B U D A P E S T
hungary

June | 2016

The car parked on the street.

Right in front of a bunch of apartments that ran along the block. Seemed to be a nice neck of the neighborhood.

What a cozy place to be the home of a 'murder.' He thought to himself.

Watching as a man stepped out of the car. Dressed in a casual jacket and worn our jeans. His scruffy beard and bald head matching the description that Khonshu gave.

Marc sat on a bench from across the street, hiding his stare behind a newpaper magazine. Dreading on what he came here to do. Maybe the God of the Moon wasn't watching and he could walk away-

Summon the suit, Marc. What are you waiting for?

Why did I ever agree to sell my soul to this bird? Marc cursed inside his head. He scanned the area for his Master. Finding him lurking next to a lamp post next to the bench.

Go give him my justice.

Marc rolled his eyes at the God as he mumbled under his breath. "How many times do I have to tell you to find someone else? It's not what I signed up for."

But without me you wouldn't have survived.

Pain pinched his chest as the events of that night haunted him. A curse that he was forever bound to.

"Yeah but you told me a year! A freaking year of being you 'fist of vengeance.'" Marc snapped, growing tired regardless of the healing and super strength from the Egyptian God.

He was exhausted. Chasing sleep as he went to a new country almost every week, sometimes days. Not to take a vacation for himselve but to please a God.

I know. But you've done so well as my Moonknight already. I can't move on now, there aren't any other candidates.

"You can get one of the Avengers can't you? Some of them are fugitives from the deal with the Sokivia Accords?" Marc asked trying to get out from killing another person. May have been someone who did wrong, but they were still human like Marc was.

"What about the leader of the 10 rings? He could use his army to help you bring justice-"

But I need you Marc Spector. Khonshu said ignoring the suggestions of alternative options. I've had multiple Avatars and none can compare to you. I need you more than ever-

"We made a deal!" Marc emphasize once more to get it through the God's hollow skull. "Set me free!"

I'm afraid I can't. You also disobeyed me with the last task I gave you.

Marc knew he meant the Widow assassin from a couple of days ago. He glared up at Khonshu with anger again. "She wasn't aware of what she was doing. None of them do. The people behind the Red Room are the ones who need to be brought down, not innocent lives like her."

Yet if they are all running around the world, more innocent lives are taken. Just like this man here. Khonshu ignored his avatar again, gesturing towards the next culprit. Now summon the suit. Unless you want another year added on your employment.

With a long sigh and closing his eyes distress, Marc finally put his arms out as the armor of the ancient began to wrap around his body. The plate sprouting from his chest, granting the cresent-shaped darts. His cape draping over his back and the hood hanging over his head. With his mask covering his face. Marc's eyes carefully watching the man walk down the sidewalk.

Not knowing he was being watched by two glowing eyes.

And justice waiting to greet him.

-|-

The man dropped to the ground of the alley as Marc retrieved the moondart, returning it back to the chest plate.

Letting the suit retract, and tried to ignore the feeling of guilt that plagued him in every kill. Pushing it out of his mind.

Excellent.

Marc sneered at Khonshu with the clench of his jaw, putting his hands out dramatically. "There. He's dead. Happy?"

Khonshu hummed in respond. Indeed.

"Not quite."

That familiar voice got Marc panicking until he found who it belonged to. Not sure if he should curse or to keep his jaw opened. Not sure if he should attack or hear her out. Regardless, he only managed to spit out two words.

"It's you."

Ugh. The parasite is back.

Alexandra Balandin standing with her arms crossed.

"Yeah it's me Marc Spector." She scoffed with her slight Russian accent. "Enjoyed your little show there with the costume."

Marc glared at her, growing in confusion as she wasn't in her Black Widow uniform anymore. Other than that there was not much change, but at the same time there was something different about her. He placed his hands on his hips as he regained his focus, knowing she could be hiding another trick up her sleeve.

"What are you doing here, stalker?" He narrowed his eyebrows, keeping his guard up.

Kill her, while you still have the chance! Khonshu barked, standing in the corner near the dumpster.

I literally just murdered someone, calm down.

"Should be asking you the same thing, Marc Spector. However, your a unpredictable man so I'm not that surprised to run into you." Alex shrugged with her playful grin as she walked towards him.

Marc reached for his pocket before she snickered at his act of defense. He furrowed his eyes more and continued to question why she seemed off. She noticed his hand near the handle of his gun, giving him a grin as she continued to approach him.

"I'm not here to kill you this time." She assured, putting her hands up in defense. Alex came and stood parallel in front of him.

Marc cautiously getting closer as she stopped. "How can I trust you?"

"Well, you did just take a step forwards, so there's one reason." She smirked as she crossed her arms, raising her eyebrows.

Marc clenched his jaw and looked away. Refraining himself from going further. "That's because your difficult to read right now. Hard to do that far away." He stated before glaring back at her.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Irritated, Marc scoffed at her as he grew impatient. "You still didn't answer my question! You bi-"

"Neither did you, Marc Spector." She said before he could finish. "And I'm not under Dreykov's control so you don't have to be so rude in calling me profain names now."

He took a double take at what she said as he blinked twice. "Your what?"

"Oh, I forgot that it's been a while since our last chat." She huffed with a smile.

A real, genuine smile.

Alex let out a breath of fresh air to say. "But I'm no longer forced to be his puppet."

A twitch of his mouth and a random sliver of warmth spread in his chest. He didn't know exactly why since he hardly knew her. That's why she seemed different. She didn't have to wear the mask of Dreykovs weapon anymore.

"For real? How?"

"Another ex-Widow, Yelena, sprayed this red gas on me." Alex nodded and continued to explain. "It altered the subjugation, allowing no more control from the Red Room."

"And," She added as if she revealed a personal secret, watching her hands fidget with her fingers. "Now I'm free."

Marc didn't know what to say. But he felt a smidge of compassion from that four letter word. One he desired to experience himself. Yet it wasn't destined to be granted to a killer like him. However, seeing someone else find that freedom was worth witnessing.

He let out a long sigh with his eyes fixed on her. "That's what you Widows deserve." He said.

She deserves punishment Marc!

Marc ignored Khonshu yet again as he kept his eyes on Alex.

She glanced up at him with a side smile. Appreciating his comment. Marc was surged with happiness for her, knowing he meant what he said.

He cleared his throat before he could copy her grin. "Still waiting for an answer though."

Rolling her eyes with a small groan as she leaned a little closer. "Always so picky Marc Spector. You tell me first, then I'll tell you."

"That's not how this works." Marc scoffed as he took a step back. "I asked you the question first-"

"What are you 5 years old?" She teased as she came closer to stand her ground.

Just kill her now and she won't bother you any more.

Even though he wanted to keep ignoring the vulture, Marc almost agreed with Khonshu everytime she said something snarky. But then reminded himself he'd be stealing her chance to start a new life. The one that should have been hers all along.

Her eyes squinted at him, waiting for him to say something.

Marc sneered back with a grunt. "Fine. Don't freak out that you found me doing dirty work for my boss." He said pointing back at the dead corpse with blood surrounding the man.

Alex looked over his shoulder with a single nod. "Oh yeah. Your little performance. I saw the whole thing."

He looked back at her shocked, thinking Alex would scream.

"What?" She scoffed. "Don't think a former Black Widow isn't used to seeing dead bodies?"

Right.

She should be one of them.

"Shut up Khonshu!" Marc screamed forgetting he wasn't alone. He looked back at Alex who had backed away from his outburst.

But her fear melted into curiosity. "Khonshu? Is that your boss?"

Marc sighed and nodded.

"Strange name." She huffed. "We love it when they use the stupid comms right?"

Didn't she know who Khonshu was? He almost told her, but didn't want to open that can of worms. He nodded. "Yeah. Especially when they are mad."

Alex snickered. "You haven't met Dreykov then. Just be happy you aren't being mind controlled."

Try being manipulated by a dead bird then.

Hey!

Oops. Marc forgot that Khonshu isn't immune to his thoughts.

"Anyways, part of why I'm here is I need a favor." She began to state the reason of her presence.

Sirens then sounded in the distance, cutting her off. Coming for the crime scene left by the Fist of Vengeance.

He grabbed Alex's upper arm. "We should discuss it else where so neither of us gets caught, hm?"

"Good idea." She agreed before tilting her head with a smirk. "Although you did it."

"Oh you shut up or I'll turn you in instead!" Marc growled as he tugged her arm, moving her along with him.

-|-

They found a table outside of a street filled with shops, careful to keep their conversation low profile around the locals. Yet it was past 8pm which made the stores to be less crowded.

"So, you're with Yelena and her sister Natasha, as in the Avenger?" Marc restated after she finally answered his question.

Alex nodded as she observed him. He had bags under his eyes, constantly resting his head on his hand that was propped up by his elbow. She thought he was going to pass out. The guy even doozed off during her explanation.

It reminded her of how tired she'd be after her missions, but then Dreykov would send her back out without giving her a break.

"Yes." She said with revenge dripping in her tone. "We are planning to go back to the Red Room. Kill Dreykov and destory that dreadful place."

Marc yawned with a nod. "Right. And do you know where it is?"

She shook her head. "That's where you come in. Do you know anything about Alexei Shostakov?"

As if that snapped him awake, Marc sat up a little. "The Red Guaridan?"

"So you have?"

He shot her a glared. "Yes. I have. I was on a mission once to take him down until he got arrested."

"Where?" Alex pushed, hoping to get an answer.

Marc rose an eyebrow as he leaned back, taking his cap off as he ran his fingers through his hair before adjusting the hat. "If I tell you, I better get something in return. A favor for a favor."

She frowned as she folded her arms. "And what do you have in mind?"

"My bag." He replied simply.

He's still thinking about that?

"Really? That old piece of junk, Marc Spector?" Alex scoffed. "I think I already did a favor in stealing it from you-"

"Fine." Marc said with shrug, propping his right foot on his knee. "Then I don't tell you what prision Shostakov is in."

Hatred for this guy was mutual. She may not have the required mission to kill him anymore, but oh how badly Alex wanted to put a bullet in his head. Marc wasn't ordinary, he was a vigilante like her with similar tactics on manipulation.

On the other hand, Marc was on the verge of slicing her throat if another smart statement came out of her mouth. Yet killing a Black Widow assassin wouldn't be a simple task, no matter how despereate Khonshu got. He already tried to eliminate her but Alex knew how to find his morals. Regardless of being a mercenary, she accessed his guilty conscience, making him feel sorry for her then- BAM, he found himself falling for the Black Widow's spell. Just like the female spider who kills her mate.

Alex looked away, scanning the inside of a store that sold pasteries and ice cream.

A teenage girl sat in a booth sat with two other girls. Taking a selfie with their treats before they continue to chat about who knows what. Clothes, crushes, the latest trends, movies, books, food, inside jokes or even playing silly games like Would You Rather?

Things girls in the Red Room never had. And Alex wasn't going to let Dreykov steal any more just to recycle them over and over again. Even if that meant a detour to do a small favor.

Biting her lip and clenching her jaw, she sighed. "Okay."

Returning her focus on Marc who was still waiting for her response.

"I'll get your stupid bag Marc Spector." She sneered as she squinted at him. "Only if I get some of that Egyptian money."

"No!" Marc snapped.

"I bet I can trade it in for billions." Alex said to herself.

"You can't."

She scoffed at his scowl. "I could find ways."

"You're not getting that money." He stated firmly.

Alex rolled her eyes.

"How did you get Egyptian money anyways Spector? And why do you have it? Playing the history nerd as a cover up?" She grinned as she teased him with every chance she had. "Not a very convincing with your grumpy attitude."

Marc lean forwards on the table as if to scare her with his stare. Yet, Alex remained unbothered. Nothing can be more terrifying than Dreykov or anything else in the Red Room.

"Get. Me. The. Bag." He said slowly with a firmness that got me intrigued as I rose an eyebrow. "Then we will talk."

Alex released her folded arms and rested her elbows on the table with a smirk. "Ya know, I was thinking about getting it for you, but then it means I'd have to talk to you again. Which sounds exhausting."

He looked her up and down as he squinted at her with a challenge. "Always having to be difficult don't you? Whether you are being mind controlled or not, huh?"

Rolling her eyes again she huffed. "Whatever, you have yourself a deal Marc Spector. I'll bring the bag to your place London."

A side grin stretched on the left side of his face. "Deals a deal, stalker."

"Hey! I'm not intentionally a stalker," Alex pointed at him, her finger tappijg his forearm that was on the table. "Unlike you hypocrite."

Marc shrugged. "Technically I'm not an intentionally stalker either. Someone else makes me."

"Kung-Fu? Or Achoo?" Alex clarified.

Marc bit his lips to keep himself from laughing at her names for his boss. "Khonshu." He corrected.

That's it! Summon the suit, Marc!

Sneaking a huff that Alex didn't notice as she crossed her arms again. "Right. Anyways, I hate how I told you everything on my end, but you've given me nothing about what you do."

"I told you. Its classifed." He replied, his tone stiff as he came a bit closer.  "Just get me my duffle bag."

Alex glared at him. "What's the location then? Can't get your junk unless we have Alexei."

Marc sat there, as the two of them stared each other down for a moment. Alex doing her best to drill hers eyes into his.

"Seventh Circle Prision." He stated, biting his lip on the inside of his cheek.

"Hmm?" Alex's eyes widened, surprised he actually cooperated for once. Not thinking he'd give her the information. It's not very vigilante to give up so quickly.

Yet this was only the second time he did. First being when he pretend to die over my comm, convincing Dreykov she killed Marc Spector. If he truly was a trained killer like her, why did he help her.

"That's where Shostakov is. The Seventh Circle Prison in Russia." Marc said again.

Alex scanned him up and down, watching for anything suspicious. "You're positive, Marc Spector?"

He came even closer as did she, trying to intimidate the other as if this a interrogation in a police department.

"Yes." He said coldly. "Do you need me to spell it out for you, stalker?"

Her eyes studied every inch of his face. Checking once more for bluffing.

"No thanks, Marc Spector." Alex shook her head. "I think I got it."

A subtle smile appeared on his lips with a light chuckle. But then it vanished in seconds, retreating to his harsh stare. "When are you going to stop saying my full name?"

That glimpse of a real expression did something to her. Alex couldn't place a name on how she felt but she knew seeing him smile like that tugged at the corners of her mouth.

She smirked instead. "Oh, that's classified, Marc Spector."

He clenched his jaw. Hating that she used his word on him once again. "If we are doing favors, I think you can tell me."

Alex shrugged. "Then tell me about your mummy suit and that sharp weapon that left a mark on me." She pointed to her shoulder with the bandage wrapped around it.

Marc clicked his tongue while leaning back. Breathing in through his teeth before glancing at her. "Get me the bag, then we'll talk."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Aren't you coming with us."

Taken back, Marc didn't realize that he could be part of the heist. Khonshu did want everything about the Red Room destroyed. It could he nice working with others too, maybe get him out of the cage. Find a purpose in his life other than killing people for justice.

He could be an ally. A hero or Avenger like Natasha Romanoff was, even though she was on the run from the Sokivia Accords situation. Marc could be a friend or anything he wanted.

But that life wasn't meant for him. It never could be.

None of those ideas could erase who he truly was. Or convinced himself to be.

A killer.

Marc cleared his throat as he crossed his arms and avoiding her eyes. "Working with others isn't my thing. I prefer to work alone. Out of the spotlight from the Avengers."

He snickered inside his head. Could you imagine? Moonknight as an Avenger? Kind of breaks a ton of moral that those heroes stand for. Khonshu even barked at him once about the Avengers. Suggesting Hawkeye wouldn't be a bad choice to be the Fist of Vengence, that guy is sneaky enough and has experience as an assasin. But Khonshu had a full on tantrum when he brought it up. Something to do with the other Egyptian Gods would punish him if he let his Avatar run around fighting aliens. Too much attention to the Moon God.

Alex watched as she guessed Marc had some internal battle. Maybe not know exactly his conflict but a war with himself. "Don't worry. I get it."

Marc kept his eyes away from hers. She didn't want to over step but also didn't want to alienate him or ignore what she saw.

Without thinking, Alex reached for his hands, her fingers barely brushing his before he swiped them away. He stared back at her in surprise as if her hands were filled with poison.

Alex immediately her hands in regret. "Sorry! Sorry. I don't know why I did that."

He cleared his throat with a small shake of his head. "It's fine. Just don't-"

Marc sighed as he stood up. Making eye contact with Alex once more. Cold like before but she could see something else hiding under the exterior.

"Just get me the bag."

He said before he turned and walked away.

Leaving Alex alone at the table.

_________________________________________

🌙

Thanks Marc for the help! And for the excuse to see you again...😏

I told you Marc would be back! He might be be absent again in the next chapter or two: which is basically going to be a summary of the Black Widow film but as I mentioned before, with Alex POV. Just relevant parts that apply to her character.

Thats all for now!

LATORS GATORS ✌🏻

P.S. Steven and Jake will be popping in! Just starting out with Marc for now. Maybe a cameo of the other alters soon though. 👀

BYE!