Natasha
Peter Parker was visiting Tony at the base in upstate New York when it happened. Tony had stepped out for just a moment, Peter was examining some specs on a computer screen when suddenly it blacked out.
“Wha—?” Horrified he had somehow broken Tony’s tech he tried pushing several buttons to no avail. Then suddenly the screen flickered back to life, a grainy image of a familiar looking woman with red hair had appeared. She seemed to be talking directly to the camera.
“I wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t necessary,” she said. “I’m... I’m over my head. They’re going to take me, and I don’t think I can get out.” Peter could hear gun shots in the background and men shouting. “I’m sorry Tony. I wish things were different. But we played this wrong. Way, way wrong. Ross was never on our side. You have to stay away from him. He will come for you. He will go after the spider kid, he’s relentless. Stay safe. And again, I’m sorry.” Suddenly the woman was yanked out of frame and the camera went blank. The specs were back up and running. Tony came back into the lab.
“Um... Mr. Stark?”
“What’s up kid?” Tony did a double take. “You look absolutely green, what happened?”
—
Peter had relayed the message, FRIDAY had confirmed it and showed the recording the AI had taken the liberty of doing. Tony looked conflicted, Peter looked worried.
“Mr. Stark?”
Tony looked up, “I need to ask a favor kid.”
“Anything!”
“Tell your aunt you won’t be home for a few days.”
—
The quinjet landed in a Wakandan airfield. Peter has wanted to get out but Tony had insisted he stay inside the jet. As soon as he walked out he saw a line of female warriors with spears by their sides standing in his way.
“We are the Dora Milaje.” Said one of them. “You will go no further.”
Tony held his hands up in surrender, “I need to speak with the king.” No one said anything. “The king? King T’Challa? C’mon people this is important.”
“Okoye, let him through.” It was T’Challa. The Dora Milaje split and T’Challa stepped forward to meet Tony.
“Your highness.” Said Tony respectfully, bowing slightly.
“What brings Tony Stark to my kingdom?”
Tony blew out a breath, “Honestly? Desperation. I need to know where Steve Rogers is.”
T’Challa smiled, and stepped closer. “Last I heard, your prior meeting with him did not go so well. Besides, what makes you think I know?”
Tony held his hands behind his back, getting something from his back pocket. “I need to put our differences aside to help an old friend.” He said. He held out a Stark Phone. “I have no choice.”
He showed the video to T’Challa, whose reaction to the video could only be described as troubled. “I must speak with members of my council. I will move with haste. You should probably bring out the Spider-Man, you can both wait in the Great Hall.”
—
Tony and Spider-Man (Peter in his costume) were seated in the Great Hall at a long grand table, a tall wall to floor window at the end of it. T’Challa had left them there under supervision of some of the Dora Milaje.
T’Challa had taken the video Tony had showed him, and brought it with him to the War Room. In the center of the room was a circular table with chairs surrounding it. Steve Rogers stood behind one of the chairs, Clint Barton, Scott Lang, Wanda Maximoff and Sam Wilson were all seated.
“So... what’s up?” Asked Scott.
“What the hell is Tony Stark doing here?” Sam said almost at the same time.
T’Challa eyed Clint carefully, a look in his gaze that could only be described as wariness. “Perhaps this conversation would not be suitable for all.” He said cautiously.
The five of them looked around at each other before Steve shook his head, “If it has to do with one of us, it has to do with all of us.” He leaned down on the chair placing his hands on the back of it.
T’Challa inclined his head in acceptance and played the video. When it ended all four of them were distressed, but Clint was absolutely furious.
“Dammit Nat...” Clint ran his hands through his hair. He stood up from his chair, and looked as though he were about to take a run and punch the wall. Steve placed a hand on his shoulder anchoring him.
“What do you want to do?” Sam asked Steve.
Scott looked shocked, “Do you even need to ask?” He said. “I mean, I don’t know her that well and she kicked my ass—but we’re going to go get her, right?”
Steve looked up at Clint, Scott, Sam, and Wanda before turning back to Clint their gaze locked before turning to T’Challa. A storm began to brew in the Captain’s eyes. “I’ll see him.”
—
“Mr. Stark this place is incredible!”
“Alright kid, keep your onesie on.”
Peter was looking out the grand window at the city of Wakanda. Tony sat at the long table and ran a hand over his face. The Dora Milaje hadn’t moved, still standing guard. Suddenly a door opened, Tony and Peter look around to see Okoye.
“Come with me.” She said sharply. Tony stood up and Peter followed closely behind. They walked down a long regal hall and through another set of doors.
Tony should have been prepared by the sight of his former teammates, but instead it nearly knocked him down.
“I am sure we can all be civil.” T’Challa said, standing in the middle of the round table and Tony. “We all want the same thing. Ms. Romanoff needs our help, we will only be able to provide it by working together.”
Another beat of silence followed this. Peter was growing restless but it was Scott who broke the tension stepping forward and holding out a hand to Spider-Man.
“Scott Lang, Ant-Man.” He said.
Peter was emulating excitement, “Spider-Man!” They shook hands.
“Yeah I remember.” Scott said, then turned to Tony and held out his hand. Tony didn’t do anything for a moment, the tension palpable. Finally, he shook his hand. But he still didn’t say anything.
“We all know who we are,” Clint said impatiently. “We need to get to work.” He looked at Tony, “Have you been able to find out anything?”
Tony locked eyes with Clint, he hadn’t seen him since the Raft. Now was as good a time as any to put differences aside. Tony spoke for the first time “Besides the encrypted video she sent me? No, nothing.” He sounded worn, his gaze met Steve’s “Nothing.” He said again, “I don’t think she meant for the video to spike a rescue mission. She meant it as a warning.”
“Well that’s just too damn bad.” Sam said standing up. “It’s going to turn into a rescue mission.”
“So what do we do?” Asked Spider-Man, looking around at the heroes.
“I can have my sister start a search,” T’Challa said. “Her technology has never failed us before. If there is a trace of Ms. Romanoff anywhere, she can find it.”
“I already have FRIDAY running scans, I’ve come up with nothing.” Tony said turning to the King. T’Challa smiled kindly.
“I mean no offense Stark... but you have not met Shuri,” said T’Challa. “Please excuse me.” He left the room.
Clint stood up slowly, “When was the last time you saw her?” He asked Tony.
Tony’s hands awkwardly went into his pockets, “When... she came to headquarters to check on Rhodes. And I told her... Ross was coming for her.”
Silence.
“That’s messed up.” Scott said quietly, though everyone could hear him.
“What’s done is done.” Wanda said, “What’s important is what we do now.” He looked at Tony, “What’s the plan?”
Tony gestured towards the table, silently asking if he could join them. Sam inclined his head in approval. Tony walked forward with Peter and they both sat. Tony took off the watch he wore and flattened it on the table—out of the corner of his eye he saw Okoye stiffen in anticipation but he held up a hand to show her he meant no harm.
“Last sign of Ross was four weeks ago.” Tony explained. A hologram projection shot up from the watch, Ross’ head, his military picture rotated in the middle of the table. “He was in Washington D.C. visiting the Pentagon, speaking with some big wigs about the Soviet Accords.” Wanda has stiffened at the mention of her home, a hand had gone to her neck where Ross had placed an electrical collar as he had held her prisoner under the law. “I’m not sure how he found her, after she left I didn’t do anything to track her at first. It was maybe a month or two ago I asked FRIDAY to search for her and came up with nothing. Frustrating, but this is Nat we’re talking about.”
“The transmission came in yesterday!” Peter chimed in. “It was weird the way it happened, like it was almost pre-recorded and sent on a time delay to make sure Mr. Stark would see it. But he didn’t... I’m the one who saw it.” Everyone’s attention was now on Spider-Man. “She spoke directly to Mr. Stark even though he wasn’t there, not to me. FRIDAY recorded the message and we played it the moment he came back.”
“Take off the mask.”
Steve had spoken for the first time. Everyone looked at him. Peter and Tony froze.
“What?” Spider-Man asked.
Steve looked directly at him, his gaze harsh and unapologetic. “Natasha said you were a target, just as easily as one of us. None of us are hiding behind disguises anymore. Neither should you.”
Peter hesitated, Tony spoke roughly “You don’t have the right—“
“No, it’s okay Mr. Stark.” Spider-Man said. “He’s right. Equal playing field...yeah?” He reaches over his head and pulled the mask off. Peter looked at the former Avengers with his real face for the first time. “Hi everyone,” He said “technically we’ve met, well you’ve met Spider-Man... my name is Peter. Peter Parker.”
Tony closed his eyes, when he opened them he look at Steve. Steve was still looking at the newly unmasked Peter. Finally the former captain nodded in acceptance.
“Steve Rogers.”
Peter nodded. The tension had returned. No one said anything. Scott whispered to Wanda “Do I reintroduce myself?” She waved him off and he fell silent again.
“Back to the matter at hand,” Sam said “You got this transmission. Any clue how old it was?”
Tony jumped on the opportunity to provide more information “FRIDAY estimates about 8-12 days old.”
“That’s over a week!” Clint exclaimed.
“She did it to protect us. To protect me.” Tony said, defeat creeping into his voice. “So I wouldn’t go after her repulsers blazing.” He clicked on the watch, a still of Nat joined Ross rotating in the air. Along with it was a list of locations. “After the breakout at the Raft, I’m not sure he’d risk bringing her there. Though he might, but if he did he’s undoubtedly stepped up security ten fold. I’ve compiled a list of some other, more secret military bases that would be equip to holding her prisoner. Holding us all prisoner.” He met everyone’s gaze at least once “Because he will come after us all eventually.”
“One problem at a time, shall we?” Tony turned to see T’Challa had returned with a woman he had never seen before. She spoke again, “If we locate Ms. Romanoff, then we can focus on the other problems too.”
“This is my sister, Shuri.” T’Challa explained, “The most brilliant and capable scientist in Wakanda if not the world. I have asked her to help us.”
Shuri moves to the round table, placing a tablet on it. Placing her fingers on the screen she widened it to bring out a map of a terrain with a small list of locations. “From what my brother has told me and what I could see and get from the video, Ms. Romanoff was in Europe when she was detained. Italy to be exact.”
“Ross ran an apprehension mission on foreign soil?” Sam asked incredulously.
“It appears so,” Shuri responded. “The General has been a busy man since the Soviet Accords came to be. Building bridges and swaying congressmen. The Raft is the least of your worries I am afraid.” Reaching down to the tablet she tapped and swiped so that the hologram of a building no one had seen before was in front of them. “This is what is known as Prison 42. It was not easy to find, in fact data on it is wiped every 60 seconds.”
“But you found it?” Tony Asked. Shuri inclined her head,
“It is in a place known only as “The Negative Zone”. It is not of this dimension.”
“What?” Steve turned to her. “What do you mean?”
“The Negative Zone is in another dimension, the General seems to have been dabbling with some technology even I have never heard of.”
“The son of bitch...” Tony was looking at the schematics, he had walked towards the hologram. “No wonder FRIDAY didn’t find anything.”
“There are other dimensions...?” Peter looked completely awed. “I mean, after the Battle of New York I guess anything could be possible.”
“Just when you thought the world couldn’t get any stranger.” Sam said. “Some shit like this goes down.”
“So what do we do?” Asked Wanda. “How do we get there?”
Shuri looked to her brother who nodded, she then walked towards Tony who stumbled back instinctively “We work together. I believe that you and I will be able to build a portal to the Negative Zone. You can mount your rescue mission from there.”
“Ross shouldn’t have this access,” Steve said. “Doing this is in violation of the Accords. We get Nat, get her out... but then I say we blow this place to sky high.”
“Ross is the law Steve,” said Sam.
“You’re saying we leave her to rot?” Growled Clint.
“No!” Cried Sam, “I’m saying... we tread carefully. Natasha is the most capable out of all of us. There has to be a reason she hasn’t...”. He stopped. “I don’t know what I’m saying.” Wanda placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Steve turned to Tony, speaking to him for the first time, “Can you get Vision?”
Tony nodded “I’ll make the call.” He grabbed his watch and put it back on. Turning to Peter he said “Don’t break anything. Stay with a buddy at all times.” The teenager was about to interject, “I mean it Pete.” He turned to Shuri, “Let’s do this. Princess?”
She nodded and they left the war room. Scott’s hands flew up “Not that anyone has asked my but I’m actually familiar with multiple dimensions!”
Wanda turned to him, “Can you get there?” Scott was about to speak when she cut him off “On purpose, not by accident.” He didn’t say anything.
“This is exciting, right?” Peter said, his hands rubbing together.
Clint stormed out of the room, Steve send the kid an almost apologetic look and followed the archer.
“Don’t mind him kid.” Sam said. “Give him some time.”
—
“Barton!” Steve was jogging to keep up with Clint who was more then halfway down the hall. “Clint, wait up!” He caught up with him. “C’mon Clint talk to me.”
“Talk?” Clint barked out a sarcastic laugh. “I’ve left behind my wife, my kids... I came so I could fight beside you.”
“I know...”
Clint didn’t stop “I fought against my best friend, landed my ass in jail, and have been hiding out here for god knows how long only to then discover she’s out there somewhere being held prisoner.” He stopped suddenly, Steve almost collided with him. “My family is safe. I know they are, I made damn sure of it. She was supposed to be safe too. But she’s not.” He was breathing heavily now, “This whole thing... it’s beyond messed up. It’s fucked Cap! It’s absolutely fucked!” He kicked at a wall and slammed his hand against it. Slowly he slid down until he was kneeling, he turned so he was leaning against the wall. Steve slowly lowered himself to join him.
“I’m sorry Clint.” He said. I never should have dragged you—“
“Don’t give me that bullshit.” Clint said. “I don’t regret joining you, I don’t regret fighting with you or getting caught for that matter.”
“I don’t—?”
“It never should have come to this,” the archer said. “We should have done better Steve.”
They sat there for a few moments, “You’re right.” Steve said. “We should have done better.” Clint looked up at him. Steve continued “But this is where we are now. And the only thing we can do, is try to do better. Starting right here, right now. I’m sure you know it’s what she would want. So let’s go get her back.”
—
With Tony and Shuri working together, they were able to build an inter dimensional portal in six days. Vision had joined them on day two. By the time they were ready to go through, everyone was restless and ready to fight. Tony had asked Steve to come to the quinjet before they were set to leave—they would be flying the quinjet in stealth mode to Prison 42. Tony had walked down the ramp holding the shield. Steve had recoiled but Tony shook his head “Doesn’t go with my decor.” He said simply, tossing it to Steve.
“Tony I can’t...”
“No takesie backsies.”
And that was that. The quinjet was loaded up, T’Challa and Shuri were on comms in the lab. The device required two people to run it. They pulled the switch and out of it shot a magenta beam that left a circular hole with a dark red interior.
“This doesn’t feel subtle at all.” Clint said as he engaged stealth mode and flew into the void.
As soon as they were through, they heard “Comm check?” From Shuri.
“Check.” Wanda.
“Check.” Peter.
“Check.” Sam.
“Check.” Tony.
“Check.” Clint.
“Check.” Scott.
“Check.” Vision.
“Check.” Steve. “Let’s go get Widow.”
Prison 42 was a gigantic stone building surrounded by a blood red sky. Ross had security forces on the ground which they could only assume meant strong security inside as well.
Everyone was suited up. Clint parked the quinjet in stealth mode about 20 feet away from the exterior, Steve gestured for them to come together.
“Here’s the play, we get in and get out as soon as possible. As soon as we locate Natasha we plant the charges. When everyone is back on board, we blow the place and get back to Wakanda. Falcon, Iron Man, Vision—you get the upper floors work your way down. Wanda, Ant-Man, Spider-Man... you get the lower perimeter. Once you’ve cleared them out Scott, you get inside, find the security system and be our eyes on the whole base. Peter and Wanda are your back up for any stragglers. I’m going up too with the others. Clint—“
“I’m going with you.” The archer cut in, bow at the ready.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Steve said. To the rest of the group he continued, “Anything goes wrong, you let us know. We have to have each other’s backs. Clear?”
“Easy, breezy, beautiful, cover girl.” Scott nodded. Everyone gave him a a strange look, “Just trying to break the tension.”
“Let’s go.” Said Steve.
Iron Man grabbed him around the waist and flew up with Sam and Vision who held Clint. The building had to have been at least 30 floors. Once on the roof Tony dropped him lightly, making his way to the sealed door leading downstairs. A laser shot out from the suit that cut through the door.
“This material is new,” Tony said. “Taking longer to break into then it normally should. Luckily, Shuri helped me with some upgrades.”
“We have to be quiet Stark.” Steve said.
“Calm your britches Capsicle.” The laser grew brighter and more powerful slicing through the material silently. They were in. “FRIDAY, how many heat signatures inside?”
“Fifty boss.” The AI said. “That doesn’t include the outside patrol.”
“That’s what Team B is for,” Stark said. “How do you want to play this Steve?”
“You and Vision Head halfway down, start clearing out the staff. If you see Nat get her out let us know. Sam, Clint and I will start up top.”
“Good luck.” Tony said, then he and Vision were gone.
Steve turned to Sam and Clint, “We do this quietly and effectively. Split on each floor, then make our way down. Let’s go.”
—
Down below it hadn’t taken too long for Wanda, Scott, and Peter to take out security. They moved quietly and efficiently, once Shuri had confirmed all heat signatures below had been taken care of Scott had shrunk both Peter and Wanda and gotten them inside. The security room was on the bottom floor like a regular prison.
Scott rapped his comm, “I’m in.” He said. The many screens in front of him showed patrolmen walking the corridors, and occasionally he saw Iron Man or Vision take out some of them. “Damn that looked like it hurt.”
“This seems too easy.” Wanda said. “Too quiet.”
“Scott,” Came Steve’s voice “Do you have eyes on Nat?”
Scott’s eyes scanned the screens, “Sorry no. Just a bunch of empty cells.” If you could call them cells. They were small rectangular spaces with blue energy shields in front of them in lieu of bars.
“Someone’s coming!” Peter said, hands up ready to web. The door opened and in walked a patrolman who was looking down at a clipboard. He looked up and saw the intruders, grabbing his gun he shot wide hitting one of the screens. Wanda moves her hands, red flowing from her fingertips and the man froze. Scott ran forward and took the gun, Peter didn’t waste time webbing him in the mouth as a gag and then binding him from head to toe.
“You planning on eating him later?” Scott Asked.
“Ew, gross!” Peter whined.
“Let’s focus.” Wanda said.
—
Tony didn’t want to admit it, but Wanda was right. Everything seemed too easy. He had to have taken out at least seven men already, when he came to a strange looking boiler room. A green glowing center was in the middle, as he approached it he noticed it was counting down, 9:59, 9:58, 9:57.
“Shit.” He exclaimed.
“What is it?!” Came Clint’s voice.
“I’ve got a bomb,” Tony said “Some foreign messed up technology. We have less then ten minutes before it blows.”
Steve’s voice came through sharp “Wanda, Scott, Peter I want you back on the quinjet now. No arguments.” A pause. “Tony...”
“Fuck stealth.” Stark said. He blasted out of them room forgoing the silent attack.
—
Sam had heard about the bomb and his heart was pounding a mile a minute. He came across a cell, and his heart stopped. Natasha.
“Nat!” He called. She didn’t respond. She lay on the floor of the cell, seemingly unconscious.
“You got her?!” That was Clint.
“21st floor,” Sam confirmed “some magical barrier or some shit.”
Sam nearly jumped out of his skin as Vision appeared next to him, “Allow me.” The jewel on his head flowed and speared through the barrier. He floated forward and picked her up. “I am taking her out.”
“Well, well, well...” Ross’ voice boomed from all around them. “Congratulations. You’ve found my fortress.”
Shuri spoke in the comms, “the countdown is down to sixty seconds! Her cell triggered the time jump!”
“Go! Go! Go!” Sam yelled and flew out with Vision.
“I got Cap and Barton!” Tony said.
“She’s very resilient,” Ross continued. “Put up a hell of a fight. Even if you take her now, I’ll get her back. I’ll get you all. The law is on my side.”
45 seconds.
“Someone start the quinjet!” Tony yelled.
“There’s nowhere you can hide. I’m coming for all of you.”
A quick headcount on the quinjet confirmed everyone was there.
“Let’s move!” Yelled Clint.
10 seconds.
The quinjet flew through the portal as the explosion blew behind them. Shuri closed it as soon as they were through, leaving the rubble and ruin of Prison 42 out of sight.
On the quinjet Clint had taken Natasha from Vision. He cradled her in his arms as he looked down at her. It was obvious she had been tortured, though to what extent he couldn’t be sure. Clint took her off of the quinjet and into the waiting arms of Wakandan physicians.
Steve wanted to follow but instead turned to everyone else, “Is anybody hurt?”
Everyone shook their heads. Vision spoke, “We are unharmed. It would seem the General’s plan failed.”
“We can only hope.” Sam added.
“I’ll take the small victory.” Said Scott. “Whose up for some beer?”
—
Natasha slowly came to consciousness, she blinked blearily as her vision remained fuzzy for a few moments.
“Hey Nat.” She’d know that voice anywhere.
“Clint...” Her voice was hoarse, but a smile spread across her face.
“He’s not the only one here ya know.” Well shit, that was Stark.
Then she remembered. Everything. She sat up quickly, her ribs protesting, someone gently pushed her back down but she wouldn’t go.
“Take it easy Nat.” Another voice said, she knew him too. “You’ve been through a lot.”
She could see clearly now, Clint, Tony, and Steve stood at her bedside.
“Where...?” She starts to say.
“Wakanda.” Steve said. “King T’Challa sends his regards. He’ll be here shortly in fact, wanted to check in.”
Natasha turned to Tony, “I told you so you would be safe. Don’t you know a warning when you hear one?”
Tony crosses his arms but a soft smile was etched onto his face, “I do things my own way. Decided to interpret it as a plea for a rescue.”
She shook her head before deciding she shouldn’t have because of the headache that pushed at her temples. “Do I even want to know how you guys managed this?”
Tony shook his head, “Probably not.”
She smiled gratefully. “Well, thanks I guess.”
“Get some rest Nat—“. Clint started to say, but there was a commotion outside. The four of them tensed expecting the worse.
The door flew open, Scott tumbled inside closely followed by Peter and Wanda. Behind them stood Vision and Sam, who was shaking his head in exasperation.
“Sorry!” Scott said, “We didn’t mean to intrude.”
“You said you wished to see how Ms. Romanoff was doing.” Vision said matter of factly. “The only way you could know was if you opened the door instead of trying to see through it.”
“Way to be subtle Vis.” Wanda said, though she was smiling. “Hi Nat.”
Natasha raised a hand in greeting. Then looked back to Scott and Peter. “I don’t know you.”
“Actually you do!” Said Scott, “You kicked my ass at the airport. Electroshocked me. Nice to officially meet you!”
Peter held up a hand, “Underoos.”
Natasha looked back at Tony, Steve, and Clint. “You don’t just do anything halfway. Do you?”
“Well,” said Steve, feigning wisdom “if you attacked one of us... you attack all of us. So we have to stick together.”
Nobody said anything for a moment until, “Captain America man. He just really nails those speeches.” Said Scott.