Chapter 22: The Fall of HYDRA.
London, Allies HQ
The next day the team were discussing a battle plan to take down Red Skull. With a help of Moya Kurogiri, they learnt a location of his headquarters.
"Chizmoe Akaguro belongs in a bug house. He thinks he's a God", started Phillips. "He's willing to blow up half the world to prove it, starting with the USA."
"Akaguro's working with powers beyond our capabilities,'' admitted Mitsuki with a frown. She is still from the thought that HYDRA sadist has better weapons than her. She wants to study his power source if she would get a chance. "He gets across the Atlantic, he will wipe out the entire eastern seaboard in an hour."
Peggy was only half listening to people. The second half of her time she was spending on staring at the empty seat in the back. She knows for who exactly this seat is. And she is saddened by the fact that he left. She could understand his reasons. Unfortunately, it didn't help her at all.
"How much time we got?" asked Gabe in alarm.
"According to my 'new best friend', under twenty-four hours", answered colonel grimly.
"Where is he now?" asked Jacques in curious manner.
"Hydra's last base is here", answered Col. Phillips holding a photo hethen points to the base. "In the Alps. Five hundred feet below the surface."
"So, what are we supposed to do? I mean, it's not like we can just knock on the front door, ``commented Jim in mocking sarcasm.
And he was right. No one in their minds could ever get near this base without getting dead. For this job they need a hero. Fortunately, they have the best one.
"Why not?" called a familiar voice.
That makes the entire room to turn in the direction of the voice. And they are not disappointed. Because at the door is standing Izuku Midoriya in his Captain America uniform. His appearance surprise and pleases an entire room. They thought that he gave up. However, he didn't. He still continues to fight. He is ready for a new mission.
"That's exactly what we're gonna do,'' he continued in his confident voice.
Right now, the team starts to believe that they will win this war.
After some discussion the team decided to let Izuku to perform surprise attack to the HYDRA front base. Right now, he is riding his new bike, which was armed by clever traps by Mitsuki Bakugo. So far, the ride was calm and he was coming closer to the base. Unfortunately, the calm ride comes to an end because behind him is seven HYDRA bikers, with an order to kill him.
Suddenly riders shoots at Captain America using the same Tesseract-powered blaster. Fortunately, his shield, which on his back reflects it to another way. Seeing obstacles behind him Midoriya activates one of the traps on his bike. It shoots two grappling hooks which embodied itself in the tree making one hard line which knocks out two bikers from their rides.
His next one makes fire comes out of the exhaust pipe. Burning bike of one of them making to leave it. And then the fourth crash into the tree. The force of the crash throws him out from the bike.
Unfortunately, the chase still continues, using a smart turn he makes himself behind his chasers. He then comes closer to them and takes pin from one of them. After ten seconds all three riders are blown up by sudden explosion.
Seeing that he lost his chasers Super-Soldier continues his way. He sees that the base is near. Good news. However, at the entrance he is greeted by a giant tank, who is targeting him. Bad news. And then this machine shoots at him with the same Tesseract-powered missiles.
To protect himself he puts his shield at the front. He dodged the blasts, every shoot made the ground tremble, almost falling from his vehicle. To stop the machine, he activates risky trap on his bike. It makes bike to shoot two little but powerful missiles, which destroys the tank for good. It was the last obstacle.
He then sped up using a wall as a ramp and felt like he was momentary flying through the air. And then he landed on the ground and continues to ride further while dodging and knocking out the soldiers using his shield.
Captain America then activates autopilot on his vehicle and jumps from it hurling himself straight into HYDRA soldier, knocking him out. Izuku fights soldiers using his favorite shield throws. It first starts as a hobby and didn't work well. However, after some practice he learnt how to flung his weapon and to make it coming back to him almost like a boomerang. This weapon become good for offense just like for defense.
Meanwhile the bike continues to right itself before finally meeting his destination. It crashes in the main door making an explosion, opening the way inside, while destroying the vehicle completely.
Right now, Midoriya continues to fight soldiers. However, at every punch, kick, slam he was feeling that his muscles aching and his limbs straining. He is exhausting himself. He doesn't have much time. Hearing the nearby explosion, he runs to the front door, while dodging enemies.
Two of the soldiers tries two attack him but Izuku sees them and throws his shield at the tank making it to ricochet to knocking one of them out. He runs to the second one and throws him over the tank. Picking up the shield he continues to run.
Unfortunately, he was stopped by two HYDRA heavy soldiers armed with dual flamethrowers. They make a fire prison for him. Captain America tries to find for exit. But all of it is in vain. As suddenly as the fire dies numerous HYDRA soldiers surrounds him.
Izuku knows that he is outnumbered. Despite his physical strength he understood that he can't fight all of them. And he did the only thing that he could have thought.
He surrenders. However, despite the situation he finds himself in, he is very calm.
Everything according to the plan.
After Izuku has been captured by HYDRA soldiers they take off his shield. However, they were stupid enough to simply held him in their grips. No cuffs, no chains, no anything. Then they brought him to Akaguro's weapon lab.
He is greeted by Red Skull itself. He looks the same hideous as before. However, he looks different. When they first met Akaguro had the calm manner. And right now, he looks like he lost any self-control and ready to lash out at anyone. Like at the enemies, like at the allies. Dr. Kurogiri was right. He is truly insane sadist. When he saw his prisoner, he started to smile sinisterly and unsheathes his sword Blood Curdle.
"Arrogance may not be a uniquely American trait, but I must say that despite your roots you do it better than anyone,'' he said looking at Captain America deadly in the eyes. His look was scaring Midoriya. It looks like he watches into your soul. "But there are limits to what even you can do, Captain. Or did Erskine tell you otherwise?"
"He told me you were insane,'' he simply commented not showing any fear to him. "Just like everybody else who was working with you."
At his comment Chizome uses his hidden dagger and stab him in the shoulder. Despite pain Captain America holding himself very well. He wouldn't give this killer any satisfaction.
"Ha. And that's tells me a child, who agree to be a lab rat for corrupted government", he stated while looking at his victim. Despite beating he was giving him he was holding well. The kid is really strong. "In addition, he breaks in two heavily guarded enemy bases alone. The first time was a dumb luck. However right now it looks like luck finally left you."
"Luck never was on my side,'' he admitted not taking his eyes from Red skull.
"You know I can't understand why did you agree on the experiment in the first place?" he asked curiously. Despite his hatred at Erskine's chosen he was very interested to know why he was selected at all. "And why you didn't hear my advice? You could escape all of this. Why? You wanted to be a hero? Wanted to be praise? You love attention, don't you? You got it. You just like these pathetic soldiers. Always thinking about yourself."
"I could explain everything to you,'' he answered with disdain. Right now, he starts to hate Red Skull more and more. "However, Dr. Erskine told me that with your twisted mind you lost the ability to understand simple things."
"Ah. He resented my genius and tried to deny me what was rightfully mine, ``Akaguro commented with a sneer. "But he gave you everything. So, what made you so special?"
At that moment Izuku thought seriously at his question. Why? Why him from all people? He is nothing important. At that second, he remembered all his life. All people that he met and help. All adventures he experienced. More importantly he remembered Dr. Erskine and their last conservation.
"The serum amplifies everything that is inside. So, good becomes great. Bad becomes worse."
"This is why you were chosen. Because a strong man who has known power all his life, will lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows compassion."
"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man."
Remembering all doctor's kind words and reasons, Izuku confidently looks in the eyes of Akaguro and explains the same reasons he learnt about.
"Nothing. I'm just a kid from Brooklyn with an impossible dream", he answered with all honestly. However, his answer wasn't what was expecting Red Skull. If before he looks mad then right now, he wants to impale Midoriya with his own sword. Using all his strength he beats Izuku repeatedly in the face before hitting him in the stomach making Captain America to cough from the pain. Despite it he looks in the eyes of Akaguro with the same confident glint and continues, "I can do this all day."
Hearing his answer makes Red Skull satisfied with a will of his 'equal'. He knows how the world works. And he has true reasons to be a soldier. He is not corrupted like all this fools in the government. If they meet before Erskine, he could make a good ally. Unfortunately, despite his respect to Captain America his life must end or else his ambition about perfect world is in vain.
"Oh, of course you can. Of course. It really pains me to do it. However, you did it to yourself. And I can't risk for you to ruin my ambitions `` Chizome chuckles before taking out his trusty sword Blood Curdle and points it at Izuku's neck. "In addition, I am on a tight schedule."
Despite being in this situation. Izuku wasn't worried about his life. He hears some clacking metal. Entire room turns around and sees in the main window three shadows coming. They are finally here. Time for action.
"So am I!" he screamed while using one of the soldiers as living shield making him take a killing blow. Just then Midoriya's team, which consists of Dugan, Falsworth and Morita crashes through the windows of the weapons lab. And then starts shooting.
Seeing this unexpected break-in, surprises Red Skull. He couldn't imagine that these fools would attack an entire base. He just understood their plan. Give Captain America to them, and then unexpected attack. Using the commotion, he flees the lab.
Meanwhile the Howling Commandos continues to shoot the HYDRA soldiers down. So far it looks like they have an advantage. However, Izuku have some struggle without his weapon. Seeing that he is closer to the shield than anyone else, James comes to it.
"Midoriya! You might need this!" he called while throwing Izuku his shield.
"Thanks!" he called back while making his way through the lab. After exiting it Captain America runs to catch Red Skull.
Final battle is almost near.
The news about assault on the HYDRA base, despite being impossible put all troops in the state of panic. The entire base has fallen into chaos. That made Allied soldiers' job much easier.
"We're in! Assault team, go!" contacted with base Jim viacom, while shooting the enemies.
Outside HYDRA base.
Meanwhile all soldiers of Allied soldiers standing near HYDRA base waiting for a moment to attack. Among these soldiers are present Col. Chester Phillips and Agent Peggy Shield both of them armed with rifles. Colonel just heard about successful break-in. They need to move out.
"Move out! Keep your spacing!" he called to soldiers making them to run towards HYDRA base.
Despite to have technologies and weapons which succeeds decades, Hydra couldn't hold up against the sheer number of Allied soldiers and unexpected attack from inside out much longer. Their guns couldn't kill all of them. It didn't help that Howling Commandos takes their Tesseract-powered guns, making them to exterminate HYDRA soldiers much easier.
Using the bombs, they destroy the main door, making a way for Allies. This made Chizome's mood sore than before. It was bad enough that one little team attacking his base. But when an entire Allied Forces destroying it, it makes him to feel a new kind of vengeance. He will make them pay for embarrassment him.
In desperate manner he picks up discarded gun, which belong to one of the soldiers he shoots his enemies down. One by One. Killing own troop Red Skull continues to his way to hangar. No matter what they do today. If Valkyrie take off to the skies, they would lose their world.
Meanwhile at the same time in HYDRA base the troop of Col. Phillips just met another troop of HYDRA soldiers.
"Cut off one head, two more shall…" started one of them. However, he is quickly killed by Chester.
"Let's go find two more!" he continued while making way for his soldiers to go.
Hydra will fall today.
After some running Captain America found Red Skull and continues to chase him. Akaguro tries to slow Midoriya down by throwing at him some of his knives and shooting his cannon. Fortunately, Izuku was able to dodge every single one of them.
To stop him Izuku flung his shield at the wall and it ricochets at his direction. Unfortunately, it misses his target and Chizome escapes, but shield helped to keep the metal door open. Midoriya continues to run for his weapon. However, he met with an unpleasant surprise.
Suddenly one of the heavy HYDRA soldiers appears before him and shoots his flamethrowers at him. Izuku saves himself by hiding in the corner. He knows that he strong even with fire proof uniform but without his weapon he would be fried toast against this enemy. Literally. He needs someone to distract this guy before he can attack him.
Luckily, he has one. Suddenly the repeatedly gunshots heard in the background before explosion. He looks around and sees that the soldier is dead and behind him is Peggy with a battalion of soldiers. He understood what exactly happened. She shoots at the enemy in the back right on the gas tank making a big explosion. She has nice aim.
"You're late", he greeted her. Despite the situation he finds himself in, he is glad to have her back.
"Weren't you about to…" she stated reminding him about the mission on the hand. There is a mad man to catch.
"Right", he agreed with her while grabbing his shield from the door and then continues his chase with Akaguro.
Red Skull will be stopped no matter the cost.
HYDRA Hanger
After some running Akaguro finally has boarded the Valkyrie. Behind him is three Allied soldiers who continues to shoot down any HYDRA soldiers who comes closer to the plane.
When Chizome enters the cockpit of the vehicle he activates the Tesseract making it to power up entire plane. After that Red Skull sits in the pilot chair and activates Valkyrie, and the first target for a massive destruction he chooses New York City. The main American city. And home of Captain America. He thought that the best way for revenge is to destroy his home.
"He will pay for messing with me and my mission", he thought darkly.
The plane and starts to ignite and moving to the doors. At that exact moment Izuku finally enters the hangar. He sees that the plane is ready to move out. He needs to stop it.
Unfortunately, between him and the plane is collision of two different armies who tries to kill each other. That didn't make him to hesitate even slightly. He can't give up. People counting on him.
He runs for it while knocking out many HYDRA soldiers and blocking their shots with his shield. He then jumps on some crates and jumps to grab some chain and swings himself making him closer to the plane.
However, it didn't change the situation easier. He is still far behind the plane, which becomes faster at any second. He needs something fast to catch it.
Fortunately, he had one. Suddenly he hears tires screeching behind him. Turning around he sees Phillips and Peggy appear in Red Skull's car. It looks like Akaguro needs to guard his stuff better.
"Get in!" called Phillips who was behind the wheel. When Midoriya enters the car, Chester presses on the gas driving the car to ride faster after the plane.
Looking in the mirror Chizome sees that Midoriya and his team stole his car and tries to catch him. Like he is gonna let them to do it. He then pulls the lever accelerating his vehicle to go faster than before.
Seeing that the plane almost exits the hangar, colonel pushes the main button which makes the car to become as fast as a plane. That boost almost makes them to fly off from it because of the speed. That makes them closer to Valkyrie than ever. Seeing the opportunity Captain America stands on the car and waits for a moment to jump on the plane.
"Keep it steady!" he called to Phillips trying not to fall. Just as Izuku is about to leap from the roadster onto Akaguro's plane Peggy stops him.
"Wait!" she screamed while grabbing his arm making him to look at her. It's probably would be the last time they would see each other and she wants him to remember her. She then does unexpected, that she surprises all of three of them. She kisses him. After releasing him from it she continues, "Go get him."
Izuku surprised by the kiss. He could never imagine that she would kiss him. It was a true kiss from the love of his life. He still feels her soft lips on him. However, despite good feelings he is experienced he couldn't get a thought that something is wrong. Something is definitely wrong. He looks at Phillips for a guidance. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to explain anything to him.
"I'm not kissing you!" he barked in disgust.
Izuku then places his shield on the back while the car continues to ride closer to the plane. After dodging some blades of an airscrew, they finally catch the chassis of the plane. Unfortunately, the plane exits the hangar and is ready to take off to the skies.
Seeing that the time is almost over Captain America jumps from the car and catches the chassis before it can insert back to the plane. And the plane flies up.
However, driving on the ice floor made Chester to lose control on the car making it to ride to the edge of the base. Fortunately, with Phillips experience he makes the car finally stops before it could from the mountains.
Exiting the vehicle both Chester and Peggy look at the sky in the direction in which plane flew. They failed to stop the flight, but at least they left Midoriya in there. He can stop him. They don't know what the outcome will be. But they know one thing: that despite the odds Captain America will fight till his last breath. Right now, all hopes on Izuku.
An entire world depends on him.
