Archive of Our Own ^beta

Age 0

In the dark, on a cold winters night, sat a man. Perching above the rooftop, he watched. People passed by below, unaware of their watcher. Unaware that their lives could be over in an instant if he so chose. The man had a mission though, and it was not to kill. 

But to take. 

His eyes scanned the street, watched as few people went by. Not many at this hour, but that was the point. Less of a scene. Less witnesses. 

The target came to view, turned a corner, unaware this was their last moments of freedom. Unaware that the man who held her arm was about to be killed. The man watched as the woman walked, waddled more so, with her pregnant state and bulging stomach. She was due soon. Not much time to run tests, to do experiments. 

They will need to be rushed. It will cause great pain for her. 

The husband fumbled in his pocket, reaching for keys and turning a car on, parked ahead by some feet. This was when the man on the roof moved, walking along the edge, making his way down. 

As the husband helped his pregnant wife into the car, it was then the man attacked. A quick blow, a knife into his back, twisting and pulling out swiftly. The woman barley had time to register what happened, no time to scream by the time his hand came and covered her mouth. Gagging her to unconsciousness. 

This was how Hydra acquired its subjects for their newest tests. Human testing by “volunteer” was no longer as valuable in information. They needed fresh subjects. Born into the program. Woman given the treatment to pass the powers and abilities to their newborns. 

This was the Mutant Project. 

All of the children born in the project were given tattoos. Marked with their code letters, later to be given an official title or code-name once they learned of their powers and abilities. Different serums and injections were given to each child; identifiable by the letter they were marked with. When the children would grow older, they would fight in a test to see who was the most powerful of that group. 

When they were old enough, each letter group will fight to the death. Only the strongest will survive. Only then, will they hold no challenges against anyone else. 

The children, of course, were not aware of this. They only knew of the tests to see who was stronger. They did not know they will kill their foe one day. That only the strongest will prevail. If they did, that could jeopardize a soldier, make the tests inaccurate. 

And no one wanted a compromised super soldier. 

There was many groups, each letter group focusing on a different skill/power. Abilities, that would make them unique. Would not be expected and known how to fight against. Powers that will make Hydra prevail. The children, they were aware of this. They did know each group was special, unique and had their own abilities. 

It only made them stronger, wanting to be better. The best. 

And the best, survive. 

-

Age 5

X14 winced, unable to not make a face as the needle was injected into his arm. It was long, thick, and a dark liquid slowly entered his veins as he watched the doctor do his work. 

He didn’t speak, ask what it was. Last time he did so, he was slapped so hard he woke up in bed hours later. His headache didn’t last long, but he did not want to endure such treatment again.

“Injection done,” the doctor sighed, taking the needle out of his arm, doing a quick job to wipe the spot where it once was. “Prepare for testing.”

He sat up taller, taking a deep breath as another doctor placed the helmet on his head. It was bulky, heavy, and had wires everywhere. A chin-strap was secured tightly, plugs added in to extract the data needed. Cuffs wrapped around his wrists and ankles, keeping him in place on the cold, metal chair. 

“Helmet secure, sir.” The second doctor said. X14 called him glasses in his head, as he did wear them. They seemed too big for his face, always slipping down his nose and pushed up haphazardly.

The first doctor hummed, moving around and mumbling low in another language. He didn’t know what one that was yet. “Begin.” The man said.

Glasses picked up a scalpel, coming and slicing down his arm. Blood oozed out instantly, and the pain shot right through X14. He clenched his jaw, breathing rising as the man dug deeper into his skin. 

As soon as it started, it ended. Glasses put down the small knife, moving back and standing by the first doctor. Both watched a screen, no doubt showing his brain activity to such a wound. 

X14 just kept focusing on his breathing, taking deep, strained breaths so he didn’t scream, didn’t cry. He wanted to cry, he wanted to yell in pain. Showing his pain though would be bad. He’s done so a few times, and he’s sure more, as it was already deeply conditioned in him to not do so. 

“Interesting.” 

One of the men said, he didn’t know who. He wasn’t looking at them. He was just breathing hard, watching as the blood still leaked from his arm. His wound…. Slowly closing. Healing on its own.

“When it is closed, I want you to open him again. Let’s see how long it takes to heal that time.”Again? They were going to do this again? He closed his eyes, willing his tears to not fall. 

Don’t show weakness.

Age 7

He took a breath, exhausted, but pushed on. The obstacle course was different than last time. Sorta the point, to be sure they are actually able to adapt to different environments and not just memorize a path to freedom.

He looked around, ducking behind a tall “tower” and hid for a second to get his bearings. In a moment, the back of his neck tingled, all the hairs on his arms and neck sticking up. He felt this a few times, and it never meant anything good. It meant danger.

X14 barely got to run before a blast rang through behind him. The tower he used as cover obliterated, launching X14 across the room. He hit the wall, and scrambled to grab something. Something, anything to stop him from falling and injuring himself.

In his panic, he found something and held on, gasping for air and looking down. The ground far below him, his back aching in burns. They will heal, he knew that. Probably will be held back for testing to watch as his burns did smooth over. 

Looking to the wall, curious to what he caught onto, he… gasped in some surprise. Their… was nothing. Nothing. The wall was smooth, and his palms flat, feet held onto… nothing. He was… sticking? To the wall?

Curious, he moved up. Crawling and… startled by the fact he was sticking to the wall and not falling. Distantly he heard doors opening to the training room, murmurs below him.

“Is he sticking to the wall?”

“No, that’s not possible. He has to be holding onto something.”

“There is nothing to hold onto.”

“Prepare for tests. This could be a new ability we haven’t discovered yet.”

“For X14?”

“For all of the X subjects. I want to see what exactly is going on.”

-

Age 8

“B9’s test was exceptional this morning”

“Good. Good. And what of B10?”

“They…. Have room for improvement”

“Hmm. I see” 

X14 watched from his room, ears listening, alert to the doctors. They ran tests a lot, lessons taught, different ones each day. X14, along with all the other X subjects, have yet to have a test today. Unsure if one was coming or not. 

Lesson today was languages once again. The doctors and teachers have been pushing it more and more, wanting to drill in as many as they could to the young mind they held. Able to comprehend more, setting them up for life. 

A life that was so confusing. Scary at times. But the doctors always said they were safe. That they were going to change the world. 

X14 was not as good as X9 or X4, but he was still one of the top students. Already fluent in German, Russian, and English. French the current study, as well as Romanian and Mandarin. They all suspected a month or two more of those lessons before a new language was introduced. 

“Watching the guards won’t speed up the day” X7 scuffed by him. 

“No, but it will let me know of how the others are doing.” X14 said. 

“Isn’t that cheating?” X1 spoke up. 

“How so?” X15 spoke up, sitting on the ceiling and jumping down. “An advantage over the others will mean we know their weakness incase we need to fight one another some day”

“We won’t need to fight one another” X7 frowned. “We are trained to be loyal. One won’t turn on a fellow brother or sister”

“Are you sure of that? They show us reports of rogue soldiers. What to look out for incase one of our own goes soft. Why should we not already have some of the curve ahead?”

“Because that is wishing for the demise of our own. We will not fail, we will all prevail. Hydra does not quit. Cut off one head, two more grow back” 

X14 looked back out the bars as the two others went back and forth. Unsure who was right. All he knew, was that B9 was a possible threat.

-

“Let’s see what we have here today.” 

The trainer came in. X14, along with all his brothers and sisters, did not know the names of the trainers, of their guards, and the doctors. A name makes you attached to something. And attachment can cloud your judgement. It makes you weak.

“Stand at attention”

Both X14 and X12 did so. Backs tall, waiting for orders. Knowing how this goes but did not show any disinterest. 

“On my mark.” Their trainer spoke, sitting down in a chair. Observing. 

He gave no worded signal, only a small wave of the fingers up. They’re cue to start. 

X12 always lunged first, always wanted to strike first to knock their opponent down. He came right for X14, going for his middle. X14 caught them, grabbed around the other so they could not be pushed down. 

They both grunted loud, especially when X14 threw X12 over their body and down onto the ground. Back hitting the padded floor. His leg came down, ready to hit right where X12’s head was. Did not work, as X12 grabbed the foot and twisted their foe, bring both down. 

The fight did not end till their trainer stood, the silent cue to cease their assaults. Panting heavily, detangling themselves and standing at attention again. Waiting for new orders. 

Their trainer came over, face neutral, even as he raised his hand and slapped it hard against X12’s cheek. Then the same for X14. 

“Sloppy. Both of you!” The man snarled. “I saw better when you were only 4! Messy!” The man spat, spit hitting their faces but neither flinched. 

“Assistance!” He yelled, a guard coming over. Name still unknown. Always will be. “X12. I want you to fight this man. And then, after, X14, you will”

“Sir?” The guard asked, raising an eye. “You wish me to fight them? They are too young for my level-“

“I do not care. Show them pain, so they may know how to give it back”

-

“I think he broke my leg” X12 whined in the confinement of their room. 

He did not make a sound since that scream escaped him when it happened. The harsh cracking. Even X14, who was stoic face the whole fight, winced a small bit to the misery his brother had endured. 

“Be thankful it will heal” X3 sighed. Holding the broken leg firmly. 

It was true. They all were injected with the same serums. They all had the ability to heal faster than normal. A day or two most and his leg will be back to normal. It was now just making sure it healed in the right place, not disjointed. 

“I didn’t see you rushing to my side” X12 snarled at X14. 

He said nothing, watching from the other side of the room. 

He did not step up, didn’t say a thing. Stood quietly by the side as he let it happen. But, as X16 spoke up right then, saying “he couldn’t if he wanted to anyways”, they were right. He couldn’t. As much as X14 wanted to rush over, to punch the guard in the face with all he had for hurting a brother, he did not. 

Not then. He gave it his all when it was time for his own fight. Even drawing blood from the guards nose after a few harsh punches. He hasn’t made a guard bleed in a while. It felt….

Weird.

Not good. It should feel good, to know his strength was growing. But it didn’t… and that, felt wrong. He felt bad for not wishing the ill of his opponent. Was it because they were a guard, someone he saw often? That had to be it. Because hydra is not weak. They do not show weakness, only strength. 

Age 9

“I want them wiped”

X14 woke up, distant sounds heard outside the room. A distant light shining through the bars being the only source. Everyone else was asleep, as he should be. 

But his sixth sense went off, danger, and then those words. He blinked, looking back to the bars and trying to pinpoint the voices location. Not far. Not coming this direction either. 

“Should we not wait?”

“And why should we wait?”

“The trial is less than a year away. Wiping them now will only make A13 unable to test fairly.”

“Fairly. You worry about them testing” the voice laughed. 

X14 didn’t recognize it. Any of the voices he did not know. He’s been here his whole life, knew all the voices. But these two he did not. It sent a chill through his body. 

“What is unfair will be the test for all the other A subjects. The body remembers even if the mind does not. They will train harder, the perfect weapon”

“That is tampering with the trail”

“Do you have a problem with that, Hirsch?”

A name. He’s never heard one before. The silence was loud, and X14 didn’t need to be present to know a weapon was being held. Pointed to this Hirsch man. 

“I’ll have the machine ready in an hours time”

“You have 30 minutes. Go. I don’t like to be kept waiting”

Footsteps ran, echoing and growing distant the further they ran. X14 swallowed thickly, wondering if he should wake his fellow brothers and sisters. Alert them of what he’s heard. What he knows. Then again, they could pretend to be sleeping, woken by the sixth sense as well.

But this trial. What was that? Never was there mentioned or told of a trial. Only tests and lessons. He didn’t get the best feeling from this. 

-

“Wake”

His eyes opened, like he was in a trance. Unaware of being unconscious till his eyes were opened. Fully rested. 

X14 looked around, saw all the other X subjects glancing to one another as well. Unsure of their surroundings. Alert. On edge. 

Last he knew, X14 was asleep on his bunk. Now, he was strapped down to a plane seat, suited up un tactical gear. How he got here, unsure. And how they got him here without his knowledge scared him. 

Was his mind wiped too? No, if it was he would not be aware of that altercation. He would be in the dark of mind wiping in general, as well as a trial. 

Was that this? Was he going to the trial now?

“You all are wondering how you got here” a man spoke at the head of the plane. Standing tall in uniform. Heavily guarded. “Don’t worry. No harm came to any of you. Just a precaution to keep each and all of you in the dark on locations. I’m sure you all understand”

They did. Secrecy to keep them safe. To keep them from getting tainted thoughts. To keep them going rogue. 

“Now then. We will be landing soon. All of you hold the same mission. Observation, and Stealth.” He was firm. Direct to the point. No reason to make small talk when time can be of the essence. 

“Be seen and you fail. Make a noise, and you fail. This is a test. The results will greatly determine your future.” 

Not the trial. Unless it was, hidden and disguised as a test. X14 swallowed down his nerves, replacing them with energy and adrenaline. 

“For your sake, I wish you luck. Being found will be…. An experience. One not to take pleasantly.”

“Who is hunting us?” X5 spoke up. 

All their eyes widened, looked to their sister. The commander himself snapped his head at them. Speaking out of turn. 

X14 waited for a slap. A shock to their body. Anything, something. Instead, the commander did nothing. He turned around again. Faced back to the planes window, watching the scenery go by to their unknown location. 

“You will find out soon enough”

It was at that moment they started to descend, lowering and landing. Lights came on as the back hatch opened up. Cold air and snow blowing in. Winter. 

He’s been outside maybe three times in his life, and each time felt like a harsh wake up. The world not concrete. Not walls of gray or white medical supplies. A world that was open. Endless. 

He shall be their someday. Outside, a spy, a soldier he was being trained to be. Till then, he had to earn it. This was just a test. 

Their seat restraints were opened, let out and free to go. X14 and all the others stood, taking quick assessment of their gear and what they had. Basics supplies. Knives in their back pockets, a smaller blade on the side. No guns… interesting. 

He and all the others left the aircraft, the light blinding his vision but he kept going forwards. Ahead were guards, leading the group to a building. So much for being outside. 

“Once inside, the test begins” the commander yelled from the back. “Good luck, and don’t fail. You have an hour to stay hidden and not get caught”

An hour. An hour to prove he can do this. To prove what a good soldier he is. 

“And,” the commander yelled, the guard who was about to open the door stopped. Waiting. “If you must attack while inside, it won’t be held against you. Depending on how well you fight. That goes for both your foe, and against your own brothers and sisters”

Fight their brothers and sisters…. Can turn against one another to get ahead. To not be seen, attacked. 

He swallowed a new lump in his throat, giving a quick glance to those he grew up with. Who will take it, who will bring down their own to survive?

The moment the door opened, X14 ran. He didn’t look back as some started to fight, as those he shared a room with suddenly attacked one another. He ran. Bolted down the halls. Using his heightened senses, he listened for people, for heartbeats, breathing patterns, anything to signify another life form to watch out for. 

There was so many. 

His running stopped abruptly, a pair of footsteps rounding a corner. Five seconds top. Without hesitation, he jumped up, clinging to the ceiling with his sticky abilities. Pushing his entire body to the flat surface, watching as two men walked by. 

Both holding machine guns. Both armed to the T. Both speaking low, Russian. 

“Сколько?” (How many?)

“шестнадцать” (Sixteen)

“та же группа? или смешанный?” (Same group? Or mixed?)

“такой же. напади, если увидишь кого-нибудь” (Same. Attack if you see anyone)

“убей их?” (Kill them?)

“Нет, но едва живой” (No, but barely alive)

He stayed silent, not moving as the men walked. Rounded a corner and down a few steps. Sticking to the ceiling, X14 stayed up, crawling to a vent. Pulling the grate off and crawling in. Replacing it to not draw suspicion to his location. 

From here, X14 had a lot to see. A lot to hear. Screaming a few halls down. Gun shots suddenly going. 

Down a vent, X14 saw X5. Her leg was bleeding heavily. She was found. Not quiet. Further down the vents, he saw X9 hiding. He could sell them out. He could drop down, fight. But that will give his own position away. He had no reason to do so other than a vendetta he didn’t hold. 

He crawled on. Moving so to not stay in one place for a while. Lowering his heart rate and sticking to the surface to make his movements silent. 

Time passed, and X14 stayed moving. Stayed hidden. Based on how long he was here, it was coming close to the hour. Not that long left to stay hidden. He felt the worst was over, he watched a number of his brothers and sisters fighting below. Watched guards shoot, some get taken down. Nothing seemed that much of a threat

Till he saw him. Hunched over a grate, observing as guards wandered the halls, he saw him. 

He was a legend. A myth. 

The Winter Solider. 

He never thought he would see the man in the flesh, felt if he did, he would have to train tenfold to come close to his skill. But there he was…. Why was he here?

X14 followed him through the grate, observing as the legend walked. Flanked by guards, alert. They stopped at a coded door, going inside. The vent didn’t go that way, and to go he would have to leave his cover. He would have to give his cover away. Possibly fight one of the greatest weapons hydra has. 

He won’t go easy either. He doesn’t know anything but to kill. This is certain death. 

As much as he wanted to go, he didn’t. He stayed hiding. Using his heightened senses to listen in to anything else. To find out some of the reason this man was here. 

He didn’t get that chance. 

An alarm sounded, red lights going off everywhere around him. A loud beeping sounding from his suit that he didn’t even know he had. X14 panicked, eyes wide as he quickly tried to locate the sound. Unable to before a grate was pulled off the vent and he was pulled out. Thrown down to the ground. 

He didn’t go down easy, throwing a punch to one man and a kick to the groin with another. About to throw another when a shock resonated through his entire body. Paralyzing him. 

“Relax. X14” the commander said, laughing above him. “You are not found. In fact, you are the only left. Congratulations”

He breathed heavily, his mind still alert. Aware there was danger but relaxing to the fact this danger was not these men. 

“The winter solider” he spoke, locking eyes with the commander. “I saw him”

The man’s eyes widened the smallest bit, slightly and only for a second, but he saw it. 

“Why is he here?” X14 breathed heavily still. 

“Take him back to base” the commander said, turning his back and going back to the door the winter soldier went in. Leaving X14 to wonder. 

-

The gunshots rang out, yet he did not flinch. He stood tall, shoulders back, arm straight in-front of him. Level, steady.

He fired two more times, hitting the target in the center once again. Quick to drop his arm and raise his other, steady and level, and fired twice. Hit the center once again.

“Well done, X14. You may stand down.”

He did as he was told, unloading the gun and turned, placed his clip and the weapon on the table. Joined his brothers and sisters in a line, stood at attention as a new target was set up. Stayed silent as X15 was called forwards, doing his own target test.

When X16 finished, he felt they would be done. That this would conclude their lesson for the day. Instead, his commander looked to a door. Nodding, and a guard opened it.

He watched as 16 people were brought in. All strapped to a chair, bags on their heads. He felt.. not ok with this. Something was off, and his body felt stiff. 

“All of you, step forwards to the person before you.” 

He did as he was told, as they all did. Lined up, even to a person before them. One by one, they were given a gun by their guards.

“Ready.” The commander said, and a sharp stab shot through his insides.

Ready. Ready to … aim. Ready to fire. They… they were going to kill these people? He was going to kill a man? X14 knew he would someday, a good super solider doesn’t hesitate to take a life. Just… he felt it would be later he would have to do so. Not now, not when he just two days ago held his first gun.

“Aim.” 

He raised his arm, leveling his breathing to not let his body shake. Clenching his jaw. Pushing all his thoughts away. Thoughts tainting him, telling him to not do it. Thoughts of weakness. Thoughts that he knew, that if he did act on them, would get him punished severely.

“Fire.”

He closed his eyes instead of keeping them open as he fired. He will be punished for that, but not as fierce, he hoped. 

-

Age 10

He woke with a bag over his head. Arms behind his back. Cuffed; Tight, unbreakable as he pulled against them. Completely unaware of where he was and how he got here. 

Calm down. His training didn’t teach him to panic in a situation like this, but to breathe and assess his surroundings. 

Breathing, a lot of people were breathing around him. Numerous heart beats. He was surrounded. His arms brushed against another person- very close proximity to one another. 

Captured? No, hydra wouldn’t be captured so easily. And if they were infiltrated, he would have woken to alarms. This was silent, planned. Like that test in the facility-…. Test. This was another test. It had to be. 

“Remove the bags”

He knew that voice. He heard it once, a long time ago. In the dark when he was supposed to be sleeping. What was said again….. the mind wiping. This man ordered minds to be wiped! Another letter units member, that was it. Which one was it again…

His eyes squinted shut to the bright light as his bag was removed, blinking and quick to assess his position. He was sat between X13 and X15. All of them in order of their brand. But it wasn’t just the X unit here, it was all of them. Every unit, sat in order around a large circle. Guards standing around the circle. AK’s loaded in their hands. 

In the center in the room there was a table, littered with weapons. Knives, swords and blades of many different kinds littered it. No guns, he noted. And with them, was the man with the voice he knew. 

The one that made him shiver to the core. Knowing this man, he can wipe your mind of everything you know. 

“Welcome, my lovely children” he smiled, turning so every one could see his wicked smirk. “You all are the pride and joy of my project. The Mutant Project. You all have been training for this day since the day we gave you the serums that make you all so unique. Today, is your trial”

The trial. His eyes widened. This was the test. The unknown thing they have been training for their whole lives. 

“Today, each of you will fight your own brothers and sisters. One by one you will fight one another, continuing to do so till only one remains. And when I say one, I mean, one” that smile came back. More…. Menacing then a moment ago. The back hairs on X14’s neck raised. Danger. 

“Only one of you, from each of your letter groups, will live. Only the best will survive and win. Hold back, and you will be severely punished. This, is the day you all have been training for”

No one said a word, as they were not permitted to. But eyes were moving, looking to those they knew their whole lives. Brothers and sisters that they grew up with. Slain by the blade in your own hand. 

X14 wondered if he could do that. He… has to. It’s kill or be killed. 

He’s worked too hard to die now. 

Every one of them sat and watched as A1 and A2 were called. Standing and going to the center of the room. They each looked at the table in the center, a quick surveillance of their choice of weapons. Both grabbed a sword, one long, the other Gladius. 

“Begin. And may the best, live”

The two warriors, A1 and A2, stood facing each other with swords drawn, their eyes locked in fierce determination. As the battle began, the clang of swords echoed through the air as the two clashed. A1 charged forward, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. A2 countered with a swift dodge, his sword dancing around A1's attacks. The two were evenly matched, their skills and strength on par with each other.

The fight continued on, each pushing their limits, determined to come out on top. A1's attacks became more ferocious, his strikes coming down with incredible force. A2, however, remained calm and focused, his movements graceful yet deadly. The two circled each other, their swords flashing in the sunlight as they exchanged blows.

But in a split second, A2's concentration faltered, and A1 saw his opportunity. With a powerful swing, A1's sword cut through the air and landed a direct hit on A2's side. A2 stumbled back, blood dripping from the wound, but he refused to give up. He charged forward, his sword aimed at A1's heart.

A1, caught off guard by A2's sudden burst of energy, barely managed to block the attack. The two locked swords, their faces mere inches apart, both pushing with all their strength. But A1's determination and physical prowess proved to be too much for A2. With a final push, A1 overpowered A2, causing him to fall to the ground.

As A2 lay on the ground, gasping for breath, A1 stood over him with a victorious grin. But then, something unexpected happened. A2, with his last bit of strength, managed to thrust his sword upwards, stabbing A1 in the chest. A1's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled back, clutching at the wound. A2, with a small smile on his face, speaking low, said “I may have lost this, but you will not live to see another victory.”

With those words, A2 closed his eyes and took his last breath. A1 stood over him, his side bleeding heavily. He won’t win, he will not be the last one standing. They all knew it. But his strength was harsh, and it set an unsettling standard for the rest of them all. 

X14 swallowed hard, knowing one of those fates will be his own in the very near future. 

-

“X13, X14” 

They both stood on autopilot, the time has finally come for him. Blood was everywhere in the circle. His brothers and sisters wounded, hurt and bleeding from battle. Slowly, one by one, death came and a winner prepared for their next fight. His time was now, the moment that would decide if he will live another hour, or if he will die by the hands of his brother. 

Neither went for a weapon, neither darted to the center table when the “Begin” was called. 

They stood facing each other, their fists clenched and their eyes locked in a deadly stare. Suddenly, X14 launched himself forwards at X13 with a fierce punch, but X13 was quick to dodge and counter with a powerful kick to X14’s side. The two of them moved in a blur, their movements fluid and precise as they exchanged blows and kicks, each one trying to gain the upper hand.

But as the fight continued, it became clear that X14 was the superior fighter. He was faster, stronger, and more skilled than X13, who was struggling to keep up with his opponent's relentless attacks. With every punch and kick, X14 was slowly wearing X13 down, causing him to stumble and falter.

In a desperate attempt to turn the tide of the fight, X13 pulled out a hidden knife and lunged at X14, aiming for his heart. His eyes widened, but X14 was too quick, and with a swift move, he disarmed X13 and sent the knife flying across the room. This only fueled X13’s anger and desperation, as he charged at X14 with all his might, determined to defeat him.

But it was all in vain. With one final blow, X14’s fist connected with X13's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. As X13 lay there, struggling to catch his breath, X14 stood over him, panting and victorious. For a moment, there was a glimmer of regret in X14's eyes as he looked down at his fallen opponent, his brother. He was going to kill his brother. 

“Do it” X13 gasped, anger. “You won’t. You always were the softest.”

He can’t be soft. Softness makes weak soldiers. He was not weak. He will not disappoint his leaders. 

X13 moved to sit up, legs crashing into X14’s and knocking him down to the ground. But X14 knew not to hold back any longer. If he wishes to live, he can not show mercy. He used the fall to his advantage, twisted and pinning his body down on top of the other. Grabbing his neck and choking X13. 

The other struggled, punching at X14’s arms and sides. He didn’t let go, he watched as the life, the fight, drained from the others eyes. With one last gasp, X13 took his last breath, his lifeless body falling limp under X14’s.

As X14 stood and walked away from the scene, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. He won, but he felt a change in him to his victory. One he…. Didn’t like. He should like, he should be proud of his accomplishment. But he wasn’t. 

Maybe, as much as X14 detested the idea, X13 was right. He was soft. 

-

As X14 breathed heavily, the blood of his brothers and sisters on his skin, he waited for his time to be over. For his death to come. 

X3 was ruthless, and wanted victory more than X14 was showing. She hadn’t hold back on her punches, her fists caked in blood. Though, his were too. It was impossible at this point to not have blood soaked into your clothes and skin. After-all, they were the last of the X unit. 

One of them will live from this. The other, joining the ever growing pile of bodies. He didn’t know where they were taken, just pulled out by guards. Blood smeared a path on the ground.

“Begin”

X3 lunged first, her fists flying towards X14’s face. He ducked and countered with a swift kick to her stomach. She stumbled back, but quickly recovered and with in for another attack. She was quick and agile, but he was strong. Both, dangerously determined to win. 

He managed to land a few blows on her, but she retaliated with equal ferocity. She lunged, diving past X14 and by the table, grabbing a knife and guarded herself. Breathing fast as she suddenly lunged again to him. He ducked, forced to go to defense till he could get his own knife. 

When he did, they were caught in an equal game once again. A few scraps here and there, but both dodged the deadly slices. The sound of clashing metal echoed around the room, a symphony of death.

The fight continued for what seemed like an eternity, both of them sustaining injuries, but refusing to give up. Their fight was brutal and unrelenting, each blow fueled by desperation. With one final kick, he knocked X3 to the ground. She lay there, gasping for air. He didn’t let her get a chance to regain herself. In less than a second, he slashed his blade down across her throat, blood spilling as she screamed. He slashed a tear through her chest, and the screaming stopped. 

X14 stood over her, panting and victorious. He had won the fight, but at what cost? As he looked down at X3, his sister turned enemy, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for what he had done. 

But in the end, it was a fight to the death, and he had emerged as the victor. 

He won. He will live on. For them.

-

“I am very proud of you all.” Their commander said, smile wide on his face.

In a line, X14 stood side by side by those of other letter classes. Those that also won their trial. All of them reeked of blood, the stench of iron strong. He was sick to his stomach by how much red was soaked into his clothes, as if he bathed in their deaths. 

“You all have shown great skills and determination. And because of that, you live to see another day. Take this victory with stride. This, is the first day of phase two.”

Phase… two?

“I can see remorse on some faces, as if you regret your actions. Killing your bothers and sisters. Don’t. That shows weakness, and they were weak. You were merely pulling weeds out of a garden before it grew to large.”

He didn’t feel that way, and a horrible feeling fell to his stomach as the commander locked eyes with him. Stayed there for a beat too long for comfort before looking to his new siblings.

“This remorse will not last long. Doctors, prepare the machines.”

A guard roughly grabbed his arm, as well as all of those by his side, and X14 was dragged down a hall. He hasn’t been to this part of the building before, and when he was shoved into a room, he wasn’t exactly excited to be there.

Five chairs sat around machines, each hooked up with many wires. A faceplate sat above the chair, along with a helmet similar to the one used to do brain tests. Though it looked more… extreme. Cold.

“Pardon us for not having enough chairs to do this all at once. We’ll have to take turns.”

With the guard still firmly holding his arm, X14 watched as four other’s of his kind were dragged to the chairs by him. He was strapped in, arms tightly bound and his legs stuck in place. A chest brace came over, and suddenly a cold metal stabbed into his arms. He winced, eyes wide and confused as doctors circled him. Hooking things up, injecting him with needles all over.

His new siblings, those not in the chairs, watched, held tightly by the guards. Waiting for their own turn. He didn’t know what was worse, to watch this, or to be experiencing it. Whatever it was he was about to experience. He felt pain was imminent.

“Do know, that the body remembers, even if the mind does not fully. Your training was not wasted.” The commander said.

This… he knew that phrase. He heard it a long time ago. The body remembers while the mind does not always….. brain washing. 

The revelation came as the cold metal plate came down over his head, a mouth-guard pushed into his mouth. “Begin.” And it did. The pain, it shocked and shot through every vein and muscle in his body. He couldn’t not scream, crying out in pain as his brain fell to mush in his head.

Those in the other chairs did the same, all of them crying out in pain. He saw flashes of light, his heart raced. He felt like fire was rushing through his veins- no, something worst than fire. He’s been burned many times, this was worst. This was the definition of hell.

-

He stood tall, at attention. He didn’t recognize the faces of those by him, but he had a sense they too were special like him.

He stood in an all black, combat suit. It felt scratchy, yet he did not move and adjust the garment. They were waiting for orders, eyes forward and hands behind their backs.

“Welcome, my children.” A man entered, smiling wide. “Earlier today, you endured a test that proved you were the best. That test, did some damage to all of your minds sadly, so we did all we could to help, but it was brutal and dangerous, so some memories may be hazy.”

Now that it was said, he did wonder where he was. How he got here. Hazy images flashed in his mind, yet he couldn’t place any of the faces. Must not be that important, if he can’t remember it all that much.

“Each of you possess a gift. Outcast by your own parents, and we took you in. Made you better, made you the best. For this, you are mine, and will do as I say, so that I may make you stronger than you currently are. Understand?”

He nodded, in unison, with all the others by him.

“None of you are the same. So, let us do some introductions. Before today, you were identified by the tag branded on your right wrists, but now, we shall grant you a new code name.”

The man walked up to the first in the line, a boy with black hair. “You were apart of the A group. You possess Super Strength. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘Obsidian’.” He went to the next in line, a female with blonde-white hair. “You were apart of the B group. You possess Super Speed. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘Black Cat’.”

The next was a boy from the D group with tan skin, black hair, and he had super sight. He is to be called “Red Eye” from now on. Then it was a boy from F with Super Hearing, he was “Whisper” now. The boy from G with a Perfect Memory is to be called “Pyro Cipher”. He had brown hair, and very pale white skin.

“You were apart of the H group. You possess the ability of Flight. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘Lunar Crow’.” The Commander spoke to a black girl with brown hair. She nodded once before he moved on to the girl by her side. She was from the K group, and she could Teleport.

The asian girl from the L group that could turn Invisible was to be called “Midnight” now. The boy from M with light brown hair could create Force Fields. He was now “Citadel”. Next, was another boy with brown hair, yet his was darker, as was his skin, but not as dark as the black girls. He possessed Telepathy, and was now referred to as “Black Mirage”.

The Commander smiled to the Boy with black hair, saying “You were apart of the Q group. You possess the ability of Telekinesis. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘Chrome’” before moving onto the next boy. He was from R, could control Electrical Currents, and now was known as “Blue Spark”. Ironic, he felt, since the boy had bright red hair.

The blonde girl from S had Water Abilities, and now was “Ice Toxin”, and then the boy with Fire Abilities was named “Scarlett Torch”. The Commander nodded to him, then smiled to the next boy. He was taller than them all, with tan skin and black hair. “You were apart of the V group. You possess the Ability to Manipulate Nature. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘Ash’.”

The Commander walked up to the girl next to him, letting them all know she was from W. She had Chameleon Abilities, meaning she could camouflage like the animal, and held of their other qualities as well. She had brown hair, and now was to be called “Masquerade”.

Then, the Commander stood in front of him. Smiling, and now with the man directly facing him, he saw how crooked and yellow his teeth were. “You were apart of the X group. You possess Spider Powers, meaning you have qualities similar to that of the arachnid. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘Red Spider’.”

He nodded, accepting this name, and watching as the man went to the next, and last, boy. He had brown hair, standing at the same height as himself. He was from Z, possessing the ability to Phase through solid objects, and beings. He was “White Ghost” now.

“Now, that you all know each of your abilities, and names, it’s time to start our training. Let’s see how you all work as one unit.”

Age 11

“Ajutor va rog ajutati. Nu o pot găsi pe mama.” (Help please help. I can’t find my mother)

His mission was simple. Get the man alone for his superiors to take him down. Adults do not go with a random adult somewhere without having reasoning or some incentive. A child suddenly upset and pulling you to help, they are forced to help or act like they are going to. A sane human doesn’t leave the child alone, and even a stone-cold killer can not either. They have to act natural in the public setting. Ignoring his pleas would make others suspicious of him.

“Vă rog! Nu stiu unde este mama! Ajutați-mă” (Please! I do not know where my mother is! Help me) Red Spider said, tugging on the man’s arm and pulling him down the street.

The target grunted, seemed to no understand his Romanian, and pulled Red Spider’s arm off of him. He glanced around, taking note of some people watching. Red Spider upped his acting, willing more tears to fall as he sucked in harsh breaths, really making it seem as if he was an innocent, lost child.

The man bent down, level to him. “Ok- ok. Kid, stop crying. English? Do you speak English?” He asked, voice thick in an accent he hasn’t heard before.

“Nu o pot găsi pe mama. Vă rog să mă ajutați” (Please help, I can’t find my mother) He cried.

The man sighed, shaking his head and standing. “Ok ok um- lets find someone- hey!” He grabbed the mans sleeve again, pulling him again. The man didn’t resist this time, just followed blindly. Red Spider kept repeating how he needs to find his mother in Romanian, his target confused to what he was saying.

He rounded a corner, and behind them, one of his superiors came out of hiding. He let go of the mans arm, looked up to him and wiped his eyes. Taking a shaking breath, then controlled his face. His dramatic meltdown gone in an instant, and the cold killer he was trained to be came out. 

“Gordon Trembalar” he said, steady in level in English, “Hydra is not done with you yet.”

“Wh-what?!” He gasped, confused and a flash of anger came out. Only a flash, before his superiors grabbed the man from behind and started to choke him out. Another coming out from cover and grabbing the mans legs, lifted up and both forced him into a nearby door. 

Red Spider followed, closing the door and standing guard as the men quickly beat the man. Tying his hands behind his back as he gasped for air. One of the men held Gordon tightly, as the other drew a knife and grabbed the mans hand. Sawing a finger off. 

Gordon screamed, muffled by the man holding him down’s hand, but the sound was still too loud. His ears twitched to it, and suddenly he heard other voices, distant, but too close for comfort.

“Others are approaching, hold” he said, focusing in on the new voices.

The one sawing did stop, and the other with his hand to Gordon’s mouth tightened his grip. Silencing the man. Red Spider waited till the voices grew quiet, and waited till he was sure they were gone and no one will come near them before giving the signal continue. Letting the man saw Gordon’s finger off.

He looked away as his mouth was payed open, his cut off finger pushed into his mouth and then clamped shut. Ordered to chew. He wished his ears didn’t hear the crunch of the bone as it happened, his stomach turning to the mere idea of doing such a thing. 

But this man deserved it. He was Hydra. Was. He left, gave information of their locations up to SHIELD, their rival and the group Hydra themselves was going to take down one day. 

He deserved this pain, this torment. He knew what he was doing when he left, and now, Gordon was paying the price. 

-

Red Spider returned his weapons before he was allowed to head to his room. Weapons must be given back to his superiors after a mission. He didn’t understand why. What if an attack came? He can only hold a man off with only his hands for so long. 

Once in his room, he took off the tactical gear he had hidden under his street clothes, changing into his regulation garments. A black t-shirt and pants. Comfortable, but nice to move in. Won’t hinder you if you do need to make a quick retreat to a mission.

“So. What did the Spider do on his mission this time?” 

He glanced back, rolling his eyes as Black Cat leaned on his doorway, arms crossed loosely over her chest.

“Simple. Pretended to be a crying kid and get the guy alone.” He shrugged, pulling his shirt over his head. 

“God I hate those ones. I feel so pathetic.” She groaned.

He could see where she stood with that. It meant forcing weakness out, forcing a feeling out he should not know. It should feel wrong, to cry, to beg for help. And it did. But… it also felt… like that was how he should be. That crying was… ok. 

Red Spider never voiced this though though. He’d be accused of going soft and would be taken for reconditioning. He didn’t know exactly what that would be, but Masquerade had. She came back quieter than she was before, and still was a recluse even weeks later.

“Yeah, but I got it done.”

“Did you have to use your abilities?” She asked, a tilt to her head.

He shook his. “No, my job was to be a distressed child. Normal children do not climb walls.”

“Maybe, who knows.” She shrugged. “Could be more of us out there that the Commander hasn’t helped yet.”

He wasn’t sure on that. He felt if the Commander could help other’s, he would have already. No other’s have joined their ranks, and no indications have been made that their could be other’s out there like them.

“It doesn’t matter if their is or not. We are all each of us has, no one can take that away.”

“I didn’t say someone would take it away. I just wonder if other’s are like us out there.”

He frowned. “If their was, and Commander does bring them to us, that would bring a new member in. It would disturb our system and could be the end of all of us.”

She shrugged. “And what’s so wrong about that?” 

He watched as Black Cat walked away, leaving him alone and… confused. 

He should report this, what was said by the other girl. Her words were suspicious, could hold other meanings he did not see. Yet… as much as his training in him told him to report her, that betraying a brother or sister was a must if it meant they showed weakness or signs of betrayal…. He didn’t.

Because really, he wondered a lot of things he shouldn’t. She just added another thought for him to sit up at night fretting over. Something else to wonder on. 

Why were they the only one’s here?

Age 12

Red Spider typed quickly, his eyes scanning for the files he was to download. Download, and get out undetected.

It was a test, but the threats were real. While he won’t be killed like on a real mission if he was caught, he did not want a guard to find him. The torture, that would be real. And painful, very painful.

He finished his download and quickly pulled the USB out. Closing the programs to not leave a trace as he tucked the small stick into a concealed pouch on his vest. 

As soon as he turned the computer off, he was out of there. Jumping to the ceiling and crawling to the exit, listening for anyone. Three nearby, footsteps growing closer- the door below him opened with a start, the three men rushing in. 

Guns aimed and ready. Wait… he thought this wasn’t to the death. He thought this was just a test. Would they actually shoot if he failed?

He swallowed the lump in his throat, staying still. Waiting as the men walked around, taking a lap around the room. Two left, the third about to, when suddenly he looked up and locked eyes with him.

His neck flared with danger, his senses going off. Alerting him just fast enough of the shots fired before they happened. He jumped down and landed on the ground as the man fired, rushing forwards and dodging the bullets. Disarming the man and locked in a fist fight. 

The other two men rushed in, and suddenly Red Spider found himself in a horrible encounter. Three on one, two with guns firing at him whenever they had the shot. He did all he could, dodging and punching, kicking and even grabbing a knife one of the men had on his belt. Swiping and slashing one of the men in the chest.

He knew they couldn’t kill him, but could he kill them?

A bullet pierced through his leg, a scream leaving his lungs. Then another, and suddenly he was being restrained. Strong arms around him. He kicked, pushing his body back and flipping them, landing harshly on the man on the ground. His hold loosened, but he was not free. Another man grabbed him and threw him to the ground. His head crashing hard to the floor.

He blacked out, waking in a medical room. Woozy, dizzy. Blinking harshly to the white lights, his head pounding.

Doctors circled him and the room, doing…. Something. He looked down, seeing his body was braced to the operating table. His leg still ached, but he was sure it was healed over by now. Then again, he wasn’t sure how long he was out. If it healed with the bullet in, he’d have to cut his leg open and dig it out. He’s done that before, or more so, screamed as it happened to him.

“Oh, you’re awake.” The Commander said, his eyes snapping up at attention to the man. He… was frowning. Hard. “Interesting. You should be sleeping still… must need a stronger dosage for you.”

He said nothing, just watched as the man hummed and walked around with the doctors. “No matter. We would have woken you soon anyways for this.”

He held his tongue for a moment, knowing to not speak out of turn. But…. What was it they were going to do? Help him? Why would he need to be woken to fix his leg?

His Commander smirked at his confusion. “This, is going to hurt. And I do hate to make my children hurt. But, that’s what happens when you disrespect me.”

“I didn’t-“ he started, a harsh slap to his cheek received.

“Did I say you could speak?!” The man sneered. “You disrespected me! My mission! Sloppy, getting outdone by three amateurs! A disgrace!” He slapped Red Spider’s cheek again, leaving a painful sting.

“In that case,” the man huffed, taking a breath. “You will be punished. Maybe you will remember this for next time so you don’t mess up again. Because if you do….. no, let’s leave that as a mystery. Something to make you never mess up again. Understood?”

He nodded, eyes low as he looked up to the man. 

“Good. Begin the punishment.”

The restraints on his wrists and ankles grew tighter. A mask was placed over his face, like it was a gas mask. Tightened around his face, only making it possible to breath through a tube at the mouth. It was already difficult, but suddenly, he couldn’t at all. 

His eyes widened in animalistic instinct, body spasming as he struggled to get a breath in. Choking in the rubber mask till he suddenly could breath. Harsh, ragged breaths, and then again no air.

They were holding the tube, cutting off his oxygen. Making him gasp, gag and spasm for air. His body jerking violently against the chair. Not stopping, not letting him go unconscious. As soon as he felt he would pass out, he was given air. A moment of false relief before it began all over again.

Red Spider wasn’t sure how long this went on, but he was sure it was hours. Punishments were never fast. They were given to make you remember them. Remember from your mistakes so you wouldn’t make them again.

He was strong, not weak. He endured it, and knew not to show relief and happiness when the mask was taken off. If he did, he could receive more. False hope. 

Yet, even as he kept his face neutral, the mask was suddenly on his head again. The process starting all over.

Age 13

He sat with his brothers and sisters in silence, all confused but none said a word. 

A large box was brought into the room, one similar to the screens that the doctors and Commander used in testing, yet it was… bigger. Much bigger, and had a big black box attached to the back of it. On the cart with the box was small… cases? Colored and different sayings all over them.

He sat there in confusion as the guard grabbed a plug and put it into the wall. Their Commander standing by the side, watching. They all sat in a line, two rows, in front of the strange screen. Wondering what was going on. 

Normally, when they would all be brought into this room, or even a few of them, it was to go over a group mission. Going over the details for field work. Instead… this item was brought in.

He had a feeling whatever it was, it was not good. Some sort of… torture mechanism.

What did they do wrong?

“Thank you, Agent 18” The Commander said, letting the guard go. He took his place by the big box, grabbing a small black stick and pointing it to the box. Suddenly, the screen illuminated, black and white lines faded in and out, like it was scrambling.

“This, children, is called a television.” The Commander smiled to them. “And these, are called movies.” He held up two of the small cases, bending down and looking at them all. “We are going to watch one of them.”

He looked to them all, as if he was studying their faces. “Oh, no need to be scared. These are good. Made for entertainment.”

With a weary hand, Blue Spark next to him raised his hand. The Commander nodded, letting the boy speak. “Sir, why are we to watch something for… entertainment? Will this help for an upcoming mission? Is this information for said mission?”

The Commander… laughed. A strange noise. “Oh, no no. This is not for a mission. It is a treat, so do not do anything to make me take it away. Now, let us see.. which shall we watch.”

“Sir?” 

Red Spider looked over at Shadow Dash, her hand raised. “Why…… why are we given this?”

“Because, sweetheart,” Commander smiled. “You all have been doing exceptional with your trainings and missions. This, is a reward. And, in a way, it is training too.”

“How so?” She asked.

The man sighed, humming to himself. “Many children your age have already… seen a lot of these movies. This way, you will be able to stay undercover more easily. Call it a… bonus trait to your many skills.”

She nodded, and the Commander looked back to the many small cases. “Let us start with this one. A classic. Oh, you all will become fluent in all of these, so pay attention. But, this is not a test, and no test will come from this. Again, enjoy it. You earned it, my children.”

He pulled a small disk from the case, pushed into the black box, taking it in and suddenly the fuzzy screen wasn’t fuzzy anymore. Pictures scattered across the screen, words fading in and out. 

He watched with… nerves. Aware that the Commander said this was not a test, yet, he could not let his guard down. But, as time went on, he… found a strange thing occurring. Red Spider was… smiling. He hasn’t smiled in… he doesn’t know how long. And he laughed. A few times. And not just him, other’s did as well. 

This was… fun. He liked this. He wondered when they would be rewarded again for their good behavior.

-

Movies, that was what the moving pictures was called. And the big black box was moved to the common room for all of them. Always playing something, looping between different movies. Allowing them all to sit and watch one as they went in and out from missions. 

So far, Red Spider found he liked the “Jurassic Park” one a lot, along with that one of the space warriors. “Star Wars”. That one was fun, but often times on when he was off on a mission or sleeping. The rare times he did see it, though, he smiled the whole time. Eyes locked onto the screen.

Some, he did not like as much as others. “Fast and Furious” he found was fun, yet, he did not find the appeal like some of his brothers did. Same with “West Side Story,” why were they singing the whole time? He found that one annoying, going to take a nap if it happened to be on when he was up instead of suffering through that one.

The first time he saw “Alien”, he woke up with a start in the middle of the night, gasping for air in fear. That was strange, a feeling he did not like. And anytime he did see it, he grew… scared. A feeling he hated to feel. That a movie would make him feel weak. From that, Red Spider tried to watch it many times, to overcome that horrid feeling. It didn’t help, if anything, it made him hide in the small seat he was in more, knowing the scares and suspense was coming.

He was teased for that by Whisper, the other laughing as he said he could hear his heart rate speed up. The jerk even told their Commander, as if he would punish Spider for his fear. He didn’t, but instead laughed along. Said he would change the movie to a new one.

The new one wasn’t any better. “Predator” was just as bad, maybe worst.

He learned, that those were classified as “Horror” movies, and Red Spider learned fast he hated that genre.

-

His ears perked up the closer he got to the common room, hearing only two voices speaking. But they were hushed, quiet. As if they… did not want to be heard.

He slowed his steps, tuning in to who it was and what they were saying. It was Pyro Cipher, the boy with perfect memory, and Midnight, the girl with the ability to turn invisible. He didn’t have many missions with either of them, but has had a few at times. Both were… not the same in skills as him, hence why they did not team up often.

Not saying they were bad soldiers, because they were exceptional. But Pyro Cipher and Midnight tended to be in the background, working more so on the technical side and hacking. They did not go on many combat missions, trained more so for the side to tell him what to do on a mission and where to go. 

He listened closely, pausing outside the doorway. Wondering what they were whispering about.

“It is strange though.” Midnight said. “I understand what you are saying.”

“But I don’t think you do. This is more.”

“This is always more. Our Superiors won’t tell us of the large mission. We all would want to jump in before we are ready and end up disappointing the Commander.”

“That is not what I meant.”

He frowned, assuming Midnight did too. “What… what do you mean?”

“I mean….. I mean the Commander….”

“What of him?”

“He is… something is not right.”

“With the Commander?”

“With everything.”

“I don’t… you are not making sense.”

“The movies.”

“Yes, the movies? They show imaginative images and themes for entertainment.”

“But why?”

“Why?”

“Yes, why?” Pyro Cipher asked.

“I…. I believe it is to give.. enjoyment.”

“But why?”

“I do not understand- just say whatever you are trying to say.”

He heard the irritated sigh, along with… a heart beat rising. Nervous.

“Commander said children have seen these before, children that are not us.”

“Yes, so we can blend in better outside when we go on field missions.”

“But why would they have watched the same ones?”

“Um…. For entertainment like us?”

“No -… “ another irritated sigh, “no I mean, those children we pretend to blend in with. They do not have training like us. They do not understand the things we do.”

“Because we were trained to be better.”

“But what makes us better?”

“Our powers, our abilities. Commander took us in to help us.”

“But did he help us?” The ask was even quieter than anything else said. If it was not for his super hearing, Spider wouldn’t have caught it, along with a lot of this conversation. “Did he help us? Because we both saw life out there… and it is not like how he says it is.”

“Its… they are lost and just hide it well.”

“I don’t think that is it. I…. I did some…”

“You did what?” Silence. “Pyro, what did you do?”

“I looked into some files.”

“Files? What… what sort of files?”

“Ours.”

“Py!-… Pyro! Why?” Midnight started to say louder, hushing herself quickly. Assuming no one was listening but not risking it. Unaware Red Spider was wide-eyed on the other side of the wall.

“I was doing a hacking exercise. And… I saw it. I snagged the file and smuggled the USB to investigate later when I was not being watched or tested.”

“And you got away with it?” Silence, but he guessed that meant a nod. “What… what did it say?”

“There’s more.”

“More of us?”

“Yes.”

“That.. that’s good though. It means we have more brothers and sisters we can help.”

“No- no midnight. Was, not is, was.”

“What… what do you mean?”

“Do you… do you ever wonder why your brand says L11? And why mine says G15?”

“It means you have a different ability than I do. That’s what the letter means.”

“But the number. Do you not wonder why you are numbered that way? They could have just put the letter on, but the number, do you not wonder?”

“I… I suppose I do… what does this have to do with others like us?”

“Because they were numbered and graded like us. We… we grew with them. Trained with them.”

“No that… no. I would remember my brothers and sisters, especially those with the same ability as me.” She scuffed.

Red Spider agreed internally. He would remember if their was others like him, others able to stick to walls, others he could really relate to that would understand who he was.

“You don’t because we were brain washed. They took the memories of them away.”

That… sent a horrible chill down his back. And a… sudden fuzzy image in his head. A helmet.. cold and metal… pain, everywhere…

“Then… then where are they? Our brothers and sisters?”

“They… are dead.”

A silence fell too long, too heavy suddenly for everything being discussed. 

“How did they die?”

“We.. killed them.”

“No - no! No… no that can’t be right.”

“I read the file, Midnight. Their was…. Their was a trial. It was a fight to the death and whoever won, lived. Then they wiped our minds so we would not know the guilt we felt over killing those we grew up with.”

He felt his chest tighten, a feeling long lost suddenly surfacing. Guilt, a feeling to ignore, push down and disguise as something else. But… it was strong, festering inside his body quickly and suddenly, he felt nauseous. 

“Is… is that why I… I can not remember my old training? I can not remember who I was before I got my name?”

The silence was a yes, and Spider was gasping for air suddenly. This was… huge. Why… why would they hide this from them? What… why were they forced to fight to the death? Surely many of the same abilities were better than just one. More of an army, more to fight. 

It didn’t make sense.

Something was being said, but he did not hear them. His ears ringing and his heart clenching in his chest. Images that were always blurry before suddenly clear. He had a life before this. He had bothers and sisters. He had… He had pain. He had tears. He had… He had feelings he wasn’t allowed to feel now. He had… he had regret. 

A single tear fell down his cheek, remembering a face. He didn’t know who it was, but he knew… he knew it pained him to remember it.

“What are we going to do of this?” He said, rounding the corner and coming out of the shadows. Pyro Cipher and Midnight jumped to his words, eyes wide as they were caught. “I heard you, heightened hearing,” He pointed to his head, “but it’s wrong. They… they took our memories and… our brothers and sisters and for what? Why… why would they make us do this trial?”

Midnight shared a look with Pyro Cipher, as if they were hesitating to continue this conversation. Slowly, Cipher looked to him, frowning. “To make us the strongest we are. If we could… kill our own, then we can kill anyone.”

“Why?” He asked, pained. “Why would we need to be able to kill anyone? We… we kill when need to, when we are on a mission, why would we need to kill our own?”

The boy frowned hard. “Because… their is another trial.”

His stomach felt sick again. Sharing a shocked, pained face with Midnight.

“What do you mean another?” Midnight asked, voice timid.

“It will happen when we are 18. It.. it will be our test to… to see if we are ready to be an agent, or not. If you succeed, then you are officially an agent of Hydra.”

“And if.. if we fail?” She asked.

“Then… then we are killed, as our skills are not as useful as it was once deemed before.”

He shook his head, frowning hard. “They wouldn’t do that. Hydra took us in, they saved us. They would not-“

“That’s what I’m trying to say. They didn’t take us in. They did not save us. If they did, why test us to make us just kill each other? Why not get more children like us, why not save them too?” He was quiet, same as Midnight. Neither knew. Neither said a word as Pyro sighed. 

“It’s because we were not saved. We were made this way. We were kidnapped as infants or not even born yet. Given these powers. Their are not other children like us out there because we were made in here. We, are not saved. We are all just a science experiment used to make super soldiers that will some day take down the world.”

He was quiet, slowly processing this. So much to process, take in. To know he was lied to, that he was… not taken in because he was abandoned, given a chance to be good. But because he was.. lied to and made to be someone for someone else’s own evil vengeance.

“What.. do we do?” He softly asked.

“Nothing.” Pyro sighed, looking defeated. “What can we do? We are not even to know of this, I just happened to find the files and snagged them before anyone saw. The Commander, or anyone, can’t know we know of this.”

“Maybe someone should.” Midnight mumbled.

“Are you insane?!” Pyro gasped, whisper yelling at her. “They will kill you instantly if-“

“No, they wouldn’t. They would wipe my mind, and whoever I told. They did it when I killed my own blood, how many times did they wipe my mind? What if this is not the first time we had this talk?”

He felt another shiver fall down his spine. She was right, how.. how many times did his mind go blank, and memories were lost? How many times has he wondered why he was here?

“We must act on this.” She said between the two quiet boys. “We can not risk our minds being taken from us away. We… we can not keep doing their dirty work.”

“If we don’t cooperate, or show any signs of doubt to the cause, we will be punished.” Red Spider pointed out.

“Then we act as if this is not something we know of. We make a plan, and…. Find those we can trust.”

“You want to tell others?” Pyro asked. “You just said they will wipe our minds if they find out. What if someone tells on us?”

“Then you don’t tell that person. We find brothers and sisters we know that will not tell, but will join in and… find a way to get out. To tell children outside to be weary and… hopefully, no one else will face what we did in here. Who knows how many are in danger out there.”

He hummed, thinking. 

“Black Cat…”

“What of her?”

“She… said to me once, that…. that she wondered why we're alone and…. and that if their was others… what was so wrong with the… the system failing?”

Pyro crossed his arms loosely over his chest. “I don’t know.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s always is close to the Commander. He likes her, and she likes him, you see how he smiles when she comes back from a mission. She’s just.. trying to snake out those that will betray him.”

“Or, maybe, she was seeing who would agree, and knows more than others do since she is close to him. She could be playing two sides.”

“I don’t trust her.”

Red Spider rolled his eyes, looking to Midnight. “What do you think?”

She frowned, shrugging slowly. “I don’t know. She does often get taken to his quarters at all times of the day. He could be asking her of things being said with us. A spy within.”

“See?” Pyro snarked.

“Or, she could be weary because of what she does know, like you said. But…. I don’t know. I feel we wait, maybe sus her out first. But, in the meantime, this stays between us three, and no one shares what we know to anyone without the other’s agreeing. Understood? This… this is more than our lives and minds on the line. This is… this is every one of us.”

Red Spider nodded, along with Pyro. His mind torn and heavy, a lot to take in.

The main thing, though, that Red Spider wondered, was who he was before this. Did he have a life? Did he have a family, like the children he sees outsides on missions, like the one he pretends to be for recon work? Was there a real mother out there looking for him? 

Who was he?

Age 14

Red Spider checked his weapons, being sure he was well equip for the mission ahead. Others by him did the same, those going out in the field that was. They had to be concealed, and not the main use of this mission, just a per-caution in case something went wrong.

He had a knife in his boot, one on the inside of his jacket, and a gun secured in the belt of his pants. That, was what made him anxious. A mission to have a gun meant the people you were going against were dangerous, more advanced in combat. A higher threat. To carry a gun, even if it was not to be used unless absolutely needed, meant this was more serious.

Though, he doubted the weapon would need to be drawn. The mission was not to engage in combat or even take down anyone. It was a recon mission, meant to get information and spy on a few individuals.

“Fall in”

He looked up, turning and standing tall. Walking over and waiting at attention. His brothers and sisters joined him, waiting as well, as the guard moved aside and the Commander himself stepped in. 

He glanced around, not lingering long on one specific individual. Humming a melody Red Spider did not recognize as he paced.

“Your mission…. Has changed.” He slowly said, slowly walking still. “Instead of a day out…. You will be gone three days. Surveying the area and our targets, getting as much information as you can and sending anything that you do find back to us the moment you find the ability.”

Three days? Three days off base? They’ve only done day work, all of them.

“Will a more skilled individual be joining us, Commander?” Red Eye asked, facing forwards and not to the Commander as he spoke.

“No.” He responded. “You will be doing this on your own. Think of this as… a test. To see how you work with your brothers and sisters, and to prove you are more.” Silence fell over the room, nothing but the sound of the Commanders boots on the hard concrete. “A bag for each of you will be prepared and given as you leave. Documents are inside. Study them, they will be your identity for the next week. Good luck, my children.”

-

“Stuart Gregory.” Red Eye scuffed, sitting next to him. “What a boring alias name.”

“Better than Robert Smith. That one is boring.” Whisper commented. “What is your’s? Spider?”

He looked down to his own, taking a deep breath and sighing. “Tom Holland. Born in England, current age 14.”

“What? How come you’re 14 and I’m 13 still?” Whisper frowned, standing and taking the documents out of his hand, surveying them himself.

“Hmm…. Trade with me.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Commander gave us these alias’s and I’m sure there is a reason he gave each of us these names and stories. To trade them would be to argue with the Commander and his decisions.”

“Commander won’t know what we don’t tell him.” Whisper rolled his eyes. “Come on, your name is cooler. Trade me.”

He looked around, seeing all his brothers and sisters on this mission grow quiet, watching this play out. He looked back up to the boy stood in front of him, his gaze set, small smirk their like he won.

Wait… what if this was a test? What if, Commander would know, and he set Whisper up to this? Seeing who would go against his orders, his wishes? Who would be a potential threat… would want to leave…

“No.” He said firm, grabbing the documents and standing as well. Did not back away as he got into Whispers face and passed him. Purposefully bumping into him.

“Whatever.” Whisper grumbled, taking the seat Red Spider was previously in. He scuffed and pulled his own documents out again, studying them once more.

Hours passed, and by the time the plane landed, he was well versed in his role. He had changed into clothing that was given in the bag, standard and nothing that could be easily targeted. Blue jeans and a grey shirt, covered in a zip up jacket that was black. Standard, nothing extravagant. His brothers and sisters wore similar attire, though he noted some had wigs. Styled and changing them more.

Interesting.

The mission, was easy. Act as a group of kids in a public place, bringing no attention to them, yet listen to the information around them to send back to base. No one suspects a group of young teenagers to be apart of Hydra.

The first day was nothing extreme. They all knew their targets, had sat close by and played the part, yet did not get too close either to blow any cover. Whisper, was a key aspect that day. While they all pretended to discuss a new movie coming out and other pop culture things, he stayed mostly quiet. Nothing noticeable to a naked eye.

He had Enhanced Hearing, though, as did Spider. Both of them were more reserved, listening to the conversations of the men they were to get Intel on. Every so often relaying tid-bits back to the group, written down in code or tapped in one for others to be aware.

The second day, he was one to pretend to be engaged in conversations and act like the obnoxious teenager that others passing by would ignore. Their group would disperse and then merge again often, always having someone with them. Never alone. They did this all day, and a few times ran into their targets. Again, never interacting, but being close enough to get something out of them.

The third day was the same as both the others. It was also when it clicked in his mind who they were spying on. Before that, he was told to keep an eye on the individuals and send any information back. Whether that be a meet up for something else, or just the persons food order, they were to listen and send it back to base.

But it was when he was pretending to read a book, those by him talking and continuing the act, and his ears were tuned in instead to the two men a few feet from them, that he heard them say something and it all clicked who they were actually spying on.

“So. Any idea what we should do now?”

“No not yet, but you know Nat, she can find something that will help. Sometimes it just takes more time than I’d like.”

“Hmm. Yeah I guess so. Still, pardon me for being curious about the upcoming plan.”

The man laughed. Blonde, tall. Muscular. “While I don’t blame you, it’s best we just keep a low profile right now. Word is Hydra is everywhere and… I don’t like to think how they could be right here and we wouldn’t even know it.”

His hand stilled, heart beating faster. They knew. They knew they were being watched- these men knew and- hold on. Breath. Don’t let outward emotions show. Don’t give yourself away. The blonde man, he never said he knew they were being watched. Just had the feeling. Their cover was not blown, yet.

“You really think they’d be just out here?” The other man said. His skin was dark, like Lunar Crow’s. “Man you really are paranoid.”

“Sam, you don’t know them like I do.” Blonde man sighed. 

“Doesn’t mean I don’t know how this words,” Sam said. “I know spies, but we are in a public place, and theirs mostly kids here. And all the adults have kids, unless they are those over there sucking face. So less you are telling me that make-out city is two spies in a very committed act to hide their cover, you need to let those shoulders un-tense.”

The blonde sighed, as well did Red Spider. He felt calmer, knowing that these Americans didn’t know of them. Silly, assuming only adults could be spies.

“I guess you’re right.” He eventually said, letting out a sigh again. “I just this. All of this. How could I have let them infiltrate us so easily?”

“You can’t blame this on yourself. All of SHIELD had no idea, not just Captain America.”

His eyes widened against his wishes, throat closing in. Sh… shield? Captain America? That was Captain America? They were spying on Hydra’s number one enemy?!

He quickly flipped his page of the book he was pretending to read, hand landing on Mirage’s leg and tapping in morse quickly. 

SHIELD. CAPTAIN AMERICA KNOWS HYDRA HAS INFILTRATED. COVER NOT BLOWN. STAY ON LOOKOUT

He saw in the corner of his eye the boy look around, taking in more of their surroundings. The boy to left laughed, keeping the attention off as he tapped “RED HEAD WOMAN APPROACHING” on his leg back. Another person to listen into.

“So, boys.” Her voice was low. Level. Alert. “You ready to scare someone?”

“You found him?” Captain America spoke.

“Sitwell’s in the Occidental with Senator Stern at the moment. Hour tops before they leave.”

“Then we better get a move on.”

Red Spider stayed still, flipping his page as the men stood and left with the red haired woman. None of them paid any mind. A win for the teens. An alarm for their organization.

-

Red Spider sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes up on the screen in alarm. Captain America fought the Winter Soldier. The Winter Soldier was in DC, the same place he was a mere few hours ago. 

And he didn’t kill him. The man, the most famous and deadly assassin in the world, he didn’t kill the Captain. He didn’t kill the man named Sam or the red-headed woman either.

Why not?

That information was not given to him or his brothers and sisters. Neither was what was to happen going forwards. They did there job, now it was up to higher officers to handle this. This, was not their project or worry, this was another groups.

Still, they were all Hydra. Cut off one head, another grows in its place. What happens if the heart is cut out, a head can’t grow back then. What will happen if that comes to fruition?

-

“Spider, wake up.”

He stirred in his sleep, blinking his eyes open in a foggy haze. He was in his room, was asleep on his bunk till a moment prior. Spider’s ears started to adjust, tuning in the sounds of his fellow brother’s and sister’s breathing. Some asleep. Some not.

The one’s who woke him, Pyro and Midnight, the ones he met that started his whole new outlook on life, were standing over his bed. They woke him. Dressed in all black.

“What is it?” He whispered, sitting up, sensing something was not right. The back of his neck was tingling. Dull, but there and aware some danger was near.

“We need to leave.” Pyro said, walking away and waking others up.

Leave? How? Where?

“Why?”

Midnight averted her gaze, sighing and not answering him. Instead, she walked over to the bunk by his side, gently then more urgently waking up White Ghost next to him.

Their little circle, the ones that the three of them trusted to tell the truth of everything to, were all woken up now. Quiet, silent as they all blinked and wondered the same thing. Why were they awake, what was going on?

“We need to get dressed.” Pyro said, standing by Chrome’s bunk. The last to wake up. “Like, now. Come on.”

“Not till you tell us what this is about.” Lunar Crow asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

She was an excellent warrior. Harnessed the ability of flight, constantly taking radar from above in a mission. Able to swoop down and disarm a soldier before they even saw her coming.

“I have reason to believe that a Superior knows.. that we know.”

That was all it took for him. Moving and taking off his sleeping attire to put on his combat uniform. A few followed suit immediately, others pausing, unsure, but doing so as well.

Soon enough, six stood in combat gear. Six children of Hydra formulated a plan, one to act on now for their escape. Devised and re-evaluated for a long time coming, finally to be acted upon now. 

If a superior did know, was getting clearance or just finding the time to wipe their memories, they had to act fast. And the best way to ensure they would not loose their minds, was to leave this place altogether.

Midnight left first, surveying the area using her invisibility to note how many guards were stationed, and where. Pyro Cipher and White Ghost left as well, only they were to stay a few steps behind. Waiting for guards to pass and for a clear shot to the control room.

A few minutes after they left, Midnight appeared suddenly in the room. Holding comms for them all. The first part of the mission a success.

Having put the earpiece in, Spider and the other’s could all hear Pyro and Ghost speaking. They were in the control room, watching the cams. Getting them all was not going to be easy, even if the group was small. 

The next step was to get weapons.

While combat would not be wanted, even with the skilled fighter’s they all were, it was best to be precautious. Combat could also alert guards, make their escape more difficult. But if they did somehow come across a guard, it was better to have a knife and make a swift kill then to do so with their hands and risk a gunshot alerting everyone.

So, weapons it was.

Red Spider left the room, branching off towards the weapons storage rooms while Midnight and the others did their part. He crawled on the ceiling, listening to any/everything he could.

Guards voices started to come closer. He stoped, waited as they walked right under him, not even aware of his presence. When the two men were out of earshot, he started to move once more. 

Getting to the weapons storage was rather easily. It was getting in that would prove difficult. Guards were always stationed outside of it, having to prove clearance to even enter. No way would he get in, and fighting the two men would only bring more.

He wasn’t going to enter through the door. He was going up through the vents.

Red Spider got it open, heading up inside and covered the vent behind them. Silently crawling through the metal chambers till he was above the needed room. Guards wandered inside, guns ready in hand next to ones on shelves and racks. Waiting.

“In position.” He whispered into his com, waiting for the other’s cue.

This is where it got risky. Before then, all of this was on stealth. And if they were lucky, the rest of it will be able to be done in the shadows as well. Only, for him to come in and get what was needed, the guards had to go away. And to do that… something has to happen somewhere else in the facility.

He waited in tense silence. Counting the seconds as they ticked by. Suddenly the alarm was ringing, bright lights flashing. The men below were speaking fast, grabbing radios and loading guns. Heading out and towards the disaster, leaving everything in the open for him.

Red Spider acted fast, as he had no clue when the men would return and he rather not get caught in the act of stealing weapons. He grabbed as many guns as he could, loading his pockets with knives and ammunition, before he was back in the vents and covering his entry up. Army-crawling back to the control room.

Just… something was not right. His neck tingled, his sixth sense high alert. He stopped, waiting, listening. Guards ran below him, unaware of his presence. That wasn’t what triggered his sense though, he knew that. Something else did…. 

He took the spilt second decision to open the grate below him, falling into a room and leaving the guns and various other weapons behind. If he was caught, it was better to not be seen with those. 

That split second, the one where he fell into the room, was when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. When he felt the wave of danger radiating all throughout him. Red Spider dodged a knife right before it hit him. He didn’t even see where it came from, but when he turned around, he frowned, hard.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, low.

“I could be asking you the same thing.” Black Cat purred, a wicked smirk on her lips. “Getting into trouble?”

“This doesn’t concern you.”

“No? Why not? Am I not good enough to be apart of your little club?”

“That-….” Wait, what? She knew of him, of the others? Of their secret meetings, of their hushed whispers?

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” She teased.

For being in such a hostile setting, Red Spider did not feel the tension he should. He was alert, had to be in moments like this, but his opponent showed no signs of attack. Her posture was relaxed, pacing the room around him. She looked… bored, in a way.

“What do you want?” He asked.

“Same thing as you.” She hummed, paying him no mind as she pulled the knife he dodged out of the wall. 

“Which is?”

She turned to him, a ghost of a smile on her lips. “Freedom.”

“How do I know our idea’s of freedom are the same?” He mused.

“You’d have attacked me already if you thought I posed a threat. You hadn’t, because you believe we are on the same side.”

“Saying I believe we are on the same side isn’t something you say to someone still on the fence of our alliance.” He frowned. She did as well.

“Look,” She sighed. “I get it. You all think I’m just some secret agent and will cross you.”

“Will you?”

“No.”

“And how would I know if you are telling the truth?”

She frowned, taking a breath. Standing tall, powerful, like she was the one calling the shots here.

“You could have reported me years ago. Thought I was a threat, a danger to Hydra by questioning the Commanders ideas. I even told you other’s like us outside aren’t the same or go through the same training. But you didn’t report me.”

He had… nothing to argue that. He didn’t. He doesn’t know why he didn’t then, at one point he had a reason but now… he didn’t know. 

“I should have. You clearly know more than you let on.”

“And why do you think that is? Because the Commander brings me to his room often?”

“Cat, you literally just told me exactly why I shouldn’t trust you.” He groaned, getting annoyed with this. He was on a time clock and this conversation was futile. 

“Or, counterpoint, “ she paced him, “I know a lot because he choose to bring me in and assumed I would stay by his side. Not my fault he’s an idiot.”

“Why you then? What made him pick you and not one of our brother’s or sisters?” He asked, tilting his head. “He could have easily picked Whisper, or Lunar Crow, or-“

“Because they are too delicate.”

“Delicate?” He scuffed at that, a mocking laugh. “Delicate. Wow, ok. Some skilled fighters and minds yet-“

“Have you had sex, Spider?”

“What?” He backed, caught off guard and thrown for a loop with that. Since when was sex the topic? “What the hell does that have to do anything-“

“I have.” She frowned. Sadly… pained. “Many.. many times.”

He shook his head. “Sex is a distraction, it makes you vulnerable-“

“And, it makes you get information and secrets from people.”

He frowned, the dots connecting in his head. “The commander…. He would… have sex with you.” She nodded. “And you would learn things you shouldn’t have known….”

“I knew of the second trial when we were 11. I overheard a guard and…. And I knew I had to find some way to guarantee my safety. Just….” She took a breath, her dark, composed self breaking for a fraction of a second. “I learned more than I should have. And I think he knew that, so to keep me quiet, what I used as a tactic to gain intelligence slowly became a punishment….”

Spider frowned, a knot forming deep inside him. He felt sick, and he wasn’t even the one to experience the things she had. 

“Does the Commander know that we know? Of his plans, of…. The world outside?”

Her demeanor came back, sharp and at attention. “No. And he won’t”

“How are you sure of that?”

“Because I am going with you.”

“No way.” He shook his head. 

“I literally just told you exactly why you can trust me! I know so much-“

“Exactly! You know things that we shouldn’t! Things that can get us caught and killed for this!”

“And guarantee you're freedom! How were you planning on escaping, huh?”

“Im not telling you that.” He scuffed.

“Out the vents, I’m assuming.”

He frowned. “How do you know that?”

“I didn’t, but it’s obvious and such a rookie mistake, even for Hydra. And let me guess, you all assumed you could sneak in and go at once instead of separating because it would be faster, huh? What happens when the guards climb into the vents, they find all of you together! No chance of getting out and help then!”

He hated how right she was. How they totally didn’t even consider that as a possibility. So lost with hope and adrenaline to escape, they didn’t look at the flaws in their plans.

“You need me. And I only need you all till we are out. Then, we can part way’s, and you’ll never hear from me again. Deal?”

She stepped forwards, hand held out. No blades shown, no weapons. Shoulders lax, not as alert as one should be preparing for a fight. Red Spider knew he should deny this, that he should grab a gun and kill her now. She already knows too much, can report him and all the others. 

He didn’t though, and he knew again why he never reported her all those years ago. She was his sister. Blood or not, they will always have each other’s back.

“Deal.”

-

“What the hell is she doing here?!” Pyro hissed as Red Spider and Black Cat walked in.

“I’ll explain later.” Spider said as he came in, dropping a few guns on the table. Black Cat stood behind him, dropping her own hold of weapons. Without her, he would have had to leave a lot behind, decreasing their defenses.

“Nu-uh. No way is-“

“We don’t have time to discuss this. We need to go.” He snapped, already irritated with the whole situation already. He did not need to get into another lengthy discussion.

“Guys-“ Chrome rushed in, out of breath. He had a cut on his arm. “We need to go. Come on, get to the vents-“

“You can’t take the vents.” Cat interjected, ignoring the way Pyro started yelling on how they can’t trust her. “You will be cornered and all of this will be for nothing.”

“You don’t know-“

“It doesn’t matter!” Spider snapped, so sick of the arguing. “Black Cat, what do you suggest we do then, huh?”

She paused for a moment, thinking. Suddenly she was grabbing a knife, pocketing it and then grabbing a gun. “Follow me.”

“Why would we-“

“Just go!”

The three followed, and soon the whole group was. Her plan, as unknown and then suddenly very known, was to charge their way out. Not sneaky, not stealthy like the six had hoped for. 

Guards of course rushed them, and they all used their abilities more than ever before. Spider was crawling on the ceiling, dropping down and knocking guards to the ground. His fellow brothers and sisters shooting the men or stabbing them. Blood soaked the ground in their wake, an unstoppable force.

Before he knew it, a door was being pushed open and - sunlight. Brightness blurring his vision. They were outside. 

They were outside.

“Come on, we need to go!” Midnight yelled, ushering everyone along. 

Pyro jumped into an escort van, ripping panelling off the bottom and making quick work of his fingers. Black Cat zipped around him with her super speed, ensuring his safety if a guard got too close to comfort. 

Ghost was phasing in and out of bodies, grabbing their hearts and ending them before they knew what was happening. Chrome was taking their weapons with his mind, firing back from their own hands. Lunar Crow was high above, flying ahead as this all went on to see where to go, how to escape now that they made it outside. 

Once Pyro Cipher had the vehicle hot-wired and purring with life, they all jumped in. Guns firing as the boy drove recklessly off. Guards rushed into their own vehicles, and Chrome did all he could (having been spent using his abilities so much) to make it so they wouldn’t start. Only two vehicles were following when Crow flew down and gave directions from above, crashing a chain fence down and weaving off-road.

One followed when they turned onto a dirt road, tree’s tall and snow thick on the ground. They turned fast, risking a crash, but found safety in the turn. The other vehicle did not, crashing and a loud boom sounding. Smoke and fire rising in the fire. By the time anyone would see the smoke, the seven were gone, driving away and letting the adrenaline fade. The excitement and realization that they succeeded sunk in.

“Did we just do that?” Ghost whispered first, smiling wide. 

Soon they all were, cheering and celebrating for a moment. They can’t forever, though, because this was only the beginning.

-

They found an abandoned factory an hour later. Surrounded by trees for miles, the nearest signs of civilization not for twenty minutes. Perfect for the seven.

A new plan was made. As much as they all wanted to flee and go as far away as fast as they could, logically, they could not. Hydra was no doubt watching every surveillance camera in the country, possibly world. Seven new passports and ID’s suddenly appearing with all of their faces would instantly have their cover blown and agents on their asses. 

Instead, as much as they all hated it but knew it was needed, they had to wait. A month before the next of their group would get a fake ID and passport, each different nationalities and names. Different backgrounds, months to perfect by the time the last one would get theirs. By then, half the year will be over. Half a year away from Hydra. Learning to adapt with their surroundings. To be normal.

Spider, he wasn’t so sure at first to stay. Knew they had to, but he was alert. His ears were more sensitive than the others, and with the new sounds surrounding them, the constant edge of being caught, he didn’t get much sleep the first few days. Eyes heavy and bags dark under his eyes. But he was constant alert. The smallest twig break would have him sitting up in bed, eyes wide and reaching for a knife. 

The first week, was hell.

Food was not as much as an issue as they all first thought. The factory had a kitchen, used for employees a long time ago. The fridge did not work, but some quick tinkering with the wires had it up in no time. Water, also was not an issue. That took more work to get going, but soon they were able to take showers and make actual food. 

The rooms of the factory were converted for their own, the first time ever in all of their lives. At first, Spider heard his brothers and sisters unable to sleep. Slowly they all became able to, used to having their own space. Somewhere not shared constantly with someone else. That doesn’t mean they did ignore one another, they did have communal spaces and work to do. Backgrounds to create and hacking into any server’s they could to get the lead on Hydra.

It was two weeks since they left when Pyro sighed heavily, looking relieved and relaxed for the first time since they arrived. 

“What is it?” Black Cat asked, the first to notice his small smile daring to creep onto his face. 

“I did it.” He mumbled, eyes closed and smile growing. The beat up computer he fixed laying on his lap, screen filled with… he didn’t know what exactly.

“Did what?”

“We don’t exist.”

That… didn’t make sense. Spider raised his eye, as did all of them. Invested and listening now. 

“According to Hydra’s records… we don’t exist now. Never had either. Anything they had on us, they don’t anymore. We, were never even an idea to any of their intel.”

“But Commander knows we do.” Lunar Crow frowned.

“I know that, and he does. But anyone else in the organization does not. And any records they want to find on us don’t exist. They can’t go back and look at our records to find a way to get us.”

“Pyro… you’re a genius.” Lunar laughed.

“That’s not all.” He sat up. His smile falling. “I… found stuff when doing that. Stuff that… was really hidden deep in our files.”

“What kind of stuff?” Chrome asked, shifted on his feet.

Pyro fully frowned now. “Our past. Before the brain washing. Before the trial, before….. we even were Hydra.”

The room felt too quiet. A sudden desire to know who he was before his life was made this way creeped deep inside Red Spider’s body. Who was he, where did he come from? He… could know now. He could find out. He may have a family out there, someone looking for him.

He could be… someone else.

“What… do they say?” Midnight asked. She looked scared but… hungry.

“I… I didn’t look too much into them, since they are all so… personal. But I did save them, backed them up to my computer for us to… y’know… know.” Another silence fall over them once again. “Does um… anyone… want to know?”

They all exchanged glances, no one said a word. Not for a long while, at least. Chrome spoke up first, saying he did want to know… but not then. Later, alone, where he could process that all by himself and not with prying eyes.

The other’s all agreed, letting each of them come to terms and find out of their past on their own time and want. Spider had a feeling some may not look at the files, Black Cat especially, but he didn’t judge. Especially it was a whole month that went by before he did even look at his. 

Mother : Mary Parker

Father : Richard Parker

Nationality : United States of America

City of Origin : New York, NY

Childs Sex : Male

Weight when Delivered : 6 pounds, 7 ounces

Eye Color : Brown

Hair Color : Brown

Mutation Gene Administered : X - Spider DNA

Test Subject Number : 14

Spider paused, unable to look further. It was mainly documents, his parents pasts and his birth. Tests and experiments recorded from his early infancy that he was sickened by just skimming the words. Ultimately, he put the paper down, unable to read more. Unable to know who he was.

Who he could have been if his mother wasn’t kidnapped and parents killed.

-

“SHIELD has fallen.”

They all saw the news headline. Their small TV showing a man reading from a prompter behind the screen. Images of Captain America fighting in DC replaying over and over again. 

Along with Shield now disbanded and the world having access to everything that the organization has done, the world now had some of Hydra as well. Taken down with them as a sort of last-ditch effort to save themselves. 

Thank whatever Gods’ there were that Pyro wiped the systems of their identities two days ago.

“We should figure out our names.” Midnight mumbled, the TV still on but becoming background noise now. “We will need them for our new identities anyways, might be a good idea to start going by those names now so when we do separate, we won’t hesitate when asked who we are.”

“She’s right.” White Ghost said, sighing. “I wanna go by my fathers name. I got it in the file.”

“That’s not a good idea.” Black Cat frowned.

“I would be remembering his legacy.”

“And also making a target for yourself if Hydra ever does try and come for you.”

Spider stayed quiet, but he did understand both sides. He felt of using his father’s name as well, but Cat was right. If Hydra was looking for them, first thing they would look for could be the same names as their parents. The ones they stole children from.

“What are you gonna go by then?” Ghost snarked to her. 

She paused, thinking, unsure. “I don’t know….. maybe… Hardy.”

“Hardy? That’s… an interesting name.” Midnight said.

“Not for the first name but last. I don’t know, I read about some actor with the name.”

“Sharing your name with an actor is better than me having my dead fathers?” Ghost scowled.

“Search an actors name and thousands of results for them come up, none on you.”

She had a good point, one he couldn’t argue with. No one did, really.

Midnight was the first to ultimately have her name fully figured out. “Allison Coffey”, for her love of coffee that she discovered, and for the cute girl that gave her her first cup when she got it. Subtle, and it suited her.\

White Ghost went with “Otis Walter”, thinking the name sounded cool. None of them had any real exploration with names, any of them sounded cool compared to their current one’s. Maybe it was because they were not used to calling each other things by their own wants. Or, maybe it was because the names, were actually that and not codes used to kill. 

Black Cat added to the Hardy name. “Felicity Hardy” she decided to go by. Felt it was unique, like her, but not overly noticeable for anyone looking for her.

Pyro Cipher followed Black Cat’s lead, going with “Kevin Benson” as his new identity. He wanted to be Kevin Bacon, but was told having the same exact name as a celebrity was suspicious. Part of their name was not, like the parents could have just been big fan’s of his. 

Chrome decided on “Max Fisher”. Max was a common name looking at databases, and Fisher wasn’t that outlandish either. A nice mix. Lunar Crow decided to go for “Wendy Marshall”. Like Max, she found Marshall to be a common last name, so any first she did wouldn’t ring any alarms. Wendy, came from the book Peter Pan, one she and Spider found amongst the trash left behind in the factory when they first moved in.

It’s how he got his name. “Peter Parker.” He lied to his sisters and brothers, saying the last name just sounded right with Peter. He told none of them he was following his family name, none of them knew it. The only thing he had left of them now was those six letters. He wasn’t going to give that up now.

-

Age 15

It’s been four months since he left Russia. Spending one month in Spain, and then since in the states. Peter found himself in New York, the place where this all started. His parents lived here. His family had lives here. Did they know he was missing, were they searching for him? Did they believe he was still alive, or was hope given up years ago?

He never let himself think on that long. Easily he could deep dive and investigate, look for lost relatives and his dead parents information, find clues and maybe connections. He wanted to, he so badly wanted to know who he was, find those people and live a normal life. But that would only paint a target on his back, on their backs. They already lost two people, he can’t be the reason they loose more.

His fellow brothers and sisters had gone their own paths. Communications was rare and minimal. Less likely to track any of them down then if no one knew the locations of one another. It meant all of their safety. It also, meant he was lonely.

Peter had gotten himself his own apartment. A small box with one bedroom that was in desperate need of fixing. But, it was his. He signed himself up for school, faking transcripts from years past, along with other forms he may need for the future. 

Now, early in the morning with the sun barley up, he stood in his closet. Clothes actually as his own. Possessions he could claim as his, items he could choose to wear and style and… be who he wanted without orders. 

Most of all, he could walk down the street and not think of who he had to kill. Those days were gone, new ones were to start. He just hoped he could get through the his first day of school not seeming like… well, like an ex-Hydra assassin and more like the normal teenage boy he’s been pretending to be.

-

The day, went well. It went… oddly well. No hype or fear, people passed him in the hallways and gave him no mind or care to who he was. Students chatted in class before and after the bell, teachers stood at the front of the room and went over guidelines on the class. He felt… ok. He felt fine, like no suspicion was directed his way. That he actually managed to be like everyone else-

“Watch it!” 

His body was shoved into a locker, someone rushing past him in a rush. In that moment, his body collied with something, and someone. A fizzy soda some student had spilled all over both of their fronts.

Eye’s were all on him, staring. He heard the whispers, he couldn’t not with his heightened hearing. Calling him rude and awful, other’s calling whoever shoved his body into this poor person the crude one.

“I- Oh my god I’m so sorry!-“ Peter panicked unsure what to do.

“God he’s so dead. She’s gonna kill him” He heard one student whisper. His alarm up, yet his spider sense wasn’t going crazy.

Maybe it was because so much happened at first, maybe it was because he was still adjusting to his time here in the city. But he froze, his training all his life prepared him for a fight, to be ready for anything. But seeing this girl, look at him as he looked up at her face. Deep, brown eyes locked on him…. He couldn’t find words.

“It’s fine, Flash is a dick.” She grumbled, not bothered by both of them now covered in Coke it seemed. 

He said nothing, thankful his mouth was closed so he didn’t look like a total idiot. What was this feeling he had? He’s never felt it before, what was going on?

“You’re new, right?” She asked, a tilt of her head. “I don’t recognize you from last year.”

“Um- yeah. Yeah” He managed, getting some of his voice back. “Yeah.”

She nodded, giving him a look. “And your name?”

“Oh. Peter. Peter Parker.” He said, feeling his… wait why were his cheeks heating up? Was it hot in here all the sudden?

The girl raised her eyes, smirking. “Michelle.”

“Huh?”

“Michelle. My names Michelle, but my friends call me MJ.”

“Oh.. it um.. it’s nice to meet you…” He paused, unsure before deciding to go with his gut. “MJ”

She slowly smiled. He did as well. That strange feeling growing in his chest again. It wasn’t anger or envy, nor jealousy. It felt.. warm. Tingly and… nice. He felt happy seeing her, wanted to know so much about her. 

Wait.. he’s read about this. Is… was this love? Did he get a crush? 

“I’ll see you around then, Parker.” She said, passing him. He watched her go, lost in transfixion. Mumbling a “yeah, see you”, unsure if she heard him even but he didn’t care.

For the first time in his whole life, he felt like a normal person. Smiling, and unafraid for what was to come.