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[Assistant]
The Krakoan Sun
Frenzy feels she is falling somewhere in the cold and dark. She tries to calm herself reminding herself she can’t be hurt. She just needs to latch onto something. She believes she hears voices….
In reality, she and others are hanging from the ceiling in a kind of cave created by Knull, while Manifold confronts Knull, who leers whether he likes his anti-Krakoa. Manifold asks how he did this. Knull replies he used their private entrance. A Krakoan gate. Everyone was so scandalized and focused on him, but his dead dragon still had so much raw symbiote material for him to work with. So, he reached out and gave it a push. A flood of beautiful black ichor overturned the board, and now all the pieces are his. So, he is sorting through them at his leisure deciding what he wants to keep. And what he doesn’t.
He orders one of his symbiote creatures to bring him Sunfire and his immaculate friend and wake them both up. The “Krakoan sun” Sunfire was called, he recalls, as Sunfire and Cortez are awakened. He doesn’t like suns. The symbiote kills both men. Now what do they do with him? He turns to Manifold.
On the PEAK, Wiz Kid tells Brand he solved the comm problem. They used the Krakoan Gate as comm, having one piece of Krakoa talk to another, but… She finishes his thought. He did it and heard nothing from Krakoa. He wants to take a closer look at Krakoa. She forbids it! She needs him here. Time to use her ace in the hole…
Krakoa:Said ace Mentallo has holed up in the Arbor Magna with the Five. When he is contacted, he immediately insists it is not his fault. His attempt to explain the protocol to the Five didn’t go well.
Hope Summers angrily demands he put her on and asks if this kidnap attempt is on Brand. Brand corrects her it isn’t kidnapping. It’s an attempt to ensure the survival of humankind. Or mutantkind. They are all Earthers to her.
Hope asks for details. Brand tells her that Mentallo will escort them to the Summer House on the moon, where they are to take their Cerebro Cradle to Shi’ar space. DNA samples will be brought to them. Not all of them, but enough to prevent inbreeding and other risks. Then if human life is wiped out, the Five do what they do and bring it back. Mentallo can perform the necessary telepathic surgery. Hope scoffs. Brand retorts that he is good enough to being back Xavier at least. That’s like using a carwash to restore the Mona Lisa, Hope replies disgusted.
He’s right here, Mentallo mutters. Hope points out that Shi’ar colonies have also fallen to the goo dragons. Four and counting, Brand admits. And using only part of Sinister’s DNA bank, that’s grotesque! Hope rages. The Five’s reason for being is to bring every mutant back! They are all still reeling from losing Gorgon and Rockslide, and now she wants them to lose millions more? Fine, she gets it, they don’t want to run from the fight, Brand backs down. Hope accuses her of projecting. Establishing back-up hatcheries in secure locations is actually a good idea, but doing it on the fly during a universal crisis is just stupid.
Things don’t always happen on their schedule, Brand points out. Hope cuts her off, that she planned all this but didn’t run it past anyone on Krakoa. Brand says they are all Earthers to her. Like, she is so enlightened, but all she sees from her is old human thinking. Spycraft and machinations, secrets and mysteries – whom does it serve? Tightlipped, Brand replies that she doesn’t serve Krakoa and some things are need to know. She has her reasons. Hope accuses her of just liking games the way Mentallo likes toys. Who needs a giant tank for an extraction mission?
He does! comes a new voice, as there is a blinding light and suddenly Wiz Kid is among them. He can teleport? Egg asks. Wiz Kid explains he built a translocator into his chair and a receiver into the Think Tank. Human tech has its uses. He’d have come via Krakoan gate but he suspects Krakoa’s been compromised.
As if on cue, shadow snakes attack them. Elixir gives the order to protect the pods. No reason to endanger themselves, Taki remarks calmly as he floats his chair to the top of the tank, where he begins using the controls, much to Mentallo’s displeasure. He presses a button and the tank transforms into a giant robot whose eyes fire deadly beams at the snakes.
Not far away, Knull considers what to do with Manifold. He muses about his power: the everywhere man, one-of-a-kind space manipulator and universal teleporter. And yet, not an omega. Doesn’t that worry him… that somewhere there is someone more. Not really thought about it, Eden mutters, as he tries to open teleportation gates near Knull. To no avail. Looks like a stalemate, Knull mocks. Eden opens a huge teleportation gate, telling him to say ‘hello’ to the center of the sun. But Knull bodyslides himself to get away, revealing that he is Cable possessed by Knull. Then he tells Eden he has an island full of hostages and, unlike him, Eden will tire.
Eventually, Knull is faster and kicks Eden in the face. Finally, he nails him down.
In the meantime, Frenzy struggles for awareness. Knull decides to kill Manifold, only to be jumped at by Frenzy, who tears off Cable’s metallic arm which also removes his access to the bodysliding tech. Knull swears at her, threatening to make her kill everyone she loves. Unimpressed, Frenzy reveals she only loved one person and, if he’d felt the same, Cable would be her stepson. So, this feels like a win! She hits him.
Manifold uses his power to gather a small piece of the sun, wrapped in a bubble of folded space so it doesn’t hurt anyone. He attacks Knull / Cabe with it and the Knull aspect is destroyed, leaving only an unconscious Cable. Manifold remarks that he is not even an omega mutant. Somewhere there is someone more. So, Knull shouldn’t come back!
Elsewhere, during the techno party, Wiz Kid is holding Hope points out she can see the sun.
Outside, they take care of the wounded. Cable whines that he is never good enough. When will he be good enough? Magneto points out that creature took his father. It took all of them here. If there is one commonality, it is not a lack of talent. He suggests they not blame themselves for the acts of their oppressors.
Frenzy asks what they will do next. Magneto announces Krakoa has fought off alien invasions before. In the end, this will be no different. Contact the Five. Move Sunfire to the front of the resurrection queue with immediate effect. Then mutants with proven anti-symbiote abilities: fire, electricity, light. Manifold will guard the gate until then.
He picks up Cortez’s skull. After this is over, tell the Five to resurrect Cortez. They have matters to discuss…


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[Assistant]
Giallo
Plant J543, at the edge of Utopian Kree space:
Zn’rx prince Wezel is trying to discuss with the Supreme Intelligence the right to move his troops though Utopian Kree space, but is rebuffed. Wezel shouts that he is under siege. Trapped on all sides by his duplicitous siblings, expect for theirs. The Supreme Intelligence regrets this but the Utopian Kree cannot be seen to take sides in the Zn’rx conflict. Wezel accuses them of taking sides against him. He sears vengeance. He appeals to their vow to save all sentients. Just before the Kree can reply, the prince is shot in the back and dies.
Krakoa, Arbor Magna:Nobody is there to welcome Fabian Cortez as he is resurrected from an egg, save for a disinterested Jean Grey, who informs him his cause of death was murder by alien symbiote, if he was wondering. She drew the short straw and had to put his mind back. It didn’t take long.
Cortez looks forward to the reaffirmation ceremony, but Jean informs him they are not having one of those today. He has Council business. That takes priority. Gleefully, she adds he should have seen Sunfire’s ceremony. That was a party. He asks if he can get clothes or a shower at least. The yolk gets everywhere. Mercilessly, she just advises him to get it off before it becomes crusty and orders him not to keep the Council waiting.
Still in his birthday suit, he is led before the Council. Xavier announces that they are not complete but enough for a quorum. He asks Magneto if he is satisfied. Magneto announces they have a few more guests coming. As if on cue, they are joined by Abigail Brand and – to Cortez’ disgust – Peeper, to whom Magneto happily offers a seat.
Angrily, Cortez demands why he is here. Because he values Peeper’s input, Magneto replies. Peter is quite the man of vision. As well as being one of his oldest and most trusted friends.
Cortez states that, ten minutes ago, he was dead and now he is standing here with no clothes on. Two of man’s greatest nightmares in quick succession. Is he being punished? Magneto asks if his grand plans aren’t going as envisioned. That is nothing new, surely. This is his opportunity. Here and now, he has the floor. Speak. Or leave. Cortez preens and announces that he would like to discuss the subject of murder…
On Xaxoco, two Zn’rx royalty members hide out, realizing that both their half-brothers have been murdered. Khondo and Lyga intend to wait out their last competitor’s death, then the war of succession will be finished between the two of them. Lyga accuses Khondo of having Wezel killed. He agrees with her that some things should be personal, getting ready to shoot her.
Krakoa:Cortez announces that the Second Law is backwards. They made it a rule not to murder any flatscan, when… Xavier interrupts and asks him not to use that slur. Fabian mockingly agrees. Their oppressors may denigrate them, humiliate mutants, strip them of who they are, but unless they consider humans’ feelings, mutants are the real monsters. Please, he’s heard it all before. Has he? Storm asks doubtingly. Is he not mutant? he retorts. Has he not heard all the arguments for his own extinction? And yet, even now, even now he does not mean humanity ill. This is a new day and as he has been forgiven, he shall forgive. Sinister grins at the show, while Exodus looks disgusted.
But tell him, Cortez continues, why must he bow? Why is the highest mutant crime a crime against humans? Ah, he remembers, he hams it up. Humans are finite. Because mutants have no resurrection protocols for them. And in that case, they are already refusing to save the poor creatures from what must come… their slow painful decline… their inexorable death. Be they enemies or allies, or their own family - they are allowing that terror. Magneto glares silently.
Cortez stresses he does not say this out of malice. To take a human life should be regrettable thing. How is it murder though? How can it be murder, if they are already dead?
Space:A knife hits Khondor in the head, much to Lyga’s surprise. Amelia Voght points out he was going to kill her. She must have seen that coming surely. He all but announced it. Lyga replies he was her brother and until now his word was good. She asks who she is and why she saved her.
Voght introduces herself and stresses she didn’t save her life. She’s sorry. No, wait, Lyga pleads. Another person takes the knife from the corpse and announces that their forces massacred half the people on this trading post. That shows strength. Don’t betray that strength with begging. She cuts Lyga’s throat.
The Quiet Council:Well, nothing to say? Cortez demands. Peeper asks what his mutant name is. Eh? Cortez asks. Peeper explains that he is Peeper, Mags is Magneto, Marv is Mentallo. Mutant names. What’s his? He doesn’t need some tawdry alias! Cortez scoffs. He is Cortez. His forefathers were ancient nobility in Europe – and men of wealth in the New World. They bent continents to their whim! And his sister and he were mutants… the pinnacle of the bloodline… but they were… shunned by the sapiens in their family. Treated as an embarrassment… given the scraps from the family table. Barely six figures… property in Florida. But he is Cortez! His name is a mutant name because it belongs to him. And if the flatscans want it back, they can wear it on their tombstones! he rages.
He figured it was something like that, Peeper replies wryly.
Magneto remarks, he has raised some interesting nuances. Issues of manslaughter or negligence should perhaps be considered. But that is for another day and a full council. Today is for murder. And he knows murder. He gets up and continues that murder is in the simplest terms a choice. He has made that choice many times. In the passion of an instant - and at cold calculated length. But those choices were made in a time long past. They are here and it is now. If he were to make that choice again – for any reason – he would face exile. And face it, gladly. For they must be a nation of laws. He has listened to how Cortez has… suffered at human hands. To his reasons. Do him a favor. Look him in the eye and say they are greater than Magneto’s. Cortez cannot do it. Ashamed, he looks away.
Storm interjects that this is ridiculous. They have the Gala to get ready for. Motion to dismiss this meeting.
Desperately, Cortez shouts he is not done, adding they need him for their space program. He is vital to Krakoan society! Mr. Sinister and Shaw smirk at his rant, as he continues that without him there are no more expeditions into higher space! No more of their precious mysterium! Xavier interjects that this is beneath him. Cortez shouts back that he is their future and he wants the respect due him or…
He is interrupted by a violet light and two women appear. “Who are you?” he bursts out. Deliberately misunderstanding, the teleporter Amelia Voght professes surprise; he doesn’t remember her. They are such old friends The other smaller woman – whose torso is partially lit by light from within announces he means her. She is Khora of the Burning Heart. She is fire in the soul and murder in the dark. She is of Arakko. And she is his replacement.
While Fabian still gapes, Brand asks the two women if their mission is complete. Voght replies that Kuga of Boa Clan is the new Z’nr’x Empress. She knows she owes that favor to Krakoa. And Arakko, Khora points out.
Shaw asks if they are done. He has work to do. They all do, Emma agrees. Next time teach an upstart a lesson in his own time, she chides Magneto. While Fabian still stammers, Xavier announces he still thinks it was right to give him a chance to make his case.
Magneto offers to accompany Brand. Xavier addresses Voght. They haven’t had a chance to talk since she arrived. If he’s not busy now, she offers. They all leave, leaving a naked, sputtering Cortez standing there alone.
The PEAK:Magneto asks if “murder no human” doesn’t apply to aliens. That depends, Brand replies. Is it murder in defense of a nation? A planet? A thousand planets? Snarkwar destroyed her father’s planet. He was one of the few survivors and it left him broken. One more galactic drifter hustling for his next drink. So, she ended the latest war of succession the only way she could. By picking the winner. In defense of Sol or in justice for the past? he asks and warns her to be careful. She admits, it is a fairly blunt way to influence a galactic society, but now they have something better – namely tons of mysterium.


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[Assistant]
This is What Comes Next
The Hellfire Gala:1:10 am, after the fireworks:Captain America stands outside, pondering what just happened. Other guests are leaving. A shocked James Macdonald Hudson complains to Henry Peter Gyrich that he can’t believe they’ just… do that. Gyrich suggests he should stop thinking about them as his friends. These X-Men represent a rogue nation. One that has just shown how far they ‘ll go to take humanity’s place as Earth’s dominant species. Max stammers, deeply disturbed he doesn’t know what to think. The power it takes… and they just… at a fashion event! It’s too big! Gyrich agrees and smoothly adds he’d like him to meet some people. Has he ever heard of Orchis?
Dr. Doom curtly asks Captain America about his thoughts. Cap replies he’s still a little shellshocked. He’s sure Doom would call that weakness. Doom demurs that he has more respect for Captain America than he knows. After all, are they not both the faces of their nations? Cap chuckles, then explains that, the first week when he came out of the ice, it was a dark time. He’d lost everything and everyone. And then Tony Stark came in… with this little handheld cinema. Future technology. He showed him a newsreel. Right there, he saw a man walk on the moon. For all mankind. And in that moment, he felt hope again. And it hit him. Decades had passed since then. What had they reached by then? He asked Tony if they had reached Mars. Tony gave him a sad little smile, then he changed the subject. And here they are. Watching it all from the sidelines.
And is he afraid? Doom demands What kind of question is that? Cap wonders. Afraid of what? The future? Because that’s not who he is. Never has been. Despite everything he has been through. Despite all the challenges to come, he believes in a better tomorrow. In a smaller voice, he adds that he’d just hoped they’d all look for it together.
He thinks perhaps they will, Doom muses before he steps though the gate. There will come a time when the Captain will need his help and, when that day arrives, he has Doom’s word he will not make a gala performance out of it.
The PEAK, in the Diplomatic Suite ambassador Frenzy, dressed to the nines, and Abigail Brand, dressed in a pirate outfit, inform several alien envoys of the Galactic Council that using mutant technology they have now fully terraformed Mars. They’ve already installed a sister station – the KEEP – along with a working spaceport and diplomatic zone which they are all more than welcome to visit. And they’ve begun the process of settling the planet with mutants of Arakko. They are a warrior culture. They’ll like them. Any questions so far?
Just one, the Kymellian envoy Nymbis Sternhoof announces: Why exactly should they care? He doesn’t wish to be rude— the Rigelian Mentacle interrupts that actually he does. But they are all wrestling with an economic crisis on a galactic scale, Mentacle continues. They are busy. Orbis Stellaris interjects that the planetary engineering method is more efficient than any they have seen. Work that might take a standard year performed in mere minutes. Humanity is obviously capable of far more than they had previously considered.
Riitho of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda points out that Krakoa is only a nation. Compared to what Wakanda has achieved, this feels unimpressive. Smasher, speaking for the Shi’ar, warns that this is gonna piss people off. Nova agrees. And while he doesn’t want to start a fight twice in one visit, he thinks he is one of them. Did they consult anyone about this? he asks Brand. He adds he is meant to be Earth’s representative on the Galactic Council.
Frenzy interrupts he has made it clear he has other priorities. Where was he when Knull came to Earth? Off saving seven billion other people, he mutters. And stopping some homicidal gods. Frenzy points out that his plate is full enough without worrying about them.
Brand continues that they all make fair points. They are great civilizations. To them, Earth is something of a backwater. A world of factions. Terraforming their neighboring planet is exciting to humanity, not to them. They need to do more, and they have.
She invites Wiz Kid and Manifold. Wiz Kid carries a stick of the Mysterium. Brand explains it’s a unique material condensed from certain exotic particles. The recipe is need-to-know, but Earth’s mutants are the only ones who can currently create it. Wiz Kid begins to explain Mysterium’s properties: it functions like metal, but not just any metal. It’s easy to shape but once it’s cooled to below 200 degrees kelvin it has strength on a par with secondary adamantium. It conducts electricity at 100% efficiency and, unlike most metal, it barely conducts or retains heat and it’s radiationproof. Ship hulls at ten percent of normal thickness that they can fly through the sun. Computers that run at 100% efficiency forever and never fail. He hasn’t even mentioned the magnetic properties. Put simply: this is what comes next.
And it’s theirs, Brand adds. They’ll each leave with one hundred tons of mysterium for their people. A little goes a long way. That much alone will foster a minor economic miracle for their worlds. She throws one to Peter Quill, speaking for Spartax.
They also have mysterium reserves in certain locations, which they are willing to donate to the Galactic Council either to back the credit or use as the basis of a new currency. They could call it the Sol.
What is this stuff? Peter wonders. Orbis Stellaris asks how much mysterium can be produced at once. Brand replies that they don’t intend to flood the universe with it. Condensing it is an effort and they don’t need much themselves. They have their own technology.
Riitho of the Interstellar Empire of Wakanda announces that T’Challa will no doubt accept the gift in the spirit it was intended but no more. Speak for himself, Smasher states on behalf of the Shi’ar. This stuff rocks! Riitho replies he speaks for Wakanda. They too have their own technology and do not need charity!
Richard Rider of the Nova Corps speaks up. Brand doesn’t do charity. This is a bribe. The question is, what does it pay for? Brand smirks. She is glad he asked. Krakoa made a similar deal with Earth when this all started. They give them what they need and what they ask in return is acknowledgment. They now have what the other members of the Council have. A single unified government. Sol is finally a true member on the galactic stage. So, from this day forth, when they have business with Sol, it isn’t with Earth. It’s with the capital planet of the Sol system: planet Arakko. Any questions?
Just one. Dr. Doom teleports in. Why should he care? Peter asks what he is doing here. Doom asks why he wasn’t invited. He is waiting for his answer, he tells Brand. She says Sol is now a true system, a political entity like Rigel or Spartax or the Throne world. She claims Earth could never function as such, because it is divided. She implies Mars is different. United. That it speaks with one voice. Doom would hear that voice.
They can make that happen, she replies. Interesting that this is the most important fact for him. Of course, it is, he replies as Manifold begins creating a doorway. He wants to know who the King of Mars is. Who would speak for Sol?
He knows her name, a voice comes from the doorway. Storm appears surrounded by lightning as she announces she speaks for Sol.
Mykines 3:17 am:The celebrations are over. Magneto enjoys a quiet drink, satisfied with the evening. Magnus, a voice calls out behind him. He turns around to see the woman who for the longest time was believed to be his daughter. The Scarlet Witch. She got his invitation. He tells her he didn’t think she’d come. He so wanted her to see the fireworks. She apologizes. She tried but she couldn’t. Not after everything she did. Everything she said. The Pretender can’t sit at the feast, she whispers as she looks away in shame.
He is quiet for a moment, then asks if he ever told her of his daughter Anya. Probably not. She had eyes like her and hair like autumn leaves. The humans killed her, of course. He didn’t even know he was a mutant back then. They were humans at the mercy of humans. Prey for their systems… their societies… and now… now he finds himself the great mutant hero. He runs their systems, governs their society. He helped build a world today… and he was happy for the children… but then he thought of his children and how he’d failed them. All of them.
She reminds him she is not really his… He knows. But sometimes what is real is not the same as what is true. He offers his hand with a smile as he tells her sometimes it takes two to pretend. The two share a dance as he assures her that she is his daughter. She will always be his daughter. And he will do what he must to make things right…


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Full Spectrum Diplomacy
Throneworld II, built from the ruins of Hala:Hulkling, emperor of the Kree Skrull Empire, contacts Captain Glory, the Kree’s greatest supersoldier, who has been serving out a life sentence on a penal colony and who is now teleported to his side. Captain Glory reminds Hulkling he told him he would need him one day, but he’s surprised that day came quite so soon. Hulkling wryly replies it’s been one of those days and asks if he has been briefed.
As he has just been hauled out of his cell, Hulkling gives him the short version: they are under attack by Mindless Ones and they need every weapon they have, super soldiers included. He explains Mindless Ones are magical entities, walking engines of total destruction, aimed and fired by the Dread Dormammu, lord of the Dark Dimension. They come, they see, the conquer and right now they have their laser eyes set on them.
Captain Glory asks where the prince consort Wiccan is. On Skrullos, is the reply, since the Mindless Ones are hitting that world, too. Captain Glory asks if he has notified their allies and Earth. Hulkling explains that the Guardians of the Galaxy are fighting the source and he has notified Alpha Flight.
A soldier warns them that there is portal activity. Mindless Ones are incoming and in addition they are now being attacked by their spaceship.
Captain Glory asks if Alpha Flight has replied. Not yet, he is told. As he flies toward the giant Mindless One, he suggests they call someone else.
The terraformed planet Mars, now Arakko:Its new viceroy, Storm, has invited Dr. Doom to a dinner for two. He commends the breathtaking surroundings. Storm retorts they worked hard to create the view. She asks how the bouillabaisse is. He informs her he refuses to open his mouth grille for any dish less than magnificent. This is… superlative. Would it be rude of him to kidnap her chef? An act of war, she warns him, but an understandable one. And less rude than turning your dinner guest into a chrome statue.
Doom dimly recalls that unfortunate business with Arcade, how long ago? He sent a robot in his place, if he remembers. Clearly, the machine was suffering from some grotesque internal fault to so cavalierly break the sacred bond of hospitality. The true Doom would never disrespect a goddess, he assures her, as he raises his glass. She chides him not to flirt. It is unbecoming. He apologizes and remarks that it is refreshing to see her in a role that befits her capabilities. To see her as a true queen as opposed to… well, a king’s wife.
Does he really want to discuss their respective marriages? she shoots back with a slight smirk. So soon? He glares and announces he tires of small talk. They should speak of more serious matters. Perhaps serious enough to end worlds. They should speak of mysterium and what it has wrought.
On Throneworld, Emperor Hulkling and his warriors have taken on the Mindless Ones. He asks if there is any word from Billy and is told by an Accuser that Wiccan and the Knights of the Infinite are holding the line on Skrullos with minimal casualties. He asks for a status report from the southern front and is told that Mindless Ones keep trying to destroy their army.
In the air, a Mindless One teleports in to attack Captain Glory. Another One teleports in behind the Kree and they fire at Glory simultaneously, injuring him mortally and sacrificing themselves in the process. Captain Glory falls as he assures Hulkling it is the way he wants to go. More Mindless Ones rush in and destroy the translocutor. Hulkling orders his soldiers to hold the line.
On Arakko, Doom continues “doomsplaining” magic over dessert, stating the magic of this universe is powerful, but only so powerful. The forces beyond this universe are less limited. Which brings them to mysterium – the mutant miracle metal. Did she know it resonates with magic? It may even be proof against it. That’s not information they have given away, Storm observes. As if they had to, he scoffs. He is a doctor of the fivefold art. From childhood, he forged himself in the secret fire. He has his mother’s eyes.
And what exactly is it he thinks he sees with them? Storm inquires politely. Many things! Doom boasts. Mysterium is not from their reality. They condense it from primal kirbons, cosmic particles that exist both outside their cosmos and at the heart of it, for they have always been the same place. The Above-place. The White Hot Room. The Mystery.
And is it a problem for him? she asks. That they were first? They have stolen fire from heaven to hold in their hands, he replies. How could he object. He has done the same himself - with one significant difference – he wore gloves. He warns them to be careful. They are dabblers. And at this scale the unintended consequences of dabbling can be severe. The wrong symbol or metaphor can destroy you. They have turned the gold the alchemists sought into common coin… shackled the sublime to the material world, and thus they have altered the balance of the world. Subtly, but enough to create a moment of opportunity for one who knows how to seize it. Something is coming, he warns her. Perhaps it is already here.
That moment, Storm is telepathically contacted by Commander Brand via Mentallo. She informs Storm that the Kree-Skrull Alliance is under attack by Mindless Ones, and they are not alone. Star-Lord reported an attack on Spartax and they are getting some weird traffic from the Shi’ar. Sol hasn’t been hit yet, but they shouldn’t wait until it is. She is taking a team to Hala to assess the threat and report back but, if this spirals, Storm may want to address the Great Ring.
Brand’s team walks through Manifold’s gate.
Doom asks Storm if she is now learning what Doom already knows. She clearly needs the knowledge, so he offers it gladly. Noblesse oblige. And after he has taught them, saved them from themselves, they will discuss how Arakko repays its debts.
Storm gets up. Since they are discussing metaphors, she announces and throws a lightning bolt on the table between them. Playing by your opponents’ rule can create a good impression, she states. Refusing to play their games at all creates a better one. Dinner is over. Brandy and cigars will not be served. She looks down on him from the air. And while she thanks him for his generous offer teaching them how to crawl… it comes late. They are already flying. Do they have more to learn? Of course, for they have always been a school. But why would they need him to teach them?
He turns around and struggles to keep calm, then announces so be it. He at least acted with decorum. Doom has no regrets. He hopes when tomorrow comes that she can say the same.
On Throneworld, Hulkling stands surrounded by the bodies of his soldiers. He apologizes for letting them down. He mumbles that grandmother was right. About his friends… enemies… Alpha Flight… He should have listened…
Brand and her people appear and she agrees. She warned him at his wedding party: Alpha Flight doesn’t work. That’s why she built something better. Let’s go! she orders her team.
Manifold orders Hulkling to stand. He can open a portal beneath him – get him right into medbay. Hulkling refuses. There are still people fighting. Paibok gently suggests he may have to, if he can’t shapeshift due to injuries. Brand adds they have healers at the PEAK who can fix that damage in minutes. Then he will be back in the fight with a handpicked SWORD team at his back. Her gift to him. She wants to breaks some of the ice between Krakoa and the Alliance.
Right… the Wanda thing, he recalls. Calling her “Pretender.” He hates that. Billy does too. Weird, though, they tried contacting her with magic but it was as if she wasn’t there… He guesses Dormammu was locking them. That was probably it, Brand agrees, lying through her teeth.
Frenzy shouts a warning. They have company! As they get attacked Brand orders for Hulkling to be evacuated first. They will follow. And she wants no arguments from Khora!
Hulkling groans he still can’t believe the Avengers didn’t come. They called Alpha Flight… and nothing. While teleporting him, Manifold suggests next time calling the Avengers directly. Henry Gyrich is in charge of Alpha. He probably wrote them off as an acceptable loss. Brand agrees as she fires her big guns at the attackers. In a crisis, people show you who they truly are!


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[Assistant]
Unbroken
Above Arakko, formerly Mars, its new viceroy Storm soars in a private sky, an envelope of atmosphere around her.
She flies down to her destination instead of using the Gates. She is the new regent of Arakko and has defended the title so far. Arakko hasn’t broken her. Not yet.
In the arena, the challenger, Fiery Calderak, who seems to consist of molten stone, demands to know where she is. He plays up to the audience and disparages Storm.
In the audience sit Frenzy and Khora of the Burning Heart. Frenzy tells Khora she just got a psi-flash from Mentallo that Storm is running late. Should she go down and say something? Make an excuse on her behalf? Does she want to be regent of Arakko? Khora asks. Frenzy considers it, then decides not right now. Then don’t step into the Circle Perilous, Khora warns her. She further explains that, if you want a seat on the Great Ring, you challenge the one sitting. No hindrance, no help. If you step into the Circle, there are only three ways out. You win. Or you die. Or you yield.
In the arena, Calderak begins accusing Storm of fear.
Talks a lot, Frenzy comments. Khora figures it shows fear. If Storm is delayed, she is delayed. If she is hiding, it is something else, but he can’t make it so by talking. Khora’s eyes glow red as she announces, she is here.
A moment later, Calderak finds himself frozen by the polar winds that came in Storm’s wake. Does he yield? she asks. He calls her a witch. Weather witch, Storm corrects. She has a meeting to attend. Does he yield?
Later, Ororo stands before the Great Ring – the ruling body of Arakko – announcing that she takes the seat of All-Around-Us at the Day Table.
Reciting one of his haiku-like poems, Lodus Logos throws a knife at her. Storm catches it with her hands, then compliments him on its balance. Would he like it back? Pleased, he tells her to keep it, hoping to speak a more perfect gift soon.
Storm notes that the Seat of Law is empty. Will Ora Serrata be joining them? Xilo explains Ora is recording Storm’s duel, confirming that it was in accordance with law. He as keeper of history found the fight inconsequential. Isca the Unbeaten smirks that no fight is without consequence for the loser. Addressing Storm as regent, she remarks she called them here for a discussion. What is it she wishes to discuss? Will there be another contest today? Will there be consequences?
Tarn the Uncaring grins evilly and tells Storm to answer the question. Will there? She reminds Tarn she told him last time she was here: any act against Krakoa is an act against her. Yes, she did, he replies, studying his nails. Storm continues, he gave his word to all here, he would not set his foot on that island. Yes, he did, Tarn smirks. And then… he did! And then he beat the thieves who live there like dogs. And he will do the same. Again and again. Until he is satisfied. If she likes, he’ll continue to lie about it. As sign of his respect for her. To the Vile, Tarn’s word has hideous meaning. But to those less… it is emptier than air. A fart. And praise Tarn for even that!
That sounds like a challenge, Storm observes. Is that a route he wishes to take? She speaks the word with such gravitas, he mocks, but she is on Arakko. Challenges fall here like rain or blood. How did she get to sit here without knowing that?
Flashback:Storm battles a woman looking like her in her original costume growling I Amm Yuu. She repeats that statement, while wrestling Storm to the ground and holding a knife above her.
Present:How else? Storm coldly states. The challenge was made. The rain fell. And the blood flowed. And now this seat is hers. The casting vote. The regency of Arakko. No mutant has taken it from her. She did not yield to them. She will not yield to Tarn. She will meet him in the Circle. She walks away adding it is his prerogative to be late, but she warns him not to run or hide.
Isca asks Tarn if he is after Storm’s seat. He replies that the Seat of Loss fits him well. He has no ulterior motive. She simply offends him. Her death is motive enough.
The Circle Perilous, one hour later:Frenzy and Khora of the Burning Heart sit in the audience. Frenzy asks how dangerous Tarn is on a scale of one to ten. Khora grimly tells her to count the numberless dead in the abyssal prisons Tarn helped oversee. Then double it.
Tarn is waiting in the arena. She is on time, he states, as he sees Storm hovering in the air. She retorts, he isn’t hiding, so they are both pleasantly surprised. He announces that verbal jousting pleases him, when an opponent shows their spirit before he takes it away. His eyes glow. Fall, he orders. Storm loses access to her power and falls hard. Tarn boasts that this is how the Great Genomic Mage fights his battles – by ending them. He explains he edited her DNA with his mind. Took away her powers. Windrider no more. Ororo Earth-crawler now. But all the same, let’s make sure. His eyes glow again and Storm screams in agony as her body becomes distorted, limbs thickening, tentacles growing from her body, her face deformed.
Frenzy is horrified, Khora stoic.
Tarn grins, noting he could give her new powers, weapons of the Vile School, but she has not earned them. Still, if she approaches with deference, he will end this humiliation by taking her life. And why not? what is she now, voice of Sol? he mocks. What is Storm without the storm?
Storm takes her knife and buries it in his chest. She warns him if she sees his eyes glow again, she will touch the blade that rests against his heart. Once. That’s all it will take. Blood flowing from his mouth and taken aback, Tarn snarls he can kill her with one thought. Is he sure he can do that before she kills him? Storm taunts. Can he bear his great work ending like this, oh genomic mage? She taunts him to take the chance. He swears then yields. Then they are done, she announces and tears the blade from his chest.
Tarn screams in pain, then announces he still won. She cannot remain on the Great Ring without her power. They will not accept her without… Storm interrupts she is the regent of Arakko. She has not given up the role nor will she. Madness! he bursts out. She is broken! She cannot possibly survive another challenge. But he is unsure and Storm smiles. Tarn begins to laugh. Storm the Uncaring! She fooled him with her Krakoan disguise. But now… he sees her as she is. His eyes glow as he returns her to her normal state. She is of Arakko… and perhaps even of Amenth.
Later in Storm’s quarters in the Krakoan embassy on Arakko:Wiz Kid has examined her and assures Storm that her DNA is a match with the file. Tarn left no trap in her DNA. She left the Circle the same as she entered it. Frenzy adds they even checked if Tarn gave her a boost: took a couple of year off, amped her abilities…
Storm is sure he didn’t do that, because it would be an insult.
She steps outside. She knows how Arakko thinks What they expect. She is exhilarated by the storm. She will not break for Arakko, she tells herself, not yet. But she knows storms. And when they do break, they show their true face…


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[Assistant]
Triple Threat
Takeshi Matsuya (aka Wiz Kid) awakes in his quarters on the SWORD station and goes through his morning routine. He muses everyone has always tried to figure him out. He gets into his wheelchair and has breakfast. Krakoan medicine can’t help with a complete T11 break from long ago. And he won’t resurrect. Not before he has to.
On Arakko, Storm attacks the Lethal Legion with sub-zero temperatures.
Mr. Eloquent calls her royalist trash and tosses his atomic chainsaw at her. Frenzy interjects and literally swats it away, while Cannonball finishes him off.
Storm focuses on Half Bot. Orbis Stellaris orders him to play dead and so he pretends to be shut down by the icestorm.
Some distance away, Xandra praises Storm for always winning. Deathbird agrees but suggests they keep the distance a while longer. Storm agrees. She also distrusts such an easy victory. She asks if Frenzy is in contact with Brand. Frenzy replies that she is off-line. She is never off-line! Sensing something is wrong, Storm asks her to patch her through to Cable on Station One.
Cable announces, he doesn’t get anything either. He agrees it is worrying and he will keep her posted through the channel.
Taki watches him. He is still getting used to old man Cable. A few weeks ago, he was Taki’s age.
Cable notices him and greets him happily.
Taki thinks that, as young Cable, he got the job because he was mutant royalty and in no way ready for the job. Unearned confidence hiding a bundle of nerves stretched over a barrel of impostor syndrome.
Flashback:
He remembers meeting a nervous Kid Cable for the first time.
Present:
Since Kid Cable went to the future and his adult self was resurrected in the present, he is more self-assured. But he still treats Taki like he has all the answers. He guesses that’s who Cable remembers him as. It hurts a little to betray that memory… but that’s the plan.
Smiling, Cable states that he thought Taki was on the Keep. Something he should know? Taki replies that Brand put him in play here. She thinks the Lethal Legion situation is probably a distraction for something bigger and nastier. Cable asks if that is why she is not picking up. Total comms black-out, Taki agrees. They are almost definitely being monitored by the enemy.
Cable wonders why she didn’t tell him. Taki quickly explains that is why she put him here, to keep Cable in the loop. It is the safest way. With his power, he is a living surveillance black spot.
Cable agrees, adding if there is anyone he trusts, it is him.
Now Taki feels terrible. He figures, that’s the idea. Cable is testing him. He wouldn’t be Cable if he trusted him completely.
Cable adds he got word from Rocket Raccoon. The mission Taki helped with on Breakworld made all the difference against Dormammu. So don’t get a swelled head about it, but he officially saved the universe. Good work. He puts his hand on Taki’s shoulder.
Taki figures he is looking for a guilt response. Enough probable cause to use his telepathy on a friend. So let’s give him what he wants. Taki uses his power to have Cable’s techno-organic arm attack him. He turns Cable’s bionic eye into a taser that shocks Cable into unconsciousness. Taki then hacks into the station.
On Mars, Frenzy desperately tries to reach Cable. Storm senses something is coming. A long-distance transmission comes via the Lethal Legion members, courtesy of Orbis Stellaris.
Gladiator realizes the Legion are translation receivers. Before Storm can act, teleportation gates open showing multiple clones of the Lethal Legion members.
On SWORD Station One, an electric jolt awakens Cable. He shouts for Taki. What does he want him to see?
Cable calls the jump site and sees that the mass evacuation of all station personnel is under way. He demands to know what is happening. Vanisher replies. The last staff member is just leaving. They got everyone out, like Cable wanted. No golden eggs today.
What does he mean, like he wanted? Cable demands. What does he mean? Vanisher retorts. The order came from the Green Room. From Cable’s desk. If Cable screwed up and ordered an evac for nothing, Vanisher’s not taking the blame, he warns.
Cable tells him to take a breath. He is trying to find out what happened here, but he is not blaming him. So, he is no in any trouble. He takes that back a moment later, when he sees an alert that the reactor is about to explode, which it does.
Aboard the Alpha Flight space station:
Gyrich sees the explosion and tells Wiz Kid he is impressed. He was expecting Wiz Kid to try and trick him somehow, but the PEAK is leaving orbit, falling to Earth, and he blew up SWORD for Orchis. Why betray Krakoa for this?
Evasively, Wiz Kid replies he doesn’t see humans and mutants as all that different. Xavier and Magneto… they brought Apocalypse in to help run the show - Mr. Survival of the fittest himself! If that’s where their great experiment is headed, as far as he is concerned, it can all burn to the ground! Good. Gyrich turns around adding that’s exactly what he thought he’d say.
Taki smirks. That’s why he said it, he thinks. Well, he bought it, he sub-vocalizes. Triple agent unlocked. He figures that Gyrich believes him because it fits into his own narrow worldview. But Krakoan medicine helps him. He is second in command on space station! Would that happen anywhere else?
A voice warns him Gyrich will be scanning him constantly for new tech, anything Krakoan. And Taki needs to let him, or it’s a tell! It’s her plan, he subvocalizes. As long as Gyrich doesn’t catch what he did bring with him. He is not worried they are looking for that. They don’t understand: Krakoans make technology out of plants, out of mutants combining their powers. They can make technology out of anything!
The miniaturized Brand warns him to be humble. It’s not like mutants invented Pym Particle technology…


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[Assistant]
Final Frontier
Kata Tjuta, Australia:
Eden Fesi aka Manifold looks up in the sky. His uncle Baz asks if this is Krakoan business. Eden agrees. He didn’t want to worry anybody, but he guesses it’s hard not to notice SWORD Station One dropping out of the sky. On them.
He’s got it then? Baz asks. Eden reminds him he is the Manifold. He’s got it. When Baz isn’t quite convinced, Eden points out that he’s got help on the other side, too. Heard of Cable? The metal arm fella?
He was Captain America for a while, Baz believes. That was the Winter Soldier, Eden corrects him. Cable’s the other metal arm fella. The pouch fella.
Cable telepathically sends that he can hear him. Though he admits to being grateful for his assist. They are going to need Eden’s power to make this work. The PEAK’s thrusters are dead. And his telekinesis can’t push a thousand-ton weight out of Earth’s gravity well. All he can do is guide it. And, unfortunately, he has a bad case of techno-organic virus that he uses to keep his TK in check and vice versa. So, when he uses this much TK, things get complicated. And his virus about to spin out of control.
Alpha Flight space station:
The fall of the PEAK is being watched by Henry Gyrich, Guardian and Wiz Kid. Guardian angrily berates Gyrich for dropping the PEAK on Australia. He said it would be a harmless splashdown in the Pacific! He knows, the plan was to give Krakoa a PR black eye, but civilians are going to die because of this. Gyrich admits that wasn’t the plan. He asks Matsuya to explain himself. Taki retorts that knocking a space station out of orbit is an inexact science. He’s not God. Merely godlike.
While he smirks, he calls Brand via techno-telepathy. Did they just blow-up Australia? he asks. The miniaturized Brand retorts that her security chief will have it in hand. Taki reminds her that they didn’t give him a warning. She orders him to stop fussing. All her people were handpicked. And this is exactly what she picked them all for. It’s at that moment when Gyrich shows his hand.
Gyrich decides that things are going a little further than expected, but the plan is still the plan. They are still showing the world the truth: that Krakoa cannot function as the sole voice for a solar system. And they are showing other worlds too.
He contacts Orbis Stellaris and asks about the situation on Mars. Orbis Stellaris replies that the initial testing phase yielded excellent results. They are now in phase two. Even against unexpected resistance, he expects objective completion well within the allotted timeframe. Gyrich asks if he understands that it is just an assassination attempt. They don’t want civil war to break out in the Shi’ar system today.
Of course, the arms dealer agrees. War is so bad for business, after all. He has his word: nothing will happen today that hasn’t been planned for…
On Mars in the Diplomatic Zone:
The surviving Super-Guardians, SWORD members and Storm now face several cloned versions of the Lethal Legion. Gladiator is propped up by Frenzy and Cannonball, as he mutters that five of them nearly slaughtered them. How many are there now? It’s hopeless! They are doomed! he mutters. Cannonball reminds him he has seen Gladiator take on a hundred bad guys without breaking a sweat. Powered by his self-belief, Gladiator reminds him. But his confidence has been literally shattered by the enemy’s psychic weaponry. It’ll take immense therapy on Halfworld before he can even lift a hover bus.
Cannonball contacts Deathbird, who is fleeing with Empress Xandra. Deathbird orders them to buy them time with their lives while she will circle around and take the Krakoan Gate back to Shi’ar space. Xandra forbids it. She can’t run forever. They must have faith in the X-Men! Faith in the goddess!
Storm, who hovers above the battlefield, orders the ones on her side back from the enemy. Frenzy suddenly notices it is getting hard to breathe. Storm is manipulating the air pressure. She orders Frenzy back. And suddenly she switches from high air pressure to a total drop and the bodies of the enemies partially explode. Storm announces they will survive if they get them into stasis. The Shi’ar will take it from there. Hopefully their creator has learned a lesson.
Orbis Stellaris, who has been watching, muses he has learned a great deal. That’s what product tests are for…
Aboard Alpha Flight station, Gyrich calls for Orbis Stellaris to no avail. Looks like he stopped taking his calls, Wiz Kid grins. Gyrich claims it doesn’t matter. Arakko was a side mission. Krakoa will still be discredited when the PEAK falls to Earth. He means when it crashes into a populated area? Guardian asks. He honestly thought this would get his backing? He fouled up - as usual - and now he is committing mass murder on a continental scale. Collateral damage, Gyrich shouts back. An acceptable loss! For the future of their planet! Their vey solar system. And for that he will make any sacrifice necessary!
Australia:
Eden tries to reach Cable abord the PEAK, asking if he is ok. Self is fine, Cable replies and gets ahold of himself. He is fine. Just get ready to catch self.
Baz nervously asks if Eden has got it.
Eden focuses and opens a portal sending the station back into space. He’s got it! He sinks down, exhausted. He nearly didn’t have it. He talks to space. This was a big ask! He’s gotta lie down a moment.
Cable telepathically informs him that now he has got it. It is much easier to push with the momentum than pull against it. He can get the PEAK back in orbit form here. That said, it wasn’t without cost. His techno-organic arm hangs limp. Eden asks how he is, and don’t say “self is fine”- he is asking him. As he drags back the tendrils into his TO arm, Cable calms him that he can now focus his telekinesis on controlling his techno organic viral load again. His first-person singular is back on track. But is he all right? He guesses they’ll see. Over and out.
On Alpha Flight space station, Guardian warns Gyrich, this is over. Three Shi’ar delegates dead—from a scheme Gyrich devised – and they are lucky those are the only casualties. Department H is going to hear all about this!
Gyrich chides him for being naive. Extreme measures are justified in the face of Krakoan expansionism. Orchis understands how dangerous this new mutant nation is.
“You’re damn right we are dangerous!” Wiz Kid announces, dangerous to people who murder their guests on their watch! Or did he think he was going to keep on smiling about that?
Gyrich is surprised: Matsuya blew up SWORD. He’s blown up a lot of things, Wiz Kid retorts. Here’s a fun fact: Charles Xavier can’t design hover chairs. This thing is not made for tight corners. But it is made for smuggling in everything he needs to hack Gyrich’s systems. Too bad he was scanning for Krakoan tech – his is better. He’s just finished downloading everything. Every dark secret. Every dirty deal… He is right though. He doesn’t think Department H will do much with it. That’s why he is sending it straight to the Shi’ar! He tells him to start running, which Gyrich does. He tries to contact Dr Devo of Orchis, demanding immediate extraction. He finds himself in an airlock while he learns that Devo won’t take his call. The doors close around him, courtesy of Wiz Kid. He can’t keep him trapped on his own station! Gyrich rages.
Outside Abigail Brand informs him: for the record, it was her station first. Gyrich doesn’t seem surprised. Brand explains that she told Wiz Kid to concentrate on backing up the data – that Gyrich was running to trigger a deletion protocol. They both know he was only running to save himself, but it will keep Woz Kid busy for a few minutes. Plenty of time for the two of them to talk.
What’s there to say? Gyrich demands. Mutants stole Mars from humanity. They are trying to conquer the solar system. This path mutants have chosen is putting them all in danger. Kraoko isn’t built for the stage they’ve put it on.
Surprisingly, Brand agrees. It’s not ready at all. He turns around surprised. Brand continues that she has no problem with him and Orchis taking out Krakoa. It’s what needs to happen - and soon! But she has a problem with him being so bad at it. Making Wiz Kid his man on the inside? He was an Avenger for two minutes. He’s been a mutant for life. Like she’s been a spacer all her life. She might have mutant DNA, but she was born and raised on Axus.
Nobody on Krakoa’s ever asked, of course, she mutters. They don’t even know what her name is. “Brand” is her codename, because her hands light up. This defines her in mutant culture, apparently. As though mutants aren’t just another flavor of earther, she mutters. She needed Krakoa for a little while, to make the Sol system a serious player in the great game, but now… like he said, the stage is a little too big for Erik and Charles and all their drama. Or poor sweet Hank. Trying so hard to be the necessary monster. Storm maybe… she’s got some steel, Brand muses but if she’s still respecting Arakko’s customs instead of imposing her own… No, she thinks, Sol is better off if she gets rid of them all and runs things herself.
Anyway, time for him to leave them. She presses a button and the doorway to space opens. Gyrich pleads for his life. The X-Men have laws! “Kill no man!” She doesn’t play by rules she doesn’t respect, Brand retorts. She has made it look like he pushed the button himself. And don’t worry about his spot in Orchis, it is in the best possible hands.
And as Gyrich dies, Taki calls Brand, asking what he is reading there. An airlock is open. The readings say Gyrich has left the station. What happened? There is no reply…


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[Assistant]
Red Ledger, part 2: Disaster Tourism
The US Embassy, Dovbrotel, Chernaya, where Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye and Bucky Barnes the Winter Soldier are blasted from the building by a huge explosion. As he plummets to the ground, Bucky thinks that there are three things you need to survive an explosion – the first is reflexes, which is not something you can learn – you either have it or you don't. You need to move at the speed of thought. The second is knowledge, as it is not usually the flames or shrapnel that kills you, it is air pressure – it bursts eardrums, tears ligaments, ruptures bowels and collapses lungs – you don't want that. You need to protect your head, go limp, don't clench – and exhale. As his bionic arm lands against the ground, buffering the impact of his fall, Bucky decides that the third thing you need is the most important, though – it's luck. Pure luck – and he has a lot of that.
Several of Hawkeye's arrows fall around Bucky, who thinks to himself that no one can count on pure luck to help them survive – except for this idiot, as Hawkeye lands on top of him.
'Well, that sucked. You okay there, Bucky?' Hawkeye asks. Bucky doesn't answer, so Hawkeye suggests they get off the street before the police ask them a bunch of questions in a language they don't speak. 'I hate Hawkeye' Bucky decides.
As they take a rest on a rooftop, Bucky looks out over the city and decides that it is not good to be standing still for long, although they do need to catch their breath and get their bearings. Hawkeye holds a sandwich in one hand and remarks that it is a nice view, if you can ignore the whole civil war that just started. 'You bring all your dates up here?' he asks Bucky, who replies that they need to look for the quickest way out of the city. 'I bet you say that to all the girls' Hawkeye jokes, while looking at the sandwich, and asking 'What is this, anyway?' Bucky tells him it is hurka, a traditional dish, and that he will need his strength. 'I bet this is what Man-Thing tastes like' Clint mutters as he pulls a face at the hurka. He then raises is overhead, 'Five bucks if I can hit that tank driver down there' Hawkeye jokes, before asking Bucky if they are going to talk about the fact that Natasha is not dead. 'She's dead, Clint. We both know that' Bucky replies. Clint throws the hurka and tells Bucky 'You owe me five bucks' and asks him why he is like this. 'Charming?' Bucky replies. 'The brooding tough-guy shtick. Why are you the way you are?' Hawkeye enquires.
Bucky explains that he was trained as a child to be a killer, and sent off to do battle with evil itself – he was blown up, frozen, brainwashed and forced to kill for his enemies while almost everyone he cared about grew old, forgot him and died – that probably has something to do with it. 'Why are you?' Bucky then asks. 'Mostly for attention' Hakweye tells him, before admitting that they don't know Natasha is alive. 'But something brought you out here, and I don't think you'd travel halfway across the world to protect a bunch of ex-Hydra bigwigs. So what is it?'
Bucky tells Clint that he cared about Natasha, and now, someone wants people to think she is back – so he wants to know why. 'Why do you believe it's her?' Bucky asks. 'Cuz people like Nat don't just die. I believe the world doesn't let stuff like that happen' Clint replies. Bucky wishes he believed that, and suggests to Clint that they go talk to someone who might know what the hell is going on. He then hurls his own hurka down to the street below, where it lands on a soldier's head.
A parking garage, in Washington Heights, New York. 'Wake up' Bucky tells Clint, who is laying on a concrete slab. 'I'm awake, I'm awake' Clint mutters. 'You were snoring' Bucky tells him. Clint jokes that he does that when he is awake, before asking Bucky if he ever sleeps. 'No' Bucky replies, while thinking to himself that spies always want to make everything so needlessly clandestine. Hawkeye asks Bucky if this all seems unnecessarily “spy-ish” to him, but Bucky tells him it doesn't, and as a pastel yellow car pulls up beside them, Bucky tells Clint 'Let me do the talking'. 'No problem' Clint replies. 'Hello boys' a young blonde woman remarks as she gets out of the car. 'Hello, Agent – hey! I know you from somewhere!' Clint exclaims. 'Yes, Clint. I'm Agent Blevins. We met a long time -' the young woman starts to say, before Clint interrupts her: 'Boom-Boom! You're Boom-Boom! From the New Mutants, right?' Agent Blevins sighs and tells him that Boom-Boom was her teammate, while she was known as Skids – but now people call her Agent Blevins or Sally. 'You look great, Skids' Clint exclaims.
Bucky steps forward and informs Agent Blevins that they have been looking into the murders of some high-ranking former Hydra operatives. 'We were hoping you all might have some leads we could follow' Bucky adds. Sally folds her arms and replies 'There's not “you all,” Barnes. SHIELD is done'. Hawkeye steps forward and tells Skids that obviously the spy games aren't completely out of her system here – and he bets she knows a whole buncha folks still larping it up as superspies. Sally reveals that maybe there are a few agents out there who still want to see Hydra guys get kicked in the teeth, but that they don't have any leads, either. She adds that whoever is doing these hits is good. 'Good in a way we don't ever see anymore. Like... oh' Skids remarks, before stopping herself. 'What?' Clint asks her. 'The two of you. I get it' Sally tells them, pointing her fingers at both of them. 'Get what?' Bucky enquires. 'You boys and your crushes. You think it's her' Sally points out.
'No. That's idiotic. He thinks it is, though' Bucky replies, motioning to Clint. Sally tells Clint and Bucky that she hates to be this person, but she has seen the body. Bucky tells Sally that he just wants to find out what's happening. Sally shrugs her shoulders and tells Clint and Bucky that she doesn't have any answers for them. 'Maybe their side knows more' she suggests. As she starts to get back into her pastel yellow car Sally tells Bucky and Clint that if any of them were still keeping tabs on Hydra, they would be seeing a lot of their guys going even deeper underground – especially after the funeral incident. 'But this guy didn't run. He just beefed up his security. Ask him who's killing his friends. And boys? You didn't get this from me' Sally adds, as she passes something out the window to Bucky, before winding her car window up and driving out of the parking garage.
'I get why you always make this stuff so clandestine. It's fun as hell' Clint smiles at Bucky, who thinks to himself 'It is', while telling Clint to shut up, before asking him what that was all about – when Agent Blevins mentioned the “funeral incident”. 'I have no idea' Clint replies, frowning. Bucky then asks Clint if anything about that exchange bothered him. 'I would've liked to ask her why they thought it was okay to name a super hero team “The New Mutants” Why?' Clint replies. 'No reason Bucky tells him, while thinking to himself that he felt like Sally was nervous talking to them, like she thought someone might be watching – but nobody could have known we were meeting here, Bucky tells himself. Suddenly, the pastel yellow car can be seen in the distance – and it explodes on a bridge. 'NO!' Bucky thinks, watching as the flaming car spirals out of control and drives over the edge of the bridge, plummeting to the water below. 'Looks like somebody knew' Bucky realizes.
Shortly, at the shore of the water under the bridge, Clint and Bucky watch as rescue workers pull the remains of the pastel yellow car out of the river. 'You want to say it, or should I?' Clint asks. 'Stop' Bucky tells him. 'Okay. I will. I don't think Nat's on our team anymore' Clint declares, but Bucky points out that Natasha wouldn't do this. 'Maybe before. But something has -' Clint begins, to which Bucky interrupts him and reminds him that they don't even know what happened. 'What does that mean?' Clint asks. 'No body yet!' one of the rescue divers calls out, as Bucky reminds Clint that things aren't always what they seem. 'Oh, good to know. Because it seems to me like we got a woman killed for talking with us. And it seems like a woman both of us dated killed her' Clint tells Bucky, adding that it seems like he doesn't give a #$%& about the first part, and is in denial about the second. 'But I'm sure that can't be right' Clint adds.
They watch as the car is lowered onto the icy shore, and Bucky points out that they don't know if this was done by the same killer they are chasing. He adds that former SHIELD agents and former super heroes make a lot of enemies. 'Hell, we don't even know that Sally is dead' Bucky points out. 'That's a good point, Nancy Drew. We just watched her blow up, fall thousands of feet and then sink into the bottom of the freezing Hudson River. She's probably fine' Clint replies. Bucky tells Clint that he will believe Sally is dead when they find a body. Suddenly, a diver emerges from the river and shouts 'Get the ME on site. We got a body down here!' '$%&$' Bucky thinks to himself. 'So if you're right -' Bucky begins. 'Bucky' Clint interrupts him. '- if Natasha was somehow -' Bucky continues, so Clint interrupts him again. 'What?' Bucky asks. 'Be cool. 5 o'clock' Clint whispers as he sees someone who is standing on the other side of the police line, near civilians and reporters. Bucky spins around, and Clint covers his face, cringing.
'That was you “being cool?” How'd you ever get the drop on anyone, man?' Clint asks Bucky as they give chase to the woman, who turns and runs. Bucky tells Clint that he assumed someone had a weapon. 'Scuse us! Avengers business!' Clint calls out as he passes the police line, where the reporters turn and watch the woman who is running from them. 'You thought someone was about to shoot at you any my response was “be cool”?' Clint replies. 'Yes' Bucky tells him. 'Fair enough' Clint mutters, while the woman up ahead leaps onto a tall fence, and starts to climb over it. 'Wait, you can't actually believe that's -' Bucky begins. 'Something about the way she was standing' Clint explains. 'That's it?' Bucky asks, surprised. 'And she can do that' Clint add as the woman begins scaling the large rails that the bridge is built on.
Bucky and Clint follow her up, as Bucky thinks that Clint has gone through all of this hoping Natasha was alive, wishing for it – so he is seeing things that aren't there. The woman reaches a horizontal railing and climbs onto the bridge itself. Bucky decides that whoever this woman is, it can't be Natasha. Bucky gets close to her, but the hooded woman leaps into traffic, dodging the cars, she runs alongside them. 'Well...' Bucky begins to wonder. Clint then calls out 'Natasha! Stop!' while Bucky pulls out a gun, Clint grabs him, causing him to fire into the air. 'What the hell are you doing?' Clint asks. 'It's an impostor!' Bucky shouts, to which Clint asks him if he is mad. 'You can't just shoot her. That's Nat -' Clint begins, but the woman turns around and opens fire on the heroes. 'My bad!' Clint exclaims, while one of the bullets blows out the wheel of a car, causing it to spin out of control, and another car crashes into it.
Clint tells Bucky to check on the people in the lead car, but Bucky ignores him and jumps onto the car, climbs onto the roof of the car and aims his gun – but the mysterious woman is nowhere to be seen. 'We've got injured civilians here!' Clint calls out as he opens the door to one of the cars, telling the woman in the car that she will be fine. 'You can't lose me, whoever you... are' Bucky remarks as he turns to see a truck drive past him – with the mystery woman clinging to the back of it. Bucky just watches as the truck drives on. 'Hey! We almost got these people killed here!' Clint tells Bucky, asking him if he is going to start a gun fight in the middle of a busy highway. 'I think you know some mysterious killer is impersonating Nat, but c'mon, man!' Clint exclaims. 'Dammit, Natasha' Bucky thinks to himself.
At night, in Westchester, New York, Clint and Bucky are on a rooftop and look out to a large mansion, surrounded by a moat. 'How many people do you know who'd be able to lose us?' Clint asks. 'It's been hours. Stop' Bucky replies. 'And she just happens to be at the scene? And runs from us for no reason?' Clint asks. 'Please stop' Bucky tells Clint, who asks 'And she's got long red hair?' to which Bucky offers to pay Clint $10,000 for him to stop. Clint goes silent, then picks his nose and declares 'I'm just saying. It's her'. Bucky looks through some binoculars and tells Clint that Skids – Sally – was right. Whoever lives here certainly likes their security – he can see one in a car, two on foot patrols and at least two in the house. 'And two on the roof. But why do we think this Hydra #$%& is going to want to speak with us?' Clint asks as he stretches. 'Because we aren't the people trying to kill him' Bucky points out.
Clint tells Bucky that he has a theory guys like this get along better with the people trying to kill them – he calls it the Nick Fury principle. 'Well, I'm fine being either' Bucky replies, before asking Clint how many people he said were on the roof. 'Two – oh... I still love watching her work' Clint remarks as he looks over to the roof and sees the woman they think is Natasha drop down behind the agents and take them off – but Bucky notices that her movements are off. Clint and Bucky climb down the side of the wall, lowering themselves down by clinging to ropes, as Bucky suggests to Clint that if they take their time, they don't have to worry about accidentally saving a Hydra guy's life. 'I'm kidding. Mostly' Bucky adds. A car screeches towards them, 'I got the car!' Clint shouts as he opens fire on the car, bringing it to a stop. 'I got the driver!' Bucky exclaims as he rushes over to the car, jumping onto the hood, he dodges bullets fires at him by the Hydra agent, then smashes his bionic arm through the window and punches the agent in the face. 'I guess we aren't going the stealth route. Probably should have discussed that' Clint remarks.
Clint and Bucky scale the brick wall into the Hydra mansion grounds as Clint tells Bucky that Natasha knows they are here now, so they need to move. 'I hate working with other people' Bucky thinks to himself. 'Left' Clint remarks as he drops down onto the other side of the wall. Bucky admits to himself that Clint is good – very good as Clint shoots the agent on the left, while Bucky punches the other man out. 'Geez, man. I let mine keep his teeth, at least' Clint jokes, while Bucky decides that Clint is so annoying, but it's not like he doesn't respect him – but he thinks that Clint is always taking the easy way, not that he thinks Clint is too soft, either – he is tough, it's just the constant jokes, the hipster pretentiousness and the serial lack of commitment. Bucky punches holes into a column, creating a ladder up onto a balcony, while Clint fires an arrow at an agent nearby. They climb up onto the balcony, then burst into a room where a man and a woman are in bed together. They are surprised, and the man reaches for a gun, 'What's going -' he shouts, before Bucky knocks him on the head.
Bucky thinks to himself that Clint could be one of the best – but instead he was the leader of the Malibu Beach Avengers, or whatever. 'Actually, maybe it is that I don't respect him' Bucky realizes, before warning Clint to stay down, as a woman in a black costume with red hair opens fire at them. 'Natasha, stop!' Bucky calls out as he ducks for cover. The mystery woman turns and runs, and Bucky gets a shot in and strikes her in the leg. She hobbles down a flight of steps, while Clint lunges at her, 'Take it easy, Nat!' Clint exclaims as he pushes her to the ground – only for her red wig to fall off, revealing a woman with short blonde hair, who looks very angry. Bucky is surprised, too, and Clint goes wide-eyed: 'Yelena? No! It can't be!' Clint gasps. He helps her to her feet, and she spits in his face, muttering something in Russian.
Bucky knows that Yelena Belova was the second Black Widow, Natasha's replacement after she joined SHIELD. Yelena looks at Bucky and panics. He wonders why she is doing this, as Yelena knows Clint. Yelena drops to the ground and tries to crawl away as she utters something else in Russian. 'I don't understand. What's she saying?' Clint asks. They both frown as Bucky announces “I'm sorry I failed you. Don't kill me, Winter Soldier.”


[User]
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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Red Ledger, part 4: Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt
Flashback:A month ago, a woman with long red hair is lying on a beach. She feels like she has been asleep for days – she isn't sure if she wants to wake up yet. Then she remembers what happened to her – she was fighting Captain America – and he killed her. The woman gasps and sits up, rubbing her neck where Captain America's shield struck. She realizes that doesn't explain what is happening now. She stands up and moves to the shore, where the water washes up near her feet. A large brown bear is sitting nearby. The woman's training comes back, like reflex, grasping for situational awareness is muscle memory. The woman calls herself Natasha, and tells herself to think, to go through the questions – where is she? Why? How did she get here? What is the fastest way out? And why is there a bear here? The bear tells the woman that she is on a beach, and they put her here because it is supposed to be calming. He informs her that two men carried her to it, the fastest way to out is to just say that she wants to leave. 'And I'm not supposed to be here. Shhh'.
The bear looks away and from the woman and tells her that after a trauma, they say it is best to go to a happy place. 'And you suffered quite the trauma, dear'. The bear looks down to the sand castle he is building as he tells the woman that someone said that an empty island with no people was her happy place. 'I understand this' he adds. 'I died' the woman realizes, rubbing her neck still. 'You did' the bear confirms. 'Steve. Steve killed me' the woman declares. 'Yes and no. It is...complicated' the bear replies. The woman walks over to the bear and asks 'So this is...what? Hell?' to which the bear exclaims 'Shame on you, Natasha Romanoff. Bears don't go to hell. Think. You know what it is'. '... the Red Room' the woman called Natasha realizes.
She sits down near the bear, who tells her that they have ways of bringing her back. 'So it's real? I died? I clearly remember what it felt like to die' Natasha tells him. 'That would be my fault' the bear admits, before breaking the sand castle apart with his paw and telling Natasha 'What this is... what they have become. It's not right. Just because you bring someone back to life doesn't mean you own that life. But you mustn't let them know you know' the bear remarks, before the beach vanishes, and Natasha falls backwards, appearing in a blank, sterile room. A man in a suit appear behind Natasha. He bids her good morning and introduces himself as Alexander Cady. He asks her to forgive their little holographic room, and adds that she must have some questions for them. He then turns to the bear and identifies him as Ursa Major, telling him that he is not supposed to be in here. 'Apologies, Comrade Cady. I get lost so easily these days' Ursa Major claims.
'So... the bear was real?' Natasha asks as she walks alongside Comrade Cady down a corridor. 'Unfortunately. You didn't realize the great Soviet hero, Ursa Major?' Cady replies. 'All bears look alike to me' Natasha remarks. 'Don't tell him that' Cady suggests, before they enter another room, where three other men are waiting. 'Greetings, Natasha. So nice to have you back at the Red Room' a man wearing a military uniform with a cap tells her. Natasha looks around the room, 'I don't know these men. Or you' she tells Comrade Cady. Cady explains that somethings have changed since she was last here, and that it has been a while since her last operation. 'What happened to me?' Natasha asks. Another of the men, with hollow looking eyes tells Natasha that she was injured on a mission and have been recuperating here, because the Red Room is loyal to its own, but that she is recovered now. 'And you are still loyal to the Red Room, yes?' the man enquires. 'Of course, comrade' Natasha replies, frowning.
Comrade Cady informs Natasha that they have a mission for her, and reveals that Hydra and SHIELD have dismantled each other, that their enemies are vulnerable – so it is time for them to finish them.
Natasha then set out on various assignments, killing Hydra agents – stabbing some through the chest, throwing another off a rooftop, shooting another in the back of the head. Even Ursa Major joined her on a mission, chomping down on one of the Hydra agent's heads.
Weeks later, within the mysterious Red Room, Natasha clung to pipes running along the ceiling of a corridor, as two soldiers passed underneath her. One of them remarked that the move went smoothly, but that he still does not like it here. 'You didn't like it at home' the other points out. The first replies that at least at home he could get decent vareniki, and announces that he is going to request a transfer as soon as he can. 'They can send me anywhere warm'. Natasha drops down from the pipes, in front of a  door – she holds an eye ball to a retinal scanner at the door, which then slides open – and inside, she is shocked to discover several glass tanks, with bodies of women being grown in them – bodies of...her. 'This is...this is what I am? They remade me?' Natasha thinks to herself, as she sees a sign with her name on the tanks. The bodies are each in different stages of development, with one nearly fully formed, two at an in-between formed stage, and another barely formed at all. 'But I remember everything' Natasha thinks, before she looks over and sees several other tanks, with labels that read “Yelena” and “Anya” and more bodies in different stages of growth contained inside.
'Why can I remember everything so clearly? My family... the wars...' Natasha thinks to herself. 'Bozhe moi!' she gasps, before turning as a voice calls out 'I remember'. 'What?' Natasha asks as she looks to where a man is strapped into a chair, several cables connected to his head. 'I remember what you do not. I remember -' the strange man remarks. Natasha looks at him, as Alexander Cady enters the room, 'Impressive, isn't he? Well, maybe not on the surface. But he is a wonder' Cady declares. Natasha looks at Cady, asking him who this other man is. Cady explains that his name is Yurgei Ivanov, codenamed Epsilon Red, their psychic patriot. Cady turns a dial on a monitor, which shines light into the room, and tells Natasha that Epsilon Red is the heart of all this, all these women – he gives them their memories. 'These are women to you?' Natasha snaps.
Comrade Cady asks 'Why not? Because they are born in a lab? Because theire genes are...borrowed?' and points out that they live in the golden age of scientific possibility – birth, death – that is not what defines them as human anymore. 'Surely you must have come across people brought back to life through science, through mysticism. How is this different?' Cady asks. 'These “women” have not lived lives' Natasha points out. 'You are talking about memories? Electrical impulses stored in the brain? That is what he is for' Cady explains, referring to Epsilon Red. He adds that if ever, God forbid, something were to happen to Natasha, Yurgei can give her a new body, all her memories – or even just the ones that she wants. 'If something were to happen...' Natasha mutters. 'God forbid' Cady reiterates, before telling Natasha that he does not want to even think about how she gained access to this part of the facility. Natasha tells him that she wanted to see how the Red Room was operating these days, and asks if this is the future of the Red Room program. 'No. It is not' Cady responds as he walks to the door, with Natasha following him. Comrade Cady tells Natasha that there was a dark time when this seemed like the future – but thankfully, things have turned around again, and they look forward by looking to their glorious past.
'You remember this, don't you, Natasha?' Comrade Cady asks as they step into another room – a literal red room, where several girls in ballerina costumes surround someone who has been covered by a blanket. 'Hello, children. We have a special guest instructor today. Miss Romanoff is here to give you all an important lesson' Cady tells the girls. 'I am?' Natasha asks. One of the girls passes Cady a gun, then pulls the blanket off the person on the floor, revealing them to be a Hydra agent. 'Please teach the children the proper way to execute a prisoner' Cady asks.
Ursa Major is laying on a hard slab in a dank room, reading a book, when he hears a loud BANG BANG BANG. He looks up as Natasha enters the room moments later. 'You told me it was your fault I could remember my whole life. My death. Why?' Natasha demands. 'By all means, come in' Ursa Major tells her. 'WHY' Natasha snaps. Ursa Major sits up and tells Natasha that she deserves to know what  she became, that she was something more than this – a hero. He adds that he couldn't stop them from giving her back her life, but he could stop them from erasing the good parts. 'How did you give me my memories back?' Natasha asks. Ursa Major explains that it eas Yurgei – Epsilon Red – as when the Red Room reformed, he was recommissioned, became a prisoner here – like him – and like Natasha. Ursa Major adds that Epsilon Red has a psychic bond with all of the Widows, although they don't know it. He stores their memories in his own, like a bank, and when one of them dies, the Red room makes a withdrawal. 'I simple bribed him to break protocl. Give back everything' Ursa reveals.
'Bribed him with what?' Natasha enquires. Ursa pauses, before revealing 'My fur. He loves my fur. I let him pet me'. Natasha frowns and asks if this is the first time she died. 'What difference does it make now?' Ursa responds, to which Natasha pauses, before asking Ursa if she wants him to destroy this, changing her speech to English. Ursa tells Natasha that he loves his country, he loves Russia and defends it with honor – but this – where he is a prisoner, where he was once a soldier – no freedom even in death, it would seem – no honor. Ursa Major confirms that he wants Natasha to destroy this place, all of it – he wants her to destroy them. 'What if I have a better plan?' Natasha asks.
Four days later, Natasha is in a meeting room with the other officials, and Comrade Cady motions to a monitor which depicts an image of General Petrov. Cady announces that the operation in Chernaya was a success and with the death of Ambassador Antone, both United States and Hydra influence in the region was weakened enough to allow General Petrov's coup to take root quickly. He adds that, barring any complications, Petrov's regime will be recognized by the United Nations and become a powerful ally for them in the region. He presses an antiquated device which changes the image on the monitor, depicting now Winter Soldier and Hawkeye, as Cady reveals there was one complication – one of their agents, the Winter Soldier, has gone rogue, teamed up with an American super hero called Hawkeye, and they are hunting the Black Widow. 'Am I to kill them?' Natasha asks. 'If possible, yes. We cannot risk them finding us' Cady replies, changing the image on the screen again, this time a young blonde woman in a yellow costume with a blue jacket appears. Cady tells Natasha that they cannot risk her being captured, which is why her initial target is this young woman, Sally Blevins – another American super hero playing spy. 'Kill her' Comrade Cady instructs Natasha, who asks if she is a SHIELD agent. 'Yes. Is that a problem?' Cady enquires. 'Nyet' Natasha responds.
Shortly, Natasha stands behind Epsilon Red and tells him 'I want her to remember nothing'. She thinks to herself that it is a puzzle, that you spend hours staring at its pieces, but they don't fit. Ursa Major helps Natasha with three clones of Yelena Belova, removing them from the tank, they wrap blankets around the clones, and Ursa points out that they are blank, so asks Natasha what good they are.
Soon, 'I'm sorry, Yelena' Natasha calls out as she appears behind the real Yelena Belova, in a corridor, and aims a gun at her head. 'Natasha?' Yelena asks, confused. She's even more confused when she sees the three clones, one who has her hair cut short to match Yelena's current hairstyle. 'What are you doing?' Yelena asks. 'I need you to disappear' Natasha tells her.
Natasha think to herself once more that you spend hours staring at pieces that don't fit – and sometimes, you are tempted to get rid of the pieces that cause you problems. Sometimes you can force them in where you need them without anyone noticing – but some pieces are more stubborn than others.
'Hello, Sally Blevins' Natasha remarks as she puts a gun to the back of Skids' head. 'Hmm. I just told someone you were dead' Sally remarks, while holding her hands up. 'You lied' Natasha tells her. Skids watches as one of the Yelena Belova clones, unaware she is a clone, climbs into her pastel yellow car and asks Natasha what game she is playing. 'One that you are lucy not to be a part of anymore' Natasha tells her. They watch from nearby a bridge running over the Hudson River as the Yelena Belova clone drives the car onto the bridge – and then Natasha presses a detonator device, causing the car to explode. Skids looks shocked, and asks Natasha what she is doing and why she would kill Yelena. 'To save your life' Natasha explains as she watches through binoculars as Hawkeye and Winter Soldier turn their attention to the explosion. Natasha thinks to herself that some pieces are more stubborn than others.
Later still, 'Why am I doing this?' one of the Yelena Belova clones asks as Natasha puts a red wig on her head. 'Because I was sloppy. They saw me on the bridge. I need you to make them doubt that it was me' Natasha explains. She soon watches as Hawkeye and Winter Soldier arrive at a mansion in Westchester, and realizes that a picture is taking shape. 'Oh, boys. How I love watching you work' Natasha remarks, as what seemed impossible becomes easy. She picks her phone up as Yelena rings her. Natasha tells Yelena to calm down. 'They just let you go? Meet me in fifteen minutes. You know where' Natasha remarks. She meets with Yelena – and shoots her point blank in the head. Natasha sees exactly what needs to be done, and as those final pieces fall into place, she sees what was in front of her all along. She appears at Comrade Cady's office and informs him that she needs to see him.
In her quarters, Natasha lies on the hard-looking, narrow bed as one of Comrade Cady's other officials, Comrade Usenko, barges into her room: 'You stupid little girl! You said you they wouldn't be a problem! You assured us you could handle it!' Usenko barks at Natasha, who looks up from the book she is reading. 'What happened?' Natasha enquires as she sits up. Usenko announces that the Winter Soldier killed Comrade Cady in his New York apartment two days ago. 'I knew moving the operation to America was a bad idea... I told him' Usenko mutters. 'Oh my God... what do we do?' Natasha asks. Usenko points out that they don't know how close he could be getting – he could be on his way now, so they are enacting the Hibernation Protocols. 'What?' Natasha asks, wide-eyed. Usenko infoms her that this facility will be dismantled, all active agents will go to ground, the trainees will be terminated, and they return home. 'No. I can stop him' Natasha tells Usenko convincingly, putting a hand on his shoulder. And just like that, she gets her chance.
Present:'Hello, boys' Natasha remarks on a rooftop as she stands over the body of Anya the Orphan Maker, while Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye and Bucky Barnes the Winter Soldier look at her in awe. She hates doing this to them, the dumb looks on their faces. 'Nat, what the $%^&?' Clint exclaims, while Bucky asks her what is wrong, and tells her that she needs to talk to them right now. Bucky moves closer to Natasha and reminds her that they are her friends. He tells her that they want to help her, but they need her to put the gun down. 'I don't know what's happened, but everything's going to be -' Bucky begins, before Natasha slams the gun into his face, while thinking that Bucky and Clint make everything so complicated. 'Now, Clint!' Bucky shouts as Natasha knocks him backwards, and as Bucky drops to the rooftop, Natasha continues to punch him. 'Clint, a little help!' Bucky calls out.
But Hawkeye just watches as Natasha punches Bucky again. 'Hawkeye! Snap out of it! She's gonna kill me in a second if you don't stop her!' Bucky calls out, before Natasha punches him in the head yet again. 'Hey!' Clint calls out, raising his bow and arrow, but Natasha doesn't pay him any attention, and she flips Bucky off his back, and hurls him at Hawkeye. Natasha then grabs Hawkeye's bow, as Bucky crashes into him, and she snaps it, before she leaps off the rooftop, holding a rope.
Bucky and Clint look over the edge of the rooftop, 'I couldn't take the shot' Clint points out. 'I noticed' Bucky mutters. 'It's really her' Clint tells Bucky, who agrees  with him. The climb down the fire exit, and Clint runs ahead, while Bucky tells him to slow down. 'Think. She had the drop on us. Why would she run in here when she could -' Bucky calls after Clint as he follows him through a door, where they find an abandoned room, but hear a scratching noise. 'Shh' Clint tells Bucky. They move forward, and Bucky tells Clint to be careful. The next room is completely dark. 'I can't see anything, Nat. if you're in this room, don't kill us' Clint calls out. 'Real good, Clint' Bucky mutters. Clint raises a flare arrow, which lights up the room, and points out that she is not here, in this weird bunker. Bucky explains that it is a panic room, and informs Clint that every Red room safe house has one.
A cellphone on a table in the room lights up, and Natasha's voice can be heard, telling Bucky and Clint that she is sorry it had to come to this. 'No!' Bucky exclaims, turning back to a door, he pokes his bionic arm through the door, but the door slides closed on his arm, breaking it off. 'I guess this is why she'd run in -' Clint begins. 'Please shut the $%^& up' Bucky mutters.
Elsewhere, Natasha holds her phone, and presses a code into the screen as she tells Bucky and Clint that she tried to warn them, but they are always in the way. 'Maybe this is for the best… you wouldn't like what comes next' Natasha remarks as the final number in the code causes an explosion, and Natasha walks away from it holding Clint's broken arrow, and Bucky's bionic arm....