Wow! I posted this story not too long ago and it already has over 400 views and 1 comment.
In response to Agent N- Thank you! I love that you think that this is better! I have read a few and to me they are all very predictable and don't stay in character (not meaning to be harsh to anyone who has made these stories this is my perosnal opinion and I have read a few good ones out there). But I got this idea and wanted it to be not just the Avengers watching someone's history, but how it affects them once they get back to their world. So for anyone who's reading this you can expect more...
I am warning you that it will still be a while in between updates. I am getting a lot of Avengers work.
*At HYDRA HQ*
(Hutter) The Führer is not accustomed to being ignored, Herr Schmidt. He funds your research because you promised him weapons.
(Schneider) You serve at his pleasure. He gave you this facility as a reward for your injuries.
(Schmidt) Reward? Call it what it is. Exile. I no longer reflect his image of Aryan perfection.
Steve listened intently, interested in what he couldn't see during his rime at war.
(Roeder) You think this is about appearances? Your HYDRA division has failed to deliver so much as a rifle in over a year. And we had learned through local intelligence you had mounted a full-scale incursion into Norway.
"He didn't have permission to do that?!" Thor asked incredulously.
"Apparently not," Steve said disapprovingly. Thor glared at Schmidt, while Loki showed no indifference.
(Schneider) The Führer feels… How does he put it? "The Red Skull has been indulged long enough!"
Natasha glanced over at Clint, wondering if he caught the same words. He glanced right back with a nervous and confused glance.
"Who's the Red Skull?" Nat asked after a moment.
"I SAID NO SPOILERS!" the overhead voice, Katheryn, yelled.
"It'll explain later," Steve reassured.
(Schmidt) Gentlemen, you have come to see the results of our work. Let me show you. *They enter the lab.* Hitler speaks of a thousand-year Reich, but he cannot feed his army for a month. His troops spill their blood across every field in Europe. But still he is no closer to achieving his goals.
(Roeder) And I suppose you still aim to end this war through magic?
"The Tesseract is not magic!" Loki hissed quietly.
"Indeed it is not, Brother," Thor agreed having heard him. Loki however didn't even acknowledge.
(Schmidt) Science. But I understand your confusion. Great power has always baffled primitive men. HYDRA is assembling an arsenal to destroy my enemies in one stroke. Where ever they are, regardless of how many forces they possess. All in a matter of hours.
This statement alone angered several of the people watching.
"It didn't work, you failed," Steve muttered angrily.
"The tesseract is definitely not science either," Loki said glaring. "This is what happens when you leave midgards in charge of Infinity Stones."
"Some of the humans are responsible enough to care for it, most are not though," Thor agreed.
"Name one person that you think responsible enough to care for the Tesseract," Loki challenged.
"Rogers," Thor answered with a kind smile toward Steve. Loki sighed and turned back to the screen.
"Wait what about the rest of us?" Tony exclaimed as both of the gods turned back to the screen. It was Bruce, however, that responded.
"Do you really think that we should have that? We don't even know what it does!" Tony sighed and turned back to the screen, still muttering.
"Loki's right." Steve interrupted not able to stay quiet on this matter. "We shouldn't have it. It only causes destruction to us."
"What? Imagine what we could do against people like them though!"
"That's exactly what Hydra thought."
"They're the bad guys! They only wanted to destroy us!" I can't believe I am arguing about history with Captain America, Tony thought laughing slightly.
"What? What is so funny?"
"No," Tony said waving his hand. "It's just I am arguing about history with The Captain America.
"I was there and you weren't Tony, I saw the destruction that Hydra caused with it. We would only cause the same destruction on different people."
"Guys," Natasha interrupted causing both men to turn and look at them. "Lets just stop this argument and see what happens so we can change it. Alright?"
"Deal," Steve said holding his hand out to Tony.
"For now," Tony said smirking and shaking Steve's hand.
(Roeder) Your enemies?
(Schmidt) My weapons contain enough destructive power to decimate every hostile capital on earth. Quite simply, gentlemen, I have harnessed the power of the Gods.
At that both gods in the room watching that glared at the screen.
That's why mortals shouldn't be in control of an Infinity Stone. They aren't gods and that is a weapon of the gods and the gods only and there is a reason for that, Loki thought.
(Schneider) Thank you, Schmidt.
(Schmidt) For what?
(Schneider) For making it clear how obviously mad you are.
(Hutter) *Studying a map lying in Schmidt's labor.* Berlin is on this map!
(Schmidt) So it is.
"Their own town?" Steve asked stunned.
"Mortals are so ruthless as to destroy their own town?!" Thor asked stunned. He knew that mortals could be ruthless but enough to kill people of their own town?!
(Hutter) You will be punished for your insolence! You will be brought before the Führer himself! *Schmidt kills them all with his new Tesseract-powered canon.*
(Roeder) *Screams before he's disintegrated* Schmidt!
(Schmidt) My apologies, Doctor, but we both knew HYDRA could grow no further in Hitler's shadow. Hail HYDRA.
(Hydra Technicians) Hail HYDRA! *Raising both arms to salute*
(Dr. Arnim Zola) *When Schmidt turns to him* Hail HYDRA!
The Avengers just stared in shock at what they saw. They weren't able to believe what they just saw, how evil Hydra was, and that Steve had to face that.
*At the SSR compound.*
(Steve) *Referring to the amount of blood samples taken from him* Think you got enough?
(Peggy) Any hope of reproducing a program is locked in your genetic code. But without Dr. Erskine, it could take years.
Bruce looked down at his feet at this statement, ashamed at what he had tried to become and what he had became in the process.
(Steve) He deserved more than this.
(Peggy) If it could only work once, he'd be proud it was you.
That's what I miss about Peggy. That she was always there for me and always believed in me and knew exactly what to say.
*SSR tech lab with the Hydra submarine*
(Senator Brandt) Colonel Phillips, my committee is demanding answers.
(Col. Phillips) Great. Why don't we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?
"How did that happen?" Clint asked looking toward Steve.
"I never found out," Steve said regretfully.
"Huh," Natasha muttered thinking. Definitely something to look into.
(Col. Phillips) *To Stark who is working on the submarine* What have we got here?
(Howard) Speaking modestly, I'm the best mechanical engineer in this country.
Everyone turned to the other Stark as Howard said this.
"What?" Tony asked turning the others slightly confused as to what he did. Steve just rolled his eyes and turned back to the screen, the others following suit.
(Howard) But I don't know what's inside this thing or how it works. We're not even close to this technology.
(Senator Brandt) Then who is?
(Col. Phillips) HYDRA. I'm sure you've been reading our briefings.
(Senator Brandt) I'm on a number of committees, Colonel.
"Didn't read it," Loki muttered.
"Why do you say that?" Thor asked wondering how Loki was able to figure something like that.
"He would have known the answer to the question if he had," Natasha answered simply. Thor turned to her, surprise written on his face and she added, "Agent for Shield." Thor, not quite understanding simply responded with a "Humph."
(Peggy) HYDRA is the Nazi deep science division. It's led by Johann Schmidt. But he has much bigger ambitions.
(Col. Phillips) HYDRA's practically a cult. They worship Schmidt, they think he's invincible.
(Senator Brandt) So what are you gonna do about it?
(Col. Phillips) Spoke to the president this morning. As of today the SSR is being re tasked.
(Peggy) Colonel?
(Col. Phillips) We are taking the fight to HYDRA. Pack your bags Agent Carter. You too, Stark. You're flying to London tonight.
(Steve) Sir, if you're going after Schmidt, I want in.
(Col. Phillips) You're an experiment. You're going to Alamogordo.
Banner gave Steve a sympathetic glance, knowing what it was like to feel like an experiment.
(Steve) The serum worked.
(Col. Phillips) I asked for an army and all I got was you. You are not enough.
It was Loki's turn to glance at Steve sympathetically. He knew what it was like to feel like you were never strong enough, to be overlooked in favor of someone else.
(Senator Brandt) *To Steve* With all due respect to the Colonel, I think we may be missing the point. I've seen you in action, Steve. More importantly, the country's seen it. *To his aide* Paper. *The aide shows them the newspaper ('The New York Examiner' Vol. XCVII No. 33.634, Wednesday, June 23, 1943), headlines: "Nazis in New York - mystery man saves child"* The enlistment lines have been around the block since your picture hit the newsstands. You don't take a soldier, a symbol like that, and hide him in a lab. Son, do you want to serve your country on the most important battlefield of the war?
"oh-no!" Steve muttered knowing what was most likely to come next.
The others turned to him slightly confused as to why this was a bad thing.
(Steve) Sir, that's all I want.
(Senator Brandt) Then, congratulations. You just got promoted.
Steve's face started to take on a pale blush and he averted his gaze from the screen to his feet.
"Now this aught to be good! If Mr. America is embarassed then this has got to be funny!" Tony said smirking, but covering up his slight fear that something bad could actually happen. Most of the future Avengers laughed, whether it was at Steve's new nickname, or the actual joke was the question.
(Steve) *Backstage as Steve is getting dressed in super-hero costume* I don't know if I can do this.
(Brandt's Aide) Nothing to it. Sell off a few bonds, bonds buy bullets, bullets kills Nazi's. Bing bang boom. You're an American hero.
Tony looked over to Steve; his face saying, 'your really nervous about doing that?' The rest of the Avengers just looked at the screen confused and not quite getting what was about to happen.
(Steve) It's just not how I pictured getting there.
(Brandt's Aide) The senator's got a lot of pull up on the hill. You play ball with us, you'll be leading your own platoon in no time. Take the shield. *As Steve puts on his head mask he pushes Steve onto the stage*
(USO Singer) Who's strong and brave, here to save the American way?
(Steve) *As women start to sing and dance in the background Steve reads:* Not all of us can storm a beach or drive a tank. But there's still a way all of us can fight.
The whole of the crowd stands there shocked to see their brave Captain America standing on the stage reading lines like a performer. Tony was the first to laugh out loud, Thor and the rest of the Avengers soon following. Steve simply sat there, staring at the floor, face bright red.
(USO Singer) Who vows to fight like a man, for what's right, night and day?
(Steve) Series E Defense Bonds. Each one you buy is a bullet in the barrel of your best guy's gun.
(USO Singer) Who will campaign door-to-door for America? Carry the flag shore to shore for America? From Hoboken to Spokane, the star-spangled man with a plan.
Star spangled man with a plan? Tony thought hysterically. I am definitely going to use that against him!
*Steve leads a group of men dressed as soldiers in front of a moving image.*
(Director) Cut. Guys, don't look at the camera.
"Common knowledge!" Tony muttered. Steve simply rolled his eyes.
While Thor asked, "Why don't you look at the camera?"
"We were filming a movie at the time, and looking at the camera takes away from the effect that the movie has," Steve answered.
"Ohhhhh," Thor said understanding.
*Back to a scene where he's on tour.*
(USO Singer) We can't ignore there's a threat and a war we must win.
(Steve) Each one you buy is a bullet in the barrel of your best guy's gun.
"You're getting better!" Bruce said laughing slightly when Steve just rubbed his forehead exasperatedly.
(USO Singer) Who'll hang a noose on the goose-stepping goons from Berlin? Who will redeem, heed the call for America? Who'll rise or fall, give his all for America? Who's here to prove that we can? The star-spangled man with a plan.
Steve glanced up at the screen and the sight of him on tour, wearing a ridiculously fake costume with a bunch of stage girls as his backup singers. There was no way he was going to live this down.
(Steve) We all know this is about trying to win the war. We can't do that without bullets and bandages, tanks and tents. That's where you come in. Every bond you buy will help protect someone you love. *A men dressed as Hitler sneaks up on him on the stage.*
(Kids in USO Audience) Turn around! He's right behind you!
(Steve) Keep our boys armed and ready, and the Germans will think twice about trying to get the drop on us. *The man attacks him and gets fake-punched.*
"That was so fake," Clint muttered.
"I couldn't actually punch the guy," Steve defended. "I would knock him out!"
(USO Singer) Stalwart and steady and true, forceful and ready to defend, the red, white, and blue. Who'll give the Axis the sack and is smart as a fox? Far as an eagle will soar. Who's making Adolf afraid to step out of his box? He knows what we're fighting for. Who waked the giant that napped in America? We know it's no one but Captain America. Who'll finish what they began? Who'll kick the Krauts to Japan? The star-spangled man with a plan!
"Well, Star-spangled man with a plan," Tony said smirking as Steve's face went from embarrassed, to exasperated. "I didn't take you for a movie star."
"I wasn't, it was all other people's ideas," Steve protested.
"Sure it was…" Clint said laughing.
"It was!"
"Keep saying that."
*Scenes show how Captain America goes on tour around America, appears in comics and films, how he's approached by multiple fans, and generally becomes more liked and famous.*
*Italy, November 1943, 5 miles from the front. Steve addresses a crowd of soldiers dressed in his super hero costume*
(Steve) How many of you ready to help me sock old Adolf on the jaw? *Silence from the crowd of soldiers*
"Oh, no" Pepper muttered, having been in enough conferences to see what was about to happen.
(Steve) Okay. Uh… I need a volunteer.
(Army Man 1) I already volunteered! How do you think I got here? *the crowd of soldiers laugh* Bring back the girls! *There's a cheer from the soldiers*
"Steve, I feel so sorry for you," Bruce said imagining the embarrassment that Steve was feeling.
(Steve) I think they only know the one song. But um…let me…I'll…I'll see what I can do.
(Army Man 1) You do that, sweetheart.
Steve's face goes from red, to neon red. He knew what was about to happen and really didn't want the others to see him like this.
(Army Man 2) Nice boots, Tinker Bell! *The crowd of soldiers laugh*
(Steve) Come on, guys. We're all on the same team here.
(Army Man 3) Hey, Captain! Sign this! *He stands turns and pulls his pants down and the crowd starts to throw things at Steve.*
The other's didn't even know what to say to Steve to make it any better.
(Army Man 4) Bring back the girls! *The women run on stage and the crowd cheers.*
(Brandt's Aide) *Backstage to Steve* Don't worry, pal. They'll warm up to you. Don't worry.
*Later, Steve sits on the edge of the stage sketching as rain pours down in the background.*
(Peggy) Hello, Steve.
"Ohhhh," Tony teased Steve, trying to lighten the mood.
Steve's face brightened a little bit, but after what he had just had to revisit Tony's teasing was nothing.
(Steve) *He turns and looks up at Peggy.* Hi.
(Peggy) Hi.
(Steve) What are you doin' here?
(Peggy) Officially I'm not here at all.
Natasha smiled, she had to admit, she liked Peggy.
"That sounds like an excuse that you would use," Clint said turning to Nat.
"Yeah, me and Peggy are related," Natasha said casually forcing down a laugh when Steve turned to her stunned.
"You wish!" Clint said laughing and shoving her. "She's not, by the way," Clint said to Steve.
"Agent Carter was one of the founders of SHIELD," Natasha explained.
"Ohhhh," Steve said in understanding.
(Peggy) That was quite a performance.
(Steve) Yeah. Uh… I had to improvise a little bit. Crowds I'm used to are usually more uh… twelve.
Thor couldn't help but laugh, Loki snickered beside him.
(Peggy) I understand you're "America's New Hope"?
At this Tony simply turned to Steve and smirked. Steve just sighed. Will the embarrassment never end?
(Steve) Bond sales take a ten percent bump in every state I visit.
(Peggy) Is that Senator Brandt I hear?
(Steve) At least he's got me doin' this. Phillips would have had be stuck in lab.
(Peggy) And these are your only two options? A lab rat or a dancing monkey? You were meant for more than this, you know? *Steve goes to respond but hesitates* What?
(Steve) You know for the longest time I dreamed about coming overseas and being on the front lines. Serving my country. I finally get everything I wanted, and I'm wearing tights. *Honking in the background as an ambulance arrives with wounded soldiers. Steve and Peggy turn around to watch.
"Well then just go and fight," Thor said remembering the spontaneous battle against the frost giants.
"It doesn't work like that," Steve and Loki said at the exact same time.
"On Earth there are commanders in control of the soldiers. I was just one of those soldiers. This was what they had me doing. If I disobeyed their orders I'd get punished." Thor nodded in understanding.
* They look like they've been through hell.
(Peggy) These men more than most. Schmidt sent out a force to Azzano. Two hundred men went up against him and less than fifty returned. Your audience contained what was left of the one-oh-seventh. The rest were killed or captured.
Bruce's eyes widened and he turned to Steve for confirmation that the facts were true. Steve nodded sadly that they were.
(Steve) The one-oh-seventh?
(Peggy) What?
(Steve) Come on! *They run to a tent.* Colonel Phillips.
(Col. Phillips) Well, if it isn't the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan. And what is your plan today?
This time when Tony glanced over to Steve, he just ignored it. He focused instead on what was about to happen.
(Steve) I need the casualty list from Azzano.
(Col. Phillips) You don't get to give me orders, son.
(Steve) I just need one name. Sergeant James Barnes from the hundred and seventh.
"Oh, no!" Pepper said remembering Bucky telling Steve at the beginning of the movie that that was where he was assigned to.
(Col. Phillips) *Pointing to Peggy* You and I are gonna have a conversation later that you won't enjoy.
"You shouldn't have gone with him," Natasha told Peggy. "You just blew your cover." Clint nodded in silent agreement.
(Steve) Please tell me if he's alive, sir. B-A-R…
(Col. Phillips) I can spell. *Referring to Barnes* I have signed more of these condolence letters today than I would care to count. But the name does sound familiar. I'm sorry.
Pepper covered her mouth with her hand while gasping. Steve smiled slightly, knowing that he had basically the same reaction when he found out.
(Steve) What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission?
(Col. Phillips) Yeah! It's called winning the war.
"What?" Tony exclaimed. "You have my Dad making a whole bunch of unique weapons for you and you can't rescue a few soldiers!" Tony rolled his eyes and turned to Steve, "Please tell me that you did something about that."
"The great Captain America?" Loki teased turning to Stark and looking offended. "He would never dare to commit such a crime!" Tony just laughed and rolled his eyes.
(Steve) But if you know where they are, why not at least…?
(Col. Phillips) They're thirty miles behind the lines. Through the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We'd lose more men than we'd save. But I don't expect you to understand that, because you're a chorus girl.
"Oh, snap," Tony smirked, knowing that things were going to go in his favor.
(Steve) I think I understand just fine.
(Col. Phillips) Well then understand it somewhere else. If I read the posters correctly, you got someplace to be in thirty minutes. *As Phillips walks away Steve looks at the military map which show s where the men are*
"Told ya," Tony said to Loki. Loki simply rolled his eyes at the smug millionaire and turned back to the screen.
(Steve) Yes, sir. I do.
(Col. Phillips) *To Peggy* If you have something to say, right now is the perfect time to keep it to yourself.
"Rude!" Clint muttered.
(Peggy) *She follows Steve to his tent where he starts to change and pack some things.* What do you plan to do? Walk to Austria?
(Steve) If that's what it takes.
"Told you! Told you! Told you!" Tony cheered.
"Midgardian you do know that I was joking right?" Loki asked slightly annoyed.
"Yeah," Tony said calming down. "But I'm still right."
(Peggy) You heard the Colonel, your friend is most likely dead.
"He wasn't confirmed dead?" Pepper asked in confusion.
"No," Tony explained to her. "They all were captured behind enemy lines and they don't know what the enemy is doing to them so they were presumed dead."
"Ohhh," Pepper said.
(Steve) You don't know that.
(Peggy) Even so, he's devising a strategy. If he detects…
"He isn't devising a strategy," Bruce protested. "He's giving up! He's signing the letters and pesuming them dead!"
(Steve) By the time he's done that, it could be too late! *He walks out to a jeep.* You told me you thought I was meant for more than this. Did you mean that?