the skyscrapers in the distance. The vibrant oranges, greens, purples, and reds rippled together in the surrounding ocean, mixing together to create a picture of Madripoor. The night air was still, allowing the water to remain placid, the reflection only disturbed by yachts and smaller boats.

The silhouettes of four people were illuminated in golden yellow and deep blue light. The four made their way across a long bridge built of white, zigzagging beams. It was certainly an architectural statement piece with the lights and design combined.

The woman of the group was too enthralled with her surroundings to pay much attention to the words being exchanged by the men. She had Zemo on her left speaking to Sam who was on her right. The smell of acid soon invaded her senses and brought her attention from the distant city to her own surroundings.

The man on her left simply chalked up the odor in one word: Madripoor. He continued to talk as the group neared the car waiting for them, "No matter what happens, we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There's no margin for error."

They each had roles for the duration of their stay in Madripoor. Bucky was forced to reprise his role as the Winter Soldier, keeping a stoic expression as he danced with his demons once more. Zemo easily fell back into his role as a criminal, seemingly disregarding the noble title of Baron he had been born into and the public expectations that had come with it. Sam had complained as he took on the role of the Smiling Tiger, an African gangster that had a striking resemblance to him.

Iris's role had been a harder one to select. The easiest option would be to make her Zemo's woman of the night. It would go unquestioned and no one in Madripoor would blink an eye at a prostitute. This option was immediately shut down by Bucky and Sam, a variety of objections yelled at the Sokovian.

Finally, after much deliberation, it was decided that she would act as a young heiress who desired to invest some of her assets in a place that promised a higher yield than others: the world of crime. The Zemo barony among many other influential families had been tied to Madripoor through criminal channels so this would be nothing new. In fact, Selby would likely jump at the opportunity to have another wealthy business connection.

"High Town's that way. Not a bad place if you wanna visit, but Low Town's the other way," the seasoned criminal explained as the black sedan pulled up to the group.

Barnes opened one of the back doors and held it open for the woman. She slid into the middle seat and he took his place on the right of her after she was settled. The two said nothing as they waited for the other men to enter the vehicle. There was nothing for a young heiress to say to an assassin.

"Let me guess. We don't have friends in High Town," Wilson said, getting in on the left. Zemo shook his head once before getting inside and closing the door behind him.

The ride into Low Town was silent with only the sound of distant thunder and rain pelting the windshield to fill their ears. If the group had been driving to a different place or in a different situation, she may have found the car ride peaceful.

As the city lights grew closer, her nerves became frenzied. She had been in far worse situations - far, far worse. However, she knew what to expect in the past. When it came to partaking in espionage missions and doing Oblivion's bidding, the woman could rely on her powers and had always been in control. In Madripoor, she didn't have a single clue of what to expect. She couldn't rely on her powers or she ran the risk of killing herself; she wouldn't be useful to the group dead. And right now, she certainly wasn't in control. She had the vague idea that even Zemo wasn't completely in control. There were too many things that could go wrong, too many variables out of his control.

When six motorists appeared out of thin air and flanked the sedan on both sides, her nerves reached an all-time high and began to short circuit. She went to reach for Bucky's hand but Zemo's reminder lingered fresh in her mind. If one single thing seemed slightly out of character, the mission would be comprised.

Sam's neck craned to view all of the armed men on bikes while Bucky remained unphased. Iris locked eyes with Zemo in the rearview mirror and while he said nothing, his gaze said it all: she was safe. Coming to the conclusion that he had hired the armed escort, the woman breathed easily once more and her nerves settled for the moment.

alive in every sense of the word. The sound of music and revving cars traveled through the streets. Hundreds of people lined the streets to participate in the nightlife. The city buzzed with energy.

In the air, a series of metal walkways among the electrical cables acted as bridges that spanned above the commotion. Zemo led the crew through the twisting city, easily navigating his way to their destination. Iris was close behind him with Sam and Bucky bringing up the rear.

The open street was a scene of flaunted weapons, active drug deals, and prostitution propositions. Criminal activity blatantly surrounded the group. To Iris, Low Town reeked of blood and sweat but mostly of danger.

The Princess Bar was surprisingly more calm than the streets of Madripoor. The music may not have been as prominent inside the building but the nightlife was just active. Surrounded by walls of golden skulls, massive murals, and a large fish tank, the locale chatted and threw back drinks.

With Zemo wearing an expensive fur coat, Barnes dressed in a tactical uniform, Wilson dawning an exotic suit, and Iris clothed in a glamorous dress, the four looked legit. It was easy to look the part. The hard part was acting the part. One wrong move, one wrong word, and they were dead.

Zemo addressed Bucky as the Winter Soldier and reminded the group of his earlier words. Surrounded completely by Low Town, it was game time. The many patrons noticed the Winter Soldier and whispers began to float around the bar.

"Hello, gentlemen. Wasn't expecting you, Smiling Tiger," the bartender welcomed the newcomers. The broad man recognized the three men: Helmut Zemo, Conrad Mack, and the Winter Soldier. Each was infamous in Madripoor in their own respect. As the Princess Bar's main bartender, he had a particular skill for memorizing faces. The woman's face was one he hadn't memorized. It was new.

Being new in Madripoor was a dangerous game.

Iris felt the sets of eyes on her, felt them pick her apart and grab onto her exposed skin. Not many strangers set foot in Low Town so when a stranger as beautiful as Iris did, they were bound to stare. She shifted uncomfortably under the weight of their eyes and stepped closer to the man exuding nothing big confidence. Perhaps positioning herself next to him would make them look away or at least make her feel more confident. She had to get into the proper headspace and act like an heiress who wanted to be there.

The bartender was removing a live snake from a glass jar by the time Iris managed to force herself in the headspace of her designated role in the name of self-preservation. The man sliced open the stomach of the reptile, removed an organ, and concocted a shot like it was nothing. She could feel waves of hesitation rolling off of her friend as he watched the preparation of his drink.

"Ah. Smiling Tiger, your favorite," Zemo said, hinting to Sam that he would have to stomach the shot in a convincing manner.

"I love these," Wilson stated before raising his glass towards the bartender who simply watched him with a vice-like stare.

"Cheers, Conrad." Zemo clinked his shot glass against Sam's, trying to move the grueling process along. Sam was raising too much suspicion.

While Zemo swallowed his drink in one swallow, Sam psyched himself up. "Mmm," he grunted. He lifted the glass to his lips, pulled away, grunted again, and closed his eyes as he quickly threw his head back to drink the concoction. He managed to keep a straight face as he held a thumbs up to the bartender.

Unimpressed but satisfied, the burly attendant moved on to his other customers. Before the group could collectively share a sigh of relief, another problem presented itself in the shape of a bald man with a defined nose.

"I got word from on high. You ain't welcome here." He spoke only to Zemo.

"I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me..." he gestured to the Winter Soldier as a warning of his own.

"New haircut?" The man jabbed at Bucky.

"Or bring Selby for a chat."

The man retreated into the crowd and Bucky immediately spoke, "A power broker? Really?"

"Every kingdom needs its king. Let's just pray we stay under his radar."

"Do you know him?" Sam asked, turning to face away from the bar so he could keep an eye on the rest of the area, an eye on their enemies.

"Only by reputation. In Madripoor he is judge, jury, and executioner."

Iris faced away from the bar as well, deciding to confront the eyes that stayed glued to her. She sent a flirtatious wink to one girl who practically undressed her from across the establishment. While the patrons kept their distance, she caught sight of one man moving against the grain. He was coming for them. He was coming for Zemo.

All confidence she had managed to muster left her body and she reached for the Sokovian's hand, squeezing it to alert him. He fluidly turned around as he talked to Sam and noticed the approaching man as well. Continuing to turn, he faced Bucky, "Winter Soldier. Attack." She didn't know fluent Russian but she knew exactly what those words meant.

The man placed a hand on Zemo's right shoulder and didn't even get the chance to flex his fingers before the Winter Soldier intercepted. The ensuing altercation brought the entire attention of the Princess Bar and a smug smile to Zemo's lips.

Man after man fought with the super-soldier. Table legs and bones were broken as the Winter Soldier took down opponent after opponent. Iris knew her best friend was more than capable of handling them alone but she hated that he had to. She hated that he had been forced to be the man he had nightmares about, the man he took so long to kill. This hate she felt filled her with pure rage.

She heard Zemo say something to Sam but it was nothing more than background noise. Just as it had when Bucky was being arrested by the police, the world was fading away from her. Her fingernails cut into her palms as she restrained herself from letting the building power inside of her loose. She could kill them all without flinching.

The sound of cocking guns rang loud in her ears, slicing through the static.

She would kill them all.

"Stay in character or the whole bar turns on us," Zemo warned Sam. He wrapped his hand around her wrist to warn her. He spoke in Russian to Bucky who let a man fall to the ground with the removal of his hand.

"Selby will see you now," the bartender announced.

"Are you okay?" She asked lowly. Sam echoed her question. All the two got in response was a sharp exhale.

In a single-file line, the four left the main part of the bar. Zemo took the lead, knowing the way by heart. He had been here many times before. He led them through dimly lit corridors stacked with money, littered with fake passports, stuffed with drugs, and decorated with automated weapons. An armed guard trailed close behind them, making sure nothing was pulled.

"You should know, Baron. People don't just come into my bar and make demands." An eccentrically dressed woman with short spiked hair sat on a couch, ringed fingers drumming away.

"Not a demand. An offer." The Baron took a seat in the armchair positioned in front of her and gestured for Iris to perch on the arm. She did as he wished, knowing that it was part of his master plan to keep up appearances. Sam stood off to his left with Bucky stationed on the right.

Selby's eyes followed the Winter Soldier, "A lot has changed since you were here last." She paused and looked at Zemo, "By the way, I thought you were rotting away in a German prison. How did you escape?"

He shrugged animatedly, "People like us always find a way, don't we? I'm sure you've already figured out what I'm here for."

"And who are you, pretty girl?" Selby looked dead at Iris.

The Sokovian didn't miss a single beat, "Catherine von Müller-"

"I didn't ask you." Selby's gaze never left Iris as she cut the man off.

Iris swallowed thickly before allowing a small grin to spread across her face to begin her performance. "My apologies, Selby. My mentor told me he would do the talking. My name is Catherine von Müller. My family was well acquainted with the Zemo barony so I have known the Baron for quite a while. When I learned of Madripoor and the possibilities working with you could bring me, I was intrigued and eager. He told me he was traveling to Madripoor and I happily came too. It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman Zemo spoke so highly of."

Iris's performance left Selby smitten with pride and she happily accepted the story without a single question. "Don't let the Baron do all the talking while you're in Madripoor, pretty thing. Men love to assert dominance over women whenever they can. We can discuss future business opportunities but first..." she trailed off before pointing to Sam, "You're taller than I'd heard, Smiling Tiger." Smiling Tiger only nodded and she purred at him before smiling widely at Zemo, "What's the offer?"

"Tell us what you know about the super-soldier serum," the Baron rose effortlessly from the chair and circled Bucky like he was showing him off - which he was. "And I give you him, along with the code words to control him, of course. He will do anything you want." Zemo's gloved fingers wobbled the Winter Soldier's chin to prove the point, to prove just how obedient the soldier was.

The feelings of anger she had experienced in the bar during Bucky's fight hadn't subsided. No, it had merely quelled. It was beginning to intensify once more. She knew it would soon reach a boiling point she wouldn't be able to contain.

As long as she lived, no one was going to touch Bucky ever again. He would never have to return to the horrors of the past because she would protect him. Except, right now, he was reliving those horrors and she couldn't protect him. She was failing him but had no choice in the matter.

Selby's grin spread entirely across her face, a glint of pure malice in her eyes, "Now that's the Zemo I remember. I'm glad I decided not to kill you immediately. Yeah, you were right to come to me. Arrogant, but right." She had so many plans for the Winter Soldier but... she wanted more.

Zemo had returned to his seat next to Iris when Selby opened her mouth and allowed the bomb to drop, "Usually this would be a fair trade but the information you want is highly valuable. It's worth more. I want more." A pause for dramatic effect, "I want the heiress too. Always wanted to know what a rich cunt tasted like."

The power that had been building in her veins instantaneously disappeared as her jaw fell open in shock at Selby's words. Bucky's jaw clenched and she felt Zemo stiffen beside her.

This was not part of the plan.

"She is here to invest money in Madripoor, nothing more," he spoke sternly.

"Oh please," Selby laughed, readjusting her body so she was sitting more comfortably. "I saw the way she so obediently listened to your beck and call. She sits next to you as an accessory and practically doesn't speak without your permission. You're her mentor in more ways than one aren't you, Baron?"

No one spoke as Selby surveyed the room. No one had been prepared for this. Not even Zemo could think of something to say.

"Seems you're only willing to share one of your toys. How badly do you want this information, Baron?" She cocked her head, taunting him.

"Deal."

"Helmut!" Iris seethed, flying to her feet. With a flick of Selby's hands, two men were grabbing onto her arms and restraining her in place.

Sam's eyes went wide and he swore Bucky was going to kill Zemo then and there. He shook his head slightly, keeping his friend in check. One wrong move and they would all be riddled with bullets.

"The super-soldier serum is here in Madripoor. Dr. Wilfred Nagel is the man you wanna thank. Or... condemn, depending on what side of this you're on. The Power Broker had him working on the serum, but... things didn't go as planned."

"Is Nagel still in Madripoor?"

The two ignored the string of expletives coming from the heiress in her native language. "Oh. The bread crumbs you can have for free, but the bakery is gonna cost you, Baron. And before you get all cute, don't think you can find Nagel without me." She stood and headed towards the heiress to quiet her but stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a phone begin to vibrate.

Selby's full attention became consumed by Sam's vibrating phone. She demanded he answer it on speaker and a gunman stepped towards him to pressure him into doing so. The bar owner listened intently and analyzed every word that was exchanged. As all eyes were on the Smiling Tiger, Iris could work without drawing any attention to herself.

"Hey, um, we need to talk about this situation. It's been drivin' me nuts."

"What situation exactly are you talkin' about?"

"Are you high?"

The woman mumbled a few words in a foreign tongue and her eyes rolled back into her head. No one noticed as everyone was focused on the conversation.

"You know what situation, it's the only situation me and you have."

"What situation, Sarah? Say it."

"The damn boat. And watch your tone. Okay? I let you slide at the bank."

The shadows in the corners of the room grew slightly lighter as they slithered across the tiled ground, skirting the perimeter. They pooled in two massive puddles behind the gunmen restraining the woman who had summoned them.

"The bank. Yeah. Laundered so much... Yeah, they'll come around."

The translucent shadows solidified as they rose from the ground, molding into rigid shapes. Once the looming figures stood tall behind the men, they waited, hidden by dim lighting.

"If that was the case, then why'd they dog you out, Big Time?"

"Yeah, you damn right I'm Big Time. You'll see when I have that banker killed."

With a few rapid blinks, her eyes returned to their correct position. Unbeknownst to everyone, her normally blue irises were engulfed in a black abyss.

"Cass! What'd I tell you about the Cheerios? I don't have time for this! Sam, I'm sorry. I'll call you back."

"'Sam'? Who's Sam?" Selby questioned as she connected the dots. Realization hit her, "Kill them!"