CHAPTER 53

At Night, 8:30 PM. Barton's Base.

It's been a day since Barton and Natasha returned. Andrew decided he would begin his trip today.

"It's best you disappear… Fury's gunning for you," Barton said.

"Why? I have repeatedly told him I will not do anything for him…" Andrew frowned and asked.

"To Fury, people like you and us are someone he can use to protect the world from threats. He will use anything you have against you to get to work for you," Natasha replied.

Andrew, Barton, and Natasha were in the base communicating regarding Andrew's departure and the current state of SHIELD.

Andrew remained silent.

'Threats? I have already given him ample data regarding Hydra by releasing information to the world. What other threats is he talking about? War between countries or from space?' Andrew thought as he remembered the Outsider stating about the universe and his shrines.

He specifically remembered the part where his Shrines were all over the universe.

'Even if there are threats, I will not follow someone again. I am not going to follow orders.' Andrew became more resolved.

"Where are you going to go?" Natasha asked.

Andrew showed the laptop in his hands to them. There were five locations in it.

"Russia, Germany, North America, Venezuela – Catatumbo, India," Natasha read out loud.

"Why them?" Barton asked.

"Russia, Germany, due to the war. I believe I will find something there. Something regarding to my situation. With the creation of the Super Soldier Serum during the war, something else could have also taken place in these countries. From what I know, they have been trying actively to replicate the Serum." With his acquired data from Yellow, he learnt how Captain America was born. For a week, he had been actively hacking into all of Claudius' Bank Accounts, his laptop, and the database he had in secret. Andrew got more information as well as money. He then made a potential list of countries that could be involved in re-creating Super Soldier Serum, including the US. But with the manhunt for him, it would be best to leave the country for some time.

"North America because…" Andrew opened a file on the laptop. "Hydra's Preparatory School… To confirm this,"

Natasha and Barton's eyes widened upon hearing that.

'Something similar to that?' thought Natasha.

"Damn, I did not expect that at all…" Barton muttered. He turned to Natasha as he knew she was involved in something similar.

"Nat, are you okay?" He asked, concerned.

Andrew frowned at Barton and turned to Natasha. He saw her lost in thoughts. She did not hear Barton when he called for her.

Barton called out to her again, "Natasha!"

Natasha was startled as Barton yelled her name.

"Are you okay?" Andrew asked this time.

"I am sorry…" she sighed and continued, "I was involved in something similar. When I was young, I was trained to be an assassin. It's called Red Room. I was given space, things to learn, learn combat, and finally undergo an operation." She placed her hand on her stomach.

"Red Room? It's still active?" Andrew asked.

"I believe so, but I am not sure. I never looked back the moment I joined SHIELD. I never kept tabs on it and the people involved in it. It's a time I don't want to remember, but it made me what I am today."

"Do you want me to look into it?" Andrew asked. Thinking about what she could have gone through and learning it could still be happening put Russia at the top.

"No… No… It's my problem, and I will deal with it later…" She said and got up. She went out of the base.

Andrew and Barton looked at each other and decided to let her have some space.

"Do you know what happened there, the Red Room?" Andrew asked Barton.

"Red Room is a Soviet-Russian Program that involves kidnapping young women and training them to be spies and assassins. From what Natasha has told me, they use Mind Control Drugs to get the women under their control, more or less like a robot assigned commands to execute. Execute, in this case, missions to spy and kill."

"What about the operation in the end that Natasha said?"

Barton's fist tightened when he thought about it.

"The operation is a Graduation Ceremony. They sterilize the candidates in the Graduation Ceremony, as it's efficient and one less thing to be worried about. The one thing that might matter more than a mission. It makes everything easier. Including killing."

Natasha spoke as she re-entered the base.

Andrew was shocked to hear that. He realized why she kept her hand on her stomach when she spoke. All the time he had seen Natasha, he had never seen her vulnerable and weak. This was the first time he had seen her like that.

'Red Room!'

"I am going to Russia then…" before Natasha could speak, he raised his hands, stopping her.

"I am only going there because it was the first location I decided to go to. The list I have is in that order. I will try to find anything related to Red Room when I am doing my work. If I find out anything, I will share that information with you. I will not act unless you ask me to act. But, if I get any information that they are going to kidnap young women, I will stop that. And whoever is running it, he is yours to kill. If you want closure, if you don't want to feel the way you are feeling now, you have to take that step. And when you do, Barton and I will be with you by your side."

Barton got up and went and stood by Andrew's side.

"What he says. We will be there with you." Barton pointed to Andrew.

Natasha smirked.

"Okay. I will give you all my information regarding the Red Room. I will upload it to the email you gave me later. It will be a bit outdated as I have not looked into them, which I should have. But joining SHIELD and the need to rise in the ranks diverted me. And now, with you and Hydra, I don't know when I could even focus on this. Thanks."

Andrew nodded to her. Barton then asked, "So, now that that's over. Why the island of Lightning?"

"To explore, of course. And to get something in my arsenal."

"You want lightning?" Barton asked wide-eyed.

"Yes." Andrew was blunt in his answer. It was as if Lightning was a sugar that could be added to his coffee or tea.

All of them were silent.

Andrew then only realized he should not have said that. He also realized he never showed Jacob to them.

'Better not to. I don't want to explain that I can bring the dead back to life.'

"Are you hiding something from us?" Natasha questioned, seeing Andrew in a trance for a second.

"No!"

She knew he was lying but let it be. Before leaving SHIELD, Maria explained what she saw. She and Barton couldn't even imagine picturing what Maria said. The words she used were Black-Mist-like flame, bodies being devoured, bloodshed and earthquake-like power. Andrew stating he wants lightning in his arsenal made her think the earthquake power could be true.

"Can you explain to us what the mark is? What it signifies?"

Andrew knew this day would come. They knew his story of getting the powers from the experiment was a lie. They did not pressure him or ask about him. But now that it's over and he will disappear for a while, he could give them something. His trust in them has increased more than ever during this time.

"I can't give you a complete answer to your question. This is because I don't want anything to happen to you. All I can say is that it was given to me by a higher power. It allows me to tap into something and use it as my own. Just like me, there could be others out there as well. So, keep your eyes open and watch your back."

"Others like you?" Natasha questioned. One can wreak havoc, and if there are more… She didn't want to think about it at all. Barton came to the same conclusion and began sweating, imagining going against someone like Andrew.

"Not exactly like me. I, for one, know I was the only one given this power by that being. If there is a being like that…."

"There could be more," Natasha completed.

"Yes…"

Andrew saw the time. Now that he has decided where to go, it is time to depart.

"All right then. If you need my help, you know what to do…"

He hugged Barton and shook Natasha's hands.

Natasha pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you…"

"I should be the one saying that."

They all got out of the base and went toward the quinjet.

There Laura and the kids stood with Scarlet crying, hugging Laura's legs. She was another reason Andrew had to explore. His Mana went to infinite. He needed to know how to do it, and he needed that to be permanent.

He needs to learn how to heal with the Void and if it is possible. Void Resurrect could be the key to it. When Jacob was resurrected, he was not only brought back to life. He was completely healed as well. The Void also made him stronger and continues to make him stronger. He has to learn every intricate detail regarding the Void, which can only be done if he ventures into unknown places, acquire more knowledge, acquire skills, and, more importantly, why he is doing this, is to keep his promise to his wife.

Andrew first ruffled Cooper's hair.

"Take care of them when I am not there, kiddo,"

Cooper nodded, holding back his tears. "I will…"

"Lila, promise me you will take after your mother, not your father," he laughed and wiped the young girl's tears.

He then stood in front of Laura and Scarlet. He embraced Scarlet and wiped her tears, and kissed her forehead.

"You have to stay strong, Scarlet. I will come back every Christmas and stay for a week with you. Didn't I make you a promise? A promise to make you speak and sing? I will soon be able to do that, and who knows, maybe the next time I return. Be good, listen to your mother, and play with your sister and brother. Your father will be strict and discipline you. If he makes you cry, tell him I will come and beat his as…." Laura hit Andrew's head.

"Language!"

Scarlet chuckled, seeing that.

"I'll beat him up."

Scarlet began using her hands to speak, "Please be safe and come back soon. I will be waiting. All of us will be waiting. Love you."

Andrew responded with a kiss on her forehead.

"Love you, too…"

Andrew let Scarlet down. She was trying her best to hold back her tears but failed to do so. She smiled with tears down her eyes and waved him goodbye.

Andrew hugged Laura, "If you need me, you know what to do."

Andrew broke the hug. Laura said, "Take care of yourself and come back whenever you want, as the door will always be open for you."

Andrew thanked her. He entered the Quinjet and sat in the pilot's seat.

Through the glasses, he could see them all. Scarlet hugged Natasha and cried nonstop. He saw Laura and Barton together and consoling their kids.

A serene smile came upon his face, and with that, he started the jet and entered the destination.

He looked at Barton, Laura, and Natasha. With a nod seeing them doing the same, he took off.

A/N: 1969 Words.

[Vader wants Powerstones. Vader apologizes in advance as there is a Cyclone in the area he lives, due to which the next chapter might be released after 2 or 3 days. There is power fluctuation due to which Vader won't be able to access the internet. Vader hopes you like the fanfic and continue to provide support through Powerstones and Reviews. Vader, thanks for your understanding. May the force be with you!]