Alright, guys. Here we go. Last chapter of The Rise of the Master. It'll be a shorter one.
I really appreciate the support I continue to receive from all my loyal readers. You guys are the biggest reason I keep writing.
I'll save all the chit-chat for the end of the chapter. For now, let's just get to it.
Guest: Nobody from Earth-99. I may introduce Marvel villains on Earth-1 and have them be a part of the Suicide Squad.
Green Hal37: Correct. I am finished with Viper. I actually hadn't really had any plans for her after Soldier of Star City, but decided to include her here to finish her arc.
Chapter 13- Peace?
Bucky smiles as the team walks triumphantly into the bunker. Felicity and Roy are waiting for them, along with Lyla.
"We did it!" Bucky says triumphantly.
"Great job, guys!" Diggle says.
"Thank you for your help, Bucky. You have no idea how much of a load it is off me to have Strucker in custody," Lyla says.
"You're welcome, Lyla," Bucky says.
Slade then pipes up. "I'll keep searching for the rest of HYDRA. Nyssa has already promised to accompany me. Thea and Roy, you two are welcome to come along with us if you feel up to it," Slade says.
Thea and Roy look at each other. Then, Roy says, "Actually, I think its time for us to take it easy for a while. I still need time to recover from the wound from Taskmaster. I think Thea and I are gonna stay in Bludhaven for a while. At least until I recover. Once I do…maybe we'll join your hunt."
"Alright. We'll be waiting for you," Slade says. He and Nyssa then walk out of the bunker.
Bucky smiles. Then, Steve says, "Well, I think it's about time for me to get back to Central City. Captain Singh was generous enough to give me a day off. I don't want to stretch the bounds of his generosity."
"Of course. Thanks again for the help, buddy," Bucky says gratefully.
"Hey. I'm still with you to the end of the line," Steve says.
Bucky grins back at his friend. Then, Steve pulls out an extrapolator, activates it, and steps through the breach back to STAR Labs.
As the breach closes, Bucky looks to Lyla. "What's going to happen with Strucker and Grim Reaper?"
"They've already been taken to an ARGUS maximum security prison in Missouri. The same place where we kept Adrian Chase when we had him in custody," Lyla says.
"Got it. Thanks again for the assistance, Lyla," Bucky says.
"Of course, Bucky. You can always count on my help," Lyla says before walking out.
The bunker is quiet for several long moments. Then, finally, Diggle says, "So. What now?"
"Now, we get back to protecting Star City. But, this fight with HYDRA isn't over. Their real leader, Baron Zemo, is still on the loose. And we still have to keep an eye out for Taskmaster. This is not going to be our last fight with HYDRA. I know our duty is to protect Star City, but I refuse to allow HYDRA to exist, whether on Earth-99 or Earth-1. Once Slade and Nyssa are able to find Zemo, I'm going to take him down," Bucky says.
"And we'll be right behind you," Laurel says, taking Bucky's hand and smiling.
Bucky smiles at the his girlfriend, then looks back at the team. "Alright. Let's get back to work!"
(Unknown location, Eastern Europe)
In a secret fortress, a man in combat fatigues makes his way down a hall and through a set of double doors.
As he enters the room, he kneels down. "Sir. Baron Strucker has been captured, as has his lieutenant, Grim Reaper. And…Viper is dead,' he says.
At the other end of the room, looking out a window, with his back to the man, is a man in purple uniform, with a sword belted at his waist. Slowly, he turns to face the man.
"So, our suspicions were correct?" he asks.
"Yes, Lord Zemo. It seems that Strucker was indeed plotting against you. The Winter Soldier and his team have brought him down," the man says.
Zemo stares off into the distance in silence for a few moments. Then, he says, "Well. Strucker's betrayal and capture is a set back. But, nothing can stop us. We will need more time. But the world will be ours." He pauses for a moment, then says, "Hail HYDRA!"
"Hail HYDRA!" the man echoes.
(Star City)
Bucky looks out over the city from the top of a skyscraper. Having Strucker off the board is a relief, but he knows everything is not done. He won't rest until Zemo is in prison or dead.
"Bucky! Bank robbery at Star City National Bank!" Felicity says over comms.
"On my way," Bucky says, starting to grin. He leaps off the building, diving towards the street below, drawing out a grappling hook gun. He laughs as he fires it and then swings down to the ground. As he takes off down the street, an old gentleman with white hair, a white mustache, and is wearing glasses looks in his direction and shakes his head.
"I think I see one of these vigilantes at least once a week," he mutters.
And, I'll end there. I hope you liked my Stan Lee cameo. I realized while writing this chapter that I hadn't included one yet, so this felt like the best way to do it in this chapter. Not my best, I realize, but hopefully not too bad.
So, the fight with Strucker is over. But the fight with Zemo is on the way. And for visual, imagine Zemo portrayed by Daniel Bruhl, who portrays him in the MCU.
So, this story is over, but the MACU will continue! Next story I have actually decided will be my first story with the Legends involving Loki. I originally had planned to write after my version of Crisis on Earth-X, but I decided that with my plan, it works much better to do it this way. It'll be about the same length as this story, maybe a bit longer. I hope to have it done by mid February.
Oh, I almost forgot. We have to have a mid credits scene, right?
(Unknown location, United States, 2 weeks after)
Taskmaster walks across the roof of the building, waiting. He's supposed to meet a new client here. But the guy isn't here.
"Tony Masters."
Taskmaster freezes. He recognizes that voice. He turns around and sees a man, with ridges along his head, and wearing some kind of suit of armor.
"Mar Novu. What do you want?" Taskmaster demands.
"I saved your life, Tony Masters. Need I remind you that you promised to do what I asked of you when the time came?" the Monitor asks.
Taskmaster is quiet. Then, in a low voice, says, "Very well, Novu. What do you want?"
"Keep an eye on Bucky Barnes. He may be instrumental in preventing the future Crisis. After Thanos' snap, the bonds have begun to weaken on my adversary. When he eventually breaks free, Barnes may be an important player in defeating him," Novu says.
Taskmaster is quiet, then nods once. "Fine," he says, not the most happy about this.
Novu nods once. Then, a portal opens up behind him, and he steps backwards into it, disappearing from view, leaving Taskmaster standing on the roof, wondering what Novu is planning.
And, there we go!
So, I came up with this scene only recently. But, I liked it, and it set up something I have planned in the future.
So, yes. The build up to Crisis has begun. The bonds keeping the Anti-Monitor have started to weaken as a result of the two uses of the Infinity Stones. It'll still be some years in the MACU timeline before the Crisis comes. But, I decided to start building up to it now.
So, Taskmaster is not necessarily working for the Monitor in the way Lyla was. However, he will cooperate with the Monitor to some degree on occasion. And, as some of you are probably guessing, Bucky will play a similar role to Oliver in my version of Crisis. Not exactly the same, but similar.
Well, that's it for now. My Legends story will be up by New Years. Until then, please leave your final review for this story, and stay tuned!