Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 24:

Natasha sat on a bench in the courtyard of the hospital where Kate Bishop was in what was practically a full body cast. Natasha had not been to see her but she had spoken to Clint and he had told her all the details. The image made her sick. Kate Bishop was a beautiful girl who was full of life and always smiling.

Nat wondered if that smile would ever be the same. Something like this changed a person. Kate was sixteen and had so much more growing to do. An attack this brutal at any age would be devastating but at such a tender age when she was figuring out who she was and would be increasingly bad.

Nat knew it could be worse. She had spoken to Yelena twice and was relieved Kate had not been raped. Apparently Wanda had entered Kate’s mind at the request of Yelena and Eleanor Bishop to try and wake Kate from her coma. According to Yelena, Wanda had felt the attack from Kate’s perspective and relived it with her.

Nat shook her head. Not only did Wanda have her own trauma but she now had Kate Bishop’s as well. Wanda had no regrets about doing it according to Yelena.

Why would she? She was Wanda Maximoff. She was a survivor. One more attack was nothing for her. She was strong and had been through other traumas.

Nat knew it.

The entire world knew it.

Yesterday the headlines of the morning editions and the subject of talk shows around the world were the leaked classified documents every intelligence agency in the world had on a nineteen year old Sokovian orphan named Wanda Maximoff.

The documents included photos of her. They detailed her and Pietro’s childhood, the bombing that trapped them and killed their parents, their stay at Sokovian orphanages, views on the United States and volunteering for HYDRA experiments and her telekinetic ability.

Nat found it suspicious that the documents only mentioned her telekinesis and no other powers.

The reports further detailed her working with Ultron to destroy the Avengers and then discovering he wanted to destroy the world and turning on him. The documents told the story of Pietro and how he gave his life. It went on to include Wanda’s later attacks on HYDRA compounds.

There was no mention of her association with the Red Widows.

At first Nat had called Tony, demanding to know what Ross was up to. Tony promised Ross had not released the documents. He had planned to do it publicly after the United Nations signed the Accords into law and Ross would never reveal any details like Pietro dying and Wanda attacking HYDRA bases that may cast them in a favorable light.

Nat believed Tony. He had no reason to lie and after these years together she knew the tells in his voice when he lied. He even told her that the General was thrown for a loss and appeared very nervous. The world already knew that the Avengers had split. Ross had proudly proclaimed the Accords to the world and his place as head of United Nations Security Enhanced Governing Committee before the news broke.

Without the Avengers, they had no one to govern. Tony would not be Iron Man and Rhodey belonged to the Airforce. They would be giving Vision missions and Vision tended to do as he pleased. He answered to no one.

Was that the reason Ross was nervous? It would give him reason to be angry or disappointed but Tony said he was nervous. Perhaps it was the ease of which the file on Wanda Maximoff had been stolen and given to the media that had him nervous. Perhaps he was finally afraid of Maximoff having nothing to lose.

For now she waited on the bench for her little sister who had finally agreed to leave the hospital.

“OMG! Are you the Black Widow?!”

A blonde haired, blue eyed girl stood in front of her. Her long hair was in several braids and she wore a sorority shirt and stone washed bell bottom jeans. Despite being in New York she sounded like a California girl, probably a transplant from the West Coast to an East coast University.

Nat had dressed down today, wearing a ball cap, a denim jacket and jeans with her hair in a ponytail and the majority of it under her cap. Her flaming hair caused her to stand out and anyone who could see her face would know her.

“It is you! Can I have your autograph?! My sorority sisters will go wild!”

The girl pulled a pad and pen from her small hand bag.

Nat looked around and took the pad before the girl could cause her more attention.

“Thank you so much! Could you sign it to me and my sorority? We can frame it for the wall in our house.”

Nat nodded. “Sure, what’s the name of the sorority?”

“Psi Kappa Chi Mu Beta. I know it’s a mouthful. You can just make it out the Red Widows if that would be easier.”

Nat smiled and dropped her head.

“What’s wrong? I was thinking we could get a selfie. You could do one of your famous fighting poses and I could raise my hand like I’m Iron Man or grab a trash can lid and pose like Captain America. How cool would that be?”

Nat began laughing and handed the pad back to her. “Sit down, Yelena.”

“Fine then.” Yelena said, in her usual Russian accented English. “No autograph or selfie from the snobbish Black Widow. How does the saying go? Never meet your heroes.”

Nata smirked. “Very nice accent. You had me for a few seconds.”

“I had you the entire time. Admit it.”

Nat nodded. “You got me. I never expected a valley girl accent from you, сестра. So are you wearing a veil or is this Wanda’s magic?”

Yelena had a seat and waved her hands. “If it was Wanda’s magic I would make her give me bigger bosom.”

Nat was relieved to see Yelena so playful. This could only mean Kate was doing well.

“I assume Kate is doing better. You actually sound happy.”

“I am relieved.” Yelena admitted. “It saddens me that she is still in such a state, but Agatha’s pain killer gas is effective. She cannot speak but she can listen to me, touch my fingers and feel me kiss her cheek. I wish we could get her home so Wanda and Agatha can do their healing thing.”

“Wanda can heal her?”

“Wanda brought one of our youngest who was cut with a poisoned blade on a mission back from the brink of death. She also.… she has become very powerful. Agatha has healed before but it was a very long time ago, long before she became possessed by evil book and her fingers turned black. Kate has many metal pins in her body, stitches and wire holding her jaw and cracked skull together. They are concerned about healing her with so many foreign objects in her body. Agatha has been going to morgues around city and practicing on dead bodies that have such things. She tries to disintegrate pins and mend the bones. Some success and some failure. I truly thought it would be as easy as Wanda laying hands on her and… Natasha, are you okay?”

Nat was not okay. “Did you say this Agatha is going to morgues and experimenting on dead bodies?”

“You would prefer she use live bodies?”

Nat shivered. Yelena had told her someone named Agatha was teaching Wanda to control her powers and mentioned this Agatha was a witch. Nat had no idea what that encompassed and Yelena told her it was better if she didn’t know too many details.

Yelena said that a lot to her. Nat wanted it to change. First she needed answers.

“Why did she do it? Why did all of you do it?” Nat asked, speaking of Wanda.

Yelena didn’t play dumb. Nat was too smart and she felt she could trust her to the point that she wouldn’t warn Ross. Nat had supposedly quit the Avengers. Yelena wanted to believe it.

“Wanda and I shared a room at the Sokovia base. It was more like a cell but we had TV reception. We watched an American movie. It was subtitled thankfully and didn’t sound like дерьмо. It was called Eight Mile. Have you ever seen it?”

Nat shook her head. “I must have missed out on that cinematic masterpiece.”

Yelena barked a laugh, nearly making Nat jump. “No, it was no masterpiece. It did give me idea though. What I am about to tell you stays with us. You must swear. Soon the whole world will know but no one can be warned.”

Nat nodded. “I swear. My loyalty is always to you, Yelena. Please don’t doubt that.”

Yelena smiled and sat back.

“This movie is set in poor section of Detroit. It has what locals called rap battles. Have you heard of such a thing?”

“I think Sam made Steve watch this movie.” Nat said, thinking it sounded familiar. “I may have watched a few minutes and left but I cannot remember.”

“We were bored. It gave me great idea though. You see rap battles are between two people. One person will rap in front of an audience, insulting his opponent. Then the other rapper will do the same. The winner is determined by the audience. A straightforward concept. But the central character came up with a brilliant strategy at end of final match. He first insulted himself. He admitted to everything his opponent could say about him. Then he brought out his opponents secrets. When it was time for his opponent to respond he had nothing to say. He lost because his weapons had been taken away from him before he had a chance to fire.”

Nat understood. It was all clear.

“Wanda released everything. Ross would have released the bad. She released the good and the bad and is letting the public debate whether she is a hero or a villain. Ross’s one threat was to have her named a terrorist. She has came forward first. He has no leverage.”

Yelena nodded, pleased she had worked it out.

“When does it happen?” Nat asked, knowing the next step. Wanda had insulted herself. Now it was time to bring Ross’s sins to the forefront.

“It already is. We have been gathering data from Red Room archives and hacking into Sokovian and United States defense department records for months now. We have proof that he was the one who gave Blonsky the drugs that made him lose his mind and later released Banner for the sole intent of fighting Blonsky in Harlem. We have proof and collaborating testimony, transcripts and communication between the former Sokovian President and General Ross in which Ross announced he would be bombing the city and was aware that citizens were present. He also asked the Sokovian president to claim the bodies of the dead had been killed by Sokovian freedom fighters before the bombing occurred.”

Nat was stunned silent. She expected something but this magnitude was mind blowing. She thought the widows were out to destroy his reputation because he was an asshole who wanted Wanda for himself.

He ordered the bombing that killed Wanda’s parents.

No wonder Wanda wanted to see him fall.

This wasn’t about just destroying his reputation. They were presenting indisputable evidence that Thaddeus Ross was a war criminal. The President of Sokovia had been overthrown after the battle of Novi Grad. He would no doubt testify against Ross. This was about destroying his legacy.

Widows were more than trained killers. They were infiltrators, seducers, and manipulators. They knew how to bring down powerful people.

“The information is being released now.” Natasha understood.

“The news this afternoon will be very interesting. Everett Ross already has contacts in the Justice Department and the International Criminal Court charged with prosecuting war crimes ready to act. The General will be taken in today or tomorrow. He has a press conference this afternoon as we guessed he would. He plans to speak about the information leaked about Wanda and publicly demand she sign the Accords.”

“Damn Yelena.” Nat whispered. “The timing is impeccable. Of course you knew that. You correctly surmised that he would hold a press conference after Wanda’s information leak and try to use it to his advantage. Why now though? You have had this information for months…” she stopped speaking as realization swept over her. She looked at Yelena who was smiling sadly.

“I am sorry, Natasha. We suspected… we knew that the next mission the Avengers were involved with that ended with a single life being lost would bring the United Nations to action. Ross would press for control and call for registration. We knew Stark would agree with him. We have kept up with Stark’s movements. Wanda believed Steve Rogers would never agree to registration and leave the Avengers. Wilson would leave with him.”

Nat was silent for a moment then asked. “And me? What did you expect me to do?”

Yelena sighed and reached over to take Natasha’s hand. “I will be honest, Natasha. I did not know. I love you, but it has been ten or eleven years. I was six. I don’t know you well enough to know what you would do. I know you will never betray me, I know that you will never hurt any of us but when it came to Avengers, I had no idea. It didn’t matter if you stayed or left though. Ross will be suspected of making a power move to control the Avengers like he tried to control Banner many years ago. Stark has been by his side the entire time. There will be speculation in media that this was a bid by a war criminal and the man who made Ultron to take over the Avengers and instead tore apart Earth’s heroes. You would be a victim of his ambition.”

Nat shook her head in disbelief.

“This was all your plan?”

Yelena nodded. “You think Wanda could come up with this? She couldn’t make her mind up between driving him insane or tearing him limb from limb. We all participated but it was my plan. Eight Mile inspired the part about Wanda’s news release and setting him up in a perfect position to be blindsided this afternoon.”

Nat clapped softly. “Bravo, sister. Masterfully played. I’d be proud if I weren’t so terrified.”

Yelena took and squeezed her hand. “It is because of Wanda we got our revenge on Dreykov and the others who harmed us. Did you think I would not do everything to get her revenge on the one who killed her parents? I hope you know this is not personal, Natasha. If I thought you would be harmed or tied to Ross and Stark as anything other than an innocent bystander, I would have found another way. You are free of them though.”

“Tony Stark is going to be hated. It was never publicly announced where Ultron came from, only that he was a rogue A.I.” Nat pointed out.

Yelena shrugged. “Wanda is admitting her sins. There is no reason he cannot have his aired.”

“He is going to be linked to a war criminal. The world will never trust him again. He told me he talked to Wanda in Russia and she said she didn’t blame him.”

Yelena nodded and took her hand away from Natasha. “That is true. She does not blame him. This is the beauty of the plan. It does not rely on deception. Deception can be uncovered. When the truth is out to the world it is impossible to cover up. It is truth that Ross is a war criminal. It is truth that Tony Stark did create Ultron and very well could have created another in Vision over Steve Rogers protests. It is truth that Tony Stark has named himself a public supporter of Genera Ross. Have I said anything that is untrue?”

Nat shook her head.

“The world knows what Wanda did to HYDRA remnants and the lives she took. The world knows that the Red Widows kill slavers and take no prisoners.

“When you released SHIELD files, the world knew all your secrets.” Yelena remined her. “They knew all your heroics and all your sins. Is Tony Stark exempt from this? If the world hates him, it is actions that led to this. If he were not friends with Ross, he would not be included, but he is. He knew what kind of man Ross was. He supported him and accepted his help in spreading the blame for Ultron. If the world hates Tony Stark that is not our problem. He did this to himself. I hope you understand, Natasha.”

Nat did understand. She had worked this out in her head. It wouldn’t be enough to have Ross arrested as a war criminal. He had to be destroyed in every facet. Painting him as someone who wanted control of the Avengers was a perfect move and Tony fell into it. Whether he did so knowingly or unwittingly didn’t matter.

“I am not angry. I understand why this had to be done. I can think of no better ending for the Ross. As I said, you played it masterfully. You girls are more than firearms, widow bites and sharp knives. No wonder you have had so much success. I am proud of you.”

Yelena laughed. “You are proud that I masterminded a plan to utterly destroy one man’s life and take another down with him?”

This time Nat reached over to take her hand. She wished she could see Yelena’s true face but listening to her voice was enough for now.

“I’m proud that instead of just killing him, you are getting justice for hundreds of Sokovians he killed. I am proud of the family you have made. You could have done anything. You have enough money from the Red Room to never work for hundreds of years yet you all use it to fight slavers and secret organizations. I am so proud of you. We do not know each other well but I am glad that I got three years to call you my sister and I am happy you still consider me one no matter the time apart. I love you, Yelena.”

Yelena sniffed and her eyes were red. Tears leaked from her eyes, strangely pooling then falling over the lids of the photostatic veil.

“You will ruin my makeup on the veil. You make me soft, Сука.”

Nata laughed quietly. “What is next?”

Yelena shrugged. “I do not know right now. Kate needs to be healed and then I have to determine a way to protect her from trouble she gets into. I am not sure how. Wanda and I spoke of it briefly. The widows who look like they could be in school are the youngest. The youngest need us the most. Splitting them from the family for six to nine months out of the year is not good. They would do it because we ask but it is not fair. I cannot stay in New York. Wanda and I must lead. They look to us. Wanda needs me as well. She is going through much. Eleanor said she will ensure Kate is surrounded by bodyguards. I may have to trust Kate will not argue with their presence.”

Natasha raised an eyebrow, determined to get an answer to a question that had been plaguing her.

“What is the situation with Eleanor Bishop? Why is she so welcoming? Why does she trust a witch to be around her daughter. I’m not speaking of Wanda. Does she know you two are the founders and leaders of the Red Widows? What is going on? Please don’t tell me it is better if I do not know.”

Yelena shook her head. Nat thought she would say nothing but Yelena spoke after a moment.

“What I am about to tell you is… I probably shouldn’t. I have thought of many believable lies and I know if I asked you not to look into it you would likely heed my wishes. There is a fifty fifty chance you would heed my wishes at least.”

“More like eighty twenty that I would disregard your wishes and find out on my own.” Nat admitted.

“You should understand, Eleanor does not like Avengers. She likes Hawkeye but only because he saved Kate. She blames Tony Stark for Battle of New York that took her husband. The portal did open above his tower and the arc reactor was powering it. She does not blame the other Avengers as much except by association.”

Nat nodded, understanding. The media had blamed the Avengers as much as praised them for New York City. The fact that the portal opened up above Stark Tower caused many conspiracy theorists to question whether Loki even existed or whether an experiment gone wrong had opened a doorway for aliens to attack.

“Since we read you left the Avengers, Eleanor, Wanda and I have spoken of what to do about you. We have much time to talk since Kate sleeps often and room is small with three of us in there.”

Nat chuckled. “What to do about me? That sounds ominous.”

Yelena shrugged. “We only meant that while Rogers would not care about Eleanor, you would be wondering how we were here, why we were with her constantly and what Eleanor Bishop’s involvement is. Eleanor told me if it was brought up to tell you. I wasn’t sure if I should let you become involved in our secrets but I defer to her and Wanda.”

“Eleanor sounds more important than just your girlfriend’s mom.”

Yelena nodded. “She is. She is good to us. When we first started out we were having difficulty tracking widows and the Red Room pipeline. Our technology was no good. We didn’t have the means to monitor the world, look for widows and investigate agencies and people like Ross and Osborn. When you saw me the weekend of Kate’s tournament we had been there a few days before. We met with Eleanor while Kate was with a friend.”

Nat should have been surprised but really wasn’t. She remembered Eleanor’s desire to meet and thank the two girls who saved her daughter’s life.

“We told her what had happened to us. We told her everything. When she heard of what Dreykov had done and the mind controlled widows still out in the world, she offered us her technology at great risk to herself. We cannot function as well as we do without her. She has been a strong support for us. She also knew Kate and I talked more than the occasional check in. When Kate was attacked she asked us here to hunt the man responsible.”

“Oh yes, the suicide.” Nat said, knowing better.

“She likes me with Kate. She knows I do not want this superhero life Kate believed she was destined for. She knows I want her safe and will do whatever is necessary to ensure it. Eleanor Bishop is a strong woman with a brave heart. We are very protective of her and Kate.”

“Does Kate know her mother is that involved with the Red Widows?”

Yelena shook her head. “She doesn’t need to know. Kate knows there are things I do not tell her. She worries about school and activities and I worry about the Red Widows. You asked what is next? After Ross goes down, we continue our hunt for Osborn, any A.I.M. bases, and missing Widows. That is our self-appointed mission. There will always be work that needs doing. Sometimes it takes bad people to take down worse people. We are the bad people the good people need so they can sleep safe at night.”

“You sound much older than sixteen.”

“I think I am seventeen now. We have separated our ages into groups and months. A certain month will be one age group and so on. During that month the age group will decide what trip we go on. Staci has an obsession with Disney World and has been lobbying the fifteen year olds for a trip to the Paris park. When we first talked of our own base she wanted to build one under the park. She is sweet but very whimsical. I saw her shoot three men while singing Let It Go . She has pretty voice. She even died her hair blonde and wears braid like Elsa.”

Natasha didn’t know if she should be amused or disturbed at the thought of a fifteen year old killing three men while singing a Disney song but she had to remember what she was dealing with. These weren’t even close to normal teenage girls. They were likely a mix between war hardened veterans and very young children who were discovering emotions that should have been developing since childhood.

“I want to come with you. Wherever you go I want to be there.”

Yelena smiled and nodded. “It makes me glad to hear that, Sister. I hoped when I heard you quit the Avengers that you would ask to join us rather than asking me to move to Ohio again. But… it must be a unanimous vote. Have you given true thought to this? If you join us you will be… how do Westerners say… outlaw? You will be outlaw. You will live in hiding with us. You will also have trouble acclimating to our methods.”

Natasha frowned, wondering why Yelena would think she could not fight beside them. Yelena knew her skills.

“You doubt my ability?”

Yelena shook her head. “Of course not. It’s just in the field we have strike team leaders. These are women who had led groups of widows when they were in the Red Room. Rather than infiltration they focused on individual and squadron combat. In the field whoever is strike team leader must be listened to. There is no room for discussion or disagreement in the field. We are training others to be strike team leaders as well.”

“I couldn’t be a leader.” Natasha realized.

“No one would follow you right away. They would not follow Oksana if she requested it. That is why she stays out of most missions other than medical support. Can you see yourself as one of us on a mission? Stanic is the only fourteen year old we have but she is very good when she has her emotions under control. Could you see yourself taking orders from her that you do not agree with? Could you see yourself taking orders from any of us? If one if us says to kill without hesitation would you do so?”

“Yes.”

“Even if it is Tony Stark?”

Nat’s mouth dropped and she almost argued but stayed quiet. It was too late though. Yelena saw her hesitation.

“Exactly. Imagine a situation in the future for whatever reason, Iron Man is our enemy. I use this as an example. It could be Captain America or bird man or the robot. When we are in battle and the team lead says to take the kill shot, can you do it without hesitation?”

Nat closed her eyes. “I’m not sure. I… what if Wanda turned into an enemy? Could you shoot her without hesitation?”

Yelena huffed. “If Wanda turns into enemy we are already screwed. I get your point and I understand it. But she is one of us so the question is of no matter. The one thing we have that the Avengers did not, the one thing that will always keep us together is absolute loyalty to each other. We protect each other, we fight by each other’s side and we take lives together. We trust one another to give and follow orders in the field. I want you with us but I want you to think of what this could mean. If you want in, the girls will wish to speak to you. These are questions they will ask and you must answer correctly and mean what you say. You are strong and smart and a hero, Natasha. I don’t want you to compromise who you are.”

Nat understood and appreciated what Yelena was telling her. They were all valid points. Nat knew it wouldn’t be as simple as wearing a red buckle and going to work like she had with the Avengers. She could find herself in a position of following the orders of a fourteen year old with emotional problems. Everyone but Oksana would be younger than her yet she would be the least ranked until she had gained the girls complete trust.

“I will give it much thought but I know what my answer will be. If being with you means blowing someone’s head off, if that is the price I have to pay, I will pay it. I miss you. You were the only good thing about my childhood. Before I met Clint and then his family, you were the only one I loved in my entire life. I wish every day I would have looked for you, that I would have… I got you something. Since you say you are seventeen now I missed your birthday.”

Nat pulled a backpack under the bench out and unzipped it. She reached inside and pulled out a purple stuffed pony with a colorful mane.

“Twilight Sparkle.” Nat said, handing it to her.

Yelena stared at it for a minute not saying a word. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were watering.

“You are good sister, you know that? I love you, Tasha.”

The two stood and hugged. They walked the block, holding hands and enjoying the day. Yelena kept a tight grip on her doll with her free hand. When they returned to the hospital, Nat told Yelena she would go to the safe house and try to get know some of the widows.

A news alert sounded on their phones, indicating Ross was holding a press conference.

Then other news alerts started blowing up their phones.

Yelena grinned. “I need to be with Wanda. The fun is about to begin. I will call you later.”

New York City, United Nations Headquarters

Thaddeus Ross walked to the podium and faced a room full of reporters. Nothing had gone to plan as of yet. Rather than having control of the Avengers, the team walked away. He had to push for the Accords hoping other enhanced vigilantes would join Stark in becoming legitimate assets.

His hope of sending the Avengers after Wanda Maximoff was dead. Stark, Rhodes and likely this android would not be enough. He knew Maximoff hated him and he waited every day to become a martyr but it had not happened.

Yesterday something happened he had not expected. The world knew about Wanda Maximoff, not only her heroics but her sins. To make it worse, the media was not appalled at her actions. Some even justified them. The overseas media who were not fond of the United States and this current administration called her a hero who overcame American atrocities. Sokovians were not blaming her for her work with Ultron. They saw her as being manipulated, a heroic figure with a heroic brother who died to save Clint Barton and a child and saved many Sokovians.

He had to get in front of this before it spread. He needed to villainize Maximoff and turn the tide against her by painting her as a fascist who was an enemy of democracy.

He also needed to promote the Accords. The United Nations had not backed off the necessity of them. While Wakanda was a small country, the King was angry his citizens had been killed on the ground in addition to those who were endangered in the building should the explosion have been even stronger. Countries from all over the world had citizens die in that plaza. Promoting the Accords while pointing out that Wanda Maximoff would not sign would make her an enemy to the world as she deserved to be known.

The press conference began and the questions were about Maximoff. He was not able to expound on her sins because the tide of the questions quickly turned to the Accords and her involvement with them.

“Secretary Ross, with the Avengers splitting up, has anyone reached out to Wanda Maximoff?”

“We have no way of directly contacting her but have been told by sources she is in regular contact with that she has no intention of signing and working with the United Nations for the betterment of this planet.” Ross said, glad with the direction it was taking now. “She will be considered a criminal as well as other vigilante groups.”

Another reporter raised her hand. “Why would she be considered a criminal? The Accords have not made into law. The Accords say she is not a criminal unless she commits vigilante acts after the signing into law.”

Ross and the President had thought of this. Maximoff would have to be directly tied to the Red Widows if he accused her of vigilante acts including mass murder. The Red Widows were still very popular. Criticizing them would not be politically smart.

“She is not at this time, however from a moral standpoint, I would think she owes it to use her gifts she received from a terrorist Organization like HYDRA to protect the world.”

“Hasn’t she been fighting HYDRA? The documents that were leaked belonging to the United States Intelligence services say as much. Are you saying Captain America has a moral responsibility to work for the United Nations?”

Ross nodded. “I am saying that. As far as Maximoff she may have fought HYDRA remnants but she has never answered for the crime of working with Ultron.”

“However it is likely without her and Pietro Maximoff evacuating the city, more lives would have been lost in Novi Grad.” a French reporter pointed out. “Would you not say she has more than made up for being manipulated as a child by a strong A.I. who exploited her hatred for the United States and the Avengers?”

“I would not say that.” Ross responded.

A German reporter raised his hand. “I would like clarity on the Accords. The Accords prohibit what are called vigilante acts by enhanced individuals. If Captain America were buying a carton of milk in a convenience store and the store were robbed while he was present would he be considered a criminal for stopping a crime and saving lives?”

Ross paused for a moment at a loss for words. “That… that isn’t the intent of the Accords. Each case would be investigated and decisions would be made taking account of the situation.”

“So if Captain America saves someone from being shot in a robbery, the United Nations would investigate the situation and decide if he is a criminal?”

“I didn’t say that.” Ross said irritably.

“Yes you did.” A British reporter pointed out. “The last time someone tried to criminalize Captain America it was Alexander Pierce. He turned out to be a HYDRA leader despite being highly thought of like yourself. Are you anxious to criminalize Captain America for something as small as stopping a hypothetical armed robbery for any particular reason, Secretary Ross? It appears these Accords would give you an excuse to conduct a witch hunt.”

“That isn’t what I am doing!” Ross argued.

Another reporter asked a question not bothering to wait for recognition. “If aliens attacked Earth again and Thor returned to this world to save us, would he be considered a criminal unless he signed the Accords and waited for the United Nations to give him orders?”

“No!” Ross shouted.

“You are the biggest proponent of registration for enhanced individuals, Secretary Ross. Would you make exceptions in emergencies? Who determines what constitutes an emergency?”

“Next question.” Ross shouted. He looked to the side of the stage and saw Tony Stark rubbing his forehead. He had told Stark to be here in the event any questions were brought up about the future and his intention to rebuild the Avengers.

This had gotten out of hand. He was here to turn public opinion against Maximoff. Now the world media was attacking the Accords they were so keen on before the Avengers split and Maximoff became known.

An aide to the side was motioning a hand across his throat, indicating he should end the conference. Ross shook his head. He had came with a mission and it would be fulfilled.

To his shock the lowly aide came out to the podium.

“The President wants this over.” The aide whispered away from the microphone. “Something is happening and you do not want to be in front of the cameras.”

Ross was furious. The President was telling him to shut up?

“Get off this stage, boy.”

The aide moved away quickly.

When Ross gave his attention back to the media they were all quiet and looking at phones and electronic pads. He decided to take advantage of the lull.

“If we could get back on track, I called this press conference to talk about the classified information leaked about Wanda Maximoff and to set the record straight on what a danger she is.”

No one asked any questions but a few looked up from their phones with expressions that caused him to pause and his stomach to twist. His rage was gone and now the hot feeling was replaced with cold.

“Secretary Ross, are you aware of a second data leak that has been investigated all morning by several countries, indicating you gave the order to knowingly bomb noncombatants in Novi Grad Sokovia eight years ago that resulted in the death of two hundred and thirty two people including Wanda Maximoff’s parents?”

Ross was stunned. “That was a military mission against rebels…”

“Are you aware of transcripts, documents, money transfers and corresponding testimony of the former Sokovian President that details an exchange of money in return for the Sokovian government falsely stating that the citizens who died had been killed by the rebels?”

“That simply isn’t true.” Ross said, not knowing what else to say.

The questions came in a flurry.

“Did you know Tony Stark was responsible for the creation of Ultron and kept it a secret? Have you been holding this over Stark’s head in an attempt to take control of the Avengers?”

“Is it true that you are responsible for Emil Blonsky being given a drug that turned him into Abomination, going mad and attacking Harlem and then releasing Bruce Banner in a hope that he could stop Blonsky? After this you continued to hunt for Banner. Do you deny this?”

“That…”

“Does Wanda Maximoff know you are responsible for her parents death and do you fear reprisal?”

“How does it feel to be the man who killed over two hundred people?”

“Enough!” Ross shouted as question after question reigned down on him. He should have called an end to this but he was frozen in place. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Everything he did was for the good of the United States!

“Are you and Tony Stark involved in a conspiracy to remove Steve Rogers from his leadership role so Stark can build a team that only answers to you?”

“Everything I did, I did for the good of this country!” he said but the conviction he wanted to speak with was gone.

“Are you a HYDRA agent like Alexander Pierce?”

“Was the president aware of the mass murder you are responsible for when he appointed you Secretary of State?”

“Are you aware the current President of Sokovia is calling for your arrest?”

“Do you expect to be arrested as a war criminal? Do you deny these allegations?”

“Are you aware that sworn statements have been released by soldiers and officers who served under you corroborating classified documents stating you knowingly killed innocent Sokovians including children?”

“Why did you claim Ultron was an unknown defense A.I. from an unidentified country when you knew the truth?”

“Was Lagos a set up orchestrated by you? Did you have information about a possible suicide bomber in Lagos and fail to give it to the Avengers hoping a loss of life would lead to the Accords and your direct control over them?”

Ross could no longer speak. He stood still, listening to accusation after accusation being thrown at him. Some were lies and conjecture but most were true including the severest crimes.

His mind raced while he was unable to speak. Had Rogers done this? Had Romanoff?

This wasn’t their style. Yes they exposed SHIELD but this was more complex. He would not be facing these accusations unless there was solid proof. Proof that had been dug up by more than two people.

This was the Maximoff and her Widows.

He felt a solid grip around his upper arm and then was being dragged off the stage. When he was away from reporters his aides who had been in the hallway were gone. The man who pulled him off the stage was an intimidating Secret Service Agent.

Tony was leaned against a wall, drinking from a flask and smiled at him.

“Check and Mate.” he told Ross, raising his flask to him in a mock toast. “They really came down on you. I didn’t know you killed Maximoff’s parents. No wonder she has a special hate for you. She is now a sympathetic figure, a tragic hero, you are a war criminal and I’m defintely the guy who created the A.I. who killed 177 people and decimated a city. Aren’t we a pair?”

Ross shook his head. “We can fight this.”

Tony smiled. “I’ve been reading what has been released in the last half hour. The documents are legit. I think you and I are each other’s karma. The nineteen year girl won. See you around, Ross. I would tell you to run but the world knows your face. There is nowhere to run. Maybe you will get lucky and Maximoff will kill you before you get dragged through the mud. I don’t think I will get that mercy. Of course if she has gone through this much effort I doubt you will either.”

Tony walked away, leaving Ross alone in a building full of people that knew all the questionable actions he took for the greater good of the United States of America.

When he walked out the back of the conference room it seemed as if there were hundreds waiting for him along with a hundred cameras in his face. The agent that had pulled him out was joined by another agent and the two accompanied him downstairs and to a car that was to deliver him to the airport. A private helicopter would be waiting that would take him directly to the White House.

He noticed the car was not going to the airport. When he asked the driver, he was told he had orders from the President to take him to his hotel and keep him away from the White House. His bags had not been packed as he had ordered when he left that morning and he would be staying for a few more days.

Reporters were waiting for him outside the hotel. Citizens were also waiting for him, calling him a child murderer and throwing cans at him. He heard police sirens, likely officers coming for crowd control but it was too late. By the time he had entered the lobby he was soaked in soda drinks and one beer that had been tossed at him. He ignored the pointed looks from the hotel staff and guests in the lobby. He took the elevator to the penthouse suite. When he entered, rather than changing clothes, he sat on the sofa and held his head in his hands. Ross then walked to a desk drawer and pulled out a service firearm.

He walked to the window and gaze out of it before placing the gun to his temple.

“I would think twice before doing that.” A female voice with a thick Sokovian accent told him.

He turned around and aimed the gun at Wanda Maximoff who was standing in the center of the living room.

She was dressed as he had seen her in many photos. A shameless girl wearing leather and half tops that tied in the front. She wore a long red coat that hung to the ground. Her black pants and red top were skin tight. Each ear had multiple piercings and her fingers were covered in multiple rings. She looked like a nineteen year old asking for trouble. She was the kind of girl he would have never let Betty hang out with when she was that age. She was a troublemaker who probably slept around and took drugs when she wasn’t committing mass murder.

“I should kill you now.” he said.

To his anger, she simply smirked. “Do it. You have already been outed as a murderer. You will be arrested soon. Everyone leaves a trail and you thought your secrets were safe because they were hidden behind classified and top secret stamps. You have nothing to lose. I won’t even stop you and you know I can.”

Ross smiled coldly, his anger overcoming his reason. He fired twice.

The bullets went through her. She laughed. It was a horrible laugh that sent chills into his soul. She seemed so happy it terrified him and had a look of total glee.

“Did I forget to mention my body isn’t here? Turn on your television.”

Wanda disappeared. Ross had no way of knowing she was in the room below him after suggesting to the occupants to let her borrow it for an hour.

Ross was taken back by her sudden disappearance but did as she said. He turned the television on and jumped back when he saw his daughter on the screen.

She was hanging by the neck, her face bloated. A tipped over chair was under her.

He stared at it for a long time then the sight went away and Wanda returned.

“I needed to show you that and I couldn’t do it in my astral form.”

“It wasn’t real?” Ross asked shakily.

“It will be if you kill yourself. Right now the world sees you as the scum of the Earth you truly are. You have to live with that shame. If you kill yourself, the attention will fall on her. She will commit suicide.”

Ross understood what she was saying. “You will make her commit suicide. You would kill my daughter as revenge even after I was gone. You are truly evil.”

Wanda shrugged and walked around the room as if she owned it. “You killed my parents but I cannot kill your daughter. That doesn’t seem fair, does it? Whether I kill her or not, she will live with the shame of knowing what you are. I am guessing despite her disowning of you, she is the one thing that matters outside of your own wants and needs. You are going to confess everything or I will do something worse than kill her. I will drive her insane. Who would be surprised? Her love turned into a monster and was hunted because of her father, the disgraced war criminal, and her career was falling because of her association with you. Of course the girl is going to lose her mind.”

Wanda chuckled and met his fearful and understanding eyes. “She might go crazy anyway whether I am involved or not but there is a chance she won’t be harmed by your disgrace in public considering she disowned you. Do you want to take that chance away from her by taking the cowards way out? Your call. You can either put a bullet in your brain or confess your sins to the world and hope she can get away unscathed and live a happy life.”

Ross looked at the gun in his hand and put it back into the drawer.

Stark was right. She had won. It was over. He had known Wanda Maximoff wanted him dead but he had always thought it was because he wanted to control her. He had no idea her parents were one of the necessary casualties in Novi Grad.

The world would never understand. The United States needed Sokovia for its strategic location. They could not allow rebels or they would be seen as an invading force. His actions gave the United States a short lived foothold in the country and saved the lives of American soldiers.

“Good choice. You do love your daughter more than your own pride. I wasn’t sure.”

There was a knock on his door which should have been impossible due to the penthouse security.

He looked at Maximoff who was smiling brightly.

“Don’t worry, it isn’t me. I will enjoy this though. Open up. Begin the rest of your life.”

Wanda disappeared.

The door was kicked in and officers in black rushed in with assault rifles held on him.

Everett Ross, Maximoff’s biggest fan and a pain in his ass, walked inside with a cocky grin on his face and held up a pair of handcuffs.

“Thaddeus Ross, by the authority of the International Criminal Court, I am arresting you for the war crimes of mass murder of civilians, destruction of schools and churches, property damage, and I am sure you will be charged with many more ICC, Sokovian and United States Federal crimes. I must say it is my supreme honor to arrest the most despised man in the world. Hands behind your back. You have a crowd out front who wants to see you in cuffs.”

Ross did not bother to resist. He saw no point in resisting on the way down in the large elevator with only him and Everett Ross present.

“What are you going to do when she turns on you?” Ross asked the C.I.A. officer.

“I don’t plan on killing anyone she loves or any innocents in the name of the greater good so I am probably safe. I even bought a Red Widow t shirt and am President of their fan club. We put out newsletters once a month if you want to join. Only five dollars. All proceeds go to victims of war crimes. They didn’t do this to you. You did it to yourself. They just showed the truth to the world.”

Ross was walked back through the lobby through a crowd of people who had gathered. When he walked outside, just before Everett pushed his head down to get into the car, he saw her across the street. She was standing next to a blonde he suspected was the mysterious Yelena Belova, the co-founder of the Red Widows. He noticed other girls surrounding the two. It wasn’t hard to guess by their smiles that they were Red Widows but there was no point in saying anything. No one would notice. If she was noticed people would beg her for an autograph.

Wanda gave him a little wave and a wink just before he was placed into the car with Everett Ross on one side and a secret service agent on the other.

He leaned back and closed his eyes. It was over. Everything he had worked for was over, taken down by a nineteen year old freak and some child assassins.