Chapter 6

Terrible Price

3 Weeks later

Dean laid in bed beside Andrea, morning was approaching.

He didn't have to wake up as early as he did before but the habit stuck with him so he always rose with the sun. Until Dean had to get up for training he would sit there and think every day.

Time passed by quickly since he got here. Every day was filled with training and practice of all sort. And he was not allowed to leave. Strucker only allowed him to go once, to get his things from the base in northern Africa. Which finally allowed him to deposit all that money he made from Alberta into a private account he made.

But back to life on Hydra island.

Dean had become very lonely since he ran away from home, he had no one to talk to. Luckily Andrea and Dean had grown close as of late. They found comfort in opening to each other, it made being here less miserable.

Although there was something that he couldn't stop thinking about. Even though his training was far from over soon he'd be given his first mission.

Chances are Dean would have to take a life and he wasn't sure if he could do that.

He could understand how in certain situations killing might be necessary. If it was a matter of life and death, or in a war, he wasn't that dense.

Dean asked Eli once about what it was like. He said he took no pleasure in doing it but knew that it was necessary.

Dean just hoped it wouldn't come to that. He cleared his mind of those thoughts and filled it with other ones.

Arachne and Madame Viper have been pushing Dean like crazy. Even though it produced great results it was intense. And Dean began to appreciate the intensity.

Dean moved to the side, avoiding a punch, grabbed Arachne's arm, and threw her overhead.

Arachne willed herself to stop midair and fly right back at Dean with a kick.

Dean cartwheeled underneath her.

Arachne landed and turned around to face the boy just as he did.

Dean decided to make the first move and attack.

He leaped forward and purposely covered half the distance between them to fool her. Dean then pushed off the ground with one hand and aimed a straight kick to her torso.

Arachne indeed couldn't predict that attack so she couldn't dodge but she did block.

As his attack met her block Dean jumped off Arachne and back flipped.

Arachne flew towards him and landed a couple of punches before knocking him down.

Dean landed on his back ready in case Arachne was to press her advantage.

Arachne descended until she stood on the ground and waited. She knew better than to attack Dean on the ground, he was an excellent ground fighter something she was not. Arachne was a better fighter on her feet and in the air considering she could fly.

Dean got to his feet since Arachne wouldn't pursue, "I guess I'm not the only one learning"

"You guessed right" Arachne flew at him with a heavy punch.

Dean and Arachne have also developed a bond of friendship. Since her love has been missing she had no one else with an excuse to be nice to.

Madame Viper was observing from outside.

Strucker walked up next to Madame Viper, "Is he ready?"

"I believe he is, physically" Viper said.

Strucker nodded, "Just physically?"

"I'm not sure, he hides his thoughts carefully. It's hard to tell whether his heart is in the cause or not" Viper said.

"There's a chance it might not be" Strucker said.

"And if it isn't? The machine didn't work on him you'll need another way to control him" Viper said.

"I have a contingency plan" Strucker said walking away.

Viper felt the need to pick his mind for some information, "He must mean something to you if you planned that far ahead"

Strucker smirked, "When I was a young man, when I was under the wing of the Red Skull, he shared his vision of the future with me. Hydra, Conquering the world with an army of super-soldiers"

"But he never made his vision a reality" Viper said.

"Yes" Strucker admitted, "The serum my leader was given wasn't perfected. The only person with the right one was Captain America" Strucker said.

"But he no longer lives" Viper said.

"Yes, but this boy has the same traits as a super-soldier. The doctors have yet to determine what makes him different but when they do I will harness it and replicate it a thousand times" Strucker said.

"What are you prepared to do if that isn't possible?" Viper asked.

"Whatever is necessary" Strucker said.

After Dean finished with Arachne she left the training area and Madame Viper replaced her.

Dean grabbed one of his Gladii from where he left them. They were pretty simple, the blades were made of titanium and the handles and hilts were black.

The reason he only used one against Madame Viper was to master using one blade first then two.

Madame Viper drew her sword and attacked Dean with a flurry of slashes.

Dean kept up with Viper's movements and blocked her attacks.

This part of training was a little less challenging due to him being physically superior to his teacher. Because Dean is faster than Viper it's hard to tell whether he's learned or not.

Dean counterattacked with a stab to the chest.

Viper blocked the attack by smacking the blade to the right and slashed at his throat.

Dean quickly ducked underneath it.

But if Viper had to give her review she would say Dean's skill with blades is decent with lots of room for improvement.

After his training, Dean took a shower and decided to roam the base to be with his own thoughts.

Dean eventually found himself in the lower levels in the outer rim where he could look out the thick glass and see the bottom of the ocean. He leaned on the railing staring at the various fish that swam by.

One small fish came up to the glass and looked at Dean.

"I bet your life is simple, just keep swimming" Dean said talking to the animal.

The fish swam away.

Dean heard footsteps echo across the metal ground behind him, "Talking to yourself?" Strucker stood right next to him.

Dean stood up straight, "Just wondering aloud"

"You can relax boy, I save my wrath for my enemies" Strucker said trying to get him relaxed.

Dean could never relax in this place, there was something about it that made him uncomfortable. It could be the fact that they were underwater.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Dean asked.

"Yes, since you came here you've told us little of your past. Perhaps something you'll say might shed some light on your abilities" Strucker said.

"I'm sorry sir but my past is something I don't like sharing, and for good reason" Dean said.

Strucker tried his best to act civil and not reveal his true nature, "How can you expect us to help you if you don't cooperate?"

"I thought you were helping me now" Dean said.

"Yes, but don't you want to know where these abilities come from?" Strucker asked.

Dean could see he was pushing the issue but for what reason he didn't know, "What's this about?"

Strucker could see that the boy was on to him, perhaps some truth was good enough.

"I invested a good amount of time in you, I just want to make sure it wasn't all for nothing" Strucker said calmly.

"If you pay me, it won't be" Dean said.

Strucker tried his best to understand him, "So money is where your loyalties lie?"

"For now" Dean said.

Strucker wasn't completely sure he could be trusted but either way he had a backup plan, "You'll be given your first mission tomorrow, be ready" Strucker said as he left.

"He's looking for something. I don't know what but he is" Dean said as he sat next to Andrea on the bed.

"My father is always looking for something. He probably wants to make sure you have the stomach to get the job done" Andrea said.

Dean gave her a strange look, "The stomach? What do you mean by that?"

"Well you might have to kill a couple of people, but it shouldn't be too difficult for you" Andrea said.

Dean did a double take, "What? It shouldn't be a problem for me?" He stared at her in shock.

"Yeah you've done it before" Andrea said like it was no big deal.

Dean was fuming with rage, "Have you listened to a fucking word I've said?"

Andrea was surprised at his reaction, "Yeah you killed that creep because he deserved it"

"No that's not what happened" Dean sighed, "I lost control, I didn't want to end him no matter how much of a low life he was"

"Why? He killed others in the ring. He deserved to die" Andrea said like it was obvious.

"That doesn't matter I still didn't enjoy doing it" Dean sat on the floor and put his back to the wall, "I...I feel guilty. The image of my bloody fists is horrifying...I can't sleep at night"

Andrea stood in front of him with her arms crossed looking stern, "You need to look past this. That man's life doesn't mean anything"

Dean stood up, "I don't know, my mind is confused. Tomorrow is going to be difficult" this was the first time he looked this vulnerable around her.

Andrea couldn't help but grin. He trusted her with everything, which means Andrea has Dean right where she wants him.

"I can't do this... I..I should have never agreed to this...I need to go" Dean got up and went to get his duffle bag.

Andrea blocked his path, "Wait. You're not thinking straight, so don't make any rash decisions"

"Joining Hydra was a mistake, what you're doing here...it's not for me" Dean said disagreeing with her.

Andrea wrapped her arms around him and gave him a passionate kiss, "You're wrong, all you need is time to adjust" she started kissing his neck, "I'll speak to my father. I'll convince him to give you a simple assignment"

Dean felt her lips kiss his bare chest and slowly go lower, "But what if he—"

"Shh" Andrea unzipped his pants, "Trust me" she whispered.

Dean couldn't help but give in to his lust.

The next day Dean was summoned to the hangar for his assignment.

He wore all black clothing. Combat boots, roomy pants, sleeveless shirt with a hood, fingerless gloves, and his swords strapped to his back.

Dean entered the hangar and spotted Madame Viper waiting for him in front of a jet.

"Let's get a move on" Viper entered the Jet.

Dean entered the jet and sat next to Madame Viper in the cockpit, "Why're you here again?"

"Strucker wanted me to keep an eye on you, make sure you don't screw it up" Viper said.

"Of course" Dean said sarcastically, "Now what do I need to do?"

"There's a secret base in Harlem, New York. Scientists are developing a viral weapon" Viper said.

"Any info on what it does?" Dean asked.

"They've attempted to recreate the super soldier serum" Viper said.

That sounded awfully familiar for some reason. Super soldier. Like something out of a comic book.

"You'll need to capture the two scientists, we can't allow that formula to fall into the wrong hands" Viper said.

SHIELD Base

Walter and Amanda Cage were SHIELD scientists that were assigned to recreate the super soldier serum.

After a long time of experimenting and false trials they were close to perfecting it.

Walter slowly poured drops of purple liquid into a vial of green liquid.

"Why don't you just pour the whole thing in?" Luke asked.

Luke was their son, he enjoyed watching his parents work.

"If he did it might explode in his face honey" Amanda said laughing lightly.

"And I definitely don't want that" Walter said after he let a couple of drops into the vial. He stirred the vial carefully to mix the contents until it was perfectly blended.

The liquid inside the vial was glowing blue.

Walter closed the vial, "I think its ready"

"Finally, our life's work is complete" Amanda said.

"We should tell Director Fury right away, he'll want to—"

The lights suddenly turned off.

"Mom, Dad, what's happening?" Luke asked looking worried.

The sound of plasma guns being fired could be heard.

"Oh no" Amanda said fearing the worst.

"We need to go" Walter said not wasting any time.

Dean sliced the plasma rifle a soldier was holding in half and knocked him out with an elbow to the face.

He looked at the symbol on the soldier's chest. A blue eagle inside a circle. He briefly wondered what this other group might be about.

"Status report" Dean heard Viper's voice through his com link in his ear.

Dean continued running in search of the scientists, "Still searching, I've encountered little resistance"

Two SHIELD soldiers turned the corner.

"Good, keep looking" Viper said.

Dean took out two mini cybernetic disks and threw them.

Each one attached to their heads sending an electric shock through their body knocking them out.

Dean found a locked door. He kicked the door ripping it off its hinges.

The room was filled with various scientific equipment, but no scientists to go with it. Dean looked at the corner of the room and saw an open ventilation shaft.

"Viper the scientists aren't here, has there been any movement outside?" Dean asked.

There was a brief period of silence.

"A jet just left the area get back here now!" Viper shouted.

Dean ran full speed towards the exit.

Walter piloted the Helijet.

"Are we safe?" Luke asked.

"I don't know, we have to get as far away as we can" Amanda said.

Right as she said that the radar picked up an approaching vessel.

"Too late, they're catching up" Amanda said.

Walter considered his options, there was no escape and backup would take too long.

"Amanda there's no time left, get our precious cargo out of here" Walter said.

The Helijet was right in front of them.

"How the hell are we going to stop that jet?" Dean wondered aloud.

"We can't, the only choice now is to blast them out of the sky" Viper said.

"What?! That's insane you can't do that!" Dean said.

Viper looked displeased, "And why is that?"

"Because..." Dean paused to think of a solution. He had a thought but it was reckless, still it was better than letting those people get blown up, "Because I have a plan. Go above them and lower the ramp" he said going to the back.

"Let's see how this goes" Viper said as she pressed the button.

Dean stared outside as the ramp lowered, 'Time to do something stupid'

Amanda grabbed Luke's hand and they ran to the back of the Helijet.

"I'm sorry we put you in this position honey but you need to take this now, it'll protect you" Amanda gave Luke the vial with the formula.

"Protect me from what?" Luke asked.

They heard the screeching sound of metal being sliced.

"Drink it!" Amanda rushed him.

Luke did as his mother told him and drank the glowing liquid.

Amanda then pushed a button that lowered the ramp.

Amanda grabbed on to a bar and held her son's hand as he was being sucked out by the powerful wind.

"Mom!" Luke protested.

"We love you sweetie!" Amanda let him go.

Luke yelled as he dropped from the sky and plummeted towards the sea.

As he fell Luke felt a surging pain through his body, the serum was taking effect. Within seconds his body almost doubled in size shredding his previous clothing.

Luke crashed into the water but surprisingly didn't feel a thing.

Back on the Helijet Dean had his blades stuck in the roof to keep him from flying off.

Dean then used one blade to slice a hole and enter the jet.

He spotted a woman closing the ramp.

Amanda drew her pistol and shot at him.

Dean cartwheeled, knocked the weapon out of her hands, and punched her in the gut.

Amanda doubled over in pain.

Walter came to investigate.

Dean placed a blade underneath Amanda's throat in response, "Don't move"

Walter raised his hands in surrender.

Hydra Island

Dean and Madame Viper brought the scientists to Strucker immediately.

They entered his chambers. Strucker along with Andrea, Reaper, and Arachne waited for them.

Dean looked at Arachne, she looked, off somehow. She usually stood straight and radiated authority but she was slouching and looked almost sick. Strange.

Strucker grinned, "Well done boy" he stood up and walked in front of Walter and Amanda, "Ah the Cages, Fury's prize possessions"

Walter glared at him, "And you are?"

"Baron Von Strucker, supreme leader of Hydra" Strucker said.

"You mean the leader of the neo Nazis!" Amanda spat at him.

Dean was surprised at her reaction. Neo Nazi was a rather bold claim, he remained silent for now.

"Hydra has moved beyond the ambitions of Hitler, good doctor" Strucker said.

Dean had his suspicions that Hydra's true goals were kept secret from him, it seems like he was right. But why did it take him this long to realize?

"Now what have you done with it?" Strucker asked.

"With what?" Walter said playing dumb.

"Let's not play these childish games. You were developing a new super soldier serum. I demand that you give it to me" Strucker said.

Walter and Amanda looked at each other. They knew what was at stake, it was their duty to prevent these people from obtaining the serum.

"We don't know what you're talking about" Walter said.

Strucker shook his head, "What a shame" normally he would have commanded Reaper to inflict pain upon them but given the circumstances he chose a different individual, "Boy, come here"

Dean reluctantly stepped forward.

"Time to prove your loyalty" Strucker said with a sadistic grin.

"What do you need of me?" Dean asked ignoring the creepy look.

"Make them talk" Strucker said.

"…. You want me to torture them" Dean said blatantly.

"They have vital information that I need" Strucker gave his reasoning behind his choice.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that" Dean refused.

"You refuse a direct order?" Strucker asked curiously.

"I refuse an inhumane order" Dean confirmed.

"Interesting" Strucker sat on his throne again, "Normally if someone disobeyed me I would burn them alive. But I have something special for you" He pressed a button on his arm rest.

Dean was confused and worried. What could the old man have in store for him?

The doors opened.

Dean looked back and saw two hydra soldiers dragging two people with cloths over their heads towards them.

"What is this?" Dean asked.

The two people were brought in front of them alongside the scientists.

"A little reunion" Strucker said as he snapped his fingers.

The Hydra soldiers pulled the cloths off the people's heads. It was Eli and Agalia who were both gagged.

Dean looked at them in horror. He didn't know what to say, he just froze.

"You will do as I command or I will kill them" Strucker said smiling.

Dean clenched his fists in anger. He drew his sword and swung it at Strucker.

Reaper blocked with his cybernetic blade.

Madame Viper drew one of her pistols and aimed it at his mother, "Drop it"

Dean looked at his mother.

Agalia's expression was one of fear, one wrong move and it was all over.

Strucker laughed maniacally, "There is nothing you can do, I have what you hold most dear"

But how could he have known? Strucker couldn't have known who his parents were or where to find them, or that even though he left Dean still cared. How did—

Dean looked at Andrea who was proudly standing beside her father, "You" he said with hate.

Andrea giggled, "Yes me, I was the mole so to speak"

Dean was betrayed, he mistakenly trusted her without really knowing what kind of person she truly was. That was his mistake. He sheathed his sword, "Fine, just get them out of here" he referred to his parents.

"Don't be ridiculous, I want them to watch as you do my bidding" Strucker said happily.

In his mind, everything started to make sense. Dean had joined the bad guys, that's why they wanted to free Blonsky. That's why killing innocents was of no consequence to these people. That's why he was in the situation he was in. His parents were probably in the hands of a madman and it was all his fault.

Dean looked at the ground in shame before meeting his father's gaze. Surprisingly it wasn't one of anger, but sadness and regret. Perhaps if he hadn't lied to him he wouldn't have ran away in the first place.

"Start with the woman, break her slowly" Strucker said.

Dean walked in front of Amanda and readied himself. He took one last look at his father who shook his head trying to say don't do it.

"I'm sorry" Dean whispered before looking back at Amanda. He started punching her all over to not do too much damage to one spot.

Strucker got up and stood right next to Walter who tried his best not to look or react to what was happening.

"You can save your wife from the pain, just give me the formula" Strucker said nicely.

Walter stared forward with resolve, "No"

Strucker looked at Dean, "I don't want to be able to recognize her"

Dean started punching her face repeatedly. By the time he was done, her nose and jaw were severely broken, her eyes were swollen to the point where she couldn't see, and most of her teeth were shattered across the floor along with blood that she spewed out.

"I am not afraid to go further doctor" Strucker said.

Walter simply looked forward and didn't answer.

"Break her ribs, carefully, I don't want her accidentally dying" Strucker told Dean while he still stared at Walter.

Dean reluctantly beat on her midsection which is when Amanda couldn't help but cry out from the pain.

"Is her life so meaningless to you that you're willing to cast her aside?" Strucker asked.

Walter still stared forward but a small tear ran down his cheek.

Strucker looked very unhappy to say the least, "Rip off her leg!"

Dean froze in shock, "What?" he was dumbfounded at the monstrosity of a request.

"Do it now or they will share the same fate!" Strucker pointed to his parents.

Dean didn't want to cause this woman anymore pain but he had to. He grasped her right leg and tugged with all his might tearing of her limb.

Amanda screamed from the agony as blood poured out of her.

"Now beat her with it" Strucker said sadistically.

Dean was so horrified that he spaced out. His mind was baron of thought and coherence, it was the only way to keep his sanity from shattering. He began beating her with the torn limb.

Strucker grabbed Walter's head and turned it so he could see, "Watch her doctor, watch as she dies and know that you could have saved her"

Walter closed his eyes and sobbed, he couldn't bear to watch.

Amanda stopped making sounds, or moving. There was no life left in her.

"Let's see how much pain you can endure doctor. Break his fingers" Strucker commanded.

Dean broke every one of his fingers one by one but Walter never caved.

"This is a waste of time" Strucker sighed and sat back on his throne, "Bring me his head"

Dean drew his sword to make it quick.

"No that's too clean and old fashioned. Use your bare hands" Strucker said.

Dean sheathed his sword and dug his fingers into Walter's neck.

Walter cried out for a moment before he lost consciousness.

Within a moment head had been severed from body.

Strucker clapped, "Well done"

Dean dropped the head and it rolled in front of Agalia.

Agalia fainted.

"Take them away, and clean this up" Strucker said.

The two Hydra soldiers took Eli and Agalia.

"As long as you obey my every order they will live, now leave my presence" Strucker commanded.

Dean stood still for a moment. He stared into the eyes of the severed head. He saw his own bloodied reflection. He quietly walked out, his hands dripping with crimson blood.

Dean entered his room. He was still in shock, he was still trying to wrap his head around what he did.

Dean sat on his bed with his face buried in his hands and asked himself a series of questions, 'What have I done? What am I going to do? How can I save my parents? Is there a way I can escape?'

Andrea came through his door and looked at him with a sly grin.

"GET OUT OF HERE!" Dean yelled angrily.

"Aww you poor baby, are you mad at me?" Andrea laughed as she walked past him into the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

As Dean fumed with rage golden lightning sparked in his eyes unbeknownst to him, "I can't believe I didn't figure it out before"

"It's not like you didn't come close, whenever you did I made sure your mind was occupied with me" Andrea said happily.

"Whatever now get out of here" Dean said.

Andrea walked in front of him, "No"

Dean's eye started twitching, "I swear to god if you don't leave I'll—"

"You'll what? Kill me?" Andrea asked staring at him curiously.

Dean punched a hole through the wall right next to her head, "Maybe"

Andrea seemed surprised, "Look at you, all mean and gritty" she stared in fascination, "I like the new you"

Dean took his hand out of the wall, "Well too bad, leave!"

"No, you're going to do whatever I say or I tell my daddy to hurt your parents" Andrea nibbled on his ear lobe and ran her hands down his chest.

Dean looked confused, "I thought you only pretended to like me?"

"No, I do like you" Andrea grabbed his crotch, "And now you're mine" she whispered in his ear.

Author's note: Happy New Year everyone! Well things just got really dark really quick, kinda why I gave this story an M rating. How's our young hero gonna get out of this one?