Brothers of Liberty
Ch. 2 Super-Soldier cometh
I do not own Harry Potter and or The Avengers
J. K. Rowling and Marvel do.
Positive reviews are welcome.
Ch. 2 Super-Soldier cometh
He was hanging from a chain via a hook. Water, cold as ice, was continuously pouring down his body. His wrists were cuffed with the middle chains hanging from the hook. His body was shaking from the cold water and after shocks of the torture he underwent.
Joseph Rogers was tortured daily ever since he was captured. He didn't know how much time had passed as he and his regiment, the 107th, were captured after being sent to fight the Nazi's, only to find themselves outgunned by their HYDRA division. An explosive mortar threw him and his brothers in arms to the ground in the wet and muddy European earth. They would have died if not for him using his magic at the last second to throw up a shield charm. Though the mortar destroyed the shield, its power wasn't able to do anything else other than knock the soldiers off their feet.
Harry then found himself and his brother soldiers surrounded by the oddly dressed HYDRA soldiers. Seeing that he had ousted himself to his brothers when he flicked out his hand and throwing out the shield charm, he decided to forget about hiding his powers and abilities since he was out of ammo for his weapons and began throwing out stunning, blasting, piercing, and exploding hexes left, right, front, and center while fighting back to back with his brothers in arms.
He wasn't able to continue throwing out said hexes for much longer when he realized he was tiring. His magic and adrenalin had begun to run low after almost half an hour of throwing out the wandless magic hexes, curses, and shield charms. Just as he stopped and began to take in huge gulps of air after hitting one knee, he almost missed Bucky crying out his name. But by then, it was too late as he felt something hit him from behind. He then saw blackness, and then nothing.
The next thing he knew, he was cuffed, hanging from a hook that held the chains of his cuffs, his uniform top and shoes were gone, and cold water was gushing over his body. Shaking under the cold water and thinking of a to attempt to free himself, he paused after several voices stopped him. He then looked as several HYDRA scientists and armed soldiers were before him, with one individual in front of him with an apron and rubber gloves on his arms to his hands. The guy was over six foot with white clothes and black rubber boots. In one hand was a wet sponge, and in the other was a metal pipe. The pipe was connected to some weird configuration of wires connected to a battery of some sorts.
"Wha-What is that?" he whispered in fear and a bit of dread.
"That, Lieutenant Rogers is if you do not speak or give us the information we require." One of the German scientists replied.
"What are you talking about?" he asked eying the torture equipment in the guys hands as it was being configured together.
"Your powers. How do they work? How did you come across them." the guy asked, stepping up into his face.
"Go fuck yourself." Joseph spat with defiance.
Sighing, the scientist resumed putting his torture equipment together, "I thought as much. If you won't talk, then we'll make you talk."
Joe looked between them and his torturer, sighed, and said, "Well, looks like we're going to be here for a long time, fellas." he then began to chuckle.
"Tell us Mr. Rogers, what is the source of your powers?"
"Well, when a man and a woman lay in bed and begin to get intimate..." he began mockingly, his to-be torturer looked back to the scientists with a bored look that they returned and nodded. The guy then turned back and connected the sponge to the pipe, turned on the machine, and began to walk closer to Joe.
"Wa-Wait now bud..." Joe began only to stop to scream as the sponge connected with his chest, sending high voltage to his entire body, not enough to kill him, just enough to hurt him for several minutes.
The torturer stopped as Joe was swinging wildly everywhere due to the reactions his body gave to the shock.
"I'm gonna rip your head off and suck out your fucking eyeballs, you mother fuckers." Joe screamed out, swinging around from the hook and chains wildly. "Come here you little..." he continued growling out obscenities left and right to his captors.
They continued shocking him, and still Joe would not give out his secret or any information they wanted to know, his answer being constant expletives and threats. They never gave him a chance to gather his strength or for his powers to kick back in, no matter how much he fought them, they just kept shocking him.
When he had come to after blacking out, he was still questioned repeatedly about his powers and abilities. Their response to his refusal to answer and his quoting his name, rank, and serial number, and even several perverted remarks and jokes, was to shock him repeatedly still. When he cursed them, they just shocked him some more. For how long they kept it up, he didn't know as they just continued the torture, doing the same thing over and over every time he refused to answer them. His screams almost destroyed his esophagus. His mind temporarily lost the ability to measure the time he spent being held captive and tortured.
Over time as he hung from the chains and hook, he was constantly paid a visit by Johann Schmidt, the one who called himself, 'The Red Skull' and his right hand man and Joe's personnel target of nasty jokes and ugly insults, Arnim Zola. The first time he was questioned by Schmidt about his powers, he spat in the German Scientists face. His punishment in return was a workout, consisting of powerful punches on his ribs. Having been shocked earlier, his chest was numb to the beating he got.
You may ask yourself, how come he couldn't use his magic. The answer was something he learned in his past life. Electricity. Like iron, it disabled magic for a time, or in this case, temporarily removed his ability to use his magic and even kept him from accessing his core. At least they never got close enough to try and draw blood, as he would fight with whatever strength he had, even going so far as to be like a wild animal when he fought against them, not allowing himself to be stilled for even a moment.
Zola watched as his fellow Hydra scientists kept using the shock treatment on Lieutenant Rogers, and when they took a break, he bragged how he'd tortured Bucky in the next room in a somewhat similar yet different manner. That lit a small flame in Joe yet again as he almost silently lured the small fat man to get close to him when he said he was willing to talk, acting all broken. Joe gave enough of a good performance in the act that Zola bought it. Though he was weakened, the little man bragging about hurting a person he considered a second brother, royally pissed him off. As soon as Zola got close enough, Joe whose head was hanging down as if to whisper in Zola's ear, instead with all the strength he had, reared back and head butted the bastard, breaking his nose in the process and then linked his legs around his neck and began to choke him, trying to break the little mans neck before the HYDRA scientist even staggered away too far.
A reintroduction to the electrified wet sponge had him release the scientist, screaming the entire time as they shocked him repeatedly since then, never giving him time to recuperate. And yet he still cursed them and threatened them with his own brand of torture when he'd get a chance at payback, and he had colorful methods to speak of should he get free.
He was delirious as hell when a pair of strong arms wrapped around his torso. He thought he heard explosions from somewhere in the base when the arms lifted him from the hook. He groaned as his arms began to hurt as they fell behind and over the one who held him over their shoulders.
"Joe, talk to me Joe. Please, tell me you're alright?" a familiar voice pleaded. Being slowly lowered to the ground with his back and neck held in the strong mans arms, he slowly opened his eyes as he gazed upon his brother Steve. Or at least someone whom he thought was Steve as the guy was built like an Olympic Class Athlete with a brown leather jacket on and a blue helmet on his head, a pair of goggles over what looked like a letter 'A'. There appeared to be what looked like a shield strapped to his back.
"St-Steve?" he asked with a weakened, hoarse voice.
"That's right." Steve replied gently, yet worriedly, a small somewhat smile adorning his face.
Not one to be fooled, Joe, with a last ounce of willpower and strength, grabbed the man who was supposedly his brother Steve by the jacket collar, and rammed him into a wall, his chained wrists holding the chain to the guys neck, "In another life, who was I?" he growled loudly.
"Harry. Harry James Potter." was Steve's quick gagging answer. This satisfied Joe as he let go of Steve, but lost the strength to stand as his legs gave out on him, but Steve managed to keep hold of him by one arm.
"Steve, we gotta go, we gotta go now." Bucky's voice said from outside the room where the brothers were, as he acted as a lookout.
"Joe, can you stand?" Steve nodded and then asked his brother hurriedly.
"Give me a moment." Joe answered as he focused. It had been over a couple of hours since his last torture session as far as he knew, and he could now feel his magic fighting to overcome the shock treatment he suffered, even through the after shocks. He felt just a tendril of his magic, but it was enough to find the strength to stand and jog, somewhat, even with his arms hurting after Steve freed his bound wrists and feet. His feet had been bound after his attempt at killing Zola
Once they were in the hallway, after Joe began to stand on his own, Bucky asked, "Is he ok?"
"I will be once I get my hands on that little bastard." Joe answered growled through gritted teeth as he looked at Bucky. The trio of soldiers began to run down the darkened hallway, never stopping, following Steve as he directed their escape, yet Bucky and Joe barely kept up with Steve as Bucky had to help Joe when he nearly fell a few times. "How is this possible, Steve? What did you do to yourself?" Joe asked his brother.
"I joined the army." he answered. His brother gave him a weird look. "I'll explain later." was the answer he got until they found themselves in a huge factory that was currently undergoing explosion after explosion. Fire and metal was all over the place as they stopped in order for Steve to look for an escape. He found one as he directed them up a flight of stairs to a higher level. They were about to go up a third flight of stairs when a voice called out, "Captain America!"
"What did that no good HYDRA fucker just call Steve?" Joe thought out loud, looking from Bucky, to Steve, and then to the one in whom the voice belonged to. Standing on the other side of the railing above the fire and explosive building, was none other than the Red skull himself, Johann Smidt, and standing beside him was the one who earned Joe and Bucky's hate was Arnim Zola.
"Zola!" Joe growled, stepping forward and stopped when Steve stepped in front of him. Steve looked at him and non-verbally spoke to him, as if to say, "Now's not the time."
"How exciting. I'm a great fan of your films." The head of the HYDRA said. Zola looked at the two freed soldiers and gasped in fear and shock as he saw energy crackle at Joes' fingertips.
This didn't go unnoticed by Schmidt, "So, I see what has Zola so fascinated by you Lieutenant."
"Come a little closer you red faced bastard, and I'll show you what I'm capable of." Joe fumed with a glare as his eyes unknowingly and unconsciously began to glow with growing power.
"I think I'll keep my space from you for now, Lieutenant." he smiled a bit at finally seeing Lieutenant Rogers powers finally reveal itself. He then turned his attentions back to Steve, "So, Dr. Erskine managed it after all. Not exactly an improvement, but still, impressive." he said in his German accent as he and Steve began to walk towards one another.
A right cross from Steve, staggered Schmidt who had to catch himself on the railing. "Whoa, now that's a punch, Steve." Joe said, Bucky nodding in agreement.
"You have no idea." Steve growled out to Schmidt. His shield in his left arm hefted slightly, yet imposingly.
Schmidt stood back up and looked at Steve with a disfigured face, "Haven't I." He then struck out at Steve with a powerful right jab, Steve blocking with his shield though Schmidt's punch dented it. This surprised Joe and Bucky who looked on in disbelief, only to see Schmidt land a successful left cross to Steve's jaw as Steve went for his service revolver, the punch knocking the Super Soldier on his backside. Not a second later, Steve threw Schmidt back with both feet to the chest that sent the psychotic head of HYDRA on his own back.
Zola took this time to grab and pull a lever that separated the metal railing as both ends began to pull back.
Both Steve and Schmidt began to rise and glared at one another as the metal railing retracted after Zola hit a control rod, "No matter what lies Erskine has told you, you see, I was his greatest success!" Schmidt then began running his left hand under the red side of his cheek. The skin began to loosen until Schmidt then ripped off his face, showing a red disfigured skull-like visage. The fake human 'mask' was released and allowed to fall to the flames below.
Joe had a flashback of Voldemort and how he looked. He shook the image in his mind off as Bucky commented, "You don't have one of those, do you?"
"You are deluded Captain. You pretend to be a simple soldier, but in reality, you are just afraid to admit that we have left humanity behind. Even your brother has done so as well." Seeing the looks of shock, he continued, "Yes, I know about your relationship Captain, Lieutenant." Schmidt then turned to walk beside Zola, but kept up his monologue, "Unlike the both of you, I embrace it proudly. Without fear!" He then entered an elevator after the short scientist.
"Then how come your running?" Steve shouted out challengingly.
The elevator doors began to close, but before they did, Joe gave Zola something to think about, "Zola!", he roared out with an hungry look, "I'll be seeing you soon. I will return the service you provided me in kind ten fold."
As the elevator doors closed, the last image the three soldiers saw of Zola was was of absolute fear as the HYDRA lead scientist's eyes went wide and began to shiver as no doubt he felt a tingle down his spine.
The factory building continuously exploded, the flames getting higher, causing the platform the three remaining men to stagger. Looking up, Steve caught a glimpse of a door on a higher level and got an idea.
"Joe, how much magical energy you got left?" Steve asked.
"Why?" Joe replied questioningly. When Steve pointed at the higher doors, Joe understood as he nodded. He then grabbed Steve and Bucky by the shoulders.
"He isn't going to do what I think he's going to do?" Bucky asked.
"Take a breath." the Magical soldier said as he concentrated and with a twist and a pop, the trio was on the higher level and at the doors. Joe stumbled until Steve caught him. Seeing Joe was fighting the magical exhaustion he no doubt was feeling, Steve hoisted his brother on his shoulders once again and with Bucky after his and Joe's longtime friend managed to catch his breath, ran through the doors and continued to run as the building began to crumble.
The next time Joe came too, was as he was looked over by medical personnel inside of a tent. "So, we made it?" Joe said to no one in particular.
"You did indeed Lieutenant." a familiar voice chuckled.
"Hey Steve. So, it wasn't a dream." he gasped as he began to sit up. Steve helped him to do so until he manage to lean against the bed post.
"No, no it wasn't." Steve was wearing a standard army uniform.
"How long was I out?"
"Two days. I'm guessing enough to allow your magical reserves to help in restoring your powers and heal the damage done to your body. Joe listen," he sighed. "The Colonel wants to debrief you. He's also got me going after Schmidt. I'm putting a team together." he sighed as he sat in a chair beside his brother. "I want you a part of that team. With your powers and abilities, and the teams individual skills, we can bring Schmidt down."
"That's all well and good, but how about you tell me what you did to yourself."
Not seeing his brother was going to let up about this, Steve told him everything. A little over an hour, Joe was astounded, but saddened at the loss Steve felt for the scientist who made him stronger. Joe was in the mans debt and swore to do everything he could to make sure Erskine didn't die in vain.
Switching topic, Joe then asked, "Do you think the Colonel and your team can be trusted with my secret?"
Steve lowered his head in thought, but on the other hand, the Colonel seemed to be coming to terms about the choice he and Agent Carter made regarding going after he and Bucky. Choosing the best words he could, Steve looked up with a look of reassurance, "Only one way to find out."
An Hour Later
"So let me get this straight, you mean to tell me that you lived another life on another 'Earth' that contained beings that one would normally read about in fantasy novels, and that you have this so called 'Magic'" the Colonel quoted with his fingers mockingly. "And that your a Wizard. Is that what I'm hearing?"
"Yes sir, it is. I was an Auror, that is a Magical Law Enforcement Officer of Great Britain." Joe answered with Steve and Bucky nodding. They had already explained Joes history and abilities for almost an hour, much to Chester Philips disbelief.
"Prove it."
Joe, Steve, and Bucky looked at each other.
"Catholic school girl?" Bucky asked.
"Boy Scout?" Steve suggested.
"Why not a clown?" Joe suggested as with a wave of his hand, the Colonels entire uniform was transfigured into that of a clowns costume, added by the face paint, wig, and all. The costume was blue, with a white neck line, a red nose, white make-up, red lipstick and make-up surrounding the mouth to resemble a smile, red hair-like wig, red shoes, and white gloves.*
Agent Carter, Dum Dum Dugan, Gabe Jones, Jim Morita, James Falsworth, and Jacques Dernier chuckled at first, and then let out a bellyful of laughter individually. The Colonel stood there in shock at first and then realized he was intentionally pranked, and he knew he deserved it as he let the gathered have their fun, much to his annoyance.
After a moment, though the brothers and Sergeant Barnes wore shit eating grins, the Colonel had Joe reverse the Transfiguration, they then began to go over how to apply Joe's magic powers with the gathered individuals as the Howling Commandos was formed. Joe explained his powers had limits, and that he'd rather use his powers for combative and healing purposes. He let the Colonel and Agent know that he would not allow himself to be used as an Assassin.
A day later, found Joe and Steve visiting an acquaintance. It was then Joe met Howard Stark. He watched as he was showing Steve a set of Shields that he thought Steve might like. Earlier, Steve was caught in the duels of the tongues with another blonde by Agent Carter. Joe saw the attraction that Steve and Carter had for one another. Not knowing this, Joe was clueless as for Steve, the blonde was just looking for a way to one up Carter in looks and skills with how she acted.
Carter took that moment to show up as Steve found a circular shield that was more his style, add in the fact that it was made of Vibranium, a metal that was stronger than steel and a third of the weight. Meaning it could take a lot of punishment, and the most damage it would take was a ruined paint job. It was completely vibration absorbent. She of course shot at the shield with a 9mm after Steve asked her what she thought. The bullets lost their energy as they struck the shield and fell to the floor. This event scared Steve somewhat as he raised the shield to protect himself. Howard though, could only flinch down somewhat yet saw the whole thing, as did Joe.
"What did you do to piss her off?" Joe asked as he stood next to Steve who just looked on the now departing Agent, who swayed her hips while exiting the area.
"Nothing. I was just standing there..."
"Standing where?"
"In the lobby. All of sudden, one of the women, a blond, started up a conversation with me. Before I knew it, she began kissing me."
"She kissed you?" Joe asked with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah." Steve answered.
"And I'm guessing Agent Carter caught the two of you, got the wrong message, and took it the wrong way?"
"Well, I may have insinuated she and Howard were..."
"Steve, my brother, you got a lot to learn about women."
"What do you mean?"
"Steve, I was married once upon a time, remember."
"Well, yeah but...argh. Who am I kidding? I'll never understand women."
"You will, it will take time."
"You think so?" Steve asked.
With a sparkle in his eye, Joe smiled, "I know so. You and she have a lot in common. Don't give up hope, Steve." It was then that something caught Joe's attention. It was a bow staff that rested on a table in proximity to a number of shields that Howard stark had undoubtedly been working on for Steve.
Joe took it into his hands and spun it experimentally. It then began to glow while in his hands with blue energy as images of what appeared to be animals and Celtic runes took form all over the staff, Howard who watched the staff's metamorphosis with shock on his face, stuttered, "T-That staff and shield is all that remains of the vibranium we had." Stark said. Then with a skeptical expression, he crossed his arms and asked, "Do you know how to handle that thing?"
Joe though looked upon the images. The figures were almost easy to recognize. A Stag, a Grim, a Doe, a Wolf, a Gryphon, a Bulldog, an Owl, and other animals. The images was of the inner animagus spirit of his once family in his former life as Harry Potter. Of course the Gryphon was his own Animagus Spirit, while his Patronus was that of his first father James Potter. Joe brushed his fingers tenderly, yet longingly, on the images of the staff.
"Hey, Steve. Check it out." Joe called out.
His brother came and stood beside him while hefting the shield onto his other arm. "Woah, is that...?"
"Yeah." Harry chuckled. "It's images of my first families animal spirits." Turning the staff over, there, at the head, was a Pheonix. "Dumbledore." he whispered in awe. The staff took on it's final change while within his hands as it shook briefly, and changed from its original metal color, to a golden sheen.
"Wow." Joe thought to himself, all the while, he thought, for just a moment, he heard the familiar chuckle of his former Headmaster.
Joe had taken Martial Arts classes in his past life, via a very much changed Dudley Dursley. After the war with Voldemort, Dudley, who met up with Harry after the fact, saw how his cousin barely survived. He'd met a witch during the war while in hiding that he'd eventually marry named Tracy Davis, a friend of Daphne Greengrass. Dudley made sure his parents righted the wrongs they'd inflicted on Harry. He of course also made sure to earn Harry's forgiveness the right way and became an honorary member of the Potter-Weasley family.
Dudley introduced his cousin to a Martial Arts instructor who had heard of Harry and his accomplishments. With Dudley's, the Weasley matriarch, and the instructors help, they got Harry to an appropriate weight and made sure he was trained to be a fighter that could more than hold his own in a fight should he ever lose his wand. This helped in Harry learning how to use his magic wandlessly at times.
Snapping out of the flashback, Joe took a step back with the staff in hand, took a side ways stance. With the expertise of a Master, Joe swung the Vibranium Bo Staff out and to the side. A crowd gathered as Joe revealed exactly how good he was able to handle the weapon. As he continued moving forward while swinging and twirling the Bo, he also sent out a few round house kicks and spin kicks until he stopped in front of Howard with the staff against Starks Adams apple, Joes arms outstretched, holding the weapon still, his eyes never wavering from Howards.
"Yeah, you can handle it. It's yours." he said, shock evident in his voice. Joe smirked and relaxed his arms.
Steve took that time to pass Stark a slip of paper. "I had some ideas about the uniforms." Joe saw that when Steve said uniforms, he meant plural, meaning more than his own. While he and Howard spoke, he found some cloth on one of the tables and transfigured them into a chest sheath and a belt. Once the sheath was secured on the belt, Joe then slipped and fastened the belt onto his chest, finalizing the look by sliding the Bow staff into its secure sheath.
Steve came by and saw what Joe did. Once Joe stepped in full view, he asked, "Well, how does it look on me?"
Steve looked once and said, "Like it should. After all, Merlin was said to wield a staff."
"Oh, so I'm Merlin now?" Joe snorted in amusement.
"It fits."
"No, I'm flattered and all for the title. But, I think I'd rather be the Mechanic. After all, I am good at fixing things when they're in my hands." Joe said.
"True. The Mechanic, The Mechanic...The Mechanic it is then."
Joe could only chuckle for a bit with Steve until saw the elder brother begin to see his magical younger brother slowly begin to break down. The crowd and Stark, took this as a private brother to brother moment and began to disperse, leaving the brothers to have their moment. Joe almost started to have a far away look until Steve snapped him out of it by grabbing his shoulders, "Hey, hey, you alright?"
It was then that Joe's emotional shields finally broke as the events of what he and Bucky went through, finally took hold. It was then Steve took his brother in his arms arms and began acting like the big brother that he was. Joe then finally talked to Steve, for over a few hours, just talked.
But, by the next week, the real fight would begin. But for now, all the brothers could do, was talk, just talk.
Going to end this chapter here. The next will be longer. The first * was that he turned the Colonel into Bozo the Clown from my childhood, the second ** was me visualizing the staff to be like what Jet Li wielded when he played the Monkey King in the Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan. Read, enjoy, and review. Until next time.
