The night outside the bar was cool and alive with the pulse of city life. Su Zhan and Natasha Romanoff blended in perfectly, two shadows among many, their easy banter and laughter masking the sharp focus behind their eyes. They had been watching their targets—a trio at a far table, two men and a woman—while sharing drinks and waiting for the right moment.
When Natasha leaned in and whispered, "They're leaving," Su Zhan nodded, already rising from his seat. Natasha's arm slipped through his as they left the bar, her body close, warm, and graceful. He caught her scent—subtle, clean, and somehow dangerous. Su Zhan knew she wasn't trying to distract him; this was just Natasha, confident and poised, her every movement a dance of control.
"Don't get any ideas," Natasha murmured, her lips brushing his ear, a knowing smile curving at the corners of her mouth.
They stepped into the night, following the three suspects as they crossed the street and climbed into a parked car. Su Zhan glanced at Natasha. "Did you drive?"
She shook her head, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "No. Did you?"
He grinned. "Nope."
As the car pulled away, Su Zhan guided Natasha into a nearby alley, out of sight from the main road. She followed without question, trusting that he always had a plan.
"Hold on to me," Su Zhan instructed quietly.
Natasha didn't hesitate. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing herself close. "And now?" she asked, her tone playful.
"Now? I'm going to take you flying," Su Zhan replied with a smile.
A band of green energy shimmered around them as he summoned the power of the Aether Lantern ring. The energy cocooned them both, and with a leap, they soared into the night sky, chasing the car from above. Natasha's eyes widened in amazement. She felt no wind, no sense of acceleration—only the shifting scenery below told her they were moving at all.
"What is this ability?" she asked, fascinated. "This energy feels so different."
Su Zhan held up his hand, showing the ring. "It's green light energy. This is the Green Lantern ring. It can create anything I imagine, powered by my will."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "You got this off-planet, didn't you?"
He nodded. "That's right."
They followed the car as it pulled into the parking lot of a small hotel. The trio got out and disappeared inside. Su Zhan and Natasha landed quietly nearby, the energy field fading away.
"What's your plan?" Su Zhan asked, glancing at the hotel entrance.
Natasha's eyes were sharp and decisive. "We go in now. No need to wait."
Su Zhan grinned. "I like your style."
They entered the hotel arm-in-arm, quickly locating the room where the three suspects had gone. Standing outside the door, Su Zhan couldn't help but joke, "Three people, one room? That's… interesting."
Natasha shot him a look. "You really are incorrigible."
He shrugged. "If men didn't joke, we'd be hypocrites."
She rolled her eyes, then knocked firmly on the door.
There was a pause, then an irritated male voice from inside. "Who is it?"
Natasha didn't answer, knocking again. Footsteps approached, and the door swung open to reveal one of the men. Before he could react, Natasha's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist and twisting it down onto her knee. The man crumpled to the floor with a pained gasp.
Su Zhan winced in sympathy. "Ouch. That's going to leave a mark."
They stepped inside. The other man and the woman jumped to their feet, startled. The second man grabbed the staff from his bag. As soon as his fingers closed around it, Su Zhan felt a surge of violent, angry energy fill the room.
The man roared, charging at Natasha with the staff raised. Natasha met him head-on, her reflexes lightning-fast. She ducked under his wild swing, planted one hand on the ground, and swept his legs out from under him with a powerful kick. The staff clattered to the floor, and Natasha snatched it up with ease.
Su Zhan let out a low whistle. "Impressive. I didn't even see you move."
But as soon as Natasha gripped the staff, her demeanor changed. She let out a primal scream, her eyes wild with rage. Without warning, she swung the staff at the man, striking his shoulder, then spun and kicked him hard under the chin. The force of the blow sent him flying into the wall, where he slumped to the floor, unconscious.
Natasha turned, eyes blazing, and fixed her gaze on the woman. The woman, terrified, tried to run, but Natasha lunged after her—only to freeze mid-step, her body trembling as she fought for control.
"Take him and go!" Su Zhan shouted at the woman, gesturing to her fallen companion. The woman hesitated, then hurriedly dragged the man out of the room, leaving the other unconscious body behind.
Su Zhan quickly closed the door and turned to Natasha, who was struggling to breathe, her hands clutching the staff in a white-knuckled grip.
"Let… go… of me…" Natasha gasped, her voice strained.
"You're being controlled by anger," Su Zhan said gently, moving closer. "The staff is affecting your mind. You have to let it go."
Natasha shook her head, her eyes wild. "I said… let me go!"
She swung the staff at Su Zhan, but he was ready. A green energy shield materialized between them, absorbing the blow. The shield shifted, transforming into a giant hand that gently but firmly gripped Natasha's wrist.
With a cry, Natasha's fingers loosened, and the staff fell to the floor, rolling away. Instantly, the tension left her body, and she collapsed to her knees, breathing hard.
Su Zhan knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's over. You're safe now."
Natasha looked up at him, her eyes clearing. For a moment, she seemed vulnerable in a way he had never seen before.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He smiled softly. "Anytime."
As Natasha caught her breath, Su Zhan picked up the staff and examined it, feeling the lingering pulse of dark energy. He knew this artifact was dangerous—something that could change even the strongest of minds.
But for now, the danger had passed. Together, they sat in the quiet room, the city's noise muffled by the thick hotel walls. In that moment, Su Zhan realized that even the most unflappable heroes could be changed by power.