Chapter Text
They say your life flashes before your eyes right as you die. There certainly was a flash for Antonia Dreykov as the gun of whomever attacked her went off, and then there was nothing at first. Nothing, but a sense of her falling backwards, but in slow motion. Almost as if someone had caught her and was gently lying her down on the ground. After that, there was a surprising feeling of warmth spreading over her, like a blanket being carefully wrapped around her body.
Hm, guess death isn't so bad, Antonia thought as her body relaxed. Wonder how long until I see the bright light…or do people like me get that? Is this feeling of comfort just a distraction for the forthcoming big fire pit?
"Antonia Dreykov," she heard a mysterious, ethereal voice echo across whatever space she was in. "Daughter of General Dreykov," the voice continued and Antonia felt movement return to her body. "Rise," the voice ordered.
"Who are you?" Antonia asked, remaining on the ground.
"Rise," the voice once again commanded and realizing she wasn't getting any answers if she continued to disobey the voice, Antonia slowly got back up to her feet. Nervous as to what news this figure brought about her fate.
"Who are you?" Antonia asked once more, refusing to turn around.
"I am what all roads in life lead to," the voice replied.
"…death," Antonia whispered. Obviously, she knew she was dead, but acknowledging it still sent a chill down her spine.
"Yes," the voice replied. "But, you may call me Rio if that will make you comfortable," Rio said, in a surprisingly casual tone. Caught off guard by this, Antonia turned around to face this Rio and saw herself standing not in the presence of a living skeleton as she expected, but a human woman, who looked slightly younger than herself, wearing a green dress. "Were you expecting something else?" Rio asked and brandished a cheeky smile almost as if she always got this reaction. Antonia can only slightly nod. "Like I said, I'm just trying to make you feel comfortable, though I can show you my true face if you want. You do have a thing for skulls after all," she chuckled, but Antonia remained silent. "Tough crowd. Geez who died?" Rio laughed again.
"I'm sorry," Antonia began, finding her voice again. "This is just…I don't know."
"A lot to take in?" Rio guessed.
"To put it mildly," Antonia replied and slumped back down to the floor. "I always knew this day would come, but now it's here and I don't know what to say."
"Most people don't," Rio said and took a seat beside Antonia.
"Do you always greet people personally, Rio?" Antonia asked.
"Only the special ones," Rio said.
"Ha. Me? Special? Yeah right," Antonia scoffed. "I'm just one of countless mercenaries on your checklist for today, aren't I?"
"I'm not omniscient, contrary to popular belief. At least not where the future is involved. Everyone's time of passing is as much a surprise to me as it is to them and I prefer it that way, honestly. Everyone deserves a chance to fight for their lives rather than just run out the clock to a predetermined fate."
"And today, I lost that fight," Antonia bemoaned. "So…I'm afraid to ask, but, what's next for me?" Again, Antonia had an inkling as to what her fate would be, but was holding out some semblance of hope that it wasn't what she expected. She could feel her life flash before her eyes now. Seeing all those years she spent as her father's ultimate Widow. All the lives she took because of him. But, then there were the lives she took when she got her freedom in Valentina's name. All because she didn't know anything else in life except killing. Would whatever higher power there was take pity on her because of her less than ideal life?
Don't be ridiculous, Antonia. You made your bed. Now is the time to lie in it, Antonia thought when the sound of Rio clearing her throat snapped Antonia out of her pity party.
"Are you done spacing out?" Rio asked.
"I'm sorry, Rio. Belated life flashing before my eyes," Antonia said then held her head up. "Lead on to wherever my final destination is."
"And where do you think that is?"
"…wherever I deserve," Antonia said, while simultaneously mentally berating herself for providing such a copout response.
"What if I told you, I thought you deserved another chance?" Rio asked. Her voice changing from casual familiarity, to warm and nurturing.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, don't go spreading this around, but I occasionally bend the rules if certain circumstances arise, which brings us to right now."
For the first time in the conversation, Antonia felt her slouched posture straighten as her interest is piqued. "Wait, are you saying?" She began to ask.
"Yes, I'm giving you your life back," Rio replied.
Antonia surmised that her heart would skip a beat if it were beating right now. But, an annoying question tugged at the back of her mind and she knew she wouldn't be comfortable continuing this conversation unless she asked it. "But why? Surely there are other people out there more deserving of another chance."
"Because there's a new threat out there already assembling his forces, and your world will need all the champions it can get to stop him. I believe you have the capability of being such a champion."
Antonia shook her head at such a title. "My resume doesn't exactly scream champion. If you want a champion, try the woman that saved my life."
"Trust me, Natasha Romanoff is among the others I'm considering to have join you," Rio revealed. "You're just the first on my list." Antonia raised an eyebrow at this statement. "What? I said I didn't have a death list, not a life list."
"You still aren't making any sense. What is it about ME that warrants being considered a champion?"
"Hm, let's see. Self awareness of tragic past, a perfect mimic, a close tie to one of the OG Avengers and one of the New Avengers, shall I go on?"
"I'm still confused," Antonia said. "You're Death. Shouldn't you be eagerly anticipating the souls from whatever the upcoming catastrophe is?"
"I don't believe in death for its own sake especially when it's coming from people getting too big for their capes and thinking reality is their's to rewrite on a whim."
Antonia's head slumped down and she shook it. "Like I said,…find someone else worthy of this gift. I got killed by another assassin. What chance do I have helping to stop someone from threatening reality? Let alone the dead people left alone in my own wake. Pick someone that preserves life, not one that takes it."
Rio knelt down to Antonia, placed her hand underneath her chin, and lifted up her head to meet her gaze. "You are better than you think you are, Antonia, and if Natasha were here, she'd say everyone deserves a second chance if they have the self awareness to use it right. You've more than given me hope that you will."
"This is more of a third chance if we are being technical," Antonia said sheepishly.
"Don't make me change my mind," Rio laughed and Antonia actually felt a smile grace her lips and she finally gave Rio a full nod. "Now then, if you don't have any other questions, I suggest we get a move on," she said assisting Antonia to her feet.
"I won't let you down," Antonia promised.
"I'll be seeing you soon if you do," Rio darkly joked.
"Alright, what's the plan for when I come back?"
"Sooooo, you remember Ava Starr, the woman that shot you.? You're going to need to ally yourself with her team."
Antonia's smile dropped. "You're joking."
"Not when Life and Death are involved. Of your world's current champions, they'll understand you the best. Ava, in particular, has changed a great deal since you died. Don't worry though. I'll be dropping you off in a non-hostile environment."
"I thought I just got shot, how has time passed since then?"
"When people die, their souls are kind of in a dreamless limbo state until I or my essence reaches them. It feels like no time has passed when it could be days, months, or even years in some cases. In this one, it's been 14 months."
"Hold on then that means…," Antonia paused to do some math in her head. "You're bringing me back on today of all days?"
"I didn't plan this, but it's funny to think about isn't it?" Rio giggled. "Now then, lik I said, it's time to get a move on."
"How does this return to life thing work? Do you just snap your fingers and, poof, I'm alive again?"
Rio smirked at this and took a few steps back. She placed her palm on her lips, blew Antonia a kiss, and a green mist emerged from her lips. It encircled Antonia, but it had the same calming warmth Antonia felt when she died. Part of her still thought this might be one big death hallucination as she slipped from the mortal coil, but the mist gradually wore away at those feelings. "This is for you, Natasha," Antonia whispered. As the mist was about to fully consume her, she caught one final glimpse of Rio, who was beaming at her.
"Happy Birthday, Antonia!" She called out to her.
Antonia's eyes snapped open. She was on the floor, but not of the vault she was killed in. It was someplace that had a feeling just as comforting as the mist, but she wasn't sure where. She swiftly stood up to her feet and took a few deep breathes and checked to make sure her heart was indeed beating. Some tears welled in her eyes from the wonderful thumping of its beats. She truly had returned.
"Extra dimensional ship entering Earth's atmosphere," she heard a computerized voice announce. She crept around the corner and spotted some familiar figures.
"Alright. Let's do this."
To Be Continued…