Chapter 15: Finally a Soldier.
Italy, US Army Camp
After letting Izuku to jump out of the plane Peggy, Masaru and Mitsuki flew back to the base. They didn't want to leave him alone at the enemy's territory but they hadn't had a choice or else the plane would be destroyed .
When they got back, a angry Col. Phillips greeted them. Who is not happy that they stole a plane, flew to the enemy territory without any permission and left a civilian to the enemy's hands. Right now, he screams at Masaru and Mitsuki for their insubordination.
"I can't believe you did it!" screamed Phillips in the hangar. "You know your stunt could reveal our location!? We should be happy that they didn't decide to do it! I can understood Agent Shield and Bakugo. They are women they don't know the meaning of war. But you Masaru hope for our aviation. Just decide to risk all our lives only to fly two women and boy to the HYDRA base. Shame on you!"
At his words, Masaru only could to look down in the shame. But he didn't have any regrets about his actions. He would always help Mitsuki and her friends. Mitsuki could only look with frown at her friend. It's not his fault. She persuades him to fly them to Austria. If it wasn't for her he would be chewing toy for colonel. It's all her fault.
"It's not his fault", said Mitsuki loudly. "I asked him to fly us over there. It's my responsibility. If you want to find anyone guilty then it's me."
"Ms. Bakugo the fact that you can bully anyone even soldiers to do your bidding is not surprising me at all", Chester continued with sneer. With every word Phillips screamed at them, Mitsuki wanted to smack him in the face. However, it will only could give more problems. She wouldn't do it. Yet. "It's still didn't changed the fact about your AWOL. I am sorry Masaru but I don't have a choice debar you from the next missions. Consider yourself fired. "
With these words, Masaru could only gapped with horror. He couldn't believe it. He is not pilot anymore. It's over. There nothing he could do. Fortunately, he had someone who could.
"If he go away then heck I am going too!" she screamed Mitsuki. She is not gonna let some old man to bully her real and only friend. She gonna to gamble with him. She knows that it's risky but she should try. For Masaru. "And with me going my modifications, my transports, my weapons, everything. You just lost only super soldier you had. Let's see how you can win without my weapons."
Phillips didn't want to admit it but she is right. Without super-soldier army, they lost any advantage against HYDRA. They need years to decipher this genetic code. With her weapons, they could even the odds. Losing the contract with Bakugo Industries would losing all fighting chances. He didn't have a choice but to compel with her demands. He starts to respect Bakugo. Maybe she is woman but she knows how to talk.
"Whatever. Do whatever you want", Col. Phillips said grumpily walking away. "I have more important things to do. Like a talk with Agent Shield and writing a letter to Senator Brandt about the death of his 'soldier-actor'."
With these words, he left the hangar leaving Mitsuki and Masaru alone. They also exhale a breath they were holding. Relaxed that their problems are over. At least for now.
"Oh. I don't have a words", commented Masaru with opened jaw. "Thank you for saving me. But it was too risky to gamble on it. He could agree. I am not worth it."
"No, you are", argued Mitsuki back. "It's my entire fault. He is right. I agree on this idea in the first place. I did bully you to fly us there. I was only telling the truth."
"I disagree with you", answered Masaru louder. "You didn't bully me at all. I agreed with your decision. I am just as guilty as you. Phillips can't talk to you like that. It's a lie!"
"Thank you for your kind words. Nobody said such words before. What colonel said for me it was a normal thing", confessed Mitsuki almost tearing up from his kindness. "Still I couldn't let him to scream at you like that. I don't have many people who I can call friends. And I wouldn't let my only friend to be fired because of my stubbornness."
"I am your only friend?" asked Masaru in disbelief. Who couldn't believe that person as Mitsuki could be without friends. She is smart, funny, brave and beautiful maybe a little loud but it's not important. How person like this could be alone. "I can't imagine Bakugo to be without friends. I think you have tons of friends."
"They are not friends, they are vultures", admitted Mitsuki with a sad frown. She didn't want to tell anybody about her life. But she trusts Masaru. He have right to know. "They only want to know Bakugo Industries heiress. They don't wanna to know about me. For them I only exist as pretty moneybag or weapon constructor. The second I lose the money nobody would need me."
"Well, then all of them are idiots!" said Masaru in outrage. He couldn't believe that people looks at Mitsuki like that. She is more than pretty and more than weapon constructor is. She is kind soul who wants just to help. She don't deserve such attitude to herself. "You don't deserve such awful words. You are more than just pretty dame. You can build planes, tanks, weapons etc. If people can't see it than they don't deserve you at all. It's their fault that they don't wanna meet such a good person as Mitsuki Bakugo."
Mitsuki was surprised. Masaru is the first person who sees her as who she is. Not as moneybag, as pretty face, or weapon constructor, but as her. She couldn't believe her ears. She never met a kind person as Masaru. It was too good to be true.
"Thank you", she whispered to him. She wanted to tell him more but she didn't want to risk her friendship with him.
"Anytime" he answered her with smile. However, he had some dilemma for a while. After meeting with Peggy and Izuku he couldn't understand why Mitsuki agree to fly them there. He knows that she is responsible person. She wouldn't let go a teen to the enemy's territory without a reason. But what exactly the reason? "Say. Can I ask you a question?"
His question put Mitsuki's brain at stop. This is it. In the plane, he told them about a place with Fondue. He wants to ask her on the date. She never thought that Masaru could think of her more than just a friend. She never denied her growing feelings either but always stopped them. She didn't want to lose her only friend to relationship. But maybe she should try…
"Fine you win", she said with her pink cheeks. "But I got a busy week. How about we move our date to the next Tuesday? Which place is your Fondue café?"
"N-no i-I d-didn't m-meant t-that. N-no I m-meant it. I… I want it. I want it but not r-right n-now.", stuttered Masaru with blushing face which rivaled Izuku's. He never denied that he wanted to date Mitsuki but not like this and right now. Seeing Mitsuki's confusion he continues, "That wasn't my question."
"Oh, sorry", she chuckled with embarrassment. She couldn't believe that she almost got caught. "Ask away."
"Why did you decide to help them?" he asked seriously finally dropping a bomb. "Mitsuki I know that you are responsible person and you wouldn't let an inexperienced teen to go to the warzone without a reason? I just want to know which reason."
"I knew Doctor Erskine", she said. She knew that Masaru would like to know her reason. And after everything she didn't have any restrains to hold her truth from her only friend. Seeing confusion on his face she explains, "You don't get it. Do you? When I started to help Erskine with his project, I expected that he be just like others. However, he wasn't. He is kind compassion man who wants to stop this war from killing all of us. We actually had a lot in common. Both of us were born in countries, which is our enemies. Nobody trusted us because of our nationally. And Izuku. Abraham chose him, as a soldier who will end this war. I decided to trust Erskine's decision."
For Masaru it was a shock. He didn't imagine such connection between doctor and her. But thinking about it makes him to see many similarities. Both of them had problems with America, both honest people who wants to help others. Erskine was a truly good man.
"Do you regret your choice now?" he asked already knowing the answer.
"No. Not even slightest", Mitsuki answered with smile. "And I don't think that Peggy and Izuku regrets either."
"You know it's pity about Peggy", Masaru said with frown. "You could protect me but not her. I afraid what colonel could do with her."
"Yes, you right", she agreed with frown. She knows that she couldn't protect Peggy. She is on her own now.
"What we can do?" he asked rhetorically.
"Wait", she simply answered. They needs to wait for Izuku's appearance or for Peggy's fate. That the only thing they can do.
Fortunately, they don't need to wait so long.
At the same time Phillips is dictates the letter to Brandt about the Izuku's 'death'. He didn't know that he dead for sure. However, Colonel is experienced commander. He knows that the mission of this scale is imminent death even for all army. What is there to say about the one teen? He didn't want to admit it but Izuku Midoriya is dead. And that's his fault for not stopping him.
"Senator Brandt, I regret to report that Captain Izuku Midoriya went missing behind enemy lines on the third. Aerial reconnaissance has proven unfruitful. As a result, I must declare Captain Midoriya killed in action. Period", Chester dictates the words to corporal grimly. He never didn't want him to die. He wanted only to protect him from his dreams. And he failed.
At these words, Peggy enters the tent while carrying photos and documents. She heard that Col. Phillips already announced that Izuku is dead. But they don't know for sure. He could be alive. He must be.
"The last surveillance flight is back. No sign of activity", Peggy said showing him pictures. No signs of life.
"Go get a cup of coffee, Corporal", ordered Phillips.
"Yes, sir", he said leaving the room. Leaving the colonel and agent alone.
Both of them were staying and starring each other's in the eyes. Both of them need to talk about all of this. He wanted to know what female agent was thinking about letting him go. And she wants to know her own fate. What will happened to her after this stunt?
"I hope you are happy, Agent Shield. You let a boy to so a stupid thing and now he pays for it with his life", he began showing disdain for her actions. "I can't touch Bakugo and Tingles. She's rich and she's the Army's number one weapons contractor. He's the best pilot of this generation. You are neither one."
"With respect, sir, I don't regret my actions. And I don't think Captain Midoriya did either", she argued back with honest. She is telling truth she as Masaru and Mitsuki regret nothing. They do want they need to do.
"What makes you think I give a damn about your opinions?" Chester asked with sarcasm. That's why he believes that women can't be at the war. Their feelings could jeopardize all war. This is results. "I took a chance with you, Agent Shield. And now America's golden boy and a lot of other good men are dead, cause you had a crush and forgot to use your head."
"It wasn't that. I had faith", she said with blushing face. She didn't deny that Izuku is attractive and maybe she is having a little crush on him. However, she decides to help him because she believes in him.
"Well, I hope that's a big comfort to you when they shut this division down", he said with frown. He is right. Without Super soldier and with so many lost soldiers they wouldn't last long. In addition, senator's star spangled goose, which hatches golden eggs, is dead. He will be so angry when he would learnt. To survive they need a miracle. Fortunately, they have one.
Suddenly the soldiers starts running around and talking excitedly at the camp. That put these two in question. What exactly made them so alive? And why they go to the edge of the camp? "What the hell's going on out there?" asked Chester while exiting the tent.
They follow the crowd to the edge of the camp. And what they saw made them astonished. They sees many people coming their way. By attire and some bruises, it looks like they are prisoners. However what surprised them more that at the front it's Izuku who leading them. It means that he did it. He saved them. And he didn't saved only some soldiers. By the size of the crowd, it looks like he saved all prisoners.
"Look who it is!" cheered one of the soldiers happy to see his saved friends. Everyone then cheers and claps their hands as prisoners enters the camp.
When Izuku came to Phillips and Peggy, he finally stopped. There so much things to him to explain. Such as HYDRA plans and their power source, Akaguro's war map, and his escape to the factory. He also knows that what he did is treason and must pay for it. First, he needs to make sure that injured people are treated.
"Some of there's men need medical attention", Izuku said while saluting.
"Medic, we got wounded", one of the soldiers called nurse.
"Right over here", answered the nurse who is started to treat wounded prisoners.
"I know what you gonna to say", started Izuku already ready for whatever punishment colonel could think of. "That's the reason I'd like to surrender myself for disciplinary action."
However, colonel didn't want to punish him at all. Why should he? Because he broke some rules? Everybody breaking them. It's pale in comparison of this accomplishment. He did something what no man would ever accomplish to do. When Izuku jumps on the grenade it shows, Chester that kid have guts. When he screamed at him it showing them that, he have balls. Now he liberated entire base alone. Even groups of overgrown people couldn't do something more closely to this. He finally understood why Erskine chose Izuku to be a first super-soldier. He is incredible. And have infinite potential. He is a soldier. No, he is a true hero.
"That won't be necessary, soldier", Chester said the last part with a smile. Izuku's face blighted. Does that mean? "Also welcome back from mission, Captain."
"Yes, sir", he answered with brightness smile. It's means that he finally did it. He earn the Phillips's respect.
"Faith, huh?" Chester asked with smirk while looking at happy Peggy. He then walks away helping wounded guide to the medic.
Peggy is still standing at the same place looking at Izuku with a calm and happy expression. She is happy that he is alive but she is not pleased that he didn't contact her all this time. He could contact her when he liberated the base they could take all of them back to camp. At least when he landed to made them know that he alive. She is gonna get the answers from him right here and right now.
"You're late", she said displeasingly.
"Couldn't call my ride", he answered sheepishly her while holding up the broken transponder. It looks like this thing didn't survive the fall or the fire. Explaining her why he didn't contacted them as soon as possible.
Understanding his reasons Peggy smiled at him. She is happy that he survived and proof everybody that he is a true soldier.
"You really got taller, huh "Cap"", Shoto asked with a smirk from the crowd looking at soldiers who finally acknowledged his best friend. "Is it permanent?"
"So far. Yeah", Izuku answered with smirk.
"Hey! Let's hear it for Soldier Hero: Captain America", announced Shoto to the crowd. That made all of them to cheer and clap more.
Izuku is standing in the center of the crowd with a goofy smile on his face. He couldn't believe his happiness. These people finally acknowledged him. Not as actor. But as soldier. They believe in him. They trusts him. He finally did it. His dream have come true. He is finally a soldier.
The news about Izuku's accomplishments reached to the whole world. This news encouraged The Allies to fight harder. All prisoners had given rights to go back to their home. And Izuku himself is earn himself an award: Medal of Honor. He is supposed to be in America to receive this award from Senator Brandt himself.
Brandt is pleased about the Midoriya's accomplishments. He already thought the story he will tell at the banquet. The story about how he saw a true potential in him when nobody didn't even noticed him. How he put Izuku at the 'front'. He already hearing the praise he will get from the people. And nothing will change his mood. At least that what he thought.
"I am honored to present this medal for valor to my personal friend and pupil, Soldier Hero: Captain America!" he announced to the crowd making them clap for hands. However, the something happened.
He didn't appeared.
"Captain America!" he repeated turning around but there is still no one there.
"Captain, that's your cue!" he repeated much louder thinking that kid didn't heard him. Senator starts to worry. The more he didn't appeared the more he getting embarrassed. Hearing sounds of footsteps puts Brandt at ease.
However it's not Izuku who enters the podium but Gary, Brandt's aide.
"He is not here", whispered Gary.
""Not here" means not in the stage?" whispery asked Senator hoping that Izuku almost on their podium.
"No. Not here means that he is not in America at all", ended Gary shocking Brandt. "He stayed in the Europe."
This revelation puts Brandt in the difficult situation. Without Midoriya he can't achieve his ideas about popularity and to improve his social status higher. He is done without Izuku.
"I thought he'd be taller", said his thoughts aloud the legendary General Stan Lee. He expected the Super-Soldier to be much taller than, that person at the podium. He also heard that Captain America is young blonde man with blue eyes.
"I heard he is teenager with green hair, green eyes and freckles", commented Major Kohei Horikoshi conflicting the thoughts of Stan Lee.
However that didn't answer the question everybody are asking. Where is Captain America?
