Harry Potter: The Revenant

The hum of the jet engines filled the cabin as Harry approached his parents and Sirius, a sly grin already forming. They were seated around a table, sharing whispered banter that, knowing them, probably involved pranking ideas for the pilot or something equally juvenile. At least Sirius was contributing to that part of the conversation.

Harry cleared his throat theatrically. "If I could have your attention, ladies and gents."

James raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his seat with a smirk. "What's this? Is our boy about to give us a lecture?"

"I'm about to give you something better than a lecture, Dad. Try to keep up." Harry pulled at the edge of his Cloak of Levitation, which rippled like water catching the morning sun. From its folds emerged three large, leather-bound tomes. They floated mid-air, glowing faintly with an otherworldly aura.

James squinted. "Books? Really? You're giving us homework?"

"Shows what you know, Dad," Harry shot back. "These aren't just books—they're magical tomes. Ancient, powerful, very exclusive tomes, which I may or may not have... creatively acquired."

Lily's eyes widened. "Harry! Where did you get those? They look—" She hesitated, her academic instincts battling with her maternal ones. "—dangerous."

"Oh, they're dangerous, alright," Harry admitted with a cheeky grin. "But only if you don't know what you're doing. Which is why they're perfect for the three of you."

Sirius whistled, leaning forward. "And here I thought you'd just inherited your mum's brains. This level of trouble-making? That's all Potter."

Harry ignored the jab and turned to Lily first, handing her a book that shimmered with silver runes etched into its cover. "This one's for you, Mum. It's about advanced wards and protective magic—stuff that makes the Fidelius Charm look like amateur hour."

Lily took the book carefully, as though it might explode. "Harry, these are from Kamar-Taj, aren't they? You told us about that place. Didn't you say the books were... guarded?"

"They are," Harry replied smoothly. "But I didn't take the originals. I... borrowed the information and made copies. Think of it as magical photocopying."

Lily frowned. "Magical what?"

"Doesn't matter," Harry said quickly, knowing he'd lose her in the explanation. "Point is, no harm, no foul."

---

Meanwhile, in the Library of Kamar-Taj…

Wong was shelving books when he suddenly stopped. The air around him felt... off. He frowned, muttering a mantra under his breath as golden runes formed in his hands. Moving swiftly, he began inspecting the shelves, his fingers glowing as they hovered over the spines of the tomes.

His eyes narrowed. A faint distortion lingered on several of the books—barely noticeable to anyone less vigilant than him. But Wong was Wong.

"Potter," he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "I warned him. I explicitly warned him. 'Do not tamper with the texts.' Does he listen? Of course not."

He stood abruptly, his expression dark. "The Cloak. It's always the cloak. I should've confiscated it when I had the chance."

---

Back on the jet, Harry handed the second book to Sirius, who snatched it eagerly. Its cover was adorned with intricate symbols that shifted when touched.

"This one's for you, Sirius. It's all about transfiguration—beyond anything you might have learned at Hogwarts. There's even a chapter about turning enemies into statues."

Sirius's grin widened as he flipped through the pages. "You're telling me this book can teach me how to out-McGonagall McGonagall? Brilliant."

"I'm not saying you should," Harry said cautiously. "Just that you could. And if you do, try not to turn Mum into a statue by accident."

"Like I'd ever try that with Lily," Sirius said, feigning offense. "She'd hex me into next week."

"You're damn right I would," Lily muttered, still engrossed in her own book. "These wards are fascinating, Harry. Did you know some of these spells could be used to anchor entire dimensions? Wait—don't answer that. Of course you knew."

Harry smirked and finally turned to James, handing him the last book. This one was bound in black leather, its cover embossed with the image of crossed swords. "Here you go, Dad. Combat magic. Everything from dueling to enchanted weaponry."

James's eyes gleamed as he took the book. "Combat magic, huh? So this is where you get all those flashy tricks of yours."

"Some of them," Harry admitted. "But don't get cocky. That book won't turn you into a master overnight."

James flipped through the pages, nodding appreciatively. "Well, don't expect me to wait overnight to try some of this out. Sirius, you up for a duel when we land?"

"Oh, bring it, Potter," Sirius said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see who's the better marauder."

---

Back at Kamar-Taj, Wong stood before the shelves, now glowing faintly with golden light. His expression was a mixture of fury and resignation.

"I swear," he muttered to himself, "if Harry Potter ever steps foot in this library again, I'm hexing that cloak into a rug."

---

On the jet, Lily finally looked up, her brow furrowed. "Harry, you're sure Wong won't find out about this? You said he's the Master Librarian, didn't you? He's bound to notice something."

Harry hesitated for a moment before shrugging. "Mum, come on. What are the odds he's going to check every single book in his library?"

Sirius snorted. "Famous last words, kid."

Lily gave Harry a look that clearly said you'd better hope you're right. But for now, she said nothing, her attention already drifting back to the book.

As the jet soared through the clouds, Harry leaned back, watching his family delve into the tomes he'd brought them. A smile played at his lips. Sure, Wong might be onto him, but he'd deal with that later. For now, seeing his mum, dad, and godfather this excited about magic? It was more than worth the risk.

—

The jet's engines slowed as it descended smoothly toward the abandoned landing strip, a little-known airfield nestled far off the radar in enemy territory. The moonlight glinted off the metallic hull of the sleek aircraft, casting long shadows across the ground as it touched down with barely a sound. The landing strip was isolated, surrounded by sparse trees and a distant stretch of desolate land, making it the perfect location for a discreet rendezvous.

As the jet's engines powered down, the hatch opened, and the team began to file out. Natasha, wearing a look of calm readiness, was the first to step out. Her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, always alert, always calculating. Bucky followed her closely, his stance tense, fingers brushing over the grip of his gun, though he didn't draw it just yet.

Behind them, Harry stood tall in his Revenant Armor, the Cloak of Levitation trailing slightly behind him like a living extension of himself. His demeanor was relaxed, but his heightened senses told him to stay alert. Lily, James, and Sirius brought up the rear, their eyes scanning the strip and the forest beyond, more out of habit than necessity.

They were greeted by a lone figure standing under the dim glow of a nearby lamp. A young man in his mid-twenties, wearing a dark bomber jacket and holding a clipboard, leaned against an old military vehicle. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes gave him away—a man who knew the score.

Rick Mason pushed off from the vehicle and walked forward with an easy smile, offering a nod of acknowledgment to Natasha and Bucky.

"Everything on schedule?" Natasha asked as she walked up to him, her tone all business.

"Yeah, we're good," Rick said with a hint of confidence. His eyes flickered briefly to Harry, then to the others. He hadn't met most of them, but the fact they were associated with Natasha and Bucky made it clear they were people to be taken seriously. He gave a brief but respectful nod to each one. "I've got the chopper ready, just like you requested. The strip's clear for takeoff, and I'll keep it clear while you're gone."

Bucky's eyes narrowed for a moment as he sized up Rick, though he didn't say anything. Rick could feel the scrutiny, but he didn't let it rattle him.

Harry, still in his armor, adjusted his cloak and gave Rick a lopsided grin. "Chopper, huh? Sounds like a plan. You sure you can keep the place quiet while we're on the job?"

Rick raised an eyebrow, his casual demeanor not betraying the seriousness of his role. "I don't know. How loud do you think it's gonna get when you're breaking a guy out of a prison that's practically a fortress? But yeah, I'll manage." He shot Natasha a brief glance, his grin turning slightly more professional. "You don't have to worry about me. I know how to handle things."

Lily, who had been silent until now, narrowed her eyes with an almost motherly scrutiny. "You're the one who keeps this place running, right? I don't suppose you've heard of... keeping things on a need-to-know basis?"

Rick blinked, momentarily caught off-guard by her directness. He glanced between Natasha and Bucky for confirmation, but they both gave him silent signals to roll with it.

"I'm pretty good at keeping my secrets," Rick replied smoothly. "But just so we're clear, I'll be sticking to the plan. The only thing I care about is getting you all in and out. No one needs to know who I'm helping and why, yeah?"

James chuckled, the warmth of his voice matching the amusement in his eyes. "I like this one. He's got the right attitude."

Sirius grinned. "We'll see how he holds up when things get messy."

Rick's grin widened, but his expression became more serious. "I've seen my fair share of messy. But you guys? This will be something special."

With a final nod, Rick turned toward the helicopter—an aging but reliable model parked a little further down the strip, its rotors gleaming in the weak moonlight. The landing area was isolated enough that the noise wouldn't attract attention, but Rick made sure to start it up slowly, making sure everything was running smoothly before turning back toward the team.

"Chopper's ready for you," he said, "I'll start refueling the jet while you get to work. You know where to find me if anything goes south."

Bucky gave him a sharp nod and then glanced at Natasha. "Alright. Let's go get Alexei."

Harry's armored form stepped forward, the Cloak of Levitation fluttering slightly around him as he adjusted his stance. "Sounds like fun. Just don't go getting any ideas while we're gone, alright? I'll need that jet for the extraction."

"I'll be ready," Rick replied, a bit of humor flashing in his eyes.

As the group moved toward the helicopter, James paused for a moment, placing a hand on Rick's shoulder. "Don't get too comfortable here. We'll be back before you know it."

Rick chuckled. "I'm counting on it. Safe travels."

With that, the team boarded the helicopter, the rotors kicking up dust as it lifted into the air, heading toward their mission. Below, Rick Mason got to work, refueling the jet and preparing for the inevitable escape. The tension was rising, but the clock was ticking.

—

The helicopter touched down with a soft thud on the barren stretch of land, a safe distance from the heavily fortified Seventh Circle Prison. The area was eerily quiet, with nothing but the faint rustle of wind and the low hum of the helicopter's engines dying down. Natasha, Bucky, and Harry were the first to disembark, followed by Lily, James, and Sirius. They crouched low, their eyes darting to the looming silhouette of the prison in the distance, bathed in the harsh light of flood lamps.

Lily immediately narrowed her eyes, her hand instinctively reaching for the talisman hanging around her neck. A shiver ran down her spine as she began to sense something—a deep, ancient magic guarding the prison. The Wards. They were thick and strong, designed to repel even the most skilled magic users.

"I can feel them," Lily murmured, her voice low but filled with determination. "The Wards are strong. I'll need to dismantle them before we can get inside."

Sirius, ever the optimist, raised an eyebrow. "You sure you can handle that? Those Wards are meant to keep out the worst of the worst."

"I'm sure," Lily replied, her voice tinged with confidence. She had faced more than her share of complex magical barriers over the years, and this wouldn't be any different.

She began to raise her hand, the familiar hum of magic swirling around her as she prepared to take down the first Ward. Her fingers twitched, ready to draw on the vast stores of power within her.

But before she could begin her incantation, a soft voice interrupted her.

"Mum, hold on," Harry said, his tone a mixture of reassurance and quiet authority.

Lily turned to him, a faint frown tugging at her lips. "What is it, Harry?"

Harry's Revenant Armor shimmered as the Cloak of Levitation wrapped tighter around his shoulders, reacting to his growing concentration. He stepped forward, scanning the horizon. "These Wards are powerful, yes. But… they're static. They're not like the fluid, shifting magic we're used to dealing with. I can get us in without dismantling the Wards at all."

Lily's brow furrowed. "How? You don't have the same magical expertise—"

"I don't need it," Harry interrupted, his voice calm. "I don't need to break the Wards, just bypass them."

His hand moved fluidly, his fingers tracing intricate runes in the air. The Cloak of Levitation seemed to respond to his intent, fluttering slightly as if alive. With a focused expression, Harry extended his arm and, with a subtle twist of his wrist, formed a glowing Portal in the air. It rippled like water disturbed by a stone.

The Portal, glowing with the same red-gold light as his armor, opened directly inside the Ward line, cutting through the magical defenses like a knife through butter. The barrier shimmered and pulsed in response, but it wasn't enough to stop Harry's magic. The air around the Portal hummed with power, and the Ward—designed to stop those entering from the outside—didn't even touch him.

"You see," Harry said, glancing back at Lily, "I don't need to take the Wards down, I just need to see the other side. It's much easier to open a Portal when I've got line of sight. Opening one to a place I haven't seen before is… a lot more complicated."

Lily stared at the swirling Portal, her lips pressing together in thought. She had always known Harry had powers that went beyond the normal realm of magic, but seeing him wield such power with ease was something else entirely.

"Smart," Bucky said, his voice laced with admiration. "No need to fight the magic when you can just bypass it."

"Exactly," Harry replied with a smirk, stepping through the Portal. "And besides, we have a job to do, don't we?"

As the team gathered around the Portal, ready to move forward, Lily took one last glance at the shimmering Ward line. She had been prepared for a challenge, but with Harry's ability to bypass it, she felt a rush of relief. Sometimes, it was better to leave the heavy lifting to someone who had a different set of skills.

"After you, Harry," she said, her tone warm but tinged with amusement.

With a final nod, Harry stepped through the Portal, leading the way into the heart of the prison. One by one, the others followed, emerging on the other side into a shadowy, narrow corridor within the prison's walls.

The air was thick with tension, and the faint sound of distant footsteps echoed from deeper within the facility. They were in, and now the real work began.

—

Once inside the prison's perimeter, the team moved swiftly and silently, their actions choreographed to near perfection. The corridors were dimly lit, narrow, and lined with reinforced steel doors that kept the prisoners within, but the guards, stationed at regular intervals, had no idea they were about to become the first obstacles in their mission.

Harry, in his Revenant Armor, moved like a shadow, the Cloak of Levitation trailing behind him. It was almost as though the Cloak itself was a part of his strategy—an ever-watchful, living presence that helped conceal him from the prying eyes of the prison's security systems.

Natasha, in her sleek black tactical suit, moved with the practiced grace of a predator. Bucky followed close behind, his metal arm gleaming in the dim light. The trio didn't make a sound as they approached the first guard station, crouching in the shadows, observing their targets.

There were two guards stationed by a steel door. They were standing in front of a control panel, chatting casually in Russian, their comms buzzing with routine chatter. Without a word, Natasha activated the magical voice modulator James and Sirius had rigged up for her, a device small enough to be concealed on her person but powerful enough to transform her voice to match the exact tone and inflection of the guard they needed to impersonate. It had been a makeshift solution to avoid raising suspicions, but it worked.

Bucky, standing at the ready, took his position beside Natasha, his eyes scanning the area. Natasha whispered into the comms with perfect precision, "—Status check. All clear, over."

The modulator worked wonders, and from the other side of the comms, the control room operator responded, "Roger that. Stay alert. Prisoner transfer coming up soon."

Natasha nodded to Bucky, who wasted no time in approaching the nearest guard. In a fluid motion, Bucky reached out, his cybernetic arm moving faster than the guard could react. With a sharp crack, Bucky knocked the man unconscious, lifting him into a chokehold before quickly silencing him. The second guard barely had time to turn before Natasha struck, a precise jab to the back of his neck rendering him unconscious in an instant.

As they hit the floor, Harry moved with lightning speed, ensuring the guards were neutralized before they had a chance to alert anyone. He took a moment to look at Lily, who was standing quietly, her eyes focused as she stood apart from the action, deep in concentration.

Lily's abilities were crucial. She had been using Legilimency on the unconscious guards before they even fell, carefully sifting through their memories and extracting the necessary codewords they used to report back to the control room. It was a delicate process—gaining just enough information without tipping them off, but Lily was more than capable.

With the guards now unconscious and the comms clear, Natasha spoke again into the radio, her voice modulated and cold. "Everything's fine here. We'll continue our sweep. Over and out."

The control room operator responded, "Understood. Keep me updated."

With the first set of guards taken care of, the team moved quickly and quietly toward the next checkpoint. Harry was in the lead, his Revenant Armor blending perfectly with the shadows as the Cloak of Levitation rippled ever so slightly, guiding him forward.

Every movement was calculated. They couldn't afford to make a sound. Every guard they encountered was neutralized without incident, and Natasha and Bucky expertly continued their ruse of impersonating the downed guards, sending false reports through the comms to buy them more time.

Lily's eyes never left the unconscious men as she plucked more memories from their minds, pulling out more access codes and the location of key points inside the prison.

"Just three more guard posts," Natasha murmured, her voice a quiet whisper as she relayed the information to the others.

Bucky gave a low grunt in acknowledgment, his eyes scanning the corridor ahead.

Harry's armor shimmered slightly, and he muttered under his breath, "Don't worry. We've got this." His voice, steady and calm, was a sharp contrast to the tension of their mission.

The prison was a maze of security, but they had already bypassed the outer layers. Every guard that fell added another layer of protection between them and their target—Alexei Shostakov, who was being held in one of the highest-security cells.

Lily's focus was unwavering. The Legilimency allowed her to find not just codes and locations, but also the subtle fears and anxieties the guards held, giving her insights into possible security flaws. She could almost predict their movements before they even made them.

"One more left," Lily whispered, her voice low and steady, her mind still sharp with the mental exertion. "Then we can move inside the compound."

"Perfect," Bucky said, adjusting his grip on his weapon. "Let's finish this."

With the last guard post down, they were in the clear. They were inside the heart of the prison now, and the final stretch of their mission was about to begin. But even with the smooth operation so far, the knowledge that they still had to extract Alexei—likely surrounded by even more guards and fortified security—loomed large.

"We stick to the plan," Natasha reminded them, her voice calm but resolute. "Get in. Get Alexei. Get out. No mistakes."

Harry gave a sharp nod, the Cloak of Levitation swaying slightly in the air behind him. "We won't make any. Let's finish this."

With that, they moved deeper into the prison, each of them on edge but determined to finish what they had come to do. Every step was carefully measured, the stakes higher with each passing second.

—

James and Sirius worked in perfect sync, their decades-long friendship and shared mischievous streak evident in every move. They were the distractions, the orchestrators of chaos, ensuring the others could do their jobs without interference.

James, hidden under the Invisibility Cloak, moved like a shadow through the corridors. His footsteps were light, almost inaudible, but his senses were sharply attuned to every sound around him. With the Cloak draped around him, he was nearly invisible, though he knew he still had to be cautious. Even a faint rustle could alert a guard. His mission was to plant explosive charges at key points within the prison to create the distractions needed. It was a delicate process, one that required precision, but James was the perfect man for the job.

As he slipped through the darkened hallways, he thought back to the chaos of their past adventures, the pranks and escapes they'd pulled off in Hogwarts. Those were simpler times. But the stakes now were far higher.

"Charge placed, one more to go," he muttered under his breath, his voice a ghostly whisper as he crouched by the junction of two walls, placing a carefully constructed bomb in a corner. The small device was designed to emit a sharp, distracting sound when triggered—just enough to pull the guards' attention away from the others. His movements were deliberate, but with the Invisibility Cloak, it was like he had never been there.

Meanwhile, Sirius, hidden by the Disillusionment Charm, moved with a fluid, almost feline grace. The charm made him nearly invisible to the naked eye, but it was the slightest distortion in the air that signaled his presence. He knew the risks, but like James, he thrived on the thrill of the mission. With his keen instincts and unparalleled skills at stealth, he was an invaluable asset to the team.

"Sirius, stop messing around with that guard," James muttered through their comms, although his tone was more amused than annoyed. Sirius had always enjoyed toying with people, especially when there was no immediate risk of getting caught.

"I'm not messing around, I'm creating an opportunity," Sirius whispered back, his voice a low chuckle. He had, in fact, distracted a nearby guard by making the man believe he was hearing strange noises coming from another section of the prison. With a quick flick of his wand, Sirius had levitated a small piece of debris just enough to get the guard's attention and draw him out of his post.

Sirius knew it wouldn't take long for the guard to investigate, and by the time he did, the charge would already be placed. It was a clever tactic to create just enough chaos to shift the guard's focus.

"Distraction complete. Keep moving," James said, his voice still muffled but with a satisfied undertone. "Got one more before we're good to go."

Sirius, his charm still in place, silently adjusted his position to join James at the next strategic point. They were both in tune with each other, their shared history of pranks and daring adventures making them an unstoppable team when it came to subterfuge.

"I love this part," Sirius murmured, still invisible, as they approached the last guard checkpoint. He was enjoying himself—thriving in the chaotic energy of the mission, even though it was far more dangerous than anything they'd done before. "You know, if this whole 'saving people from prisons' thing doesn't work out, we could always go back to pranking Voldemort's guys."

James snorted under his breath, his eyes glinting with humor despite the gravity of the situation. "I think we're a little past that, mate. But I'll never say no to some good old-fashioned mischief. Let's get this last one done."

The two of them were pros at working under the radar, and the explosive charges were as much about misdirection as they were about causing real damage. With these carefully placed devices, they could cripple parts of the prison's security system—disabling cameras, disabling guards' comms, and even triggering alarms that would send reinforcements scrambling in the wrong direction.

By the time they finished placing the last charge, the countdown was set. James slipped back into the shadows, his Cloak blending seamlessly with the darkness around him, while Sirius paused only long enough to cast a final spell to ensure the charge would go off without detection.

"Boom, boom, and boom. We're done here," Sirius whispered with a grin, though he knew the real work was still ahead. "Now, let's get to the rendezvous point and cover the others. I've got an itch to blow something up."

James couldn't help but laugh, the tension lifting for just a moment. "You're going to get us all caught one day with that attitude."

"Not if we get out first," Sirius quipped, his voice tinged with mischief. He knew the risk, but he'd also learned long ago that the adrenaline of a mission like this was worth every second of it.

As the two of them slipped away to meet up with the others, the air around the prison seemed to grow thicker, the tension rising with every passing second. But, as always, James and Sirius had made sure that their part of the plan would go off without a hitch, giving Natasha, Bucky, and Harry the cover they needed to get closer to Shostakov.

With their charges in place and their roles complete, the duo merged into the shadows, silently awaiting the next move in their audacious operation.

—

The tension inside the prison walls was palpable as the first explosive charge detonated. The loud bang rang through the hallways, followed by the sharp, high-pitched screech of the secondary alarms as cameras short-circuited and lights flickered. A ripple of panic spread among the guards who had been positioned at the outer perimeters. Half of them immediately rushed toward the sound, their minds already calculating the immediate threat.

However, not all of them were fooled.

The Warden, a man with a cold, calculating mind, immediately recognized the pattern. He'd been in this business too long, seen too many diversion tactics used over the years. He ordered the guards on his command to stay put, his voice firm and precise over the comms. "Stay on your posts. This could be a distraction—do not move unless I tell you." He wasn't about to let a few well-timed explosions pull him away from his job. It was a calculated risk, but one he knew would work. They'd wait and see.

James and Sirius, safely out of view and waiting in the shadows, could hear the shift in the guards' movements through their comms. Some had rushed to investigate, but others remained, their senses sharp, clearly suspicious. It was a gamble that had half paid off.

"We need to move," James muttered into his earpiece, his heart racing. "They're not all buying it. Revenant, you might want to step in sooner than planned."

From his position inside the prison, Harry—Revenant—felt the change in the air. The guards' confused chatter turned to cautious whispers as they fell back into their positions, with some of them hesitating before returning to their patrol routes. Harry could sense the magic of the wards still buzzing around him, but it wasn't the mystical barriers that concerned him right now. It was the guards who hadn't been fooled by the diversion.

The Revenant armor hummed to life around him as Harry made a split-second decision. The time for subtlety was over. His Vibranium claws extended with a metallic snikt, gleaming ominously under the low, flickering light. He stepped out from the shadows, revealing his full form to the few remaining guards who hadn't moved in response to the explosion.

"Guess the party's over," Harry muttered to himself, stepping forward with the Cloak of Levitation flowing behind him like a shadowy trail. His voice, amplified by the magical resonance of the Cloak, echoed through the corridor, sending a ripple of unease through the guards who were still at their posts.

The remaining guards stiffened, recognizing the silhouette of the armored figure approaching. But before they could raise their weapons, Harry was already moving, his Vibranium claws flashing with deadly intent. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance, slashing through one guard's chest before they could even react. Another guard fell to the ground with a guttural scream as Harry used a burst of magical energy to force them back into the wall. The remaining two guards tried to draw their weapons, but Harry was already on them, faster than they could process.

In the chaos, he was a blur—striking, slashing, and incapacitating with brutal efficiency. A simple flick of his wrist sent one of the guards flying across the hall as his claws tore through their uniform. Another guard attempted to radio for reinforcements, but Harry's hand was already on his throat, cutting the transmission before he could utter a word.

The whole thing was over in seconds. The last two guards lay unconscious on the cold concrete floor, their comms crackling with static. Harry stood amidst them, his armor gleaming in the dim light as his Cloak of Levitation swirled around him, the magic amplifying his presence.

As the dust settled, Harry turned his attention back to the mission. "All clear on this side," he said, his voice calm, but there was an edge of urgency to it. "Natasha, Bucky, it's your turn."

On the other side of the prison, Natasha and Bucky, still hidden under their Disillusionment Charms, had already started moving toward the inner section of the facility. They knew they didn't have much time to waste. They had to move quickly and quietly if they were going to reach Alexei Shostakov without raising more alarms.

Natasha, with her finely honed instincts, led the way, using the disorienting chaos Harry had caused to stay under the radar. Bucky, following closely behind her, was equally stealthy, his enhanced senses picking up the faintest sounds or movements that might give them away. Both of them had been trained to operate in environments like this, so the silence between them was almost unnatural, save for the soft swish of their movements.

"Keep your head down," Natasha murmured through their comms, her voice low and controlled. "We need to get in, get him, and get out. Simple as that."

Bucky nodded, his eyes scanning the hallway in front of them as they crept toward the cell block where Alexei was being held. They'd been briefed, and they knew exactly where to go. But with the guards still on high alert, it wouldn't be long before someone noticed the missing bodies and started looking for answers.

Behind them, the hallway remained eerily quiet. But as they neared the door to Alexei's cell, the hair on the back of Natasha's neck stood on end. They had to move faster—time was running out.

Meanwhile, Harry's voice echoed in their earpieces again, his tone steady. "I'm holding off the rest, but there's only so much time before they send reinforcements. Get to him, now."

Natasha gave a silent nod to Bucky, and they both shifted into high gear. They made it to Alexei's cell within minutes, the sound of their steps muted under the Disillusionment Charms. Without hesitation, Natasha took a position by the door, her hand ready on the handle, while Bucky was already checking the lock. With a flick of his wrist, he disabled the mechanism, and the door silently swung open.

Inside, Alexei Shostakov lay on the cot, looking disheveled but very much alive. His eyes narrowed in surprise as Natasha stepped into view first, her charm fading as she approached.

"Time to go, Alexei," Natasha said, her voice calm but filled with purpose. "We're getting you out of here."

Bucky stepped in behind her, his mechanical arm flexing as he scanned for any immediate threats. "Let's move," he added, keeping his eyes on the hallway just outside.

With one last glance toward the hallway, Natasha grabbed Alexei by the arm and motioned for Bucky to lead the way out. They had come this far. Now it was time to make their exit, before the Warden could react.

---

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