foul play after seeing Fury's digital construct warn him against opening the files, the true extent of what they had uncovered threw him for a loop.
What exactly is it that SHIELD is trying to hide from you?
As it turned out, the Former SHIELD Director had seen the writing of the wall too. Perhaps a little too late. Maybe he was trying to warn Ben too. He would never know, not anymore at least.
"SHIELD has been infiltrated by Hydra"
The subsequent revelation hit like a punch to the gut. He had known that S.H.I.E.L.D. had its secrets, but the extent of their infiltration by the malevolent organization known as HYDRA was beyond his wildest expectations. The world of espionage and superheroes had become a treacherous maze, with danger lurking in the shadows of supposed protectors.
Not only had Hydra gotten their tentacles into the very infrastructure of the clandestine organization, they managed to get their hands on Bucky Barnes. The former ally of Captain Rogers had been turned into the enemy's enforcer, ready to carry out their goals on a whim. Even going as far as attacking his old ally.
Steve had let out a slow sigh, "It was him. He looked right at me like he didn't even know me"
"How's that even possible? It was like seventy years ago", Sam had wondered out loud, arms folded as he turned to the team. Nat was silently lost in her thoughts, eyes unfocused and glazed over, an expression even Ben couldn't read. The room felt like it had shrunk within moments.
"Zola. Bucky's whole unit was captured in '43, Zola experimented on him. Whatever he did helped Bucky survive the fall. They must have found him"
Ben's grip on the sink tightened as he snapped back to the present. Back to the unsettled reflection that stared back at him. It sounded all too familiar; an old friend now in the clutches of the enemy. His thoughts drifted back to the Proctor, back to the night they'd first met. The sickening grin that Servantis wore as the words he spoke flashed in the shapeshifter's mind again
Tell me, Ben Tennyson…how well do you know your allies?
He gritted his teeth, taking a shaky breath as the realization dawned on him. Ben's eyes widened slowly, taking a step back as his mind reeled.
Servantis knew. Servantis had always known
SMASH!!!!
Before he knew it, Ben's fist had slammed into the mirror, cracks spiraling from where his knuckles had met glass. Pain surged through his hand, but the physical sensation barely registered in the storm of emotions swirling within him.
"Ben?", Nat's voice called from behind the bathroom door. The shapeshifter remained silent, wordlessly cradling the hand that struck the mirror. Ben's breathing was heavy and ragged, staring back into the now shattered reflection. He felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness, as if he were trapped in a never-ending cycle of fighting against insurmountable odds.
The door opened with a click, announcing her arrival. He turned sharply, his gaze meeting with hers as she stepped into the bathroom. Nat surveyed the scene before turning back to him, shooting him an inquisitive look.
Ben glanced sheepishly at his hand, before glancing back at the redhead, his eyes flickering with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. She simply nodded in response, her gaze softening as she approached Ben slowly, her steps measured and careful to avoid the broken shards.
They stood facing each other for what must've been a moment stretched across eternity. Her piercing blue eyes hovered over him like a magnifying glass, taking in every detail from his damp curls to his reddened knuckles. The same hand that wore the trademark Omnitrix.
Eventually her gaze dropped as she shook her head with a slight scoff, as if asking herself what to do with him. He shrugged nonchalantly; the shapeshifter's laid-back demeanor even more emphasized as if to cut off any specific questions about what just happened.
"C'mon Ben…", Her hand glided across his face while the other glided across his arm, tugging gently.
Softly, the redhead guided him out of the bathroom, leading him towards the bed in the nearby room. Ben followed suit; his injured hand cradled against his chest. Nat sat him down on the edge of the bed, her movements gentle and reassuring.
As Ben sat there, his frustration slowly giving way to a vulnerable exhaustion, Nat reached for a first aid kit nearby. The sting of the antiseptic made him flinch, but the redhead pressed on firmly, her feather light touch keeping him steady as she steadily patched him up.
"Rough day, huh?", She offered, seeing his face fall as she applied an ice pack to his bruised knuckles, wrapped in a towel. The duo sat on the bed across each other in silence, only the shuffling of the Black Widow as she tended her unofficial patient.
"Yeah, I guess it's not everyday you find out that you've been working for literal Nazis, when all this time you thought you've been doing the right thing"
Natasha dragged the towel softly across his reddened digits, a soft sigh on her lips. "I guess some things never change..."
He felt her tense up, "…Nat?"
She pursed her lips before continuing, her voice trembling with raw emotion "When I first joined SHIELD, I thought I was going straight. But I guess I just traded in the KGB for HYDRA"
The shapeshifter remained silent, however the intensity of his gaze kept her going.
"It's all blurring together...", she whispered, "all the lies, the secrets– I can't tell them apart anymore, Ben"
Ben's expression softened, seeing the emotional turmoil Nat was experiencing. He understood the weight of the regret, the toll it took on one's spirit. He mentally smacked himself for not paying attention, acknowledging the fact that he wasn't the only one dealing with the fallout.
"Hey…", he softly reached out with the other arm to tilt her chin upwards, gently nudging the redhead to look at him again, "…you're not Hydra, Nat"
She raised her hand to cup his own before nibbling on her bottom lip, a subtle sign of her nervousness. Natasha's spy instincts, honed by years of training and experience, stirred within her as she sat there contemplating whether she should tell him more.
Cap's words echoed at the back of her mind like a haze of static noise.
Maybe you should try being honest with him sometimes...cuz I have a feeling that this would change him--and you won't have the chance anymore
"And worse; I've been keeping secrets from you..."
He tilted his head inquisitively, his hand slipping back down, "Oh really? Which ones?"
The redhead felt her chest tighten as she paused to acknowledge the rather pointed jab guised under the lame joke. She acknowledged it wasn't completely inaccurate, and it tore at her wildly, incessantly.
Nat exhaled slowly, letting the tension out as she refocused on Ben, gripping his hand a little tighter like it was her lifeline. In a way it was, it kept him anchored to her words. Words more earnest than ever.
"When we were fighting the Rooters, I said I had...unlocked some memories"
"...just like Kevin"
She nodded in response, steeling herself as she continued. "Before I joined SHIELD I... I was on the run a lot. From some horrible people, who did horrible things...", she looked down to their interlocked hands before looking up again.
"They're the ones who made me...what I am. I was their asset, and I had a handler"
The similarities between their situation and hers didn't escape the shapeshifter.
"When I woke up at the Hospital, I could hear my handler again...telling me what to do, how to feel", Nat shuddered as if electrocuted, struggling to keep the tremble away from her voice, "and I see myself doing it. Without hesitation. Like it's a part of me. The part I tried so hard to keep away from everyone, even you"
Ben shifted, left without words. She had never opened up to him like this before, and as serious as this conversation was, it helped him feel so much closer to her – and, he hoped, the feeling was reciprocated. So, instead, he just waited for her to continue.
"I thought I could just compartmentalize, bury it and let it fade away..."
Her eyes shone in the pale morning light, her visage brimming with longing and buried emotions brimming just at the surface. "But I can't. I can't escape who I was…who I am"
The SHIELD agent's countenance fell, along with her expression. Gently, the shapeshifter raised his other hand to brush a strand of hair from her face, gazing into her deep, watery blues. His expression softened as he tilted his head slowly, holding her gaze.
In that fleeting moment, Ben glimpsed a vulnerability in Nat's gaze, a vulnerability only visible to those who truly knew her. It spoke volumes about the weight she carried, the invisible scars etched upon her soul, and the toll their unrelenting fight had exacted.
Yet, he couldn't help but acknowledge how far she had come. Deep down, Natasha Romanoff was no longer the cold-blooded assassin of the past. They had both evolved and grown, side by side, forging a shared path through trials and tribulations. Ben reached up, tenderly cupping the side of her face. She nestled closer in response, seeking solace in the warmth of his palm, exhaling a soft sigh of relief.
"I think you're being too hard on yourself, Nat", Ben seemed to bite the inside of his cheek as he studied her, his eyes dull and tired.
The redhead let out a dry chuckle, meeting his gaze with her own. "And here I thought that was your job"
Ben felt the faint trace of a genuine smile tugging at his lips, despite the dire nature of their situation dangling over them ominously, like the fabled sword of Damocles. They were at a crossroads, but the heaviness that had settled upon them seemed to lighten just a fraction, giving the duo a moment of reprieve.
"Heh, I guess we both deserve a break", the shapeshifter joked dryly
The moment passed away as Nat's expression seemed to refocus, taking a deep breath before she spoke again.
"Ben, if—when this is all over, what if we just disappear? We go off the grid for real, go on the run. Start fresh", Nat continued, a new intensity in her tone, "SHIELD, The Plumbers… just leave it all behind"
"Nat?"
The redhead's gaze bore into his, her unwavering determination shining through. "We could just walk away…from all of this"
Ben felt a twinge of desire, an echo of the desire for normalcy that he had often suppressed. The thought of escaping the never-ending cycle of conflict and embracing a life of freedom held an undeniable appeal.
A conflicted part within him resisted the notion; The young man his Grandpa had raised wouldn't take the easy way out.
Would he truly be free, either way?
As if sensing his disconcertment, Nat inched closer, her breath hot on his face as their foreheads touched. She looked at him through half lidded eyes, as if in a dream. His eyes traced a path across her gorgeous features, capturing every subtle change in expression. For a moment, it felt like the world around them stopped breathing, stopped moving.
"We just run. Never having to look over our backs. No more secrets, no more lies", her voice softened into a whisper, their faces barely an inch apart, "we don't stop…wherever we want"
Ben shut his eyes briefly, heaving a deep sigh of contemplation. Was he actually capable of leaving everything behind? He was tired, so tired of running…but the hero's burden extracted a heavy toll. The more he fought, the more it took from him, the more disaster piled up behind him.
Calamity would always follow in your wake.
Could he even run with her? Or even have the normal life he'd always wanted?
Before he could answer, the door to the room swung open, announcing Sam's arrival as he unintentionally interrupted their moment. The ex-marine shrunk back a little as he noticed their somewhat…compromised position.
"I uh…I made breakfast", Sam awkwardly pointed in the vague direction of the kitchen, "if that's something you guys do—sorry am I interrupting?"
Time seemed to lurch back into motion, and Ben inwardly groaned, feeling the weight of the interruption. He dropped his head, momentarily deflated.
"Duty calls," Nat murmured under her breath, her tone tinged with a touch of resignation. Ben released a resigned sigh, observing as the redhead, once again transforming into the composed Spy Nat, moved away from his side after stowing the first aid kit. The familiar guise of the unyielding operative settled upon her once more.
Time to get to work
…...
..
Alexander Pierce briskly made his way through the metallic hallways into the labs, accompanied by several guards including Rumlow and Ward. There was a general sense of urgency in the facility, from the security to the medical
Promptly they reached the heart of the facility. The vault was built into the heart of the lab, housing their most valuable asset. Currently said asset was seated in the midst of several medical officials, all poking and probing the subject. The few guards on duty gave way as soon as Pierce approached the platform.
"Sir, he's...he's unresponsive. Like he's shutting us out!", one of the scientists reported, much to the chagrin of the Councilman.
"Mission report", Pierce asked the Winter Soldier ,getting no response, "Mission report, now!"
Pierce struck hard, trying to get a reaction from the Soldier. Bucky grunted, barely registering the command.
"The man at the bunker...", Bucky's words slurred, as if half awake. His eyes fluttered rapidly, his mind lost in reverie.
Bucky! Steve had called out
"You met him earlier this week on another assignment"
"I...I knew him?", Bucky grunted, his eyes glazed over
Pierce sighed as he sat in front of the Winter Soldier. The only thing he hated more than expensing assets, was failure. Failure was unaffordable, especially in crucial times such as these, where everything they'd built up hung in the balance.
"You had a mission–Two targets", He continued, raising two fingers as he interrogated the subject , "I asked for confirmation of termination within 48 hours…and you failed. Our already limited window is rapidly closing"
The Winter Soldier remained statuesque, save for a flicker in his darkened eyes. Beneath the visage of Hydra's deadliest weapon was a storm of emotion bubbling to the surface. A flash of memories that he couldn't suppress, try as he might.
James Barnes. The Winter Soldier. Both sides of a coin flipped perfectly on its side, threatening to tilt on either side
Pierce continued, "You had Rogers dead to rights. What changed?"
No response. Bucky barely twitched a muscle, remaining deathly still.
"You have a job to fulfill, Soldier. The war is not yet over", Pierce was slowly losing his patience as he stared down the much bigger man. The positions of power however, were completely reversed. Barnes served a bigger purpose now, one defined by him and his vision.
"Your work has been a gift to mankind. Hydra needed you to shape the past, and now I need you to shape the future. But, if you don't do your part, I can't do mine, and HYDRA can't give the world the freedom it deserves"
The one-sided conversation was interrupted by a sharp ring from Pierce's phone. The Councilman glanced at the unknown caller identification suspiciously before slowly bringing the device to his ear
"Councilman", rasped an unknown voice on the other end, somehow sending a shiver down the older man's spine.
"What–who is this?"
A chuckle followed his question, seemingly mocking the Councilman. Pierce felt his hairs stand on end, seemingly getting more agitated by the minute. Whether this was some kind of trick
"Listen", Pierce took a moment to regain composure, attempting to regain some measure of control over the situation, "I don't know how you got this number–"
"I think you and yours have bigger problems to worry about than that, don't you agree Councilman?"
That shut up the SHIELD official for a good minute.
His silence was a good enough cue for the caller to continue, "I must admit, your little bait-and-switch on the Lemurian star was fun to see–enough to throw me off your trail for a while. Quite impressive, I must add"
"That's classified information"
"Not when the Rooters are concerned", came the accusatory retort. The Councilman's eyes widened in recognition
Pierce sighed as his shoulders sank; his agitation replaced by a familiar sense of dread. A sensation familiar to those well versed in the trade of parlaying with the devil himself. The Councilman steeled himself,
"We had a deal"
"And you failed to keep your end of it", Servantis replied simply, the crackle of the comms emphasizing his sneering tone.
"There were some…complications", Pierce glanced at the Winter Soldier like a disappointed parent.
There was a cold, calculated chuckle on the other end of the line, sending a shiver down Pierce's spine, "Complications are the least of your problems"
"How about we stop with the games and tell me what you want, Proctor?", Pierce's jaw clenched, his knuckles turning white as he tightened his grip on the communication device. Servantis always had a way of getting under his skin, his calm demeanor and cutting remarks leaving a lasting impact on the Councilman. Yet, despite the simmering tension, Pierce knew he had to keep his composure.
"I want you to call off your lapdog", Servantis stated simply, "Steve Rogers has dangerous allies, specifically the level 10 priority, Ben Tennyson. You're not getting to him either way, now that they're reunited"
Bucky watched the older man slink back further on his seat, apprehension dotting his countenance. Rogers was the final loose end to the puzzle, the one stumbling block that needed to be out of the question. The soldier was among the few who had some knowledge on their operations, however minute it was. The rest of Fury's pet project were just as clueless as the dead man himself.
While Hydra had its shortage of allies, the Rooters were a wildcard amidst the bunch. Long before their paths had diverged, the clandestine organizations had forged an uneasy alliance built on mutual gain; The Black Ops Plumber Unit had sold alien tech to Hydra in the latter's arms race against the Forever Knights. Hydra, in turn, utilized their vast network and insidious machinations to secure the necessary funding and political influence to bolster the Rooters' ambitions. All off the record, of course.
Hydra's plans hung within a delicate balance, and introducing a wild card like the Rooters could spell their undoing. After all, Pierce had climbed the ranks of SHIELD with ambition and determination, by being ten steps ahead of everyone.
"We already have contingencies in place for the level 10 target", the Councilman continued, undeterred.
"Ah yes…the Spy in their midst", the Proctor's voice remained cool and calculating, betraying no hint of empathy or understanding, "your asset is only as helpful as her programming allows it. And of course, there's that all-important part of her having the right moment to strike"
Pierce gulped audibly,
"Here's what will happen", Servantis continued in the absence of any verbal resistance, "you'll call off your goons, any task force you have currently on Rogers. They wouldn't last 10 seconds with Tennyson anyways. Especially not that Tin Soldier you're stringing along like a puppet"
"This operation is too delicate to allow your interference, Servantis", Pierce stated dismissively, "and I…Hydra has bigger plans beyond your little snipe-hunt"
"You seem to think you have a choice in this, Councilman…"
"Is that a threat?"
"I don't make threats, Councilman", the Proctor replied, "I make guarantees. And I can guarantee you that this isn't up for negotiation; My team and I are taking over this operation. So stay out of our way"
Pierce drummed his fingers across the nearby examination table. Loathe as he was to admit, his hands were tied, but Hydra couldn't afford to waste resources on a skirmish with the Rooters. The situation was unpleasant to say the least, but the very least he could salvage it, while maintaining some form of control.
"Project Insight launches in less than 24 hours, Proctor–you have your work cut out for you"
With any luck, the two opposing forces would collide and cancel each other out. Maybe, just maybe, Pierce could kill two birds with one stone.
And of course, there was always the backup.
"I'll be in touch, Councilman"
Pierce cut the line with a sharp click, before turning to only other person that could afford to be in the room with him at the moment. The Winter Soldier remained still, his face a mask that kept any and all emotion from bleeding through.
"Sir?", Rumlow queried.
Pierce felt the little bit of control he had over the situation slip from his fingers. Too many factors, from Rogers to Servantis. He needed that bit of control back. Hydra after all prided itself on enforcing security, at any cost.
"Prep him", the Councilman growled as turned to the nearby lab coat, "there's more work to be done"
The screams began anew, despite the Winter Soldier's resilience, echoing across the halls
…...
..
She was too late.
Gwendolyn paced around, trying to steady her nerves as she surveyed the location once again. Alan's farm was abandoned, farm tools strewn about in the aftermath of what clearly amounted to a rather short albeit frantic battle.
Her aura scans confirmed her suspicions—Grandpa Max had definitely been here. And so was Alan, meaning the Rooters were more than likely involved and not too far behind. A third energy signature left behind was too vague to give a definite conclusion.
Still no trace of Kevin
The Ginger mage felt a knot tighten in her stomach, a gnawing sense of worry tugging at her every thought. Questions flooded her mind, relentless and unyielding. What if something had happened? What if they were in danger? She blew out a wispy breath, to quiet the storm of worry raging within her. But the silence was deafening, and the weight of Gwendolyn's anxiety pressed upon her like an unbearable burden.
Frustration welled up within Gwen as she dialed Ben's number, the weight of the situation bearing down on her heavily. The Ginger paced around for a bit as the call went through
"Gwen?", Ben's voice crackled through her device
"Ben, I'm at the place. Looks like Alan and Grandpa Max were here…but they're long gone", Gwen relayed, the disappointment in her tone evident.
"Dammit," Ben muttered on the other end, his frustration palpable. "Anything else?"
Gwendolyn sighed, her tone conveying a mix of exhaustion and determination. "There are signs of a fight, and I detected a third energy signature. No casualties, but the area is littered with debris and scorch marks. It appears they managed to escape."
"But why would they need the Plumber's Kids? Why Kevin?", Gwen asked out loud, the concern in her voice rising. Ben knew all the signs; the slight shakiness of her tone, her normally calm and collected mind that overanalyzed everything spiraling into a mess of racing questions. The shapeshifter sighed in defeat, knowing he'd have to answer one of those questions, contributing to her state of distress
"Gwen…Kevin's gone"
"What? What the hell happened?"
"There's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to lay it out. We found him at this place with Argit, but the Rooters were able to track us down. We to fight back but...I'm sorry"
A pregnant pause filled the void between them before Gwen spoke again, the shakiness in her voice replaced with an eerie chill. The foreboding calm before the storm.
"...I'm going after them", Gwen said, her words carrying an air of finality.
"Gwen, liste—"
"Don't even start with me, Ben!,"Her outburst caught him off-guard, taking the shapeshifter aback. Gwendolyn's voice seethed with barely restrained exasperation, "Kevin's in danger and we're getting nowhere! All of this could've been avoided if you didn't feel like you needed to do everything your damn self!"
"Gwen, it's too dangerous!"
"It already became dangerous when my boyfriend goes missing for days, and I find out he's on the run from psychopaths", she fumed, her barely contained rage now on full display in her trembling voice, "And I can take care of myself. If I have to scry the entire damn planet—I will'
"Kevin's my friend, Gwen—I care about him too", Ben attempted to placate the Ginger Mage, "But we need a plan! We can't just—"
"I'm sorry Ben, I can't just stand by and do nothing", Gwendolyn shook her head adamantly, unwilling to heed her shapeshifting cousin as she continued to forge ahead with her decision. "I already let you do things your way once and nothing's changed. I nearly lost Kevin once because I listened to you. Not again"
The last time the issue of Kevin had come between the cousins, it sparked a conflict that drove a wedge between them. It blazed out of control to the point where Gwen and Ben came to physical blows, with a victorious Ben glaring over his defeated cousin. The look of disappointment and fatigue etched on hers as she couldn't muster up any energy or courage to stop him.
"So much for retirement", Ben muttered indignantly, shoving the unpleasant memory back into his subconscious
"We left the hero life for a reason, Ben", Gwendolyn retorted hotly, her voice tightened with emotion as she continued, "Kevin and I, we wanted something...different. More importantly, we made that choice together"
"You sure about that?"
She gave a pause, "What are you talking about?"
"Gwen—we know Kevin would follow you anywhere. He left because you wanted to. All he's ever wanted since was keeping you safe, even when he was trying to get back in the field"
"I know about the Bellwood job, Ben", snapped the Ginger, "Kevin hasn't been the same since then. And I'm starting to think it was all because of you"
"I don't make his decisions for him, Gwen!!"
"No, you just lead him along–and then make things worse", The Ginger spat, her words tinged with venom.
The argument hung in the air, the tension thick and palpable between them. Gwen took a long sigh, feeling the drain on her emotional and mental reserves even more than usual. She held her temple wearily, the wind softly whipping her hair into her face as she spun in place, her steps receding from the remnants of Alan's Family Barn.
Deep down, she felt just as much of a wreck. Even more, now that she already regretted the words that spilled from her mouth.
Ben took a measured breath, "Gwen, I'm just trying to help—"
"I'm sorry, Ben", The Ginger shook her head as she cut him off sharply,"…it's just—I can't deal with this right now".
There was a heavy silence that hung between them, pregnant with unspoken words. Both of them were at their breaking points, their emotions running high. They understood that pushing further could irreparably damage their bond, so they let the silence speak for itself.
"Fine"
Ben fell silent as the line was cut, replaced with an inaudible static buzz. He blew an exasperated breath, shutting his eyes for a moment before snapping them open again.
He could hear Sharon and Cap from the living room, discussing their plans and strategizing further with Sam Wilson. The only other veteran aside from Steve, Sam struck Ben as someone who could've easily qualified as a Plumber. The same cool demeanor and disarming wit that his Grandpa possessed, not to mention Sam could catch on quick.
"Hey, you okay?', Nat interrupted his train of thoughts as she approached him, the shapeshifter unable to detect her presence until it was too late. Whether he was simply too lost in thought or she was just that good of a ninja, he'd never know.
He offered a silent nod and a forced smile, but his sunken gaze told her otherwise. She nodded at his phone, already deducing the little she could about what had transpired.
"Does she know?"
"About Kevin? Yeah", Ben shrugged lazily, turning to the redhead with a sigh, "About SHIELD? No"
The redhead studied him intently before she nodded, "It's better that way"
"Yeah well, definitely doesn't feel like it", Ben scoffed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Nat reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder encouragingly.
"I know", she could sense him growing even more distant, barely keeping his focus on her, "and it doesn't get any easier"
"Heh, I guess I am in the wrong business after all", Ben chuckled, shaking his head. In the meantime, Sam slapped down a file on the table, in front of Steve.
"I can't ask you to join us, Sam. You got out for a good reason"
"Dude, Captain America needs my help", Sam beamed rather enthusiastically, "there's no better reason to get back"
Ben glanced at the file; the words "FALCON" boldly emblazoned on the thick cover. Flipping it open, Steve skimmed across the page, glancing from picture to picture. Many of them including Sam and a few of his comrades in active duty.
"So where do we get our hands on one of…those?", Sharon held up the picture in question, pointing at it with her other hand.
Sam nodded sharply, "Last one is at Fort Meade, behind three guarded gates and a twelve-inch steel wall"
"Shouldn't be a problem", Ben said flippantly as he placed the file down, "just tell me when and let's get it over with"
"Uhhhhh…okay?", Sam's brows raised inquisitively, turning to Cap for confirmation. Steve nodded as he turned to Ben as the latter studied the file with a quick glance. If there was anyone the supersoldier trusted to get things done, it was the Omnitrix Wielder. However, he couldn't help the urge that something was decidedly off with Tennyson, judging from his demeanor.
Steve motioned to Nat, craning in a slight gesture to pull the redhead aside for a talk whilst Sam engaged with Ben in retrieving his gear.
At first, Sam didn't know what to expect when he first laid eyes on Ben. The kid seemed young, far younger than any soldier or agent he'd ever seen, yet had a wariness to him that the veteran had only seen amongst his peers. People who'd seen it all. His fighting instincts, sharp despite being inactive for a while, still hummed in the Omnitrix Wielder's presence. The same feeling one felt as they stared down a precarious cliff, knowing that all it took was a slight push.
While the rest of the team engaged in discussions, Steve sought out Nat, and the two of them found themselves engrossed in a covert conversation of their own.
"Think he's gonna be up for it?", Steve promptly broached the topic of the shapeshifter, his tone edged with concern.
Nat shrugged half-heartedly, her arms folded as she leaned against the wall, "I don't see why not"
Steve's expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he pressed his lips into a firm line. "You know what I mean, Nat. You and him have been through so much together, as a team."
A mischievous smirk played on Nat's lips as she raised a curious eyebrow. "Is this another one of your matchmaking tactics, Steve?"
Steve shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he glanced over at the shapeshifter in question. "Just looking out for my team. There's a lot we have to deal with right now."
"We're all dealing with it, Steve"
The supersoldier shook his head, refusing to tear his gaze away from the shapeshifter. "Well, the sooner we can figure this out, the better. I almost lost it when I found out about Bucky... I can't imagine how he would react if something happened to another close friend."
Nat simply folded her arms as she followed the supersoldier's gaze. She observed him with a tinge of melancholy, taking in every subtle detail — his tense posture, his animated gestures as he conversed with Sam.
"Can't predict the future, Steve", Nat's expression softened, a hint of uncertainty flickering in her eyes, "but I've seen him deal with worse. He's as tough as it gets".
The redhead's mind flashed back to the Battle of New York, her heart heavy at the vivid image of a distraught Ben sinking to the ground in shock, right after going on a full rampage after the loss of Alpha Squad. There were times he'd mutter in his sleep, during the nights they spent together.
"I trust him, Steve. I trust that he'll do everything in his power to protect those he cares about, just like we do", her words carried the tinge of conviction.
Steve nodded sagely, his gaze flickering between the spy and the Omnitrix wielder.
"After all we've been through, would you?" she asked, a pause hanging in the air.
"Would I, what?"
"Would you trust me to protect you? To protect him?" Natasha's voice lowered, her gaze fixed on him.
"I would now", Steve replied, without a hint of hesitation,"And I'm always honest"
"Well, you seem pretty chipper for someone who just found out they died for nothing"
"Well, I guess I just like to know who I'm fighting", Steve took one final glance at the team.
"And who I'm fighting with"
……
...
Ever since Kevin had laid eyes on Servantis, his senses had been thrown for a loop. Every instinct within the Osmosian had been reduced to a primal urge, to smash something, run away. fight or flight mechanism,
Now trapped in an energy bubble that illuminated the cold metallic walls of Servantis' Laboratory, he could do nothing but watch the Proctor fiddle away with the myriad of monitoring devices and equipment that dotted the panels on the wall of the facility. Every mechanical blip and robotic click on the system did nothing but exacerbate his trepidation
"Kevin Levin, the infamous hybrid," Servantis began, his tone dripping with smug self-satisfaction, "You're a rather difficult man to find. But here we are, back where you belong. The final piece of the puzzle"
The Osmosian's gaze remained fixed on Servantis, his expression a mix of defiance and caution. "Cut the bullshit, Servantis. Why am I here?"
"Brash as always, I see", Servantis smirked, seemingly amused at Kevin's reaction, "But I see through your bravado, through the rage and confusion; Deep down, you're afraid. Afraid of what you are. You didn't come because you were coerced, you came to me because you wanted answers"
"Afraid, huh?", Kevin sneered, his features twisted into a dark scowl as he balled his fists, "why don't you come in here and I can show you how scared I am?"
"And then you'll do what? Punch me?", Servantis raised a brow mockingly, "we both know how that played out the last time"
"Nah, I'm planning on hitting below the belt this time"
Servantis' grin slackened into a frown as he stepped closer, putting him at near eye level with the Osmosian. "I suppose you need yet another reminder of why you're here, Levin..."
The Proctor's tone darkened, "You remember, don't you? That I was the one who saved you, back when you were nothing but a lost, slobbering pup wandering the Null Void–killing everything in sight?"
"You used me", Kevin retorted, "the same way you used all of us"
"A necessary sacrifice for a greater purpose", Servantis clarified as his pointed fingers tapped rapidly across the screen, seemingly annoyed by Kevin's outburst.
"Purpose?", the Osmosian queried incredulously, throwing his hands in the air, "purpose for what? Your own freaking guinea pigs? Your weapons? We were kids, you sick bastard! Where the hell's the greater good in that?"
The Proctor sighed, as though he were a disappointed parent. "While I find the idea of child subjects…distasteful, there was nothing in the way of a viable alternative. The Amalgam kids were the only instances of cross-species genetics being anywhere near viable. Your genomes were too specialized, especially yours, Levin. Osmosians have always been unique"
"Don't play that shit with me Servantis", Kevin's eyes narrowed, "you put those fake memories in my head. We both know it's all fake; Osmosians, Osmos V, my dad being a Plumber…all of it!"
Servantis tilted his head amusedly, a cluster of sparks dancing around the cranium."Still as naïve as ever. Your memories...the old ones are conflicting with the new. This conflict has left you in the middle, floating like buoy from a shipwreck"
"The hell are you talking about?"
"Your memories were altered, not overwritten. What I put there was merely a ruse, a misdirection to hide the true secrets of the Osmosians; The Real Osmos V was a hidden refuge for your kind, kept away from the reaches of the Kree Empire"
Kevin felt a chill trickle down his spine. That damn word again.
Servantis sensed the Osmosian's confusion and decided to press on. "A militaristic race that expanded across the Milky Way, virtually unchecked. They colonized thousands of planets and enslaved even more. By the time the Plumbers had to step in, the Kree already had a firm grip over the Galaxy"
"Bullshit", Kevin spat in defiance.
The Proctor shook his head, "I know because I was there, Levin. I witnessed the bloody war that spun out of control because we didn't act on time. We saw the signs of a coming storm and we did nothing. The Kree eventually started mass producing their own soldiers; genetic duplicates that could assimilate into another culture, absorb all forms of matter, information and energy for their own use. Gather intel like no other, they were the perfect weapons, enforcers of the Kree will. That is, until they rebelled"
"Why the hell are you telling me all this?"
"So you finally think for yourself, at least for once", Servantis tapped his forehead slowly with two clawed digits, "so you can see why all of this is happening. The Almagam kids, your recruitment and training…all of this happened just to prepare for another coming storm. A threat not just to the Galaxy but the entire universe itself"
The Osmosian felt his skin crawl, "You're insane"
"Lives were lost because the Plumbers failed to act before. Your own species were driven into hiding after the Kree turned on you and massacred the Osmosians wholesale. All because they were left with unchecked power. And unchecked power will always create monsters. Same goes for Ben Tennyson"
"No…", Kevin jerked in realization, "you don't—"
"No?", Servantis asked mockingly, "Tennyson is a walking time bomb. All that power unchecked, and it's only a matter of time before he snaps. I placed you in his path so you could keep an eye on him. You were supposed to be his original handler"
"He's my best friend!!!"
"A fabrication", Servantis dismissed handily with a wave, "getting close to Tennyson was the mission. You were just playing a role"
SLAMMMMM!!!
"Stop messing with me!!!", Kevin's fists slammed on the energy dome, sending ripples of distortion that warped its outer shell momentarily. He slammed them again, much harder, the echoing thuds even louder than before. The Osmosian panted with rage, his breaths ragged from overexertion. Servantis merely looked on, brow raised at Kevin's outburst.
"You were supposed to get close to the target, not that close", sneered Servantis, his cerulean eyes glowing with contempt, "who do you think is responsible for everything that's happened to you? Who turned you into a monster?! Who trapped you in the Null Void?"
The Proctor marched even closer, making his way to the energy prison that housed his subject. To Kevin's surprise, Servantis easily phased through the walls of the field, as through the walls were intangible to him. Instinctively, Kevin backed up till he was up against the wall before losing his footing and stumbling to the floor. All the while the Proctor glared down at him, hands clasped behind his back.
"Have you forgotten your mission, Agent Levin? Or do you need another debrief? All those years spent training you, perfecting you into the perfect agent. Even after you failed your mission once before…"
"The Ambush…", the words escaped his mouth before Kevin even realized it.
"And then what happened after Tennyson thwarted you?", the Proctor's voice rose with every word, "You were recaptured. How they took you away? What they did to you… Remember?!!"
Kevin's mind spun, the deluge of memories nearly splitting open his skull. He wanted to scream his lungs out, tear everything apart in his rage and confusion. Instead, it was a strangled whimper that escaped his lips, even as he felt his legs nearly gave way underneath him.
The Osmosian caught a glimpse of Servantis reaching out from the corner of his eye. Whether it was out of pity or some ulterior motive, Kevin didn't care. He grimaced and swatted away the Proctor's hand in frustration, before cradling his temples in his palms.
"No—you...you don't get it," Kevin stammered, his voice strained. "Ben has saved my life countless times, not to mention the entire universe."
Servantis's retort came swiftly, his words dripping with contempt. "And how many lives have been lost to the endless crusade of Ben Tennyson? How much collateral damage has he caused? How much suffering?" The disdain in Servantis's voice was palpable. "The Kree, Tennyson... their mere existence perpetuates conflict. It creates an imbalance of power that leads to chaos and destruction. The Rooters were created to rectify this imbalance."
Their heated argument was abruptly interrupted by the sharp hiss of metallic doors sliding open. The room was filled with the presence of the newcomers, all donning the same dark armor as Servantis. Swift took a step forward, followed by the gruff figure of Phil, a smirk playing on his lips as his eyes locked onto Kevin.
Confusion filled Kevin's gaze as he took in the rest of the Rooters' entourage trailing behind them.
"Manny? Helen? What the hell--", Kevin whipped his head around to Servantis with an accusing glare, "what the hell did you do to them?"
Servantis had ceased paying attention to Kevin, his focus drawn back to his position outside the enclosure. He turned to Swift, his voice carrying an air of dominance and authority. "Get everyone in position, Agent Swift. If my predictions are correct, they will be making their way to SHIELD very, very soon. Ensure that everyone is prepared to strike."
In Servantis's eyes, both Hydra and SHIELD were mere fools, their perspectives limited and narrow. Yet, they served their purpose. The most crucial element of any hunt was selecting the perfect bait to lure out the desired prey.
Swift jutted a clawed finger out, pointed in Kevin's direction. "And what about him?" she questioned, her tone curious and probing.
Kevin's response came with a dark scowl, his defiance evident. "If you think I will ever become one of you—"
Interrupting him, Servantis turned his attention back to Kevin, an amused smirk dancing across his face. "Become?" he chuckled. "Kevin, you already are one of us."Manny and Helen barely glanced at Kevin as they wordlessly followed Swift and Phil.
"You just don't know it yet"
...
...
Sitwell had barely wrapped up his lunch meeting with the Senator when his phone rang. He took a cursory glance at the device before temporarily dismissing his men, retuning to his call only when they were out of earshot.
"Yes sir?", he answered, expecting to hear from his boss. Imagine his bewilderment when an unfamiliar voice answered.
"Agent Sitwell, how was lunch?", Sam answered, much to the chagrin of the SHIELD official, "I hear the crab cakes here are delicious"
"Wh-who is this?"
"The good-looking guy in the sunglasses, your ten o'clock".
Sitwell swiveled on the spot, taking a surreptitious glance around while searching for his mysterious caller. The street was busy, flooded with a sea of human heads that bustled across the urban complex, perfect for hiding in plain sight.
"Your other ten o clock". Sitwell turned around in the opposite direction, finally spotting the veteran sitting a few feet away from him.
"There you go", Sam nodded with a smirk. Sitwall broke into a cold sweat, felling his palms getting sweaty as he managed a response.
"What do you want?", queried the Agent.
"You're gonna go around the corner, there's a nice little alley to your right. My friend's gonna be with you shortly"
Sitwell bristled uncomfortably, "And why exactly would I do that?"
"Because that tie looks really expensive…", The Agent's eyes watched in subdued horror as he saw a sniper's dot appear on his tie, "and I'd hate to mess it up"
After stealing another glance, Sitwell awkwardly stumbled away from his men, his frantic movements leading him to the alley as Sam had instructed. He glanced around the alley warily, his steps echoing across the dirt-covered pavement.
WHOOOOSHHHH!!!!
The SHIELD official yelped in disbelief as a sudden gust of wind whipped through the alley, rustling the papers that littered the floor. Before he could react, Sitwell was grabbed by an unseen force and whisked away with unimaginable speed.
The world blurred into a frenzied whirl of colors and motion as he was propelled at blinding speed, his body rendered weightless in the grip of his captor. By the time he regained his bearings, Sitwell was dropped on the cold concrete of a rooftop.
FLASSSSSHHHHHH!!!!!
"Delivery for Captain Rogers", Ben gestured to the befuddled agent, as his form switched back to human, "One sleazy dirtbag in a suit"
Nat glanced at her watch before turning to Sharon with a smug smile, "You owe me 10 bucks"
The blonde rolled her eyes in reply, "Let's just get this over with"
"Hey—hey!!!", Sitwell protested as Steve yanked him up to his feet, hoisting the smaller man until he was eye level with the supersoldier.
"Alright, start talking", Steve growled threateningly, "What do you know about Zola's algorithm?"
Sitwell blinked nervously, "Wha—never heard of it!"
"What were you doing on the Lemurian Star?"
"I—I was throwing up, I get seasick", Sitwell felt the supersoldier drag him to the edge of the roof
"I don't think he's in the mood to share, Cap", Ben chimed in, only to be dismissed as the supersoldier pressed on.
"Where's Hydra keeping Bucky Barnes?" Steve's voice held a firm edge, a hard gaze locked on Sitwell.
A smug grin spread across Sitwell's face, his initial trepidation replaced with a twisted enthusiasm."Ah, so that's what this is about," he taunted. "Did you lose something recently, Mister Rogers? How does it feel, knowing that we took everything from you?"
Steve's gaze narrowed, his grip tightening as he dangled Sitwell off the ledge. The SHIELD official remained unfazed, his confidence unwavering. "Oh, please, Captain—is this little display meant to imply that you'll throw me off the roof? Because we all know it's not your style."
"Steve?", Sharon queried, "we're running out of time"
"Rest assured, Rogers Mister Barnes is in much better hands now", Sitwell sneered, "Hydra sends their regards"
Sitwell's smug expression twisted into a mask of horror as Steve simply let go. The agent's yelp pierced the air as gravity seized hold, hurtling him downward.
"Wow, Cap...didn't think you had it in you", Nat whistled as she watched the SHIELD official plummet to the ground
Steve exhaled slowly, regaining his nerves. In that fleeting moment, the supersoldier was transported back to the horrors of war, losing his comrades and being tormented by the Red Skull. Bucky's disappearance felt like the final blow, nearly pushing him to his breaking point.
"Sam's taking too long..", Ben pointed out as he ventured to the edge of the rooftops.
"Just wait for it…", Nat folded her arms in anticipation.
Ben raised a brow as he turned to the redhead, "You know, I could just do it myself right?"
"He's expecting you to, not Sam. Typical interrogation tactic"
"Yeah well if he went splat on that floor then we're not going to get anything from him"
As if on cue, Sam flew in his Falcon wing suit, holding a befuddled Sitwell. The Pilot hovered for a moment before tossing the bald man back on the rooftop.
"Wait!"Sitwell yelled in protest, his tone devoid of its previous bravado, "y-you don't get it; Pierce will kill me if I talk!"
Sam scoffed, gesturing to the rest of the team. "Yeah, I think you have bigger things to worry about, pal"
"Pierce has already taken control, and not just SHIELD", Sitwell shook his head, "Bucky Barnes has been his enforcer for decades, taking out key targets and obstacles in his path. But he was just the first in a new "
"What the hell are you talking about?," Sharon demanded.
Sitwell's laughter rang hollow, a chilling sound that filled the air as he brushed off the dust, scrambling back to his feet.
"While Fury worked on his precious Project Insight," he began, his words laced with a twisted sense of satisfaction, "Hydra worked behind the scenes, planting new sleeper cells in various now possesses its own network of sleeper agents. Ready and waiting to act upon a simple command. All thanks to our friends within the Plumbers"
Ben's eyes narrowed, a realization dawning upon him. "The Rooters..." he muttered, the dots already being connected.
"But how?"
"They've been working with SHIELD the whole time", Nat's voice was unsteady, with the weight of the revelation sinking in
"And now, we have the keys to the world", Sitwell nodded mockingly at the shapeshifter, "Servantis sends his regards"
"What's Pierce planning now?", Cap cut in with urgency, stepping forward as he queried the
"I wouldn't worry about that Captain", Jasper's eyes darted nervously from each member to another, each member of the team exchanging uneasy glances. "Pierce has plans for the world, for its future. A future made possible by your hands. But he doesn't take kindly to loose ends, after all…"
Nat felt her instincts flare up in warning as Sitwell's gaze landed on her.
" ...SHIELD will be in for some really, really big changes"
Without warning, Sharon's expression shifted, her eyes glazing over with an eerie detachment as the agent subtly reached for her pistol. Time seemed to stretch, each second punctuated with palpable tension. The world narrowed down to a singular point of focus.
Sitwell stepped back in anticipation, a smirk on his face as the blonde took aim.
"Hail Hydra", she muttered coldly, the words slicing through the air like a sinister omen.
"Steve!!!"
The rooftops echoed with the thunderous clap of a gunshot.
…...
It all happened in a second. Out of the corner of her eye, Natasha saw Sharon reach for her firearm, aimed directly at Steve's back. Steve's uncanny reflexes had already gotten him out of harm's way, the bullet whizzing past his head.
Nat sprung into action barely a second later, her own enhanced reflexes propelling her into Sharon. She managed to tackle the blonde away from the group while attempting to knock away her pistol, before the second shot went off.
BANG!!!!
"Sonofabit–"
"Nat!", Ben yelled as the redhead staggered back, clutching her arm.
Steve moved faster than Sharon could react, slamming into the blonde agent whilst attempting to restrain her. Sharon's eyes remained empty, devoid of recognition or emotion. Her movements were calculated and methodical as she fought unrelentingly to break the supersoldier's grasp
"Dammit, what's happened to her?"
"Dunno", Nat grunted as she clutched her arm, "one minute ago she was fine the next she's gone crazy on us!!!"
Ben's mind raced as he surveyed the scene. All it took was a moment for everything to spin out of control. The battle lines had shifted dramatically, with one of their own now turned against them. The chilling realization that Servantis had been ahead of them the whole time, left the shapeshifter temporarily stunned.
"Tennyson! A little help here?!"
He fought the encroaching wave of paranoia that threatened to well up in him, clenching his fists before dialing up the Omnitrix.
BLAM!
FWOOOOSHHHHH
Ben's new form was that of a mummy-like figure wrapped in graying bandages, adorned in black and green armor that resembled that of an Egyptian Pharaoh. Ben threw his elongated arms forward, the bandages that covered his limbs twisting themselves in the air before wrapping around Sharon, restraining the blonde agent. Ben's Mummy form allowed him to maintain a firm grip, ensuring she remained restrained but unharmed.
Another set of bandages ran across to Nat, wrapped gently around the redhead's wounded arm. With Sharon restrained and neutralized, the team took a collective breath, the weight of the situation pressing upon them.
"You alright?", Cap asked as he examined the redhead, his gaze traveling to her bandaged arm
"I'll live", she managed a shrug in reply, taking a glance at the unconscious Sharon, "can't say the same about her"
"She's never been this way before…how the hell did Hydra get to her?", Steve brow furrowed with perplexion. A myriad of other questions clawed at his mind as he stood over
"Servantis", Ben growled in his guttural Thep Khufan voice. He spat out the name like bile, his disdain for the Proctor filling his tone with venom.
"The Plumber from the Lemurian Star?", queried the supersoldier, "But how–"
"He's been working with Hydra this whole time, and Hydra's infiltrated SHIELD", Ben pointed out,
The pieces fell into place quickly, painting a grim picture. Nowhere was safe for them. Servantis worked like a surgeon, cutting them off at critical points and leaving them to bleed out.
"Your rescue was probably staged just to let her tag along–making her the perfect mole", Nat added in,
Steve rubbed his forehead in frustration. The situation kept unfolding and the rabbit hole went even deeper. The more they discovered, it seemed, the less they knew. His heart clenched at the prospect of someone getting to Peggy, an unknown assassin in the unwitting guise of a nurse or an orderly.
Or worse, someone removing the persona of the woman he'd cared deeply for, replacing her with an emotionless Hydra-drone. Steve clenched his fists, drawing in air before exhaling harshly.
"Everything's gone to shit", he cursed out loud, weariness and frustration clinging to his voice. A cloud of frustration and despair hung heavy in the air, their collective frustration echoing the supersoldier's sentiment. The next course of action was a question that hung over them as three pairs of eyes stared at Sharon's prone body.
"What do we do now?,"Nat gave a voice to the question on everyone's mind. There was still a mission to be completed, after all.
Ben's thoughts spun in a whirlwind of guilt and worry. With each loss, the same feeling of looming disaster. Kevin, Sharon...who else would slip through their fingers? The weight of his past losses bore down heavily on his shoulders, threatening to overwhelm him.
Before anyone could formulate a response, the doors leading to the rooftop swung open with force, revealing the unexpected arrival of Sitwell. He was unceremoniously tossed through the entrance, landing in a disheveled heap. Following closely behind was Sam, his presence a welcome surprise to the beleaguered team.
"Look who I found trying to sneak away", the pilot announced, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. Sam's confident stride belied his surprise at the sight before him, eyes widened momentarily as they settled on Ben's new form, a mix of awe and amusement flickering across his features.
"Yup, I'm never gonna get used to seeing… whatever that is", the veteran shook his head, muttering sarcastically.
"No-no-wait!!!!", Sitwell yelled in desperation as Ben's cloth tendrils vines across his body, lifting him up in the air. The shapeshifter hoisted the SHIELD official like a ragdoll, putting him at eye level with the larger, highly imposing Thep Khufan.
"Now, where were we?"
"You're too late! Pierce has what he needs,", the SHIELD Agent sneered, his legs flailing helplessly in the air as he fought against his restraints. "And it doesn't matter–I'm already a dead man anyways"
Ben's eyes narrowed as his bindings tightened their grip on the man. Jasper gasped, feeling his joints hiss and pop as the air was ripped away from his lungs. Sam shuddered at the sight, turning to Cap as they witnessed what could've easily become a gruesome execution.
"You're a dead man, but I can still make you suffer"
The shapeshifter's threat hung in the air, the tension on the rooftops growing palpable as the stakes reached their zenith. Sam turned to Cap, his expression dotted with confusion and concern.
"Tennyson?", Cap queried, warily approaching the shapeshifter. Ben held up his bandaged arm, halting the soldier in his tracks. His green eyes glowed with an otherworldly aura, like some resurrected vengeful deity.
" Don't", Ben said icily, before turning back to his struggling captive.
"What's Pierce planning now? How are the Rooters involved?"
"I don't kn–gah!",Sitwell began, only for the bandages to twist further, digging into his skin.
"Don't lie to me", The Thep Khufan boomed, his slit eyes glowing ominously as he stared down the official, as though he could gaze into his very soul. "Servantis…Hydra..you've all been messing with people's lives for too long.
"Ben?", A pang of unease tugged at Natasha's heart as she witnessed the scene unfold in front of her. Gwen's words flashed into her mind, a warning echo that gnawed at the redhead.
The thing is, Ben's not a monster...but he's perfectly capable becoming one when he wants to...or he's needed to
"Now, you'll tell me everything, or you'll regret it…for the rest of your short, miserable, pathetic life"
Don't let him lose himself. He gets like this when he feels he can't protect anyone anymore
Natasha Romanov held little fear in her heart for most things. WHen she first met Ben, she was understandably wary of his abilities and potential. But that fear had given way to respect, trust, admiration, and…even something more.
Now she couldn't decide which was greater; her fear of Ben Tennyson or her fear for him. The fear that had long since been buried had clawed its way into her consciousness. Her arm limp to her sides, Nat felt rooted to the spot.
"Tennyson! That's enough", Cap barked but to no avail. The supersoldier's attempts to intervene were shut down as Ben simply held him back, the supersoldier's commands falling on deaf ears
Sitwell's expression drowned in horror as more bandages appeared, nearly wringing the life out of his rather frail body. The macabre sight of the Thep Khufan was nightmare-fuel enough, but the shapeshifter's demeanor took him over the edge of horror.
"P-Pierce is using Zola's Algorithm on Project Insight!!!!!", he finally croaked out.
Steve's ears perked up at the mention of the familiar words, turning his attention to Sitwell "Wait…Fury's Project?"
The bald man swallowed nervously as he continued, "He's using…Zola's algorithm…to choose the targets"
"What targets?"
"Steve Rogers…the Undersecretary of Defense, a high school valedictorian in Iowa city. Bruce Banner, Stephen Strange, anyone who's a threat to HYDRA! Now, or in the future!!", Sitwell gasped, the pressure on his rib cage slightly abated.
"The Future?", Steve pressed on cautiously, despite his reservations." How could it know?"
Sitwell managed a weak chuckle, "How could it not? The 21st century is a digital book. Zola simply taught HYDRA how to read it"
"Your bank records, medical histories, voting patterns, e-mails, phone calls, your damn SAT scores. Zola's algorithm evaluates people's past to predict their future"
"And then what?"
"Then the Insight Helicarriers scratch people off the list. A few million at a time"
Steve's eyes widened in surprise. Ben took a moment to process the news before
"What about Servantis? What's his angle? Where is he???"
"I don't–aagghhhh!!", Sitwell gritted his teeth, his limbs flaring in agony, "he only said Hydra should back off from Ben Tennyson!!!"
"Why??"
"He said–that he wanted you all to himself. Said he wanted to see the monster, goddamnit!!!"
Dread seeped through Natasha's nerves.
"That's it, Ben—we're done here"
The shapeshifter remained stationary, unresponsive.
"We're done here, right? Ben?", she pressed on, gently but firmly.
A tense moment passed before Snare-Oh's bandages unfurled, with Sitwell let go and crumpling to the stone rooftop floors like a wet sack of potatoes. Steve and Nat shared an uneasy glance, an unspoken conversation filling up the void left behind by the strained silence that remained.
"That was uh…something", Sam finally said, hands on his hips as he breathed a cathartic sigh. Recent events had left him on edge, but witnessing the change in Ben's demeanor had caused a complete paradigm shift in the veteran pilot's perspective
After all, who else could disregard Captain America's orders so flagrantly?
"Project Insight's only a few hours away from launch", Natasha warned, her gaze flickering between the rest of her team before landing on the shapeshifter. Her urgency warred with her concern for Ben
"Guys–we have to move. Now"
FLASSSHHHHHHHHHH
With an immediate blast of verdant light, Ben had returned back to normal–or as normal as possible. Nat's expression grew pallid as she watched him stalk away from the SHIELD official, a hard glint in his verdant eyes. The redhead's gaze grew leaden as she stood in his path, placing her good hand on his chest and forcing the brunette to look at her.
"You didn't have to go that far", she whispered chastely, much to the shapeshifter's indignation
"Are we really doing this now?", he muttered back, unwilling to meet her gaze.
"Uhhh...guys? We really gotta go", Sam reminded them, his gaze nervously flitting between the two paramours. Natasha's piercing eyes lingered on Ben's face for a moment longer, as if searching for something unseen.
"We'll split up, you guys need to get her out of here", Ben pointed to Sharon, while turning to Cap, "I'll get to SHIELD and shut the whole thing down"
"You heard Sitwell–Servantis wants to get to you", Cap reminded him, "this is a team–"
"And I'm the only one who can get there in time", Ben cut in sharply, tossing his keys to Nat
"Here, you can use Kevin's car. Besides I'm pretty sure Hydra's already on their way to get their assets back. We can keep 'em busy that way"
Cap nodded reluctantly, the pragmatist in him acknowledging the sound logic in the Omnitrix Wielder's words. He turned to Sam and Nat, his tone neutral as the supersoldier began giving directions, getting them prepared to evacuate. Sam picked up Sitwell while Steve
Nat took one last glance at Ben as he readied his Omnitrix, dialing up a new form. She watched him hesitate before glancing in her direction once more, quickly averting his gaze once she caught him looking.
Ben pushed down the dial, his form replaced once more in a burst of energy.
"Let's move out"
…….
...
Ben soared through the sky, the rush of air whipping across his alien frame, the shapeshifter's focus intent on reaching SHIELD headquarters. He'd barely made it past the city's skyline when he saw the building in sight. The sooner he got this over with, the sooner he could go
The shapeshifter's concentration was abruptly shattered by the jarring ringtone of the Omnitrix's comms..
"Ben Tennyson," Servantis's voice dripped with sinister satisfaction, "it seems you've lost quite a few friends along the way."
Speak of the Devil. Literally
"What do you want?", Ben growled as he fought against the rage that boiled within him. He gritted his teeth,
"Nice touch, blocking your Omnitrix's radar...it bought you some time at least. But here we are at last"
Ben scoffed, "Yeah, with you hiding away from me"
A cruel chuckle echoed through the comms. "Well I have been busy lately, especially with your friend Levin".
Ben gritted his teeth, refusing to let Servantis's words penetrate his resolve
"But I'm not calling you to boast '', Servantis continued, "I'm here to offer you a choice. In a matter of hours, SHIELD will launch Project Insight and reshape the world in ways even you cannot comprehend."
"And you helped them to do it", the Omnitrix Wielder pointed out, "you talk about monsters while you're working with literal Nazis"
"More like they work for me. Even though their ambitions are nothing more than the deluded ramblings of a child, Hydra can be quite useful when need be," Servantis sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Sometimes, sacrifices must be made to bring about a greater good. Something you're still yet to learn. But you will, very soon"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Kevin Levin's Car. Its systems are still linked to the Plumber HQ communications. I know exactly where your friends are. And so do the rest of the Rooters. "
Ben felt his blood run cold.
"Your friends are in grave danger as we speak. The question is, Ben Tennyson, will you save them, forsaking the greater mission, or will you push forward and face the consequences? Who is really in control?"
"Man, or the monster?"
……
...
"HYDRA doesn't like leaks", Jasper commented as the team rode away in Kevin's car, with Steve at the wheel.
The SHIELD Agent nervously fidgeted with his bonds as he eyed the still unconscious Sharon, unconscious and wrapped in the same alien bandages. Just like a mummy. It would be hilarious it it weren't so terrifying
"So why don't you try sticking a cork in it?", Sam retorted, arms folded as he stared ahead, "how long till our guy gets there?"
"Hopefully not that long", Cap replied. He had no doubt about Ben's capabilities, but his concern was for the shapeshifter's state of mind.
"Is he always like…that?", Sam asked tentatively. Clearly he wasn't the
"Can't say that he is…but this is different"
"We're all different, Cap", Nat said offhandedly,her eyes glued to the road. She frowned, forcing herself to focus, a myriad of emotions floating around in her head. Her fear for Ben was ubiquitous, filling her and her environment, bending her perceptions.
BEEEP!!!BEEEPPP!!!BEEEEPPP!!!!
Her ruminations were cut short as the car's onboard system blared warningly, the dashboard opening up to reveal an inbuilt radar. Several targets materialized on the screen, rapidly heading in their direction.
"What the—"
Out of the corner of her eye, Nat saw a red streak sail past them through the air.
"We've got company!!"
Suddenly, the roads burst open in a shower of dirt and debris, energy blasts cutting up the asphalt into heated chunks. Nat managed to swerve, grunting as her arm flared in pain.
CRUNCHHHHH!!!!
Something massive landed on the car, causing the roofs to dent with force. Phil attempted to claw through the car's Taydenite roof, but to no avail. Whatever Kevin's car was made of, it was well beyond bulletproof.
Nat slammed on the brakes, sending the Rooter flying off and tumbling unto the asphalt.
"Holy—what the hell is that?", Sam's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
"Trouble"
CRASSSHHHHHHH!!!
The entire car lurched forwards as yet another car slammed into them from behind. Phil charged forwards like a mad bull, electricity coursing through his Plumber Uniform.
"Hold on!!"
The car swerved through the chaotic battleground, evading the Rooters' relentless pursuit. Chaos and laserfire filled the air, Kevin's car taking the bulk of the damage. The Rooters were not done however, as two newcomers made their entrance. One was a large, bulky red bruiser with extra arms, the other a blue, tailed feminine figure with a sharp organic helmet-shaped head.
WHAAMMMMMM
Phil slammed into the car from the side. The speedy girl moved like a blur, running circles around the car. They were bomvarded from either side, the sheer power and volume of both hydrids completely overwhelming the vehicle's momentum.
Natasha could barely maintain their trajectory when the bruiser slammed into the car, his enhanced strength barreling the near indestructible vehicle into the railing.
The impact sent the vehicle crashing through the barrier of the bridge, hurtling towards the streets below.
CRASSHHHHHHHH
Time slowed again, resuming when the vehicle slammed into the streets in a violent crash of metal and stone.
…….
...
..
TO BE CONTINUED
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…...
...
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A/N2
Well, I'm back guys. And if you wanted to know, I did NOT take a long vacation. In reality, this chapter took me the longest to write.
Not to mention I got thrown one of the worst curve balls imaginable.
Somehow, my entire phone got bricked and I lost the file. And I was about 95% done with the whole thing.
I managed to get the phone working, but the memory was gone. Meaning I had to rewrite the ENTIRE chapter from memory.
Then came the 5 stages of grief. I first tried using "Data Retrieval" software to try and get the file back. Then I raged hard for a while.
At some point I was so demoralized I didn't want to pick up the story again. Thought I'd just write something else. But thanks to my Discord and assistant writer, both convincing me to pick up from the scraps.
It took weeks to even begin scrapping together the bits and pieces. This chapter was much longer in the original, however it wasn't as polished as this one. Even then, some part of me hoped I'd find the lost document again, by some technical miracle.
No such luck. Had to rewrite the whole thing
Anyways, I learned a valuable lesson about perseverance writing this chapter. You can put your thoughts and opinions in the reviews, let me know how this one turned out. I might revisit it in the future, maybe edit some stuff, but i figured you guys needed something NOW.
Anyways, that's all for now. I'll see you all in the next chapter. Thanks to everyone who liked and favorited this fanfic, you're all truly amazing. Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.
EXCELSIOR!!!