(Here's the next chapter guys.)

OfficialUSMWriter: Thanks, I hope I don't disappoint.

Gemm1mt: No heroes during the conflict survived. Connell will gain something quite different from Drew's.

Noble Six: Thanks.

Chapter 2: Feelings of Vengeance

(Washington D.C., White House, moments later)

Connell's heart burned with fury. The government's part in the heroes' deaths was not noble or justified as they had proclaimed it to be. Their involvement was its polar opposite in nature, tricking the populace in the process. Every hero that had died, Spider-Man, She Hulk, Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Captain America…all of them, had been slaughtered by S.H.I.E.L.D. and the government because they would not side with the Registration Act. Maria Hill belittled their memories as villains and monsters for not having sided with the government, or more accurately: become their personal henchmen.

'They slaughtered them…they slaughtered them all!' Connell growled in his mind, flashbacks of every time he heard a new hero was found and killed overwhelmed his burning heart.

"I have to admit I'm a little surprised. You were eventually accepting our continuous victories over the heroes…but at the beginning…" Maria Hill said on the other side of the door.

"*Sighs* I know…I was…foolish. I hadn't realized it was needed. Despite their popularity and the respect much of the populace had for those vigilante criminals…their crimes wouldn't ever stop…but they should've realized after those punks killed the people in Stamford…that their time was done." President Gyrich replied.

'They weren't at fault! It was Nitro! Despite being reckless, they were still trying to be good!' Connell hissed in his mind.

"And…my…'mistake'?...I did it for the vision of this government. There could be no gray areas, people are with us or against us. I wouldn't tolerate disloyalty or disobedience." Maria Hill said.

"I know…as do I…I should've realized that at the time…now I do. You did what needed to be done." President Gyrich sighed.

'Huh? What are they talking about?' Connell grunted with confusion in his mind.

"What I did, I did what was necessary to secure peace." Maria Hill said.

"Yes, your execution of James Rhodes and the cover-up of blaming Captain America and Iron Man was necessary. If our own employees were turning against us…how long would it take for the people to do the same?" President Gyrich replied, affirming his acceptance of Hill's actions.

Connell's eyes widened in realization. The death of Rhodey had always perplexed him. Their claim that Steve Rogers, a man on good terms with the victim, and Tony Stark, the man's best friend, would kill him even during a terrible time during the Civil War of the superhumans. But now it all made sense, the cover-up, the blaming of the heroes, and the tricking the American people. His boiling anger continued to rise, the truth having been revealed to him.

'Those bastards! I'm gonna-' Connell started to growl in his mind.

'Calm yourself boy! This not the time!' A ghastly voice cautioned.

Connell froze, he didn't move or think, it even felt as if his heart didn't beat for a moment. He was completely shocked by the sudden, unknown voice. He looked around him, but there was no one there.

'Do not act out on this young man, you must remain calm.' Another ghastly voice counselled.

'Do not alert your them.' Another voice advised.

'Who…Who are you?...Who are all of you?' Connell gasped in his mind.

'This isn't the time, boy!' Another voice grunted.

Connell had no idea who the voices were or why they were speaking to him, but a part of him sensed to listen to what they say. His mind then began thinking of a plan. From the other side of the door where Maria Hill and Gyrich talked, their attention turned to a creaking sound. They saw someone walk out of the bathroom with a hood on. Maria Hill's eyes darted to him suspiciously and quickly stamped up to him.

"Who are you?! What are you doing?!" The Vice President snarled, eyes glaring.

There was no response then the individual began walking away.

"Hey! Answer me! You aren't getting-" The woman growled as she ran after him and pulled him to her.

She turned him to face her, her face of mask of anger until she saw him. He is holding his phone in his hand connected to headphones which are in his ears. She took his phone and saw he is listening to I Won't Back Down being Sam Elliot. She had a confused look on her face. Connell paused the song's video.

"Uh…something wrong?" He asked.

She motioned her eyes to the song then back to him, suspiciously.

"I like how he sings it." He said.

She still gave him the same stare. He sighed as his gaze turned to the ground. Then his sight turned to her, his eyes filled with hurt.

"You ever been bullied?" He asked, his voice matching his eyes with a hint of anger.

"No…does that…?" She answered, surprised by his explanation.

"I wasn't the most popular kid on the block…I'll just say that." Connell sighed, his voice thick with both pain and rage.

"I see…" Maria replied, her demeanor still questioning him.

"Ms. Hill, there is no need for such hostility towards this young man. Besides, there is no reason to cause such a scene. Let him return to the group. We have more to discuss." President Gyrich said.

Maria Hill continued to stare at him, eyes studying him. But she closed her eyes and then turned away from him.

"Of course, sir." She replied, walking towards her commander and chief.

Connell walked away to join the others.

'Well played, young man.' One of the voice praised.

'Well done lad.' Another voice chuckled.

Connell hadn't lied about what he said. He had been bullied severely in the past, boys and girls finding great amusement and glee in picking on him for several years as time went on. The painful memories ate away at his heart and mind. But both now also boiled with the rage at what the government had instigated against many good people years ago. Yet it still worked as a good way to cover up his tracks.

'Vengeance will come…but you must be patient.' Another voice advised.

'What are you talking about? Again: Who are you all? Do you even know what you're saying?' Connell grunted in his mind, still unsure of how to comprehend the situation.

'Young man, you will realize what this all means…but not here…not now…'One of the voices replied.

'In time boy…this will take time…' Another of the voices stated.

To be continued…