Chapter 68: Reaching a Devil’s Deal with Black Widow, The Captain Returns
Ethan Hayes looked into Natasha Romanoff's bright eyes, expecting shock or at least ambition. Instead, he saw only amusement. She seemed to be laughing at his lofty goal of immortality.
"There's no such thing as immortality," Natasha Romanoff said, dismissively.
"Natasha, you're wrong. The world you see and the one I see are very different," Ethan replied, staring off into space.
"In the vastness of the universe, humanity isn't alone. Nick Fury might be hiding things from you, but I can tell you this: with the strength Earth currently has, we wouldn't stand a chance against a true alien invasion."
Natasha's gaze sharpened. "What do you know?"
Ethan's life appeared simple on the surface. His story was one of a boy who once dreamt of a happy family. But when his parents were killed in a robbery, everything changed. At 16, he was bullied at school, but it was also the time when he became someone else.
He amassed unimaginable wealth after writing a global best-seller, then struck a 40-million-dollar deal with Warner Brothers. That all happened in just two months, during which Ethan seemed to be reborn.
But it wasn't the wealth that surprised Natasha—it was Ethan's powerful abilities.
"I know more than you think, Natasha. The future is a dark and terrifying place, but the dawn will come. Do you know why humanity can't defeat its enemies?" Ethan asked, his voice serious.
Natasha shook her head.
"Internal conflict, jealousy, and the fear of anyone stronger. Instead of uniting, we tear each other apart, fearing that those who are stronger will take away our freedom. We treat heroes like monsters, using them when needed and discarding them when the threat is gone," Ethan explained, his eyes flashing with the weight of his knowledge.
Natasha stiffened. She felt the truth in his words.
Ethan continued, "So, tell me, Natasha, do you really think I would join S.H.I.E.L.D?"
Natasha, shaken, shook her head without realizing it.
"S.H.I.E.L.D's intentions may have been good once, but history shows us that powerful institutions always get corrupted. After World War II, America absorbed a lot of German talent. Do you really think those who had been part of HYDRA's regime stayed pure of heart?"
Natasha flinched at the mention of HYDRA.
"HYDRA was destroyed," she said confidently.
"Was it?" Ethan asked, his tone mocking. "Nick Fury is just a pawn. He doesn't know the full extent of what's really going on."
"You're saying HYDRA still exists at the top of S.H.I.E.L.D?" Natasha asked, her voice filled with urgency.
"It doesn't matter whether it's HYDRA or S.H.I.E.L.D. Both are made of humans, and humans are always plagued by ambition. Can you imagine how they would react if a real god walked among them?"
Ethan's words sent a chill down Natasha's spine. She was keenly aware of how dangerous HYDRA had been, and the thought of Ethan joining them filled her with dread.
She knew Ethan was someone who kept his word. Maybe that's what Nick Fury had banked on—the potential to strike a devil's deal.
"Ethan, your thoughts are dangerous," Natasha warned as she grabbed him roughly, shoving him against the wall.
"Natasha, you're more dangerous than my thoughts," Ethan quipped with a sly grin. "In fact, you're the most dangerous weapon I've ever seen."
Natasha smiled seductively. "How about we make a deal, then?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A deal? Now you have my attention."
"Promise me you'll never join HYDRA, if it still exists."
Natasha was resolute, her eyes locking with his.
Ethan chuckled, realizing how much he had manipulated the situation. He had successfully drawn Natasha into making a devil's deal.
"If HYDRA were to approach me, they'd need to offer me a pretty high price," Ethan teased, not giving an immediate answer.
Natasha tightened her grip, making Ethan gasp. "You'll make a wish, and I'll help you realize it. The price? You can handle that."
Ethan gritted his teeth. "Twenty times."
"Deal," Natasha said, raising an eyebrow.
As their deal was struck, Natasha shifted the conversation. She had originally been tasked with getting close to Harry Osborn and infiltrating the Osborn Group. But now that Ethan controlled it, she knew her strategy had to change.
"If I join the Osborn Group, what will you offer me, Mr. Hayes?" Natasha asked, sitting provocatively on the bar, her skirt tightening around her legs.
Ethan admired her boldness. "I'll give you my full support."
Natasha Romanoff wanted to say more, but Ethan cut her off. "Keep your strength for the right moment, Natasha. When you need me, I'll be there to give it my all. And don't worry about the price—you won't owe me forever. But if you wait too long, the stakes may grow higher."
Natasha smirked. "You're really generous this time, Ethan."
Ethan smiled back. "Just make sure you're the one calling the shots. If anyone tries to force you into something, I'll handle them first. You'll just waste this opportunity otherwise."
Natasha understood the veiled message. Ethan wouldn't let himself be used by Nick Fury or anyone else.
"I'll hold you to that, Ethan," she said with a teasing smile.
"Then, Princess Natasha, I'm at your service," Ethan replied with a bow, scooping her up and carrying her upstairs.
Meanwhile, off the coast of Granling Island, under layers of thick ice, a team of S.H.I.E.L.D agents made a shocking discovery.
"We found him!" one agent called out. "Quick, pull him up!"
"It's Captain Rogers! He's still alive!"
In the early morning light, Natasha Romanoff clung to Ethan like an octopus, a satisfied smile on her lips. She was half awake, but she didn't want to move.
But then her phone rang.
"Dear Princess Natasha, your phone is ringing," Ethan said, his voice laced with amusement.
Natasha sat up and shot him a playful glare. "Maybe you should go easier next time."
Ethan laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
"No need," Natasha replied with a smirk as she answered her phone, walking into the bathroom. But before she closed the door, she turned back to Ethan. "I'm convinced now that you're the author of Fifty Shades of Grey. You're too young to be this experienced."
Ethan grinned. "The moves in that book were all in my imagination. You're just the first to try them. And there's plenty more where that came from."
Natasha rolled her eyes and took the call. Her expression changed. "What? You found Captain America?"
Natasha hurried out of the bathroom, already getting dressed.
"I have to go. Something urgent's come up," she said, leaving Ethan's manor in a rush.
As Natasha disappeared, Ethan mused to himself. "So, they finally found Steve Rogers."
Ethan knew this wasn't a coincidence. S.H.I.E.L.D had been looking for Rogers for years. Peggy Carter had likely never stopped searching for him.
The discovery of Captain America, a living legend, would change everything.
As the prom approached, Ethan prepared for the event, making sure everything was perfect. Gwen's custom dress had already been sent to her house, and he had picked up his own custom suit.
While the rest of the school buzzed with excitement about Steve Rogers' return, Ethan had other things on his mind.
Still, he couldn't wait to see Gwen's reaction when she saw the surprise he had planned for her.
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