Scene 2

Present, Natasha's walking through the streets, a non-American urban area, head down, avoiding looks of those around her. She enters a run-down apartment, light filtering through the closed curtains. She throws her shopping bags on a table, going to her computer. There's several of them, totalling about six screens, two laptops, three keyboards, a mouse and several monitors with old dishes stacked upon.

She traces a signal and initiates a GPS tracker, a loading bar appears and she leans back, swinging on her chair. A video call button pops up on one corner of the screens, she accepts. Clint Barton's face appears, the background is dark and the connection is shoddy.

Natasha: Hey buddy how's it going?

Clint: Long time no see.

Natasha: You know what they say, time spent in reconnaissance should be seldom enjoyed.

Clint: [Snorts] Um, I'm pretty sure, no one says that.

Natasha: I said it. Doesn't that count?

Clint: [Laughs] Sure, whatever you say.

Natasha: What've you been up to Clint?

Clint: Ah, nothing much, going on the run, being an international fugitive and all. Yourself?

Natasha: Just doing some cleaning up on all the online stuff from the SHIELD collapse. Did you know, Steve's shield alone, is valued at a current 54 million?

Clint: I'm pretty sure that wasn't in the files.

Natasha: Nah, I've been doing a bit of Wikipedia reading.

Clint: [Laughs] Well you know what they say about Wikipedia...

Natasha: That it holds all the secrets to the world?

Clint: That isn't too reliable.

Natasha: I donno Clint, Tony could make a couple good dollars from that shield.

Clint: [Snorts] Sure does need it.

Natasha: How's Steve and the rest of the gang?

Clint: How 'bout you come over to Wakanda and find out?

Natasha: Well I would except for the fact that I'm currently in the same boat as you International fugitive etc.

Natasha turns to the laptop furtherest to her right, displayed is a profile for Bruce Banner, she sighs. It looks like it's running facial recognition software. Another computer catches her attention, a red-dotted location, to what she was looking for.

Natasha: Hey does the name ___________ ring a bell to you?

Clint: Charming young fellow, uh, Rising Tide Hackivist I think? He doesn't really go for any side, just kind of releases secrets from both sides. Constant pain in the ass. Don't tell me you're onto him.

Natasha: Well he's getting a little to comfortable with those personal files I was talking about. Beside, what else am I gonna do?

Clint: Survive? [Sighs] Don't get yourself hurt.

She searches up the location and realises there's a Celebratory Gala to which the Hackivist is attending. A couple more types and a ticket is printed out.

Natasha: [snorts] I should be more worried about you.

Natasha ends the call, a small smile on her face, it fades as she flashes back in time.

The shot flashes between two teenaged girls fighting and them standing at attention. Natalia is one of them, the other is a fierce fighter, Yelena Belova, Natalia is obviously at her match.

Trainer: Both of you may be able to fight.

The girls are sparring again, Natalia is tossed to the ground in pain. She drags in a breath but Yelena uses this to her advantage, leaping on her into a choke hold. Natalia is forced to tap out.

Trainer: Only one of you can become the Black Widow.

Natalia looks to Alexi, he looks down. The scene changes to the two of them sitting on the edge of a bed.

Natalia: If I'm not good enough, they're going to kill me.

Alexi: Then give them a reason not to.

Natalia walks through a hospital the world moving slowly around her.

Natalia: How?

Alexi smiles darkly, Natalia strikes a match, suddenly she's in a different setting, outside, she turns back, fire lighting her face, emotionlessly, she turns away, screams echoing in her ears.

Present day, Natasha's in a upper-class hotel, dressed for the Gala. She adds the final piece, a pair of red, dangling earrings and a gun to her thigh. Her eyes flick to her reflection, telling us that she's aware of what we've just seen and she's gonna fight it.

So Natasha's going to pursue Hackivist _________ at the Gala...