Aoi Dragon: Sorry for the long wait for an update. Life has simply gotten away from me... or at least this story has been pushed to the back burner. Still, we're starting Age of Ultron! So, here we go!
*FMttM*
"Captain Rogers, Sergeant Barnes, and Miss Larson," JARVIS's voice came from Steve's phone, "Agent Romanoff has updated her mission status, and I have taken the liberty of assembling the Avengers."
"Thank you, JARVIS." Steve told the AI, "We're on our way to the Tower."
The three of them returned to their rooms from the inner courtyard where they had been training, suited up, and Diana made a portal to Tony's floor at Avengers Tower. Clint and Bruce were already there with Tony.
"Heya people!" The billionaire greeted them, "Long time, no see. No, seriously, why haven't you been by yet?"
"Why haven't you been by?" Diana shot back, but could help but smile a little. It seems like Tony missed them.
Ironman shrugged, "I don't know. Haven't had the time what with the fall of Union Allied Construction, still hacking Midland Circle and IGH - all kinds of fun stuff have been taking up my precious time."
Just then, Donnie Gill appeared from the elevator, "Sorry I'm late. I was finishing an experiment." He apologized. His new suit was an icy blue and seemed to shimmer in snowflake flurry designs. There was a hood on the back similar to Steve's from the Chitauri Invasion.
Moments later, Thor landed on the platform just outside and before he could make his way inside, Tony spoke, "Right! Now that the gang's all here," he turned toward the landing platform, "let's get to the Quinjet. We got a long flight ahead of us."
Thor boisterously greeted them, "Hello my friends! It has been far too long since I have seen all of you." He glanced around, "I see we have a couple new faces. I am Thor Odinson." He introduced himself.
"Bucky Barnes. The Winter Soldier." The Soldier spoke first, "I've heard a little about you from Diana."
"Ah yes, the seidkona." Thor grinned at her, "She gave aid to my dear Jane when she was in trouble with the law. I'm very grateful for her assistance." The thunder god noted Bucky's arm, "That is some very interesting armor on your left arm."
"It is my left arm." The Soldier's metal hand tightened into a fist.
"Ah. My apologies, Soldier of Winter. I hope I have not offended you."
Bucky shook his head and stared down at the gleaming metal, "I've had it for nearly seventy years," he said bitterly. "I'm used to it by now."
"Seventy years? Are you like the Captain? I haven't heard of humans keeping their youth for that long." Thor questioned.
"You could say that. I was a Sergeant with Steve and the Howling Commandos during World War II." The super soldier assassin nodded, "It's a long story."
"Aye, one I would like to hear." Thor clapped Bucky on his shoulder - the left shoulder, "You are very courageous to return to the fight after such a battle wound. I would be honored to call you my brother-in-arms." He paused and smirked a little, "So to speak."
The Soldier gave a small smile, "Thank you."
Thor then turned to Donnie, "And this young lad. What's your name?"
Blizzard shrunk away a little from the large Asgardian, "D-D-Donnie Gill. Blizzard." He glanced up at the Thunderer and then away as he shuffled his feet.
"An honor to meet one so young who is willing to join the fight against evil." Thor approved, "I will look forward to seeing your skills on the battlefield."
Donnie nodded and held out a hand. He touched his slightly too long sleeve with one finger and formed a long, thin icicle spike.
"Impressive." The Asgardian examined the ice, "I have seen the Jotun do something similar." He looked up at the young man, "Have you any Jotun blood in your family?"
"I didnt c-come by this p-power naturally." Donnie explained, "It was an accident."
Thor looked pensive, "Ah. Well, even so, it's good to have you on our team." He held out his large hand to Blizzard.
The young man blinked for a moment before taking it and having it shaken vigorously.
"And you," Thor turned to Sam, "you are new as well."
"Sam Wilson. Otherwise known as Falcon."
"Ah, Son of Wil." The thunder god shook Sam's hand, "It is an honor to meet you."
"Alright!" Tony clapped his hands together, "Now that the meet'n'greet's all over we can get this show on the road."
The Avengers boarded the sleek jet and Clint sat in the pilot's seat in the cockpit. After they had left United States airspace, JARVIS began his mission brief.
"After the fall of SHIELD, Phil Coulson's small team of loyal SHIELD Agents began to hunt down various HYDRA bases. They have taken back some, and have joined occasionally with another group of SHIELD Agents who, while disagreeing with Director Fury's vision for SHIELD, have still gotten the work done." The AI showed various missions the Agents of SHIELD had fulfilled, "However, Agent Coulson and many of his team have gone off the grid as they say. Agent Romanoff was last contacted by Agents Bobbi Morse and given the locations of several HYDRA bases that they had not been able to take care of."
"So while we've been sitting on our butts, Natasha's been taking care of HYDRA?" Steve frowned, looking very displeased that they hadn't been told sooner. He glanced at Bucky, who had tensed to the point where even the vibranium forming his arm muscles strained.
"Miss Romanoff wanted to perform reconnaissance," JARVIS explained, "She was unsure of how recent the data was and didn't want to waste any time. She also mentioned that she wanted to make sure 'starshiy brat' was recovering well and could join the fight."
"Star-she brat?" Tony commented in an incredulous tone.
"It means 'big brother' in Russian." Bucky said, "She means me."
"You?" The billionaire arched an eyebrow at the Winter Soldier, "Why'd the Widow call you 'big brother'?"
"I helped train the girls in the Black Widow program. It was either call me 'starshiy brat' or 'soldat'," the Winter Soldier answered.
"There's a story behind that. I can sense it." Tony gave Bucky a shrewd stare.
"I don't remember most of it, and what I do remember isn't-" The Soldier hesitated and grimaced, "it's not something I even want to remember. It was brutal - the Red Room and the training."
There was a short silence before JARVIS continued with the briefing, "Agent Romanoff contacted me from Port Sudan where she has discovered a large HYDRA army complete with tanks equipped with Chitauri armor."
"How many are we talking about?" Steve looked pensive, falling into Captain America Mode.
"Estimates are around two hundred."
"Two hundred to eight." Clint commented from the cockpit, "Sounds like a party."
*FMttM*
Seventeen hours later, the Avengers flew over Sudan toward Port Sudan.
"Prep for landing, everyone." Clint told them, "Looks like we're coming up on Natasha's coordinates." Then the plane started shaking, "Detonation on proximity! Hang on!"
Two explosions erupted below them and rocked the Quinjet. Tony had suited up when the plane began to shake. He caught himself on the wall of the Quinjet before he could ungracefully crash to the floor. Diana had almost been able to brace herself for the impact, but hadn't quite been able to put any strength into it. Instead she stumbled backwards into Bucky, who held her securely.
"You alright?" He asked.
"Yeah. Thanks." She reluctantly withdrew from his strong hold only to nearly fall again when there was a third explosion. So Bucky held on to her.
"I'm reading multiple hostiles in the area. They're armed with artillery reminiscent of the Chitauri," Tony's AI informed them.
"One problem at a time, JARVIS!" Clint pulled on the pilot's wheel, trying to steady the jet, "Help me land this thing!"
As soon as they landed, the Avengers headed toward the door.
"Okay, next time I drive. Or we take one of Diana's portals if she knows where we're going," Tony told everyone.
The cargo bay door to the Quinjet slowly opened and everyone armed themselves. "Here they come!" Captain America announced.
"I shall have short words with these fools," Thor hefted Mjolnir.
The first gun and laser fire shot toward the Avengers. "Let's make quick work of them!" The Captain called out as he threw his shield at a couple HYDRA soldiers. Ironman and Falcon took to the sky. Stark shot his repulsors and missiles while Falcon used his specialized large caliber handguns. Thor threw and retrieved his hammer. Donnie froze hands, arms, legs, weapons, making the soldiers useless and easy pickings for Hawkeye who shot arrow after arrow at prone and moving targets. Bucky joined Hawkeye with his various pistols at each hip and at the small of his back, and two rifles his strapped over his shoulders.
A shout rang through the HYDRA soldiers, "The Winter Soldier! Get it!" And the two super soldiers started receiving heavier fire.
"Oh, screw this." She summoned the shielding power of Vishanti, the same ward she and Master Daniel had used to try to contain Ego's seed; she had finally mastered it. Then she went on the offensive. She brought her hands to cross as the wrists and flung them outward with a spell similar to the Winds of Watoomb - the Fury of Fēng Yāo. The sharp gales ripped through several HYDRA soldiers. Diana knew that some of the soldiers had died from the spell, and she sent an apology to them as their spirits left the land of the living. Still, there really was no other choice.
The Ward of Vishanti fell under the laserfire just as there was an explosion at the Quinjet. With a roar, Hulk emerged from the wreckage, enraged and ready to smash.
Then the leader of the HYDRA soldiers appeared - a dark-haired woman, "Do you see that? We've got them on the run!" She announced loud enough for everyone to hear her over the gun and laserfire, "Capture the Winter Soldier, and bring it to me for reprogramming."
"That's never gonna happen, Doctor Jensen," Steve snarled and pushed forward. The woman was clearly delusional.
As the HYDRA soldiers retreated, much to the woman's dismay, they passed an outcrop of large stones. Black Widow launched herself from the uppermost point of a boulder and used her Widow's Bite to knock out the soldiers nearest to Doctor Jenson. All three fell to the ground, but the HYDRA doctor remained conscious as Natasha curved her blood red lips into a smirk, "Thank you for choosing Air Widow. We hope you've enjoyed your flight."
Doctor Jenson snarled, "No!" She grabbed one of the laser packs from the nearest HYDRA soldier, "I did not come all this way to have you all give up at the first sign of trouble." She wrenched the pack from the HYDRA soldier's back. She put it on and activated the laser cannons, "If only I am worthy of this great power, then so be it."
Diana knew she had to do something, but the Ward of Vishanti hadn't worked for long. Another variation came to mind - the Ward of Hoggoth. It shimmered to life just as the crazy doctor fired her lasers at them. She had to hold the ward as the lasers continued to slowly burn through the energy shield.
The HYDRA doctor laughed, "You see? You fools are no match for HYDRA!"
The sorceress' arms began to shake under the stress of keeping up the barrier. The other Avengers were all distracted, taking care of HYDRA stragglers behind the barrier. Just as Diana's magic was about to give out, Doctor Jenson's laser pack exploded; she had been hit with an arrow from behind.
The bombardment ceased, and Diana relaxed a little. Hawkeye had saved them all. Surprisingly, the HYDRA doctor was still alive. The Avengers gathered around her so she would have to face her final defeat.
"Impossible." She blubbered, "I had power greater than all of you."
"Then you don't know us very well," Steve glared down at her.
"Soldat, you're the Fist of HYDRA. Why have you sided with these fools?"
Bucky's eyes narrowed, "My name is James Buchanan Barnes, and everyone here is family and friend. Not that you understand what that truly means."
"We gave you everything!" Doctor Jenson screamed, "Your training! That arm! My father told me all about it! He told me-"
"Can someone shut her up?" Tony's filtered voice still illustrated his gritted teeth.
"Yeah," Sam agreed, "we don't need her running her mouth."
With a fancy twirl of her hands, Diana summoned the Chains of Qiào Jiǎo, making sure one of the bands became a gag over her mouth. The HYDRA doctor cried like a banshee through the gag, but no one could make out any words.
"So, do I get credit for this takedown?" Hawkeye was trying not to look pleased with himself.
Natasha rolled her eyes, "Yes, Clint. You get a point for the take down of the crazy HYDRA doctor."
"What do we do with her?" Donnie asked.
"We bring her in," Black Widow replied.
*FMttM*
A couple days later, Diana, Steve, and Bucky were called to Avengers Tower to receive a briefing on another HYDRA facility. This one was in the mountainous regions of Sokovia, a tiny country between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Natasha, Clint and Sam would each take turns piloting the Quinjet throughout the trip there and back to make sure none of the Avengers were too fatigued to fight.
The Avengers received a brief overview of where they were going and why during the day, but the full briefing would come when they were closer to Sokovia. Their flight took off late that night, or rather early in the morning, and most of the Avengers attempted to sleep during the beginning and middle stages of the flight. Eventually, as they neared their destination, Natasha took charge to give the more detailed briefing of the mission.
"Agent Morse didn't have much information on the base," Natasha informed them as Clint flew the Quinjet toward their destination, "but it's a sure bet that one of their team's HYDRA targets - Johan List - has fled there from a base in the arctic. List is known to have worked with Arnim Zola on human experimentation."
At this, Bucky tensed and he looked deep in thought.
"This profile meshes well with a HYDRA leader we've been hunting for a long time," Natasha didn't even pause, "Baron Von Strucker is confirmed to have set up his labs in this location."
Diana clenched her hands into fists, remembering exactly what Strucker had done to her, Bucky, and Steve in Belgium.
The Black Widow continued, "This is supposed to be the main research base for HYDRA too, so we should expect high firepower and more soldiers than we saw in Port Sudan. We might also expect some enhanced soldiers, possibly with Extremis or other powers." The red-head looked to Diana, "Anything you would like to add, Shieldmaiden?"
"What?" She looked up distractedly from her dark thoughts, "Oh! Right, if this is the right base, there are two metahumans that we need to watch out for - twins, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff." The blonde woman answered, "Pietro has super speed; Wanda has telekinesis and can create illusions in the mind."
"How do we defeat them?" Steve asked.
"Pietro is actually the easier of the two as he goes on the offensive more often. He's inexperienced and only really knows how to knock people over right now." She answered, "Wanda's more like me and uses her hands to direct her power. She tries to be stealthy, and she'll sneak up behind you while you're concentrating on catching Pietro and put a spell on you."
"So they're like me." Donnie's expression was grim.
"Yes and no," Diana replied. "The Maximoff twins received their powers from the scepter, which is alien in nature rather than something homegrown. They also received their powers on purpose."
"There is something about the power within that sceptre that I can't quite put my finger on." Thor looked thoughtful and a bit perturbed, "If I could have asked my brother…" His expression flashed to grief before becoming passive again.
Bucky frowned, "How did they get mixed up with HYDRA?"
"Their home was bombed with Stark weapons, so they blame Tony for the deaths of their parents," Diana explained and the billionaire in question tensed, "I don't know much more than that, but they went with the people who promised them their revenge. Those people just happened to be HYDRA."
"We're about twenty minutes from our landing zone." Clint said from the pilot's seat next to Sam - who had been acting as co-pilot while Natasha briefed the Avengers.
The Quinjet landed just outside a snowy forest and the Avengers made their way out. Clint stood in the back of a jeep, which Natasha drove. Ironman suited up in a few seconds. Captain America and the armed-to-the-teeth Winter Soldier both had motorcycles. They all drove off (or flew in Falcon's, Ironman's, and Thor's cases) into the woods
Diana stood next to Bruce, "You ready?"
The scientist glanced at her, "Not really, but I can feel the Other Guy. He's really fired up."
She nodded, "You know, sometime I'd like to talk with Hulk outside of battle."
"I really don't think that's a good idea."
"You never know until you try."
"I guess this mission calls for an immediate Code Green." Bruce sighed wearily and then his expression darkened, his skin turned green, and he morphed into the Hulk. He stormed into the woods with all the silence of a stampeding elephant.
Diana opened a portal further into the woods and high in the trees where she could survey the battlefield and attack where she was needed. She saw the first HYDRA mercenary soldier and cast a sharp Fury of Fēng Yāo at him. The spell hit him hard into a tree and he was down for the count. She cast a portal, summoned a shield and whip, and jumped through the portal to the ground. The portal closed and she swung her whip as other soldiers came at her.
She shield bashed a few soldiers and burned the guns out of the hands of others, but there were so many. She brought her hands together with her Eldritch magic and sent a burst of the Fury of Fēng Yāo out. It tore into the HYDRA operatives and mercenary soldiers. Then she sent out the Chains of Qiào Jiǎo and bound them all.
A HYDRA operative shot at her only for it to be deflected her shield. Diana threw out her whip and grabbed hold of the machine gun. The operative wouldn't let go and tried to shoot it as the whip burned through the muzzle. The gun exploded in the operative's hands, and he screamed.
With a flick and an apology, Diana shot a Bolt of Balthakk at him. The HYDRA operative lay still.
Then, "Watch your six, Di." Came Sam's voice over the coms.
Just as she turned to confront the danger, she heard a machine gun shot, and several mercenary soldiers fell. The Winter Soldier's motorcycle was roaring down from the crest of a hill not far away. He held the machine gun in his metal hand while his flesh hand held onto the motorcycle.
Diana raised her fist and let out their battle cry, "Woo hoo!"
The Soldier made a sharp turn on his bike, revved the engine, and raised his machine gun, "Woo hoo!" She could barely hear him over the roar of the motorcycle.
Then over the coms, came Steve's "Woo hoo!"
"What the hell are you guys doing?" Tony demanded over the coms, confusion lacing his tone.
"If you knew your history, Tony, you'd know that was the Howling Commandos battle cry," Steve teased.
"Well… Fine! I knew that!"
Bucky shouldered his machine gun and held out his hand, "Get on! We're regrouping." Diana sprinted toward the Soldier, grabbed his hand and he swung her behind him, "Hang on." She heard him say. He revved the engine, and they sped off thought the woods.
Diana cast the Shield of Vishanti around them and on the motorcycle and brought out an offensive spell-the Barrage of Bái Huālěi, a spell like the Bolts of Balthakk. Steve soon drove up beside them on his own motorcycle, and they sped toward the final barricade between them and the fortress base.
Just before the reached the barricade, Diana cast the Fury of Fēng Yāo and launched herself into the air, a whirlwind tornado lifting her up. She summoned her shield and whip and lashed out with the Eldritch magic, catching one of the mercenary soldiers around the wrist. She jerked him from the tree to the ground where the Hulk pounded his fist into the soldier's face. She winced as the Zephyr spell ended, and she landed hard on the ground and tumbled.
The Hulk picked her up and slung her over his shoulder like she was a sack of potatoes, "Protect magic friend." He rumbled and took off running in the direction of the fortress.
After a few moments, Diana looked up at the Hulk, "I'm okay now, Hulk. Thanks for the help."
"Magic friend okay?"
"Yeah. I'm good, thanks."
The Hulk put her down and turned toward a laser that had been fired at them. He roared and went off in the direction of the operative who had fired the laser.
Then, "Shit!" Came Tony's voice over the earpiece.
"Language!" Cap admonished before asking, "JARVIS, what's the view from upstairs?"
Just before the AI replied, Tony's voice interrupted with, "Cuss police!"
"The central building is protected by some kind of energy shield." JARVIS said, "Strucker's technology is well beyond any other HYDRA base on record."
Then Thor's voice came over the coms as Diana summoned her shield and whip once again to continue fighting, "Loki's sceptre must be here. Strucker couldn't mount this defense without it." Then his voice became a quiet rumble, "At long last."
Diana struck out with her whip, ripping a gun from the hands of a soldier. She shot out her shield arm with a Bolt of Balthakk and the soldier fell. She circled the whip around her, lengthening it as she went. The whip took down more soldiers and scarred several of the trees.
"'At long last' is lasting a little long," Natasha spoke over the coms.
A moment later, Clint made his own comment, "Yeah, I think we lost the element of surprise."
"I don't think surprise was even an option," Bucky pointed out. "We're not exactly a stealthy group."
Just as Diana struck down the final soldier, she saw a silver streak blur by, "Shit."
"Language!" Steve repeated his admonishment.
"We got an incoming speedster!" Diana warned, "You have to-" She suddenly found herself on the ground and her entire right side hurt.
The silver blur paused to reveal Pietro Maximoff looking smug, Then he sped off.
"Owww…" She groaned before sending out the warning again, "Quicksilver. We got the speedster Pietro Maximoff."
Diana staggered to her feet and brushed the snow from her robes. "Somebody better deal with that bunker." Natasha demanded.
Diana heard the Hulk roar and a crash. She created a portal and stepped through to where she'd seen the shrapnel flying into the air. She saw Clint on the ground and knelt beside him as Natasha was trying to administer first aid, "I've never seen a wound like that before."
"Can you heal him?" The Black Widow asked.
Diana held out her hand and cast a healing spell. Hawkeye's wound slowly began to close, but the use of an Infinity Stone in the weapon's creation caused her magic to be less effective that it normally would be. "We need to get him real medical help. My magic will only last so long since whatever those HYDRA weapons fire seems to be magic resistant."
She heard Steve over the coms, "Stark, we really need to get inside."
"I'm closing in," Tony replied. There was an explosion at the fortress and he announced, "Aaand the drawbridge is down, people!"
Natasha nodded, "If you need to go, I can take care of Clint from here."
They both heard Thor and Steve mention the speedster before Natasha pressed her earpiece, "Clint's hit pretty bad. Diana healed him as best she could, but he's still down for the count. We're gonna need evac."
"I can get back to the jet," Thor informed them. "The sooner we're gone, the better. You and Stark can secure the sceptre."
"Copy that," the Captain confirmed over the com.
Natasha looked up at Diana, "Go. I'll be right behind you. Clint's stable, and he's dealt with worse."
"Right." Diana stood just as the shockwave of hammer against shield blew past them, and she created a portal to where it had originated.
Just as she stepped through she heard Tony, "And for gosh sake watch your language."
Bucky was standing next to Steve with a smirk on his face. The Captain hung his head and grumbled, 'That's not going away any time soon."
"Wouldn't have you any other way pal," the Soldier told his best friend and slapped him on the back.
Steve huffed a laugh, "Right."
Diana swiped the portal closed, "Hello boys."
The two super soldiers turned their attention to her. The Soldier's smirk turned to a smile, "Ready to have fun storming the castle?" Bucky asked. During one of their movie nights at Avengers Castle, the three of them had watched The Princess Bride. For some reason, it had become one of Bucky's favorites.
Diana smiled,"Let's head inside." She created another portal up to the fortress, and the three of them stepped through.
The Captain insisted on going in first, his shield at the ready, and with the Winter Soldier and Shieldmaiden flanking him. Bucky had his sniper rifle out and ready to fire. Eldritch magic crackled at Diana's fingertips.
"Looks like they might've sent out all the troops." Steve murmured.
"They never do," Bucky replied. "They keep the strongest and most valuable inside."
They continued to scope out the fortress until they came to a room where a man stood with his back to them.
Steve straightened and tightened his grip on his shield, "Baron Strucker." The man turned with a smug look on his face. His eyes flicked over to Bucky and Diana and his smirk widened a little.
"Welcome back, Captain Rogers, Soldat, Miss Larson." His eyes roved over Diana, and Bucky took a protective step in front of her, his rifle raised, and his eyes narrowed, "What do you think of my fortress? It's glorious, no?"
"Where's the scepter?" Steve demanded.
"Don't worry, I know when I'm beat. You'll mention how I cooperated, I hope." Strucker was still smirking, but his hands came up.
The Captain grit his teeth, "Yeah, I'll put it right under illegal human experimentation."
Suddenly, a force knocked all four of them to the ground. Diana was on her feet first, hoping to catch the Witch, "The second meta is on the prowl!" She broadcast through the coms, "Be on the lookout and don't try to fight her head on."
When Diana turned back around, Steve had knocked out the HYDRA leader, "Guys, I got Strucker," the Captain reported.
"Yeah, well, I got something bigger." Tony replied.
Steve looked to Bucky, "I'm gonna go rendezvous with Stark. You got Strucker?"
The Winter Soldier gave a curt nod and picked up the HYDRA leader, flinging him over the his metal shoulder like a sack of potatoes, "Diana and I'll drop him off with the authorities in the city and then head back to the jet."
The Captain nodded, "I'll see you there."
"Be careful," Diana told Steve, "Wanda and Pietro Maximoff are still at large, and I can't remember if this is the place she messes with everyone's heads or if it's later."
"I'll be careful." He nodded with gratitude and started off down the hall saying, "Stark, what's your location?"
She then formed a portal to the nearby city. After closing the portal and moving deeper into the city, they met the Iron Legion which in turn called in NATO to retrieve the HYDRA Leader.
"Thank you Shieldmaiden and Winter Soldier," one of the Iron Legion declared. "We can take Baron Strucker from here."
Bucky glanced toward Diana who shrugged, and he dumped Strucker into a heap on the dirt road, "Rot in de hel, klootzak." The Soldier sneered. Diana could easily guess what he'd snarled to the HYDRA leader.
She stared at the Baron for a moment, knowing that his days were numbered and a tiny spike of pity went through her. What a waste. What an absolute waste.
"Dragă mea?" Bucky's flesh hand touched her arm and she looked over at him, "Eşti bine?"
"Yeah." She nodded. Her gaze flicked back to Strucker as the Iron Legion took his unconscious body and flew away with it, "Let's get back to the jet. I'm sure the others are waiting."