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HYDRA VS SHIELD

"Tell me which one is worse... living
or dying first?" —Billie Eilish
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SHIELD Headquarters

Location: Washington, D.C.

April 5, 2014

"IT'S time," Aurora declared through her earpiece, staring directly at the SHIELD headquarters within a two-mile radius. The teenager gripped tightly the 30 calibers semi-automatic weapon, reloading the gun whilst glaring from her sunglasses. M.A.T.T.H.E.W was scanning the facility for an entrance, Aurora gently placed her onyx mask onto her face. Today was her last day to finish her assignment before going back to HYDRA's Research Base.

"Ты готов белый волк?" Aurora questioned her partner, spotting him pointing at the distance causing the young teenager to follow his finger. Slowly, three SHIELD helicarriers began to appear from underneath the riverbed, meaning that they have initiated the launching sequence. Aurora strapped the gun around her shoulders, gathering the other weapons to attack the base.

It was simple really, Phantom had to rescue Pierce from the SHIELD whilst the Winter Soldier had to kill Captain America. Easier said than done.

"Оставайся здесь, маленькая звезда...." The Winter Soldier uttered, his blue orbs piercing directly to Aurora whilst maintaining a neutral expression on his face. Aurora paused for the moment, clenching her jaw while she cursed profanities in Latin even if the male agent could understand every word.

"Нет, мы делаем это вместе. Нравится тебе это или нет, но это тоже моя миссия." Aurora angrily at the statement, knowing that he couldn't deny that this was her mission too. There had to be a reason why she was assigned to do this, perhaps for the good of the order. And it may not be the reason she thought it would be. The teenager held her ground with a menacing smile to indict that she meant every word.

Hesitantly the Winter Soldier jerked his head towards the helicarriers, waiting for the girl to hurry up. Although he never uttered a word, his icy blue orbs spoke louder than whatever he would say to her  Aurora silently grinned for her small victory as she latched her hand to his and teleported to one helicarrier. It was too easy, observing that Project Insight was on its course to have the world bend their will to HYDRA.

Nearby, shouts were heard from SHIELD agents who were loading the aircraft carriers to help Captain America. However, a bomb exploded onto a plane that was about to launch in the air, causing it to crash and generated a large explosion. Aurora used her caliber gun to kill any agent on sight until one man dropped a bomb ready to explode any second towards them. The teenager shot him in the chest, whilst the Winter Soldier tossed it inside an aircraft.

The assassins continued the mayhem and chaos amid the situation they were currently in, during which the Winter Soldier managed to hijack a SHIELD Quinjet with Phantom hopping in. They soar in the air to the last helicarrier after spotting Captain America free falling until Falcon caught him. The Winter Soldier landed harshly onto the last aircraft, hopping out to a nearby spot to attack the heroes.

Aurora made sure her handgun was on her thigh holster, faintly retracting her hand to the mirror that had the tracker she placed a few weeks ago. A small red dot appeared, indicating that he was close... approaching their direction. She swiftly put it away, faintly listening to the conversation.

"You know, you're a lot heavier than you look," Sam Wilson remarked at the Captain, observing the helicarrier with a close eye. Something seemed off by just being here....

"I had a big breakfast," Steve answered sincerely, however, the conversation was cut short after the Winter Soldier rams him towards the edge of the helicarrier. Falcon tried to reach for him when Phantom used her handgun to shoot at the man, still, he managed to dodge it until the male assassin grabbed his wing and pulled him back. Aurora created an energy shield while Sam fired at them, the assassins dodging the bullets by hiding.

Sam nodded for a split second, jumping into action until Bucky— or the Winter Soldier practically ripped one wing off the suit. Aurora responded with a roundhouse kick to the man's chest to knock the ex-soldier off the helicarrier. The Winter Soldier firmly tossed the mechanical wing aside, walking over the edge to spot Captain America climbing over as he headed inside. The male assassin strolled along with the aircraft, ordering Aurora that she had to find Alexander Pierce since he was in danger.

The teenager nodded at the order, swiftly hopping off the helicarrier freefalling towards the Triskelion from a distance. Her A.I. was online when she accidentally activated her glasses, "Good evening, Miss Hunter. Is there anything you need at the moment?"

"Matt? Um, yes actually. I need you to track Director Pierce," Aurora spoke against the gravity pulling her down to the ground. After a few seconds, a small click was heard with an indicator of his location, notifying the HYDRA agent. The assassin manipulated her surroundings until she created a portal to the top of the building. Upon arriving, a helicopter ascended to the air whilst Aurora pondered if it was Pierce who escaped. She jumped off the roof, landing harshly to the ground until she reached for her necklace to retrieve the hidden dagger.

Two SHIELD agents appeared behind the door, therefore, Aurora threw the dagger to one agent's throat, instantly killing him whilst she did hand to hand combat with the other. Although the male was stronger and taller than the teenager, he wasn't able to match up to her speed. She ran directly to him only to do a butterfly kick that landed on his head and chest, making him lose his grip and fall off the tall building. Retrieving her dagger now stained with crimson liquid, she simply wiped it off with the agent's suit.

Aurora cautiously strolled inside to find shattered glass and bloodstains along the concrete floor. And there was Alexander Pierce... his blank eyes were wide open with a bullet wound on his chest. Immediately, the assassin tried calling out to him, "Director? Commander...? Um... Grandfather?"

Ever since she passed her graduation years ago, Aurora received her mother's journal along with the names of her living relatives. One of them was Alexander Pierce upon discovering it's her adopted grandfather. Who knew that she had someone with her, except that he didn't love her as his granddaughter. To say the least, it helped Aurora with the reputation she gained that she was related to a powerful man indeed.

She stubbornly placed her hands over his chest in an attempt to heal him, but he was long gone. Even if the man never displayed any affection for the child, he did make an effort to protect her. Or rather from the people who would do anything to hunt down the Phantom. "Fuck," She growled loudly in frustration, glancing around to see if anyone else was nearby the council room.

An alarm blurred suddenly, lights flashing red that briefly blinded her for a split second. Another noise erupted outside, Aurora gently closed her adoptive grandfather's eye for respect before heading towards the edge. Nearby the riverbed, the three helicarriers were descending after firing at one another, assuming that SHIELD sabotaged Project Insight. Her breath hitched upon realizing that her partner was still up there.

Meanwhile, the Winter Soldier and Captain America were on one of the helicarriers as it slowly fell down from the sky. There wasn't much time left before they would crash into the Potomac River. "You know me," Steve told the man who was once his best friend after he lifted the debris off of himself.

"No, I don't!" Bucky growled loudly as he gritted his teeth, snarling in anger as he punched Captain America. Both soldiers were having mixed emotions, the assassin was frustrated that the hero insisted he knows him.

"Bucky...." Steve persisted after a fatal blow on his chest, getting up from the bulletproof glass they were on. They panted for breath at the energy that consumed most of their strength, even though they were both super soldiers. "You've known me your whole life."

This infuriated the Winter Soldier with the lack of memories he possesses, nothing seemed to click for him during his time before HYDRA rescued him. If only he knew everything... the way Steve was looking at him with a delicate expression. He swung his arm to punch Steve once more, however, the helicarrier crashed into another as they landed harshly onto the ground. Why does he not remember him?

"Your name is James Buchanan Barnes." Steve declared to him boldly, after all these years he wasn't about to lose him again. They were supposed to be there for each other through thick and thin, but it seemed fate had other plans.

"SHUT UP!" The Winter Soldier barked, somehow deep inside him thought that Steve was right. The way he didn't give up was enough to prove that he wasn't backing away from him, rather bravely stood his ground when the odds were against him. Bucky couldn't handle it anymore as he swung punches from left to right and managed to knock the Captain down.

Steve took off his mask, completely revealing his bloody face that he received from the punches. The Winter Soldier stood there silently as Captain America dropped his shield, the vibranium object descended through the open floor of the aircraft. "I'm not going to fight you," Steve panted restlessly, even defenseless he would never want to injure Bucky, "You're my friend."

Bucky paused at the statement, almost making it seem that he believed it. Until, he roared with anger, pushing Steve to the ground roughly. "You're my mission," The assassin declared, almost trying to convince himself the truth. Ruthlessly, his fist collided in Steve's face multiple times, each time managing to beat him to the pulp. All he could think about was anger. Anger at the memories he lost, the years he's spent alone until Aurora can along, and at himself that he couldn't even remember him.

"Then finish it," Steve insisted on him tiredly, "Because I'm with you 'till the end of the line...."  The Winter Soldier froze the moment Captain America uttered that phase. Where has he heard that before?

Steve... it had to be.

The Winter Soldier's eyes widened at the beaten form of Steve, his best friend. It was him... staring back at him with a sincere look on his face. Bucky remembered the man that would do anything to make things right, willing to do it for the greater good. Steve never worried about his physique nor strength, what mattered to him was justice. Although he was probably the last person picked for everything, it never shattered his hope of doing some good to the world.

The helicarrier collided with another, causing some pillars to crash along the glass they were against it. Steve being the closest to the glass, fell unconscious as he plummeted towards the river. However, the Winter Soldier managed to hold on tightly to the edge as he watched his friend be engulfed by the water. Tears stung his eyes at the thought of losing him again, thus he let go to rescue him.

The assassin didn't feel the bitter waters when he dove in to reach Steve, having to swim down to grab him before it was too late. He finally managed to grab Steve's arm as he proceeded to swim upwards to the shore. Bloodstained the sand from the bullet wounds Steve had, breathing ever so faintly as if he was sleeping. The Winter Soldier observed him closely, trying to process everything that occurred, hoping it would give him some memories back.

"What do we do now?" Aurora questioned her partner after the chaotic and failed attempt of HYDRA gaining world domination. She stared blankly at Captain America's figure alongside the riverbed, his chest barely elevating as if he was in deep sleep. There was a reason why the Winter Soldier saved him, still not because of the thought of being caught from SHIELD. Or... what's left of it.

"I don't know..." The Winter Soldier confessed for the first time, his eyes faltered upon the teenager. Her eyes widened at the slightest, his voice... it sounded soft and delicate.

"What?" Aurora voiced her thoughts in shock, since when did he answer her in English? The young brunette knew either two things... he remembered something important or he was genuinely afraid of him. Aurora knew it wasn't the latter option, that could only mean one thing....

"I don't know...." He repeated faintly, observing the destroyed helicarriers with a solemn expression. Aurora glanced around as well, perhaps this signified the destruction of HYDRA after Alexander Pierce was killed. But they both knew better, recalling the signature phrase, 'If you cut off one head two more shall grow in its place.'

"We'll figure something out..." Aurora muttered at the moment until she mentally argued whether to heal Captain America or not. If she let him die, the Winter Soldier would probably never forgive her ever again. Still, if she did heal him, will the man try to find her again?

"Miss Hunter, you might want to see this," M.A.T.T.H.E.W announced through her earpiece, causing her to groan at the interruption when a small notification popped up on her glasses. Her mirror beeped as well, it had to be urgent if it meant that she was receiving notifications.

"Not now, Matt," Aurora hissed at her A.I. along with a harsh glare even if he couldn't see it. The teenager walked over to Captain America, checking his pulse before she channeled her energy to slowly heal him. She made sure to remove the bullets or else he would have lead poisoning, and that's the last thing she needs now.

"I understand, but this concerns both your companion and yourself." M.A.T.T.H.E.W interrupted after she finished, therefore, Aurora clicked on the side to project whatever it was on for both of the assassins to observe. 

"Breaking news! This was just in after an anonymous source, government information was leaked throughout the internet. It's trending on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, you name it! Many of which includes secrets from our own Avengers along with some new faces." The anchorman declared through the projection. Aurora analyzed the information given, thus she made sure that her A.I. recorded everything that was broadcasted.

An image popped up... of herself, well in her uniform that is. This was taken about a year ago after she had to do another of her missions for HYDRA. Her blank eyes stared into the deepest of her soul, alarming Aurora of how she almost looked like a normal teenager. The screen shortly after displayed a video, it was the Winter Soldier holding a gun alongside Phantom with a dagger. The video contained the bloodshed they created as many men were slaughtered once they crossed their paths before the Winter Soldier shot the camera to avoid being further recorded.

"Well we're fucked," Aurora retorted, sucking her teeth at the thought of being discovered. They had to act fast, no matter the consequences they had to take. All their secrets revealed before their eyes, now positive that they would be hunted by the FBI and CIA, branded dangerous and armed.

"Matt, give me locations where we're less likely to be recognized," Aurora ordered at the A.I. as she organized her possessions. Her mother's journal... it's still back at HYDRA. She has to get it before the agents will destroy the valuable information. Without a second thought, the female assassin created a portal with blue mist as she entered the room she'd been for about nine years. Once she retrieved it, Aurora thought about grabbing some clothes for them to disguise themselves.

Hoodies, jeans, dark sunglasses, and baseball caps were the best option for now. Stuffing the clothing inside the black backpack so got from her room, might as well steal some weapons too.

She always had a backup plan for when SHIELD might raid the Research Base, except that they no longer exist. Once returning to Washington, Aurora created a small fire to destroy everything else so that HYDRA couldn't get anything.

There wasn't much time, it would take at least a day for the whole world to know that HYDRA has been operating under their noses for decades. Even if she was scared, Aurora didn't want to show it to her partner. He needs her right now since she's the only one in the right mindset to do anything. The teenager packed everything she had, luckily she had extra supplies on weapons, bullets, and currencies.

"Miss Hunter, the best options are staying in London, Munich, Bucharest, and Alaska," Her A.I. informed her, she immediately eliminated Alaska as one of the options. There is no way in hell she's staying where literally there's snow and mountains everywhere.

"Alright, thank you, Matt." The assassin answered firmly, placing her items into a black backpack before she zipped it and put the bag on her back. But will HYDRA find out about their disappearance?

'Of course, they will! They always do!' Aurora mentally hissed herself at the stupid question. Even after witnessing the remains of HYDRA, they will always find a way back through the cracks. However, she was done with this... with everything.

Aurora was done doing the dirty work for someone that never did anything in return. Frustrated that she was caught in a web of lies that forced her to do their bidding. They were finished with HYDRA, Aurora declaring her independence by destroying what's left of herself at the Research Base. Hopefully, they get the message to never fuck with her again. Then she remembered the twins that were experimented for the greater good of HYDRA.

"Greater good my ass," Aurora mumbled with a small frown contouring her lips. There has to be a way to rescue them, even if it was going to be impossible. Time... that's all she needs right now, except it was against them now that they will always be on the run. Aurora vowed she'll save them... one way or another.

"Put this on," Aurora handed a sweater to him, the Winter Soldier silently obeying whilst she tried to fix his messy hair. After she was done with fixing his attire, the teenager simply changed her leather jacket with the crimson hoodie before she made sure Captain America didn't listen to their conversation if he was awake.

Aurora visualized the first location they had to go, luckily it was on the other side of the world. Bucharest, Romania was where they were heading, she latched her hand with his at the last second before they were engulfed by a blue mist. The street was empty after noticing it was after dusk with a few street lamps illuminating the paved road ahead. Only one way to go, marching forward with a neutral expression, still, it didn't help with the situation.

Days have passed after they managed to find a small apartment nearby that was vacant. It was a one-bedroom apartment with a small kitchen and living room, it wasn't ideal but the best they can do for now. Aurora found it a bit strange that many believed her partner, Bucky was her father. She wanted to remark sassily at them, however, she simply bit her tongue to prevent accidentally killing someone.

With limited options, Aurora volunteered to sleep on the couch for the time being since she thought it wasn't right to invite herself in. Picking up medical supplies, the female assassin patched herself up only to discover some minor wounds she's received. Once done, she told— or rather demanded Bucky to stay still when she's going to clean the large gushes from his torso.

"Тебе нужно снять рубашку, белый волк." Aurora uttered in Russian, Bucky responded by taking off his bloody stain undershirt to reveal his toned body. She didn't waste time putting alcohol swiftly, not before she handed him a spatula to bite on. Muffled cries echoed in the apartment, making it difficult to wrap the gauze around him. The only way she could do it was to make him fall asleep, and that's what she did. His body became limp after she finished the process before carrying him to bed.

Which might she add that he was heavy to carry even with her enhanced strength alone. Nonetheless, once tucked into bed, Aurora explored the city for a few hours to find anything that could benefit them both. Maps, groceries, and journals were on her list with a pocket of cash to buy the necessities. Upon returning, she found the super-soldier sitting on the table facing the door.

Aurora reached inside the bag before tossing the journal onto the table, he simply stared up at her retracting figure when she put away the rest of the groceries. They both knew that it couldn't be this simple, it just can't. Bucky just wished that Aurora didn't have to endure this situation that she forced into since she first arrived at HYDRA. The teenager shortly after sleep soundly on the couch, the only noise-making was static from the TV before the super-soldier turned it off.

Bucky gently wrapped the teenager in a warm blanket for comfort whilst tucking her hair behind the ear to see her delicate face. How come she looked nothing more than an innocent child yet she acted wise beyond her years? Nonetheless, she was just a child, a child soldier that had no one but himself. Thoughts streamed through his mind constantly, having difficulty sleeping for hours until he eventually did.

It would be risky if they stayed together, practically predictable that she wasn't going to leave him alone. He needs supervision from someone he can trust, even if it was someone that was thrice times younger than him. It became a routine of staying at the apartment while Aurora would go buy for some food or something to distract them. There was nothing to do at the moment but wait... but what?

Another week had passed, although, during one late night, Aurora was alerted from a long groan coming from the bedroom. She rushed inside to find Bucky drenched in his sweat, his eyebrows were knitted together that created creases on his forehead. A nightmare from his memories, Aurora concluded. Thus, she tried waking him up from his dream, seeing that he was fidgeting around.

Suddenly, she felt her throat constricted from lack of oxygen, her eyes bulging out as she had her hands around Bucky's vibranium arm. He was still asleep, yet he seemed like he was controlled from something. Her feet could no longer feel the wooden floor beneath her. The teenager flailed her arms and legs to try to wake him up, slowly she was losing oxygen. This can't be the way she'll die now, this would be a shitty way to die.

Her eyelids fluttered with her last effort to use her mind control, however, she felt herself land harshly against the ground. Coughing loudly and wrapping her hands around her throat, staring directly at Bucky who gently reached down to embrace her. Aurora flinched in a split-second thinking he was going to kill her, only to find him brushing her hair while muttering in her ear, "Мне очень жаль, маленькая звезда. Я не это имею в виду ... пожалуйста, прости меня."

Aurora reciprocated the action, reassuring him that it wasn't his fault for something he couldn't control. They just sat there on the ground, not letting go fearing that they would lose them again. The teenager had tears cascading down, staining his shirt before shivering slightly. For someone that was supposed to be an emotionless assassin, the fear of dying or losing what she considered her family terrified her. After all, she's just a child.

Although it might sound a bit strange, they took care of one another like a family, a father taking care of his daughter. Thus, she took him back to bed, gently stroking his soft curls to relax the super-soldier, even if he protested that he would hurt her again. After an hour, both fell asleep on the bed, Bucky wrapping his arm around her in a protective manner. From that day on, Bucky would document anything and everything he remembered from his dream.

Still despite that, Aurora knew they would have to split up... for the time being. It's just too dangerous for both of them to be seen together if they were ever captured again. It was difficult to part with the only person that took care of her for many years, yet it was for their own good. The last thing she did was leave him a cell phone with her number that she created so that no one can trace it back to him.

"Береги себя, маленькая звезда." Bucky mumbled through her hair, holding her shoulders to take one last look at her face. Aurora couldn't help but smile softly at the thought of the super-soldier worrying for a teenager.

"Держись подальше от неприятностей, белый волк. Спасибо тебе за все," Aurora responded sincerely, grabbing her backpack tightly as she slowly let go. Sighing softly, the teenager started walking away from him but her mind was conflicted. Can she actually do this? Swiftly, she turned around to embrace him one last time, shutting her eyes close whilst trying to memorize every feature her guardian had. She couldn't ask for a better person to take care of her during her time in HYDRA.

"Пока, пока...." Aurora insisted, letting go for sure this time before she teleported to another part of the world.

Why did this have to happen to her?

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Translations:  

Ты готов белый волк? — You ready white wolf?

Оставайся здесь, маленькая звезда — Stay here little star...

Нет, мы делаем это вместе. Нравится тебе это или нет, но это тоже моя миссия. — No, we're doing this together. Whether you like it or not, this is my mission too.

Тебе нужно снять рубашку, белый волк. — You need to take your shirt off, white wolf.

Мне очень жаль, маленькая звезда. Я не это имею в виду ... пожалуйста, прости меня. — I'm so sorry, little star. I don't mean it... please forgive me.

Береги себя, маленькая звезда. — Take care, little star.

Держись подальше от неприятностей, белый волк. Спасибо тебе за все. — Stay out of trouble, white wolf. Thank you... for everything.

Пока, пока.... — Goodbye for now....