Alexander Pierce

Alexander Pierce came back home late.

The amount of work placed on Alexander's shoulders was getting larger and larger each day, yet it only brought a smile to his face. The plan was going incredibly well, and with Nick's disappearance, everything would get even better.

The moon was already looming over Alexander's luxurious house as he stepped inside, with an assistant following from behind. Alexander removed his coat and took a deep breath, going into the living room.

However, he stopped in his tracks as soon as he saw a person sitting in the room's corner. The Winter Soldier looked back at him, no emotion visible in his expression.

"Sir...?" The assistant's pupils dialed at the sight of the foreigner. Heaving a sigh, Alexander promptly took out a gun attached to his belt and shot her in the abdomen. Twice, just in case.

"You should really start informing me before visiting." Alexander stepped over the lake of blood spreading throughout the floor, taking one last glance at the assistant. "It's a pity. She was useful, in some ways."

He then walked forth and took a seat before the soldier, encouraging him to talk with his sharp gaze. Alexander excluded a sense of confidence, for he knew everything was under his control. The soldier would never disobey his orders.

"Was your mission successful?" Alexander asked, tapping his finger against the surface of the table.

"Nick Fury is dead." The Winter Soldier answered, not moving, not showing any kind of emotion.

"Good," Alexander answered, not able to keep his face from smiling. Yet another step towards Hydra's ultimate goal. Yet another step to being in control of the entire world.

"Your second mission is approaching soon as well," Alexander added, standing up with a grin. "It's going to be harder than this one, so brace yourself."

"You know... I have always thought that the leader of Hydra would be someone scary and powerful." The Winter Soldier's face suddenly shifted and took a different appearance. "But I was disappointed when I saw an old man."

Alexander took an instant to reorganize his thoughts before he aimed the weapon at Andrew, propelling multiple bullets forth. He still didn't understand what was happening, but his true identity was exposed. Surviving was more essential right now.

However, the bullets never reached their destination as they stopped midway, lingering in the air. Suddenly, they propelled the opposite way and Alexander had to duck to the ground. Still, one bullet penetrated his shoulder.

"You don't even have any bodyguards?" Andrew placed his elbow onto the table, a grin appearing on his face.

"Who the hell are you?!" Alexander could no longer contain his anger as he grabbed his gun once again. However, a hand landing on the top of his head hindered his movements. Looking above, his mouth opened slightly.

He couldn't perceive any of Nagato's features, only those two agonizing eyes. "Feel the pain," Nagato activated his power and absorbed novel memories almost immediately.

From the side, Andrew looked at the scene, dumbfounded. He already knew about Nagato's incredible abilities, but this scene still looked disturbing. After all, this man's soul itself was getting sucked out.

Andrew sighed, cocking his head away from the unfolding scene. He should just feel fortunate enough to not be Nagato's enemy.

'Hydra's power is greater than I thought.' Nagato eventually released the man as he closed his eyes. Hydra was, in one or another way, influencing almost every evil act throughout the past century. Not only that, but they had quite a power inside the Shield itself. They had some plans for the future as well, but that didn't interest Nagato that much.

"Hm... are you done?" Andrew asked, caressing the back of his head with his hand. Interrupting this peculiar process didn't seem like such a good idea.

Nagato nodded, glancing at two bodies laying on the ground.

"And now what? I mean, Hydra leader is dead and all, but how are you planning to take it over?" Andrew asked another question, feeling rather eager to find the location of that madman. "Once one head disappears, another will replace it immediately. No one will ever just let a newcomer become their leader."

Nagato glanced at Andrew, then took a seat on the chair beside him. "Do you still not understand?"

"Understand what?"

"You are now the leader of Hydra," Nagato mumbled, using his power to push the dead bodies away from the room. "I want you to stay here and spread even more influence through Shield. Act like Alexander and let no one find out your identity. At the most vulnerable moment, you are going to strike them and take control."

Andrew looked at Nagato in disbelief, his eyes twisting. Why didn't he think of this before? Alexander never officially died, and it was the perfect time to fill his place. "You really have thought this through."

Nagato nodded. "Still, to get complete control over Hydra, we will have to get rid of the rest of the higher-ups. And that's where you could have your revenge."

Andrew cocked his head backward, once again reorganizing through his thoughts. The plan was simple, yet effective. There was no reason to refuse... it's not like he could do that, anyway.

'Revenge... huh?' Andrew thought, looking at the ceiling. It was more of a payback for all the agony caused to him. Just the thought of that madman's face made his veins flow with fury.

"And what about him?" Alexander pointed towards another corner, which was lodged with complete darkness. Bucky sat there, coated in blood escaping from his limbs, keeping his mouth shut as he was ordered to.

"He is going to be your bodyguard," Nagato said, slowly standing up from the chair and walking up towards Alexander's dead body. "You are weak, Andrew. And I can't let your weakness cause our mission to be in vain."

"Understood." Andrew nodded, his eyes shifting towards Bucky and then back again. He didn't like the idea of this man constantly keeping watch on him, but what could he do? It's not like Nagato was wrong - Andrew truly couldn't protect himself.

"Now." Nagato took a phone out of Alexander's body, throwing it towards Andrew, who caught it with one hand. "We will get rid of the rest of the higher-ups."