Marvel: I Awake the Little Cosmos-Chapter 604 - 573: Farewell, Natasha

Hawk originally thought Andy was just joking when she said she was the leader of the resistance here.

After all, there were only a few dozen people here, and they all seemed malnourished. Resistance army? Don’t be ridiculous, it was just a survivor’s camp.

Facts proved Hawk was mistaken.

Especially when Hawk quietly followed Andy to meet the Black Widow Natasha at their agreed location, traversing one artificially excavated underground tunnel after another, seeing guards stationed at each connection point, did he realize.

"You really are the leader of the resistance."

"I never wanted to be a leader."

Walking beside Hawk, Andy heard this and looked at Hawk: "It’s not that I chose them, but they chose me; they believe in me. So, if you deceive me, if Natasha Romanoff doesn’t know you, I will kill you immediately."

Nowadays, Hydra is powerful, occupying almost half of the Federation, and all who oppose them face bloody suppression.

Even because of the Scarlet Witch, no one could feign allegiance and infiltrate the New York City now ruled by them.

In front of the Scarlet Witch, there is no such thing as a secret.

The Avengers have faced all-out pursuit from Hydra, the Scarlet Witch, and Superman.

Doctor Strange was brutally killed by the Scarlet Witch, who crushed his skull.

Dr. Bruce Banner was punched in the head by Superman, resurrected by the Scarlet Witch.

As the Scarlet Witch and Superman were about to level the Avengers base, those extraordinary creatures once enlisted by Captain America in the Roaring Commando sprang forth again, sacrificing their lives to buy time, allowing Captain America and Iron Man to leave New York City at the last moment.

Seeking to preserve the living forces, in hope of a future resurgence.

But this wait has lasted five years.

In these five years, Earth has been largely occupied by Hydra. The Cleaner under Superman tirelessly travels worldwide, searching for and eliminating any resistance fighters or survivors who harbor dissent.

And just when almost everyone was about to despair.

A year ago, a prophecy emerged from nowhere and quickly spread among all resistance groups.

"What prophecy?"

"I don’t know."

Andy shook his head: "Just as I said earlier, Natasha Romanoff only recently made contact with us."

Hawk raised an eyebrow: "How do you know it’s Natasha Romanoff?"

Andy shook his head again.

"I’m not sure."

"Then..."

"As you can see, we’re nearly out of supplies."

Andy pulled a bitter smile: "Since we ambushed the Hydra enemies sent to take over this place half a year ago, Superman’s Cleaner has targeted this place. Whenever there’s any movement, he appears, causing our base’s supplies to run critically low. Just yesterday, a partner from East Town reported that someone claiming to be Natasha Romanoff came and brought us much-needed supplies. That’s why I went out with a pack today."

Hawk listened to Andy’s words, took a look at the large package on Andy’s back, and nodded, then looked at Andy: "Don’t worry, I’m definitely not your enemy."

Andy glanced expressionlessly at Hawk: "Guarantee comes from actions, not words. Again, if Natasha Romanoff says she doesn’t know you, I will still kill you. I won’t let you leave."

Hawk nodded and smiled.

"Alright."

"Let’s go."

Andy stopped speaking, leading the way in front, taking Hawk through the man-made underground tunnels, heading quietly toward East City.

Half an hour later.

Hawk guessed they had arrived when he heard the long silent earpiece chimed with a connection success prompt.

Soon enough.

After a conversation between Andy and an unknown voice came through the earpiece, Hawk saw the dead-end ahead suddenly moved aside, revealing a pipe-like passage. After passing through the pipe passage, he saw two middle-aged white men with beards holding cold weapons.

"Leader."

"Is the identity of that Natasha confirmed?"

"Asked a few questions, all matched, and the appearance is indeed Natasha. She has also accepted our arrangements."

"Good."

Upon hearing this, Andy nodded, then, seeing the two men’s gaze fall on Hawk following him, casually introduced: "This is Hawk. If nothing goes wrong, he is a new addition to our ranks."

The white man brightened upon hearing this and extended his right hand to Hawk: "Great, welcome to join us, buddy."

Hawk smiled slightly and shook hands with the white man extending a friendly hand towards him.

"Thank you, buddy."

"Let’s go."

Seeing the handshake, Andy didn’t say anything more, simply remarked, and then, led by the two companions, proceeded to where Natasha was currently located.

Soon.

Andy and Hawk saw Natasha, also guarded by two resistance fighters.

Similarly.

Natasha immediately noticed Hawk and Andy entering from outside.

Her eyes first landed on Andy, but quickly shifted to Hawk, instantly her pupils rapidly contracted.

Hawk could even feel that in that moment, Natasha immediately transitioned into combat mode, her muscles adjusted to peak condition.

The next second.

"Black Hawke!"

Natasha shouted explosively, without hesitation, pressing one hand on the table, her tensed muscle in the right leg shot out like a bullet, aiming directly at Hawk and Andy.

At this moment, Andy had already confirmed that the Natasha in front of him was indeed the Black Widow.

Because she didn’t have time to react, she saw Natasha’s right leg aiming at her.

Fortunately, Hawk was quick to act, extending his right hand, grabbing Natasha’s incoming ankle, and with a flick of his hand.

Natasha flipped in mid-air, then landed in her iconic entrance pose, supporting herself on the table with one hand, raising her head to look at Hawk, who was guarding Andy behind him.

Their eyes met.

Hawk smiled and said, "I am indeed Hawk, but I’m not black."

As expected!

The so-called Superman that Andy mentioned, who had caused the Earth to be like this, was indeed someone eerily similar to himself.

But Andy did not know the name of that Superman. However, the Avengers knew, but to differentiate him, they specifically named this doppelgänger ’Black Hawke’!

Listening to Hawk’s words, Natasha’s eyes narrowed once more.

"Hawk?"

"Without a doubt."

"Prove it to me."

Natasha was still vigilantly staring at Hawk: "On the Soul Planet, I asked you a question. You told me something then, what was it?"

Hawk thought for a second and looked at Natasha, who was still in a combat stance on the table: "Because we are friends."

As soon as he said this.

In the next second, Natasha, who had been in a combat stance just a moment earlier, instantly released her battle posture. Her eyes widened once more, this time not with vigilance, but with disbelief.

"Hawk?"

"Once again, without a doubt."

Hawk looked at Natasha, who was reconfirming his identity, and then at the still-classic pose she maintained on the table, curious: "By the way, aren’t you tired keeping that pose?"

Natasha paused, then after realizing, she got off the table and gave Hawk a hug.

Hawk raised an eyebrow, looking at Natasha hugging him, and then glanced at Andy’s perplexed expression nearby, smiling: "See, I told you, Natasha and I are indeed friends."

Andy came back to his senses, looking at Hawk with an inexplicable expression.

"Who are you?"

"Hawk!" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Hawk smiled and spoke once more.

Ten minutes later.

It speaks to Natasha’s professionalism as a spy; she had quickly recovered from her initial shock, disbelief, and excitement.

Hawk and Natasha sat facing each other.

"Hawk, how come you..."

"Someone’s been out there using my name, I had to come check it out."

Hawk explained, then looked at Natasha: "So, this so-called Superman really is me?"

Hearing this, Natasha let out a bitter laugh and nodded.

"Yes."

"What happened? I remember leaving with Wanda and my sister. When you saw a new Wanda, didn’t you notice something wrong?"

"We did, but she was stronger, completely different from the Wanda we knew. Even Stephen was killed by her."

Natasha recalled the previous events: "Especially after your resurrection, when Tony saw the revived you killing a passer-by, he was certain that you weren’t you."

Hawk curiously looked at Natasha.

Meeting Hawk’s gaze, Natasha said, "Tony said that although you kill, you would never do so without giving a chance. Moreover, if that Hawk was really you, you wouldn’t kill a passer-by because the real you wouldn’t stoop to kill an innocent passer-by."

Hawk laughed.

"Where is Tony now?"

"The last refuge."

Natasha replied, then added, "It’s a place you know, because you told us about it before you left."

Hawk caught on.

"Skull Island?"

"Yes."

Natasha nodded: "Currently, on this Earth, Skull Island is the only place that hasn’t fallen. And for some unknown reason, it seems the Black Hawke, Scarlet Witch, and their henchmen, the Cleaners, dare not approach Skull Island, so we’ve barely managed to recover some strength relying on Skull Island."

What reason?

What other reason could there be?

Because beneath Skull Island was the guardian they dared not approach.

...