Chapter 1: HYDRA Vs Sif
London...
A place that held so much history. Home of the British Royal Family, home of vast wealthy and powerful individuals.
It was also currently the residence of an infamous paramilitary organization known as HYDRA. They were in one of their secret research bases in London, observing and analyzing possible new and younger test subjects in regards to Loki's Scepter. Their work was become quite successful.
As Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker had put it; this was not the age of heroes, or even villains, this right here was the age of miracles...
And within the months of April and May of 2015, the world would begin to change forever.
"How are our latest line of test subjects doing so far?" Asked Strucker.
"Very good Lord Strucker, we have managed to obtain quite a great deal of new test subjects for the scepter. Almost all of them are healthy, strong you name. These individuals in the same unit as the Twins will make HYDRA more powerful than it has ever been in its long glorious history."
"Excellent work, all of you, your work here will help carve a new chapter in the longstanding legacy of HYDRA. The Americans think that they will be able to shut down our work, but they cannot. Why? Because secretly they fear us. They fear that we have left humanity behind, once and for all. They are scared that our work is decades ahead of their own. They are afraid of the new world order that HYDRA will bring in such a short period of time. I promise you all that your hard work will not be in vain. HAIL HYDRA!"
"HAIL HYDRA!"
"HAIL HYDRA!"
"HAIL HYDRA!"
"HAIL HYDRA!"
As the scientists and HYDRA troops cheered their moniker in unison, Strucker, a scientist and a few of the guards walked out of the room and towards where they were keeping their test subjects at. HYDRA would rule the world. The West and their allies would bow down to their demands once and for all.
But what HYDRA did not know was that they were currently being tracked and monitored by a familiar foe;
Lady Sif of Asgard.
"Typical of the Mortals, thinking themselves to be gods whom shall rule over the innocent. HYDRA shall be slain by my own hands."
After being shockingly exiled from Asgard by 'Odin', Sif had spent every day since then on Midgard battling the evils of this realm. The current evil being the mortal sleeper agent known as Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker, whom Sif had been tracking down for a while following her banishment from Asgard.
In a way, her exile still hurt her. After all she has done in the service of her home realm, she was casted out, treated as if she were a villain. She had worked with S.H.I.E.L.D. in taking down the evil Asgardian sorceress known as Lorelei and among other threats. She had never done anything or committed any acts of treason that wasn't for the good as Asgard.
Why must she suffer in every aspect? She couldn't find success in love, as Thor the only one she's ever truly loved and cared for in her life had his affections taken by the mortal Midgardian scientist Jane Foster. While Sif held no personal quarrel or animosity towards Jane Foster, that didn't mean the pain would ever go away. Instead of true love, Sif is rewarded in a one night stand with Thor's vile brother, Loki and the first man she truly loved ended up being enthralled by Lorelei's vile sorcery.
Why couldn't she find friends she could trust and relate to? Yes the Warriors Three and Thor were her good friends, but she was the only woman of her Asgardian brethren who willingly chose to be a warrior. Who in the Nine Realms could relate to that?
Sif despite being the hardened Goddess Of War, just didn't want to feel like she was left alone in the Nine Realms.
But there was no time for Sif to mourn her loneliness, exile and apparent eternal suffering. She had a job to do, which was to permanently slay the Midgardian Terrorist-Cult-Paramilitary organization that was HYDRA.
Sif leapt into battle without a second thought and wasted no time in dropped the two HYDRA troops whom were in front of her.
"Stand down mortals, and you may just live to tell the tale of this battle." Sif's threat, as usual was ignored. Knowing how things were going to go, Sif readied her trademark sword.
One of the HYDRA soldiers made an announcement and sounded off the alarm. "It's the Asgardian! We mustn't allow another base to be sieged men. Sound the alarms! Get as many troops as you can, and we must get the Baron out of here at once!"
Not long after the alarms were sounded, many HYDRA troops came rushing into the lab of the London HYDRA base and began surrounding Sif, with multiple weapons aimed at her.
"If it's a battle HYDRA desires, I shall grant it to you." Sif wasted no time in making her first attack. She kicked one HYDRA soldier so hard against a wall, that he was easily knocked unconscious because of her far superior Asgardian strength. Sif could hear their weapons being fired at her as well as their battle cries.
Sif punched, kick and used her sword and shield to take down multiple enemies with ease, she was hardly breaking a sweat. She threw one HYDRA troop over a railing letting him fall elsewhere. Sif used her shield as a projectile and threw it face first at two more HYDRA guards.
She then grabbed another HYDRA troop and threw him into some nearby scientific equipment, causing a brief explosion with a fire eventually following the explosion. Sif then used her shield as a battering ram like device and took down multiple HYDRA troops with efficiency. Another guard tried to place her in a chokehold, but this only angered the Asgardian goddess. Sif effortlessly flipped the poor enemy over her shoulder.
"If it's a Warrior's end you desire, you shall have it." Sif readied herself once again as multiple piles of HYDRA soldiers were sent in to defend the base and Strucker. "Show yourself Strucker." Sif demanded. "If you do as commanded, you may just be spared from my wrath."
As Sif continued to wage her one woman war against HYDRA, Strucker himself came onto the intercom.
"You have been a thorn in HYDRA's side for quite some time now, Asgardian. We will not allow you to make our godlike research wrongfully go to waste. We will continue with our work and when we are done, we'll make Norse mythology revolve around HYDRA! Asgardian mythology is a thing of the past, the new HYDRA focuses on the future! Base after base falls because of you and the West's colorful costumed themed brutes. HYDRA's age of miracles does not involve your presence. In the end, your death will amount to HYDRA's ultimate goal! Total and utter world domination. Men, you have one job, Kill the Asgardian! I do not care how many men it takes, just assure us that she dies and will no longer be a thorn in HYDRA's side!"
Sif gritted her teeth. "Only a coward would hide and make threats, if you're a true mortal warrior, you shall come out and face me instead of sacrificing your loyal warriors!" Without hesitation Sif once again began attacking the massive loads of HYDRA soldiers coming for her.
She wasted no time in disarming four men of their guns, even snapping one of them in half with her sheer strength. Sif proceeded to grab one of the troops and hurl him as a human projectile towards an another oncoming group of soldiers.
Sif then proceeded to grab another soldier's rifle and use it as if it were a bat or baton, beating and taking down a few more soldiers. Another soldier tried to shoot at her, but Sif being quicker used her shield to block the shots. Sif then quickly took him down also.
The more troops HYDRA had sent, the quicker and more aggressive Sif would become. She kicked one soldier so hard that his entire body made a full dent in the wall. Sif punched another soldier so hard, that his mask had been completely shattered and destroyed, slightly scaring some of the HYDRA Members whom were present.
Something that beings across all the Nine Realms misunderstood about Sif was that she wasn't just beauty. She had the brains and especially had the brawn to handle herself in battle. She was more than capable of handling herself in a battle, as evidenced by the numerous fallen HYDRA troops she had left in her wake.
Sif taking this base from Strucker's disposal would send a message to all of Midgard's evil doers that she was a fearsome force to be reckoned with.
"Surrender now and I sh-" Sif was suddenly cut off. She was sent flying after she was hit hard in the back by a HYDRA troop wielding a metal sledgehammer. The impact knocked Sif into a metal railing, causing the Asgardian Warrior to be disarmed of her sword and shield in the process. While the attack definitely didn't heavily damage her, Sif still had the wind knocked out of her and was momentarily dazed and incapacitated.
More of HYDRA began to surround her with their weapons aimed at Sif.
"I'll never kneel or surrender." She had full confidence and defiance. "I shall die a warrior's death."
One of the HYDRA Soldiers readied his gun. This was it, Sif was going to finally obtain the honor of a Warrior's death and pass on to Valhalla.
Just as the HYDRA member fired his weapon, something completely unexpected happened.
A mortal in an American themed uniform with a red, white and blue shield was standing over Sif. He had used this mysterious weapon to block the attack that would've killed Sif.
"Take 'em down Avengers!"
Suddenly Sif heard a very familiar sound of lighting nearby. Eventually Thor emerged alongside a roaring Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man and Clint Barton.
Eventually Cap and Thor helped Sif up to her feet. "Are you alright ma'am?" Asked Steve.
"I'm fine." Sif quickly replied as she donned her sword and shield once more. Thor eventually spoke to his fellow Asgardian.
"Sif? What brings you here?"
Sif was surprised, but not as much as Thor did mention his mortal allies to her before. "I'm fine Thor, I was tracking down Strucker by my lonesome to put an end to his scheming."
"Really?" Said Thor. "So were we."
"I had everything under control."
"Really, is that why everything is falling apart and set ablaze?" Thor motioned Mjølnir in a circular motion to prove his point.
"No time for arguing." Cap said. "We have to secure this place and take down these guards, they're obviously loyal to Strucker so they're gonna die for him."
Sif grinned. "Then I'll be happy to accommodate them to their terms." She readied her shield and sword to do battle once more.
"Ouu, I like her already," Natasha was impressed by this stranger's sheer confidence. "She's got killer instinct."
"Why thank you." Sif showed gratitude while taking down a HYDRA troop at the same time. Together she and Natasha began to tag team and take down some HYDRA members in perfect cooperation.
Hawkeye used his bow to beat down some enemies. "Looks like Nat's got a new best friend, I feel left behind." He added, in a joking manner.
"Ahh don't worry about it, Clint." Iron Man began making his trademark jokes. "I'm sure old Xena over there is a nice killer warrior princess."
"Ahh damn you Stark."
"What? I'm just saying." Stark continued to fly around the HYDRA Base
Hulk roared as he began smashing apart anything that was in his path, HYDRA troops included. "Hulk Smash Puny HYDRA!" The Green Goliath leapt into the air to pummel and smash his way through the confines of the HYDRA base.
Steve and Thor were tag teaming to take down HYDRA. Steve threw one of the soldiers up in the air to which Thor channeled his lightning powers to electrocute and incapacitate him. As Cap and Thor were doing battle, Steve's eyes fell onto Sif. He watched as the woman mowed down many HYDRA enemies on her own. She was also great with teamwork as well, seeing as how she and Natasha were an effective unit working together and they've hardly known each other.
Steve turned to Thor while body slamming a HYDRA member. "So Thor? She's a friend of yours?"
"Yes, Captain, she is Lady Sif of Asgard. She's one of the most fearsome and greatest warriors in all of the Nine Realms."
Just as Thor said that to Steve, the Thunderer and Super Soldier witnessed Sif be punched in the face. They saw the look on her face as tackled the guy and beat him down until he was unconscious, and it didn't take long either.
"Yeah...I don't doubt that at all." Steve was clearly stunned by how determined this woman was when she was on the battlefield. Being that he had just learned she was Asgardian, he didn't even want to know how much punishment the HYDRA guards had taken from Sif before he and The Avengers had arrived.
Eventually the battle was stretching thinner and thinner on HYDRA's side of the playing field. No matter how many men HYDRA had sent, they were absolutely no match for the combined effort of Sif and The Avengers. As the minute passed HYDRA's numbers began to dwindle with the remaining fragments of the troops willingly surrendering.
"We have won the day." Sif began to put away her sword and shield. "You all are valiant warriors. I can see why Thor entrusts his life in all of you."
Sif was quite the curious about these mortal Avengers. She had heard tales of their great battles from Thor. She was more than impressed by the fact that these Avengers had even managed to defeat the Chitauri and destroy their command center. It made the Goddess of War glad that she did not view humanity as inferior.
She was for one interested in that man that had saved her, Captain America. He was quite the warrior, as evidenced by him using his shield greatly equal in both offense and defense. This man must be a remarkable individual if Thor follows his orders with no hesitation. Sif thought just how well did Thor and The Avengers protect Midgard. Thor had told her tales of their battles, but she wanted to see for herself.
"Farewell, Avengers. We shall battle side by side again in the near future." Sif turned to make her leave seeing as how this HYDRA base was sieged and no longer a viable problem.
"Wait, Sif." Sif stopped in her tracks. The Asgardian warrior saw Thor, standing side by side with Captain America. A look of confusion drew upon her. "If I must know, what are you doing on Earth and not upon Asgard?"
The question took Sif by surprise. Thor was so bold and straight forward in asking that she did not know what to say. She felt shame would come with Thor knowing that she was banished and exiled by Odin. And being on Midgard for quite some time had hardened her. "Midgard is tainted with unworldly threats and raging chaos. After Lorelei and her wicked sorcery plagued this world, I chose to remain on Midgard and help combat this world's evil forces." Sif did not have the courage to tell Thor that she was exiled by Odin.
"That is very noble of you indeed Sif, father would be very proud of the peace you install across the Midgard."
Sif scoffed quietly, "I'm quite sure the allfather would be pleased." Thor did not notice it, but deep down, her being banished from Asgard was hurting her on the inside. Even more worse is the fact that Thor, a man she had loved forever, did not even detected her indirect cry for help.
Steve for one had seen this in people multiple times, so he could easily tell that Sif was lying, but out of respect for the Asgardian's privacy, he did not say anything on the matter.
"Where do you reside in now that you dedicate your duties to Earth?" Thor asked. This especially grew interest within Steve.
Lady Sif sighed heavily. "I set up camp wherever I please. Preferably near whomever enemy I usually track." The subject was becoming to touchy for Sif. So she devised a quick plan to get away from the conversation with Thor. "I must set up my next camp and continue to track down this Baron Strucker, farewell mighty Avengers, I shall treasure glorious battle." Sif once more turned to make her leave.
"Hold on a minute." The Asgardian Goddess Of War turned leftwards in the direction of the Avengers leader, Captain America. "You need a place to stay, you shouldn't be camping in the wilderness of the world all alone."
"I express gratitude your noble offer Captain, but I am an Asgardian, I shall be fine on my own."
Thor replied next. "Sif you must, as your friend, I will not allow you to spend your days on Earth sleeping on the outskirts of this great world."
"Come stay with us at Avengers Tower." Cap added. "No one deserves to be alone in the world."
Thor spoke once again, "The captain won't take no for an answer Lady Sif."
Sif took a look at this mortal Captain America. She looked into his eyes and could see genuine concern and sheer determination. It's as if he were disregarding the fact that she were an Asgardian warrior. One of the fiercest female warriors across all the Nine Realms.
She did not necessarily think she needed Thor or the Avenger's support. But she was intrigued. She shall see how Midgard's Mightiest Heroes operated and protected their home realm on a day to day basis.
"Very well," Said Sif, whom was cleaning off her sword. "I shall accompany you and your Captain as well as the rest of your Avengers back to your royal quarters."
Thor and Steve seemed quite pleased that Sif would be accompanying them back to Avengers Tower. Sif from her previous brief tenures on Midgard came to understand that there are mortals who are generally noble and heroic individuals. And based upon Thor's undying loyalty to these mortals, Sif was safe to assume that they were genuinely worthy allies.
Steve talked into his comms, "JARVIS, we've secured another HYDRA base, also prep the Tower, we're having company...Asgardian company."
Sif was left to wonder who was Captain America talking to.
A/N's: And that wraps up Chapter 1 of my 2nd MCU Story, The Goddess & The Soldier. This story came to be because of my fascination with the underrated pairing of Sif & Captain America, which IMO could work given their unique similarities and upbringings and etc. Outside of the other Asgardian Characters of the MCU (And Marvel in general) Sif has always been one of my favorite characters, and Captain America is one of my two favorite Marvel characters of all time. I feel the MCU practically wasted Sif's character and her potential to be one of Marvel's female heavy hitters which is my main second reason for making this story as well.
The first major arc of this story takes place over a year after the events of Thor: The Dark World and currently one month prior to the events of Age Of Ultron. I was fascinated with the idea of what Sif was doing following her exile from Asgard by "Odin" so I decided to use that one of my favorite Fanon MCU pairings to make another story. This story has nothing to do with my other main MCU Story, Captain America: Legend Reborn, that story is its own MCU AU, just like this story is its own MCU AU. But this story can be considered a Multiverse/Alternate Reality/Alternate Universe to Legend Reborn as well, as would Legend Reborn be considered an alternate universe/reality to this story.
With all that being said, Welcome all to The Goddess & The Soldier! I hope you'll enjoy me exploring this cool and unique pairing. With THAT being said, Have fun, stay safe and be good people :)
