The second and third Burrowers hit the surface like missiles.
The street split open, asphalt curling upward as the creatures clawed their way into the open. People ran for their lives while sirens echoed in the distance.
Natasha didn't hesitate.
She sprinted toward one creature while tossing John a sharp look.
"Stay close. Follow my signals. Don't improvise."
John nodded—just as the first Burrower charged.
He ducked under its swipe, Observation Haki warning him a full second before impact. Natasha leapt onto its back, digging both batons into the base of its neck. Electricity surged through the creature, knocking it off balance.
The other Burrower lunged at John.
He sidestepped, grabbed its arm, and threw it into a parked SUV. The vehicle flipped, metal screeching as alarms blared.
Natasha eyed him—impressed for real this time.
But the creatures adapted fast.
Too fast.
Their yellow veins pulsed brighter, and they lunged again in sync. John and Natasha were forced back-to-back.
"You're strong," she said between breaths, "but reckless."
"You're fast," he shot back, "but human."
She didn't deny it.
Together, they made it work.
John delivered the raw power.
Natasha delivered the precision.
A hard punch from him broke the Burrower's jaw.
A perfectly timed shock disc from her overloaded its nerves.
Then—
BOOM!
Both creatures collapsed.
The street fell silent except for distant sirens.
John exhaled, adrenaline burning through him.
They'd won.
But Natasha wasn't relieved.
She turned to him slowly, hands lowering to her sides.
"Whoever you are… you're coming with me."
John stiffened.
"What?"
"SHIELD can help you. Train you. Contain this situation. You're connected to these things, and I'm not letting you disappear."
He stepped back.
He couldn't go with SHIELD.
Not with a system tied to his identity.
Not with powers he didn't understand.
And not with Sabrina waiting for him.
"I can't," he said quietly.
Natasha's voice sharpened instantly.
"Kid. Don't make this difficult."
He took another step back.
"I'm not going with you."
Her hand moved toward a hidden cuff on her belt—
—and John ran.
The Chase
Natasha cursed under her breath and sprinted after him.
John darted through alleys, Observation Haki guiding his movements. He slid under a fire escape, vaulted a trash can, and cut sharp corners while cars and pedestrians blurred around him.
Natasha stayed on him like a shadow.
Fast.
Silent.
Unstoppable.
"Stop running!" she shouted.
"I'm not letting SHIELD lock me up!" he called back.
"You're a minor with dangerous abilities—what do you think happens next?!"
He didn't answer.
He couldn't.
He burst across a street, narrowly avoiding a taxi. Natasha followed without hesitation.
A grapple hook shot out of her gauntlet—aimed at his leg—
He jumped, the hook missing by inches.
Natasha landed on a rooftop, glaring down at him.
"Kid, you're only making yourself look guilty!"
John didn't stop.
The Escape Succeeds
He reached a subway entrance and sprinted down the stairs two at a time.
Natasha followed—but the moment she rounded the corner, the train doors slammed shut between them.
The train pulled away.
John locked eyes with her through the window.
Her expression was cold but not angry.
Calculated.
Determined.
"This isn't over," she mouthed.
John swallowed hard.
He knew she meant it.
Back at Home
He stumbled into his room, door locking behind him, chest still burning from the sprint.
The system appeared instantly.
[Survived Encounter With Black Widow — Reward: +800 Points]
[Warning: SHIELD Interest Level — Moderate]
John collapsed onto his bed.
He'd fought monsters.
Teamed up with an Avenger.
Ran from SHIELD.
And he wasn't even 16 yet.
This universe was accelerating around him.
And for the first time—
he wasn't sure he could stay hidden forever.