Natasha's POV

James fired first his bullet shanking to the right. Viper sprang into action a joyous laugh at the challenge. Steve intercepted Viper eagerly a furious expression etched in his features.

"I think it's time for a rematch!" Steve called slamming his shield into Viper who went flying across the room. A hand grabbed my arm tugging me away from the frenzy.

"Come on we have to get to the computer!" It was James dragging me across the room. Regaining my composure I paused as he directed me to the correct station. Pulling on the headset my fingers flew across the keys.

"Get through the firewall, after that you can contact anyone you want." In an instant he was gone leaving me to complete my task. I could hear the sound of bullets through the headset. Scrunching up my eyes I calmed my beating heart, my entire body screaming at me to help them. Each second was painful but soon the computer unlocked and I was inside the inner software. If I could just connect to one of SHIELD's private lines. As the codes ran through the firewall looking for an opening I busied myself in searching the computer's files. I needed to show them where we were but I didn't exactly know what 'where' was.

"Come on, come on." My hands shook in anticipation and worry. Finally I located a file. It had been deleted but it wasn't completely erased. Piecing together the fragments I scanned it quickly. It was a report. The location wasn't specified but it was riddled with clues. Luckily there was an outline of the invasion plan. It looked as if this report was a sort of progress report. Either way it would have to do I wouldn't waste anymore time. As I retrieved the file the firewall was brought down. It wasn't long before I traversed the secrets of the internet and connected to a hotline. There wasn't an answer for what felt like years.

"This is SHIELD." It was Maria. Temporary relief ran through me.

"Maria don't talk listen! I'm okay and I'm with Steve. I'm sending you a file with updates on what's been happening at the facility we've been kept in. There's an invasion and we need to stop it but we're still stuck on the compound. You'll know what to do. In the mean time Scarrlet, Thor, Tony, and Bruce have been brainwashed. They aren't themselves and the enemy is exploiting them as weapons." A loud bang caused my skin to crawl but I didn't break focus instead I talked faster. My words were shooting out a million miles an hour. " The others, Hope and I are currently working on finding a way out. We'll help if we can."

"Natasha-" She started in panic and surprise.

"See you on the other side!" With that I ended the call and pressed send. All I could hope was that what little information I had given them would be enough. A loud angry yell shook me back to reality. Steve went flying and slammed hard into one of the computer panels next to me. His nose was bleeding profusely. Spitting out a wad of blood he got to his feet. Glancing around I noted Viper was on top of James' cover. In seconds Viper would spot him. Without thinking I fired a shot.

"Look who wants to play!" He spat turning towards me. Steve thrust his shield forward Viper barely dodging it in time. His cold eyes were focused entirely on me.

"Steve, get James out of here. Take him to the others." I ordered. Steve's phase morphed into surprise but a single look of mine silenced him.

"Ah, ah, ah. No one's leaving here alive." Viper hissed. As if on cue dozens of armored men rushed into the room. With a leap Steve was standing over James deflecting any bullets that sought them out. Wheeling around I slipped under a metal desk as the gunfire rained down. Sucking in a deep breath I tried to assess the situation. The men were above us on the catwalk. The Catwalk's bracers were thin but many. Nothing I couldn't fix. Pressing my belt I rotated it until a small black hourglass rested in my palm. Pressing the center it elongated into a sort of throwing star X. Careful to not get blasted to pieces I tossed it at the platform. The dark metal my weapon was made of was the second hardest metal in the world. It sliced through the bracers like butter.

"What the-" A cry erupted from the men as the metal platforms came crashing down. Bullets fired randomly but the immediate danger was gone. Slipping out from underneath my cover a boot slammed hard into my back. Sprawling out on the floor I rolled quickly to the side just in time to see Viper pounce. His boot slammed hard into the floor where I had been.

From the corner of my eye I could see Steve and James working together to incapacitate the remaining soldiers. Viper twirled his blades making them gleam wickedly. Rising to my feet I set my jaw. It was time to stop avoiding the fight, it was time I proved who the real prodigy was. Lashing out with his right arm I ducked under the blade. Scanning the floor I spotted my belt weapon. Scooping it up I pressed the center yet again. The X popped apart into two blades twice as long as before. The handles were at the end of the blades, consisting of thin dull metal curved to fit my hands. "You aren't the only one with blades Viper."

Lunging I slashed at his leg. With a quick powerful strike his gleaming silver blade intercepted mine. Our arms whirled about, our blades becoming an extension of our bodies. We were locked in a deadly dance. Leaping over a computer table I pressed forward trying to back him up against a surface. The less space he had to maneuver the better. Sidestepping a kick of his I slid my blade along his leg. It wasn't a deep cut but it was enough to aggravate him. The hilt of his weapon slammed into my shoulder causing pain to spring down my arm. Stumbling back I narrowly avoided a slash that would have left me blinded. My back pressed against cool steel as he leapt forward preparing for a strike. His blade came down in a blur as I jerked to the side. It slammed hard into one of the control panels sending sparks flying. Wheeling around I planted a foot against his side hearing the crack of a rib.

"You're good but your training is inadequate." He snarled. As I had kicked him I exposed my side and in an instant a searing pain wracked my skin. His free arm had lashed out leaving a large gash in my side. Anger ignited me, this man had hurt my friends, he had hurt me, he was going to hurt innocent people for glory. With adrenaline coursing through my veins I countered one of his blows and thrust my arm forward plunging it deep into his bicep. With an aggravated cry his weapon fell from his grasp.

With only a single blade now he pressed even harder, trying with great might to gain the upper hand. He did when he dodged one of my counter attacks. Using the flat of his remaining blade my legs were swept out from under me. I landed hard on my back the wind in my lungs fleeing. My blades clattered to the floor. In those few moments it was agony. I gasped but the sweet air I was so used to did not come to me. Glancing to the side I watched as Steve and James, both battered and bloody fought in unison. My gaze turned fuzzy and when it refocused I was looking at Viper. His weight was placed heavily on his back leg a mistake most amateurs made. To be a fighter you had to keep your weight balanced and even. "You've miscalculated."

In an instant I rotated kicking out at his leg and causing him to stumble backwards. Grasping his hand that held the remaining weapon I dislodged it from his grip. The two of us stood unarmed as equals squaring off again. Striking, my fist brushed against his side, using the momentum of my first attack I spun trying to land a kick. He deflected it with his forearm retaliating with an elbow to my side. It made full contact and the crack of my bones was like thunder. Winded and wounded I struggled to regain my composure. He loomed over me gasping for air, unlike him though I was not as desperate for oxygen. His foot slammed into my side again causing my eyes to smart with tears. Toppling over he drew closer. "It's the end of the line. Long live the Red Legion."

With the flick of the wrist a small blade rested in his palm. Desperately I tried to stand but each time he knocked me over. My head swam and the world seemed to slow down. I searched for something to aid me but there was no use as a twisted smile coated Viper's face he raised his hand for the final blow. Feeling around my hand brushed against something, without looking I gripped it. As the blade flashed I lashed out with my weapon.

"Argh!" Viper cried and suddenly he was staggering. Firm hands dragged me to my feet and suddenly I made sense of what was happening. James was wrestling angrily with Viper. The object in my hand was a broken rod its sharp tip gleaming in the light. Where I had made contact Viper's leg was bleeding. Viper regained control tossing James aside like a ragdoll. James' body was limp and as he crashed into a support column before toppling to the floor .I was flooded with concern. A rush of wind came from behind me and a shield slammed into Viper's gut sending him to his knees. Steve pushed past me quivering in rage. He picked Viper up by the neck and tossed him into a computer console. Viper rolled onto the floor getting to his feet with great effort.

Steve closed in and I watched from afar as he continued to batter Viper. Steve was in mid swing when Viper thrust his palm up and into Steve's chest. Blue jets of electricity rocketed through Steve's body. He shuddered before staggering and tumbling to the ground. Shock rocked me to the core. Steve and James were laying helpless on the ground. Both of them had saved me from my cell and now from my enemy. Now they were injured without help because of me and my inadequacy. I felt small suddenly and with that came desperation. Viper's evil slurred laugh brought my attention to him. Lunging I clasped my hand around his neck and bashed his face into the metal surface. He collapsed to the ground bleeding from multiple areas now.

Grabbing him again I crashed my fist into his face before planting a knee in his gut. My desperation was replaced with hate. It surged through me like an angry wave, caged power ready to explode. Snatching him up again I pressed him to the wall all the while his face was locked in a grotesque smile. Another punch and more blood. Again. Reaching into my holster I slipped out a small hunting knife that I always kept in case. Pressing it against Viper's throat I stared into his eyes. It fueled my emotions, my anger. "You are going to die!"

He laughed maddly his eyes dilated and unsteady. "Everything you've done, everything you've put me through, I will amplify your pain twice that."

"Perfect! I told you we'd do it." He snickered before choking on his bloody saliva. Another garbled sentence left his lips, we had really knocked the sense out of him. Rearing back my arm, I clutched the knife angrily. Mid swing a croak of a cry erupted from behind me.

"Natasha don't!" It was Steve. I wasn't sure why but I paused ,my arm and blade dangerously close to Viper's face. "Don't you see he wants you to hurt him, to kill him."

Glancing over my shoulder Steve was somehow standing. His eyes were pleading with me but my anger was fierce. "Why? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't!"

"If you do this, you'll become exactly what they want you to be. You'll be a pawn in their game again. They want you to do it, they want you to kill without remorse. Please." My anger refused to die down but my head was telling me to listen. It was like an internal war erupted inside of me. All I wanted to do was kill him, to hurt him as much as he had hurt me at least. But Steve was right, if I did hurt him, everything I had done to try and change would be for nothing. With shaking fingers I dropped my knife. With pain I released Viper and watched as he dropped to the floor finally slipping into an unconscious state.

Turning I pushed past Steve to where I had seen James land. He was awake but unmoving. "James, are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Go on I'll catch up I just need to gather myself." His voice was tight and strained. Something wasn't right about the way he was laying.

"James." I gasped realizing what was so off.

"I know. God, I know." He winced. His hips were angled oddly they were a little to far to the side and by how he was laying it was clear he had broken his back. Grief gripped my heart. I didn't know him well but somehow it felt like we had been friends for a lifetime. "Go on, leave me. Im not of use anymore."

"No." Steve replied firmly having been watching from a distance. Walking forward Steve slipped his arms under James and with a pained cry from James Steve began walking. "Where do we go now?"

"To the hangar. Find the others and they can help get you out." It was clear that even though Steve would hate to admit it he was struggling to carry James. I was struggling to even walk. Breathing had become more painful and as we shuffled down the hall our predicament felt even more hopeless. As we rounded a corner a loud alarm blared angrily above our heads. They must have found Viper. Picking up speed we tried to rush down the next hall even as the sound of thundering boots trailed behind us. It was hard and painful to do. A bullet whizzed by my head and smacked into the wall. Still we continued.

"Steve." James called his forehead beaded in sweat. Steve ignored him and kept moving as the sounds behind us grew louder. "Steve! Put me down."

"No! No man gets left behind." Steve argued. James shook his head feverishly.

"I'm slowing you down. Please, my only wish was to get you out of here. Don't dishonor it please." James was pleading not for himself but for us. Another bullet narrowly missed us. Rounding a corner Steve stumbled nearly dropping James. Though it was pain mirrored in his eyes Steve propped James up against the wall. James' shaking hands reached into his jacket pocket producing the picture I had seen of his son. "Promise me, when you get out of here, you'll find my son. Tell him what I did, tell him I loved him."

With shaking fingers I grasped the picture just as the soldier's rounded the corner. They opened fire. "Steve give me your shield. Ill catch up with you I promise."

"No, we aren't splitting up." He argued but as the words left his mouth I snatched the shield off of his back and raised my gun to confront the enemy. I was exhausted beyond belief but I wasn't going to let James die. He had to see his son again. Firing my gun a bullet slammed into the first soldier sending him to the ground. I fired again and another fell into death's arms mid stride. Their ranks faltered but it didn't prevent them from returning fire. Their bullets clanged against the shield as I ducked behind it deflecting fire. Glancing over my shoulder I watched as Steve scooped James up again. Slowly backing down the hall I peeked around the shield firing two more rounds.

"Go left. There's an elevator!" James gasped over the ruckus. Cocking my arm back I launched the shield taking out the legs of a soldier, tripping up the enemy. My nerves ignited as the sound of gunfire erupted again. A scream tore through my throat as a bullet found its home in my shoulder. Gritting my teeth I caught the shield as it came flying back. A sever wave of nausea racked my body.

"We're here. Natasha back up the elevator's open!" Steve ordered. Just as he directed I backed up into the small but open space and as the doors shut I was relieved to have some sort of silence. The shield slipped from my hand clattering to the floor and I clutched my wounded arm. Blood was seeping through my fingers. Steve rested James against the elevator wall making his way towards me. "Let me see it."

"I'm fine." I argued but his fingers pulled at the tattered ends of fabric disguising the wound. With a vicious tug he ripped off my sleeve. What I saw was a large hole. Mangled flesh was surrounded by a ring of dark blue and purple bruise shades. My shoulder was torn angrily open the wound smarting as his fingers grazed the meaty flash. "Damn it, don't touch it!"

Jerking away I leaned against the wall. We had made it out, the three of us battered but relatively intact. There was still a chance. We could get James out of here, if Maria and the others arrived he would be okay. He would see his son again, his wife after all these years. Closing my eyes I focused on calming myself down.

"We did it James. We're going to get you out just hang in there." Opening my eyes my gaze fell on James. He was slumped over and unmoving. Panic clutched me, springing forward I grabbed him by the shoulders but he toppled forward. A large dark red spot was growing on his back. A bullet had marked him. "James. James!"

He groaned his eyes blinking open. His gaze was unsteady and his pupils were dilated in pain. " Come on stay with me."

Steve dropped to his knees beside me tearing open the back of James' shirt. Not one but two large bullet holes bubbled with blood. "No."

"It's... alright." James smiled. "You...can't fix...it."

"How did this happen? Steve had you! I was covering you!" I cried.

"I-I turned around to enter the elevator. You threw the shield Natasha. I didn't know." Steve whispered. Desperate I pressed my hands over James' wounds. If I can stop the blood. If I could just stop the blood. His breath hitched and I squeezed my eyes shut. Don't die. Don't die.

"You can't James. You have to see your son!" I urged helplessly. His eyes turned up to Steve.

"Will you pray for me, and my family?" He asked. Steve nodded solemnly. Taking James' hand he closed his eyes and bowed his head. His lips moved in a silent whisper. James then turned to me. His eyes gleamed with held back tears. "Take care of them please. Take care of my son."

"I will. I promise." And as Steve opened his eyes again James clutched our hands as he lay on his back. His breath hitched more often until his last was exhaled. Seconds later the doors dinged open. Steve dragged me to my feet and clasped his shield. We walked stunned out of the elevator before another ding signaled the opening of another elevator. Ducking behind a support column we watched as soldiers poored out of the other elevator. They pried open the now shut doors of our former enclosure to find James. A soldier stepped forward kicking James' limp body with his foot. Picking James up by the collar he tossed his corpse out into the hallway laughing all the while. With a smile on his face he fired a single shot into James' head.

Turning I buried my face in Steve's chest as he looked on in horror. "What are they doing to him?"

"They're..." But his voice trailed off and I was thankful for it. There was the sound of dozens of receding footsteps. Pulling back from Steve I wiped a tear from my cheek and set my jaw.

"What now?" Steve asked his eyes haunted. My heart squeezed painfully. James is dead. He'd been our guide, our rescuer. The friend amongst the enemy. An innocent man who had been dragged into danger. A man who had his whole life ahead of him. He had been slaughtered, his death disgraced by ruthless soldiers. His family ruined because of these people. They had claimed another victim just like me. They had stolen James from the world in more ways than one.

"Easy, we leave and when the fight starts we find every last one of them, and we make sure they never get to walk free again. We make sure they never see the light of day. We are going to destroy each and everyone of them, even if we die in the process."