Melina and Yelena returned to Dreykov's office, escorting a dozen recently cured Black Widows.
"Natasha, what is the next step?" Melina asked, now firmly in command of the loyalists.
Natasha walked over to the unconscious Dreykov. "We deal with the source of the rot first."
Without a moment's hesitation, she drew a small pistol and fired a shot into Dreykov's chest, killing him instantly. The surrounding Black Widows, who had endured years of brutalization under his command, let out audible sighs of relief. Their suffering had finally bought them this moment of retribution.
"Natasha," one of the Widows asked, "are you here on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., or on your own?"
"Both," Natasha declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "My personal mission is complete, but my professional one is just beginning. Now, I have two tasks for all of you."
"The first task," Natasha announced, addressing the mass of former agents, "is that we are establishing a new organization: S.W.O.R.D.—the Sentient World Observation and Response Department. Its goal is to protect the planet from existential threats."
She offered them a choice that none of them had ever had. "If you wish to continue as agents, to truly protect the world, you are welcome to stay and help build this with us. If you are tired of this life, you are free to walk away, no strings attached."
A palpable silence fell over the room. These women were orphans, trained to be killers—the Red Room was the only life they had known.
"Can we truly leave?" one asked tentatively.
"Yes. We will provide you with new, legitimate identities and resources," Natasha assured her. "However, once you leave, you must never disclose any information about this base or the work we do."
A woman named Anna stepped forward, resolute. "I quit. I want a quiet, normal life."
Natasha smiled gently. "Anna, you are free. I wish you a wonderful life."
The majority, however, chose to stay. "We have no home. This isn't one either, but we have each other here. I choose to stay," another Widow stated, echoing the sentiment of most.
Natasha then ordered, "Those who wish to leave, prepare with Anna. Melina, you will arrange their safe passage and new documentation."
While Melina oversaw the preparations, Natasha turned her attention to Yelena. "Yelena, you've grown up, haven't you?"
Yelena, trying to maintain her cool, shrugged. "Yes, I'm not that little girl who thought our whole life was real. My family—Mom, Dad, and Sister—it was all a brilliant lie." Her bitterness was evident, cutting into Natasha.
"Yelena, I am truly sorry for the pain I caused," Natasha said, her voice strained. "I thought I had killed Dreykov back then. I thought you were free, and when you didn't contact me, I hoped you had built a new life."
"I understand," Yelena conceded, her eyes meeting Natasha's. "Despite the training, despite the lies... you're still my sister. I choose to stay."
The two shared a fierce, comforting embrace—a genuine connection forged amidst the debris of their false past.
Once the defectors were safely underway with Melina, Natasha addressed the remaining Widows.
"From today onward, you are no longer Black Widows, but members of S.W.O.R.D. Our mission is to protect global peace and stability. We do not assassinate; we do not destabilize. We gather intelligence and confront enemies that threaten the world."
She outlined the leadership. "For now, Melina will serve as the Acting Director of this base. I will be the Deputy Director, reporting directly to Nick Fury, who will become the ultimate Director of S.W.O.R.D. I trust him completely. He will not send you to die needlessly."
Melina expressed concern. "You're making me a Director, and Fury is the head. What about you, Natasha?"
"I'm not suited for management," Natasha confessed. "I'm an agent. I will be forming an elite Black Widow Squad—which I will lead—to complete critical missions."
Yelena immediately volunteered. "I want in."
Natasha nodded. "The enemies we will face are highly dangerous. I will select the members carefully."
Melina then inquired about Antonia, who was recovering nearby.
"She was an innocent victim of my actions," Natasha said. "Now that I've treated her, it's compensation. If she wants to stay, she stays. If she wants to leave, she's free."
Antonia, recovering but still furious, locked eyes with Natasha. "I won't thank you."
"I don't need your thanks," Natasha replied simply.
With the immediate threats neutralized and the base secured, Peter, Gwen, and Tony were restless.
"I say, can we go back now?" Tony grumbled. "I signed up for a fierce battle, not a therapy session and a coup d'état where I didn't even fire a repulsor."
"I agree," Peter echoed. "I barely helped, except for controlling that girl in the armor."
"We're leaving now," Su Yi assured them. "But Tony, your plane is hours away. You owe me a ride back with my Teleportation."
Tony's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean right now? You can teleport me back?"
"Why not?" Su Yi smiled.
Tony realized something. "Hey, I remember the first time we met, you said you couldn't teleport with people."
"That was then," Su Yi chuckled. "My abilities have grown stronger. Perhaps in the future, I can even teleport an entire planet."
Peter and Tony exchanged dumbfounded glances.
"Is that even possible?" Tony whispered to Peter.
"With him? Probably," Peter muttered, already accepting the impossible.
Before Su Yi could initiate the jump, Natasha stopped him. "Hold on, Su. I need a private word with that girl."
Gwen looked surprised. "Me?"
Natasha winked at Su Yi. "I told you I'd handle her for you."
Su Yi felt a sudden dread, though he could still eavesdrop. He knew Natasha's "handling" would be intensely tactical and potentially disastrous for his relationships.
"I'll see you two on the other side," Natasha announced, pulling Gwen away.
Su Yi only heard fragments of the ensuing conversation: "A man like him needs a strong anchor..." and "Don't let him get away with just one down payment..."
Su Yi shook his head, momentarily forgetting his super strength. He still had to manage the consequences of his down payment from Natasha.
The team is about to teleport home, leaving S.W.O.R.D. in the hands of Natasha and the former Widows.