Brothers of Liberty

Ch. 3 A time to fight

I do not own Harry Potter or Captain America

J. K. Rowling and Marvel Studios do.

Positive reviews are welcome.

Ch. 3 A time to fight

Steve's new uniform was like unto a flag as before, but this time was completely new and unique. The top and bottoms was blue, with a white star on his chest. On the abdomen area was a set of triple white stripes and a double set of red stripes. Both going from his waist to his chest. Connected to the red stripes was a set of gray straps going over his shoulders and running to the side of his arms. On both outer biceps was a small white star in red shields. Both arms from the shoulder to the elbow was blue with white taking over till just above the wrists which were then covered in darkened red gloves that also matched his boots. He wore a utility belt for ammo cartridges, emergency first aid medical supplies, and such. On his left leg was a side holster for his side arm while his shield was altered with two red rings with a white ring in between. In the middle was a blue shield with a large white star. The final part of the suit was a special made blue helmet that also acted like a mask with white wings painted on both sides of his head and a bold white 'A' located on the forehead area. The mask part hid his identity to just above his nose while circling just under his eyelids.

On the shield, was a set of scratches that revealed Agent Carters 'testing' when she shot at him to blow off some steam as it were, (And we all know he deserved it), forcing him to shield himself as the scratches themselves were from the bullets when he brought up the shield to deflect the said bullets. Connected to the gray straps on his uniform that stretched all the way to his back was a magnetic instrument that clung to his back and allowed the shield to hang off his back when not hanging off his arms. For his sidearm, he preferred a M1911A1.

For Joe, his uniform consisted of a dark blue shirt with a huge white star. Over it was a red and white camouflage inspired and themed flak jacket that also had a large white star in the same area of his chest as the blue shirt. Sown into the flak jacket was the straps that were also white and red camouflage themed strips that merged with the strips on the jacket. His bottoms somewhat matched his brothers as he also wore dark red boots. He wore hardened black elbow pads that also had red shields with white stars. For his arms, they were bare as he'd didn't mind the cold weather when he had only mutter an incantation and be instantly warmed. He wore fingerless black gloves, and instead of wearing a mask, he preferred a pair of tinted goggles. On both sides of his head, on the goggles straps were also white wings. For a head piece, he chose a dark brown beret. Woven into the back of the flak jacket was his sheath for his staff. He too wore a holster on his person, but was located on the back of his lower back, in a specially designed format, so in case he needed to be quick to draw his firearm. For the firearm, he had a Colt Single Action. He also carried a M1911A1 that was also holstered to his right leg while attached to his left leg was a large boot knife for when he needed to get lethal. He forged this himself, instilling on the flat end of the blade were some Runes in Gaelic. The blade was 12 inches in length, sharpened to cut a mans flesh like a warm knife through butter.

Bucky wore dark custom uniform pants, a blue military issued T-Shirt, also with a white star in the middle. For his uniform, he had a blue leather jacket, with white wings on the shoulder area of the arm sleeves. He too carried a M1911A1, but for his much favored weapon like many of the fellas, he preferred a Tommy Gun and at times, a high powered Sniper Rifle, and he was very good with it as it would save his teammates and adopted brothers many a time in the coming battles against HYDRA.

The other Howling Commandos also had their uniforms and weapons modified and specialized for when they went after HYDRA and its forces.

For over a nine month period to a year, the Howling Commandos scoured the whole of Nazi Germany, fighting and beating back many of Hitler's Nazi's and HYDRA as well as their newly enhanced weapons born from Schmidts secret weapon and genius. Joe would act as a scout seeing he could make himself invisible through his magic. He'd look for and find the bases, observe them for weaknesses. He'd then report back to the Colonel and his team and brief them on his findings. Many strongholds were brought down and destroyed by the Allied warriors. From energy based weapons to monstrous tanks and enemy weapons caches, no matter what HYDRA had up their sleeve, the Commandos overcame these obstacles as they were relentless in their quest to wipe HYDRA from existence.

Steve led the team with his brothers behind him. Many a HYDRA soldier experienced meeting Steves enhanced skills and vibranium shield, living to tell the tale as Prisoners of War. Bucky's skill in espionage was second to none with only Joe being better due to his magic, though Joe preferred the battlefield and being in view of his enemies. With his rifle in hand, Bucky, from hidden advantage points and with concealment charms courtesy of Joe, took care of enemy combatant who were hidden in hard to reach and see places.

Try as he might in not being so, even Joe was surprised by the stragglers Bucky picked off from afar when hidden enemies almost got the drop on he, Steve, and the others. Something they saluted Bucky for.

Though he preferred 'The Mechanic', Joe would also wind up carrying a new name that inspired many of Jews and others who saw his Animagus form when he let it out in the field. To the victims freed from the Prison camps that the Howling Commandos ran into, when he wanted to instill fear into the Germans, he'd shift into 'Gryff' and tore a swath through their ranks, even going so far as to spew magical fire from his beak. Though a Gryphon was a creature of Myth, the sight of such a creature with a man riding on his neck, dressed in the American flag with a shield in one arm and a gun in the other, inspired the victims of HYDRA and the Nazi's to fight back. Joe's Gryphon form became the 'unofficial' Mascot of the Commandos.

Meanwhile

On Asgard

"You've called for me, Heimdall?"

Barely turning to the source of the voice, he already knew his King, Odin All Father also known as Odin Bor-Son was curious as to why he'd been summoned.

"My King, it seems as Midgard's inhabitants are once again at war with themselves." Heimdall answered.

Odin, in his golden Asgardian armor and red cape, and a Raven, Huginn on his left shoulder, looked to the golden armored dark skin toned All Seer, "And this has to do with Asgard, because?"

Heimdall smirked, turned slightly to look into Odin's single eye, "Because it seems a single person might interest you. More interesting, is the fact that he is the last surviving Seidmenn."

"Impossible. They were wiped out, long ago." Odin replied in soft but sudden shock. He stepped forward, as if to attempt to see what the All Seer saw.

"Yet, there he is, fighting beside his brother in a war against an enemy whom seems to have come in possession of the Tesseract and is using it to create weapons of mass destruction."

Heimdall watched as Odin spun to look him in the eyes, "Send Thor and Loki to retrieve both the Tesseract and the Seidmenn."

"My Lord, that might not be advisable just yet. The world, Midgard is still filled with close minded mortals. Add in the fact that the Seidmenn and his 'Brother', may be at a cross roads in their lives. There is also the fact that they are fighting against those who are using the Tesseract for the Weapons they are building, weapons that have been used to decimate innocent lives. It might be better to wait for an opportunity to provide itself when it comes time to retrieve them."

Odin looked to his old friend and thought on this new idea. He admired and respected Heimdall's council. He measured and weighed the Pro's and Con's of the idea. If the Midgardians were at war, then taking the Seidmenn too early would be a bad idea for the side he fought on. He had the All Seer explain the situation in detail about everything that was going on back on Midgard. He even spoke of the power Joseph Rogers possessed up to and including his teleporting abilities, his magic, and his animagus powers.

Coming to a new decision, Odin nodded. "The first opportunity, when the Seidmenn is no longer needed by the Midgardians, retrieve him."

"And the Tesseract?"

"For the moment, the Tesseract in in enemies hands. If the Seidmenn's people can retrieve it and keep it safely hidden, then I will permit them to do so, and retrieve it at a later date."

Heimdall nodded at his Kings words and continued to watch on the current events on Midgard.

Odin then informed the All Seer to keep him informed of the Young Sorcerers status in case they needed to retrieve him immediately. The King of Asgard turned and began heading back to his palace, his mind in deep thought about how a Seidmenn from another universe found his way into this universe. If Heimdall was to be believed, the Seidmenn was very powerful and in complete control of the power within him, though his emotions tended to fluctuate at times due to the stress he was currently going through.

The mages were long time allies of the Asgardians. When they died out, the people of Asgard mourned for them. Now, here was a chance to prevent a repeat of history. And Odin would be damned before he allowed another Mage die before his time. He needed plans put into place for the Sorcerers arrival.

He knew that the Warrior Mage would be angry, but hopefully with his wife and sons aid, he's be prepared for such an eventuality should the Midgardian Mage 'Explode' at him. Explode being a friendly, operative term.

He just wondered how Frigga and Loki will take the idea of a surviving Seidmenn, his plans for and the idea of what to do when the boy arrives. He hoped his palace could contain the Seidmenns rage and power upon his arrival. He dared hope Thor would not attempt to come anywhere near the soon to be enraged Sorcerer when he arrived. Seidmenn when angered could be a mischievous lot and with their transfiguration abilities...He shivered to think of how the young Mage would handle his hard headed son.

Back on Earth

Steve, Joe, Bucky, and the rest of the Howling Commandoes stood on a mountain precipice, within the snowy mountains of northern Germany. The team had strategic spots that Steve had memorized from a map he found when he retrieved Bucky. From what he saw, Zola was the one who had unintentionally left it behind when Steve began his search for his two brothers at the HYDRA Base he infiltrated and for all intents and purposes, destroyed. Though to be honest, it was the prisoners who destroyed the Base, after Steve freed them.

After capturing enemy combatants, they learned from the interrogators how Zola was on a train headed to another HYDRA Base of Operations. Today found the team on a mountain cliff, in the cold season. The mountains were layered in snow. If not for Joes warming charms upon each of them, they would be freezing to death.

The three brothers were overlooking a set of tracks. They'd learned where and when the train would show, but the icing on this case was that Zola would be on the train. But for now, they'd just wait. They already had a plan, Gabe would join Steve and Bucky on this mission. Joe was too invested in wanting to beat the small German to a bloody pulp. The air was blowing at a steady 17 miles an hour. Being so high up, and looking over the mountains as they were, it was a beautiful sight to behold.

To get on the train, they'd have to slide down from the mountain to the train by using special harnesses or zip lines that would connect with the power-line going from the high mountain treeline to the tracks as the line connected with the power-lines that curved on the turn of the mountain they'd need in order to land on the trains roof, and through holding the stick shafts, they'd slide down on and then drop on top of the trains roof.

They'd overtake the train, take out any resistance, and apprehend Zola and the trains conductor. As the linguistics experts, Gabe Jones and Jim Morita were currently searching for the signal and attempting to listen in for the right channel on a stolen HYDRA radio, of which they were hoping to catch some chatter on the right frequency the HYDRA Scientist was using. Dum Dum and Jacques was keeping a lookout for any enemy soldiers while Jimmy Falsworth was keeping an eye out for the oncoming train.

"Remember when Joe and I made you ride the Cyclone at Coney Island?" Bucky asked. Joe snorted somewhat, smiling as he remembered that day.

"Yeah, and I threw up?" Steve answered with a questioning tone. Inwardly, he was smiling as he knew contrary to popular belief, Bucky was afraid of heights himself.

"This isn't payback, is it?"

Steve looked back and noticed Joe was trying his best not to smile too much. Steve went so far as to roll his eyes and then pretend to look at the line that they'd be sliding down. Joe on the other hand would be staying behind to keep the team safe. They already had an individual set of port-keys set to take them to their next destination when the mission was completed.

"Now why would I do that?" Steve's eyes lined up with his brother who caught the joke. Joe had been laughing his ass off that day as Steve was retching into a garbage can. Steve had never looked at a hot dog the same since then as Joe had dressed their hotdogs with the works, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, chilli, shredded cheese, and sauerkraut.

Bucky himself was rolling on the ground laughing just as hard that day. Joe ate three of them with a side of chips slathered in cheese sauce and a soda, and somehow managed to keep himself from throwing up after the ride. Bucky managed only two dogs and a drink with a stomach just as strong.

"We were right." Gabe said as the brothers turned to him. Gabe looked back as his head rose slightly as the fella's walked up to listen. "Dr. Zola's on the train. HYDRA Dispatcher gave him permission to open up the throttle. Wherever he's going, they must need him bad."

Joe gave a dark glare as his hand rested on the hilt of his knife. The others saw this as Steve just gave him an understanding look, yet shook his head no. His brother turned away as Steve felt through their bond, Joes growing need to tear Zola apart.

"Joe, you going to be ok?" Morita asked.

"I'm fine, Jim. I'm fine." he answered with clenched jaws. "Let's just get this done. The sooner we have Zola, the better we'll be."

Steve slipped his helmet on as Jacques began to get their slip lines ready. Turning around and tightening his gloves, he and Joe barely looked upon one another, yet Joe gave a nod that 'said be careful and to come back safe'.

"Let's get going because they're moving like the Devil." James Falsworth called out.

Once the zip-line was safely secured on the line, Steve with his helmet strapped hollered out, "We only got about a 10-second window. You miss that window, we're bugs on a windshield." Grasping the metal bars on either side of the zip-lines firmly.

"Mind the gap." Falsworth sent back with a bit of humor.

"Better move it bugs." Dum Dum hollered out as Jacques raised a hand, preparing the run. Just as the train came into visual range, Jacques called out in French for Steve to go. Joe and the others watched as Bucky went next followed by Gabe.

For well over half an hour, the team waited at the next stop which is where they waited for the approaching train to approach after their team mates and Steve hijacked it. The moment it slowed and then stopped before the others, it was when Joe saw an outwardly damaged cart with Steve sitting down inside, legs dangling outside the cart, his helmet off, head down. Gabe was escorting a set of disarmed enemy soldiers off the train, including Zola.

Joe took this time to grab Zola by his coat and slammed him against the train. "I told you, I'd see you again, you pudgy little bastard. Now we get to settle that promise I made you." For a few moments, the Commandos allowed Joe his well deserved justice as he punched Zola in the stomach first, the punch so strong that Zola bent over, the air knocked out of him, having left him breathless as he fell to the ground. Joe let him fall to the ground, only to walk around to the front of him again, pick him up, and punch him in the face while holding him with one hand. He punched him a couple of more times before his brother soldiers pulled him off the now cowering scientist who once again fell to the ground, a bleeding disfigured face with blood drooling from his busted mouth, and curled up in a ball.

"Joe, it's enough. It's enough. You made your point." Dum Dum said as he and Jacques had to pull him back. He then had Joe look towards Steve and it was then that Joe looked around, not seeing Bucky.

"Bucky? Steve, where's Bucky?" Joe hollered out. Joe began to have a bad feeling as Steve looked up and at him and it was then Joe saw the red, tear streaked face of his brother. It was then Joe knew. "No, Bucky." he barely whispered in growing dread. He then slowly turned to the HYDRA prisoners, an expression showing more than anger on his face, his eyes glowing green, magical energy pulsing in his left hand as he unbuckled his knife from its sheath and ever so slowly began to free it from said sheath. "Which one?" he growled out. "Which one of you unfortunate sons of bitches killed my other brother?"

The prisoners began to back up until they couldn't back up any further with their backs tightly leaning against the train, fear evident in their faces as Joes blade began to glow with green magical energy.

"Awe shit. He's gonna kill em'!" Dum Dum said as he, Jacques, Falsworth stood in front of him and tried to hold him back by holding his arms and chest.

"WHICH ONE OF YOU KILLED BUCKY?" he shouted. It was then the Colonel and several more military vehicles made themselves present.

"What the hell is going on here? Someone pick up Zola." the Colonel hollered out after seeing the cowering bleeding mess whimpering on the ground, curled up on the ground. "What happened?"

Joe who now ceased his struggling against his brother Commandos, nodded and held his hands up, "I'm alright. I'm alright." He then looks at the prisoners and points his knife at them all and looks into their eyes as their goggles were yanked off their heads as they were being searched for any other weapons, "Give your souls to whatever Deity you pray too, and pray they be merciful. For if I see any of you again, I will not."

Joe sheathed his blade and walked over to his brother. Steve slowly slid down, shield dangling from his right hand. The moment Joe stood in front of him, he dropped it and threw himself into Joes arms. No one, not even the Colonel said anything about the brothers as the prisoners were being loaded up in transport vehicles. The remaining Howling Commandos gave the brothers space as they mourned for their fallen brother in arms. They too shed tears for Bucky as they lowered their heads in silence and respect.

A day and several hours later after nightfall, Agent Peggy Carter found both brothers within the ruins of a former pub. A bottle and two cups before them. Both were in their traditional military dress uniforms. Both had sullen looks. The local Military Police calling for a curfew as the searchlights moved over the road from the blimps and high buildings. Steve turned slightly to notice her presence, though she was pretty sure Joe with his magical abilities must have sensed her, but in his state of mind, most undoubtedly just didn't care right now.

"Dr. Erskin said that the Serum wouldn't just affect my muscles, it would affect my cells." Steve recalled as he reached over to refill his glass with the hard liquor. "Create a protective system of regeneration and healing. Which means,...I can't get drunk. Did you know that? Though, with Joes brew here being stronger than most brews according to the others, it still has no affect on me. And that's saying something."

She just looked at the brothers, not with pity, but understanding. She too lost many of her loved ones. And it was hard for her as well. It took a bit of time to come to terms with their passing. Bucky had no one to go home to and was the sole member of his family at the time. Now with his death, his bloodline ended. Of course with the many girls he's been with, there's the possibility he may have more than one child out there.

"Your metabolism burns four times faster than the average person." She picked up a fallen chair and sat in it across the table from the two brothers, "He thought it could be one of the side effect's." She looked as Joe poured himself and Steve another shot, waved a hand in the pubs general direction. A second later and a broken glass flew into it. Waving his hand again, Joe repaired it and then filled it with his swill, passing the cup to the Agent. "Steve, it wasn't your fault."

"Did you read the report?" he asked. Joe leaned back, rolling his eyes. To him, after reading Steve's dissertation, laid the blame where it belonged. Arnim Zola! Joe was more than tempted to take the small rat bastard and throw him into a volcano, but the fact that the Colonel forbid Joe or any of the others from going after Zola for retribution, stayed Joe's hand.

As he crossed his arms and pinched his eyes, Agent Carter answered the question. "Yes."

"Then you know that's not true."

"You did everything you could. Did either of you believe in your friend?"

Joe gave her a questioning glare, wondering where this question was going. Steve looked up and into her eyes, wondering why she'd ask that question. Of course he believed in Bucky. He, Joe, and Steve were as thick as thieves.

"Did you respect him?"

"You know we did, Carter." Joe growled out through gritted teeth.

"Then stop blaming yourselves. Allow Barnes the dignity of his choice. He damn well must have thought you were worth it. The both of you are worth it."

"We're going after Schmidt!" Joe said as he clasped his hands around his glass and brought it closer to him.

Steve continued for him as if he read Joe's thoughts as he nodded, "We're not gonna stop until all of HYDRA is dead or captured."

"You won't be alone." she said as she placed a hand over both of theirs, though her eyes rested on Steve.

"Thanks." he said with a sad smile.

She then took her glass and raised it, "To Sergeant Barnes!"

"To Bucky." Joe said as he raised his own.

"To our fallen brother." Steve also shot out.

Clinking their glasses together, they then gulped it down. Suddenly Agent Carters eyes went wide and before she could stop herself, her face turned red, her ears blowing out steam, and she belched out fire. The result was her body going stiff and falling backwards while the brothers who had worn looks of amusement, all of a sudden begin laughing out loud. Hitting the table while laughing uncontrollably, they didn't see her slowly get up and struggle to sit back in the chair, her hair frazzled.

"Wha-What is...that?" she wheezed. This just started a whole new round of laughter. They'd later explain how it took Joe some time to track down and find the necessary ingredients to recreating the magical alcoholic beverage, Fire-whiskey.

Several hours later

Headquarters

"Johann Schmidt belongs in a bug house. He thinks he's a God, and he's willing to blow up half the world to prove it starting with the USA." Colonel Philips started. The Howling Commandos, a now completely sound and sober Agent Peggy Carter, were settled around a table within their hidden base of operations. The table and room was filled with military and Ally personnel. Stark had yet to appear, but Joe had kept his senses open as he knew Howard was quickly on his way, and he wasn't disappointed as the guy made an entrance.

"Schmidt's working with powers beyond our capabilities. He gets across the Atlantic, he will wipe out the entire Eastern Seaboard in an hour." he said as he sat next to Jimmy Falsworth.

Steve was looking at a set of photo's courtesy of Zola and the information he gave the Colonel. Joe had already implanted the images to memory as he was oblivious to the talking, as he felt they were wasting time. He'd been the one to check out if Zola's information was accurate, and it was. He'd then taken the pics himself after counting Schmidt's military's strength, looking for any weakness. He decided to cast some high powered spells that upon Steve and the team allies attack, would more than even the playing field in disabling the vehicles and some weapons.

To help matters, he decided to leave Schmidt's people with a present in the form of illusions of Poltergeists and oddly formed ghost-like apparitions. This more than anything freaked out Schmidt's men, leaving them highly shaken and disturbed.

Steve threw the picture back on the table as Gabe asked, "How much time we got?"

"According to my new best friend, under 24 hours." The Colonel answered as he looked up. There were more photos and papers within his hand that Joe had written up after scouting Zola's claims.

Jacques asked, "Where is he now?"

"HYDRA's last base is here." he answered as he raised the photo that Joe took, high enough for those near to see, "In the Alp's, 500 feet below the surface."

Jimmy Morita took the photo and scoffed, "So what are we supposed to do? I mean, it not like we can just knock on the front door." he applied as the crowd looked at him.

"Why not?" Joe asked as he slipped his knife into it's sheath.

Steve nodded, "That's exactly what we're going to do."

Everyone looked as both brother's wore deadly serious looks. After Steve and Joe came up with a plan of attack, and shared it with everybody else, both went about preparing themselves, with the Howling Commando's doing the same. Having found some Magical wood in Germany on one of their excursions, Joe on his free time had labored away on creating a a flying surfboard. He instilled it with many Rune's of different depictions for flight, speed, and efficiency. He'd install sticking charms to allow him to remain on the board, without falling off despite any spinning and upside-down maneuvers he may perform. Nothing short of being blown or shot off would see him removed from the board. Sadly, he was the only one who could use it because of the magic within him.

"I have a feeling this will be our last battle for a while." Joe said as he and Steve were allowed some privacy. When Joe felt something coming that would change their lives, he always shared thie feeling with Steve, and even when Bucky was around at times, he'd get these feelings.

Joe was leaning against a long table within the garage where both his board and Steve modified motorcycle was resting. Steve and he were in their specific battle uniforms. Steve was sitting on one side of his bike with his shield laying against the bike next to his leg.

"How so?" Steve asked.

"I don't know. I've always felt things, things I can't explain. You know this somewhat. My feeling's have never been wrong. Ever since I collapsed at Lily's graduation, somehow,...I felt as if I was Fate's whipping boy, and that she'd have big plans for me. I...I remembered hearing my wife's pleading for me to wake up. My daughter, my children, Teddy my Godson. And the next thing I know, my next memory was of our parents, Mom, Dad, seeing you. My feelings are getting stronger. Not enough to distract me, but enough to tell me it's going to change us in way's we never saw coming."

"Whatever happens today Joe, promise me something." Steve said.

"Anything."

"If I don't make it back.."

"Steve..."

"Please. If I don't make it back, make sure the guys and Peggy will be alright. Don't let them break our team up. You lead them."

For several moments, both brothers just looked at each other, and then clasped each others hands. Steve quickly pulled Joe into a hug that his brother reciprocated.

"Come back to me, Steve. We'll drink to our victory when this is over." The Super Soldier nodded after pulling away a bit.

On Asgard

Odin stood beside the All Seer Heimdall, over looking the stars as he saw what Heimdall saw, seeing things happening on Midgard via one of his Ravens. "It's almost time."

"Indeed it is, My Lord. They are preparing themselves for their final battle in which they will not see one another for quite some time afterword."

"It pains me to interfere in the Seidmenn's life in such a way, but it must be done to preserve his people and they're legacy."

Heimdall nodded at this. He just hoped that Lieutenant Joseph Rogers was prepared for the next part of his life that was sure to change everything he ever knew.

Going to stop here so I can work on my other work including a Harry Potter/ Hansel and Gretel crossover. Got many more of my stories that need working on and updated. As always, read and review. Until next time.