All characters appearing in Captain America, and other Marvel titles are copyrighted to Marvel Entertainment and Stan Lee. All real persons mentioned in this story belong to themselves. No infringement of these copyrights or offense to the people mentioned is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder or persons. All original characters are the property of TVfan.
Note: I'm using the events of the "Winter Soldier" story line as the main canon to this story, but I'm also going to say that this story is in the same "Universe" as my "A New Life" story in the Spider-Man section, since Captain America and Spider-Man are both Marvel Characters. This story takes place six months after my "A New Life" story and obviously some time after "Winter Soldier" in the comics.
Second Note: This is my version on Marvel's current "Civil War" storyline and will differ greatly in many ways from what has been published. Mostly because I don't like the idea of heroes fighting heroes and the fact that is the main point of Marvel's current storyline. I would also like to point out that the quote I placed at the end of the previous chapter was by Abraham Lincoln.
Civil War
By TVfan
Chapter 2: The Fourth Reich
Munich, Germany
"To start with, my daughter," the Red Skull spoke in a confident voice inside the hotel room that he and his daughter had occupied, "I want you to travel quietly through the present Federal Republic. Contact any Neo-Nazi and Ultra Right Wing parties you can find. Tell them that their master has returned and that their time to follow him has come."
"Not all of them will listen," Sin pointed out.
The Skull smiled and pointed his hand toward his daughter. Sin looked on in awe as the empty glass she was holding suddenly glowed and transformed into a skull made out of glass and tinted red.
"Carry that with you," the Red Skull ordered, "Those you contact will recognize it as from me and therefore as the highest authority that they are to follow. Also, it may be wise to leave those who have already earned seats in the German government and possibly a handful of their supporters here, but I require the majority to come and follow me."
"Of course, father," Sin nodded, "But how will gathering all of the German Neo-Nazis defeat America and her Captain? Why not attack him directly?"
"The cube is an instrument of the will," the Red Skull answered, "Which means its power is limited by the will and thought of the possessor. While I hold great will and a vivid imagination, the Captain has been my only equal in these things. His will to defend his 'freedom' is equal to my will to conquer it. I have failed in the past because we are so equally matched. The new plan will remove him of that advantage."
The Red Skull then turned to look at his daughter, and continued, with a wicked smile on his face.
"The Captain is tied to his belief that the United States of America is the guiding light to freedom and democracy," the Red Skull smiled, "So much so, that he has failed to see changes that have occurred within his country. One Arab terrorist and the right people in political office and the conservatives within the United States become even more conservative. Which plays into my hands perfectly. All America needs is a little push and it will become an exact copy of the Fascist countries that the Captain spent World War Two fighting! And I will provide the push!"
"May I enquire as to what you will be doing while I am gathering your army?" Sin asked, "Or am I overstepping things?"
"I will be creating my country," the Red Skull smiled.
New York City, USA
Trying to find out who had sent Sin and Crossbones after him brought nothing that would help Captain America figure out what was going. Local gangs that he knew had done some of the dirty work for the two terrorists knew nothing. He was beginning to feel tempted to contact S.H.I.E.L.D. and deal with Commander Hill, and try and investigate the various terrorist organizations throughout the globe that might have had the ability or want to contact Sin or Crossbones. He knew through Sharon that S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't gotten anything out of Crossbones, so that avenue wouldn't work.
"You gonna leave him for the police, or are you going to take the role of policeman, judge, jury, and executioner?" a voice asked from above him.
Captain America looked up to see the Falcon standing on the roof of a nearby building and sighed. He then dropped the thug he had been fighting earlier and pulled out some rope from a duffel bag he had with him and tied up the gang. He then climbed up a fire escape to join the Falcon on the roof.
"Something bothering you, Cap?" Falcon asked, "Normally, street thugs aren't your opponents. Usually they're mine. Occasionally some like Spider-Man get involved in fighting them, but that is only because they seem to be concerned about justice as a whole. You know, small thug is just as bad as the super villain."
"I know," Captain America nodded, "And normally, you'd be right. Those people are the not the sort that I end up dealing with on a common basis, but they might have information that I need."
"About what?" Falcon asked, curious.
"About a week ago, Sin and Crossbones jumped me and Sharon in Central Park," Captain America answered, "Sharon was knocked out Sin took a sample of my blood. I ended up in a fight with Crossbones while Sin got away with it."
"I take it that Crossbones hasn't given you any answers then," Falcon commented.
"He hasn't," Captain America nodded, "Sharon's let me know at least that much. So I've mostly gone about trying to see if any of the groups that have normally worked for Sin and Crossbones from time to time know anything."
"Street thugs usually don't know anything about why their 'bosses' want something," Falcon pointed out, "They just know that their 'bosses' want something and that if they don't get it, they'll be in trouble."
"Yes," Captain America sighed, "But it is usually guys like the Kingpin who are pulling these strings. Sin and Crossbones aren't the type of mercenaries that organized crime would turn to. Both served the Red Skull before his demise."
"Terrorist organizations aren't going to be sloppier then organized criminal syndicates," Falcon reminded him, "Both are heavily organized, and their only difference is their intention. The Kingpin intends to control the world's crime and if he has any influence on politics, it would be hidden. Terrorists want direct control over everything and will use any means to get it. That's why they're called terrorists."
"We might have to start checking global terrorist cells for any sign of Sin, then," Captain America sighed, "One or more might have contacted her to be an upper level agent, especially with the Red Skull gone."
"Don't get yourself in too deep, Cap," Falcon told him, "Sin isn't that tough in terms of a physical fight and from what you've told me, it's near impossible for anyone to get the super soldier formula, even if they had your blood."
"Doesn't rule out clones," Captain America answered, "Some one may have hired them to create another 'Steve Rogers' to serve their cause."
"No one knows you better then you," Falcon smirked, "And after all we've been through together, there is nothing that will convince me that you can lose."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Captain America replied.
"Don't mention it," Falcon nodded as he leaped into the air, using the wings and special harness that was part of his costume to hover in the air, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I got my own patrols to carry on. Let me know if you need any help."
"Of course," Captain America answered.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
On the helicarrier it had generally been life as normal for the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that spent their time working to try and keep the world safe. The crew on the bridge was focused on keeping the ship on its course and making sure that it didn't drop in altitude to where it would interfere with civilian air traffic or risk collision with any of the buildings of Manhattan. Suddenly a man came running into the room, looking very much out of shape and out of breath.
"Harvey, what is it?" Agent Joseph Fitz asked him.
"Pull up a satellite image of the North Atlantic between North America and Europe and the Azores," Agent Harvey breathed out, "And call the Director."
Director Maria Hill sat quietly in her office reading reports that were coming in from various units from around the world. She was expecting some contact from Agent 13 concerning 'Winter Soldier's' first S.H.I.E.L.D. mission, but she had no real doubts that the mission would be successful. Unfortunately, the sound of a nervous sounding officer coming over her intercom interrupted the quiet that filled her office.
"Director Hill," came Agent Fitz's voice over the intercom.
"Yes," Hill answered in an icy voice, angered at being disturbed.
"You're needed on the Bridge/Situation Room," Agent Fitz answered, "Agent Harvey has discovered something rather… strange."
Director Hill put down the reports she had been reading, "I'm on my way."
When she arrived on the bridge she saw that a hologramatic map of the North Atlantic hovering in mid air. This in itself wasn't necessarily surprising, but there was something that truly made the development shocking. Hill gasped to see a land mass seemingly appearing out of the ocean. So far the land mass appeared to look like the nation-state of Denmark and the northernmost part of Germany.
"What the hell is going on here?" Director Hill demanded as she looked up at the map image as the land mass continued to slowly expand.
"Director," Agent Harvey spoke up, "I was working in my lab when I received a call from geologic survey organization of strange activity in the North Atlantic. When I checked the report with satellite images, it showed that land masses that resemble the islands just north of the Jutland peninsula and are part of Denmark had appeared out of no where."
"I can see that land is appearing out of no where," Hill growled, "Why is this happening?"
"My only possible reason for why this is happening is that the two tectonic plates that come together in the middle of the Atlantic are moving apart faster then normal at this time," Agent Harvey answered weakly.
"Then how come there are no corresponding land mass risings elsewhere along the fault line?" Hill questioned, "And why aren't there massive earthquakes in California and Japan, where the edges of the same plates are moving toward each other, with the Pacific Plate in the way."
"I don't know," Agent Harvey answered, "I don't know. That's my only possible theory."
Director Hill looked at the image again. All of modern northern Germany had now appeared on the map, and it continued to expand eastward, as if the old Prussian territories were appearing up out of the ocean.
"Contact the Fantastic Four," Hill ordered, "Perhaps Doctor Richards has an explanation for this."
Another Agent quickly turned and began typing at a communications console. A few seconds later the face of Reed Richards appeared on the communications screen. He didn't look like he had any emotion going in either the positive or negative direction.
"Director Hill," Reed spoke, "Is there something you need?"
"An explanation for what is currently happening in the North Atlantic," Hill answered, "And I need it now."
Reed's head turned as if he were looking at something else. He then turned back to the communications screen a few minutes later with a look of surprise that mirrored Director Hill's when she first saw what was happening.
"I'm afraid there is not certain answer at this time," Reed spoke carefully, "Geologically what is happening is not possible. It could be the work of the Mole men or the Lava men, but I don't see how raising a new land mass would fit in with their general activities, and neither of them have been active in years."
"That doesn't mean that they've suddenly decided to start trouble now," Hill spoke in a pointed voice.
"Of course," Reed answered, "But you know that the Fantastic Four does not answer to S.H.I.E.L.D. We'll probably investigate this to see what is going on, but you will only get answers if it is something that you need to know."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. will investigate this strange occurrence," Hill said in a pointed voice, "We found it, it is our duty to investigate. The Fantastic Four will remain in their tower."
"Of course," Reed answered, "Thank you for the interrogation."
The screen then went dead. The agent manning then shut it off.
"The 'Fantastic Four don't report to S.H.I.E.L.D.'," Hill fumed, "Who does that man think he is? Whoever is behind this could be a threat to national security and it is our job to protect it. They should report to us in all maters concerning national security."
"The Avengers might be willing to cooperate," Agent Fitz brought up.
"After what happened on Genosha, I don't know if Iron Man will let his precious team risk their lives in such a manner again," Hill grumbled.
"But you didn't obey the President's order to nuke the island," Agent Fitz pointed out.
"And nearly got fired for it," Hill answered, "Iron Man knows that."
"If you ask me," Agent Harvey spoke up weakly, "President Bush has acted far too radically with all these matters. S.H.I.E.L.D. is an international organization run by the UN. He shouldn't have the power to fire you, Madam Director."
"The President is acting in what is best for the country's security," Hill answered, "The UN acts in what is best for terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and Hydra. It is in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s best interest to follow him. Say anything more that is critical of the President and I'll give you to him as an Al Qaeda supporter."
"Yes, ma'am," Agent Harvey answered.
"Spiderwoman and Captain America are full time S.H.I.E.L.D. agents," Agent Fitz pointed out, "And Wolverine is a covert operative. They are not bound to Iron Man."
Director Hill looked at the holographic map, which now looked as if Nazi Germany in early 1941 and Denmark had simply appeared in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
"Contact the Captain," Hill ordered, "I'm sure he'll love this."
Brooklyn, NY, NY
Captain America sighed landed on the roof of the apartment complex that he lived in. He had been running along the rooftops and using the super soldier serum that ran through his veins to its greatest potential to at least keep his mind clear of his problems involving his problems concerning Crossbones and Sin. He was about to go down to the fire escape so he could get into his apartment when a small beeper went off inside a pouch on his belt. He pulled out the communicator to see that it was from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Yes?" Captain America answered as he activated the device.
"Captain, good to see you," Maria Hill spoke on the communicator's small viewing screen, "We have a job for you."
"I'm already working on something," Captain America answered.
"Ah yes," Hill answered, "Sin's theft of your blood. Unfortunately, we have knowledge of where she is, and Crossbones hasn't revealed anything particularly enlightening as to why they did what they did and who hired them."
"That's why I'm working to get some answers," Captain America answered.
"Have you?" Hill asked back.
"No," Captain America almost growled.
"Figured as much," Hill answered, "A hovercraft will be dropping by your position in a few seconds to pick you up. Something rather strange has just happened and we thought you might be the person to see it. You might even find your answers there."
Captain America sighed and nodded, knowing that he hadn't found anything and that Hill was his superior as far as S.H.I.E.L.D. was concerned.
"I'll be waiting," Captain America answered.
Half an hour later, he found himself seated in Hill's office looking at a photograph of the map that had been projected of the new geography of the North Atlantic Ocean.
"That's…?" Cap asked.
"Geographically, it is Denmark and Nazi Germany in 1941," Director Hill answered, "It just appeared out of nowhere shortly before I had my agents 'call' you."
"That is impossible," Cap answered, "Nothing can just 'appear', unless…"
"Unless what?" Hill demanded.
"Well, unless it was a powerful sorcerer of Doctor Strange's level or the person who did it had the Cosmic Cube," Cap answered, "But as far as the Avengers know, mystics aren't really interested in politics and the only one who had any connections to both Nazi Germany and the Cosmic Cube is dead, and the even if the Skull were alive, the Cosmic Cube has been destroyed."
"So how can you explain how this thing appeared?" Director Hill asked.
"I don't know," Cap answered, "But you were right in the fact that it is strange. Almost as strange as Crossbones and Sin wanting a sample of my blood and then disappearing."
"So you accept your assignment?" Hill questioned.
"Only because this thing's level of weirdness might lead me to answers," Cap answered as he stood up, just as there was a knock on Hill's door.
As Cap went to leave, he found it was Sharon standing at the door. Buck stood a few feet behind her.
"Ah, Agent 13, Agent Winter," Hill answered, "How did your mission run?"
"Fine," Sharon answered, "The guy was a lower ranking Hydra agent, who knew nothing of Hydra's recent plans, but we got him locked away in a holding cell while we check for any warrants."
Hill was silently fuming. Hydra was a terrorist organization and she didn't mind if there were no warrants for a terrorist captured. A terrorist as guilty of terrorism as far as she was concerned, regardless of how much he knew or actually participated.
"So long as he's in a holding cell," Hill answered, "Sorry to rush you two, but the Captain here has rather unique mission that would probably be done best if the two of you went along with him."
Both visibly sighed.
"Yes, ma'am," Sharon answered and turned to follow Cap as he left the room, once she got close, she tried to figure out what was going on, "Cap, what is it? What's going on?"
"Someone has somehow made a land mass that geographically looks like Nazi Germany appear in the North Atlantic," Cap answered, "Ms. Hill wants it investigated."
"There's something about Director Hill that troubles me, Cap," Buck spoke up from the rear of the column, "That woman's ideas just strike me as something… odd."
"You're not the only one," Sharon spoke to him, "Trust me."
The flight out to this strange new island was rather silent. Buck was quiet as he was still trying to sort out all his memories of Winter Soldier. Cap was almost completely focused on investigating this new island, hoping that it would lead to some answers in some of the other questions in his life that he had. Sharon remained quiet as she didn't really know what to say at the moment. Director Hill meanwhile kept contact with them through the radio link between the hovercraft and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.
"There appears to be a structure about where Berlin is in Germany," Hill spoke through the radio, "That might be your best bet to begin investigating."
"Thank you director," Cap answered and altered his course so that he knew he arrive at the coordinates that were sent through the electronic signal rather then threw the radio.
Finding the site was not too difficult, as the structure was the only one of its kind on the island. From above it looked as if there the building was built in the shape of a Greek cross with a dome rising from its center. All of them looked to see that the building looked as if it was built entirely of white marble.
"Might as well set her down," Cap sighed as he brought the hovercraft lower and lower to land it in the grass that surrounded the building.
Once they landed and approached one of the four main doorways they were surprised by what they saw. The building bore many striking resemblances to both the White House and the Capitol Building in Washington DC in many respects. The white color, the shape of the windows, the dome was all similar to those buildings. There were, however, similarities to other buildings and ideas that were present. There was ornamental sculpture that seemed to honor the Red Skull, of all people, in many sections of the building, and a Nazi Eagle sitting atop an encircled swastika was on top of the dome.
"I don't like this," Buck commented, "It's really starting to get strange. The Red Skull is dead."
"Let's go inside," Sharon said firmly, "Whoever built this place has to be inside. We can get our answers from him."
Sharon then began to walk towards the building, her gun ready. Cap and Buck slowly followed, giving somewhat shivering glances at the Nazi and Red Skull iconography that covered the building. Even the two doors were covered in the same iconography, with pictures showing what the Nazis had considered glorious or altered so that the picture was glorious to them, were carved into each panel. One showed a picture captured from one of Hitler's speeches, two were from the Nuremburg Rallies, and one was an image of Goering inspecting German troops as they marched down a street.
Scenes from battles filled the lower set of panels. One showed the familiar image of German troops marching past the Arch De Triomphe in Paris. The second showed the Sharnhorst and Gniesnau sailing together and shelling some merchant ship in the distance. The third showed German tanks moving through the Russian countryside with what looked like the Kremlin in the distance. The final panel showed a single king tiger tank moving and letting the commander inspect the rows of king tigers that were sitting still.
"I definitely want some answers," Cap muttered, "this is all very strange."
"Strange?" a voice asked from nowhere, "You should have EXPECTED this mein captain."
"That voice…" Cap and Sharon gasped as they stopped suddenly.
At that instant, the Red Skull appeared, in his golden colored armor, before them on the top of the stairs, near the doors, which were still shut, looking down on them with an evilly triumphant look on his face.
"But, you're dead!" Cap gasped, "S.H.I.E.L.D. analyzed your body and proved it to be yours!"
"And I shot you," Buck added, "You have to be dead."
The Skull, never losing his triumphant smile, looked up to see Buck standing there.
"Neither of you know anything about the Cosmic Cube do you?" the Red Skull taunted, "And you Captain, you should know better."
"What?" Sharon growled as she pointed her gun at him, "What are you talking about?"
"I was on the phone with Lukin when Herr Barnes shot me," the Red Skull explained, "I knew all about the Russian's want for the Cosmic Cube and decided to transfer my mind to his. Then when Herr Barnes presented Lukin with the cube, it would not be Lukin getting the cube, but me."
"Let me guess," Buck growled, "But because the cube wasn't fully charged, you couldn't replace his mind?"
"Smart boy," the Red Skull answered, "So, Lukin and I recently came to an agreement that separated me from him."
"How, only the Cosmic Cube could separate the two of you then," Cap answered, "and it was destroyed."
The Skull waved his hand and Sharon's gun turned into water right before her eyes.
"What was built by man once can surely be built again," the Red Skull smiled, "And I have internalized its power, once more."
Cap and Sharon blinked.
"Once more?" Buck answered.
"A while back when the Red Skull first acquired the Cosmic Cube, I defeated him by cutting off the arm that held the cube with my shield," Cap explained, "The Cube then exploded, but instead of killing him, it sent the Skull into a hell dimension of his own choosing. Meanwhile, a villain from the future named Korvac learned of a method to achieve ultimate 'godhood', but the method required the Cosmic Cube and ultimate knowledge on board a ship that originally belonged to Galactus, however, since the Red Skull had 'died' in a manner that linked the cube to himself, Korvac had to bring the Red Skull back as well."
"When he did so, the Skull arose with the power of the Cosmic Cube within him," Sharon finished, "What resulted was a great battle in which the Skull ultimately lost and he and the Cube were separated. The Red Skull still possessed the Cosmic Cube, but he no longer had it within him."
"And thanks to the people who worked so hard for Lukin, that is no longer a threat to me," the Red Skull smiled, "Lukin built a new cube to give me new life, Captain America gave my daughter some of his blood, from which to clone a new body, and the Cube's power gave me the chance for victory!"
"You're the one who had her and Crossbones steal my blood?!" Cap raged.
"You didn't think my Sin would work for anyone else, would you?" the Skull taunted.
Cap and Buck lunged at the Red Skull intent on killing him then and there. The Red Skull ducked under Cap's punch and landed a strong blow on his jaw and then caught Buck as he attempted to kick last remaining original Nazi. The Red Skull then physically threw Buck in Sharon before she could do anything.
"This isn't over, Skull," Cap vowed as he got up, "I will beat you."
"Not today," the Red Skull answered, "There is much I need done, and believe it or not, I need your help."
The doors behind the Red Skull then opened to reveal ten mechanical humanoids that advanced on all of them. Cap and Sharon were dumbstruck and horrified by what they saw and Buck was at the very least, surprised. None of them saw the blow coming when the robots knocked them out.
"Carry them into the room next to the presentation hall," the Red Skull ordered the robots, "Phase one is nearing completion."
Avengers Mansion
Tony Stark quietly sat down in a sofa, intending to check his stocks after a rather long day of work. Just as he turned on the television, the screen did not show the basic stocks ticker that was on the channel that covered the stock exchange twenty-four, seven. Instead, he was greeted by a sight he thought he'd never see. It looked like a press conference room, like the one used by the President or any other members of the White House staff, but it had noticeable differences.
One, the podium had no seal on it the way the US seal was on the President's podium. Instead, an emblem of an eagle perched on top of a swastika made out of metal was on the podium. The curtain behind the podium was the Nazi flag, with the addition of a black skull in its upper right corner. The most important difference was that the man standing behind the podium was not the President, but the Red Skull.
"What in the world…?" Stark breathed.
"Good afternoon," the Red Skull spoke slowly, "I will assume that the majority of the world knows who I am. I will also assume that those who don't know have the means of learning. For those of you who do know what has been written about myself, you needn't worry. I am not intending to hold the world hostage."
"Yeah right," Stark thought angrily, "Steve is going to pissed when he finds out, if he's not already watching this."
"I am also going to assume you are aware of the landmass that has just now arisen from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean," the Red Skull continued, as the screen changed to show a map of the North Atlantic, including the new landmass, "This was my doing. The landmass is my country. The Red Skull Reich. I give the world my word that Atlantis and the Azores were not damaged by the creation of my territory."
The screen then returned to the Skull's conference room.
"I will state here and now that I possess the power of the Cosmic Cube and could eradicate all opposition to my will with a thought," the Red Skull said in a firm voice.
"Yeah right," Stark thought, "The Cube's range doesn't extend far enough away from the user for anyone outside of your immediate proximity to be affected."
"But I chose not to do so, because that is who I am," the Red Skull continued, "The world has been told and force-feed lies about myself and of Nazism."
Stark ground his teeth.
"The Nazi movement in Germany began as a simple conservative movement as a reaction to Great Depression," the Red Skull spoke, as if he were explaining things that weren't already known, "It is possible that there were minor flaws in it, as there are in everything, but what made Nazism become the 'evil' that it has been associated with did not come from its original organization. What made the movement become 'evil' was the result of actions taken by a group of leftists and opportunistic people with no morals. Chief among them was Adolf Hitler."
"You lying son-of-a…," Stark cursed at the television.
"He and his cadre took over the movement and began their corruption of it with their leftist ideology," the Skull continued, "Thus the reason why the movement became the National German SOCIALIST WORKER'S Party, or the Nazi Party. Hitler then used his powers dictatorially to corrupt and pervert things that had been considered good and noble before his arrival and appearance. The swastika was used as a good luck symbol long before Hitler used it to display his racist leftist rage. I intend to bring back the swastika's original and intended purpose."
Stark stood up, as if preparing to leave to get his armor.
"As with his corruption of symbols," the Red Skull continued, "Hitler also enslaved everyone who did not do exactly as he said. My actions taken during World War Two were not because I wanted to do them or even approved of them. They were because I was under penalty of death if I did not carry them out, and given that the leftists in France, Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union at the time would have urged me to do the same things, I was caught with nowhere to go. Leftist France committed acts just as horrendous as anything Hitler and his lackeys cooked up. Remember the Dreyfus Affair did not happen in Germany, but in Paris."
"In the late 1800s," Stark grumbled, "For the most part, that sort of attitude has changed."
"As for actions taken by the 'Red Skull' during the years after World War Two," the Red Skull explained, almost with a shrug, "Those actions were taken by agents whose loyalty were to the Soviet Union, the greatest of all the Leftist and Communist nations, and was not me. I then call for Russia to hand over these Communist sympathizers to their courts or to the UN for trial."
Stark stared at the television holding back his rage.
"I will assume that no world leader fully trusts that my intentions are true," the Skull then continued, "But the world has become vastly different from the one that existed in the 1930s. Most world leaders today are not corrupted by the ideology of Communism and can be spoken to in a reasonable manner. I invite any foreign leader come to my capital, Red Skull City, where I hope to persuade them through conversation and conversation alone that I am truly a man to be trusted. That I stand for ideals that the entire world stands for. And that their fears are unjustified."
"The world's fears about you are perfectly justified," Stark grumbled angrily at the television.
"After all, those who truly know me have been easily able to move on from past prejudices," the Skull spoke as a door to the side of the room opened.
What walked through the door both shocked and infuriated Stark. First to walk through were either robots or men in armor, and it was the basic design of that armor or of the robot that shocked him. It looked remarkably like his early Iron Man costumes with the noticeable difference that it was entirely a metallic grey rather then gold and a Nazi eagle perched on top of the main energy cell, which was circle shaped and on the chest, and had a swastika inside that energy cell.
"He copied me!" Stark screamed at the television, "That Nazi bastard copied me!"
Stark's rant was cut short when he saw Captain America follow the two robots, almost as if in a trance, with a polite smile on his face. Stark then watched in surprise as Cap walked up to the Red Skull and shook the Skull's hand. This successfully made Stark blow his top and he threw the remote at the television, destroying it.
Red Skull City, Red Skull Reich
Once the handshake was finished, Cap felt the sort trance like state evaporate away and he pulled his hand away from the Red Skull's.
"You…," Cap growled and punched the Red Skull in the face, knocking him to the ground.
The two robots then fired their own laser weapons at Cap, throwing him against the far wall. The Red Skull only waved a hand to make his robots stand down. He then stood up to look at Cap who was just beginning to get up and reach for his shield, which was still strapped to his back.
"I do not believe now is the time to continue our fight, Captain," the Red Skull spoke in a weak chuckle, "The entire world just saw us shake hands. I believe you will have some explaining to do."
"That explanation will go much easier if I have your dead body to present to them," Cap growled.
The two robots then stepped between the Red Skull and Cap and prepared to fire again.
"It is a fight you can not win," the Skull warned, "You'll have to fight my robotic body guards first, just to get to me, and I wield the power of the Cosmic Cube. You are outmatched, on top of which your friends are waiting to leave, and if you do not leave with them now, they will be dead should you win."
Cap sighed and placed his shield back on his back.
"Good man," the Red Skull smiled.
"I will stop you," Cap vowed.
"I have now doubt that you will try," the Red Skull answered, "But today is not the day. My robots will lead you back to your friends and your hovercraft. And the next time you come to my country, please use the designated landing strips."
Cap growled something silently and slowly followed the two robots out of the room. The two robots lead Cap slowly through the building that the Skull had constructed it. It strangely resembled both a great presidential type palace and a modern style fortress. It would surely inflict maximum possible casualties on any force that attacked it. And with the robots leading him, he didn't have the time to stop and try and draw out the Skull's floor plan.
They ended up back on the same lawn that Cap had landed the S.H.I.E.L.D. hovercraft on earlier, and the craft was still present, as if it was waiting for him.
"You are free to go, Captain America," the first robot spoke, "Have a pleasant flight."
Cap said nothing as he ignored the robot, desperately trying to keep himself from smashing it with his shield. As he shut the door to the hovercraft he found Sharon and Buck buckled into their seats, and sound asleep. He sighed and slowly moved to the pilot's seat and began the start up procedure. The other two passengers woke up shortly after the engines started.
"Where are we?" Buck asked slowly.
"Back in the S.H.I.E.L.D. hovercraft," Cap answered, "We're returning to the helicarrier."
"But the Red Skull is alive, we've got to stop him," Sharon pointed out, remembering what had happened just before she had been knocked out, "He will try to take over the world. You know that."
"I'm well aware of what he will try to do," Cap growled back, "But his claim that he has the Cosmic Cube has to be correct. Our problems are more then just the Skull at the moment."
"But I destroyed the Cube," Buck said, "How could he have it?"
"I don't know," Cap answered, "I've never known the full truth behind how the Cube came into existence. Only the Skull knows that, and he didn't tell me."
"He'll fail in the end," Sharon swore behind them, "Now what was this you're saying about our problems being more then just the Red Skull?"
Cap slowly took off from the ground and began piloting the hovercraft back toward New York and the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier.
"He used his power or the Cube itself to broadcast a proclamation to the world," Captain America answered, an angry growl in his voice, "Announcing the existence of his 'country' and telling lies about Fascism, Nazism, and Hitler."
"What? He say that Hitler was a good guy?" Buck questioned.
"No, he said Nazism and Fascism were good," Cap continued growling, "He said that Hitler and most of the Nazis convicted at Nuremburg were left-wing socialists that corrupted the Nazi movement."
"It was the most violent anti-Communist regime in existence when Hitler was in charge," Buck answered, "how could anyone believe the Skull?"
"His lies aren't what we'll have to explain," Cap answered, "To finish his 'announcement', he used the Cube or his powers to make me shake his hand, as if we had merely been simple soldiers who had fought on opposing sides and that neither of us were truly involved in the politics of either nation."
Sharon sighed, "The Director is going to kill you, Steve."
"She can do whatever she wants as soon as I've dealt with him," Cap said in a firm and still angry voice.
The Red Skull's Palace
Shortly after the hovercraft carrying Cap, Sharon Carter, and Buck left, the Red Skull walked out onto the lawn where the hovercraft had been. He waited for a few moments before a red light flashed before him. When it dimmed down, Sin stood before him with a large crowd behind her.
"Report," the Skull ordered.
"I was able to gather twenty five thousand Right Wing extremists," Sin answered, "There were more, but they refused to follow or felt that their agenda within Germany was more important."
"Germany itself is a lost cause," the Skull answered, "Defeat in World War Two only put the weaklings that Hitler wanted destroyed in power, and they made sure that they can not fall out of power. Germany can only be healed if it is conquered by the strong."
"This twenty five thousand are willing to do that in your name," Sin reported.
The Skull looked over the crowd and smiled and then whispered to his daughter, "You will have to give me all the information later, how many men, women, children, their ages, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera."
"Of course," Sin nodded.
The Skull then slowly raised his hand and began to use his powers to alter reality. The area on which he hand his daughter became a marble speaker's platform, with a marble podium with microphones hooked up to it. A marble railing was also there to make sure no one fell. The portion that the people were standing on became lower then the speaker's platform and was also transformed into marble flooring.
"The beauty of this power," the Skull smiled as the people then looked around to see their new surroundings.
The Red Skull then approached the podium and began to speak.
"You have come to me in search of a leader who will bring about the glory of the uebermenschen and you have come to the right man," the Skull began, "I am the last living soldier of the First Fuhrer and I know his goals are the goals are the cause that we must follow! These goals however have been made almost unreachable by the power and seduction of those of the far Left! People, do not abandon the overarching mission that was presented to the world in 1933 by the First Fuhrer! The mission failed in 1945 because the people abandoned him in the name of International Communism!"
The Skull then gave a short dramatic pause before continuing.
"That abandonment left the world vulnerable to the vile forces of the far Left," the Skull continued, "The Communists and their allies threatened everything with complete and utter destruction! I was locked in suspended animation and could not defend the First Fuhrer, but now I have returned, and I will replace him! I will lead you to establish the goals that were set in 1933! Follow me, and a great thousand year Reich will be yours!"
The Skull paused again to listen to a round of cheers rise up from the crowd below.
"It will be a long and perilous path to establish our Reich," the Red Skull continued, "As International Communism has conquered much of the world since 1945 and the entire world will at least be suspicious of our mission, if not hostile to it! Establishing our world will require hardship and sacrifice! No one can abandon the true mission if our ultimate goal is to be achieved! We must free the world from the powers of the Far Left, even if it means that we must crush these Leftist doers of what is vile and improper to the needs of the State! And when victory comes, it will come to the sound off HEIL DER SKULL! SEIG…"
The crowd answered the Skulls call, raising their arms in the Nazi salute and repeating the phrase, 'heil der Skull'.
"Most amusing speech, father," Sin commented, "Although I doubt foreign dignitaries will believe your broadcast if they see the behavior of your followers."
"Yes," the Skull smiled, "the Broadcast will probably bring some leaders and we will need to insure that these people know when to rally and when to put on a good image, but the power of the Cosmic Cube will see to that."
Sin nodded.
"You also know that many of the leaders that do come will come armed and will not believe the lies you spoke during your broadcast," Sin pointed out.
"I have no doubt that they will come armed," the Red Skull answered, "The Iron Swastika Robots can easily deal with any grunt troops they bring. Especially since at this time they will not bring an army. As for what I spoke, a great man once wrote, 'The broad mass of a nation… will more easily fall victim to a big lie then a small one.' The socialist countries of Europe and Asia will likely carry some opposition and to them I must prove I am at least a moderate. But America… America's conservative government… that is a government I can lie to."
To Be Continued…
"The broad mass of a nation… will more easily fall victim to a big lie then to a small one."
-- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf (1925) Vol. 1.