Random art
Silvija's head was still throbbing. The weight of opposing SHIELD was still messing her up. There were so many complications that even her newly enhanced mind was nearly fried.
So when Ava hooked a hand around her wrist and tried to drag her down the hallway like an overeager puppy, Silvija only had enough energy to tell her to choose a different room. Her room hadn't been touched since her first time with Dante. It would be quite embarrassing to let Ava or Felicia see the mess they had made of a perfectly fine room.
Ava huffed but didn't argue about the location. For all her stubbornness, she respected Silvija's choice.
She tugged Silvija to the room on the left. The room technically belonged to Dante, but he had never actually checked.
Her Latina younger sister didn't waste any time getting to the point once the door closed behind them.
"Dante is cheating on you with Felicia and some other woman."
The "urgent matter" that came out of her mouth, however, made Silvija chuckle.
"We went through that already," Silvija said, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's why I kept him away yesterday. I needed time to think."
"I told her," Felicia chimed in from beside Ava, shaking her head in exasperation. "She refused to believe me."
Ava clenched her fists, nails—claws biting into her palms over her suit. Blood dripped down, but she didn't even glance at it. "There is something you're hiding from me. Dante isn't that great of a man to make three women share him."
For anyone else, the words might have sounded like an insult aimed at Dante. Silvija knew the fear underneath—the fear of watching someone she loved throw herself into an inevitable heartbreak. This was just another incident of Ava hyper-focusing on Silvija and ignoring everything else.
Silvija's gaze softened as she took Ava's hands and stopped her from punishing herself. "Have you ever considered 'maybe I don't know him well enough'?"
Ava's brows drew together in confusion beneath the mask. "Would that justify him cheating on you?"
"This isn't cheating. I willingly accepted his relationships like the other two," Silvija said patiently, trying to get Ava to understand. "He might not be a great person to others, but he is to me. Everything's fine as long as I'm happy, right?"
Felicia gave a thumbs in support, grinning. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Ava's shoulders drooped just a little. It wasn't full acceptance, but the hard aggression in her posture had dulled. "Fine," she said at last. "I'll go back to rest."
Silvija stepped close and gently took off Ava's mask. The young face underneath still hadn't fully accepted, but she knew she had to let go, or she would annoy Silvija.
She ruffled Ava's hair, messing up the ponytail just to see the Latina grimace. "Meet me in the evening. I have something important to tell you."
Ava's bad mood disappeared with just one sentence, replaced by an eager curiosity to know what her older sister had for her. "Okay!"
She hopped away like a happy chihuahua.
Felicia watched the door close before turning to Silvija. "She's having a hard time. As an unbiased observer, I'll say she needs to connect with more people. Her entire world right now is you."
"Felicia, you go to Empire State University, right?"
Maybe it was about time Ava took some time off the mercenary work and experienced the joys and sorrows of a student's life.
"Wait, really?"
Silvija nodded seriously. "I'll let her stay here."
"What about the Tiger amulets? Don't you think SHIELD will target her for those?"
Silvija shot Felicia a scornful glare. "Only if they want to see a hungry beast wash New York's streets in blood."
Ava was protected by the Tiger God himself. He had even claimed Ava to become his favorite host. If something happened to Ava, Tiger God might just unleash all of his powers through Ava and go full berserk.
Felicia still looked skeptical about Ava having that type of power. "If she ends up going to ESU, I'll try to look after her. Gwen will also get a new friend."
"You have to," Silvija grinned. "or I'll revoke your 'second choice' license."
Felicia raised an eyebrow in response, feeling a bit grieved. "One of these days, I'm gonna report you for domestic violence."
"The states have no power over a foreign queen." Silvija pointed out. "Felicia, I called you here for a reason—"
"Before you say anything, you have to tell me what happened at the facility…" Felicia joined her hands, pleading softly. "Please, I need to know more."
Silvija couldn't help but smile. "You're such a silly woman."
A few minutes later, both of them were more informed about the situation. Silvija had finished recounting everything from her side, and Felicia had filled in the gaps about how they had visited Emma Frost, forced her into accepting her own demise, and creating an alliance with her.
Silvija felt a deeper awe for her lover. Only he could walk in smugly like that and corner Emma like that.
'This is why he told me not to worry about finance and get the symbiote countermeasures. He had Emma Frost in his sight.'
While Silvija felt enlightened, Felicia wasn't remotely happy about knowing everything.
"So I missed out on ninja's girl fight with the skullface," Felicia whispered. "I also missed Darling fighting that claw girl and then becoming Venom."
Each word made her expression twist further with regret. While everyone had witnessed an epic battle, she was stuck in her room, worrying. Silvija felt pity for Felicia because she had been in a worse position—watching everyone through the scope and being able to do nothing.
"Silver, you're becoming the driver next time." Felicia flashed her claws as though to threaten Silvija or perhaps prove she could be more helpful in a fight than her. "I'm not getting benched."
Silvija's sympathy disappeared in an instant, replaced by scorn. "You weren't the only one who got enhanced. You were the second, second choice."
"You needed it more urgently, old woman." Felicia snorted and flashed to the other side of the room before returning to the bed in three seconds. "I got this and a movement power. What about you?"
Silvija's jaw tightened. She was genuinely happy for Felicia, but also envious. "Some leadership skills. Nothing special for combat."
Felicia burst into laughter, delight written all over her face. "This is what you get for thinking you're always superior."
Silvija answered with a different kind of statement. She drew her Glock and cocked it with a loud, metallic click.
The sound made Felicia visibly shiver. All her bravado evaporated in an instant.
"You think your claws can outdamage a bullet to the head?"
She genuinely believed her marksmanship had provided more support to Dante in the fight than Felicia's claws could have.
"No, no, how can that be?" Felicia folded under no pressure. She had absolutely no desire to test whether her new speed could make Silvija Sablinova miss a shot. "What can my tiny claws even do to those bullets? As a marksman, you're indeed my superior. The superior-est. Top of the food chain."
Silvija saw through Felicia's act, but didn't call her out. The younger woman was being dramatically subservient just to get along with her. She was quite satisfied with Felicia putting her pride away to avoid any conflict. Petty fighting wouldn't change anything as far as she was concerned,
She smiled in satisfaction and slid the Glock back into its place. She had no desire to create conflicts when they were facing a deadly foe like Norman. "Did you get any message from him?"
Felicia's jovial mood dropped immediately, the brightness in her eyes dimming. She checked her phone and shook his head.
"His last message was about keeping the mutants at Emma's place. He's been silent since." Felicia sighed. "I can't believe he fell asleep with Emma around."
"You're saying Emma will try something?"
She wanted to dismiss the thought since Emma knew not to betray an alliance made to save New York. But then again, she knew how petty prideful people could become to reclaim dignity.
"Why wouldn't she?" Felicia looked at Silvija like she was being naive now. "She got humbled twice. Won't she get second thoughts when she sees Darling sleeping defenselessly?"
Silvija fully agreed with Felicia. "Get your suit. We're going to Emma's."
She turned to head for the door, already planning the route and contingencies—only to feel a hand on her shoulders.
Felicia moved in front of Silvija and pushed her gently but firmly down onto the bed.
"You," Felicia declared, crossing her arms and looking down at Silvija. "are going to rest."
Silvija's temper flared immediately. She surged up, reaching to punch Felicia in the stomach—only for her fist cut through empty hair.
Felicia had moved to sit beside her, grinning. "Stubborn queen."
"He could be in danger," Silvija growled through clenched teeth and swung her arm to strike Felicia's face with her elbow. Another near miss. "I'm leaving with or without you."
"Darling gets you worked up crazy." Felicia's voice came from the other side. She was leaning casually against the wall now. "Is this Limerence?"
"How can I—"
"Do you think he is stupid?" Felicia cut Silvija off, her tone shifting from teasing to serious in an instant. "How can you believe a thorough man like him would go with Emma Frost without a plan? Is he that big of an idiot in your eyes?"
The question landed like a slap to Silvija's face, or a bucket of cold water to be more precise. She realized her mistake of letting emotions override logic.
"Death is also watching over him," Felicia said, showing a gentler expression. "She won't let Darling suffer."
The peerless face of a woman flashed through Silvija's mind, of this woman kissing Dante. As much as she found Death egregious for that one simple insult, she had to say Death was the most reliable woman. Nobody could touch him if Death wanted to protect him.
She took a deep breath. "If I see a scratch on him, I'm shooting you in the head."
"Wow," Felicia said, eyebrows shooting up. "Overprotective much?"
Silvija's lips curled into a grin as she pointed a thumb at her own belly. "Wouldn't want anything happening to my kid's father."
She didn't know for certain yet—wouldn't know for at least another week, assuming she found time to take a test. But the possibility was real enough that she could say it with a straight face.
Besides, Felicia didn't need to know the difference, not when it was being used to wipe that grin off her face. A petty power move for sure.
Felicia's eyes flew wide open. "You really went down without protection?"
"Three hours," Silvija replied plainly. "Not a single break."
Felicia was speechless for a half a minute, which had to be a new personal record.
"What a beast…"
Silvija laid back and rested her head on the pillows, finally allowing herself to close her eyes for a moment.
In the end, she still got the last laugh on Felicia Hardy.
***
Meanwhile, a certain redhead SHIELD agent wasn't in the mood to smile, much less laugh. She stood, hands clasped behind her back, fingers locked around her own wrist.
Across the table, the man, myth, the legend—the Director of SHIELD—Nick Fury flipped through the incident report. The one eye that wasn't covered by the black eyepatch tracked every line. His black eyepatch was still one of the few unanswered mysteries around SHIELD.
Beside him stood a straight-backed lady with a lean and athletic frame. Maria Hills. The Deputy Director of SHIELD. Natasha still felt Phil fit better in the role.
"The reports say Agent Laura was taken," Fury said at last, dropping the folder onto the table with a flat smack. "You're telling me the Hand's former Executioner is that powerful?"
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't have to. He just pinned her with that single eye, making her feel pressured, despite her having the willpower to endure a Spirit of Vengeance.
Natasha nodded her head curtly. "Yes, Director. You might've heard her sword breaking the sound barrier."
She could still feel the wind-ripping sounds of Psylocke's katana. Had it not for her Spirit of Vengeance, she would've instantly died. Then again, Mutants were powerful, but they were never a threat to SHIELD. The real threat in Wild Pack were Dante and White Tiger Ava Ayala.
"Director," Hill said, eyes still on Fury. "We know the Hand isn't just a cult of ninjas. They have mystical powers. The debrief also confirmed Kwannon has high-level telepathy and telekinesis."
"That old bitch can't stop being a pain in the ass," Fury grumbled before raising his voice. "What were the Hand after again?"
"Norman Osborn's research facility."
"The same place Clint disappeared investigating, right?"
Maria Hill nodded. "Yes, Director."
"Black Widow, your decision to not use Penance Stare screwed up our timing," Nick Fury said, a sharp eye on Natasha. He now had to delay his plan to rescue Clint since Agent Laura was a bigger priority. "Every murderer you've used it on drops dead. Why did you not kill Kwannon and help Agent Laura against Skullfire?"
Natasha's fingers tightened on her wrist. The chain coiled around her chest twitched at the name of the Stare. The Spirit condemned her choice not to judge a sinner.
The Director had a reason to blame her since she chose the non-lethal approach. She could've turned the disadvantaged fight around if she had used her Penance Stare. That was just a fact.
"You were too passive in your approach," Hill said, despite always having Natasha's back. "You're expected to use every tool at your disposal, Agent. We're not going to open a file on this, but there can't be a repeat."
Natasha lowered her head. "Understood, Commander Hill."
She didn't argue or justify why she had pulled her punches. It was for a simple reason, really. She was done killing relatively innocent people. She had no reason to kill anyone when her mission was only to retrieve hostile mutants.
Fury flipped to another section of the report. It had blurry images of Dante in full Venom form roaring at the sky, surrounded in gold and blue flames.
"This man." He tapped the photo with one gloved finger. "This Venom side of your new friend. Can you defeat him?"
Natasha almost snorted at the 'friend' part. She still didn't know how to feel about her Ghost Rider form almost matching with Dante with the only differentiating factor being the color of their flames. Her form came from her Spirit, but what about his? She was quite curious to learn the source of his power.
"No, Director. I didn't sense the deep sins the Stare feeds on. It would only hurt him. And if it comes down to trading blows…" she hesitated for a moment before choosing an honest answer. "You saw the live feeds. He overpowered Agent Laura in seconds."
Nick Fury hummed thoughtfully. "Even if you relinquish full control to the Spirit?"
Natasha's eyes widened at the question. Her power grew exponentially the more she allowed the Spirit to take over. At the end of the day, she was only a Host, and the real power came from the Spirit of Vengeance.
"I might, then I don't know who will be able to stop me."
"Our best supernatural agent doesn't have an assured chance." Nick Fury glanced at Maria. "What is our contingency plan against a potential threat like Dante?"
They had the all-powerful anti-mutant weapons, which strangely, were against non-mutant threats. They showed Laura's level of combat power even against non-mutants. If deployed as an army, nobody in this world could stop those hunks of metal since they were durable enough to facetank a nuke.
Natasha still didn't understand why SHIELD only used her and Laura for nearly every superhuman threat.
"There is no Agent we can deploy against him," Maria said, scrolling through her tablet. "Our only choice is to burst him down with heavy firepower or containment, if we could trick him into it."
"Wishing for an outcome isn't a viable option," Nick Fury said. "Those governments haven't given us power and resources to pray for a fucking dice roll."
He closed the folder this time and said with a severe tone, "Different approach. After we bring Barton home, Widow, you're going to stay on Dante. I want eyes on him all the time to know which way he jumps when everything goes to hell. If there's a chance in hell he seems like a good character, we go for it."
Natasha frowned. She thought she had moved past normal surveillance work, yet there she was, still slated to play the role of information agent.
Hill's gaze flicked up in surprise. "You want to recruit him."
Fury's mouth twitched. "I'm all ears for a second option."
"None." Maria shook her head. "This won't guarantee his loyalty."
"She wasn't loyal either," Fury replied, looking at Natasha. His stare was steady. "Red Room's best Widow. Now she is a part of our agent roster. People have the ability to change, Maria. Sometimes it's for the better."
Natasha had seen plenty of cases where the change was for the worse.
Maria stared at Natasha. Unlike Nick Fury, there was some skepticism in Maria's eyes.
"She still isn't," Maria whispered, which Natasha only understood through the movement of her lips.
Natasha did have an issue with how SHIELD treated mutants. Even the ones who accidentally used their powers were taken into custody and their fates afterward remained unknown. However, she wouldn't leave this job for anything.
"Director," Natasha said. "I made my choice to be here."
Fury nodded at Natasha's conviction.
"Maria, you'll accompany Phil and Widow to meet Dante. Try to fulfill that son of a bitch's conditions and get back Laura. Remember not to make it harder for him. We get him on our side before someone else does." He dropped his voice into a whisper. "He has potential to become a cornerstone of the initiative."
Natasha listened to everything with her head down and eyes closed. The initiative mentioned was the Avengers Initiative. Natasha had only heard the term a few times. Apparently, her and Clint were also candidates. She would've never thought the man Laura fought today would also become one.
"Isn't that premature?" Maria's brows drew together as she called out Nick's rushed decision. "We still haven't verified his background. He could be a future threat, not an asset."
"We're not building a boy band," Fury said with a click of his tongue. "We don't need loyalists or nationalists. We need people who'll stand their ground when an alien army invades. We need heroes." He threw the Venom photo on the table. "If that man is bringing a fight to Norman's lapdogs, then he has some good in him."
'The Avengers Initiative is about heroes?' Natasha thought with a frown. The Red Room's most infamous Widow turned a hero—there was something deeply unsettling about it. She couldn't say no to it either, not when this was the best option to clean the red in her ledger.
Maria glanced at Natasha, then back to Fury. "There's another layer to him. He's not exactly… free. It's almost confirmed he is in a relationship with Symkaria's queen."
Natasha was briefed about that before she left for Oscorp Island with Laura.
"How does this clash with my suggestion?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He is potentially in a relationship with that student he saved as Skullfire," Maria continued, ignoring Fury's question. "He's been seen entering Emma Frost and even chatting with her over the phone. Do you get what I'm trying to say?"
"Mother—" Nick Fury almost cursed. "You're telling me this guy is a ladies man?"
Maria nodded with a wry smile. "Patterns point that way. Still, it's unconfirmed information as of now."
The corner of Fury's mouth twitched again like he wanted to laugh at something.
"Doesn't change anything," Nick Fury concluded. "After this symbiote mission is done, I'll personally approach him with the offer. Until then, make sure he gets a good impression of SHIELD."
Natasha almost rolled her eyes at Nick Fury's words. Dante had already formed his first impression for SHIELD through their inflexibility to spare a mutant who had acted in self-defense. The worst type of first impression.
'At least the negotiations won't be as hostile tomorrow.'
Seeing less bloodshed was hardly a bad thing. Natasha didn't revel in violence, even though her Spirit was more than capable of making her the most violent woman walking this planet.
But somehow she had a feeling Dante wouldn't make things easier. He seemed quite bothered by the way SHIELD had turned a blind eye to his request to spare his friends. One thing was for almost—Natasha will have to use her transformation again.
***
You can read 20 more chapters on my Patreon!
Patreon.com/Lordheaven