34 Chapter 34

In a dark nondescript Brooklyn alley, there was a flash of light and a female figure dropped to the ground. "…manov, Romanov are you there? can you respond, I repeat come in Romanov."

Hearing a voice shouting out in her earpiece it finally clicked that it had been silent through the whole conversation with Red.

"Yes, Coulson I'm here, my comms were jammed by an unknown. Meet me at our rendezvous, I have an update on our man."

 As she swiftly made her way to the rendezvous point, Natasha Romanoff couldn't shake off the lingering weight of the conversation she had with Red. His words had struck a chord within her, challenging her beliefs and principles in a way she hadn't expected. She knew the stakes were high, not just for herself or Red, but for the innocent lives caught in the crossfire between the criminal underworld and those fighting to protect them.

 Arriving at the rendezvous, she found Agent Coulson waiting for her with a mix of concern and curiosity etched on his face. Without wasting any time, Natasha launched into a detailed account of her encounter with Red, carefully recounting their conversation and the unexpected proposal he had put forth.

 Coulson listened intently, his brow furrowed in deep thought as he processed the information. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice laced with cautious optimism, "Do you believe there's truth in what he said? Could an alliance with someone like Red truly make a difference in our fight against the criminal underworld?"

Natasha pondered Coulson's question for a moment, weighing the risks and potential benefits of aligning themselves with a wanted fugitive like Red. His passion and determination were undeniable, and she couldn't ignore the fact that his methods had already made an impact on the criminal elements in the city.

"Red may be unconventional, but I believe his intentions are genuine," she finally responded, her voice steady despite the lingering doubt in her mind. "If we can find common ground and work towards a shared goal of protecting innocent lives, then perhaps this alliance could be worth exploring."

Coulson nodded thoughtfully, his expression reflecting both understanding and trepidation. "We'll need to approach this carefully. Red's methods may not align with SHIELD's protocols, but if there's a chance to make a real difference, we can't afford to dismiss it outright."

 "We will need to report this to Fury, there are too many unknowns and whatever intel we can gain on Red would help us down the line."

The mention of reporting to Fury brought a sense of finality to their decision, solidifying their commitment to at least exploring the possibility of an alliance with Red. As Natasha and Coulson made their way back to SHIELD headquarters, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, mingling with the ever-present tension that seemed to permeate their world.

 Upon reaching Fury's office, they were met with his characteristic steely gaze and commanding presence. Natasha wasted no time in recounting her encounter with Red, detailing his proposal and the potential benefits it could bring to their ongoing battle against the criminal underworld. Fury listened in silence, his expression unreadable as he absorbed the information.

 After a long moment of contemplation, Fury finally spoke, his voice low and measured, "Red is a wildcard, Romanoff. His methods may be unorthodox, but if what you say is true, he could prove to be a valuable asset in our fight." Turning his attention to Coulson, he continued,

"Agent Coulson, I want you to dig deeper into Red's background. Find out everything you can about him - his past, his affiliations, his motives. We need to know who we're dealing with before we make any decisions." Coulson nodded in acknowledgment, already mentally outlining the steps he would take to uncover the truth about Red.

"As for you, Romanoff," Fury's gaze pierced through her, "I trust your judgment. If you believe there's a chance that Red can help us take down the criminal elements plaguing this city, then I'm willing to give this alliance a shot. But tread carefully, Black Widow. This is a dangerous game we're playing."

Natasha met Fury's gaze with unwavering resolve, the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. She knew the risks involved in aligning with someone like Red, but she also couldn't ignore the potential impact they could make together. With a curt nod, she turned on her heel and made her way out of the office.

It had been a few days since the meeting with Black widow and Sam had been using his time wisely to train both himself and his team, Cinder had made massive gains with his elemental control since his evolution to Charmeleon.

Both Gastly and Abra has also seen an improvement across the board as well, it seemed that the determination to take down the criminals and gangs had lit a fire within the 3 of them.

As the days ticked on and it was getting closer to the 1 week deadline he had given them Sam started to get antsy and nervous, had he been to hardheaded and pushed too much, did they not take him seriously? What if they cared more about maintaining the status quo for the gangs in the city?… these among many more questions ran riot through his head. Though it was summarily ended when Abra appeared in front of him.

"Trainer, it seems that the human named Romanov has appeared around the docks."

 With a sense of urgency, Sam gathered his team and made his way to the docks where Black Widow was reportedly spotted. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the horizon as they arrived at the deserted location. Sam's heart raced with a mix of apprehension and determination as he scanned the area for any sign of the elusive agent.

Suddenly, a shadow moved in the darkness, and Black Widow emerged from the shadows, her gaze meeting Sam's with a steely determination. "Red, we need to talk," she said, her voice firm yet tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

Sam nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I gave you one week, and time's up. What have you decided?" he asked, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions churning within him.

Black Widow hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I've discussed with Fury and Coulson. We're willing to give this alliance a chance, but under one condition – we work together on our terms. No more lone wolf acts, no more secrets. We operate as a team, pooling our resources and skills to take down the criminal underworld."

Sam regarded her proposal carefully, weighing the risks and rewards of such an agreement. He knew that working with Black Widow and SHIELD meant sacrificing some of his autonomy, but the thought of the greater good drove him forward. After a moment of contemplation, he extended his hand towards Black Widow,

"Fine, but don't forget, I'm risking my life for this mission alongside SHIELD. I'll play fair and be transparent, but if SHIELD turns on me or makes a move that goes against my moral code, we will part ways without hesitation."

Black Widow stared him in the eye, "Deal" grasping his hand and shaking it.