Ladies and Gentlemen, fanfic readers everywhere, welcome to my newest project, this time centered in the Marvel Universe's greatest archer. I know that Mr. Barton has gained quite the popularity thanks to Matt Fraction and David Aja's iconic run, as well as the MCU films, but I've noticed he's not quite the popular choice when it comes to fanfics, so I hope this one brings a new flock of fans. I know it'll be a challenge, but I'll do my best to overcome it.
Now, this fic will also be part of my "Marvel Alt-616" Continuity, which means that this fic follows the current comic book continuity but adds new elements and alters others for the benefit of the story (and also make reference to previous works, interconnecting them). I'm sure keen readers will spot the details with no problem, as well as may catch references and even cameos from my previous works (like my past Spidey/Kitty Fic "A Light in the Darkness").
And last but not least, the "standard issue disclaimer": I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS. THESE CHARACTERS ARE THE PROPERTY OF MARVEL COMICS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS. WHAT I DO OWN IS THE STORY UNDER DEVELOPMENT. So with that said, let's jump into this new adventure!
Enjoy the reading!
AFTER THE FALL, WE TAKE FLIGHT: A HAWKEYE AND MOCKINGBIRD STORY
Chapter 1: Purple Hawk Down
MONTHS AGO, AT THE ALETHEA BANK
A normal day in the city, a day when the people can do their errands and personal diligences with no problem, in such a place like the Alethea Bank, one of the most prestigious in the city but unbeknownst to most of the New Yorkers, is the property of the notorious criminal Parker Robbins, also known as The Hood, yet this bank is the only legit business Robbins runs where he cannot be affected by his underground practices. However, a man with a personal war and nothing left to lose has made the choice of targeting it, a man who once was one of 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes'.
Right outside the Bank, a man decked in a blue and purple suit steps out of a taxi cab and walks into the location with a duffel bag in tow, his bow on his waist and his quiver of arrows on his back.
"Hi, my name is Hawkeye. I bet you weren't expecting to see me this morning" Barton talks to the gathered clients and security members "Well, you probably won't be expecting this either" all eyes turn to the costumed fallen hero, noticing the bandages and scars that are still visible under his mask and arms, alongside his bruises "I will be your friendly neighborhood bank robber. But I'm not here for your money. Parker Robbins, the man who owns this bank—I'm here for his" Barton then walks a few steps inside the place "Don't do anything stupid and I'll do my best to do the same…"
No one batted an eye upon his words; people just stared blankly at him, wondering if what he is saying is true, until one of the security guards comes towards him.
"Alright Hawkeye, funtime's over" the guard approaches him, but right then Barton grabs his arm and twists it in a hold, punching him in the shoulder to break his bone dislocating it and then hits him behind the knee, forcing him to drop to the floor. The other security guards unfold their guns while the civilians and workers drop to the floor in panic, forcing Barton to grab his bow, unfolding it and then aiming three arrows at the remaining security guards.
"I thought I told you not to do anything stupid" Barton looks at each of the guards "You can shoot me, I'll still shoot you, and you know who the #$%& I am" he warns the guards who slowly begin to put their guns back to their holsters "Good, now…take me to Parker Robbins' vault, now" his voice becomes more threatening, and because of that, the guards comply and lead him to the vault where The Hood keeps his money "Fill the duffel bag, now" the orders one of the guards and then points at them with his bow and arrows as they proceed to fill the bag with Robbins' money.
Once they finish the deed, Hawkeye grabs the bag and begins to leave the Bank, not even caring if the security cameras are looking at him, and not even apologizing to the security guard he injured during his robbery, he just walks out of the bank and back to the taxi cab who was waiting for him to leave the place.
MINUTES LATER
After he made the robbery, he delivered the money to Count Nefaria's penthouse at the Upper West Side where he then changed the contents with a vicious demon that would do the work of removing Robbins' magic hood, leaving him vulnerable to Hawkeye's attack.
All was set for him to do his stunt and assault Robbins, ending with a direct attack towards him to the point where they both fall through the glass out to the street, right when the cops are arriving and upon the eyes of both civilians and the criminals gathered by The Hood.
"Cops are coming, we should beat it" the albino gangster Tombstone comments to the remaining criminals.
"Let's kill the Avenger first" says Ox, the largest member of the Enforcers, but before he could act, he is stopped by the leader Montana.
"Nah, let him go Ox…He's one of us now. Even if he doesn't know it yet" Montana comments as they all see Hawkeye stumbling while he walks away, trying to pull out glass shards from his stomach as he walks towards a limousine waiting for him. Barton gingerly steps inside and once he shuts the door, he shouts a loud moan as he pulls out a large shard of glass.
"UUNNGH!" he then starts to breathe agitatedly, slowly pacing down, trying to relax and then he looks at the passengers at the other side of the limo.
"Blood is very hard to clean from these seats, Mr. Barton, so the cost of the cleanup will come from your pocket" the voice sternly warns him.
"Send me the bill—UGHN!—to the mail...Fisk" Barton replies, still struggling with the pain "Or should I call you 'Boss' now?" he asks, closing his eyes as he tries to remain conscious.
"Is the price to pay for helping me clear the city of this pseudo-Kingpin, Mr. Barton" the former Kingpin and current Mayor of New York City replies "You wanted me to help you and I did, and don't worry, you will receive medical assistance".
"Don't expect me to say thanks" Barton spews, breathing heavily as he lies down on the seat.
"Not expecting it, what I do expect…is for you to act when required" Fisk replies, seeing how Barton is finally falling into unconsciousness while the limousine heads to the Mercy Hospital and receive treatment.
"It's over, Barton" he could hear his own voice in his head "What else can you do? You had a nice relationship and you blew it, you had people who counted on you and you blew it, you used to be a hero and you #$%& +*% blew it…might as well consider this the last bad decision in your entire life. At least Kate will carry on the name, Hell, she might as well brag that she can actually BE the 'Good Hawkeye' while I'll go down in history as the guy who went from criminal to Avenger to worst than criminal…I hope that if I die again, not only I die for good, but I'd rather have no one visiting my grave, 'cause I doubt anybody would even care about me anymore".
PRESENT DAY, OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK
Clint Barton chose to disappear, his personal war against The Hood already cost him everything. He lost the relationship he was building with Linda Carter, the Night Nurse; he lost the respect of his friends and allies; he burned bridges with the ones who still tried to reach out to him; he even lost whatever little was left of his self-respect. He is no longer a hero; he is what he used to be during his days at the circus: A Criminal.
After that, he left New York, yet he remains nearby, living in an abandoned cargo train in a junkyard outside the city, with nothing but a punching bag, a few metal scraps set up for 'target practicing', his old bow and arrows, both regular and trick arrows; and his smartphone. Oddly enough, Fisk has not required the services of 'Ronin' yet, thus he just stayed low and practiced, waiting for the inevitable, but in the meantime, he listen to podcasts so he could distract himself and get some updates from his former allies.
["This is The J.J.J. Podcast and I'm your host J. Jonah Jameson! Folks, the buzz of the week is what transpired at Wilson Fisk's inauguration gala of his Tower when Otto Octavius wanted to make his comeback with a biological weapon, but his efforts were thwarted by the combined efforts of Spider-Man and the X-Men, but the biggest talk was that a few days later, Fisk makes a deal with the mutants!"]
While Barton hears the podcast, he practices his punches with the bag, a quick pacing, moving from side to side, concentrating on his blows, but also paying attention to the commentary.
["Fisk signed up a deal with the Hellfire Company for an exclusive deal for the 'Miracle Medicines' with the group called the Marauders as the sole providers. Pffft! Would I trust in a gang called like that? Hell No! But apparently the company's representative Emma Frost must've made a very convincing argument because that deal included the transfer of ownership of the tower to the Hellfire Company! HA! Wilson Fisk barely lasted a little more than a month as the owner of Tony Stark's old tower and then he gave it away to the mutants! Guess we know who the real winners in there are!"]
Barton stops for a second, hearing Jameson's words about that tower. The original Stark Tower was previously used as the Avengers HQ, and he even lived there for a while during his tenure; he knew that Stark sold it after the Incursions Crisis but he didn't knew that Fisk bought it time later, and now is in the hands of the Hellfire Trading Company.
He tries to resume his training, but the loud of metal knocking interrupts him. Barton looks at the open gate of the train container he calls 'home' and looks at two tall, muscular thugs in black Armani suits right at the gate.
"Huh, you don't look like the usual Fisk thugs" Barton comments "Seems that Fisk wants me to deal with some muties".
"Wrong, Barton" a female voice is heard, and right then the thugs open their way for the infamous Giuletta Nefaria, also known as Madame Masque, to step in.
"What do you want, Masque?" Barton asks, staring at her with a frown on his face.
"Oh how the mighty have fallen" Masque coyly comments "and in your case, you had the worst fall from grace ever" she begins to mock him "but fear not, my brave Hawkeye, for your new friend will get you out of your hole" she comments while she steps in.
"My 'new' friend?" Barton asks, puffing a small chuckle "whatever you're smoking, I ain't buying it" he tells her "now, unless you want to grab a chair and watch me beat the #$%& outta your gorillas right there, I suggest you to leave" he threatens Masque, who simply stands there and laughs.
"As much as I'd like to see you do it, I'm not leaving without my toy" Masque replies, leaving Barton annoyed and confused.
"First I'm your 'friend', now I'm your 'toy'?" Barton asks, sighing in annoyance.
"Here's how it goes…our beloved Mayor Wilson Fisk helped you connect through my father in order to land a deal and gain his help in your 'War of Machos' against Parker, correct?" Masque comments, to which Barton nods "You robbed Parker's bank, and then you bought a demon from my father so you could use it and screw my ex's magic hood, am I right or am I right?"
"Just get to the point, Masque" Barton interjects, getting more frustrated by the second.
"Relax, Barton, geez! You really have a short fuse" Masque mocks him while she walks towards him "Because of your show against The Hood, you became indebted to Fisk and thus, under his service" Masque points out "But then…Wilson had a terrible deal with the mutants to the point where he had to give them the tower he bought not too long ago" she comments about what Barton was just listening in Jameson's podcast about Hellfire Trading and the deal with Fisk "and of course, that's a nightmare in terms of money and PR and, while my daddy is still recovering from the whole ordeal with that Sin-Eater, he allowed me to control his businesses and I decided to help out our Mayor with the financial loss of his Tower" she comments while she looks at Barton "So, in exchange of my help, I requested only one thing…your services" she then looks at Barton, crossing her arms, and while it cannot be shown because of her golden mask, Barton imagines she is smirking after those words.
"What?" Barton asks, stunned and confused "You bought my debt with Fisk?"
"Indeed" Masque replies "You no longer owe anything to the Kingpin because now I own you, and that means that your debt must be paid…to me" she walks towards Barton and then she grabs his chin, looking at a couple of bandages still on his cheek "You know, those bandages give you a certain sense of charm, that's kinda h-" her words are cut off when Barton grabs her hands and puts it away.
"Back off, Masque" Barton talks with a very angry tone of voice.
"We'll work on the temper later" Masque comments, still looking at him "but that won't change the fact that I own you now Barton" she then begins to step back "Now suit up, you have a work to do at the Meat Packing District"
"What if I don't want to do it?" Barton begins to rebel against her.
"Is not like you have a choice, you already lost everything Barton, your old friends won't help you and quite frankly, nobody gives a $#%& about you anymore" Masque casually comments "So since I own you, I'm ordering you to Suit. Up. Now." she voices her command with a stern voice.
"One day, I'm gonna get you, Masque" Barton comments, stepping back to grab his phone and put it away.
"If it helps you, you can diffuse your anger with the boys right here" she points at her thugs who then look at her with slight fear in their faces "What, you thought you'd really leave this place unscathed?" she mocks her thugs and then steps out of the room "Have fun, I'll wait for you outside".
Once she leaves, both thugs look back at Masque and then look at Barton who begins to crack his fingers and his neck, preparing himself to take his new boss' advice and vent his frustrations against the two towering thugs inside.
The two men make the first step and go for a double swing, but Barton gets down and strikes the first thug with a punch in the gut and then spins to connect a kick to the jaw of the second thug. Barton then grabs the neck of the first thug and throws him head-first to the metallic wall of the container and then rolls back and turns to the second thug, connecting him with a pair of punches to his head.
The sound of the fight echoes to the outside, amusing Masque who is checking her social media on her phone while sitting on the hood of her limousine, hearing how Barton assaults her thugs inflicting as much pain as possible, if the sound of the fight is any proof of that.
"You and I are gonna have so much fun, Barton" Masque muses for herself "the only thing left to do is to shatter the last remaining pieces of yourself" she thinks and then turns back when the sound of the fight ends and after a few minutes, the two thugs walk out, stumbling and having their Armani suits dirty and even ripped in some spots, and right then Clint Barton steps out from the container, now decked in his Ronin attire, willing to comply to the service of Madame Masque.
"I'm done" Barton comments "Let's go" he says as he walks into the limousine, with the thugs stepping inside behind their boss.
"Good" Masque replies "Like I said, your work begins at the Meat Packing District" she comments "There's some people who still have debts with my father, not to mention that some of them are loyal to the scumbag of my ex" she adds, showing disgust as she references her old flame and past rival of Barton, The Hood "So you're going to show them what happens when people don't pay their dues to the Nefarias".
"Anything else?" Barton asks while he sets up his bow and arrow
"Don't hold back" Masque replies "You're no longer a boy scout, Barton, you can stop playing by those rules".
Barton just stays silent and right then, the limousine starts and they leave the place where he was laying low behind. He is aware that starting now, he is back into the spotlight, and not into the best of terms, even risking attracting the attention of the people he once called friends and allies, but then again…What else could Clint Barton lose when he already lost everything else he had?
There you have it! Clint Barton begins to walk into a dark place now that he lost everything and is now forced to work under the service of Madame Masque; and that means that someone will pay attention, including a certain bird that is referenced in the title and the cover.
For the continuity connoisseurs out there, this storyline is set after what transpired in Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt's "Hawkeye: Freefall" miniseries, where Barton ended up very screwed up…so this is the aftermath of that, and I hope you're ready, because big things are coming. Stay tuned!
NEXT CHAPTER: A BIRD IS ON THE CASE! (AND TWO HEROES MAKE A CAMEO!)