!!!WARNING!!!
This chapter not only dives into Emma's very traumatic past with Hydra, but it will also get EXTREMELY violent. Like "R rated Slasher Horror movie" levels of gross. Turn back if you don't want to see this shit. You've been warned.

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Cayden and Crystal casually observed the Forge of Shadows from a safe distance. "Jeez, how is that thing still producing so much smoke?" Cayden wonders aloud.

Cayden's words hung in the air like a heavy fog, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. He squinted his eyes, trying to make sense of the scene before him. The Forge of Shadows stood tall and imposing, billowing thick plumes of smoke that curled and twisted against the darkened sky. The acrid stench mingled with the dampness in the air, creating an atmosphere that was both suffocating and eerie.

Cayden squinted his eyes against the thick smoke, his senses overwhelmed by the putrid scent that seemed to claw its way into his nostrils. He coughed, his chest tightening with each intake of breath, as if the very air itself conspired against him.

Emma, her face hidden beneath a dark hood, stood beside him, her eyes scanning the smoking monstrosity before them. The intensity of her gaze was palpable, a storm brewing within her as she grappled with the memories that had been unleashed by the mere mention of Doctor Regan Price.

Crystal, clad in her trademark leather jacket and "Fightin' Pants", seemed ripe and ready for a good old fashioned brawl. "You guys ready to kick some Hydra ass?"

Cayden chuckled, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. "I've been itching to give those Hydra goons a taste of my blade." His fingers clenched into a fist, and the blade emerged from the base of his knuckles. Emma, however, remained silent, her gaze fixated on the smoldering ruins before them.

"Cut off one head, two more grow back..." Emma repeated to herself quietly, her voice barely a whisper that carried the weight of resignation. She knew all too well the insidious nature of Hydra, their ability to seemingly regenerate and multiply like a relentless hydra-headed beast.

The thought sent chills down Emma's spine, her mind racing with memories of the horrors she had witnessed at the hands of those Hydra operatives. Her heart pounded in her chest, each thump echoing in her ears like a morbid drumbeat. Emma's fingers twitched involuntarily, aching to summon a blade into her grasp.

The urge to unleash her pain and anger upon the Hydra operatives clawed at her psyche, threatening to consume her like a ravenous flame. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself, as Cayden's voice broke through the darkness that threatened to swallow her whole.

"Easy there, Em," he said, his tone laced with concern.

Emma's eyes fluttered open, revealing a glimmer of vulnerability amidst the storm raging within. Cayden's steady presence anchored her, his voice like a lifeline thrown into the treacherous waters of her mind. She looked up at him, her gaze filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination, as if she was gathering strength from his unwavering support.

"Thanks," Emma managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. Crystal silently used a flame generated from the tip of her index finger to light a cigarette as she witnessed the instant calming effect Cayden had on the seemingly unstable Emma.

Crystal took a long drag from her cigarette, the crimson glow at the tip casting eerie shadows on her face. The smoke curled around her like a ghostly serpent, intertwining with the thick smog emanating from the Forge of Shadows. She exhaled slowly, savoring the taste of nicotine mingled with anticipation.

Cayden watched as Emma's trembling subsided, her body leaning into his reassuring embrace.

As the smoke dissipated in the air, a palpable tension hung between Cayden, Emma, and Crystal. They were like three predators, poised and ready to strike at any moment. The silence was heavy, broken only by the flickering of Crystal's cigarette and the distant sounds of machinery humming within the Forge of Shadows.

Cayden took a step forward, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the crumbling structure before them. "So, how're we getting in? Guns blazing? Sneak in the back? What's the plan, Miss Agent?" Cayden asks with a slight sarcasm when acknowledging Crystal's Employment status under Shield.

Crystal's eyes narrowed, her fiery powers flickering in the dim light as she took another drag from her cigarette. She exhaled a plume of smoke, creating a swirling haze that added an air of mystique to her persona. "Well, It seems you're in quite the sarcastic mood tonight." She responds. Cayden shrugs. "If Alexa were here, she'd say some snarky shit like 'He's always like that' or something." He chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the desolate surroundings. Crystal arched an eyebrow, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Crystal arched an eyebrow, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Still doesn't answer my question," Cayden remarks, his voice laced with a playful tone. He leaned against a crumbling concrete wall, his arms crossed casually over his chest. The dim light cast long shadows across his face, accentuating the mischievous glint in his eyes.

Emma couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at Cayden's persistent sarcasm.

Crystal took a final drag from her cigarette, flicking the butt to the ground and grinding it beneath her boot. She shot Cayden a withering glare before responding, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, Captain Sarcasm, I suppose we could just waltz in there, guns blazing and announce our grand arrival to Hydra."

Cayden extends his sword from his right arm, the Vibranium blade protruding from between the middle knuckles on his hand. "Just my style!" He says, with an aura of brash confidence oozing out of every pore. Crystal rolls her eyes, shaking her head.

Cayden smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously as he observed Crystal's exasperation. "Come on, Crystal. You know I thrive on making grand entrances," he said with a wink. "But in all seriousness, we need to be strategic about this. We can't just charge in blindly."

Crystal sighed, her frustration evident as she ran a hand through her almost silver-streaked blonde hair. She glanced at Cayden, her expression softening slightly. "I didn't know you were capable of such complex thoughts. Normally, guys like you are All Bark, Some Bite, but No Brains."

Cayden chuckled, his laughter echoing through the desolate surroundings like a haunting melody. "Ah, Crystal, you wound me with your words," he said, feigning mock hurt. "But fear not, for I am a man of many talents. Brains, despite what multiple sources may tell you, being one of them, alongside my unparalleled ability to charm the pants off anyone in a five-mile radius if I so choose."

Crystal rolled her eyes. Emma expressed a clear disapproval towards that last line of Cayden's.

"Oh please," Crystal retorted, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Charm or Charisma may get you through the door, but it won't save your ass when things go south."

"But the Sword embedded in my arm and the Insane Regenerative powers I possess really are ass-savers," Cayden said, his voice dripping with a twisted sense of self-assuredness. He flexed his fingers, causing the vibranium blade to glimmer ominously in the dim light. Emma couldn't help but shiver at the sight, her mind conjuring images of the first time she saw it in action, when he ran through a fellow Hydra Agent all those years ago. That same memory of that gruesome display of ruthlessness sent a chill down her spine, and she found herself questioning her own sanity for falling in love with a man who was both captivating and terrifying in equal measure.

Crystal took notice of Emma's inner turmoil, her gaze softening with empathy. She had seen the depths of Emma's pain, understood the scars that marred her soul. Crystal knew that behind Emma's cold exterior lay a fragile heart, battered but not broken. She took a step closer to Emma, her voice gentle yet firm.

"Hey, Emma," Crystal began, her tone filled with genuine concern. "I know this place brings back some horrible memories for you. But remember, we're here together. We're here for whatever they're hiding, it doesn't have to be any type of violent situation."

Emma's eyes flickered with a mix of relief and doubt as she listened to Crystal's words. She knew that Crystal was trying her best to alleviate her fears, offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume her. But Emma couldn't help but wonder if it was truly possible to face her demons without resorting to violence. The memories of Doctor Price and his sadistic games still haunted her, gnawing at her sanity like a relentless predator.

Cayden attempted to change the currently grim subject. "So, Miss Crystal," he begins, an air of curiousity in his voice. "I've got Emma. Anyone in your life you go home to?" He asks.

Crystal's eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and annoyance as she considered Cayden's question. She let out a half-hearted chuckle, the sound strained with a hint of bitterness. "Oh, you know me, Cayden," she replied, her voice tinged with sarcasm.

Cayden tilts his head and squints his eyes slightly. "We just met earlier today." He points out.

Crystal let out an exasperated sigh and ran a hand through her silver-ish blonde locks, her eyes flickering with amusement and annoyance. "Fine, fine," she conceded with a begrudging smirk. "I suppose I can enlighten you on my thrilling personal life, seeing as we're all so well-acquainted now." She paused for a moment, her gaze distant as if lost in the depths of her own thoughts.

"You got a man waiting? Or, well, a Lady, if you swing that way." Cayden suggests, to which Emma lightly backhands him in the arm, as the proposition seemed rather out of line.

Cayden winced, rubbing his arm where Emma's playful yet forceful backhand had landed. "Ouch! Alright, alright, I get it," he said with a mock pout. "Sensitive subject, noted." He couldn't help but grin at Emma's reaction, finding solace in the fact that amidst the darkness they faced, they still shared moments of lightheartedness.

Crystal's gaze flickered with a mix of amusement and annoyance as she weighed her response. She leaned against a rusted metal beam, her fingers idly tracing the intricate patterns etched into its surface.

At last, she opened her mouth once more to speak. Crystal's voice resonated through the desolate surroundings, laced with a hint of dry humor. "Well, Cayden, I hate to disappoint you, but my thrilling personal life consists of me coming home to a bottle of whiskey and a microwave dinner for one," she replied with a wry grin. Her eyes flickered with a touch of sadness hidden beneath the mask of sarcasm.

"So who's that?" Cayden points at a photo sticking out if her wallet.

Crystal looks down and quickly tucks the photo into her wallet, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes. She clears her throat, a slight tremor in her voice as she replies, "Oh, just an old friend." She avoids Cayden's probing gaze, diverting her attention to the dilapidated surroundings of the Forge of Shadows. The air hangs heavy with a mixture of dampness and decay, the scent of rust and despair wafting through the abandoned corridors. Cayden scoffs, crossing his arms. "I've been around a telepathic sister long enough to know that that's bullshit."

Cayden's comment hung in the air, a mix of playful banter and genuine curiosity. Crystal's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, her composure momentarily slipping as she locked eyes with Cayden. She hesitated for a brief moment, her mind racing to find the right words to answer his probing question.

A myriad of emotions swirled within Crystal's chest, like a tempestuous storm threatening to consume her. "Does he have a name, at least?" He asks.

Crystal's gaze flickered with a mix of surprise, hesitation, and a tinge of vulnerability. She shifted uncomfortably, her fingers nervously tapping against the worn leather of her wallet. The weight of Cayden's question seemed to hang heavily in the air, the silence stretching on for what felt like an eternity.

Cayden watched Crystal intently, his usually playful expression replaced with one of genuine concern. Finally, Agent Zamora caved. "Ben."

Crystal's voice faltered for a moment, her eyes darting away from Cayden's piercing gaze. She bit her lower lip, as if contemplating whether to reveal more. Finally, with a deep breath, she continued. "Ben was... he was someone I cared about. Someone I thought I could trust," she said, the bitterness seeping into her words like venom. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, the knuckles turning white with the weight of her emotions.

Cayden rolls his eyes. "Oh, jeez. What came between ya? Cheating?" He asks, although his usually sarcastic tone was replaced by one of more genuine concern.

Crystal's eyes narrowed as she shot Cayden a glare that could've melted steel. "Cheating?" she scoffed, her voice dripping with a mix of incredulity and amusement. "No, nothing quite so cliché." She paused, her gaze flickering with a hint of mischief before she continued. "We just never found time for each other. He was always so busy with work, and I'm always all over the country for work..." Her voice trails off

Cayden's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he listened to Crystal's explanation. He had expected a tale of deceit and heartbreak, but instead, he found himself faced with the mundane reality of two people drifting apart due to their busy lives. The irony of it all struck him, for here they were, standing in the midst of danger and chaos, risking their lives for a cause greater than themselves, yet struggling to find time for the simplest of human connections.

Emma took notice of the pained sigh Crystal let loose. "You still Love him." She says to break the silence.

Cayden's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he listened to Emma's observation. He turned his gaze towards Crystal, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, well, Agent Zamora," he chimed in... "Can you confirm or deny that?"

Crystal's eyes narrowed at Cayden's remark, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. She crossed her arms over her chest, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she retorted, "Oh, absolutely. I'm head over heels for a man who can't spare a few minutes to text me back." A bitter chuckle escaped her lips before she continued, her tone laced with irony. Just then, Crystal's phone buzzed. The Agent rolled her eyes, only for her eyes to widen.

Crystal's eyes widened as she read the message on her phone, a mix of surprise and apprehension flashing across her face. She glanced up, meeting Cayden's curious gaze and Emma's concerned expression. A nervous chuckle escaped her lips before she spoke, her voice tinged with equal parts excitement and trepidation. "Well, well, it seems like my thrilling personal life just got a little more interesting," Crystal said, her voice laced with irony.

Cayden studies Zamora carefully. "He texted you, didn't he?" Cayden asks, a knowing grin crossing his lips. Crystal quickly types up a response, hitting "Send", and shoving the phone back into her pocket. "Doesn't matter. Let's get going. We're going to have to sneak in while incapacitating any agents we come across. You two ready?" The Agent briefs them. The two nod in agreement as they're finally ready to begin this perilous mission.

About fifteen minutes later, Crystal walks towards the Bar gate. She had lit another cigarette as she pulled out a fake police badge. "Hey there, sir. We've been hearing complaints from the owners of neighboring property." Crystal's voice dripped with authority as she approached the burly man guarding the entrance. Her eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and annoyance, hidden behind a veil of smoke from her half-finished cigarette. The heavy metal gate groaned in protest as it swung open, revealing the dimly lit interior of the Forge of Shadows. Cayden and emma followed closely behind Crystal, hearts pounding in their chests collectively.

Crystal grins as the door was now wide opened. "Your cooperation is appreciated." She says, before she tucks her hands into her pockets. "Did you know there's actually an old Oil pipeline on this property, sir?" She asks.

The burly man guarding the entrance squinted at Crystal through a cloud of cigarette smoke, his eyes scanning her police badge with suspicion. He scratched the scruff on his chin before grunting in acknowledgement. "Yeah, I've heard about it," he replied, his voice gravelly and filled with indifference. The dim light from a flickering bulb overhead cast eerie shadows across the worn concrete floor. Crystal grins, as she taps her foot on the concrete beneath her. The earth cracks below, and a small burst of sludge-like black liquid spews up from the ground. As the viscous Oil splattered onto the burly guard, he let out a startled yelp. His rugged face contorted into a mixture of disgust and confusion, his eyes widening as he desperately tried to wipe away the vile substance. The pungent smell of rot filled the air, intermingling with the scent of sweat and fear that hung all around them.

Crystal smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement as she surveyed her handiwork. She takes the butt of her cigarette and flicks it, throwing the lit end against the guard's body.

The lit end of Crystal's cigarette arced through the air, leaving behind a trail of smoky tendrils as it landed on the guard's uniform. The flammable fabric caught fire instantly, engulfing him in a blaze of orange and red. His startled yelp transformed into a blood-curdling scream, echoing through the cavernous corridors of the Forge of Shadows.

The man's body quickly fell to the floor, skin charred to a crisp and burnt beyond recognition. Crystal turned to keep walking, but Emma stared at the burnt body without emotion. Cayden shakes his head. "Jesus fucking Christ, I thought you said Incapacitate, not execute!" Cayden exclaimed, his voice echoing with shock, yet a subtle snicker of dark humor. He shook his head in disbelief, his messy platinum-blond hair falling across his forehead as he pointed at the charred remains of the guard.

Emma's blue eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as she turned to Cayden, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her lips. "So this is what Incapacitate means to this chick?" Emma asks aloud. "I like 'er already!" She jokingly nods her head.

Cayden couldn't help but chuckle at Emma's dark sense of humor, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The charred remains of the guard lay before them like a piece of modern art, the acrid smell of burnt flesh mingling with the stench of oil and death. It was a scene straight out of a twisted nightmare, and yet, there they stood, unfazed by the horrors that surrounded them. "We should split up. Cover more ground." Crystal declares. Cayden is hesitant. "Isn't that how people die in horror movies?"

Crystal smirks as she puts her sunglasses back on. "I'm pretty sure even Michael Meyers wouldn't want a piece of you, Barone." She huffs,

Cayden couldn't help but grin at Crystal's sarcastic remark, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement. He leaned against the doorway, his katana emerging from his right hand again. He glanced between Crystal and Emma. "Well, Agent Zamora, I'll take that's a compliment of sorts," he replied with a chuckle. As Zamora turns to walk into the darkness of a corridor, using a flame on the tip of her finger to attempt to illuminate the rooms around her, her phone falls out of her pocket, unbeknownst to the agent. Emma waits until she can't hear Crystal's footsteps anymore to pick up the phone. It had no screen lock, so she opens it and looks for whoever texted her minutes prior.

Emma's fingers danced across the screen of the phone, her eyes scanning the recent messages. She couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Crystal's fiery exchange with her mysterious suitor. The texts were filled with a mix of playful banter and flirtatious remarks, sprinkled with just a dash of longing to see one another once more. Emma's heart softened as she read the words, her thoughts drifting to her own complicated relationship with Cayden. But then, Emma saw the photo of the man Zamora had been texting. He looked oddly familiar... almost like she'd seen his picture before. Then, it hit her. "Her wallet..." Emma remembered that photo of a younger Crystal with a young man, probably the same age as the agent. She found herself smiling at the phone. "So that's Ben." She mutters

Emma's fingers tightened around Crystal's phone as she stared at the image of Ben. A sardonic smile tugged at the corners of her lips, mixed with a bitter pang of jealousy. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a normal relationship, free from the tangled webs of secrets and violence that entwined her own life. But such thoughts were fleeting, drowned out by the deafening echoes of their mission.

Cayden takes a deep breath, throwing his jacket to the side, allowing the blade infused into his arm to extend itself into a two foot, razor sharp sword. "I'll draw their attention. You go find whoever runs this operation. Ok?" He asks, a confident smile adorning his face as he licks his lips in anticipation.

Cayden's confident smile widened as he licked his lips in anticipation, savoring the thrill of the impending battle. His blue eyes gleamed with mischief, his messy platinum-blond hair falling across his forehead in disarray. He loved moments like these, where danger danced on a knife's edge and adrenaline coursed through his veins. Cayden gave her one last nod of assurance as he strut forward, his pace soon quickening from a brisk walk to a jog, and from a jog to a full blown run as an agent exits a doorway, turning his head just in time to see Barone darting towards him.

Cayden's blade sliced through the air with a sickening swiftness, severing the guard in half as his body crumpled to the floor in a grotesque display of gore. The dull thud echoed through the empty corridor, mixing with the metallic tang of blood and the pungent stench of death. Cayden smirked triumphantly, a twinkle of remorseless satisfaction flickering in his eyes as he turned his attention to the chaos that lay ahead.

Emma gulped As Cayden's twisted smile crept across his lips, Emma couldn't help but feel a shiver crawl up her spine. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and excitement intertwining within her. She had seen this side of Cayden before, the ruthless and unyielding warrior, and yet it still managed to send chills down her spine. It was as if he reveled in the chaos, a rather dark, distorted sense of calm fueling his every move.

Cayden gave Emma one final salute before turning around and impaling another guard on the end of his blade

As Cayden's blade pierced through the guard's body, a macabre dance of crimson splatters and agonized screams filled the air. The metallic tang of blood mingled with the mortifying sound of flesh being torn, creating a symphony of grotesque odors, sights, and soynds that assaulted Emma's senses. She watched in a mixture of horror and fascination as her boyfriend dispatched his enemies with ruthless efficiency, his platinum blond hair matted against his forehead with sweat. He looks back to her as an alarm begins blaring. "What're you standing around for?! GO!" He shouts as he wheels around and slices through another guard's arm.

Emma felt a surge of adrenaline course through her veins as she snapped out of her daze, her heart pounding in her chest. She swiftly turned on her heels and darted down the dimly lit corridor, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

The flickering lightbulbs overhead cast eerie shadows on the peeling wallpaper that adorned the walls. Emma could hear panicked men scrambling for weapons as the sounds of Cayden's violent assault echoed through the abandoned Factory halls. She stumbled across an already deceased female Hydra Agent in full combat uniform. Emma took no pity on the woman, instead bending down and allowing her open hand to graze the uniform the dead agent was wearing.

Emma's fingers traced the rough fabric of the deceased agent's uniform, her touch lingering on the bullet holes and bloodstains that marred its surface. A wicked smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she imagined the chaos that had befallen this poor soul. She delighted in the thought of the fear and agony that must have consumed her in those final moments, relishing in the twisted humor of it all. But seeing how this could be useful to her, Emma finally displayed one of her signature abilities and willed her appearance to change, mimicking every last detail of this deceased agent, only of course, more lifelike.

Emma's transformation was seamless, her body morphing into an exact replica of the deceased Hydra agent. A wry smile graced Emma's lips as she observed her new reflection in a shattered mirror nearby. The transformation invoked a strange mix of amusement and satisfaction within her, knowing that she could now move through the halls without worry of being caught, she stopped in her tracks when she recognized a false wall hidden among the corridor's wallpaper.

The false wall loomed before Emma, a deceptive facade amidst the dilapidated surroundings. The air grew heavy with anticipation as she contemplated what secrets lay hidden behind it. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she pressed her hand against the worn wallpaper, feeling the rough texture beneath her fingertips. A thrill of excitement coursed through her veins as she pushed against the wall, revealing a hidden passage illuminated by bright LED lights. The hidden passage obviously led to some kind of high tech lab below the factory.

The hidden passage obviously led to some kind of high-tech lab below the factory. The air inside was cool and sterile, a stark contrast to the crumbling walls of the abandoned factory above. Emma's heart raced as she stepped further into the lab, her senses heightened by the faint hum of machinery and the acrid scent of chemicals. She stops dead in her tracks when she sees a name on an opened door. The name read, "Doctor R. Price".

Emma's heart skipped a beat as she read the name "Doctor R. Price" on the door. Memories of the scumbag doctor who had so heinously abused her in her Hydra days flooded her mind, causing a mix of anger and fear to surge through her veins. She clenched her fists, feeling the cool metal of a knife materialize in her palms, ready for whatever lay beyond that door. She slowly crept to the doorway and peered inside, only for the office to be surprisingly devoid of any people.

The Doctor's desk light cast a dim glow across the room, illuminating the scattered papers and the flickering computer screen. Emma's gaze narrowed as she stepped cautiously into the office, her heart pounding in her chest. The air seemed to thicken with an eerie anticipation, and the scent of stale coffee mingled with the lingering stench of fear that permeated the room.

She approached the desk slowly, her eyes fixated on the computer screen.

As Emma approached the desk, her eyes fixated on the computer screen that flickered with a dim glow. The air in the room seemed to thicken with an eerie anticipation, as if it held its breath in anticipation of what lay hidden within the digital depths. The scent of stale coffee hung in the air, mingling with the lingering stench of fear that permeated the room. Emma cautiously sat in the chair behind the desk and began browsing the files of the computer.

Emma cautiously sat in the chair behind the desk, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she prepared to delve into the dark depths of Dr. Price's computer files. The room was cloaked in an unsettling silence, broken only by the faint hum of the computer and the occasional drip of water from a leaky pipe. The dim glow of the monitor cast an eerie light on her face, emphasizing the resolute determination etched on her features. Emma had attempted to access all the secrets the torturous doctor had stored over almost twenty years, and finally she cracked the pass code to his "secret folder". Emma braced herself for what she would find.

However, Emma wasn't prepared for what she'd find.

As Emma's eyes scanned the contents of Dr. Price's secret folder, a mixture of disgust and disbelief washed over her. The screen displayed a series of disturbing images and videos, showcasing the doctor's perverse experiments and sadistic methods. She couldn't help but feel a deep revulsion in the pit of her stomach, her body trembling as she tried to process the sheer depravity laid bare before her eyes. That is, until her disgust turned to horror when she saw a whole subfolder labeled "EQuinn_Training".

She clicked into the folder after a brief deep breath to prepare herself, her trembling fingers barely able to navigate through the sea of disturbing files. The screen flickered, casting an eerie glow on Emma's pale face as she braced herself for the horrors that awaited within the depths of Dr. Price's twisted mind. She could feel a mix of disgust and anger bubbling up inside her, threatening to consume her sanity with each passing second.

What made it all worse was, some of the video files were dated as far back as thirteen years ago. And Emma was only 21 years old. The files dated as recently as only five years ago, the last coming about two weeks before she was taken from a Hydra Base by her future boyfriend, Cayden.

Emma's hands shook as she scrolled through the grotesque files. The images and videos depicted unspeakable acts of cruelty and torture, each click further cementing her deep-rooted hatred for the despicable Doctor.

Finally, a voice pierced the stifling silence of the room, jolting Emma from her horrified trance. "Well, well, well... what do we have here?" The deep, gravelly voice sent shivers down Emma's spine as she turned to see Dr. Price himself standing in the doorway, a sinister grin etched across his face. The doctor's mere presence filled the room with an aura of malevolence.

"I thought it was clearly stated that common rabble like you aren't allowed in here," Dr. Price sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. His eyes gleamed with a sadistic delight as he took in Emma's shock-stricken expression.

Emma could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she locked eyes with the man who had caused her so much pain. Hatred welled up within her, fueling the fire of determination burning within her eyes.

"Resume your post at once," Dr. Price commanded, his voice dripping with contempt. The air in the room grew heavy with tension as Emma remained frozen in defiance, her eyes narrowing in an overwhelming tide of anger. Her body trembled with the weight of her past trauma, but she refused to let fear consume her.

"You..." She stammered. The doctor scoffs. "Are you such a stupid bimbo that you can't follow basic orders?!"

Emma lets out a deep breath as she feels herself transforming back into her normal appearance, yet choosing to keep the tactical combat clothing. She opens her eyes and glares at the man who had done nothing but sedate, violate, and abuse her for eight straight years.

The room seemed to freeze in that moment, the air growing heavy with tension as a sinister grin spread across Dr. Price's face, a hand gun leveled at her. "At long awaited last," he says with a low, almost deceptively welcoming tone. "You've returned home. It has been far too long, little one. You've grown, Deciever."

Emma's eye twitches as she takes a step towards him. "Do not call me that name. My name is Emma Quinn. And you're finally going to pay. Eight years. Eight. Fucking. Years. How many more, doc?" Her voice shook with pure hatred. "How many more experiments did you drug and rent to your sick buddies to have their way with? How many innocent children did you-" She bites down on her tongue, unable to finish her sentence.

"How many innocent children did you-" Emma's voice trailed off, her words caught in her throat like shards of broken glass. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms until they drew blood. The room seemed to close in around her as memories of the pain and suffering flooded her mind, threatening to consume her sanity.

Doctor Price chuckled mockingly, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.

"Oh, my dear Emma, you always were such a little spitfire," Dr. Price sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. His eyes bore into Emma's with a sadistic glint, relishing the power he held over her. The room seemed to shrink as his presence loomed larger, casting a suffocating shadow that threatened to consume her. "That's why we always needed to make sure you stayed extra quiet during your... 'Extracurriculars'."

Emma's grip on the knife tightened, her knuckles turning white as she fought to control the storm of emotions raging within her. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the deep-seated anger that fueled her every move. Hatred and determination burned in her eyes as she locked gazes with the man who had caused her so much pain.

Cayden, covered in blood, wandered across the secret doorway, hearing chatter beyond it. He decided to investigate. When he peeks through the window of the door, he sees a middle aged man holding Emma at gunpoint, yet his girlfriend wasn't cowering in fear. She stood her ground, knife in hand.

Cayden's heart pounded in his chest as he surveyed the scene before him. His eyes widened at the sight of Emma, standing firm with a knife in hand, her expression a mixture of defiance and fury. The middle-aged man holding her at gunpoint seemed taken aback by her unwavering courage, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.

"Well, well, well," Cayden said with a mischievous grin, stepping confidently into the room. The doctor turns to see who this was, only for Emma to throw the knife at a perfect angle, slicing through the doctor's pants leg with ease and Stabbing his knee.

The room fell into a shocked silence as the doctor's knee buckled, and he let out a guttural cry of pain. Cayden couldn't help but chuckle darkly at the sight, his eyes gleaming with a twisted amusement. "Well, you shouldn't have taken your eye off the ball, Doc." he remarked with a smirk, his voice dripping with his signature darkened sense of humor.

Emma stood tall, her eyes burning with a fiery resolve as she stared down the wounded doctor. Emma walks past a Desk with three needles, with a clear substance filling the tube attached to said needles. Emma picks them up without hesitating.

Emma's hands trembled as she picked up the three needles, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the glass. Each needle glistened under the dim light of the room, a sinister reminder of the power they held. The clear substance within them seemed to swirl and dance, beckoning her towards a path paved with revenge and redemption.

Emma had wasted little to no time injecting the former tormenter with whatever was in those tubes. Cayden slowly walks over to her. "Emma, this isn't gonna fix anything." He tries to comfort her.

Emma's piercing gaze shifted from the doctor to Cayden, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of anger and desperation. She clenched her jaw tightly, refusing to back down from her planned revenge. She whispers to Cayden, "Do you see what he did to me?" She turned the computer monitor and showed him the subfolder that contained all the disgustung files, photos and videos of her younger self.

Cayden felt both his skin crawl and boil with frustration as he looked at the screen, seeing a seemingly endless amount of evidence towards the abuse of the woman he loved so dearly. Cayden felt a wave of adrenaline and pure, unstoppable rage overcoming him.

His voice lowered into a dangerous growl as he spoke directly to Dr. Price. "Looks like someone got a taste of their own medicine, huh?" He paused briefly, letting the full weight of his statement sink in. "Let this be a lesson, doc. Fuck with fire..." He allows the blade to protrude from his hand, Stabbing Price right in his genitals.

Price let out another gut-wrenching scream, writhing on the ground in a pool of his own blood. As Price struggled to breathe due to the agony of his injuries, Emma's voice resonated menacingly throughout the chamber. "Remember all the times you had me loaned to your good buddies as just some object for self-pleasure?" She asks the doctor, who whimpers in absolute pain and agony in response. Emma raises a knife to his throat, but all the painful memories made it impossible for her to act. She froze upon looking this man in his eyes. Cayden nudges her shoulder, shocking her back to reality. Emma lowers the knife she was holding. Cayden, confused, asks, "What're you waiting for?"

He knew the man hurt her deeply - physically and emotionally – but watching her struggle with vengeance left him feeling helpless. In the corner of his eye, he saw An unknown, hooded woman observing the entire situation. With uncertainty painted across his face, Cayden asks, "Is this really necessary, Em?"

Her lips twitch slightly, and she looks at him with a stone cold resolve in her eyes. "It would mean everything to me if I could stop this monster from hurting anyone else." She swallows hard, trying to work up the courage to end Price's life. "Then do it." The hooded woman said from the shadows. A frustrated Emma throws her knife at the wall behind her as she lets out an enraged cry. She paced around the room. "Why can't I...?"

The doctor chuckles. "You cannot kill me? Because, Your conditioning paid off, my dear. You are fully incapable of taking my life!" He declares proudly.

His gloating smile seems almost triumphant. However, Cayden waltzes up to him. "Maybe she can't. But I sure as he'll CAN!" Cayden says with one furious punch to the head. Cayden utilized his incredible strength to force the doctor to stand, marching over to his computer. Cayden slammed Price's head off the keyboard, then forcing him to look at the very last file of Emma being assaulted. "Look at it. LOOK AT IT YOU SICK BASTARD!!" Cayden snarled. Emma was taken aback by his ruthless behavior. The doctor, despite having a few teeth broken, smiles at the image. "Such a shame she got away. She was always my favorite." The doctor says with one last revolting laugh before Cayden slams his head down on the desk, then, Cayden allows him to slump down to the floor.

The doctor is on all fours, Hands and knees shuffling desperately to get away from his assailant. Cayden stands mere feet away. "Emma..." He seeks her approval, to get vengeance on her behalf.

She finally nodded, signaling her consent. There was a momentary pause before Cayden rushed forward, placing his foot on the back of Price's head before bringing his foot down with wicked force, causing a sickening CRACK! to reverberate through the office and hallways. Cayden flipped the man over, revealing his shattered, horrifically disfigured nasal bone.

Cayden's breaths came in ragged gasps as he stood over the fallen doctor, his chest rising and falling with a mix of adrenaline and satisfaction. His blue eyes flickered with a mix of emotions - anger, triumph, yet not a single hint of remorse. The weight of his actions settled upon him like a heavy shroud, yet he couldn't deny the twisted gratification that surged through his veins.

Emma kneels down next to the doctor, still detecting a pulse. She drew her knife, holding it up against his chest hesitantly.

Emma's hand trembled as she held the knife inches away from the doctor's chest, her eyes fixated on the thin, gleaming blade. Cayden walks up to the fallen Price and shoves his blade up and into the man's insides from the bleeding hole in his groin. He quickly pulled the blade upwards, opening him in half like a very, very gorey pamphlet, as bits of intestine and liver sloshed onto the walls. Emma gasped as Price's blood splashed out onto her face and body.

Emma gasped as the crimson tide of blood splashed across her pale face and body, staining her skin in a magnificently violent kind of beauty.

Cayden breathes heavily, as an incredibly wild, crazy look dances in his eyes as Emma sits shellshocked by the extreme display of violence.

Emma's breath caught in her throat as the metallic tang of blood filled the air, mingling with the acrid scent of fear and desperation. Her heart raced in her chest, pounding against her ribcage like a trapped bird desperate to be set free. Each pulse sent waves of adrenaline through her veins, intensifying the overwhelming surge of emotions coursing through her body.

Finally, Emma stood up and opened her mouth to speak. "What the fuck, Cayden?!"

Cayden's heart skipped a beat as he heard the anger lacing Emma's voice. He was rather confused by this, as it was evident she couldn't kill the doctor, so he just did it for her. Cayden's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of adrenaline and uncertainty coursing through his veins. He watched as Emma stood there, her eyes locked on the gruesome scene before them.

"That was MY revenge, Cayden!" Emma's voice trembled with a mix of anger and hurt, her eyes locked on the gruesome scene before them. The splatters of blood on her face seemed to accentuate her pale complexion, contrasting sharply against the darkness that had lived deep within her soul ever since her traumatic experiences all those years ago.

"Is it Revenge you wanted? Closure? What were you hoping to get here, Emma?!" Cayden barks in a shocking fit of aggression shown towards her.

Emma felt her heart drop as Cayden's harsh words cut through the air like a knife. The weight of his accusation settled heavily on her chest, causing her breath to hitch in her throat. She had hoped for understanding, for support, but instead she was met with anger and confusion.

Just then, a mysterious hooded woman walked right through the wall, as if the laws of physics itself didn't apply to her. The room seemed to grow colder as she entered, her presence casting a chilling aura that sent shivers down Cayden's spine. Her eyes, a piercing shade of ice blue, scanned the room with an intensity that made the air heavy with anticipation. She notices the body of Price, and she effortlessly strolls over to his mangled body.

The woman's long, slender fingers reach out to brush against the slick surface of Price's blood-soaked skin, her touch both gentle and purposeful. Her eyes narrow in concentration as she studies the grotesque coprse before her. A mixture of curiosity and a hint of grim satisfaction flickers in her icy blue eyes. "Oh, Doctor Regan. You deserved a much worse way out. Your departure from this world was much too quick." She silently whispered to the lifeless body, her voice laced with a sick satisfaction. The hooded woman's presence seemed to command the room, her aura exuding power and an air of mystery that left Cayden and Emma unsettled.

Cayden took a step back, his eyes fixated on the stranger before him. "I don't know who you are, but you need to do us both a favor and get the hell out of here," Cayden's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. His mind raced with questions. Who was this enigmatic woman? And what did she want?

The mysterious woman turned her gaze towards Cayden, the intensity of her ice blue eyes seemingly piercing through his very soul. Suddenly, the woman charged forward, swinging a knife at Cayden, only for him to block with his sword!

The clash of metal reverberated through the air as Cayden skillfully blocked the woman's attack with his katana, his arm straining under the force. The sound of their blades meeting echoed throughout the room, filling it with an intense symphony of steel. Cayden's eyes narrowed as he locked gazes with the hooded woman, their faces mere inches apart. He could feel her breath on his skin, warm and tinged with a hint of something sinister. "You got some nerve." He mutters amidst the struggle. The woman, however, swiftly kicks Cayden in the kneecap as a disgusting "POP!" noise fills the air as his knee jerks unnaturally to the side.

Cayden's leg buckles, and he slumps back to the ground, a sharp pain shooting through his body like a lightning bolt. The cold, hard floor beneath him seems to magnify his agony, each jolt of pain reverberating through his bones as if mocking his vulnerability. Sweat beads form on his forehead, trickling down his face in a steady stream, mingling with the blood from his split lip.

The woman stands almost tauntingly over him. "Get up. Heal yourself and get up, 28." She says. Cayden looks up, slightly confused. "I'm sorry, I think you somehow have got me mistaken for the wrong sword-armed mutant..." He chuckles as he grips his left knee and jerks it back into the proper position with a cringe inducing "CLICK!". He winces when he resets the bone, but immediately, Cayden stands back up, all be it with a slight limp.

"So you know how to fight," Cayden deduces, his voice laced with a hint of admiration mixed with caution. His blue eyes flicker with a subtle blend of curiosity and wariness as he studies the mysterious woman before him. Her presence is captivating, her every movement calculated and precise. Cayden's mind races, trying to piece together the puzzle of her identity.

The woman remains silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she assesses Cayden's reaction. "I know more than you think. Like how you're the one who's responsible for the kidnapping and death of my sister many years ago!" The woman accuses

Cayden's heart skipped a beat as the woman's words hung in the air, her accusation like a piercing arrow aimed straight at his chest. The weight of her accusation settled heavily upon him, pressing down on his shoulders like an invisible burden. Confusion and disbelief flickered across Cayden's face as he desperately searched his memories, trying to make sense of the woman's claim. Then, Cayden glanced down at Emma. The only time he ever even remotely "Kidnapped" someone is when he knocked out a hydra agent and took her back to the base with him. And even then, that agent turned out to be Emma. But before Cayden had the chance to assess the situation further, the woman lunged for him again, only this time, Barone sidestepped, grabbing the hood around her head and yanking it off.

As the fabric fell away, revealing her face, Cayden's heart skipped a beat. Staring back at him an expression that held a mixture of anger and pain. Cayden looks back and forth between Emma and this woman. Their jawlines, their brows, everything about their facial features, minus their hair and eye colors, were practically identical.

Cayden's mind raced, his thoughts echoing with confusion and disbelief. Emma, who had watched this whole series of events unfold, finally stood up, taking a step towards the now unmasked woman. "...Bella?" She asks, a faint glimmer of hope hidden in her voice.

The woman faintly smirks. "I haven't heard that name in years."

Cayden's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the exchange unfold before him. The realization of the woman's identity hit him like a tidal wave, crashing over his senses and leaving him breathless. Bella stood before him, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and pain. The reason for the resemblance between Emma and this woman, Bella, being so uncanny? This woman was Emma's older sister.

"I thought you died." Bella says casually. Emma shrugs. "I can say the same for you. Although being in Hydra for that long isn't really living much." Bella's eyes flickered with a mix of uncertainty and defiance as she locked gazes with her sister. The tension in the room was palpable, as if the very air had thickened with their shared history and the weight of their individual struggles. Emma's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her words hanging heavy in the air like a fragile thread that threatened to snap at any moment.

"So you've been still with Hydra all these years?" Emma asks, to which Bella responds with, "So you've been with this fucking creep who's kept you all to himself?"

Cayden finally steps between the sisters. "What's your deal?"

After Bella paid his question no mind, Cayden repeated his question one more time, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. His eyes flickered between Emma and Bella, searching for answers in their shared history. The room seemed to hold its breath as the tension between the three of them hung heavy in the air, like an invisible thread that threatened to unravel at any moment.

Bella's gaze hardened as she studied Cayden, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "How dense are you? Can't you see we're in the middle of something?" She asks, obviously objecting to Cayden's interjection.

Cayden took a deep breath and stepped forward, his voice calm yet filled with an underlying urgency. "Listen, both of you. We can't let our past tear us apart. We've already lost so much, and if we keep fighting amongst ourselves, we'll lose even more." He paused for a moment, his eyes searching theirs for any sign of understanding.

Emma's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions - fear, anger, and a deep-rooted longing for reconciliation, but Bella was not so convinced. Her gaze hardened, her lips curling into a disdainful sneer as she stared daggers at Cayden. "You think you can just waltz in here and play hero? You know nothing about the pain we've endured," Bella spat out, each word dripping with venom.

Cayden's eyes met Bella's, his gaze unwavering. He could feel the weight of her words, heavy with pain and bitterness, yet he felt overcome by his own rising feelings of rage. He'd sliced countless men in half already, he'd murdered Doctor Regan Price... and he was itching for another fight. He retracted his blade into his arm, yet he stepped up to Bella. "You don't want this fight. Trust me."

Bella scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she stared at Cayden with disdain. "Trust you? Why should I trust someone who's part of the very organization that took everything from me?" Her voice dripped with venom, each word laced with the pain and bitterness of years of suffering.

Cayden's jaw clenched as he fought to maintain his composure. "Shield didn't take shit from you." He remarks. "I gave your sister the first taste of REAL love, and I've done nothing but protect her from guys like Price!" He boasts. Bella's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching at her sides. She could feel the anger boiling within her, threatening to spill over like a volcano erupting after years of pent-up frustration. The room seemed to shrink as her emotions surged, pulsating through her veins like a raging river. She took a step forward, her voice dripping with venom as she hissed, "Real love? You think you know anything about love? You've got her in a harrowing case of Stockholm syndrome!" Bella levels yet another accusation at Cayden.

Cayden's heart pounded in his chest as he listened to Bella's words, each accusation piercing through him like a dagger. "You've got ten seconds before I throw you through that wall." Cayden warns her.

Bella's eyes blazed with defiance as she squared her shoulders, refusing to back down in the face of Cayden's threat. Without warning, she backhand slapped Cayden across the face!

The sound reverberated through the air, a sharp crack that echoed like a thunderclap in the tense atmosphere of the room. Pain blossomed across Cayden's cheek, his skin stinging as if seared by a branding iron. His head snapped to the side from the force of the blow, his blonde hair falling haphazardly over his eyes. Behind the hair, his eyes filled with a look of rage. "I'm gonna fucking kill you."

Cayden's words hung heavy in the air, his voice laced with a deadly calmness that sent a shiver down Bella's spine. Cayden's blue eyes blazed with an intensity that matched the fire raging within him, the flames of his rage licking at the edges of his consciousness like a primal beast. Bella turns to run, phasing right through the wall in order to exit the room. Cayden groans. "Damn it!," choosing to run out of the room they were in to try and locate Bella.

Barone's steps echoed through the dimly lit corridor, the sound reverberating off the cold, stone walls. His heart raced in his chest, each beat drumming loudly in his ears as adrenaline surged through his veins. The weight of Bella's accusations still hung heavy on his mind, fueling a storm of conflicting emotions within him. Anger mingled with hurt, frustration intertwined with determination.

At long last, after a chase that lasted a good five to ten minutes, Cayden Barone stumbled across a massive underground scientific lab. The air was heavy with the scent of metal and chemicals, mixing together in a heady concoction that threatened to suffocate him with every breath. The room itself was dimly lit, the only source of illumination provided by fluorescent lights in the ceiling.

Cayden carefully maneuvers around the equipment, finally coming across a giant cylindrical tube with a humanoid figure inside it. Cayden looks at the data about this figure on a laptop near the subject. "Weapon X-29" was the designation of this one. It read, "Project is a rapidly aged clone of X-28. Equal Healing factor, yet weapon ability seems to be inverted". He glanced up at the unconscious subject. He bore a striking resemblence to Cayden himself, only this man in the tube looked about eight to ten years older than he did.

Behind him, Bella's voice rings out, "So, you found what this station was built to protect." Cayden gulped nervously. Just what the hell was this thing?