Avengers: Battleground
Chapter 37: Return of the Winter Soldier
"Uh...Harry…" Sam said as he walks up to them with Cap and Sharon Carter on his heels. Harry was in the hotel simply enjoying himself for the time being. He just got back from the magical world and had to deal with the people's outcry. "You need to see this." Sam said in a serious voice.
Harry was in the lobby talking with Morgan and Jessica. Satana had gone off to Vienna to see the Accords. They get up and walk to Sharon Carter's hotel room where the news was going over the bombing in Vienna. They all watch the news carefully. "Jessica found out what they know." Harry said. Jessica nods her head and gets on the computer. However, apparently, it was no need. The news released the information they believed the person responsible for the attack.
James Buchanan Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier.
"It doesn't add up." Harry said. "Barnes has never made a mistake like this before. And bombing people isn't really his style. He normally kills them with a sniper rifle. There is more to this attack than what we know. We have to find Barnes first." Harry said.
"I'm on it." Jessica said.
"Let's go to Vienna." Harry said.
Harry and Morgan apparated everyone to Vienna where they appeared dressed as civilians. Harry and Morgan had notice-me-not charms on them to prevent people from staring or looking at their robes.
"Call Romanoff, find out what her stance is and what is going on." Harry said as he walks off with Morgan a short distance.
{It looks like this war is fast approaching.} Harry said in Ancient Celtic.
{Indeed. We may have to act sooner than anticipated. Once the 'Blackout' is emitted and the Erect Wards are in place worldwide. We can begin to cripple the United Nations.} Morgan replied.
{We have to do more. Asgard has nearly a hundred trillion troops ready to be deployed at a moment's notice and several hundred million more in reserve units can be called up at a moments notice. The Anti-Explosion and Erect Wards will prevent muggles from using their simple handguns, to their nuclear warheads. That doesn't mean they're not dangerous. They've only been defanged, but they still will be dangerous. Especially with Stark in their corner} Harry said.
{The 'Blackout' should cripple Stark as well. He knows better than any other muggle, how effective magic is against technology.} Morgan replies.
{Maybe so, but Stark will find a way. Before muggles relied on the power of gun powered and their missiles, they used swords and bows. You know that.} Harry said to Morgan.
{There is perhaps one in a billion person who can use the sword and the bow effectively in the world these days. I doubt it will hurt us. Asgardians are far more superior to the average human. A common Asgardian soldier is like fighting Captain Rogers. They have hundreds of millions of them. Asgardians are physically are superior to us. Not to mention they train in both swords and magic. We will win the moment we officially declare war.} Morgan states confidently.
{That may be. But I've learned that some people become dangerous when backed into a corner. They will resort to other tactics in fighting us. We have to do something else. Something that will force the United Nations into having no choice in accepting our demands.} Harry said.
{What about their food and water? I could re-adjust the spells and wards to take away muggle's food and water. Without a source to feed their stomachs they will be desperate for the smallest amount. Once people learn we have the food and water, they will be forced to accept the fact that they must turn to us for the simplest things they need for their life.} Morgan said.
Harry pauses as he looks at Morgan. {How long till we're ready to begin our offensive?} Harry asks.
{For a small effect, a week, For our plans to work, maybe three or four months. It is too soon} Morgan says.
{Return to the magical world. Speed up the process as best you can.} Harry said. {You need to stall for time. Give me as much time as you can. Do whatever you have to do. Just get me more time.} Morgan said.
Harry nods his head and Morgan disapparates.
Harry walks forward and sits at the table in front of him where a man with glasses was sitting down drinking some coffee.
"It's been awhile, Director Coulson." Harry said as he takes the coffee in front of him and drinks from it.
"I trust you've been well." Coulson said. Harry looks around and could see S.H.I.E.L.D. agents hanging around. They have gathered around and pretending to be reporters. A good cover.
"Well enough. The Sokovia Accords are going to make me an enemy of the state." Harry said. "I'll be forced into hiding. However, given the situation, I.C.S. will declare war on the UN if they really going to make the Sokovia Accords law. Speaking of which, what of the enhanced and inhumans under you? Aren't they in danger of the Accords?"
"They are. We're going to be moving to a new base, away from prying eyes from the UN. Do you remember Daisy, she's really worried." Coulson said.
"If the UN seizes control of S.H.I.E.L.D. then they will either tag your people or have them executed if they believe they can't be controlled. You have to move soon." Harry said.
"Do you want us to fight alongside you?" Coulson asks.
"Wouldn't that caused problems with you?" Harry said.
"My people are really voicing their disapproval of the Sokovia Accords. Everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. is against the Accords. Despite what General Talbot is saying and making notes of the Accords with the Index. The President wants to give all enhanced and empowered individuals currently under S.H.I.E.L.D. to the United Nations." Coulson said.
"You know they plan to kill you and all under S.H.I.E.L.D. for those of you who do not comply with their demands. You may have to move sooner than expected. This bombing will only accelerate the Accords even faster. You need to prepare yourself for war against the United Nations." Harry said.
"Can we win a war against the United Nations? With over a hundred and seventeen countries backing these accords, we don't have the manpower to challenge them. I could… release sensitive information." Coulson said.
"Only that won't work. If anything they will wrap it around someone's neck and just start over. We need to eradicate them at the source. I have a plan that will work. If this works, the power of the United Nations will be vanquished." Harry said.
"What is it?" Coulson asks with a blank face. This was a dangerous gamble for Harry for he didn't know which side Coulson was truly on. Coulson was currently the spymaster of the Earth. Harry was taking a gamble. He knew he was. He knew the time had come, to see whose side people were on, and who would do what was right, and what was easy.
Harry reaches into his pocket and pulls out a USB and places it next to Coulson. Coulson takes it calmly. "Here's what you wanted." Coulson said as he slides a folder towards Harry. Harry takes it and opens it. He could see Barnes profile inside. As well as his known hideouts and places he's been to.
"You're going to have to hurry." Coulson said as Harry slides back the folder. "All intelligence agencies have been ordered to shoot on sight. It will not take them long to find him." Coulson said.
Harry nods his head and gets up. He walks into the café where Cap was talking to Sharon Carter and Sam Wilson.
"Reports have been coming in since that tip has been made public. Most of it is just noise, some think the Winter Soldier goes to their gym. Except for this one, there was a positive sighting in Romania. My boss expects a briefing, pretty much now. You have to hurry; we have orders to shoot on sight." Sharon Carter said as she turns and leaves.
"I can get us there faster." Harry said as he stands beside Cap. "Thank you." Cap said. And with a soft pop, Harry disapparates, taking the three of them to Romania.
Harry and Cap walk inside the apartment and could see if anything, it was small and hard to be comfortable here.
Harry opens the fridge and sees there was hardly any food here. Pieces of newspapers were covering the windows making it hard to see the outside and for the outside to not see the inside. Harry walks over the shelf and looks at the newspaper that was on the table. It was standard Romanian news, a couple world news articles on the Avengers with the main focus being on Captain America. There was a mattress on the floor with some sheets.
Cap walks over the fridge and looks on top. A notebook was on top of it and he opens it. Harry walks over and sees there were questions written down. Most of it was about Captain America.
"Head up, guys, German Special Forces approaching from the south." Falcon reports over the headset.
"Understood" Cap said. Harry paused as he felt another presence. He never heard and he barely was able to sense the person behind him. He was really good. If he wanted them dead, he would have had it easy.
Harry turns around and Cap follows. "Barnes." Harry said. He said nothing. He looks at them. Harry was already warned about that metal arm on his left arm. The metal prosthetic arm that was incredibly strong.
"Do you know me?" Cap asks as she stood upright. Harry could sense Cap was trying not to get emotional.
"You're Steve. I read about you in a museum." Barnes said.
"They've set the perimeter." Sam reported.
"I know you're nervous, and you have every right to be. But you're lying, you do know me." Cap said.
"I wasn't in Vienna. I don't do that anymore." Barnes said.
"They're entering the building." Sam reported. Harry knew they were running out of time. They had to make this quick.
"Well, the people who think you did are coming right now. And they're not planning on taking you alive." Cap said.
"That's smart. Good strategy." Barnes said.
"They're on the roof. I'm compromised." Sam reported.
"This doesn't have to end in a fight, Buck." Cap said.
Barnes reaches up to his metal hand and removes his glove. His metallic hand flexes a bit as he looks down at it. "It always ends in a fight." Barnes replied.
"Come with me, Barnes." Harry said as he steps forward. "I can protect you. Someone framed you for a reason. And I'm pretty sure you know why too. Come with me. I will make sure you are protected, from the UN and from Hydra." Harry said.
"That won't do." Barnes said.
"You pulled me from that river. Why?" Cap said.
"I don't know." Barnes said.
"Yes, you do." Cap said in a strong voice.
"Breach! Breach! Breach!" Sam shouted into the line.
Several flash bangs were shot into the windows. Cap knocks the first one out of the window and Harry reacts to the second one, casting a simple stunning spell on it causing it to freeze instead of detonating.
Barnes reacted immediately and flings his small table towards the door preventing the Special Forces from the outside from breaking down the door.
Several Special Forces troops burst through the windows and the door behind them. Harry kicked one guy in the chest causing him to stagger backward. Harry then grabbed him and threw him over the railing. His line kept him from falling to the ground yet he would dangle like that until he got to the lower level.
"Buck, stop" Cap shouted. "You're going to kill someone." Another swat member attempt to climb in the window.
"I'm not going to kill anyone." Barnes said as he tosses Cap into the swat member. Barnes slams his fist into the wooden floor and pulls out a backpack. He flings his backpack out to the door past Harry causing Harry to lean back as the backpack sails past him and lands on the roof of the other building.
Barnes then grabs Harry and throws him into a swat member who had just enter, causing Harry to land against the wall. Harry gets up and Barnes was walking towards the door.
A swat member points their gun at Barnes and Harry pulls the rug out from under him causing him to shoot upwards into the ceiling. Harry walks forward as the swat members stand up. He grabs the gun and moves it to the side. Harry knees the man in the gut causing him to stumble before he slams his elbow into the man's face.
Harry turns and sees another swat member attempting who points his weapon at Harry. Harry grabs the swat member weapon and throws it at him. He fires blinding as the gun hits him in the face. Harry leaps over the counter and kicks the weapon out of his hand. Harry quickly overpowers and headbutts him causing him to stagger. Then he reaches down and pulls out pins that contain his flashbang grenades.
Harry turns around to follow Barnes. The swat member frantically attempts to remove his flashbangs but they exploded, leaving him blinded while burning a hole in his vest and causing severe burns on his body.
Harry enters the stairwell and looks at the carnage. Swat members were down and some were attempting to regroup. Harry turns to the apartment and runs; he leaps over the rail and starts to fall. He lands on the roof and immediately rolls to break his fall.
Harry sees a strange guy, wearing a black suit, with the mask shaped like a cat. He had Barnes on his back and he was attempting to stab and slice him with his metal claws on his fingers.
Harry unleashes a force upon him but to his amazement, the force merely hits him and bounces off returning to Harry. Harry was launch in the air and realized this suit was made of vibranium. It was more than capable of redirected most of his spells upon him. Harry takes to the air and takes off. He grabs the guy and throws him off of Barnes.
At that moment a gunship opens fires at them causing Harry to turn to them. Harry raises his hand and sends a lightning strike from his fingertips, hitting the gunship causing it to have black smoke and start spinning out of control.
Harry turns to see Barnes had taken the time of the distraction to flee. The guy in the black suit was following him. Barnes jumps down and so does the guy in the black suit. Harry runs to follow. Cap lands and follows Harry. Harry and Cap jump from the roof and lands nearly five stories down.
Harry runs to catch up. He and Cap were well known for running every day. They ran nearly thirty miles in ten minutes. Yet Barnes was fast. The guy in the black suit was nearly just as fast yet it was clear he wasn't as fast.
Another gunship appeared and opens fires at them. Despite the fact, there were civilians all around them. Harry fires another lightning strike at the gunship and it hits causing it to spin out of control into a crash landing. Barnes and leap underneath the underground passage and disappeared from view. The guy in the black suit follows with Harry and Cap leaping down behind them.
They take off, going faster than the cars around them. The sound of sirens could be heard from behind them. Harry summons the guy in the black suit to him and he found himself going backward instead of forward. Harry grabs him and throws him into a police car. Harry takes off in the air and immediately starts going after Barnes.
Several police cars immediately approached from directly ahead as Barnes leaps over some barrows and lands on the other side of traffic, where the cars were going in the opposite direction. Harry and Cap follow, with Cap, who had commandeered a police vehicle, followed, going through the barrows, which apparently had sand inside of it.
Harry turns around and fires several blasting hexes towards the squad cars in the front. They exploded with such force they now block the only way to follow. Barnes didn't stay on the incoming traffic for long. He returns to the southbound lane and speeds off.
Harry follows quickly behind as does Cap. Harry heard the sound of someone on a car roof and turns to see the guy in the black suit and leap and was about to jump on Barnes.
Harry quickly cast and magical rope that quickly goes around his neck and Harry yanks it, causing him to land on the ground. Cap had to swirl his car to avoid the impact. Harry pulls causing the guy in the black suit to hit a car before Harry yanks it again sending the guy in the black suit to hit the wall. Harry pulls back and tosses the guy into the incoming traffic on the other side and release the spell. He slams into a van. Yet he wasn't hurt.
Harry follows Barnes and was trying to reach him. If he would reach him, he could disapparate with him. Take him to safety. "This guy doesn't give up." Sam is heard over the headsets.
"Where is he?" Cap asks.
"He's hitch a ride with me. I'm trying to shake him off." Sam reported.
"Next overhead, take to the skies. Let's see how he feels about high altitude." Harry said.
"Copy that." Sam replies.
Barnes however, had released a grenade to the roof of the underpass that remains to stick. It exploded causing the rumble to block the passage of the road. Harry saw the guy in the black suit sail past him and hit slices the motorcycle that Barnes was riding. Barnes rolls on the ground and the guy in the black suit was quick to get all over him.
Cap suddenly appeared and hits him with his Vibranium shield sending the black suit guy to be fly back a bit before he lands on the ground, his claws tearing up the cement. The police all started to surround them. Their guns pointed at them. Harry was about to unleash a round of fiend fire to show them what it meant to piss him off.
That was until someone landed in front of them. The humming sound of the suit could be heard. "Stand down, now!" Rhodey said within the War Machine. Harry steps forward to Rhodey, with the intent of fighting him if he must. Cap, however, puts his hand on Harry to calm him down.
The cops nervously step forward with their guns cocked.
"Congratulations, you guys. You're criminals now." Rhodey said. The police finally come over to put handcuffs on all of them and Harry only had a smile on his face. He looks at Rhodey and smiled. Harry knew Rhodey was wondering why he was smiling.
Oh, the muggles were really adding fuel to the fire and they didn't even realize it. The guy in the black suit slowly puts his hands up and sheathes his claws. He then removes his mask revealing himself to be the new King of Wakanda, T'Challa. "Your Highness." Rhodey said.
They were all put in police vehicles with Barnes being put in a containment cell. They were being put in the back of a police car. They drove to Berlin where they were silent.
They step out of the van where a man wearing a grey business suit was standing with Sharon Carter and two guards. They turn to Barnes and Harry could see the containment cell had its own independent power supply. They walk up to the guy in the grey suit with the blue tie.
"What's going to happen to him?" Cap asks.
"Same thing that ought to happen to you, Psychological evaluation and extradition." He said.
"This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander." Sharon Carter said as she explains things to them.
"What about a lawyer?" Cap asks.
"A lawyer, that's funny." He said with a smile. "See that their weapons are placed in lockup. I'll be writing you a check."
"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that." Sam said as he knew his suit was one of a kind.
Everett Ross turns to Harry and sees he still had his sword with him. "Your sword." He said as he gestures his hand for the sword.
Harry smiles as he unsheathes it. His guards got nervous and point their weapons at Harry. "It's yours. If you can lift it." Harry says as he points the blade downwards as he holds it outright. Everett Ross moves to take it, but immediately the sword slams itself into the ground. Everett Ross bends down to pick it up only the sword wouldn't budge. After several attempts to pick it up the sword remains unmoving on the floor.
Everett Ross stands back up and gestures his guards to pick it up. They did so, yet for all their great strength, they couldn't even move the sword. It remains planted on the ground unmoving.
"Alright, what did you do?" Everett Ross said.
"Nothing." Harry said truthfully with a smile on his face.
"You did something, so undo it." Everett Ross demands.
"It's not what needs to be done. It's a test. When a person wields that sword it is a test of character. Only those who are worthy can lift that sword." Harry said. He bends and picks up the sword with ease. Harry re-sheathes it and looks back at Barnes. The door closes and Harry he quickly places a tracking spell on the containment cell. The muggles were really oblivious to the fact he just cast some magic.
They follow Everett Ross who seemed to be gloating over the fact that he had the Avengers in his pockets. "You'll be provided with an office, instead of a cell. And do me a favor, stay in it?" Everett Ross said.
Romanoff walks up to them. "For the record, this is what making things worse look like." Romanoff said.
"Oh, I think things are going to get a lot worse Romanoff." Harry said simply with a mysterious little smile. "And if I recall, I kicked you off the Avengers. So don't talk to us." Harry said.
"What do you mean…" Romanoff began but Harry suddenly backhands her in the mouth that caused her to slam against the window and she slumps down with her lip busted open.
They follow Everett Ross towards the communications hub where Tony Stark was present and on the phone. "No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned," Tony said into his phone. "Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup."
"Try not to break anything while we fix this." Romanoff said as she attempts to nurse her busted lip.
"Consequences, you bet there'll be consequences," Tony said as he approaches the trio. "Obviously you can quote me on that because I just said that. Anything else we need to discuss right now? Thank you, sir." Tony said as he puts his phone away.
"Consequences" Cap asked?
"Secretary Ross wants you three prosecuted, had to give him something." Tony said.
"I'm not getting that shield back am I?" Cap said with the realization of what was taken from him.
"Technically, it's the government's property, the wings too."
"That's cold." Sam said.
"It's warmer than being in jail." Tony said.
"They have no idea what they're doing." Harry said once they were out of earshot.
"What do you mean?" Cap asks.
"Things are going to go south and is going to go south really big. Morgan le Fay said it before didn't she? 'These Accords will do more harm than good'." Harry said.
"Your talking about a war." Cap said with the sudden realization of what he was saying.
"I'm afraid so." Harry said.
"Best not talk about it here." Sam said. "We don't know who is listening in." In saying that the trio walks up to the meeting room and Cap looks at the screen where Barnes was being kept. Sam had gone off to look at his phone and to read the recent news.
"Hey want to see something cool?" Tony said as he walks up to them. He was holding something in his hands. "I pulled something from Dad's archives. Felt timely." Tony said as he puts his jacket down. "FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941." Tony said as he opens the case in his hands to reveal two very old styles pens. "Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most." Tony said.
"Some would say it brought our country closer to war." Cap argued.
"See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here." Tony said through the grit of his teeth. He seemed to have realized his mistake. He clears his throat as he sits down. "Cap I'm trying to… what is it you called it? That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?"
"Is Pepper here? I didn't see her?" Cap said. Tony started to look uncomfortable. "We're kinda… well not kinda…" Tony began.
"Pregnant?" Cap said expecting the news.
"Oh, God no!" Definitely not " Tony said as he looks relieved at the thought of being a father. "We're taking a break. It's nobody's fault."
"I'm sorry Tony. I didn't know." Cap said as he apologizes for bringing up a wounded subject.
"A few years ago I almost lost her. So I trashed all my suits. Then we had to mop up Hydra and then Ultron… my fault." Tony said. "And then, and then, and then I never stopped. Because the truth is I don't want to stop. I don't want to lose her. I thought the Accords could split the difference." Tony sighs as he stands back up. "In her defense, I'm a handful. Yet Dad was a pain in the ass, yet he and mom always made it work."
"You know I'm glad Howard got married. I only knew him when he was young and single." Cap said with a smile.
"Oh really, you two know each other? He never mentioned that. Well, maybe only a few thousand times. God, I hated you." Tony said as he puts on his jacket. Tony frustration over Cap being Mr. Perfect was starting to show.
"I don't mean to make things difficult, Tony." Cap said.
"I know because you're a very polite person." Tony replied.
"If I see a situation pointed south, I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could." Cap said.
"No, you don't." Tony said.
"No I don't… Sometimes."
"Sometimes I want to punch you in your perfect teeth. But I don't want to see you gone. We need you, Cap. So far nothing's happened that can't be undone if you sign. We can make the last twenty four hours legit. Barnes get transfers to an American psych-center instead of a Wakanda Prison."
Cap removes a pen and holds it up. He looks it at it as he waves it in his fingers back and forth. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but there would have to be safeguards." Cap said.
"Sure." Tony said at once. "Once we put out the PR fire, those documents can be amended. I'd file a motion to have you and Wanda reinstated…"
"Wanda? What about Wanda?" Harry said interrupting for the first time and looking at Stark as well for the first time.
"She's fine." Tony said at once knowing about the relationship between Harry and Wanda. He knew at once he was worried. "She's confined to the compound, currently. Vision is keeping her company."
"Damn it, Tony, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Harry shouted.
"It's a hundred acres with a lap pool." Tony argues. "It's got a screening room. There are worse ways to protect people." Tony said.
"Protection?" Harry snaps in a loud voice that caused everyone to turn to him from their monitors. "You think this is protection. You're holding her against her will. You've imprisoned her. You think its protection? It's internment, Tony." Harry barks.
"She's not a US citizen…"
"She's a kid." Cap argues.
"…and they don't grant Visas to weapons of mass destructions!" Tony said.
The room immediately shattered. The glass and the monitors exploded with such force people were forced to take cover. Tony look a bit scared from the outburst release by Harry who was starting to emit his lightning over his body.
"Weapons of mass destructions" Harry repeated in a slow and dangerous tone. "Is that how you see us Tony? Huh?" Harry said as he steps forward to Tony. Tony realized the dangers and immediately shut up.
"You can keep the set Tony." Cap said as he puts the pen back on the table. He walks off with Harry right behind him glaring heatedly at Tony before he walks out the room.
Harry walks out the room and immediately sees Morgan le Fay outside the room waiting for him.
{Tell me you have good news.} Harry said at once in ancient Celtic.
{Bad news I'm afraid. The ICS is hesitant to wage war against the muggles. They fear the witch hunts will be repeated and war would end of them.} Morgan said.
{We can win. All our preparations are finished, aren't they?} Harry said.
{ICS has ordered me to not intervene with the muggles anymore. They want us to come straight home.} Morgan said.
{They're afraid of the ghosts of the past. We can beat them. What are they saying exactly?} Harry asked.
{That you're a war monger. That your actions threaten the magical world.} Morgan said.
{Who is saying that?} Harry asks.
{Cornelius Fudge.} Morgan replies.
Harry wasn't surprised. Fudge was at heart, a spineless coward. He was no doubt seeking to regain his position of power once again.
{I really am going to kill him this time. Can you leave a message for ICS? Tell them not only will we wage war against the UN we can win. We cannot coexist with muggles as long as these Accords exist. Also, remind the magical world of Fudge's cowardice and his failure to prevent the rise of Lord Voldemort.} Harry said.
Before she could disapparate to deliver the message, the lights all flicker off and everything went dark. "This isn't us." Harry said in English.
Cap and Sam reappeared with Jessica. "What is it?" Harry asks.
"EMP burst. Someone has taken the power out of the building. We should head to Barnes." Jessica said.
Morgan and Harry wasted no time rushing after Cap towards the containment area.
Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoys. Civil War is going to be long. around 8 chapters long. the longest arc I have for this story. Please review and like. If you have suggestions please let me know