Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I’ve died before but it was different from this time.

From Elektra killing me, then being resurrected by the Hand, to Count Nefaria killing me while I was helping Moon Knight.

I’ve never been able to stay dead.

I remember almost dying. I remember it so vividly. The water filling my lungs. Me trying to get to the surface, but each time I get close Namor brings me back down. It was an unfair match undoubtedly. Giving Namor, someone who thrives in water, the advantage of our fight being in the water, was ridiculous. I’m regarded as a skilled fighter, on par with Daredevil and Bullseye. Hell, I’m even better than them at times. When I died, the little piece of the Phoenix force I had left me, and I died. Well, I tried to die.

I refused to die. I didn’t want to go down like that.

And because I refused to die, the Phoenix Force chose me.

Then, I died again. Months after the Phoenix force chose me. After trying my best to live up to the standard, I died.

When I died this time, I didn’t really die. I can’t remember how I died, but the Phoenix force protected my human form from dying, and sent me somewhere else. But to the world, I died. I vanished, and all that was left was my ashes.

Ironically, being dead has never made me feel more alive. I’m not fighting crime anymore, I have time to read and pick up new hobbies.

I do miss River. We were planning our life together, although we would never be able to have a normal life. One never stops being a hero.

I look out my window and look at the horses. I see Spirit, Dare and Willie. They’re running around in their area, having a blast on this beautiful day.

After my death, I woke up in Montana. I ended up finding the Northern Cheyenne Indian reservation, and they accepted me in. I’ve never felt more in touch with my culture, and with my family. Although the people here aren’t actually my family, they are to me.

They let me take care of horses, and they’ve even learned some ASL so they can communicate with me. Especially since I can’t read lips as well anymore, or talk very well anymore.

That’s something death did change for me. My photographic reflexes have weakened immensely, to the point where I’m not even sure I have photographic reflexes anymore.

Even with that, I’ve never felt so free and calm in my life.

Although, I know this won’t last for long. I still tune into the news, and I still look through New York security to see what’s going on. Kingpin has been as ruthless as ever, even as mayor. His gangs run amok, but disguised as officers of the law, so they can do whatever they want.

I fear that he knows that I’m still out here and that he’ll send his gangs after me.
I’m through with my past though. I’m trying to become a new person, with a new life.
“We may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us,” That’s from Magnolia. Matt used to always quote it. I’ve never seen Magnolia, but I know Matt loves it. Even though he can’t see it.

I hope to god he’s wrong. I’m tired of fighting. I’m tired of the injuries. I’m tired of the pain.

I’m tired of dying.

I look at the time. It’s already 6pm and the sun is setting. I still have yet to make dinner, and I’m out of groceries. I know one of the elders would give me some food, but I hate asking them.

So, I grab my bag and head out the door. There’s a small market not far outside of the reservation where I should be able to grab a quick snack.

The reservation makes me think of my first meeting with River. Back when I first got the Phoenix force and I had to figure everything out.

It was when I realized I wanted to be with River. Then, we were together. Even with me traveling a lot, he always stuck by me. I loved him. And I did want to be with him forever. But fate had other plans.

The sunsets on the reservation are beautiful. I can never get over them. I go over to Willie and put the saddle on him. I lead him out of the gate and hop on, riding northeast, towards the small market.

The reservation is quiet and empty, but it typically is on evenings like this. Kids are doing their homework and are getting ready for school. All the elders are watching TV and getting ready for bed. It’s peaceful, and I like the peace.

I keep riding towards the market. Willie starts to act up, and stops in his tracks when we’re less than a mile away. I start to pet him and look around for coyotes, but fail to find any. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a distinct red blur. I try to follow the blur, but it moves faster than I can keep up with. I get off Willie and grab the knife out of my bag.

“Come out,” I say, even though I know my speech is not what it once was. I can’t even tell what I sound like, so it could’ve been mambo jumbo to whoever hears it.

The red blur finally stops in front of me and I roll my eyes.

Matt was right. The past is not through with us. His past, and my past especially.

“Your speech…different,” is all I can make out of what Daredevil said. I nod and motion for the devil to keep speaking, as I have to focus intensely on their lips to see what they’re saying.

“Matt… searching… you, Echo.”

I roll my eyes again. It’s a blessing that she can see me. “My name is Maya. Echo is dead.” I replied. “Is that why you came here, Natchios?”

I stare at Elektra. Her and I have never had a good relationship. She threatened me when I first got the Phoenix force and we haven’t been on good terms since. It’s a large reason why I left New York, I couldn’t stand running into her in Hell’s Kitchen every single day. She removes the headpiece of her suit, and lets her curly, black hair down. She walks and gets much closer to me, and I prepare my knife.

She pushes my knife down. “Trying… help…you.” She says.

I pull out my phone and type my response to her, as it's easier than speaking and I’ll be able to know what she’s saying exactly.

She laughed at my message, which was ‘Can I get dinner first?’ and nods. I get back on my horse and she follows as I go to get food for both of us.

Great. An uninvited guest for dinner. Just what I wanted.

Chapter Text

I set my red helmet on Echo’s table, and let my hair down, giving my scalp some relief. Her place is quaint, but it’s cute. A nice sized living room, a small kitchen, a bathroom and her bedroom, off to the side, hidden behind a door. It’s bigger than Matt and I’s apartment and probably way cheaper. I mean hell, this house probably costs as much as a pile of dirt does in NYC.

I know she hates me, and she has every right to. Hell, I killed her in the past. She could’ve killed me back, but she chose not to. She has her back turned to me, showing me that she somewhat trusts me.

She has a picture of her and River on the table. It isn’t in a frame, but I can tell it means a lot to her.

I keep reminding myself that she left and went into hiding because she wanted to. She chose to quit the superhero life. God, I wish I could do that.

I keep almost speaking while she’s cooking, and then I remember that she’s 1-deaf and 2- cannot read my lips even if she could see me. Maybe I should learn ASL. It’s on my bucket list.

She turns the burner off, and plates the food for us, meaning I’ll be able to talk to her again.

-

As we eat, I can tell Elektra has a lot to say, but doesn’t know how to express it. I take a bite, and ask her why she is here, even if my speech is somewhat slurred and messed up, I frankly don’t care.

She spells out Matt in ASL, which I appreciate. It’s a nice gesture, even though she is not fluent in ASL at all.

“I got that part. Why is Matt searching for me, and why do you care enough to warn me?”

Elektra takes a minute to respond. She’s furiously typing at her phone. “I’m not sure why he’s searching for you. He didn’t tell me about it. He’s just terrible at keeping secrets in our relationship. One thing is that he never gives up, especially on you. I’m warning you because you seem somewhat happy with this new life. Be grateful I’m better at finding people than he is.”

I laugh. “You were, and still are, the world’s best assassin, that’s why you’re so great at finding people, Natchios.”

She nods her head, saying thank you in a simple motion.

“Thank you for telling me about Matt. I-“ I’m interrupted by Elektra quickly getting up and taking her weapons to the window. She motions for me to come over. I look outside and it’s one of the elders. I shoo Elektra away and go outside to speak with them.
-
I know she’s still out there. Her scent has haunted me ever since the day I met her, and it’s never left me.

When she supposedly died, her scent didn’t disappear, like it did when she died before. It still lingered. I’m not sure if she meant for me to notice, but I did.

I need her help to take down Kingpin once and for all. Even with Elektra’s help as Daredevil, we still can’t defeat him, especially since he’s been Mayor of New York.

She is his weakness. He still has love for her, and still sees her as his daughter. She could help us defeat him, even if she lost the Phoenix force.

Finding her shouldn’t be this hard, but it has been. She’s done a great job at hiding, most likely so nobody can find her. She’s always dreamed of not being a hero and living with River in the midwest, although she knew it wasn’t possible.

Once a hero, always a hero. Ask any other hero, life never goes back to normal, no matter how hard you try.

It’s impossible to escape from your past as a hero. Hell, it’s even harder to escape your past when you’ve done wrong in the past.

But I need her help. Fisk being mayor and outlawing heroes was one thing, but after Devil’s reign, he needs to go down, once and for all. Killing my brother crossed the line. It has to end.

As I walk down the street, I hear mumbles of people saying Echo is alive. That, I already knew; her location is what I need. I hear some random thugs say that Echo is somewhere in either Montana or one of the Dakota’s, which is a good enough lead for me.

-

The elder tells me that people were in town looking for me today, and I take that as a sign that my peaceful days are over. I thank the elder and head inside the house.

“You need to go, as do I. People are here looking for me and you probably lead them to me,”

I can tell Elektra is yelling back at me, but I barely make out any words besides “Best Hunter.. Never busted.” All I can do is simply roll my eyes.

“It is time to leave. I refuse to put my people in danger. You need to go back to New York and I have to flee even further west.” I turn my back to Elektra as I start to pack my clothing. She comes up to me with a phone that reads “Matt will still search. Please be safe.” I nod my head and the next time I turn my back, Elektra is gone.

I finish packing and go outside. I look around and see no one, as well as the only vibrations I can feel are from my horses. I know I can’t bring all of my horses and I grab all three and bring them into town and give them to one of the elders. I keep Willie however, as he is my ride out of town. I take one last look at the town, and get on Willie and head out.

My plan is to travel 10 miles as it’s so dark and I just want to get out of town.

Only my ancestors know who is looking for me. Let’s just hope when they do find me, I’m ready to face them.