AN: I do not own Marvel; I am writing a fanfic using their characters. Marvel Entertainment and Disney own marvel.

Adoor creaked open as a shadowed figure slipped silently into the dimly lit room. Deeper inside, the rhythmic tapping of a keyboard echoed—focused, deliberate.

The typist remained unaware of the intrusion.

Natasha stepped out of the shadows, her expression cold and calculating. She dropped a small black bag beside the keyboard, the metal inside clinking softly. "The explosives are in place." She said, her voice low but clear.

Max, who had a sickly expression with a hint of anger, looked at her.

"Did you find it?" She asked softly.

"Yeah…" He clinched onto a flash drive and yanked it from the port. "Let's get out of here!"

Reaching for Natasha's hand the door burst open.

Gunfire roared as gunmen fired at them with automatics.

Max didn't hesitate. He tackled Natasha to the ground, shielding her with his body as bullets tore through the air above them. Sparks danced across the equipment, smoke curling through the chaos.

Natasha, still gripping a small remote in her palm, didn't flinch.

She pressed the button.

In seconds, the world exploded.

Fire burst through the corridors, ripping the walls apart in thunderous bursts. The building groaned and shuddered as shockwaves echoed through every steel beam. Debris rained from above. Heat swallowed the air.

Max covered Natasha, holding her close as the firestorm raged. For a few moments, all they could do was hold on.

-The next morning

Max and Natasha sat quietly at the monument park, watching Steve jog laps in the distance.

"Fury hasn't contacted us," Max said softly.

"You'll get used to it," Natasha replied.

"I know…" He paused, sorting through his thoughts. "With the intel we found—"

His words were cut off as his phone vibrated in his pocket.

"Max…" Fury's voice crackled through.

"Nick?" Max pressed the phone tighter to his ear.

"The intel you brought me…" A burst of static. "Meet up… Base… Don't tell Nat—"

The call cut out.

"What's happening?" Natasha asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Fury found something in the intel. I should head out."

He stood. "See you tonight?"

"Later than usual," she said, offering a small smile. "Steve and I have a mission."

"Should I fix you something to eat?"

Natasha hesitated, then shook her head. "Probably not. But thanks for the offer."

"You're welcome." He smiled, leaning in to share a light kiss before walking away.

"Be careful!" Natasha called after him.

Max turned back and grinned. "You too. Love you!"

"Love you," she echoed.

Her phone vibrated.

Meanwhile, Max made his way toward the exit. He noticed a dark-skinned man sitting against a tree, catching his breath.

"How are you doing?" Max asked.

The man chuckled, holding his ribs. "Tired."

"He'll do that to you." Max laughed. "Max Casing." He offered his hand.

"Sam Wilson." He shook it with a firm grip.

"Nice to meet you, Sam Wilson," Max said, stepping back.

"Nice to meet you too, Max Casing."

Remembering his task, Max quickly left the park and onto a dark colored bike. Going through the city, he felt his phone vibrating again. Stopping on the curb he answered.

"I've been compromised!" Fury shouted over gunfire.

"Where are you?!"

"Hell!" Fury shouted back before his phone went static.

"Fury… Fury!" Max shouted.

Smoke stirred from underneath his tires before he drove off. Driving around the city he found more and more cars stuck in the middle of the road.

Suddenly, the cracking of gunfire rung through the air. Max growled; he tried to find a way through the traffic… but nothing.

Clinching his hands into fists. He didn't have time for this! Leaving his bike, he started running through the traffic. Getting to an overpass he saw it. Fury's totaled car was trapped in between bullet fire. Cops, and others alike surrounding him.

With swift movement he jumped over the overpass and landed below with a powerful thud. The gunfire quickly silenced as they turn their attention to Max.

The sun beamed down on them, weakening Max but he didn't care. He raised an arm and in seconds a hail of bullets rained upon him.

Max though his abilities weakened was still fast compared to humans. He tore through the bullets with ease, his sharp jagged claws sliced through the enemy like paper.

Silence filled the air, Max's heavy breathing echoed through. Blood dripped from his body as he stood, then like a Ghost a man appeared in the middle of the street. He wore a black combat suit, black boots and a black mask that covered his lower face. Black shoulder length hair covered his head. He held a gun in what seemed like a silver prosthetic arm.

Max growled, tightening his fists. His canines protruded out of his mouth. In seconds they were on the move, the unknown attacker dropped his gun and ran toward Max; Max ran toward the attacker.

The attacker jumped in the air and superman punched Max in the face with his prosthetic, it stung but Max didn't flinch. He fought like a wild animal, something primal.

Blow by blow they fought; the attacker punched Max in the ribs causing a small wince to escape Max's mouth. Max retaliated by grabbing his hair, his claws dug deep into the soldier's skull.

In seconds the soldier flipped Max to the ground, he locked his arm in place forcing Max to release his skull.

Max felt something; something familiar with the attacker. With one more feat of strength, Max ripped his arm out of the lock and stabbed his claws into the soldier's skull once more. The soldier let out a painful groan before he was thrown into the air and punched backwards, landing on a car, totaling it.

Max stood, breathing heavily. He glared at the soldier as he slowly rolled off the car and onto the pavement below. Growling, he walked toward him but stopped. The soldier looked at Max, his mask lay on the ground. Grabbing it, he slid it toward him and pushed it back on his face.

Max's eyes widened in recognition. The now familiar soldier glared at Max, blood rushing down his face.

A groan coming behind Max made him turn around, Fury was crawling out of his vehicle. Injured, bloodied, and broken. Max turned to look back at the soldier, but he was gone. Like a ghost in the wind.

-The Hospital

Natasha rushed through the hallways of the Hospital. She didn't believe what Max had told her over the phone. "Was Fury really dead?" The sentence echoed through her mind. "He can't be dead."

Turning the corner, she saw Max. He was standing, watching something. Her heart dropped as she rushed toward him. "Where is he?!" She asked closer toward him.

"Natasha…" He tried to shield her, but she slipped through. Looking in the room she gasped, her heart sunk deeper. It was true. Fury was dead, the one who gave her a chance, protected her from SHIELD when they tried to get rid of her. A former spy, molded by Dreykov at a young age to be a killer.

She placed one of her hands over her heart. Her other over her mouth as tears filled her eyes. "I'm sorry Natasha." Max spoke wrapping his arms around her.

Steve came soon after. The flatline echoed through their ears. "What happened?" Steve asked softly. The three of them now sitting in the hall.

Max slowly shook his head, his hands over his mouth. "I don't know… He called me, asking to meet up…" Max took a long pause. "He called me again… tells me he's been compromised, the call ended shortly after."

"Who was it?"

"A ghost." Max whispered.

"Did Fury give you anything…" Natasha asked, she kept her eyes on the floor.

Max fidgeted with his hands before holding up a black flash drive. "The final words he spoke to me, were… the answer is where it all began."

Steve furrowed his eyebrows. Grabbing the flash drive from Max he looked at it. "The answer is where it all began?"

Max heard something, looking up he saw a patient watching the news. All three of their pictures were on it. The door creaked as Max walked in. "Can you turn up the volume?" He asked the elderly gentleman. Natasha and Steve followed him inside.

"The authorities are after these three criminals. Steve Rogers or also known as "Captain America." Natasha Romanoff or also known as "The Black Widow." Max Casing. If you see any of these three, please contact the authorities."

The TV turned off as the elderly man turned to face them. "What the hell are you three still standing around for. Find those bastards."

Steve, Natasha, and Max drove in a pickup truck. Max sat in the back, while Natasha sat in the passenger seat looking out the window, Steve drove. No one talked, they hadn't since leaving the hospital. They were driving to "where it all began."

The old boot camp.

Max rubbed Natasha's arm with his finger. "Are you alright?" He asked softly.

She didn't answer.

Max breathed out; he sat back in his seat, thinking about only if he'd been there sooner. Steve looked at him through the rearview mirror. He looked at Natasha before focusing on driving.

It was nightfall when they made it to the old boot camp. The three got out of the car and stared at it. Steve and Max stared at what once used to be. The camp used to be noisy, soldiers running around, exercising, fighting amongst each other.

Max looked toward a table. He smiled, memories of Logan, Victor, and himself sitting at that table flooded his mind.

"We should find what Fury needed us to find." Steve broke the silence.

Max looked at him and then at Natasha. The three searched the camp until they found what they were looking for. Out of all the history, and the stories stood a building; a building that didn't belong.

Steve smashed the lock open with his shield. The door creaked open as they walked in. Rows of lights switched on one by one.

They found themselves standing in a room, it seemed like that of the old times. Bookshelves with books stacked inside. A picture of Howard Stark and Steve hung on the wall.

Max smiled at the memory.

The three searched the room finding memorabilia of all kinds. Max huffed in amusement as he found a picture of Steve, Victor, Logan, and himself standing together.

Steve stopped at a table; he spun a picture around to get a better look. His face was still, a sadness flowing through his features. He stared at the picture; it was a picture of himself and Peggy standing side by side.

"I think I found something." Natasha spoke through the silence. Her voice echoing across the room.

The two men walk toward her. She was near a bookcase, pulling a hidden lever.

It groaned aside, revealing a dark entrance.

The three walked inside, careful of their steps. They walked further in, following the passage led them to a computer-filled chamber.

Investigating, Natasha and Steve found the main computer. Finding a port they plugged in the drive. The room suddenly awoke, the computers turned on as a familiar German voice spoke to them.

Max roamed the room as they listened; he felt something… something familiar. Drawn toward the back wall, he noticed a faint outline.

Investigating around, the wall slid open… a hidden door.

"Max?" Natasha called as he walked through. Fear and concern made her follow him.

The room lit up as Max walked in, uncovering the truth. Multiple chambers attached to the walls. The closer he got; he noticed their features. Lycans, werewolves. Experimented on and dumped in chambers.

He closed his eyes and placed his hand on them. He can almost hear their screams and feel their pain. He swallowed hard.

Suddenly an alarm jolted him up, red lights flooding the rooms. "What's happening?!" Max yelled, rushing past Natasha who stood at the door, watching him.

"Goodbye…" Zola laughed. Max, Steve, and Natasha barely found covering before explosions surrounded them. The building was gone. The bootcamp was gone. The history, the stories all gone.

Sam Wilson walked out of his bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. Getting dressed, a faint knock came from his door, loud enough for him to hear.

Opening it, he found Max, Steve, and Natasha standing on his doorstep. Cuts, bruises, and burns scarring them. "Can we come in?" Natasha asked softly.

Without hesitation, Sam stepped aside. As they entered, he double-checked the street, then shut the door and drew blinds, covering them.

What was happening, it was serious. He saw the news report the other day about them being wanted. He knew something was wrong.

"I've got a bed, shower, food… whatever you need take it." He said softly.

"I'm taking a shower." Natasha mumbled, already moving toward the bathroom.

"I'll join you." Max added.

Sam furrowed his eyebrows. "I thought-"

"No." Steve shook his head. "I'm going to lie down."

Later, Steve stirred awake to find Max nudging his shoulder. "The shower is open." Max said quietly.

Steve sat up, groaning. Natasha sat at the foot of the bed, brushing her damp hair.

"Thanks." He mumbled and headed toward the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Max climbed into bed, tired from all the chaos that happened in the last three days.

Natasha joined soon after. Wrapping herself around him, the two held each other, protecting each other as they dozed off.

"How'd that happen?" Sam asked.

Steve, freshly showered, sat at the kitchen table eating eggs, toast, and bacon that Sam had cooked up.

Steve followed Sam's gaze toward the sleeping couple. "I haven't asked."

The two stayed quiet until a soft groan broke through; Natasha stirred, blinking slowly. "Max?" She whispered.

Still half-asleep, Max tightened his grip around her. "Yeah?" He mumbled.

Sam and Steve listened to the hushed back-and-forth before Natasha and Max emerged.

"Thanks." Natasha said simply as they joined the others.

"Anytime…" Sam responded, sipping his coffee. "Breakfast is on the stove."

Max groaned as he sat down. The four ate in silence, the clinking of forks is the only sound in the room.

Sam cleared the table once everyone was finished. Natasha took a sip of coffee clearing her pallet.

"Sorry for the intrusion." Steve leaned forward, his voice apologetic. "We didn't know where else to go."

"Don't worry about it." Sam replied.

"Hard not too, especially when everyone you know is trying to kill you." Natasha added.

A sudden scraping sound broke the moment. They turned to see Max slowly dragging one of his claws across the wooden table, looking blankly, his mind elsewhere. "Why Fury!" He growled.

"Everything started the moment we started digging into SHIELD!" His hand slammed against the table causing it to shake unsteadily as he stood up.

"Where are you going?" Steve asked.

"To get answers!"

"You can't just walk into SHIELD." Natasha said.

"You guys can't." Sam added.

"We can't ask you to do that." Steve responded.

"You're not… I'm in."

"All we need is someone to interrogate!" Max added.

Natasha sighed. "I think I know someone."

The rooftop door burst open, and Jasper Sitwell stumbled out, tripping over himself. Moments later, Steve, Natasha, Max, and Sam followed.

Sitwell scrambled to his feet. "What, did you bring me up here to beat me up?" He scoffed.

"Max wanted to kill you." Natasha responded coldly.

Sitwell looked over to Max, who stood with arms crossed, his eyes full of quiet fury.

"Tell us about Zola's algorithm!" Steve demanded.

Sitwell gave a half-smile. "Why would I do that?"

Max took a step forward.

"I've loved this chat, but Max is looking really bored." Sitwell smiled.

"I really hate guys like you!" Max growled-and kicked him. Sitwell flew backward, landing near the edge of the roof.

"Max!" Steve shouted, hurrying after him.

"You think you can do anything because HYDRA's protecting you!" Max snarled, lifting Sitwell by the neck. "Answer them!"

Sitwell choked in his grip, feet dangling.

"Let him go, Max." Natasha spoke.

Max clinched his jaw, then threw him to the ground. "Your turn!" He faced her.

Coughing, Sitwell tried to breathe.

"What is Zola's algorithm?" Natasha knelt next to him.

"It's a program," He gasped rubbing his neck. "It chooses targets."

"What kind of targets?" Steve asked.

"You, Natasha… anyone who's a threat to HYDRA. Now, or in the future."

Max stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck.

"The future?" Steve asked. "How could it know?"

Sitwell gave a hollow laugh. "How can it not? We live in a digital book." Sitwell stood up. "Zola taught HYDRA how to read it. It evaluates people's past to predict their future."

Steve's eyes narrowed. "And then what?"

Sitwell hesitated. "Pierce is going to kill me…"

"What then?!" Steve barked.

"The inside carriers," Sitwell finally said. "They eliminate threats. Hundreds of millions at a time."

Max's breath quickened. "Alexis, Alex…" Max spoke causing everyone to look at him. "Sebastian, Bliss, Rebecca…" He glared at Sitwell. "My family."

Without warning, he lunged forward and grabbed Sitwell again, choking him. Sitwell collapsed to his knees, clawing at Max's arms.

"Max-no!" Steve, Natasha, and Sam rushed to pull him off.

It took all three to separate them. Natasha shoved Max back, breathing hard. "We need him, Max!"

Max pointed furiously at Sitwell. "Our family, Natasha! Our children!"

"We need him alive; he can help us stop it."

They stared at each other, both panting, neither backing down.

Finally, Natasha's voice softened. "You should go. Go to the safe house."

Max recoiled. "You're kicking me out?!"

"You're too emotional right now. We need clear heads on this."

Max looked at Steve and Sam, their faces unreadable. He swallowed hard, then gave a short nod. "Fine…" He muttered. "Sorry…"

Max paced back and forth inside a bunker, he saw the news coverage of Sam's, Steve's, and Natasha's arrest. He hoped that Agent Hill got to the three heroes in time.

Suddenly the bay door groaned open, and a black car rolled inside.

"Are you guys, okay?" Max asked, rushing down to see them.

"What are you doing here Max?" Natasha asked.

Sam stepped out and looked around cautiously. "What is this place?"

"A hidden bunker," Hill replied, closing the door behind her. "SHIELD built these. HYDRA doesn't even know they exist. Come on, someone wants to meet you."

The three exchanged confused glances before following her deeper into the bunker. At the end of a corridor, they entered a dimly lit room. Fury lay awake on a medical bed.

"Nice of you to drop by." He smiled.

"Fury?" Natasha gasped. She hurried to his side and threw her arms around him.

"Oh-" He groaned.

"You deserve it." She muttered, sniffled.

"We thought you were dead." Steve said.

"Who is this guy?" Sam asked.

"Nick Fury." Max replied. "Director of SHIELD."

Natasha turned her gaze to Max, suspicion narrowing her eyes. "Did you know about this?"

Max's smile faded. He opened his mouth to answer, then glanced toward Fury.

"Don't blame him," Fury said. I needed him quiet, the fewer people who knew, the better."

Natasha shook her head before leaving the room. "Natasha!" Max called out, rushing after her.

"Natasha! I'm sorry!" He walked behind her. "I couldn't, I wanted to…"

"I get that!" She snapped, turning on him. "I just need to be away from you right now!"

"Natasha…" He said softly. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head and walked away. Max exhaled, staring at the floor. Turning around he found Steve.

"How long have you known about Bucky?" He asked quietly.

"Since… I fought him," Max admitted. "His mask fell off… I know I lied to you guys… but I can still help out. I'm sorry."

"You should stay here." Steve replied before walking away.

Max ran a hand over the back of his neck. "The mission isn't done." Fury spoke walking toward him.

"They don't want me on it."

"That is the stupidest excuse I have ever heard," Fury snapped. "Get your butt out their!"

Max ran up the stairwell. Guards surrounded the final flight leading to Pierces office. He moved fast and brutal, striking for fatal blows, tossing bodies down the stairs, and using their own as shields. By the time he reached the door, blood stained his shirt and hands.

Inside, Natasha had Pierce at gunpoint. The board of directors lay dead on the floor.

Max burst through the door, startling Natasha. In that moment of distraction, Pierce grabbed a gun from underneath his desk and fired.

Natasha screamed as the bullet tore through her shoulder.

"Tasha!" Max sprinted toward her, dropping to his knees. His hands pressed over the wound.

"I told you to stay out of this." She groaned.

"I know… I'm sorry."

"Isn't this touching," Pierce sneered. "But I think I'll kill you both now. Or better yet… Maybe Dreykov would enjoy having Romanoff back."

Max leaned down and kissed Natasha on the forehead. "I'm so sorry." He whispered.

A helicopter landed outside the shattered windows. Pierce turned to look.

Max saw his chance.

With lightning speed, he gripped onto Pierce's hand and crushed it. Shots rang out as Pierce screamed. Max's features twisted, canines protruding, claws unfurling. He gripped pierce by the hair, digging his claws into the man's scalp.

"You tried to kill my friends, my family!" Max growled. His eyes blazed red.

"You threatened my family!"

Max lifted him by the throat. A strange, invisible force vibrated through the building, shaking the walls.

Pierce gagged as Max choked him.

"I need his eye, Max." Fury called, typing into a holoprojected screen.

Snarling, Max dragged pierce toward him, pried his eyelid open, and held him for the retinal scan.

"Done," Fury confirmed.

Max didn't hesitate. With a sharp twist, he crushed Pierce's neck and tossed him aside like trash.

"Take care, Fury!" Max said, lifting Natasha into his arms.

With a flick of his hand, a portal tore open. The two of them vanished into the shadows of Vârcolac's domain.

Fury stared into the closing portal. "Wasn't expecting that."

"How's Max?" Steve asked, standing beside Natasha at the cemetery.

"He's visiting Alexis and Alex." She replied. "This mission really shook him."

"Understandable. Tell him I said hi."

"I will."

Nearby, Fury approached Sam. "Sam Wilson?" Fury greeted.

"Nick Fury-or should I say, Director Fury?"

"I'm rebuilding SHIELD, and I would like if you would help out."

"What kind of job?"

"An assignment. Are you interested? Yes or no."

Sam glanced at Steve and Natasha as they walked away. Then he looked Fury in the eye.

"Yes."