American Comics: Multiverse of Madness

185. Hawkeye and Songbird.

Clint Barton, the old Hawkeye, was gradually losing his sight. He was determined to complete his final mission before he completely lost his vision: to hunt down the Thunderbolts members who betrayed the Avengers and caused their deaths.

He had already taken down Atlas and Beetle. Despite facing some setbacks, he remained determined for the tasks ahead. He knew his revenge was long overdue, but it had become his only mission in life.

Without Bullseye and Venom hunting him down, Hawkeye's actions were much smoother. Especially after Red Skull sent several assassins who were all killed by Bullseye, this somewhat alleviated Hawkeye's pressure. The current balance between good and evil in the wasteland was precarious. No one knew what would happen next or where these events would lead the world.

After personally ending the life of Beetle (Abner Jenkins), who had spent his days drinking to forget his misery in a factory, Hawkeye found letters written to Songbird (Melissa Gold) among his belongings. Barton remembered that Beetle and Songbird were lovers when they were part of the Thunderbolts. Abner had become a traitor to protect the person he loved, which later caused the split between him and Melissa.

Songbird had long considered herself a true hero, deeply conflicted about betraying the Avengers, especially since every member of the Thunderbolts had turned traitor.

Before the battle began, Songbird had tried to inform Hawkeye of the truth, but due to the urgency of the situation and Hawkeye's eagerness to get to the battlefield, she never managed to tell him about the betrayal. This became the one thing Melissa could never forgive herself for. Watching her former comrades die before her eyes, and seeing Hawkeye watch his beloved Black Widow perish, Melissa blamed herself for everything.

Melissa felt that since she hadn't revealed the truth back then, she had no right to speak anymore. So, she joined a monastery and founded the Silent Sisterhood, living with a group of women who had taken a vow of silence. And so, she spent the next 45 years in silence.

Standing before the grand building, Hawkeye's expression was indifferent. Without the Venom chasing him, and without any serious injuries, he hadn't sought help from his successor, the second Hawkeye, Kate Bishop. He had fought his way through all this alone. Kate, who had survived the old war, had established a large shelter in the wasteland using her family connections and abilities, carefully hiding from Red Skull and Hydra. She lived a relatively peaceful life. Hawkeye wouldn't reach out to her unless absolutely necessary. He felt he owed her too much.

Entering the monastery, Hawkeye was about to loudly inquire about Melissa's whereabouts, but then he remembered that this was the Silent Church, a place of utmost quiet. He took out a photograph he had taken from Abner, showing him and Melissa in their younger days, both smiling happily.

An elderly nun was scribbling on a piece of paper—this was their usual way of communicating with the outside world since not everyone who came there could understand sign language. The board had only one line: "In the small chapel."

Perhaps Melissa had always known this day would come, or maybe she had been repenting for her sins every moment. But it was all too late, wasn't it?

Reaching the small chapel, Hawkeye saw a robed figure standing with her back to him. Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, Hawkeye knew this was the person he had come to find. Clutching the arrow hidden under his coat, old Hawkeye slowly approached.

The heavy footsteps echoed in the silent chapel, and the praying figure finally moved. She slowly turned around, tears streaming down her face. Melissa was holding a sketchbook, filled with the words "I'm sorry." Perhaps she had already prepared for this moment. As someone with the ability to control sound waves, she had sensed Hawkeye's approach long before he arrived.

Seeing the elderly, white-haired Hawkeye, Melissa's guilt deepened. She stumbled into Barton's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Hawkeye was surprised but did not let it stop him from raising his arrow. He knew that with one swift move to Melissa's back, he could cross off another name from his list.

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"Clint, there's something you need to know."

"Sorry, Songbird, no time to chat. There's a riot in Las Vegas caused by some criminals."

"But... but this is important."

"I'm sure whatever you need to tell me can wait."

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Hawkeye took a deep breath, hesitating for a long time. Ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to drive the arrow into Melissa's defenseless back. This was different. This wasn't like taking down Atlas or Beetle.

"No!"

Hawkeye pushed Melissa away, forcing himself to remain cold. He spoke sternly, "You don't need to apologize. We're not at the point where we can hug it out. Not since you stood by and let all of this happen."

Melissa stepped back but did not react with anger. She lowered her head and wrote on the board. Seeing her serious expression, old Barton frowned but didn't stop her.

"Enough!"

Hawkeye shouted, interrupting her. Pointing directly at her face, he angrily said, "What do you want from me? Forgiveness? Sympathy? I tell you, that's impossible! Those things died along with Sam, Natasha, Thor, and everyone else on that day!"

But despite Hawkeye's anger, Melissa remained unusually calm. Or perhaps she had been waiting for this moment for a long time. After a moment of silence, Melissa finally held up the board.

...…..

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186. The Master of the World.
187. Breaking Through the Blockade.
188. Sentinel Robot!
189. Just in Time.
190. The Shock of Songbird and Hawkeye.