Who Said I came Alone

One Day Ago

"Alright, it's ready," Professor Miyazaki announced, setting a small box-shaped object carefully onto the table. The object was an exact replica of the Advent Core, the mysterious device that had become the obsession of the Saints and their secretive organization. Around it lay various scattered components, bits of circuitry, and odd tools—signs of Miyazaki's intense work in creating this near-perfect imitation.

Captain America picked up the small, sleek replica and inspected it with a scrutinizing eye. "It doesn't look any different from the original," he remarked, turning it over slowly. "Are you sure it's good enough to fool them?"

"I wouldn't guarantee that," Professor Miyazaki replied, shrugging. "I've done everything I could with the time I had. Give me a few more days, and maybe I'd feel more confident. But for now, I'll say it's the best you're gonna get."

He nodded toward the replica, pride gleaming in his eyes. "This thing can mimic the Advent Core's infection signals, its magnetic signature, and even a few of the weaker wavelengths it gives off. Unless they tear it open and take a look inside, I think they'll believe it's the real deal."

Captain America nodded approvingly, still inspecting the replica. On a nearby screen, Charlie Cooper adjusted the camera's focus, zooming in to compare the original and the replica side by side. To the untrained eye, they were indistinguishable. The craftsmanship and attention to detail were impeccable.

"Good work, Professor Miyazaki. You've done a fantastic job," Captain America said, finally placing the replica back on the table. "We'll handle it from here."

---

The Present Moment

The Saint, standing in the center of the dimly lit chamber, stared in utter disbelief as the disguise melted away, revealing Black Widow beneath her high-tech camouflage. He'd thought he was escorting the legendary assassin Fritz Whitman, known as the "Werewolf," to meet their god. But instead, he was face-to-face with some random woman.

Her disguise was nothing short of a technological marvel—a high-tech film layered over her face, equipped with microcircuitry and materials that allowed her features to shift and reshape in real-time. The technology, known as the "face-shifter," was a favorite tool of Black Widow's, enabling her to imitate nearly anyone. She'd used it in previous high-stakes missions, like her infiltration in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Through his vast network of invisible drones and security feeds, Charlie had detected this organization's covert activities in Wendelani long before now. Although his surveillance network wasn't yet fully operational across the planet, he had full control over Wendelani. It didn't take him long to uncover the movement of this mysterious organization, observing their quiet but powerful presence.

But Charlie had quickly recognized that this hidden branch was just a small piece of a larger puzzle. This group seemed to operate like a web of disconnected cells, keeping communication and connections between branches to a bare minimum. Infiltrating one part wouldn't reveal much about the rest.

That's when he made a choice. Rather than dismantling the branch, he decided to let it continue. He would infiltrate it, trace it back to its headquarters, and uncover the leadership. And there was only one agent for a job like this: Black Widow, the ultimate spy.

While Batman was skilled in covert operations, Charlie kept Batman busy with his detective work and equipment management. Black Widow, however, was the ideal agent for a deep-cover mission. Charlie crafted an identity for her as "Fritz Whitman," an infamous assassin, and quietly took the real Fritz out of the equation. With the Advent Core now in their possession, this mission became the perfect opportunity.

Naturally, he wasn't about to hand over the genuine Advent Core. Miyazaki's forged version would serve as bait, luring them out. This mission would not only lead him to the organization's heart but also reveal their mysterious leader and the purpose behind the Advent Core.

A sly grin spread across Black Widow's face as she jumped back, evading the Saint's furious swipe. She saw her disguise had rattled him—exactly as planned.

"So, this Core…is it meant to call your alien buddies?" she taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What, they can't find their way here on their own?"

The dark figure hidden in the shadows said nothing. His glowing green eyes remained locked on her, watching her every move with an icy intensity.

"Don't worry, my lord," the Saint growled, his tone laced with venom. "I'll handle this… insect."

With a sudden thrust, the Saint threw his fist forward. The strange, rock-like bracelet on his wrist began to glow, unleashing a transparent shockwave that shot straight toward Black Widow. But she was faster, rolling to the side as the shockwave blasted past her.

"Oh, is that bracelet where you get your power?" she mocked, circling him as he glared. "Maybe I should call you 'Bracelet Boy' instead of 'Saint.'"

The Saint's face turned red with fury, his jaw clenched. He sent another energy wave flying in her direction. She ducked just in time, the blast missing her and slamming into the wall, leaving a deep, smoldering crater.

Outside the chamber, the noise of the explosion had drawn attention. Members of the organization rushed in, their faces pale as they took in the sight. Each member wielded strange, glowing weapons—some had blades extending from their arms, others conjured swords and spears out of thin air, all emanating an eerie, unnatural light.

"Take her down!" the Saint barked, fury blazing in his eyes.

The members charged forward, weapons raised, surrounding Black Widow. But she didn't hesitate. With quick, calculated movements, she dove into their midst, weaving between them with expert precision. Each time they swung their weapons, she twisted out of reach, causing them to collide with one another in the confusion.

When the moment was right, she tossed a small smoke bomb onto the floor. A thick, gray cloud erupted, engulfing the room and plunging it into chaos.

"I can't see her!"

"Where'd she go?"

"Check the smoke!"

The room descended into a mess of confusion and shouting as the members stumbled around, swinging blindly at shadows. By the time the smoke cleared, Black Widow had already vanished.

The Saint's hands clenched into fists, frustration written across his face. "Quiet!" he roared, his voice cutting through the din. The members froze, listening intently, their weapons raised and ready.

Suddenly, the Saint whipped around, sending a shockwave toward one of his own men. The unfortunate soldier didn't see it coming. As he stumbled forward, an invisible hand seemed to tighten around his shoulder, pushing him directly into the blast's path. The soldier's chest exploded on impact, sending him hurtling backward across the room.

A shadow flitted across the room, barely visible to the eye. Black Widow, still cloaked by her invisibility, had used the soldier as a shield. But the shockwave's residual force threw her off balance, causing her to land roughly, her red hair tumbling around her face as she steadied herself.

The Saint sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "You may have a few tricks up your sleeve, but I can still sense you. You were foolish to come here alone, thinking you'd make it out. Arrogant."

With another lunge, he sent a powerful shockwave in her direction. The blast sped through the air, inches away from her face—when suddenly, a dark blue figure materialized from the shadows, standing protectively in front of her.

Captain America stepped forward, his iconic shield raised high. The shockwave struck the vibranium shield with immense force, rebounding directly back at the Saint. The impact threw him backward, sending him crashing into the ranks of his own soldiers, who stumbled as he collided with them.

Black Widow smirked, her eyes shining with confidence as she stood beside Captain America.

"Who said I came alone?"

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