Chapter Text
July 26th, 2015 AD Riga, Latvia
Today is a pretty special day. Zemo has taken Xialing on a tour of the entire city since they both wanted to take a day off from work.
And so they continued all day, going from place to place, enjoying being with each other.
It was when night fell that they both found themselves in a large green field that they constantly come to when they need to relax.
Xialing: What are we doing here?
Zemo: Don't we usually come at least once a week?
Xialing: Yes, but never at night. What are you hiding?
Zemo: Why do you think I’m hiding something?
Xialing: Your face says it all. You're trying to keep that serious look when it's super obvious that you really want to smile.
Zemo: You got me. Do you remember the day we met?
Xialing: Yeah. I presented my doctoral thesis at the university and you were among the audience. At the end of the event you told me how impressed you were, so you invited me to your company’s facilities to chat.
Zemo: And then I hired you. One of the best decisions I have ever made, if not the best.
Xialing: I know. You have already told me that a couple of times.
Zemo: Yes, but there is something I haven't told you yet.
Xialing: What is it?
Zemo: I didn't just hire you because of the brilliant presentation of your thesis. There was another reason that influenced my decision.
Xialing: What was it?
Zemo: The moment I saw you walk on stage my world completely stopped. And I got lost in your beauty. At that moment I thought that maybe you were the love I had been looking for. And it only took one talk with you for me to know that I was right.
Xialing chuckles.
Xialing: I knew it.
Zemo: Really?
Xialing: Yes. I always had the suspicion that you were hiding something from me. Thank you for telling me.
Zemo: And how did your suspicions begin?
Xialing: Honestly I'm not so sure, but Sersi also thought the same when I told her about us. So you must have done something.
Zemo: I see no flaws in your logic.
Xialing: Thanks for the compliment. Now tell me, what are we doing here?
Zemo: Look up to the sky and find out.
Xialing turns to the sky, and is surprised to find that there are 4 Iron Legion armors floating.
Xialing: What are they doing here?
Zemo: Keep looking.
The four armors project a holographic image of Xialing.
Zemo: Xu Xialing.
Xialing: Is this what I think it is?
The armors projects the image of a ring as Zemo leans down with a small box in his hand.
Zemo: These past few years have been full of happiness and love for us. I want to continue with our life together, but now permanently. So I ask you...
He opens the box, revealing the ring.
Tears start to fall from her eyes as she covers her mouth with her hands.
Zemo: Xu Xialing. Will you marry me?
She leans in front of him as tears continue to fall.
She smiles and breaks the distance between them by kissing him. Wrapping her arms around his neck.
A few seconds later they both hug each other.
Xialing: Yes. I want to marry you.
Zemo smiles.
They both stand up and Zemo puts the ring in her hand, making a big smile form on her face.
(They hug each other again)
Xialing: You just made me the happiest woman in the whole world.
Zemo: And you just made me the luckiest man alive.
They approached each other making their foreheads touch.
Zemo: I love you, Xialing.
Xialing: And I love you, Helmut.
Over the next few days, the two began planning the initial details of their wedding, but keeping the news hidden from Ikaris and Makkari.
And it wasn't until a couple of weeks later during Ant-Man's welcome party that the two revealed the news to Xialing's family and some of the Avengers.
Ying-Li: I’m so happy for you, daughter.
Xialing: Thank you, mom.
Wenwu: I didn't think your wedding would happen so soon.
Xialing: Relax dad. He and I have been dating for several years now.
Wenwu: I know. I just wonder when time passed so quickly.
Shaun: You two are over a thousand years old and are you surprised by a 25-year span?
Ying-Li: It's not as strange as it seems. Parenthood gives you a different perspective on things.
Wenwu: Specially with time.
Xialing: You’re right.
Shaun: I'm happy for you, sis. I say it sincerely.
Xialing: Thanks, bro. Don't take too long to ask Katy.
Wenwu and Ying-Li chuckle.
Shaun: I think first I have to let her adapt well to her job. Integrate well into the team and many other things.
Ying-Li: We can help you if you need any advice.
Shaun smiles.
Shaun: I know you will. I only need more time.
(Zemo, Makkari and Ikaris)
Ikaris: Congratulations, boss.
(Ikaris hugs him)
Makkari: We are very happy for you two.
Zemo: Thank you, guys.
Ikaris: Marriage is a wonderful thing, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its trials.
Makkari: All these centuries together have given us many lessons.
Ikaris: So if one day you need some advice.
Makkari: Do not hesitate to call us. Maybe we have the answer.
Zemo: I know very well that I count on you guys. You are the best friends I could ask for.
Makkari: I assume you'll want us to sponsor the wedding in some way.
Zemo: I didn't know you could read minds.
(The three laugh)
Ikaris: You can ask us for whatever you need.
Zemo: I will. But first I have to talk to Tony about it too.
(Mattias and Xialing)
Mattias: I swear I didn't see this coming.
Xialing: Are you that surprised little brother?
Mattias: Well. I think the news of a wedding is always a surprise.
Xialing: Yeah, I get it.
Mattias hugs her, lifting her off the ground a little.
Mattias: Congratulations, sister. I couldn’t be happier for you. And for him too.
Xialing: Thank you. I really appreciate it.
He lowers her back to the ground.
Mattias: You want me to be your wingman?
Xialing: We will have to review the candidates but you have a high chance of being chosen.
Mattias: That's enough for me, for now.
The date selected for the wedding would be December 17th, and it had a Christmas theme. The place where it would take place was the Rockefeller Center.
As for the searching of the dress, Xialing was accompanied by her mom, Sersi and Makkari. While Zemo in the search for the suit, was accompanied by Tony, Ikaris and Clint.
The long-awaited day finally arrived. All of the Avengers (except Thor, Bruce and Mantis) and a couple more guests attended the event, including Ying-Nan, Wong and Ava who went as Bucky’s partner.
(Both Xialing and Zemo were in separate rooms so they could be ready for the great moment)
Zemo breathes nervously.
Ikaris: Can you calm down? You're going to pee yourself if you keep this up.
Zemo: I'm sorry. I don't usually get this nervous. I don't know what's happening to me.
Steve: Are you talking about the butterflies in your stomach?
Tony: That, my friend, is called love.
Zemo: Did you also feel that way when you got married?
Ikaris: No.
Steve: Yes.
Clint: No.
Tony: A little bit.
Zemo: Can you tell me why?
Steve: Just getting married already makes you nervous enough, now add the fact that you're in the middle of a war.
Tony: It's not that I was nervous, I think I was just energetic and excited to take that big step with Sersi.
Clint: We were both eager to finally be a married couple, so we didn't have any problems.
Ikaris: I was just happy that Makkari and I could completely unite our lives. It is true that we had already been together for several hundred years, but that does not mean that it wasn’t a magical moment.
Zemo: A good variety of answers.
Ikaris: This can be summarized in that we can all feel differently when getting married. But if there is something we all have in common, it’s that it is a moment we will never forget.
Tony: Now tell me, and be honest. Do you love Xialing?
Zemo: Of course I love her. Otherwise this wouldn't be happening.
Tony: Well then, if you really love her, you will go to that altar, and when you see her you will let everything flow. Did you understand?
Zemo: I did.
Ikaris: You’re ready then.
Zemo: I’m ready.
(Zemo smiles)
Zemo: Thank you guys, thank you so much.
Clint: What are friends for, Helmut?
Steve: Now go and enjoy your moment.
—————————————————————
Xialing: Thank you for coming, Auntie Nan.
Ying-Nan: Not even a horde of soul eaters would be able to stop me from coming to my niece's wedding.
Xialing: And you too, uncle Wong. Thank you for being here.
Wong: I would not miss it for nothing. Everyone at Kamar-Taj sends their congratulations to you.
Xialing smiles.
Xialing: Send them my thanks.
Wenwu: How are things going for you there?
Wong: Fairly good. We recently had a deserter, but according to Ancient One we will have a special recruit very soon.
Ying-Li: A deserter? You mean like a traitor?
Wong: Not exactly. He just wanted to retire and have a normal life. Nothing to worry about.
Ying-Li: All right.
Xialing: I wish you the best of luck with your new recruit.
Wong: Thank you, sweetheart.
Shaun: Can we please concentrate? My sister is getting married and you guys are talking about a strange man?
Mattias: He is right. This is her moment.
(He points at Xialing)
Mattias: We should celebrate her.
Ying-Nan: Are you sure that you’re ready?
Xialing: I am.
Ying-Nan: Is the dress well fitted?
Ying-Li: I took care of it.
Ying-Nan: Who will take you to the altar?
Wenwu: I will.
Ying-Nan: Who is going to make the wedding official?
Wong: I will.
Ying-Nan: Where is the bouquet of flowers?
Shaun: Right here.
He hands it to Xialing.
Ying-Nan: Who are the lady and man of honor?
Mattias: Ikaris and Makkari.
Ying-Nan: Everything is ready.
Xialing: Let’s do this.
Thus, Zemo and Xialing were face to face at the altar, and after Wong's question, they both joined their lives in marriage with a kiss.
After that beautiful moment, the big party began. And it's pretty evident that everyone had a good time. But if we can highlight someone, it is Mattias and Yelena. Just seeing how cute his girlfriend looked while enjoying the party, made him feel even more love towards her. This also made him ask himself a small question about their future together.
February 12th, 2016 AD
Once the new year had begun and the holidays were over, Wenwu and Ying-Li followed the final clues that would lead them to capture the Iron Gang. When they finally found the hideout of this criminal gang, Mattias and Yelena accompanied them to the siege.
The four of them arrived by surprise and made their way together despite having a numerical disadvantage.
In the end, only the boss remained. He tried to escape, but Ying-Li wasn't going to allow it, so she made a perfect throw of her hat, managing to cut the criminal's throat.
Yelena: Fatality. Ying-Li wins. Flawless victory.
Mattias: Now is not the time, Sweetie.
Yelena: Oh. Sorry.
Several hours later, at Wenwu and Ying-Lis’ house, when they were having dinner, Mattias and Yelena talked about their plan for the next days.
Wenwu: So, you’re leaving tomorrow.
Mattias: Yes, dad. Yelena and I have some plans for Valentine’s Day.
Ying-Li: That’s sounds great. Where are you going?
Yelena: Norway. Thor gave us some recommendations after his honeymoon.
Ying-Li: How nice of him.
Wenwu: I hope you enjoy your stay there. And I want to say thank you, for all your help these last months.
Ying-Li: You were a great support in this investigation.
Wenwu: We really could have done it without you, but it would have taken more time than necessary.
Mattias: It was a pleasure, dad. You know you can always count with us for anything you need. It can be something serious like another criminal gang or something simple like housework.
Wenwu smiles and nods.
Ying-Li: We loved having you here with us, Yelena. I want you to know that we are grateful for you being part of the family.
Yelena: I must also thank you and Mr. Wenwu. Thank you for allowing me to be in your house and for approving my relationship with Mattias.
Wenwu: You two deserve to be happy. And I’m glad you could find love in each other’s arms.
Yelena smiles.
Yelena: Yeah. I’m thankful for having as the love of my life, and well… having you as my parents or something like that. The Avengers are my family, but it feels good to have a family of my own, if you know what I mean.
Ying-Li: We understand you, completely.
Mattias: We know how much you have suffered since you were a kid. Losing your family at a young age is hard, but now you have us. You will never be alone again.
Wenwu: You have our word.
Tears start to fall from her eyes
Yelena: Thank you, my family.
The next day, Yelena and Mattias said goodbye to his parents and quickly arrived in Norway thanks to a portal from Ying-Li’s ring.
February 12th, 2016 AD Morocco
A woman stands on the roof of a building aiming her rifle at a target in a school.
Another woman is in another building with the same mission.
They were both going to shoot, but the target, who is also a woman, already knew about all this, so she activated the emergency alarm and launched a smoke bomb to escape.
The black haired woman used her special equipment to go down to the street and pursue the target, while the other will stay on the roof.
The target tries to flee with a briefcase in hand, but is intercepted by that sniper and they have a brief fight in which the spy is the winner by stabbing her target in the stomach.
She was going to finish the job, but the woman made one last effort and sprayed the spy with a red substance, making her come to her senses.
The widow: Oksana.
She leans.
The widow: Oh, no. What did I do?
Oksana gives him the container of that substance.
Oksana: Free the others.
Oksana dies.
The second widow (on radio): Antonia, we need a status report.
The widow makes a cut on the top of her right leg to remove her tracker.
The second widow (on radio): Antonia, we need a status report. Converge on team leader.
Antonia takes the briefcase and escapes.
In a secret base. The leader of this operation receives the mission report.
Ingrid (on radio): General Dreykov, we have a deserter. Permission to activate Taskmaster protocol?
A special agent in sinister armor watches footage of some of the Avengers' fights to study their movements.
(Dreykov)
(Taskmaster)
February 13th, 2016 AD Norway
Mattias is driving a car that he and Yelena rented to get around during their stay. Now they arrive at an apartment that an old friend of Yelena found for them.
Yelena: It’s here.
Mattias: It doesn’t look bad. I still think that we could have asked Tony for some help.
Yelena: I know. But I’m not really that comfortable with spending his money on anything. We shouldn’t always depend on him.
Mattias: I guess you’re right. Is this friend of yours trustworthy?
Yelena: He is. He can get you anything you need with time and the right amount of money.
They get off the car and enter the house. There it’s Yelena’s friend who’s been waiting for them.
(Rick Mason)
Mason: Hello there.
Yelena: Hi, Rick. How is it going?
Mason: Yelena. What’s up? It’s been a long time.
Yelena: I know. But time still flies fast.
(They hug for some seconds and then he looks at Mattias)
Mason: You must be the famous Razor Fist.
Mattias: That’s right. But you can call me Mattias.
They shake hands.
Mason: I’m a big fan of you.
Mattias: Thank you. I have to say I’m impressed with this house. I didn’t think it could be so easy to get one.
Mason: If you want to have anything in the easiest way possible, just call me.
Yelena: Thank you so much for this, Rick. Mattias and I appreciate it very greatly.
Mason: I’m just happy to help. The house is yours for whatever you need. I already have everything covered. I know it's a little far from town, but I thought you'd like some privacy.
Mattias chuckles.
Yelena: That’s none of your business.
She notices a box with some stuff on the floor.
Yelena: Hey. What’s all that junk?
Mason: Oh, just some mail and personals from the Budapest safe house. I knew you weren’t going back there, so I’ve got someone else in the flat now.
Yelena: Sorry you went through the trouble. I would’ve told you to chuck it.
Mason: Well, if you don’t want it, throw it in the rubbish.
(Mason walks towards the door)
Mason: It was to see you again, Yelena.
(He points at Mattias)
Mason: Nice to meet you, mate.
Mattias: The pleasure is mine.
Mason leaves the house.
Some minutes later Yelena puts the box in the back of the car.
The next few hours were pretty quiet for the two of them. Taking advantage of the remote location they were able to do some physical activity without worrying about noise. And then in the evening they decided to go out to dinner. The car ride was quite comfortable them as they listened to some of their favorite songs. Everything was fine until they turned to go over a bridge.
A missile hits the car, causing it to spin out of control and end up on the edge of the bridge.
A second vehicle appears and Taskmaster himself gets out of it.
Mattias and Yelena hardly get out of the vehicle and together they fight against the agent in shining armor.
During the fight they both realized two things. The agent could perfectly imitate the movements of the two and he came to take the briefcase.
Together they managed to distract him enough to take out the contents of the briefcase, and to escape, they both jumped towards the river that was below them.
After getting out of the river, Yelena checks what the briefcase contained. It was a set of small bottles with a red substance inside.
Mattias: What is that thing?
Yelena: Whatever it is, it’s important, and that man wants it really bad.
Mattias noticed a piece of paper in there.
Mattias: How strange.
He grabs it and gives it a look.
Yelena: What is it?
Mattias: These are photographies of some little girls.
Yelena: Let me see it.
She grabs it and gives it a look.
The girls in those pictures were very familiar to her, so she remains silent.
Mattias: What’s wrong?
Yelena: It’s me.
Mattias: What?
Yelena: The girls in these pictures are me and my sister, when we were kids.
Mattias: What does that mean?
Yelena: That means, whoever sent this wanted to get my attention, and they succeeded.
Mattias: What do we do now?
Yelena: We are going to Budapest.
Mattias: You want me to call my parents? It could save us some time.
Yelena: Yes, please, do it.
February 14th, 2016 AD Budapest
Mattias and Yelena spent the night at his parents' house, and the next morning they arrived in Budapest thanks to a portal from his mother.
After a few hours, they manage to reach the safe house, where they were already being waited for by someone.
Yelena is trying to open the door.
Stranger: I know you’re out there.
Yelena: I know you know I’m out here.
Yelena takes her gun, opens the door, and she and Mattias enter the house and walk carefully.
Stranger: Then why are you skulking about like it’s a minefield?
Yelena: 'Cause I don’t know if I can trust you.
Stranger: (Chuckles) Funny, I was going to say the same thing.
Yelena: So, we gonna talk like grown-ups?
They are now face to face and pointing at each other.
Antonia: Is that what we are?
(Antonia Dreykov)
They both walk towards the kitchen while still pointing at each other.
Antonia: Did you bring your big boyfriend? That's not what I expected.
Yelena: He supports me. Obviously I wasn’t going to come here alone.
Antonia: Quite brilliant. Now put your gun down before I make you.
Yelena: You put yours down.
They both grab each other's weapons and start fighting quite aggressively.
Mattias: You want me to help you?
Yelena: No. I got this, dear.
Mattias: Sure.
The fight continues without Mattias interfering.
At the end they both use a curtain to choke each other, which obviously causes them to start losing their breath. Then Mattias cuts the curtain with the sword from his hand.
Mattias: That’s enough, ladies. Please stand up and let’s talk about the matter in a more civilized way.
They recover their breath.
Yelena and Antonia: Truce.
Antonia: You’ve grown up.
Yelena: No sh*t.
They get up.
Antonia approaches Mattias.
Antonia: Hey handsome. Are you looking for some fun in here?
Mattias: I’m on a mission, actually.
Antonia: Do you have any plans for when you finish?
Yelena: Hey, back off. He’s mine.
Antonia: Relax, I was just testing him. Do you know how difficult is to find a boyfriend like him these days?
Mattias: Thank you? I guess.
Yelena: Why don’t you start with explaining what is this?
She shows her the set of containers of the red substance.
Antonia: You brought it back here?
Yelena: I’m not here trying to be friends again but you need to tell me what this is.
Antonia: It’s a synthetic gas. The counteragent to chemical subjugation. The gas immunizes the brain’s neuropathways from external manipulation.
Mattias: You mean a antidote to mind control?
Antonia: That’s right, smart boy. Why don’t you take it to one of your super-scientist friends? They can explain it to you. Tony Stark and his girlfriend, maybe?
Yelena: No. I don’t want to put them in danger because of your bullsh*t.
Antonia: Bullsh*t? Well, I think you would like to know that I kept checking the news, expecting to see Captain America or Captain Carter bringing down the Red Room.
Yelena: What? Taking down the Red Room? What are you talking about? It’s been gone for years. Dreykov’s dead. I killed him.
Antonia: You don’t actually believe that, do you?
Yelena doesn’t answer.
Antonia: You really do believe that.
Yelena: Dreykov’s dead. It took almost destroying the entire city just to get to him.
Antonia: If you’re so sure, then tell me what happened. Tell me exactly.
Yelena: We rigged bombs.
Antonia: Who’s we?
Yelena: Clint Barton. Killing Dreykov was the final step in my defection to Shield.
Antonia: Simple as that?
Yelena: Yeah, sure. That’s what I’d call imploding a five-story building and then shooting it out with the Hungarian Special Forces. Took 10 days in hiding before we could even get out of Budapest.
Antonia: And you checked the body? Confirmed the kill?
Yelena: There was no body left to check.
Antonia: Did you noticed the scars on my face?
Yelena: I’ve been trying to ignore them.
Mattias: What happened to you?
Antonia: She, her sister and I were the best among the Black Widows. Then she decided to leave us behind. That made Dreykov very angry. So he increased the security and sent Natasha and me if a lot of missions, each one more dangerous than the other. I had to deal with some bombs, that almost made me loose my face, so they fixed it in the best way they could. And about your sister…
Yelena: Where is she? Where is Natasha?
Antonia: I don’t know. No one knows. She just disappeared.
Yelena was about to say something, but they hear footsteps and some parts of the house start exploding.
Antonia takes the set of containers and the three hide as many armed Black Widows enter the house.
Antonia detonates a couple of explosives as a distraction and the three manage to get out and climb to the roof of the building.
Yelena: Where are we trying to get?
Antonia: Motorbike! East side of the building.
Yelena: But we are three people. And a motorbike won’t take us far enough from here.
Mattias: I think I saw a place where they rent cars nearby.
Antonia: Are going to rent a car?
Mattias: Tony will.
Yelena: I’ll sent you our coordinates.
Mattias: Right.
Mattias takes the way to that place in a carefully way so he doesn’t fall to the ground.
Yelena and Antonia keep running on the roof as a Black Widow chases them.
Yelena and Antonia use a cylinder-shaped structure to get to the building in front of them.
The Black Widow also uses that structure, but she doesn’t have that much luck and falls to the ground.
Antonia reaches the ground safely and Yelena also fallas but from a less mortal height.
Yelena walks slowly to that Widow who has a sacred look on her face.
Yelena: Hey. Don’t move. You’re hurt. Let me help you.
The widow activates the widow bites device and moves it slowly pointing at her head.
Ingrid: I don’t wanna do this.
Yelena: What are you doing?
Ingrid: He’s making me.
She touches her head with the widow bites and dies instantly.
Antonia: Do you believe me now?
Yelena: How many others?
Antonia: Enough.
Meanwhile. Mattias is driving the car he took while calling Sersi to tell her about this.
Sersi: Hi, Mattias.
Mattias: Hello, Sersi.
Sersi: How’s been your day so far?
Mattias: Intense.
Sersi: Are you and Yelena having fun?
Mattias: About that. I have to tell you something.
Sersi: What is it?
Mattias: Listen. There’s an emergency going on and I had to take a car from a rental place. Could you or Tony please pay for the car? I don’t think I will be able to return it.
Sersi: What’s going on?
Mattias: I can’t tell you now. I’ll send you the number and location of this place. Please do me that favor.
Sersi: All right, Mattias. Tony and I will check it.
Mattias: Thank you.
(Mattias ends the call)
Antonia and Yelena get to the motorcycle, when they get on an armored truck driven by Taskmaster appears. So Yelena starts driving to try to lose him.
Some motorcycles driven by Black Widows are chasing them now.
Yelena: Mattias, where are you?
Mattias: I’m in the street next to the train.
Yelena: Stay there. We are approaching you.
One of the widows fires her gun and manages to hit the wheel of the motorcycle, causing the two to fall on the street next to the train.
Yelena manages to spot Mattias.
Yelena: There he is. Come on.
They get in the car.
Mattias drives through the streets as they continue to be chased. Thanks to a maneuver between him and Antonia they were able to get rid of the Widows in motorcycles.
It seemed like they were out of danger. But just then Taskmaster returns with his truck. He takes out his bow and shoots an arrow at the car. The arrow explodes under the car, causing it to overturn and spin until it ends up in an underground train station.
The three manage to get out with some difficulty, and they notice that Antonia’s arm is bleeding.
Mattias: I can distract him. You girls go and hide. I'll see you later, send me your location.
Yelena: Fine.
She kisses him quickly in the lips.
Yelena: Be careful.
Mattias: I will. Now go.
Yelena and Antonia go downstairs as Mattias prepares to face Taskmaster.
The villain shows up and starts attacking Mattias.
The Avenger has some problems to fight, because he still doesn’t understand how Taskmaster is capable of copying his fight style.
After some minutes. Mattias manages to stab Taskmaster in his left side with his sword and then knocks her out.
Mattias: Fatally. Razor Fist wins. Flawless victory.
While Mattias was fighting Taskmaster. Antonia and Yelena were hiding in the air conditioning ducts.
Yelena used a piece of her jacket to stop the bleeding in Antonia’s arm.
Yelena: You okay?
Antonia: Yeah. Great plan. I love the part where I almost bled to death.
Antonia analyzes the place.
Antonia: This is cozy.
Yelena: Clint and I spent two days hiding out up here.
Antonia: That must have been fun.
Yelena: Who the hell is that guy?
Antonia: Dreykov’s special project. He can mimic anyone he’s ever seen. It’s like fighting a mirror. Dreykov only deploys him for top-priority missions. Do you think your boyfriend will be enough to beat him?
Yelena: He survived Ultron’s genocide attempt. He will be fine.
Antonia: No matter who you are, Yelena. Death can come for you anytime in any way.
Yelena: It won’t be today.
Yelena’s phone rings. A smiles forms in her face when she sees who is calling her.
Yelena: It’s him.
(She answers)
Yelena: Hello?
Mattias: Yelena, are you okay?
Yelena: Yes, darling, I’m okay. Are you okay?
Mattias: I am.
Yelena: What happened with that guy?
Mattias: I beat him. I managed to stab him.
Yelena: Did you kill him?
Mattias: I don’t think so. But I knocked him out. Where do I meet you?
Yelena: The next station.
Mattias: Very well.
A couple of hours later the three arrive at the local store in a nearby town. Mattias goes inside to buy what he needs to treat Antonia's wound while she and Yelena wait outside.
Yelena: The Red Room’s still active. Where is it?
Antonia: I have no idea. He moves location constantly. And every widow is sedated on entry and exit for maximum security.
Yelena: I’m just finding hard to believe that he could stay off my radar.
Antonia: Well, it’s not smart to attack an Avenger if you want to stay hidden. I mean, the clue is in the name. Dreykov kills you, one of the big ones comes to avenge you.
Yelena: Wait, what are the big ones?
Antonia: Well, I doubt Thor or any of the Eternals have to take an ibuprofen after a fight.
They stare at each other.
Antonia: What did you think happened to all of us?
Yelena: I thought that you got out and where living a normal life.
Antonia: And you just never made contact again?
Yelena: I tried to find Natasha. But I decided to give up after not finding any useful clue.
Antonia: And then you got a new family, a boyfriend and the perfect life you always wanted. How cute.
Hours later. The three were in a restaurant. They had already had dinner and there were only beers left on the table. Mattias was in charge of treating Antonia's wound, they just had to discuss what they would do next.
Mattias: It’s done. Just try to not move it a lot for the rest of the night.
Antonia: All right. Thank you Mattias.
Mattias: You’re welcome.
Yelena: You’re fine now. Tell us about that gas.
Antonia: That counteragent, it was synthesized in secret by an older widow from Melina’s generation. I was on the mission to retrieve it, and she exposed me and I killed the widow that freed me.
Mattias: Did you have a choice?
Antonia: What she experienced was psychological conditioning. I’m talking about chemically altering brain functions. They’re two completely different things. You’re fully conscious, but you don’t know which part is you. I’m still not sure.
Yelena: Is that all there is left?
Antonia: Mmm-hmm. Is the only thing that can stop Dreykov and his network of widows. He takes more every day. Children who don’t have anyone to protect them. Just like us when we were small. Maybe one in 20 survives the training, becomes a widow. The rest, he kills. To him, we are just things. Weapons with no face that he can just throw away. Because there is always more.
Mattias: I don’t know how did we missed this.
Antonia: You, Avengers, have “more important lives to save”. And there’s also a rumor about Dreykov having an ally who helps him to move in the shadows.
Mattias: That sounds like The Witch.
Antonia: The Witch?
Mattias: Ultron’s ally. She helped him to set up traps for us, but for some reason disappeared before the battle of Sokovia.
Antonia: I don’t know who that is. What I know is that no one even knows about Dreykov’s existence, thanks to her and Alexei.
Mattias: Who is Alexei?
Yelena: My “dad”.
Antonia: Did you ever look for your parents? Your real ones?
Yelena: No. If I did not need it before, much less now. I have my own family now.
Yelena rests her head on Mattias shoulder, and he smiles because of this.
Antonia looks at Mattias.
Antonia: Your parents must be lovely. They look nice on TV.
Mattias: They are the best. I’m fortunate for having them as my family.
Antonia looks at Yelena.
Antonia: You are very lucky to have them as your in-laws.
Yelena smiles.
Yelena: I am.
Antonia: I’m reinventing my birth certificate. My parents live in Paris. My best friend moved to Toronto.
Yelena: Is that right?
Antonia: You’re a science teacher. You’re working part-time, though, especially after you had your son. Your husband, he renovates houses.
Yelena: That is not our story.
Antonia laughs.
Antonia: Have you thought about having kids?
Mattias: We talked about it, since the beginning. But it’s not on our plans ever since.
Antonia: You know about it?
Mattias: I do.
Yelena: I told him. I didn’t want to keep secrets from him. When he said he didn’t care about it, I knew he was the perfect man for me.
Mattias: You were very brave for doing that.
(He kisses her head).
Antonia: I wish to have something like what you two have, some day.
Mattias: I know you will. Have faith.
Yelena: Where you gonna go?
Antonia: I don’t know. I don’t really have anywhere to go back to, so I guess anywhere.
Yelena and Mattias look at each other and then look at Antonia.
Antonia: Don’t.
Yelena: Don’t what?
Antonia: You’re going to give me some big hero speech, I can feel it.
Mattias: Speeches aren’t really our thing.
Yelena: It’s more like an invitation.
Antonia: To go to the red room and kill Dreykov?
Yelena: Yeah.
Antonia: Even though the Red Room is impossible to find and Dreykov is slippery to kill?
Yelena: Yeah.
Antonia: That sounds like a sh*tload of work.
Yelena: Yup. Could be fun, though.
Antonia: Yup. In which vehicle?
Yelena: I’ll call someone.
The three take a taxi to get to the meeting point with Mason.
Mattias: Tell me again. Why can’t we call our friends to deal with this together.
Antonia: The less people know about this, the better. If the Red Room finds out that the Avengers are coming, it will disappear again, and who knows how long it would take us to find it.
Mattias: Copy, that.
Antonia: But I don’t know where it is, though. I’m sorry.
Yelena: I know. But I think I know somebody who does. Oh, yeah? Who?
Yelena: I’ll tell you when we arrive at the meeting point.
February 15th, 2016 AD
The three arrive at the forest where Mason is waiting for them. And they are disappointed to see that he could only get a helicopter of dubious origin.
Yelena: I said we needed a jet.
Mason: Yeah, you know what you didn’t give me? Time. Or money. I’m not made of Jets.
Antonia: I thought you were supposed to be the best. Like a real pro.
Mason: Oh, I beg your pardon, tsarina. Was the free flat and lifetime supply of Kissel not to your liking?
Antonia: Ha!
Mattias: Don’t worry pal. Just don’t let her wind you up.
Mason: No, I take exception to impugning my professionalism.
Antonia: Aw, he’s sensitive. See why you keep him around.
Yelena: Where’s the rest?
He gives her a bag with some tactical suits from shield for them.
Mason: I still don’t understand why you need me to come with you.
Yelena: Anyone close to me right now is in danger. If I leave you alone, the Red Room will probably come after you, and I would really hate for something to happen to you because of me.
Mason: That’s nice of you.
Yelena: That’s what friends do. They care about each other.
Mason smiles.
Mason: Thank you.
Yelena: You and Mattias turn this thing on. Let Antonia and I get dressed out here.
Mason: Very well.
Minutes later. The helicopter takes off and begins the course to a Soviet prison.
While Yelena and Mattias pilot the helicopter. Mason talks to Antonia to get to know her.
Mason: Hi. What’s your name?
Antonia: My name is Antonia. Antonia Dreykov. You’re Mason, right?
Mason: Yup. Rick, Mason.
Antonia: It’s good to see that Yelena has friends of her own. Apart from the Avengers and all that world.
Mason: Honeslty, I’m not so sure to call us friends.
Antonia: She said you are.
Mason: Maybe she feels that way. But I really don’t. We used to be friends when she joined Shield. But after New York and the Avengers, we didn’t talk that much. She found a new home and family. I’m happy for her, she deserves it. But I don’t think we are in the rank of friendship anymore.
Antonia: I know how you feel.
Mason: You do?
Antonia: Yes. It could be said that the same happened between me and her. We were practically sisters in the red room. It was a sh*t life, but having each other made it easier for us. Then she left, leaving me and the others behind. And while she enjoyed her new family, we were slaves of my father. I’m not saying she doesn’t deserve her own life but…
Mason: It feels horrible when a person who you care about abandons you and never comes back.
Antonia: Yes. I wasn’t going to use those exact words but, the idea is the same.
Mason chuckles.
Mason: So, we both were friends with a person who left, and years later we were reunited by that same person to stop a son of a bitch.
Antonia: What a fun coincidence, don’t you think?
Mason: It really is.
Antonia: Considering that we both are in need of having a friend. Would you like us to be friends?
Mason: Why would you like to be friends with someone like me?
Antonia: I think that when two people who have always been lonely cross paths, they can complement each other in a great way. So, are you interested?
Mason: I am.
They smile at each other and shake their hands.
Mason: Well, Ms Agent, you officially have a friend now.
Antonia: I’m honored, Rick.
(In a Soviet prison hidden in the snow)
A man finds himself testing his strength against other prisoners while telling stories of how he fought Captain America.
(Alexei Shostakov)
Alexei Shostakov, once known or not so known as the Red Guardian, the hero of mother Russia. After giving his daughters to the red room, things didn't turn out very well for him. His relationship with Dreykov fell apart, to the point that his former general sent him to prison to die.
Now he just spends the rest of his life trying to remember that glory he once had, but deep down he knows very well that his actions got him there. Fortunately for him, a new opportunity calls to him from the prison mail booth.
Alexei receives a box containing an old Red Guardian doll, which makes him very nostalgic.
He presses a button on the doll, causing the head to detach, revealing a hidden hearing aid. Alexei puts it on and for the first time in 21 years, he hears the voice of his beloved daughter.
Yelena gives him precise instructions so that he can escape without attracting attention. But Alexei's ego does not allow him to leave without first taking revenge on the guards, causing all the prisoners and other guards to go after him.
Alexei manages to get out to the main courtyard, and now he must climb until he reaches the necessary height so that the helicopter can take him out. But the intervention of the other prisoners and guards makes it very difficult for him to escape.
This is why Yelena and Mattias go down to help him, while Mason and Antonia take the controls of the helicopter.
A guard fires at the helicopter with a turret. So Antonia takes a missile launcher that Mason got and shoots at the tower where that guard was.
The explosion generates a noise so loud that the snow on the top of the mountains begins to fall, causing an avalanche.
All prisoners and guards return inside the prison. Yelena returns to the helicopter, and Mattias helps Alexei get high enough so that the helicopter can take them out of there.
Now in the helicopter, the three of them take a minute to catch their breath.
Mattias: Are you okay?
Yelena: Yes, I am.
(He kisses her forehead)
Alexei: Oh, that was exciting. Oh, I’m so proud of you, daughter. Wow.
Yelena punches him in the face.
Alexei: Ow. Okay. Why the aggression, huh? Is it your time of the month?
Yelena: I don’t get my period, dipsh*t. I don’t have a uterus.
Antonia: Or ovaries.
Yelena: Yeah. That’s what happens when the Red Room gives you an involuntary hysterectomy. They kind of just go in and they rip out all of your reproductive organs. They just get right in there and they chop them all away. Everything out, so you can’t have babies.
Alexei: Okay, okay. Okay! Okay! You don’t have to get so clinical and nasty.
Yelena: Oh, well, I was about to talk about fallopian tubes, but okay.
Alexei: It means so much to me that you came back for me.
Antonia: I don’t want to ruin the moment, but that’s not entirely true.
Alexei: What?
Antonia: You’re gonna tell us how to get to the Red Room.
Alexei: Huh. Whoa, look at you, huh? All business.
Antonia: Trust me, this isn’t pleasure.
Alexei: Little Antonia, taking the initiative. Your father knew you had potential. And you, Yelena. All indoctrinated into the western agenda.
Yelena: I chose to go west to become an Avenger. 'Cause they treated me like family.
Alexei: Really? Family? Well, where are they now? Where is that family now?
Yelena: Minding their own business while I clean up the mess you helped start.
Mattias: Don't let yourself get angry. He just wants to provoke you.
Alexei: Oh, right. I almost forgot about the boyfriend. The famous Razor Fist. Tell me, have you treated her well?
Yelena: That’s none of your business.
Alexei: I just want to know if my daughter found a good man to love her.
Mattias: My parents taught me to always treat those who deserve it with respect, and believe me when I tell you that there is no one who deserves it more than Yelena.
Alexei: That's good to hear. If I find out that you're hurting her, believe me, I'm not going to have mercy on you.
They all laugh.
Mason: I don’t know if that’s really possible.
Alexei: And who are you?
Mason: Rick Mason. The reason we managed to get you out of there.
Alexei: I suppose I have to thank you, then.
Mason: Thanks, man. Now please answer the questions of the ladies.
Yelena: Tell us where the Red Room is.
Alexei: I have no idea. Okay?
Antonia: (Scoffs)
Yelena: Come on. You and Dreykov were like…
Alexei: Dreykov?
Yelena: Yeah.
Alexei: General Dreykov, my friend, huh? Gives me glory… Soviet Union’s first and only super soldier. I could have been more famous than Rogers and Carter. Then he buries me in Ohio on that stupid mission.
Yelena’s face now shows sadness because of his words.
Alexei: So tedious, boring me to tears.
(He notices the change of her look)
Alexei: No offense, huh? Then puts me in prison for the rest of my life. Why, huh? Why? Why would he put me in… You know why? 'Cause maybe I want to talk about the withering of the state. Or maybe I don’t like his hair or something and I say something casually about that. Maybe, you know, I want the Party to feel actually like a party instead of this sourpuss organization. But instead, no. He puts me in prison for the rest of my life. He just runs off and hides, huh?
Antonia: Can we throw him out the window?
Yelena: I think we should wait til we get to a higher altitude.
Antonia: All right.
Alexei: Why not ask Melina where it is?
Antonia: Wait, you mean Melina Vostokoff?
Yelena: We thought she was dead.
Alexei: You cannot kill a fox that swift.
Yelena: Ew.
Alexei: What? She was the scientist, the strategist. I was the muscle. She worked directly for Dreykov far more than I ever did.
Yelena: Wait. Are you telling me that Melina is working for the Red Room present day?
Alexei: She works remotely outside St. Petersburg.
Antonia: (Scoffs)
Mason: Uh… I don’t think we have enough fuel for St. Petersburg.
Alexei: No, we’re good. We’ll make it.
Mason: Okay.
Mattias: I just hope you don't kill us all.
Alexei: Have a little faith please.
Unfortunately, the helicopter's fuel was not enough and they had a somewhat dangerous landing. Now what they had to do was walk until they reached Melina's house.
Alexei: You should have brought the Avengers' super jet.
Yelena approaches to Mattias.
Yelena: I swear, if I hear one more word from him, I will kick him in the face.
Mattias: He’s the worst.
Alexei: Yelena.
Alexei approaches with them.
Alexei: Yelena. Yelena. Listen, I want to ask you something. It’s important.
Yelena: What?
Alexei: Did he talk to you about me?
Yelena: What?
Alexei: Did he talk to you about me? You know, trading war stories?
Yelena: Who? What are you talking about?
Alexei: Captain America. My great adversary in this theater of geopolitical conflict. Not so much a nemesis. More like a contemporary, you know? Coequal. I always thought there was a great deal of mutual respect…
Mattias: Wait. You haven’t seen her in 20 years and you’re gonna ask her about you?
Yelena: You haven’t even said a word about Natasha.
Alexei: Why should I? She is is who knows what part part of the world. What is with this tension? Did I do something wrong?
Antonia: Is that a serious question, old man?
Alexei: I only ever loved you Yelena. I did my best to make sure you would succeed to achieve your fullest potential and everything worked out.
Yelena: Everything worked out?
Alexei: Yes. For you, yes. We accomplished our mission in Ohio. Yelena you went on to become the greatest child assassin the world has ever known. No one can match your efficiency, your ruthlessness. You’re not just a spy, not just toppling regimes, destroying empires from within, but an Avenger. You have killed so many people. Your ledgers must be dripping, just gushing red. I couldn’t be more proud of you.
(He brings her close for a uncomfortable hug)
Yelena: Okay. You can… No. Let go of me now. You smell really bad.
Mason: I can't tell if that was adorable or awkward.
Antonia: Both, but definitely more awkward.
Mattias: Let’s keep moving ladies and gentlemen. We have no time to waste.
The 5 walk for a long time, and the first glimpses of the sunset begin to appear in the sky.
Not far from there, in the barn of a house, a woman was playing with her pigs, that woman is Melina Vostokoff.
(Melina Vostokoff)
One of the alarms sounded, announcing that someone had crossed the perimeter. So she took her rifle to see the intruders. Her surprise was enormous when she saw that they were those who were once her husband and daughter along with three other people.
Several minutes later, the family reunion took place. Although it may seem somewhat tender at first, especially on Alexei's side, it is clear that it is a very uncomfortable situation for everyone else, especially for Yelena and Melina.
Everyone enters the house and the bad vibes soon begin to emerge.
Melina: Welcome to my humble abode. Make yourself at home while I prepare the drinks.
Alexei wastes no time and immediately sets out to find something very special for himself.
Melina reveals a small secret room where she keeps weapons and a pair of special masks.
Yelena: Hey, no funny business.
Melina: I am putting away my weapon.
Yelena takes a look inside the house, the others do the same but with a little more uncertainty. Alexei tries to relax a little by washing his face with water in the bathroom.
Yelena: Are there any booby traps around here? Anything we need to know about?
Melina: I didn’t raise my girls to fall in traps.
Yelena: You didn’t raise us at all.
Melina: Oh, maybe so. But if you got soft, it wasn’t on my watch.
Melina prepared the table with some ready-made food she had and a good whiskey. With this the presentations began.
Melina looks at Mason.
Melina: Who are you? I have no records of someone with your characteristics.
Mason: My name is Rick Mason. I’m Yelena’s friend, or something like that.
Melina: I had no idea my daughter had friends outside of the Avengers.
Mason: Yeah, me neither.
Melina: Why are you here? You look too normal to be a red room target.
Mason: Well, considering that I am friends with the best agent the red room has ever had, and I am helping her in this season where she is being wanted, I think it would be enough to be considered an easy target if I were unprotected.
Melina: That's very wise, Mason.
Mason: I know, right?
Melina: Yelena told you that, didn’t she?
Mason: Yes, ma’am.
Melina: That’s what I thought.
She pours the first drink for him.
Melina looks at Antonia.
Melina: I would ask you who you are, but seeing your horrible face and thanks to your father's reports, it is no longer necessary to ask.
Antonia: My father talked to you about me?
Melina: Yes, he always said he was proud of what you had become, he just never expressed any remorse for the disfigurement of your face.
Antonia: He never told you about me then, he only gave you reports of his toy after each play session.
Melina: That’s one way to put it. Although I think it is necessary to mention that he was very upset because of your desertion.
Antonia: If you had said he had a heart attack it would have made my day a little better.
Melina: That’s what I said. It would have been great to take that weight off my shoulders.
Melina chuckles.
Melina: Here you have, sweetie.
Melina hands Antonia her drink and then looks at Mattias.
Melina: And you, big muscles. I wasn’t expecting to have such an honorary guest. Do you like whiskey or would you prefer something finer?
Mattias: I’ll take the whisky. Thank you very much.
Melina: You're sure? Because I have a good wine in the cupboard, I usually take it out when I'm about to please myself, if you know what I'm talking about.
Mattias couldn't feel anything but shame and discomfort.
Yelena: What’s wrong with you? Isn't it enough to be ashamed of the kind of mother I had? Now you say those things in front of him? Is that really the first impression you want to make?
Melina: Oh, please Yelena, don't be a such a puss*. I'm sure your boyfriend, the Avenger, is mature enough to have this kind conversations.
Yelena was about to answer, but Mattias spoke first.
Mattias: Listen, I know you and the fat guy over there gave her a minimally normal childhood. You were also responsible for causing her the greatest pain of her life, but it is still thanks to you that she came into my life. So I'll tell you this, help us with the problem we're currently facing, and I promise we'll leave you alone as soon as we're done, okay?
Melina smirks.
Melina: I've never heard such wise words coming from someone with your biceps. I think we have a deal, then.
They shake hands, and Mattias uses the robotic one.
Mattias: Another thing. Be careful how you use your mouth to talk to Yelena. I'd hate to have to use this hand to break it.
Melina laughs.
Melina: Damn, you’re so good with words.
She looks at Yelena.
Melina: You really picked such a gentleman, well done, daughter. I like him. You earned two drinks for that, Mattias.
She gives him the drinks.
Mattias: Thank you.
Melina: And, Yelena. I'd ask you how you've been, but I already know pretty well. So, what I will ask you is, where is your sister?
Yelena: It's funny you mention that, because I was about to ask you the same thing.
Melina: Seriously, where is she?
Yelena: I have no idea. I was hoping Dreykov would have told you but I see I was wrong.
Melina: The last thing he told me about her was that she was going to be on a very long mission, when I didn't hear any more news about her I assumed that she escaped and went to you to ask for help.
Yelena: We're both stupid, we have something in common after all.
Melina: It seems.
Just then, Alexei comes out of the bathroom fully dressed in his old Red Guardian suit, causing curious looks from almost everyone and discomfort from Yelena.
(Red Guardian)
Alexei: Still fits.
Melina: (Wolf whistles)
Yelena: Oh my god.
Melina: I never washed it once. Come and drink.
Alexei sits with them at the table as they all start serving themselves some food. Mattias, Mason and Antonia are now eating.
Alexei: Family back together again.
Melina: Mmm. Seeing as our family construct was just a calculated ruse that only lasted three years, I don’t think we can use this term anymore, can we?
Yelena: Agreed.
Antonia: So, here’s what’s gonna happen…
Alexei: Okay. A reunion then, huh? And, uh… I want to say something right off the bat.
He looks at Melina.
Alexei: You haven’t aged a day, huh? You’re just as beautiful and as supple as the day they staged our marriage.
She smiles at him.
Melina: You got fat. But still good.
(Alexei chuckles)
Alexei: I just got out of prison. I, uh… I have a lot of energy.
Melina: Oh!
Antonia: Please don’t do that.
They are now silent.
Antonia: So, here’s what’s gonna happen.
Melina notices that Yelena has been slouching the entire time.
Melina: Yelena, don’t slouch.
Yelena: I’m not slouching.
Melina: Yes, yes, you are.
Yelena: I don’t slouch.
Melina: You’re going to get a back hunch.
Alexei: Listen to your mother.
Yelena: Oh, my God, this…
Alexei: Up, up.
Yelena: All right, enough. All of you.
Antonia: Hey. I haven’t been able to say a god damn word since his fat ass sat on the chair.
Yelena: Sorry, you can continue.
Antonia: Here’s what’s gonna happen…
Melina notices that Yelena hasn't eaten anything.
Melina. Eat a little something, Yelena, for God’s sake.
Antonia: You’re gonna tell us the location of the Red Room.
Melina Inhales sharply and looks at Alexei.
Melina: You know, it’s like when you told them that they could stay up late to catch Santa Claus.
Alexei: What? That was fun. You know, “He come down the chimney, girls”. “Look out. Where is he?” You wait for him, and then when the cookies are gone, then you see he’s there. No, no. What? I want them to follow their dreams.
Melina: No good.
Alexei: Reach for the starts, girls.
Antonia: Finding Dreykov is not a fantasy. It’s unfinished business.
Melina: You can’t defeat a man who commands the very will of others.
Melina looks at Yelena.
Melina: You never saw the culmination of what we started in America.
She now looks at Alexei.
Melina: Nor did you.
Melina gets up to go get something.
Alexei: Yelena, always focus, focus. Get what you want.
Melina brings a tablet and with it she gives them a demonstration of how powerful the red room mind control is using one of her pigs as an example.
Melina: We infiltrated the North Institute in Ohio. It was a front for S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists. Actually, it was Hydra scientists at that time. In conjunction with the Ghost project, they had dissected and deconstructed the human brain to create the first and only cellular blueprint of the basal ganglia. Was the hub for cognition. Voluntary motor movement, procedural learning.
Everything that Melina explains to them affects Yelena a lot, and in her face you can see a feeling of sadness because of it.
Melina: We didn’t steal weaponry or technology. We stole the key to unlocking free will.
The pig falls to the ground. Being a sign that he already needs to breathe.
Antonia: What are you doing?
Melina: Oh, I am explaining that the science is now so exact, the subject can be instructed to stop breathing and has no choice but to obey.
Antonia: Okay, you made your point. That’s enough.
Melina orders the pig to breathe again and sends it back to its pen.
Melina: The world functions on a higher level when it is controlled. Dreykov has chemically subjugated agents planted around the globe.
Yelena: And do you know who they test it on?
Melina: Hmm… No that’s not my department.
Alexei: Ah, come on, come on. Don’t lie to them. Hmmm?
Melina: I’m not lying.
Alexei: You’re Dreykov’s architect, huh?
Melina: What were you? If I was his architect, you were his partner. You were his business partner.
Alexei: No, no, no. I was patsy!
Melina: Don’t give me that…
Alexei: He sell me ideology.
Melina: Stop with the politics.
Alexei: All the while, bigger…
Mattias: Shut up!
He looks at Alexei.
Mattias: You are an idiot.
He now looks at Melina.
Mattias: And you’re a coward. You’re a coward. You two ruined your daughters' childhoods and have shown no sign of remorse in the short time I have known you. I lose brain cells just listening to your nonsense, as if you were the victims here. I get it, your family was never real, so there’s nothing to hold on to. But that doesn’t mean that your allowed to…
Yelena interrupts him, with a broken tone on her voice.
Yelena: Don’t say that. Please don’t say that. It was real. It was real to me.
Yelena looks at Melina.
Yelena: You are my mother. You were my real mother. The closest thing I had to one. My whole childhood was fake. (Exhales deeply) And none of you told me. And those agents you chemically subjugated around the globe? That was Antonia, and Natasha. Thanks to that she now is in who knows where doing who knows what. Are gonna say anything?
Everyone remain silent.
Yelena: No.
She gets up, takes a bottle with her and gets out of the house.
Yelena: Don’t follow me, baby. I need to do this alone.
Mattias obeys her wish.
Mattias: You two are unbelievable.
Mattias gets up and enters the room in front of him.
Alexei looks at Mason.
Alexei: Are you going to say anything?
Mason: They are right about you two. Wanna go outside Antonia?
Antonia: Yes, please.
They also go outside.
Mason: I don't think I've ever been more uncomfortable in my entire life.
Antonia: Me neither. Those two make me sick.
Mason: I just hope that this can end soon so Yelena can forget all this and continue living in peace.
Antonia: So you feel she is your friend now?
Mason: No matter what our relationship is, she doesn't deserve all that bullsh*t.
Antonia chuckles.
Antonia: That’s so sweet of you.
Mason: Thank you.
Antonia: What are you planning to do after this?
Mason: I guess going back to my normal life and work. Although, maybe look to do something else a little more professional.
Antonia: That sounds good.
Mason: What about you? Is there something you would like to do with your freedom?
Antonia: I don’t know. I think I’m using this mission as an excuse to not think about it.
Mason: Well, if you want, I can help you with.
Antonia: Would you really do that?
Mason: Yes, Antonia What are friends for?
Antonia: Thank you.
Mason: You’re welcome.
They smile at each other and shake hands.
Mattias continues sitting on the bed in that room while thinking about everything that has happened so far.
Alexei also enters the room, interrupting Mattias' thoughts.
Mattias: What are you doing here?
Alexei: I just want to talk.
Alexei sits in the armchair there.
Alexei: Tell me about your father.
Mattias: What do you want to know about him?
Alexei: Just tell me about him, whatever you want.
Mattias: He is a brave warrior. You feel safe when he is by your side in the battlefield. But that’s not even the best thing about him. He is also a loving husband. Every time he and my mother are together, all I can see is the joy and happiness they have for each other. And if he is a good husband, he is also a good father. He always makes sure that me and my siblings are okay and doing good, he also offers to help us whenever we need it.
Alexei: He sounds like a good man.
Mattias: He is the best. I feel so blessed to have him as my dad. If they hadn’t found in the street that day, I don’t know what could have happened to me.
Alexei remains silent for a moment.
Alexei: I don’t know what to do. I have never seen her like that.
Mattias: Are you surprised?
Alexei: No. You are right about me. I’m just a selfish son of a bitch. I just tried to focus on my glory so I didn’t need to think about what she’s going through.
Mattias: Is there any specific goal you want to accomplish here?
Alexei: I guess I just want some advice. And you’re the wisest person in this house right now.
Mattias: Leave your ego aside and analyze every word that has come out of her mouth since you got on the helicopter, after that it will be up to you. Do you want to continue on your own in this increasingly strange world? Or do you want to do something well for the first time in your life?
Alexei thoughts about it.
Alexei: You really are good with words.
Alexei: That’s my super power, I guess.
Yelena enters the house already a little recovered from what happened.
Yelena: Where is the Red Room?
Melina: What are you doing?
Yelena: Doing this myself.
Melina: Don’t. You won’t survive.
Yelena: I wish I could believe that you cared. At least I have a mother in the Avengers who actually loves me.
Melina: She seems nice for what I have seen on TV. When you did the announcement event of them joining the team, the camera focused on you two for a moment. You were hugging, all I could see on your face was the happiness and love you were feeling for having her as your mother. That image broke my heart because I wasn’t the one hugging you. But then I realized that you belonged there with them, your real family. My mother used to say that “its always best not to look into the past”.
Yelena doesn't respond and simply picks up a book that caught her attention.
Yelena: Then why did you save this?
That book was an album of pictures that were taken when she and Natasha were children.
Yelena: I remember this day. We shot Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and summer vacation all in one day. Different backdrops. I knew all the presents under the tree were just empty boxes, but I didn’t care. I wanted to open every single one… so just for a second it would feel real.
Melina: Let’s stop this.
(She takes the book from her).
Yelena: Why you doing this?
Melina: Why does a mouse born in a cage run on that little wheel? Do you know I was cycled through the Red Room four times before you were even born? Those walls are all I know. I was never given a choice.
Yelena: But you’re not a mouse, Melina. You were just born in cage, but that’s not your fault.
(Melina scoffs)
Melina: Tell me, how did you keep your heart?
Yelena: Pain only makes us stronger. Didn’t you tell us that? What you taught me kept me alive. At least before meeting him.
Melina: I’m sorry, I already alerted the Red Room. They’ll be here any minute.
Several minutes later, several ships from the red room appeared. Mason and Antonia were sedated while outside, Alexei was also sedated but inside the room. Mattias leaves the room to look for Yelena. He finds her unconscious on the floor, and in front of him is Melina dressed in her Black Widow suit.
(Black Widow)
Melina: I’m sorry.
She shoots him with an electric shock from her bracelet, knocking him unconscious.
Taskmaster enters the house with his armor already repaired.
Melina: Let’s not keep him waiting.
A short time later, Alexei regains consciousness, encountering the revelation that the red room was a hidden base in the sky all along.
A few minutes later, they all get separated.
Alexei, Mattias, Yelena and Mason were locked in the cells.
Antonia was taken to the laboratory to discover how she freed herself from the mind control.
Melina went to Dreykov's office to tell him everything that happened.
When she enters, she notices Taskmaster is there.
Dreykov: My God. Look at you.
He stands up and walks towards her.
Dreykov: So, uh, how was the family reunion?
Melina: Oh, it was awful. They were clingy, and too emotional and needy.
Dreykov: Just like the old time, huh?
Melina: Hmm.
Dreykov: My Antonia. What’s the deal with her? She was the only one affected, right?
Melina: As far as I know.
Dreykov: These gasses and antidotes, it’s a pain in my ass. It’s a problem. You need to sort it.
Melina: Hmm. I have nine pigs that will require attending to in my absence.
Dreykov: Don’t give a sh*t about your pigs.
He makes her sit down.
Dreykov: Cut her brain out… Hmm? Identity the weakness.
At the same time, in the laboratory. Antonia was being prepared to have her brain removed.
Antonia: I wish I had died in one of those many explosions.
Now in the cells. Alexei tries to break their glass.
Yelena: Alexei.
(Back in Dreykov’s office)
Melina: What about Belova?
Dreykov: She’s a traitor. She turned her back on her people. On her blood. She had nothing. I gave her home. I gave her love. Put that thing in her you do. You know, uh, chemicals. Turn her into one of your pigs. Can you imagine what I could do with an Avenger under my control?
Melina: Wouldn’t you like to speak to her first?
Dreykov: When you look into the eyes of a child you have raised, no mask in the world can hide that.
He puts his hand on her head. He removes her wig and also a mask, revealing Yelena's face.
Dreykov: Welcome home.
She gets up and Taskmaster points his gun at her.
Dreykov: Now, now. Don’t go breaking my new toy.
(Back in the cells)
Alexei: Yelena. I can’t save us. I need you to know that I’m sorry. I pledged my life to a cause. You know, I thought I was being very brave. Possibly the bravest. But I wasn’t being brave. I was coward. In Cuba, when they came and took you away from me… No cause is worth that. You should only sacrifice yourself for something…
Suddenly, the four's cells opened.
Mason: What’s happening?
Alexei: How did you do that?
Yelena: I designed these cells myself.
Mattias: Baby, I think you should explain yourself.
Yelena takes off her wig and special mask, revealing that she is actually Melina.
Alexei, Mason and Mattias: What?
Alexei: I bared my soul to you and it was just you the whole time?
Melina: Yes, I’m afraid so. And, Mattias. Thank you for the compliment.
Mattias: Oh, right, I didn’t mean to…
Melina: Don’t worry. I won’t tell Yelena.
Mason: Excuse me. Where is Antonia?
Melina: That’s a goo question, Mason. I’m on comms with her, right now.
She places her hand on her ear.
Melina: Antonia, it’s me, Melina. Can you hear me? You have a two-inch blade concealed in your beltline.
Antonia: What?
The scientists in front of her react surprised to this.
Antonia: What are you going to do to me?
Melina (On comms): Outside right hip.
Antonia takes the knife and uses it both to free herself and to kill those two scientists.
Antonia: You couldn’t have told me sooner?
Melina: Don’t throw a fit. There wasn’t time.
Alexei: Okay, Antonia. I’m having trouble hearing you, but you know how can we find Yelena?
Melina: You don’t have earpiece.
Alexei: What?
Melina: No, she can’t hear you. You and Mason don’t have earpiece. Only Mattias do.
Alexei: Why?
Melina: Because that’s the plan.
Alexei: Oh yeah? Well, what was the plan?
(Flashback)
Melina and Yelena are preparing for the arrival of Dreykov's agents.
Yelena: So, once we’re inside, I’ll send a message for Tony and the DODC to come.
Melina: You’re aware that if this fails we won’t be able to find Dreykov again, right?
Yelena: You know the facility. There must be some way to land it.
Melina: Instruct them to confine us on level zero. Once I’m out, I can activate the landing protocol, we can descend within the hour. Ah, problem. I only have two earpiece set.
Yelena: I’ll give them to Antonia and Mattias.
(Back in the present)
Antonia: Where did he take the vials?
Melina (On comms): Probably down to cold storage. Dreykov still has the widows under his control, so you have to expose them to this antidote.
Antonia: Yeah. Sure. Easy.
(Back on Dreykov’s office)
Dreykov: Is this your plan?
Yelena: My plan is to kill you.
Dreykov: I’m alive. So, what do we do now?
Yelena: Where is Natasha?
Dreykov: Ah. Your sister. You still care about her after all this time?
Yelena: Always.
Dreykov: You’ll find out eventually. All depends on how this ends.
Yelena: Where is she?
Dreykov: All I can tell you is that she is partly responsible for the current aspect of my Antonia.
Yelena: You did that yourself.
Dreykov: From a certain point of view.
Yelena points her gun at him.
Yelena: I’ve had enough of this sh*t.
Dreykov: Do you?
Yelena: Any last words?
Dreykov: Do it.
Yelena tries to shoot but something strange prevents her from doing so.
Dreykov: Is the safety on?
He takes the gun to check it.
Dreykov: No.
He shoots the ceiling. And in that exact moment he is shot in the head, dying instantly. That shot came from none other than Taskmaster.
Yelena: What?
Taskmaster: Thank you for your cooperation. You gave me the perfect shot. I’ll see how I can compensate you.
Yelena: What are you talking about?
Taskmaster: I've been trying to get rid of him for so long. The red room wasn't going to last much longer if he was still in charge. The fact that you are here proves it.
Yelena: Who are you?
Taskmaster: I'm glad you asked. I was tired of having to hide my identity. Are you ready to see the face behind this helmet?
Yelena nods.
Taskmaster: Very well.
Taskmaster slowly removes his helmet, finally revealing the face hidden behind it.
Taskmaster: Aren’t you happy to see me?
Yelena is speechless.
Yelena: What?
Taskmaster: Out of words I see.
Yelena: I… I…. Natasha?
(Natasha Romanoff)
Natasha: Hello there, little sis. Look at you, all grown up.
Yelena: How is this possible? Antonia said that you dis…
Natasha: Disappeared? That’s a fun story. After you left, Antonia and I continued to operate as a duo. But losing one of his best agents made Dreykov demand much more from us. I was able to adapt, but poor Antonia went into decline. So they ordered me to sabotage her on one of our missions. I noticed that explosions were her weakness, so I set a trap for her, that's why her face looks like that. It took her a long time to come out of the coma, which gave us the perfect opportunity to cover up my disappearance.
Yelena: And why are you wearing that?
Natasha: Oh, this beauty? I received a promotion. I filled the void you left. My training allowed me to replicate the fighting styles of you and some of your friends. I became the perfect weapon. And that meant very high-risk missions. It may seem scary, but at the end of each one I had the opportunity to end up covered in blood, and that made it worth it. I also love this suit, and any excuse to wear it is always valid.
Yelena is surprised by Natasha’s words.
Yelena: Why are you talking like that? You sound just like him.
Natasha: Look. When you left, I was very emotionally hurt. I know that was the best thing for you, but the simple fact that my sister abandoned me made me see things differently. I realized how alone I always was. There is no one in this world you can trust more than yourself. So I dedicated myself to doing what I was created to do. To Kill. When I received my promotion, I started working more closely with Dreykov, you could even say we became close.
Yelena: How close?
Natasha: We ended up in bed a couple of times. It wasn't the most dignified, but it wasn't bad either.
Yelena: Oh my God!
Natasha: The closer we became, the more I began to understand him.
Yelena (confused): What do you mean with that?!
Natasha: I began to understand why he did what he did and the purpose of all this. The only problem is that we weren't going to last much longer being under his control. So I started working on a regime change, waiting patiently to claim the throne. And now I did it thanks to you.
Yelena: So this was all a trap so you could control de Red Room?
Natasha: Yes. I must also thank Oksana. If it wasn’t for her, my plan wouldn’t have come to fruition.
Yelena: I’m sorry. But I just can’t believe this. My sister would never be doing this. After all we’ve been through. After all the living hell this place is, not just for us, but for those little girls who will get hurt by you.
Natasha: You’re right. Little Natasha would have never done it, fortunately she died that day you left and someone else emerged. This place is all I have. But I’m not expecting you to care. After all there’s a family waiting for you in the US. And don’t even get me started on your delicious boyfriend. That bastard stabbed me really good, thanks to him I can’t wear bikinis anymore. But hey, at least I can say that Razor Fist was inside me.
Yelena takes a very long breath. And the tears in her eyes plus the furious face she has perfectly show all the emotions she is feeling right now.
Natasha: But enough of all this bullsh*t. I’m sending troops right now to deal with the rats in the basem*nt. Let’s see if they can survive.
Yelena thinks on what to do.
Natasha: I’m very disappointed with Melina. It’s a shame I have to kill her.
(Back in the cells)
Mason: So what’s the plan?
Melina: I need to go to the control room to make this thing lower to the ground. Mason, you're coming with me.
Mattias: And what we do?
At that moment, several soldiers enter there with them.
Melina: Well. There are some things you guys can break.
Alexei: It will be a pleasure.
Mason: Good luck.
Melina and Mason leave the place.
Alexei: Are you ready, kid?
Mattias: Show me what you got, old man.
Together they fight against all those soldiers, and manage to kill them efficiently as if they were long time friends.
Somewhere else. Antonia makes her way to the warehouse area.
Melina and Mason arrive at the control room to try to disable the engines. But Natasha was already watching them from her tablet.
Natasha: So, this was the big plan, huh? Melina and your friend were going to land the Red Room and hand him over to the authorities.
Natasha blocks Melina's access.
Yelena: So, what now, you’re gonna fold me into your pathetic little puppeteer act?
Natasha: Pathetic, huh?
Yelena: Yeah. What would you call it?
Natasha: I would call it…
Yelena: When was the last time when you had a conversation with somebody that you weren’t forced to talk with?
Natasha: You ran away to fight in the wrong war. The real fight was fought here, in the shadows. In part thanks to that witch.
Yelena understands very well who she means with that comment, but ignores it for now.
Yelena: You didn’t fight in the shadows. You were his bitch, hidden in the shadows.
Natasha: Real power comes from undetectable influence.
Yelena: If no one’s noticed, then why even do it? You are nothing. You have nothing.
Natasha: There are 50 people on this planet…
Yelena (Scoffing): Oh, stop it.
Natasha (Shouting): Don’t tell me to stop!
Yelena: If I don’t tell you when to stop, then how will you know when to shut up?
Natasha punches Yelena in the face, and then attacks her rapidly until she leaves her on the ground.
Yelena: You think I can’t take an ass whooping?
Natasha: You wouldn’t be so glib if you had any notion of what I posses now. I own this world. Me.
Yelena: You seem desperate to impress me.
Natasha: I don’t need to impress you. I don’t need to impress anyone. These world leaders, these great men, they answer to me and my widows.
Natasha activates the central computer with her ring, to show Yelena something.
Natasha: Look at them.
In front of them are images of all the widows that the red room has deployed around the world.
Natasha: These girls were trash. Just like us. They are thrown out into the streets. We recycle the trash and give them purpose. We give them a life.
Yelena is shocked by this revelation.
Meanwhile. Antonia managed to find the vials with the antidote.
Antonia: Melina, I found the location of the vials.
Melina (On comms): We’ve had a slight setback. You’ll need to get to the widows.
(Back in the office)
Natasha: It’s out network of widows that help us control the scales of power. One command, the oil and stock markets crumble. One command, and a quarter of the planet will starve. My widows can start and end wars. They can make and break kings.
Yelena: You control all of that from here?
Natasha: And with you, two Avengers under my control, I can finally come out of the shadows, using the only natural resource that the world has too much of. Girls.
Yelena looks at Natasha and approaches her.
Yelena: All from that little console?
Natasha: Yeah.
(Yelena chuckles)
Natasha: Oh, you find this amusing? Why are you smiling?
Yelena: Don’t take it personal, but, uh… Thank you for your cooperation.
Yelena hits her face on the table as a distraction. Natasha tries to use the key but Yelena stops her, takes it from her and hits her in the face.
This sets off the base's alarms, so the widows head to the office.
Melina and Mason are now in the engine area. Together they take down a guard and Melina takes his gun. She uses it to shoot one of the engines. Thanks to the explosion and falling debris, the lower engines are also damaged and begin to explode little by little.
Melina (on comms): Antonia, slight change of plan. I completely demolished one of the engines and we are going into a controlled crash.
Antonia: Fantastic. I’m heading to the widows now.
Antonia arrives at the training room, only to realize that it is empty. So she tries to think of where they might be based on the alarms.
Before leaving, she notices several detonators on a wall, so she takes one and attaches it to the antidote vials.
Melina: I'll come back for Alexei and Mattias, you go to the hangar and get us a ship.
Mason: How do I get there?
Melina: Just follow this straight path, you won't get lost. Also have this, it's so you have access to one of the ships.
She gives it to him.
Mason: Thank you. I hope you don’t die.
Melina: The same goes for you.
They both separate to reach their respective destinations.
Meanwhile. Alexei and Mattias managed to eliminate each and every one of their attackers.
Alexei: Is that all you got?!
Mattias laughs.
Mattias: Come on. The Iron Gang showed more ferocity than these guys.
Alexei: I feel I could do this all day.
Mattias: I didn't expect you to move so well considering your appearance.
Alexei laughs.
Alexei: I thought my daughter taught you not to judge people by their looks.
Mattias: That’s true.
Melina enters the place.
Melina: Wow. You handled this better than I expected.
Alexei: Did you doubt us?
Melina: Just a little. We must go. This place is going to explode.
(Back on the office)
Yelena and Natasha have a pretty intense fight. Their knowledge, training and experiences allow them not to give in to the other. Natasha is driven by her bloodlust, while Yelena is driven by her love for her family and her desire to destroy this empire.
During the fight there were several moments when Yelena noticed a golden glow in Natasha's eyes. But before she could think of anything, the widows enter the office.
Natasha: She killed him. Nobody leaves this room until she’s dead. Make her suffer.
Natasha leaves the office.
Yelena stands in front of them.
Yelena: I don’t wanna hurt you. You don’t wanna hurt me.
They all start attacking Yelena. At first she doesn't have much problem facing them. But little by little they began to overcome her to the point of almost killing her.
Fortunately for Yelena. Antonia arrives just at that moment, throws the bomb with the antidote, and it explodes, freeing the widows from the mind control.
Antonia: Hey. Are you okay?
(She helps Yelena to stand up)
Antonia: That looks like it hurts. Okay. I take out on three, ready?
Antonia adjusts her arm.
(Yelena grunts)
Antonia: I’m sorry.
Widow 1 (Speaking Finnish): What do we do now?
Yelena (In English): Get as far away from here as possible. You get to make your own choices now.
The explosions in the engines continue.
Antonia: We gotta get outta here.
Yelena: We need to find Taskmaster.
Antonia: Are you coming?
Yelena: I’m right behind you.
Antonia and the widows leave the office, while Yelena stays to download all the information about the widows scattered around the world.
Natasha realizes that she no longer has the ring with her, but she still decides to escape in a ship hidden in a secret area.
Natasha: I’ll see you again, little sister.
The download of the information is completed. The fire begins to consume the office, so Yelena jumps outside through one of the windows.
On the runway, Mason already has the ship ready to fly. Melina, Alexei and Mattias arrive in time to get on board.
Melina: Do you see the girls?
Alexei: I see Antonia.
Antonia gets on the ship.
Mattias: Where is Yelena?
Antonia: She stayed in the office, it shouldn't be long.
Mason: The ground continues to shake. It won't last for long.
Mattias: I’ll go back for her. You guys get out of here. We will find another way to escape.
Melina: Mattias. Please bring her back and safe.
Mattias: I promise.
Mattias gets off. The ship takes off. And he tries to return for Yelena.
But before I could get back in. He manages to see Yelena descending with a couple of difficulties.
Suddenly, the area where Yelena was explodes, causing her to fall into the void.
Mattias: No!
Mattias wastes no time, and takes a parachute from a shelf that was right there, and without hesitation jumps into the void to try to catch Yelena.
It doesn't take him long to catch her, and when he does he puts the parachute on her, opening it immediately.
Mattias: I got you.
She immediately hugged him.
Yelena: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
She says as tears are falling from her eyes.
Mattias: You’re welcome, my love.
A couple of minutes later, they both reach the ground safely, managing to avoid any of the debris falling on them.
Mattias: Are you okay.
Yelena: Yes I am.
She has a sad face when she says this, indicating that she is really not okay.
Mattias: Are you sure? Your face indicates otherwise.
She hugs him as soon as he finishes his sentence and starts crying.
Yelena: It was her.
He hugs her back.
Mattias: Who?
Yelena: Taskmaster. It was her, it was Natasha.
Mattias is completely speechless at this revelation.
Yelena: They turned her into a monster. It’s all my fault.
Mattias: No. It’s not your fault.
Yelena: It is. If I hadn't abandoned her they wouldn't have done that to her.
Mattias: Hey. Look at me.
She looks at him.
Mattias: It was not your fault. You didn't do that to her, Dreykov did. When you escaped you did it because you wanted to have your own life, and I'm sure Natasha would have wanted the same for you. Whoever she has become is something we will deal with later, but more importantly, we will do it together. Okay?
Yelena nods.
Mattias: What we have to do now is find your parents and wait for help to arrive. You understand?
Yelena nods again.
Mattias: Very well. If you still feel like crying you can do it, I'm here for you.
She looks at him slightly relaxed. And then kisses him.
Yelena: I love you, so, so much.
Mattias: I love you too, baby.
As soon as they stood up, they noticed the rest of the team walking towards them.
Yelena: Everybody good?
Melina: I am clearly injured.
Yelena looks at Alexei.
Yelena: You got something to say?
Alexei: I’d just mess it up.
The two of them hold hands for a few seconds, symbolizing the beginning of their reconciliation.
Several vehicles can be heard nearby.
Antonia: Someone is approaching. Federals if I'm not mistaken.
Mason: Are they going to arrest us?
Yelena: Don't worry, they are friends.
At the same time, one last ship from the red room landed, and all the widows they freed got off.
Antonia: You came back for us.
Widow 2 (Speaking in Russian): We wouldn’t leave you behind.
Antonia (In English): Thank you.
The cars arrive where they are and several Damage Control agents begin to inspect the area. At that moment Tony and Sersi arrive flying in their new suits.
(Iron Man - Mark 46)
(Rescue - Mark 49)
They remove their helmets.
Iron Man: I wasn't expecting your message, to be honest.
Yelena: I knew you would still answer.
Sersi: Is everyone okay?
Mattias: We are. Thank you for coming.
Tony: Seeing how many people you are, I assume we have a lot to talk about.
Sersi: Let me introduce myself. I am…
Antonia: Sersi. The Eternal Avenger. We all know who you are.
Sersi: Right.
Antonia: My name is Antonia, I’m Yelena’s friend.
Tony looks at Mason.
Mason: I’m Mason, and I’m also Yelena’s friend.
Tony: I didn't know Yelena was so social outside the compound.
Sersi: Well. Considering what happened when we met her, it's no wonder she's full of surprises.
Tony: Yeah. That’s true.
They now look at Melina and Alexei.
Tony: What about you, guys? From the way you hold on to each other, I can assume that you are a happy married couple.
Melina: I don't know if that's how I would describe it.
Alexei: It's kind of hard to explain, you see, our relationship...
Yelena: Their names are Alexei Shostakov and Melina Vostokoff. They are my parents.
Tony and Sersi are speechless for a moment.
Tony: Your parents?
Sersi: Wow. I don’t know what to say. This is truly unexpected.
Mattias: I know it is. I had the same reaction.
Sersi: Yelena was very honest with us about her past.
Tony: But none of her words indicated the existence of a family of his own.
Alexei: And with good reason. It's a long story, and quite embarrassing to be honest.
Melina: We are going to tell you everything. And I tell you once and for all, we will accept whatever punishment is necessary, no matter how severe it is.
Tony: Okay? Now I have even more questions.
Yelena: Before we answer them I need to know if you brought Agent Ross with you.
At that exact moment, Everett approaches with them.
Everett: The answer is yes. I imagine you need me to resolve a situation similar to Miss Starr's.
Yelena: That’s right, Agent Ross. Thank you so much for coming.
Everett: The pleasure is mine, Yelena. I suggest we discuss this in that spacious ship over there, and let these people get on with their work.
Yelena: Of course.
Yelena looks to all the widows.
Yelena: Come on, it’s time to leave.
Everyone boards the ship and takes off towards the Avengers compound.
During the journey, the team tells the whole truth about everyone's past and the events of the last few days. Needless to say, such an amount of information was quite difficult for the Iron Marriage and Agent Ross to digest.
Sersi: I have no words to react to any of this.
Tony: It is too much to analyze, and I must add that it is very overwhelming. No offense.
Antonia: Imagine living it.
Yelena: I would really appreciate it if you kept this between us. It is very sensitive information to reveal to the public.
Sersi: We won't say anything. You have our word, all of you.
Tony: I think the only thing I can do is ask you for an apology, we were failing you all these years and we didn't even know it.
Antonia: Don't worry, Mr. Stark. None of this is your fault. The only thing I can ask you now that I have you in front of me is your help.
Tony: And of course you will have it. Allow me at least to compensate all of you for our negligence. Our duty as heroes is to help everyone who needs it, and I will not rest until I make sure that all of you receive something you truly deserve, a life of your own.
The widows are moved by his words so they begin to applaud him.
Sersi: That was beautiful, my love.
Tony: Oh, well. Thank you. I’m glad you found my words inspiring.
Mattias: Someone's been taking Steve's classes I see.
Sersi: He always practices in front of the mirror, can you believe it?
They all laugh.
Tony: Okay. I think it’s time to discuss what we will do.
Yelena: To start, I need you to help all these women find a new home and also a sustainable job. The only condition is that they can choose.
Sersi: That sounds reasonable.
Tony: What do you think Everett?
Everett: Although they are quite women and that could lengthen the process a little, I must say that it will be much easier than what was the case with Miss Starr.
Antonia: What do you mean?
Everett: Ava Starr's case was complicated since she was a fugitive from the government, plus the public knew about her former profession as a Hydra Assassin. Your case is quite the opposite. No one knows about your existence, so you have not committed any crime in anyone's eyes. Before the law they will only be simple women who left home in search of a better life. That will make things a lot easier.
Antonia: Is there something special that you need?
Everett: I just need you to think about what you want to do and where. A couple of calls with the legal team and other people will be enough to define everything.
Antonia: Thank you, Agent Ross.
Everett: You’re welcome. Everything is going to be fine, trust me.
Tony: Is there something else you want to talk about?
Yelena: Do you think there's room for two more Avengers?
She says it while looking at her parents.
Melina and Alexei: What?
Tony: Of course there is.
Alexei: Mr. Iron Man. I don't think it's the best idea. We are not the archetype of heroes, especially me.
Melina: In addition, we do not have any type of experience working as a team. We are quite selfish.
Sersi: You wouldn't be the first married couple with a questionable past to join us. We don't judge people for their worst mistakes, especially when they are willing to change.
Melina: Are you sure about that?
Tony: Of course, Alexei. In addition, Yelena is a founding member of the team, so her opinion has a lot of value in these types of decisions.
Yelena: This is a good opportunity to be the hero you always wanted to be, dad.
Alexei: That would be quite an honor, for me. I don't know how I can thank you.
Sersi: You don’t have to. Just think about where you want to live from now on.
Yelena: They will stay in the compound. I don't think it's a good idea to let them loose in the United States.
Melina: Yelena is right. We will gladly accept your kind hospitality.
Tony: Very well. What about you, Antonia?
Antonia: I think I would also like to live with you in the compound, but it would be more like a temporary house, since I have a mission to fulfill.
Sersi: What is it?
Antonia: Free the rest of us. There are still plenty of women out there under the control of the damn bastard. I couldn't live in peace knowing this. We need you to help us rescue each and every one of them.
Yelena shows them a vial with the antidote and the key with all of Dreykov's information.
Yelena: This is an antidote that one of us made to free us all. We need to do more. And all the information about the other widows is in this key.
Melina: I can make more antidote, I just need access to a good laboratory.
Tony: Of course you will. Our laboratory is very advanced, you can surely work from there.
Melina: Thank you.
Sersi: I'm sure Friday can get the location of the Widows in no time, and maybe she can also find out more about Dreykov's dirty secrets.
Yelena: That would be helpful.
Sersi: And you Mr. Mason? Is there something you would like to say or ask?
Mason: I don't know. I am not here because I want to obtain a benefit from anyone.
Tony: Well, you helped stop a global threat, I think it's fair that you receive something for your efforts. If you ever need anything, just let us know.
Mason: I will. Thank you, Mr Stark.
Everett: I recommend that everyone stay at the compound, at least for a few days while we resolve all the paperwork. Some of the legal team will come tomorrow to discuss the details of the deal.
Tony: That sounds good.
Sersi: Friday. Please have rooms and clothes ready for our guests, and tell Happy to buy enough dinner for everyone.
Friday: Of course, boss.
At night, after dinner and shortly before going to sleep, Mattias and Yelena talk a little with Tony and Sersi in the meeting room.
Yelena: Thanks again for all this. I know my message was confusing and sudden.
Tony: Don't worry about that. You had many reasons to hide all that from us. The important thing is that everyone is okay.
Sersi: Could you even have some fun in Norway?
Mattias and Yelena laughed.
Mattias: Almost nothing. What did you do with what I asked you about the rental car?
Tony: We paid the man a visit and gave him a very generous compensation.
Yelena: Excellent. I was worried that we had robbed someone.
Yelena's face changes to a more serious one.
Sersi: What is it? It’s about your sister isn’t it?
Yelena: I'm trying to deal with it, don't worry about me, but there is something I need to tell you. During our fight, I noticed at several moments how her eyes began to glow gold, and not only that. The reason Dreykov was able to hide for a long time was because he was allied with the witch we are so searching for.
Tony: This little witch has more friends than we thought.
Sersi: Did you find any clues about her in the red room?
Yelena: No. And I highly doubt there's anything about her in the key files.
Mattias: Did they find anything about her in Kamar-Taj?
Tony: No. They could only decipher strange symbols and a strange flow that is impossible to follow.
Mattias: I doubt they'll have time to figure anything out, considering they're waiting for a new recruit.
Sersi: For now we just have to wait until she appears again or until she makes a mistake with which we can find her.
Yelena: It doesn't look like this is going to end anytime soon.
Tony: What I can do is promise you that we will do everything we can to save the other widows. We cannot sit idly by with a discovery like this.
Yelena smiles: I know you will. Thank you.
The next day. Nikki and Pug visited the base to begin talks to determine what would happen to the widows who were now free.
Nikki: We have already reviewed the information and can confirm that all widows can choose the place where they want to live from now on, in addition to the right to a… let’s say pension from Stark Industries.
Pug: We can also confirm that they do not need to be under the watch of an Avenger. They are only asked to notify Tony or Sersi in case of an emergency.
Antonia: That’s fair.
Everett: I would like to speak with the ladies to determine their desired destinations.
Antonia: They're all in the gym right now, I'll let you know when they're done.
Everett: Very well. Looks like we're done.
Antonia: Do you have any special plans soon, Agent Ross?
Everett: Well yes, in fact. Nothing is confirmed yet but everything seems to indicate that I am going to visit a very special country soon.
Antonia: Which one?
Everett: You'll find out.
Antonia: You like mystery I see. I respect that.
Pug: Excuse me, miss, if you don't mind me asking, why aren't you included in this agreement? From my point of view you deserve it as much as the other ladies.
Antonia: I couldn't live in peace knowing there are many other women out there just like me who don't have control of their lives, I can't just ignore it, I must put an end to that slavery.
Nikki: I understand you. I would do the same if I were in your place. When you save the others, call us if you need anything, my team and I will help you.
Antonia: Thank you. I appreciate it so much, truly.
In one of the gardens, Alexei and Melina talk about what they will do now.
Alexei: I still can't believe Tony and Sersi were generous enough to let us join the team.
Melina: Everything they say about them on television is true. They are the type of couple we should all aspire to be.
Alexei: Since you mention that, there is something I would like to tell you. You see, all those years I was in prison made me realize what a good life I had with you and how I didn't appreciate it. You heard me in the cell. I would like to try again, but only if you accept me.
Melina: Are you…
Alexei: I love you Melina, and I say it from the most sincere place in my heart, would you give me another chance to be your love?
Melina: Before answering your question, there’s something I need to tell you. You shouldn't put all the blame on yourself for what happened, I was also responsible for the big mistake we made. I know that these last few days I have acted as if I didn't care about you, but the truth is that I love you, I love you so much. So yes, I also want to try to be your love again.
They kiss for a few seconds and then hug each other while contemplating the beauty of the garden.
Alexei: Do you think one day our family will be complete?
Melina: From the way Yelena spoke about her, I don't know if there is salvation for Natasha.
Alexei: Still, it wouldn't hurt to have a little faith.
Melina: That's true, but now we should focus on what's important, freeing the rest of the widows and being the best parents for Yelena.
Alexei: You're right, we have to be with our little girl now more than ever.
Melina: I’m so proud of her. I hope she can feel the same way about us, eventually.
Alexei: We must try hard, and maybe one day it will happen.
Melina: Only time will tell.
Elsewhere in the base, Mason and Antonia talk about what they will do now.
Antonia: So, have you already thought about what you're going to do?
Mason: Yeah. I think I'm just going to return to my normal life, this experience was very intense for me. For now I want to have some peace of mind and find a way to expand my business.
Antonia: And how do you plan to do that?
Mason: I grabbed a couple of things from the ship that looked valuable. Surely I can get some extra cash.
Antonia chuckles.
Antonia: Well, then I wish you much success.
Mason: Hey. If you ever want to rest a little between missions, you can come to my house, just give me a little advance notice.
Antonia: Do you want me to go to your house? Are you inviting me on a date?
Mason: You heard me, interpret it however you want. But I can assure you that I will help you relax.
Antonia: Perfect. I'll let you know when I pass through the neighborhood.
And finally. At night before going to sleep, Mattias and Yelena have a special conversation.
Yelena: You said you wanted to tell me something, what is it?
Mattias: After my sister's wedding I've been thinking about us a lot. Seeing you happy and excited while we danced made me realize the love I feel for you, and it is not the type of love that a boyfriend feels for his girlfriend, but one much stronger.
Yelena smiles because of his words.
Mattias: I planned to tell you this on Valentine's Day, but circ*mstances were not in my favor. And when I saw you fall off the base, for a second I thought I was going to lose you. So I don't want to waste any more time.
He takes her hands.
Mattias: Yelena Belova. Will you marry me?
Yelena doesn't answer him, she just smiles and starts kissing him.
He picks her up so they are at the same height and she wraps her legs around his waist.
After a few seconds they both stop and smile at each other.
Yelena: Yes. I assume you don't have a ring.
Mattias: I think I dropped it somewhere in Budapest.
Yelena: Lucky for us, I found it.
She shows it to him.
Yelena: I took it before we separated at the subway station.
Mattias: You are the best.
They both chuckled.
What happened after this was quite touching.
The wedding took place just a couple of days later since neither of them wanted something too elaborate, a simple party with their friends and family was more than enough for them. Plus, Yelena wanted the widows to be present and have some fun for the first time in their lives.
At that same event, Alexei and Melina got married again, but this time it was real. This made Yelena too happy, since now they were a real family.
After this, things got even better.
The women who were freed chose the places where they wanted to live and the jobs they wanted to do. It took them a little time to adapt to the change but they really enjoyed having a life of their own.
Melina along with Tony and Sersi were able to create more antidote to free all the widows scattered around the world. And thanks to Friday they were able to find everyone.
The missions to free the widows were led by Antonia. Some were alone and in many others she received the help of Yelena, Mattias, Melina and Alexei. Even Tony and Sersi joined in on a few occasions.
Melina and Alexei had some difficulties integrating into the team, but after a few months they were able to adapt perfectly.
Mason was able to expand his business and installed advanced communication equipment so he could contact Antonia while she was away. This equipment was provided to him by Tony as thanks for his support in the battle against the red room.
As promised, Antonia visited Mason several times. These encounters made the bond between them strengthen to such a point that they eventually confessed how in love they were with each other.
Eventually Yelena was able to accept the fact that Natasha became a monster, but at the same time she was preparing herself physically and mentally for the next time she would see her.
Despite the constant missions, Yelena had time to spend quality time with her two families (The Xu family and her parents), thus beginning her happiest time, before the appearance of one of the greatest threats she would ever face.
