In the Avenger Tower.
"What is Ryan doing now?" Steve asked after getting out of the training room and leaving Danvers and Thor battling inside.
"I know you wanted to ask me about where Bucky is. So I will just cut to the chase and say it now. I don't know…and I don't even want to know," Tony replied.
Steve sighed. He knew about what had happened to Howard and Maria. However, he also knew that Bucky was brainwashed at that time.
Bucky had told Tony about the matter when the battle was over– about how he was his parent's killer. He got punched a few times by Tony, however he didn't fight back.
Tarot's words kept ringing in Tony's ear at that time. Finally, he cooled down and listened to Bucky's explanation with gritted teeth.
Alexander Pierce, the one who had ordered Bucky to kill the Starks, was safe from the purification as Tarot wanted to leave him as a present for Ryan.
Tony and Bucky walked to the prison where he was. A secure SHIELD prison that Ryan took over. Ryan told Tony that he didn't want anything to do with Pierce and he didn't mind if they wanted to do anything with that guy.
The mutated Pierce instigated Bucky and Tony with his confession under Veritaserum, causing Bucky to put a bullet in the guy's head.
Turns out, Pierce ordered Bucky instead of any other agents not because he was the most skillful one, but because Pierce wanted Howard to suffer at the hand of someone he knew before he died.
Tony was in berserk mode when he heard Pierce's confession that he spent almost two days in the training room just trashing the place before Pepper came and picked him up.
Tony started to break down inside Pepper's embrace when he reached his home. She stayed with him all the time till he forced her to go to bed.
Bucky told Tony that he wouldn't mind if he wanted to kill him. However, he wanted time to apologise to all of his victim's family. He left after killing Pierce with Tony and it's been two days since then.
"Tony, he's my friend," Steve said in a low voice.
"I really don't know. Maybe Aunt Peggy knows. Wait- She's not really an Aunt now… what should I call her then. Anyway, go and ask her instead," Tony said with an annoyed tone.
Steve turned his head for Bruce in a white lab coat sitting near where Tony was. Bruce approached Steve and escorted him out of the room.
"Tony just needed some time. By the way, how's the newbie?"
"I have been fighting for over a decade. I am not the newbie," Danvers snided playfully when she heard what Bruce said from his back. Bruce turned toward her while smiling awkwardly.
"And I have been in battle since I was born," Thor said proudly. Both of them were in their combat suits instead of their casual clothing.
"That is impossible to do," Carol retorted over Thor's statement.
"Just as the mortal says, Metaphor!" Thor laughed and walked to the captain.
"When will your shield be fixed? I can take it to the dwarf to build you the greatest shield a mortal will ever wield!"
"His shield was the greatest shield the mortal ever wielded," Carol said. Bruce nodded to show his agreement to her statement.
"Well, Ryan had been busy… and Tony…" Steve said while scratching his cheeks.
"Ryan said he can do it if he got his vibranium order from Wakanda. IF, they have some in stock that is," Bruce said.
Danver was blanking out of the conversation as her pager was vibrating. She hid it from the rest and read the message that was sent by Fury.
"Any problem Carol?" Steve asked when he saw her expression.
Carol was connected to the galaxy, opening the Avenger's eyes to a lot of threats in the Universe. She became indispensable the moment she stepped foot in the Avenger's tower and joined the team.
She was persuaded by Ryan and Steve when she wanted to get back to the galaxy. She hasn't changed her mind to go back to the universe, but she will take a rest on earth for a month until the situation stabilises.
She had also kept the matter of meeting Ryan in outer space a secret. She knew that the Mandalorian had bought a lot of knowledge in the universe from Xandar. She is looking forward to seeing Ryan's improvement on earth.
"It's Fury. He wants to see me," Carol said without hiding anything.
Steve's eyes sharpened. The most suspicious person during the Hydra resurrection had disappeared out of thin air.
"Where?"
First, Fury had escaped the responsibility of answering for the issue of Hydra inside of SHIELD, making Peggy have to work overtime to handle the affairs.
Secondly, Fury was the one who proposed to create the Insight helicarrier. Although he was manipulated by Pierce, he shouldn't escape responsibility by technicality.
Whether it's Hydra or SHIELD, the Insight Project was built for an unethical cause of oppressing the people's liberty.
For Captain America, although Fury was on the 'Good Guy' list, he still needed to pay for his actions.
And with the Supreme Court already reconstructed by Ryan, Fury will receive a fair and unbiased trial.
…
In a hidden base near a dam in an unknown location.
Fury was trying to contact Talos and Danvers.
"The Skrulls had infiltrated the country. I need an explanation," Fury muttered as he left a message for Talos. He paced nervously inside the room, fearing for the worst.
All of SHIELD had been taken over by Peggy Carter, even Maria Hill and Phil Coulson. Now, the ex-director who was fired the moment Hydra was destroyed was truly alone.
Fury could only depend on Talos and Danvers for some help. The man with the eyepatch had been monitoring the situation in the country. On top of his desk, a file labelled with Ryan's name was there.
"Not only was he the one who figured out the existence of Hydra, leading to the Insight carrier being launched pre-maturely…but now, he received the most benefit from the incident…could it be…"
Underneath Ryan's file, Tarot's file was also there.
Fury had smelled the conspiracy of the entire incident. 'But how did he manage to have that much power?'
The only clue he was missing is Ryan's combat capabilities and his future plan.
"I don't know what he is planning…however his position is now untouchable. I need someone that can fight him from the outside…"
Fury planned some contingency for Ryan. He couldn't let the country fall into Ryan's hand.
He knew that the President was easily manipulated, as he too had done it several times. The previous Vice President was actually the ruler, and the current President was just the figurehead.
Unfortunately for him, Carol arrived with the Avenger's Jet instead of coming alone.
…
Vault Prison, Nevada.
Peggy Carter visited the Vault where SHIELD's dangerous and super powered prisoners were held. It was also the same prison that held Pierce.
"How many have escaped?" Peggy asked the agent stationed there.
"M-Ma'am, 5 prisoners have escaped from our watch.." The warden of the prison, a level 7 SHIELD agent said while sweating underneath his armpits.
"And you didn't find out about it until now?" Peggy was baffled by the incompetency of the agents. Has SHIELD fell this low?
"The ones responsible for the prisoners were…Agent Anthony Master… He went missing the day of Hydra's uprising."
Peggy checked the personnel file of the agent in question.Based on Tarot's record, Anthony Master wasn't a hydra sleeper agent.
"How did he manage to smuggle them out of the prison?" she asked calmly.
"Ma'am, there is something you need to see."
The warden led Peggy and Maria Hill toward the prison cell that used to hold the prisoners. She entered the elevator and went down onto the 101 floor.
At the deepest part of the Vault prison, the new prisoners such as the Crimson Dynamo and the Rhino were seen before Peggy arrived at the deepest prison cell that had the maximum security.
Both the villains would be released soon as Ryan has taken over. The facility here was created to hold super-powered people, but it also acted as a research lab.
Fury and the government were using the prisoners as data for their experiment to create stable superpowers and recreate the super-soldier serum.
People who gained their power by a mere coincidence were being tested everyday in order for SHIELD to replicate their power.
These innocent people were hoping that the government would cure them, but instead they were arrested.
The main justification for that was because they MAY become a threat to society. But in all actuality, they were held captive for research purposes
The pent-up resentment of the ordinary people because of the 'treatment' they had to endure was the main reason they became villains when they escaped the prison.
Ryan will try to cure those people who wanted to be cured after this. After all, they only wanted to live an ordinary life, not a life of villainy.
The reason that he fired Fury from becoming a SHIELD's director again was also because of this. He couldn't let Fury continue with the way he manages the most important organisation on the planet.
Peggy and the warden arrived at the deepest cell. Some incense for meditation, a bamboo mat, and a plain bed without any bed frame was seen inside the cell.
"How- How did he get him out?" Peggy's eyes shook when she read the file of the man in question. "Also, how did we capture him?"
"We didn't. He surrendered to prevent diplomatic strain on his country and others," The warden said. "He was unmoving for years, until this happened."
The man in question is named Chen Wu. People knew him as Radioactive Man.
"Did he contact anyone from the outside before ?" Peggy asked.
"No. He didn't have any contact with anyone. He also didn't have any relationships with the other 5 prisoners.."
Peggy massaged her throbbing forehead from worry. The man in question was usually docile even though he is as strong as the god of thunder himself. She was worried about what kind of deals he had made to break free and whether the deal will be harmful to the world.
"Any traces of him?"
"No ma'am. Whoever did this has ways to hide his radioactive trails."
"Alert the Avengers about the criminals who have escaped."
Peggy's order caused the warden's face to become scrunched up.
"Do you have any problem with my order?" Peggy sharpened her eyes and stared at the warden.
"Director Fury will-"
"Director Fury is fired. Unless you want to follow in his footsteps, I suggest you to get in line," Peggy said sternly.
"Yes MA'AM!" The warden saluted her and walked away hurriedly.
Fury will try to find the prisoner in secret. Until it was usually too late. Then he will involve the Avengers. Peggy decided not to follow in the same path. The new AEGIS needed progressiveness. The time where they treat every super-powered person as a monster needed to change.
At the floor where Crimson Dynamo was kept.
"I will see if we can get you out of this suit," a black haired doctor said to the prisoner.
"Why? So you Americans could study the suit and mass produce it?!" Galina yelled accusingly.
She had locked herself inside the suit for a few days now so that she could prevent people from taking away her father's legacy from her.
"Please~ I'm Latverian," Kai smiled and said to her. Her heart started to beat quicker when she saw his handsome face, but she gritted her teeth to prevent herself from falling into the honey trap.
Kai is staying at the prison, studying the data of the prisoners there. He was appointed by Ryan as the exclusive doctor for the Vault. He was only working here as a part timer so that he could find a cure for the prisoners there.
"Hmm…I wonder where Natasha is," Kai mumbles while flipping through the medical assessment inside his clinic. She was gone after the Hydra incident, causing him and the rest of the Avengers to get worried.
…
Inside Ryan's penthouse.
Ryan was staring at a white card with a Knight family's emblem on its back.
"Do you need me to come with you?" Gwen asked in a low voice.
Ryan got an invitation to the Knight Manor amidst his busy schedule to handle the country's affairs. Understanding Tim's personality, Gwen knew that the matter should be of grave importance.
Ryan hesitated when he got the invitation. His mind was swirling with the methods to handle the upcoming matter during the tea time.
He wondered if his decision was right. He even went to the Ancient One to get some hints, but she didn't confirm his question.
"It was your decision to do so. If you hesitate now, what will become of all the lives that are lost?" The Ancient One said during his visit. He was then banned from Kamar Taj until his mind was clear.
If Ryan had used magic during the purification, she might have interfered. However, Ryan had just changed the insight's algorithm and let the carrier do their work. The work that human society created it to do.
"I…need you. But I think…I need to do this on my own," he said to Gwen while she was hugging him from the back.
"You have helped me before, so let me help you now," She said comfortingly. Ryan closed his eyes while he sensed her warmth. He then fell into a deep thought about what to do with Marcus.
Gwen knew everything. How Marcus was a Hydra member. How his uncle had a part in his mothers death. How he was tormented by guilt, that even when he loses himself, he doesn't forget his revenge. And Marcus' upcoming plan to disappear.
Ryan went to his father's house at 4 in the afternoon for tea time. There, he sat with Tim and Marcus at the garden table where they enjoyed the tea and snacks outside.
Marcus was dressed in a formal black suit. The suit that people usually wear at a funeral. All of them were wearing the same outfits.
"What do you think about my idea to write a book uncle? You'll become famous in no time. Even a millionaire once I turn that book into a movie," Ryan said playfully, trying to diffuse the tension in the air.
"That seems like a great idea, alas, my mind is set," Marcus said while chuckling. Then, Ryan and Tim walked with Marcus to go to Madeline's grave. They placed flowers on her grave and sent her a prayer.
Although Ryan didn't believe in anything, he too did the same thing. As his mother was one of the believers.
"Madeline. I will follow in your footsteps, but I don't think I can arrive where you are staying," Marcus confessed while kneeling in front of the grave.
"A person like me is bound for the fiery pit of hell, staying inside Satan's embrace. But, if there is a chance, do come visit me with your angelic wings. Even prisoners have visiting time so I guess I can convince Satan to do the same thing," Marcus said while chuckling.
Then, he looked up at the sky. His intense anger escaped his body when Hydra fell. Now, all that was left is the biting feeling of regret.
Tears started to stream down from his eyes, dropping onto the ground in front of the tombstone. His voice started to shake as he barely kept himself together.
"Because of me, your child grows up without a mother. I am sure you'll hate me for it…but if there is a chance…I want to…apologise to you…"
Unknowingly, Ryan's tears started to fall. 'Damn it, why can't I keep it together,' He thought. He wiped his tears with his fingers as he watched Marcus prostrating himself in front of the grave.
"You…should have lived…I…am the one…who should have died…I shouldn't have existed…"
Tim kneeled down on one knee next to Marcus and held his shoulder. "No one. I meant no ONE. was placed inside this world just to die."
"You have struggled. You have fought. You have loved. You have lived. Madeline knows about it. And I am sure she will forgive you. Just like I did," Tim said, causing Marcus to widen his eyes and hug his brother for the first time in his life.
"I am tired…of this life" Marcus said.
" Then rest…don't end it. live." Tim replied.
"I…couldn't. I am damned." Marcus said.
"Then repent…live your life to help others. Do what Madeline should have done…" Tim replied.
"I…can't," Marcus said while sobbing. He couldn't go on just a minute longer. The intense guilt that was inside of him won't allow him to repent. That would mean, his sins will be washed away. He couldn't let it happen. He wouldn't let it happen.
His life was unforgivable for him. There will be no redemption.
Marcus took out a card. It was the last card that was missing from Tarot's deck.
The card will give him a painless death and destroy his body, leaving him without anything to show his existence to the world.
Tim shook his head after seeing the look of determination in Marcus' eye. He slowly backed away from Marcus and stood at his side.
Marcus looked at Ryan one last time. Before the war, Ryan whispered to him, "I'll destroy the entire Hydra today. Witness it uncle."
The card was also given to Marcus from Ryan. Marcus can deduce that Ryan is Tarot from this matter. He was relieved when he understood his nephew's strength. Even the Avengers couldn't be a match for his nephew.
Ryan's tears weren't stopping at the moment . 'Damn it. Damn it!'
He respected his uncle's wish, but part of him wanted him to stay. He didn't know whether it was the wish of the previous Ryan, or himself.
He walked slowly to the contented Marcus that was preparing for his death. Ryan's figure casted a shadow on Marcus, and the uncle opened his eyes.
"Ryan?"
Unexpectedly, his nephew yanked the card from his hand.
"Don't. You owe me."
"What-"
"You OWE ME A FAMILY.!"
Ryan kneeled beside Marcus and hugged him. He said softly, "Not my mother. But you. You're my family… "
"Even if it's painful. Please live… you owe that much to me atleast. So live."
He knew what it's like to be at the end of the rope. To live without believing it can be better. To reject everything and want to end it all.
He was saved by someone he didn't remember. Someone that became an important part of his life. And now, he wanted Marcus to live too.
"I could erase your memory. I can give you anything you want. So please you should live."
Marcus was stunned as he felt Ryan's shivering body.
It was a request from the heart. He didn't care about his past. He didn't mind people calling him a hypocrite.
Marcus patted Ryan softly on his back." I don't need any of those. I.. Don't know what to do anymore…"
"Then you'll figure it out," Ryan said hurriedly.
Marcus smiled at him.'I guess, this is my punishment.'
"Okay, I'll live. For you."
Ryan didn't let go of Marcus for hours. He sobbed inside his uncle's embrace before he was content.
The next day came quickly. And Ryan went to the White House to do his work. He made sure to monitor his uncle discreetly so that he wouldn't kill himself while he was alone.
In the near future, after attending the wedding of Ryan and Gwen, Marcus will fall asleep at the house he grew up in.
The unwelcoming house truly becomes his home with Ryan and Tim constantly being there with him.
His heart felt content, and he had a dream that night. He has tea time with Madeline in the garden where she welcomed him and hugged him.
He broke down in her arm, and she forgave him.
Marcus didn't wake up from the dream. With a smile on his face. Marcus silently passes away from the world.
Finally, He was able to forgive himself for the life he had lived.
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