Red Flame - [Marvel]

Prologue

"Tat! Is the soup almost ready?" The girl heard from their kitchen. She lived in a small home in Russia. Only two bedrooms, one bathroom, a small kitchen, and a living room that the young lady's brother slept.

"Yes Mama!" She called out as she stirred the pot again. She got out a bowl and grabbed a laddle filled with soup. She picked a few crackers from a box and put it on the side of the tray while also grabbing a cup of water.

She came in the room to see her brother, Tobias, seizing. "Not again." Her mom spoke as she pushed the 13 year old on his side so he wouldn't choke on his tongue. "Help me Tatia." She spoke calmly as the girl put her tray down on the table.

She looked at her brother and sat in front of his face. "It's going to be okay Tobi. You'll get through it." She spoke rubbing his cheek lightly as he convulsed rapidly.

Tobias was born with the umbilical chord around his neck. It affected his brain development and caused him to have constant seizures. Because of his condition, life was very difficult for the Stepanov family.

Their dad was a factory worker, but the rise of machines was causing factory workers to lose their jobs. Everyday was a constant worry if their father would come home unemployed. They were already low on money for paying for Tobias, but the threat of no income was something that affected them all. Tatia decided to take matters into her own hands.

"Are you okay?" Their mom asked as Tobias took a breath looking at her.

"Yeah." He replied. "I'm hungry." He answered barely phased. He'd seized at least three times a day, sometimes it would reach ten.

Tatia came over to her brother and gave him the tray of food.

"Mama can I speak to you privately?" Tatia asked as the woman nodded. The mother was so stressed. She couldn't get a job to help out because she was watching Tobias 24/7.

"What is it Tatia?" She questioned.

"I have found a way for me to help. With the threat of Tobias' condition, and Papa's struggle with work, I've decided to help provide." The dark haired woman explained.

"And what will you do?" She questioned.

"There is a group. They call themselves HYDRA. They experiment on subjects for specific research, that's all I know." She explained.

"They work for Hitler Tat." Her mom spoke uneasy. "The same Fuhrer who would have your brother killed."

"I know, but they offer a lump sum of money. If they were to choose me, you would never have to worry about money again." The daughter assured grabbing her mother's hands. "I could at least audition for placement. I want Tobias to experience the most normal life he can."

Her mother thought for a moment. They could use the money, but associating her daughter with the Nazis... that was something she wasn't sure she could handle. "I'm not sure baby." Her mom shook her head.

"Mama I'm an adult now. Legally I can do this without your permission. I owe you and Papa my life, and all I want is for you two and Tobi to be happy. I will do this." Tatia told her as her mother looked down sadly.

"If that is what you choose." She nodded.

"It is." Tatia replied before setting out to the facility.

The room was quiet. Tatia sat on a doctors chair with other people like her. Some men, some women, all young.

A man with a clipboard followed by two men with guns came in the room. Not long after a man with a metal arm followed. The girl looked, her heart catching a beat. Her heart monitor beeped a bit quicker and she quickly calmed herself down.

The man walked down the line of people not paying much mind to the young adults sitting in chairs until he got to her.

"Name?" He asked in Russian, as it was the language of the secret facility.

"Tatia Stepanov." She replied calmly.

"Reason for applying?" He asked.

"I hope to provide for my family. My brother is ill." She answered.

"Any past in combat?" He questioned.

"I beat up a kid who messed with me once in elementary." She answered.

The man called over a doctor who read her vitals. "She's perfectly healthy. No history of disease and perfect body and blood temperature."

The man with the clipboard examined her for a little while longer. "You're in." The man commented.

Tatia didn't realize this would be not only her biggest regret, but the best decision she ever made.