The morning after the fight in the courtyard, Monaco was buzzing with excitement. The Formula 1 Grand Prix was in full swing, and the world's eyes were on the glittering city. The deafening roar of engines echoed through the streets, punctuated by the cheers of the crowd as the sleek cars sped around the tight corners of the famous circuit. The spectacle was mesmerizing, and for the moment, it seemed as though nothing else in the world mattered.
But beneath the glitz and glamour of the event, something far more dangerous was unfolding. Snake Eyes and Natasha Romanoff, having evaded the mercenaries sent after them by the Red Room, had spent the night preparing for the next phase of their mission. Now, as they moved through the crowds toward the VIP stands, they knew the real threat was about to reveal itself.
Tony Stark was scheduled to take part in the race—an impulsive decision typical of him, but one that had sent S.H.I.E.L.D. and other security forces into overdrive. Natasha had tried to convince him to reconsider, but Stark's arrogance was legendary, and he had insisted on driving. Even now, as the race neared its most critical laps, Tony was behind the wheel of a custom-built car, showing off his usual flair for the dramatic.
Snake Eyes and Natasha had positioned themselves near the pit lanes, blending in with the crowd of mechanics and officials. Both of them were fully aware that the Red Room wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. They had already tried to lure Natasha and Snake Eyes into a trap the night before, but the fact that their plan had failed meant they would try something more direct—and more deadly—today.
As the race continued, Snake Eyes kept his eyes on the track, but his attention was split. He had no doubt that an attack was imminent. His senses were on high alert, his body ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger. Natasha stood beside him, her eyes scanning the crowd and the surrounding area. Neither of them spoke, but they didn't need to. They had been through enough missions together to know that when the time came, they would be ready.
Suddenly, the sound of tires screeching violently broke through the noise of the race, and Snake Eyes' head snapped toward the track. One of the cars had crashed into the barrier near the pit lanes, sending debris flying into the air. The crowd gasped in shock, but Snake Eyes knew this wasn't a simple racing accident.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted movement on the far side of the track. A man was walking toward the crash site, dressed in a black, armored suit. The man's face was obscured by a helmet, but his arms—covered in glowing, electrified whips—made his identity unmistakable.
Ivan Vanko. Whiplash.
Snake Eyes and Natasha exchanged a quick glance. They had been expecting something like this, but seeing Vanko in the flesh confirmed their suspicions. This wasn't just about Stark's arc reactor technology. The Red Room had brought in outside help—Vanko's vendetta against Stark was personal, and the Red Room had likely promised him the opportunity to destroy Tony Stark once and for all.
Vanko's whips crackled with energy as he approached Stark's car, which had screeched to a halt just beyond the wreckage. Stark, wearing his racing helmet and suit, was still strapped inside the vehicle, his body momentarily stunned by the sudden stop. The crowd around the crash site was still in shock, but security forces were beginning to move in. They wouldn't get there in time.
Snake Eyes acted without hesitation. He moved through the chaos with the speed and grace of a panther, his hand already reaching for the hilt of his katana. Vanko hadn't noticed him yet—he was too focused on Stark, who was struggling to unbuckle himself from the wreckage of his car.
Natasha followed closely behind Snake Eyes, her pistol drawn but hidden beneath her jacket. They moved in unison, their steps silent and their eyes locked on the target. Vanko was powerful, but they had faced worse. Together, they had faced down entire armies, and this would be no different.
Vanko raised his electrified whips, the blue energy crackling and sparking as he prepared to strike. But before he could bring them down on Stark's vehicle, Snake Eyes struck. His katana sliced through the air with lethal precision, aimed directly at Vanko's back.
Vanko, however, was no ordinary opponent. He sensed the attack at the last second and spun around, lashing out with one of his whips. The electrified whip collided with Snake Eyes' katana, sending a burst of energy through the air and forcing Snake Eyes to jump back.
The crowd gasped again, unaware of the deadly battle unfolding before their eyes. To them, this was just part of the spectacle, a wild stunt orchestrated by Tony Stark himself. But for Snake Eyes, Natasha, and Stark, this was a fight for survival.
"Ah, more playthings," Vanko growled, his Russian accent thick as he sized up Snake Eyes and Natasha. "You think you can stop me?"
Snake Eyes didn't respond. He never did. Instead, he moved in again, his katana flashing as he aimed for Vanko's whip arm. This time, Vanko wasn't fast enough. The blade struck true, cutting through the reinforced cable of the whip and severing it at the base. Sparks flew as the weapon deactivated, the whip falling uselessly to the ground.
Vanko roared in anger, swinging his remaining whip toward Natasha. She dodged it with ease, her body moving with the fluid grace of a trained assassin. In one smooth motion, she raised her pistol and fired a shot aimed directly at Vanko's chest. The bullet struck his armor, but the thick plating absorbed most of the impact. Vanko staggered back, but he wasn't done yet.
Stark, finally free of his racing car, pulled off his helmet and stumbled to his feet, shaking off the daze from the crash. He glanced at Snake Eyes and Natasha, clearly surprised to see them there, but his eyes quickly moved to Vanko.
"You've got to be kidding me," Stark muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought I left you in jail, Ivan."
Vanko grinned beneath his helmet, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You cannot escape me, Stark. You took everything from me. Now, I take everything from you."
Before Vanko could strike again, Natasha moved in. She holstered her pistol and went straight for a hand-to-hand fight, her fists and legs moving with the same deadly precision she had learned in the Red Room. Snake Eyes flanked her, his katana ready to intercept any attack Vanko might try with his remaining whip.
The battle was fast and brutal. Vanko was strong, his armor giving him an advantage in durability, but he was no match for the combined skill and speed of Natasha and Snake Eyes. Together, they overwhelmed him, their movements perfectly coordinated as they attacked from multiple angles.
Stark, realizing that he was vulnerable without his suit, moved toward the pit area where Happy Hogan was already scrambling to get his Iron Man armor to him. "Yeah, okay, I'm just going to let the professionals handle this," Stark muttered as he jogged toward Happy, waving him down.
Meanwhile, Snake Eyes ducked under another swipe of Vanko's whip, his katana striking out once again. This time, the blade found its mark, slicing through the armor on Vanko's wrist and severing the remaining whip. Vanko snarled in frustration, his weapons gone.
Natasha took advantage of the opening. She delivered a series of rapid blows to Vanko's chest and head, each strike hitting with precision. Vanko stumbled, his balance thrown off by the combined assault. Snake Eyes moved in for the final blow, his katana raised high.
But before Snake Eyes could strike, Vanko activated a hidden mechanism on his suit. A surge of electricity coursed through the armor, creating a protective field that forced both Snake Eyes and Natasha back. Vanko used the moment to retreat, stumbling away from the fight as the security forces finally began to close in.
"This isn't over!" Vanko spat, his voice filled with rage as he activated a hidden escape route, disappearing into the chaos of the crowd. Snake Eyes and Natasha made no move to follow. They knew this was just a temporary victory.
As the dust settled and the crowd erupted into cheers, thinking it was all part of the show, Stark approached Snake Eyes and Natasha. His expression was a mixture of gratitude and annoyance.
"Thanks for the save, but seriously, you two are killing my vibe here," Stark quipped, gesturing toward the cheering fans. "I had that guy right where I wanted him."
Natasha rolled her eyes, holstering her pistol. "Sure you did, Tony."
Snake Eyes, ever silent, simply sheathed his katana, his eyes scanning the area for any lingering threats. Vanko might have escaped, but the fight was far from over. The Red Room's involvement had complicated things, and they still had no idea what the true endgame was.
As the three of them stood there, the noise of the crowd fading into the background, Snake Eyes and Natasha knew that this was only the beginning. The Red Room's shadow loomed larger than ever, and they would have to be ready for whatever came next.