"We're just stories to you. We're not real. You watch us fight, win, lose. Tell me, did you make popcorn while Ultron murdered my friends and burned my world to the ground?"
Natalia Alianovna "Natasha" Romanoff (Russian: Наталья Альяновна "Наташа" Романов), also known as Black Widow, is a former member of the Avengers and the last surviving human from her reality. As her reward for helping save the Multiverse from Ultron, Romanoff was sent to a universe where her counterpart was already dead so she could have some semblance of her old life back and help liberate her new world from Loki.
In 2015, the Avengers launched a mission to stop Ultron, an artificial intelligence, created by Tony Stark as a peacekeeping program, but ended up making the extinction of the humanity his ultimate goal. Ultron managed to create a new synthezoid body for himself, powered by the Mind Stone and attempted to get nuclear codes via the NEXUS Internet Hub, so the Avengers arrived at Oslo to stop him.
The Avengers then split into two teams: while Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk confronted Ultron on the ground, Black Widow and Hawkeye took the Quinjet to disrupt the satellite network in orbit. Despite fighting valiantly, the Avengers failed and were systematically killed, while Ultron gained access to the codes and launched a nuclear strike on Earth. Safely aboard the Quinjet in the upper atmosphere as countless missiles began bombarding the surface, Romanoff and Barton could only watch in horror as billions died in the nuclear holocaust unfolding planetside.[2]
"Couple more seconds and the Sentry signals would've alerted the Ultron hive mind to our location." "Which is... where, exactly?" "Home, sweet home. Well, what's left of it anyway."
With the planet in shambles because of Ultron's victory, Romanoff and Clint Barton remained to survive on the post-nuclear wasteland, hiding from the Ultron Sentries. As Ultron was completely invulnerable, Romanoff and Barton started looking into unconventional methods to take him down, and Romanoff proposed to use an analog-type AI to combat Ultron's code. Romanoff figured out that Arnim Zola fit the requirements and potentially could distrupt Ultron, however, Zola's databanks were destroyed at the Camp Lehigh, where Romanoff and Steve Rogers found him.
Romanoff and Barton traveled to Moscow, intending to search for information about Zola in the KGB archives. On their way to the archive building, both Avengers ended up being spotted and attacked by the Sentries, so they had to take them out, before their hivemind synchronizes with Ultron. Romanoff drove to the city on her motorcycle, while Barton took a position at the nearby building to strike the Sentries down. Romanoff then maneuvered through the narrow alley to avoid the Sentries' attacks and destroy some of them with the bombs.
Romanoff warned Barton that they had only thirty seconds before the Sentries' signals reconnect with the hive and attacked some of the drones with her electric batons. However, the Sentries managed to shoot off Barton's prosthetic arm and prepared to finish him off, but Romanoff got just in time to rescue Barton, hitting the Sentries with her motorcycle. Romanoff returned Barton his arm with a joking remark and assured him that KGB's old archives in Russia might have the information they needed.[2]
Search for Arnim Zola[]
"You're frustrated. I get it." "I'm not frustrated. I'm not. I'm tired, okay? We've all lost so much. And I'm not sure there's anything left worth fighting for. He's already taken over every program on the planet." "Yes, yes. Every digital program. The one that I have in mind is a little more analog."
Romanoff and Clint Barton then reached the KGB Archive Building, where KGB used to store the physical archives, and started to search through the data to find anything on Arnim Zola. While checking the boxes, Romanoff found a shield that was previously owned by the Red Guardian and decided to take it for herself. However, Barton started to lose all hope and will to live, thinking that their efforts to stop Ultron were nothing but meaningless, but Romanoff assured him that Zola's code might help them, if they could find him.
Romanoff then picked up a box that Barton was checking and found a classified KGB file on Zola, much to her and Barton's delight. Looking through the file, Romanoff discovered that Zola had backup databanks stored at an abandoned HYDRAfacility in Siberia. Barton questioned Romanoff about what Zola was and she told him that Zola used to be a HYDRA scientist who had his brain stored on the databank before his death, and his analog-type code potentially could disrupt Ultron's advanced AI.[2]
"I imagine you have many questions, Fräulein, about who and what and how I am." "Not really. I've actually met you before. Well, a copy of you. It's a long story. We need your help."
Chasing a new lead, Romanoff and Clint Barton arrived at Siberia where they found the facility and Arnim Zola's old databanks. Barton was rather uncertain in putting their trust in Zola but Romanoff reminded him that they did not really have any other option, recalling how she already made tough choices after S.H.I.E.L.D. had fallen.
Romanoff activated the computers, making Zola wake up, and explained to him that S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, and the entire humanity has fallen because of Ultron and they needed Zola's help to fight him. Zola was rather hesitant to ally himself with the Avengers, however, Barton coerced him into complying. Proceeding with their plan, Barton downloaded Zola's code onto his USB arrow, as they planned to upload him into Ultron's network via a Sentry drone. Romanoff then got in touch with the Avengers Tower, so the Sentries could track down her location and walk right into their trap.
Once the Sentries arrived at the facility to search for the Avengers, Barton fired an arrow with Zola at one of the drones, so he could take control over the mainframe. While Zola was in the process of uploading himself into the network, Romanoff and Barton then attacked the Sentries, so they could not prevent the loading. Romanoff then covered herself with the Red Guardian's Shield to deflect the blasts and grabbed a Sentry before covering behind the blast doors. Zola eventually succeeded in taking control over the Sentry drone, so Romanoff shot his legs off, so he would try to not attack them from behind, much to Zola's annoyance.
Zola then attempted to attack Ultron's network, however, the Sentries did not stop attacking and Zola informed the Avengers that he failed to reach the main network. Romanoff and Barton had no time to react, as the Sentries managed to break through the blast doors, so they grabbed Zola and tried to escape from the silo. Barton and Zola attempted to stall the Sentries, however, one of them managed to hit Barton, causing to fell down. Romanoff grabbed Barton's hand to prevent him from falling, but he told Romanoff that he cannot fight anymore and Romanoff should save herself. Barton let go of Romanoff's hand and sacrificed himself, dying in the explosion with the Sentries.
Escaping from the facility, Romanoff could only fall on her knees, as her best friend died and she was left alone on the desolated Earth. Romanoff then asked Zola why he failed to take over the network, according to their plan, as if he had succeeded, Barton would still be alive. Zola informed Romanoff that Ultron was currently outside of the observable universe, which is why he was unable to reach his mainframe. Romanoff wondered where Ultron was, but neither she, nor Zola, had an answer for that.[2]
"Hey, Cap, I have an idea, but I'll need distance and a clear target. Can you do that?" "I've got the shield. You've got the sword." "More like an arrow with the mother of all viruses in the tip, but cute wordplay."
Remaining a sole survivor on Earth, Romanoff spotted the Guardians of the Multiverse appearing on the streets of New York City, while wielding the Soul Stone. Romanoff stole the Stone and held the Guardians on the gunpoint, knowing that she was supposed the only survivor and found the Guardians suspicious. Captain Carter explained to Romanoff that they were all from alternate universes, and Carter knew the Natasha Romanoff of her universe, who was her best friend. As Carter revealed some personal information about Romanoff that she would share only with the closest people, Romanoff believed her.
However, Ultron suddenly appeared from the portal and used telekinesis to capture Romanoff with the Stone, but thankfully, Thor and Strange Supreme saved her. Strange then cast a protective spell on Romanoff, while the Guardians confronted Ultron to prevent him from taking a hold of the Soul Stone. As Ultron was close to getting the Stone, both Romanoff and Carter used theirshields to hit him, although it only stalled Ultron. The Guardians continued to fight Ultron, until Strange managed to restrain him, and Gamora activated the Infinity Crusher to destroy Ultron's Infinity Stones.
However, the Crusher failed to complete its objective, since the Stones of Ultron's universe were different from the ones of Gamora's universe. Now in possession of all the Stones, Ultron unleashed his power and Strange's spell was the only thing that prevented the Guardians from dying, as Romanoff and Carter ended up being thrown far away. Romanoff then saw Clint Barton's bow and remembered about an arrow with Arnim Zola's code. In the last ditch effort to strike Ultron down, Romanoff asked Carter to distract Ultron and provide her with an opening, while she would ride her motorcycle to the position and take a shot.
While Ultron continued to attack Strange and the rest of the Guardians, Carter attacked Ultron from behind by pulling back his helmet, and Romanoff fired an arrow right in Ultron's eye. Zola successfully uploaded himself into Ultron's mainframe and dismantled his code, destroying the rogue AI once and for all. While Romanoff went to help Thor and other Guardians, Erik Killmonger suddenly claimed Ultron's Infinity Armor and the Infinity Stones for himself. Killmonger tried to convince the Guardians to ditch The Watcher and use the Stones for themselves, but they refused, so Killmonger unleashed the power of the Stones.
As the Guardians braced themselves, Killmonger suddenly got confronted by Zola who took over Ultron's body, to Carter's great surprise, and Romanoff explained that HYDRA never died. Zola had attempted to claim the Stones and entered a deadlocked struggle with Killmonger over the Stones. Strange then realized that they were only meant to separate the Stones from Ultron's body, so he encapsulated both Killmonger and Zola in a pocket dimension frozen in time, ultimately carrying out the Watcher's true plan and saving the Multiverse. As the Guardians succeeded in their mission, Romanoff smiled in relief, as Ultron's threat was finally over and her friends could now rest in peace.[3]
Transported to Another Universe[]
A New Beginning[]
"Where are we?" "On a world that lost their Widow." "It's a mess. Thank you."
At Whip & Fiddle recreation, The Watcher congratulated the Guardians of the Multiverse with their ultimate victory, and although their worlds would never learn of their achievement, the entire Multiverse owed them a debt of gratitude. The Guardians then returned to their own universes, as Romanoff bid her farewell to Captain Carter and the others. Romanoff was the only one who stayed at the pub, as she no longer had a world to go back to, outside of the desolated wasteland of her Earth. Romanoff then confronted the Watcher, saying that all death and suffering she suffered were nothing but a story to the Watcher.
Black Widow in another universe
The Watcher tried to convince Romanoff that their stories were everything to him, but regardless, he could not fix her world from Ultron's rampage, no matter how much he wanted. Romanoff refused to go through the door, but the Watcher dissolved the illusion of the pub, and Romanoff found herself back on Earth, but not the Earth she came from. The Watcher transported Romanoff to the universe that lost its Natasha Romanoff, which resulted in unfortunate consequences.
Romanoff found herself at the Helicarrier where S.H.I.E.L.D., Captain America and Captain Marvel were fighting against the army of Einherjar that invaded Earth. She then noticed Nick Fury being pinned down by Loki who prepared to enthrall Fury with his Scepter. Romanoff managed to strike Loki down, who was shocked seeing Romanoff alive, as she used the Scepter to neutralize the God of Mischief. Seeing Romanoff alive, Fury realized that she was not the same Romanoff he knew, but still offered her to join the new Avengers and stop the Asgardian Invasion.[3]
Personality[]
"No, don't say it." "What? 'Need a hand?' Come on. I feel like you should know me by now. Puns aren't really my style."
Romanoff remained optimistic that she and Clint Barton would be able to defeat Ultron and was able to make jokes with Barton, despite Barton's sense of hopelessness, although she claimed not to like puns. Following Barton's death, Romanoff became mournful and vengeful, ready to help the Guardians of the Multiverse take down Ultron. However, she still remained upbeat, commenting on Captain Carter's wordplay. She was also mistrusting and was hesitant to trust the Guardians of the Multiverse until Carter revealed that she knew about her father and adoptive father, at which point she realized that Carter was close with her universe's Romanoff, because she is a very guarded person.
Red Guardian's Shield: The shield was once held by the Red Guardian, was found by Romanoff at the KGB archives. Romanoff took the shield for herself and used it in the fight against Ultron and his Sentries, until it was disintegrated by Ultron's shockwave.
Quinjet: Romanoff and Clint Barton were flying in a Quinjet when Ultron succeeded in his plan to rid the Earth of humanity, causing them to become the only humans left standing.
Motorcycle: Romanoff used her motorcycle to travel to Moscow in order to search for a way to defeat Ultron. She fought off several Ultron Sentries using the motorcycle, crashing it into the robots. She used her motorcycle to get a better angle with which to fire a USB arrow into Ultron's head to allow Arnim Zola to dismantle Ultron's code.
