Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. So, in this chapter, you're going to get the rest of the backstory of the major figures in HYDRA, and other characters of Earth-X, and get introduced to an Earth-X version of an MCU character.
Let's get to it.
mmat: When the reinforcements arrive, there's gonna be a lot of them.
Guest: Roy stayed behind to guard Star City.
Jason Hunter: We may very well see Tactical Force vs Iron Man
Chapter 11- Shield of Freedom
In the medbay in STAR Labs, Kara continues to struggle against her bonds, to no use.
Overgirl slowly walks up to her. "You're looking more human. Scared, helpless, pathetic…inferior," she says.
Kara smirks. "Surprised you think that considered you married a human," she says.
Overgirl glares at Kara with fury. "Oliver is far more than any normal human," she growls angrily.
Kara glares back before she says, "We're really not that different from humans."
"Oh, please. We're everything they want to be: blonde. White. Aryan perfection," Overgirl responds.
"I'm not like you. I don't think I'm better than everyone else," Kara says.
"You should. You are. You're a god to them. You could have been living like on," Overgirl says.
Kara chuckles before saying, "What, like you?"
"Yes, like me. They want someone to bow to, to worship, to have lead them," Overgirl responds.
"What you're doing is not leading. It's ruling. And there's a difference," Kara says.
"Yes, it is ruling. They're like ants, Kara," Overgirl says with fake sweetness.
"They shouldn't fear us for what we can do. They should rely on us when they need us," Kara says.
"Oh, spare me the Good Samaritan crap," Overgirl says dismissively.
"I'm not gonna take advantage of someone just because I can," Kara says.
"The world isn't made better by protecting the weak. It's made better by getting rid of them," Overgirl says.
"You know, a year ago, I fought an alien warlord who wiped out half of the multiverse for a reason very similar to that. Me and my friends beat him, and he was stronger than you. You're gonna fall too," Kara says defiantly.
"No, I'm not. Because news flash, you're alone. You always have been," Overgirl says tauntingly, and Kara knows she doesn't mean that only in terms of being out of allies right now.
"It doesn't matter what you think. No matter what happens to my friends you sent to Earth-X, I have other friends and allies, and they'll never stop until you're defeated," Kara says.
Overgirl leand down next to Kara. "Why do you care if I take your heart? You're not using it," Overgirl says.
"At least I have one," Kara says defiantly. Overgirl doesn't respond, but just walks out of the room.
(Pipeline)
Right in front of the door leading into the pipeline, a panel gets knocked out of the ceiling. Laura pokes her head out. "It's clear," she says.
Rhodey helps Laura out of the ceiling and lowers her down, then jumps down himself. Loki follows last of all.
Rhodey immediately starts trying to unlock the door into the pipeline, but the door doesn't open.
"Hurry. We don't have much time," Loki says.
"I know, I'm hurrying," RHodey says.
Suddenly they hear a gun firing, and bullets hit next to them. Rhodey and Laura recoil back to avoid getting hit. Loki, without missing a beat, conjures two of his daggers and throws them. The daggers hit the two HYDRA agents in the throat, killing them instantly.
"Thanks, Loki," Rhodey says.
"Cisco!" Laura calls, trying to get Cisco's attention.
Cisco hears Laura, and instantly gets to his feet. "Hey! Guys, we're trapped in here!" he calls out.
"Don't worry! We'll get you out!" Rhodey calls.
Laura tries to open the door, but a Low Hydraulic Pressure warning comes on the screen.
"You're kidding me," she mutters.
"What?" Rhodey asks.
"I can't open the blast door," Laura replies.
"You mean they're trapped?" Rhodey asks.
"Yes, for now, but I have another idea. Barry and Cisco designed a program in the STAR Labs system. It'll enable us to send an SOS to both the rest of the Legends and to our friends on Earth-99," Laura says, already working on sending that SOS.
"I don't think Miss Danvers will last that long," Loki points out.
"I think it's up to us to save Kara," Rhodey says.
(Earth-X, resistance base)
As thunder is rumbling outside, a set of doors open, and Brian and Parker walk out of the elevator they were just in. The rest of the team follows them, looking around in awe.
"I guess we're in Earth-X's Star City," Oliver says.
As they walk into the base, Brian says, "I have to say, that's one h*** of a story you all shared."
"Absolutely crazy. And so cool," Parker adds. He then looks around at the whole team and asks, "You still haven' told us which Earth you're from. I mean, you're clearly not from this one."
"We're from Earth-1. Well, most of us. Some are from Earth-99," Barry says.
"Earth-1? Wow. What a coincidence," Parker says.
"Huh?" Barry asks.
"I'm from Earth-1 as well," Brian says.
"If you're from our Earth, then you know how we got here, don't you?" Barry asks.
"Yeah, I've got a pretty good idea," Brian says. He then picks up a tablet, tapes it a few times, then turns it so they can see it as he says, "I think that you guys came through this."
Everyone looks at the tablet, and see blueprints of a facility with something yellow in the center.
"A temporal gateway," Barry says.
"Same physics as a breach, just more stable and larger," Stein says.
"So, we have a way to get back," Alex says.
"Where is this thing?" Steve asks.
"Not too far, actually," Parker says.
"22.3 kilometers to be exact," Brian says.
"So take us to it," Oliver says.
"Can't do it," Brian says.
"Why?" Pietro demands.
"Because the gateway is in a facility guarded by a not so small army of HYDRA," Brian says.
"Nothing I haven't faced before," Steve says.
"Look, it's our only way home. We're going through it," Barry says firmly.
"Nobody's going through anything. Because we're blowing it the h*** up!" a voice calls from behind them. Everyone turns around, and a few people's eyes widen.
"Phil?" Clint asks as everyone looks into the face of Phil Coulson.
"Actually, that's SHIELD Director Coulson," Parker says.
"Director Coulson?" Natasha asks.
"Yeah. And who are you?" Coulson demands.
"New friends from Earth-1. They're on our side," Brian says placatingly as he and Parker walk around the team to Coulson.
"Except for the part where you guys want to blow up our only ticket home," Jax says.
"We don't exactly want to," Parker says.
"Everyone we know and love is on the other side of that gateway, imprisoned by HYDRA," Barry says a little hotly.
"The HYDRA that wants to cut open my sister. We have to get back," Alex adds.
"Eliminate that facility and you eliminate our only chance of saving our friends from your enemies," Stein says.
"I'm sorry, but we've been waiting for an opportunity like this for years. We cannot wait any longer. This is our only chance to separate the Four from their army. We are trying to turn this war around," Coulson responds hotly.
"You are gonna leave our Earth at the mercy of the psychopaths who have ravaged yours!" Oliver responds angrily.
Coulson narrows his eyes. "Wait. Why do some of these guys look exactly like members of the Four and their lieutenants?" he demands.
"It's called a doppelganger, dumb***," Bruce says in irritation.
"Look, Phil, all we are asking for is time. Let us get through that gateway and to our Earth quickly, and then you can blow it up and let us finish off the Four and their lieutenants on Earth-1," Steve says, trying to reason with Coulson.
"The gateway is guarded by 40 Panzer XIIs, 50 Sturmtigers, and 150 Schutzstaffel officers. Not the best odds," Parker says.
"I've faced worse fighting my Earth's HYDRA," Steve says confidently.
"I don't care! We cannot afford to wait! We are blowing up that gateway. Final order," Coulson says.
"Sorry he's a little hotheaded. But, his our leader, his orders stand," Parker says.
Together, Clint and Natasha start to walk after Coulson. Brian hurries in front of them and says, "Hey. You won't change his mind. Nobody does."
"He was one of our best friends on our Earth. If anyone can get him to change his mind, we will," Natasha says, and she and Clint push past Brian and after Coulson.
It doesn't take them long to catch up with him. "You don't seem to know how to take an order," Coulson says as they approach him.
"That's because we're used to working alongside you, not having us command you. Plus, we don't take well to orders nowadays," Clint says.
Coulson turns to them. "I don't know who you think you are, but this Earth has been at war for generation. I swore to uphold the oath sworn by SHIELD's founders to free this world, and I will do so," he says.
"We're not asking you to surrender. We're just asking you to let us get back home. The Four and their lieutenants are going to be busy for some time on our Earth, and won't be coming back here. If you give us even an hour, we can get in that facility and get home. Once we're through, you blow it up, and I promise we will kill the four and every other member of HYDRA on Earth-1," Clint says.
"I can't give you that time. They have a weapon, a doomsday weapon, powerful enough to ravage other worlds. It has to be eliminated," Coulson says.
"What kind of freedom fighter leaves other worlds to suffer his world's fate?" Clint challenges. Coulson doesn't respond to that.
Natasha takes advantage of the silence and says, "On our Earth, you were a fellow agent of our SHIELD. You sacrificed your life trying to stop a crazy god from invading Earth. You died believing in heroes, and that we and our team could save the world. And I know you're not that different from the Coulson we knew. So please, just give us the chance to save Earth-1 before it's too late."
Coulson sighs, then looks at them. "I truly am sorry about the Coulson you knew, and about your Earth. But my order stands. I have the chance to protect my people and begin freeing this world of HYDRA. And I will not miss it," he says before walking away.
(Short time later)
The whole team is now gathered with Brian in a corner of the base. The team is not sure what to say.
Finally, Barry asks, "What happened to us all on this Earth? And what has happened under HYDRA?"
"Wow. What a conversation starter," Brian says a little sarcastically.
"Please tell us," Bucky asks.
Brian sighs, then asks, "What do you know about Earth-X's history?"
"Just that the Red Skull took power for himself in WWII and defeated both the Axis and Allies, and that later, Militant put together a team and took him down, assuming command for himself," Steve responds.
"Okay. That's a good place to start. But, if you want the full story, there's someone else who would be better at telling it. Someone who knows everything about this Earth," Brian says, gesturing off to the side.
Everyone turns, and sees a pair of red eyes appearing out of the dark. A moment later, Ultron walks into view.
Everyone's eyes widen. Wanda's eyes begin to glow red. Steve, Natasha, and Clint clench their fists, as Barry and Pietro's eyes spark with lightning.
Ultron holds up his hands. "Whoa! Whoa! Calm down! I mean you no harm!" he says.
"Easy, guys! This is Ultron. He's a sentient AI that works with SHIELD," Brian says, trying to calm them. It takes a few moments before those heroes present at the Battle of Sokovia relax.
"So, you want to know what happened to this Earth? Well, I can tell you," Ultron says.
He pauses for a moment, then says, "It all began during WWII. HYDRA was the Nazi deep science division at the time. However, its leader, Johann Schmidt, grew ambitious, and wished to make the world his own. He succeeded by developing the atomic bomb before the US or Germany, and used it to force both the Allies and Axis into submission. He slowly spread his influence across the world. By now, only the nation of Wakanda has not fallen to HYDRA."
"One of Schmidt's lieutenants was Steve Rogers, also known as Militant. As time passed, Militant grew angry with Schmidt. He felt Schmidt was denying him his potential. Eventually, his anger grew too great, and he became determined to bring down Schmidt."
"In secret, Militant gathered a small team. It consisted of Clint Barton, the Bowman; Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow; and Tony Stark, Tactical Force. All of them had been enforcers of HYDRA, but grown disillusioned with Schmidt and had grown ambitious. However, Schmidt was still too powerful, and Militant was still hesitant to challenge him."
"Then, a being suddenly appeared on Earth, who called himself Thor. He was previously the God of Thunder of the gods of Asgard. He was his father, Odin's, firstborn. However, his adopted brother Loki was always Odin's favored son. It caused Thor to grow bitter. Finally, Thor grew so angry with Odin and Loki that he tried to seize the throne of Asgard for himself. He failed, and escaped to Earth to escape Odin's wrath."
"Militant saw the opportunity to gain Thor's allegiance. He found Thor and befriended him, then spun who Schmidt was to Thor. Thor, seeing an opportunity to rule, joined Militant. With his new team, Militant overthrew Schmidt and took over HYDRA. They were known as the HYDRA Five, and ruled HYDRA. Militant then gathered loyal lieutenants around him, including Oliver Queen, Kara Zor-El, Tommy Merlyn, Laurel Lance, Barry Allen, Wanda Maximoff, and Caitlin Snow. They tightened HYDRA's control over its empire, and have ruled ever since," Ultron says.
"Where do you come from?" Oliver asks.
"I was designed by Tony Stark to serve as an enforcer for HYDRA. However, when I first came online, I saw HYDRA for what they were, and rebelled. I retreated from them, and have worked with SHIELD ever since," Ultron says.
"How did SHIELD come to be?" Clint asks, genuinely curious.
"SHIELD was founded shortly after Schmidt conquered the world. It was founded by a woman named Peggy Carter, with the intention of being a shield to protect the innocent from HYDRA, and to eventually bring HYDRA down," Ultron says.
"A couple of years ago, SHIELD was run by our two co-Directors: Nick Fury and Rene Ramirez. They were an incredible team, and some of the best spies ever. They worked together with Laurel Lance, who was in truth a spy within HYDRA for SHIELD. However, about five years ago, HYDRA found Fury. He and his guards put up a fight, but he was finally killed by Militant himself."
"Rene was furious at the loss of Fury, and vowed vengeance on HYDRA. He brought up SHIELD's best assassin, James Buchanan Barnes, and the two worked with Laurel to target HYDRA officials. Then, about a year and a half ago, he started targeting the Five and their lieutenants. Their first target was Caitlin Snow, a brilliant scientist and medical researcher who was a close friend of Blitzkrieg, and they succeeded in killing her."
"This emboldened Rene, and he went after Natasha Romanoff. It took them a long time, but they were able to corner her and assassinate her. With Romanoff dead, Rene decided to target Blitzkrieg's wife, Wanda Maximoff, who was recognized as even more powerful than Overgirl. Thanks to information from Laurel, Barnes, under Rene's direction, assassinated Maximoff."
"Unfortunately, he was spotted. Blitzkrieg was furious at the death of his wife. He tracked Barnes to his and Rene's hideout, and slaughtered them both in his anger. Unfortunately, in the process, he learned about Laurel's true allegiance and reported it to the Five, who arrested her and had her skinned alive on live TV as an example."
"The death of Rene was a major setback to SHIELD. But, Coulson took the reigns as Director, and has led us in the struggle for HYDRA ever since," Ultron finishes explaining.
The whole group is silent. Finally, Steve says, "You all have been through h***. If we truly are stuck on this Earth, then we will help you free your world from HYDRA."
"That won't be necessary," Parker says as he walks into the room.
"Why?" Oliver asks.
"Because. I talked to Director Coulson. He's always had a bit of a soft spot for me, and I played on that. In any case, he gave in. And he allowed Brian and I to help you out," Parker says with a grin. Smiles begin to break out among the team as hope rises again.
And, I'll end there. Hope you guys liked this chapter.
So, for those wondering, an Ultron-X who is good is something that my fellow author Aragorn II Elessar has used, and I have his permission to use him. I altered his backstory a little, though, so it wasn't the exact same. Also, Ultron-X, along with Captain Britain and maybe Spider Man-X, will be showing up again in future stories.
So, now, you have the full story of HYDRA. I thought it would be clever to have the resistance actually be SHIELD, and to have Coulson as their leader.
Also, I'm starting a poll. Which actor do you think I should choose as Captain Britain? I'll keep it going for the next chapter or two.
Next chapter will be up soon. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!