November 2013, Helicarrier
Harry was smiling as he walked down the hall in his summoner garb. The last few months have been wonderful. After he and Nat worked everything out she gladly moved in with him, and now he woke up next to her almost every day. She even took what he said to heart and approached Fury about starting a Widow program of their own, just much less kidnapping and trauma.
Harry knocked and entered Fury's office without waiting for him to say anything. Looking at the desk he found Fury going over some files before looking up and scowling at Harry. "Welcome. Make yourself at home. Don't bother waiting for my acknowledgement." Fury grumbled as he shuffled some folders around before pulling the one he needed. Harry grinned under his cowl as he approached.
"Why the mood Fury? Don't you know how great today is?" Harry asked with a cheerful voice.
"I don't know which I find more disturbing, your cheerful attitude or the fact that the infamous Black Widow smiled more in the last few months than in the previous years I had known her." Fury said with a frown and a shake of his head. "That's not the reason I called you in. I have something I need some help with."
"Oh? Well I won't be taking any long term assignments right now. So I hope it's local." Harry said as he sat down. Fury just handed him the file he pulled out and waited. Harry opened the file and saw it was the file on James Buchanan Barnes a.k.a. 'The Winter Soldier'. The man Cap calls 'Bucky' was evidently unfrozen but he was mostly unresponsive if not aggressive and they couldn't figure out why. Harry looked over the notes but found them lacking. They suggest he might be mind controlled or brainwashed. "Why bring this to me and not Xavier or Jean?" Harry asked as he looked at Fury.
"Secrets. James Barnes has been a HYDRA assassin for years, his head is filled with the secrets of SHIELD and I don't want to have anyone from outside informed of that." Fury explained plainly. Harry nodded hesitantly, he understood where Fury was coming from but he also knew that Xavier was amenable to keeping secrets.
"When do I start?" Harry asked. Fury stood and walked towards the door.
"Right now." Harry followed Fury down several paths until he came upon a holding cell. Entering the room he found Barnes was strapped to a large chair and missing one arm. Nodding to Fury he pulled up a chair and sat in front of Barnes. He leaned forward and decided he would need more than a casual glimpse, Harry used his Astral Projection to enter the mindscape of Bucky. The mindscape was fractured and dark, most untrained minds were similar to wide empty areas where thoughts and memories floated around randomly, this one seemed broken, almost like it was barely a part of the whole. Frowning he started moving around and found memory after memory of missions and assassinations, the further he went the more horrifying the memory. At one point he watched through Bucky's eyes as he slaughtered an entire family, women and children included. Watching that memory caused the entire mindscape to shake as Bucky reacted poorly to remembering something he clearly didn't like.
Sighing in sadness Harry moved on and found just a few more memories of missions just as distasteful, until he got to one that was almost buried under the shadows of the broken mind. Moving forward he watched as Bucky killed Howard and Maria Stark. He was almost kicked from the Winter Soldier's mind when he watched that memory.
Pulling back he looked deeper into the mind scape and found nothingness. Frowning he kept moving deeper and deeper, the mind becoming dark and darker until he saw a faint glowing wall, on that wall were phrases etched with precision and behind it was the typical mindscape of a normal person. Focusing his magic into his finger he started writing out glowing runes that etched themselves into the wall holding back his real personality. With mechanical precision Harry began to modify the wall. He was hoping that with some magic he could just switch the direction of the wall, locking the bad memories and command phrases away while bringing out the real man underneath.
It took hours of painstaking charms and runes to finally swap the dominant mind scape. When he was done Harry left Bucky's mind and leaned back in his chair. He tiredly rubbed his eyes as the pounding of his head slowly faded away. Looking back at his recent 'patient' he sent a small enervate at the man, causing him to wake up quickly. He didn't shout or question, he just snapped his eyes open and looked around before focusing on Harry.
"Good afternoon Sergeant Barnes. What's the last thing you remember?" Harry asked as watched the man. Bucky just narrowed his eyes and said nothing. Sighing, Harry got up and moved towards the door. He stepped out and found Fury waiting.
"Well?"
"I did what I could but he's not being cooperative with the questioning. I would like to call in Steve." Harry said simply. Fury just raised a brow in question, "Steve is a friendly face and could possibly get him to volunteer his cooperation rather than trying to gain his trust otherwise."Fury gave him the go-ahead so Harry pulled out his phone to call the shield wielding Avenger.
Steve had just finished another rep in the training room at Avengers Tower when he heard his cell phone ringing off to the side. Picking it up he realized that Harry was calling him and readied his mind for battle.
"Harry?"
"Hey Cap, I need your assistance. Can you join me on the helicarrier?"
"Yeah sure, but give me a few moments to change." After Harry gave him an affirmative and hung up the phone. He made his way over to the and waited and not 5 minutes later Steve walked through the portal dressed in his full gear carrying his famous shield. Harry smiled a bit.
"Dressed for battle Cap?" Harry asked with some humor. Steve raised an eyebrow.
"I got a call from you." Harry waited but Steve just looked at him like that's all he had to say causing Harry to roll his eyes.
"Well take off the cowl and walk with me." Harry said as he opened the door. Cap smirked and followed Harry out the door. "I got called in by Fury to help with deprogramming an asset coming off the ice." Harry said, causing Steve's eyes to widen and look quickly to Harry who just nodded. "Well I succeeded and instead of trying to gain his confidence I thought it prudent to call you in instead."
Steve seemed lost in thought for the rest of the walk. Harry was sure he had questions but Cap was no fool and knew that speaking about this in the hall was not appropriate. Soon they came to the door Fury was standing next to. Harry and Steve nodded at him before moving into the room.
Bucky, as he was affectionately called by his friends, sat strapped to a chair in this room. He wasn't sure why he was woken up or where he was, but he wasn't trusting anyone. So when the door opened again, he was ready to be tortured or interrogated again. That was until he saw a face he was positive was dead walking into the room. "Steve…"
"Bucky!" Steve was about to approach his long lost friend when a hand grabbed his shoulder causing him to stop. He looked at Harry who shook his head. They brought Steve back to what was happening and what he needed to do. "Right." Pausing he took the seat across from Bucky and looked at him, "Buck, I need you to cooperate with these guys. They just want to help, but they need to make sure that you're still you and not the 'Winter Soldier'." Steve explained.
"That's right. I may have done what I could, but I have no guarantee it worked until we get the answer to some questions, Sergeant Barnes." Harry explained as he stepped up from behind Steve. Bucky looked from Harry to Steve before giving Harry a nod. "Excellent. Now first I need to test some things."
The next few hours were difficult for everyone in the room. Harry first tested every word in several orders based on the wall in his mindscape. When that proved he was free of the mind control Harry moved on to talking about the missions. Turns out the wall was one way, Bucky could still remember everything he did as the Winter Soldier, but his main personality was locked behind the wall. Almost like he was a passenger in a car and had no control of his own actions. When Bucky was finally proved to be of his own mind Harry released him from the chair and stood as he cracked his neck and back.
Bucky stood slowly as his legs adapted to standing, but before he knew it he was embraced and feeling the pressure of his super soldier buddy squeezing the life out of him. "Becareful Rogers, he might just pop." He heard the voice of the other man say before Steve let go and stood back giving him one of those big cheesy grins.
"It's good to see you, Bucky." Steve said as he held him by his shoulders. His eyes dipped to the missing arm causing Bucky to clench his fist, "We'll have to get you a new arm too." Bucky was about to deny needing one when he was interrupted.
"Well I could get him one today." Steve and Bucky both looked over and saw Harry standing there watching them. "Also, he'll still need to be brought up to date on what's happening, where he's going to live, what he wants to do, and if Fury needs anything from him." Harry chuckled as he counted off on his fingers before turning and walking to the door. "Get used to this base for a little while Mr. Barnes." Harry waved as he walked out the door.
Steve and Bucky looked at one another and not too long after he left Fury came striding in with a big ass scowl on his face. Bucky was almost sure he heard '-uckin' wizards.' before Fury was standing right in front of them. "Sergeant Barnes, good to have you back. There are some things I need to know before we get you situated and forms to fill out." Bucky sighed as he remembered how tedious paperwork could be and he felt like his future was looking to be full of it.
Harry was frowning as he stepped through the into Avengers Tower. He looked around and saw that it was empty so he pulled out his phone and called Nat.
"Finish with what Fury wanted?" Nat asked as she answered the phone. Harry could hear Teddy making roaring noises close to the phone and it made him feel a bit better.
"Yeah. He needed my expertise in mind magic to help with the Winter Soldier." Harry said.
"Oh, and what's the verdict?" Harry couldn't keep the grin off his face as he could practically see the eyebrow raise when she asked.
"The mind control is gone, but he'll need actual psychological help and soon. I was calling to let you know that I have some other stuff to take care of before coming home."
"Okay. Talk to yo-" she was cut off by Teddy loudly asking if it was his dad and if he could talk to him. "Here he wants to talk to you." Harry waited for a moment and soon heard Teddy talking on the phone.
"Dad! Sazala wants more mice. Okay bye!" Teddy promptly hung up the phone causing Harry to just stare at his phone before he broke out in chuckles. Pepper walked into the penthouse lounge and saw Harry standing there laughing at his phone.
"You alright Harry?" Pepper asked. Harry looked up at her with a big grin before explaining how his son hung up on him causing her to chortle in amusement.
"Where's Tony?" Harry asked seriously as the reason for his visit propped back into his mind.
"He's in his lab like usual, why? Is something wrong?" Pep asked with some concerns in her voice.
"Let's call him up here. I can tell you both at the same time. I think he's going to need some help with the news." Harry said. Pep nodded before looking up.
"I've already informed Mr. Stark that he was needed in the lounge." Jarvis' voice came from the ceiling. Harry gave the nearest care a thumbs up before he leaned back against the couch. Soon enough Tony was walking into the room, grease staining his clothes and a towel in his hand cleaning them up.
"What's up guys?" Tony asked as he approached. Seeing the grave look on Harry's face he frowned.
"I need to tell you something. Sit down please." Tony sat next to Pepper and she grabbed his hand. Harry took a deep breath before he looked Tony in his eyes. "Your parents didn't die in a car accident Tony, they were assassinated." The air seemed to freeze at that moment as Tony's eyes glazed over slightly before they suddenly focused completely on Harry.
"How? Who?" Tony asked, not even elaborating on what he was asking, but he didn't need to as Harry knew. So he told him about what he had done today. How the Winter Soldier was used as an assassin by HYDRA for years and how Sergeant Barnes was forced to kill two of his closest friends. Tony got mad, of course, he ranted and threatened before finally running out of steam. Harry just watched as Tony finally learned that it wasn't because his Father got too drunk and killed his mother. No, it was a ploy, a plan to kill them both. For what? He isn't certain, but someone out there wanted them both dead.
"Are you going to be okay?" Harry asked. Tony looked at him and Harry sighed. Tony looked lost, his anger being replaced with sadness and shame. He spent so many years blaming his father's addictions for the death of his mother. Now that he knows there was outside interference he doesn't know what to do. Tony eventually shook himself loose before standing and approaching Harry. Harry stood and Tony pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you." Tony whispered. Harry patted his back before Tony pulled away.
"Don't worry about it. Take some time, talk it out and go on a vacation. I'm sure Pep would love some time away from the office." Harry said with a wink at Pepper. Tony grinned, but still looked troubled so Harry just patted his shoulder as he moved back to the room. "I gotta go pick up mice for Teddy evidently." Harry said with a roll of his eyes, "Call me if you need me or want to talk." Harry said as he waved and stepped into the other room.
"Are you okay?" Pepper asked as she wrapped her arms around Tony's.
"I'm fine, just shocked is all. I dealt with the grief a long time ago, now I just need to forgive my father and hope he doesn't blame me for blaming him all these years." Tony said as he looked away from where the wizard departed from and down at the incredible woman on his arm. "How about a weekend in Hawaii?" Tony asked with a smile as Pepper grinned up at him and nodded before walking off and already booking the airspace and jet. Tony took one last glance at the clenching his fists before he shook his head and followed after Pepper.
Tony knew what Harry was doing when he explained Sergeant Barnes' situation to him. Harry was hoping Tony wouldn't blame the man that killed his parents, and he didn't. That doesn't mean he won't find out who sent the assassin in the first place. Tony's eyes burned as he started inputting a new mission parameter for Jarvis on his phone, he would find who was responsible. No matter what.
AN:Sorry about the late chapter. I was having a bit of writers block. So I took a break, read a really good fan-fiction and refreshed myself. We're in the home stretch for the final parts of the 'Deviations' book. So look forward to that.
P.S. for those curious about what I was reading; The Dragonwolf by Galdiusx. Really good read as a casual fan of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Scyfly - I saw your reviews and in order I'll answer any questions. 1 Stepping forward was just him using apparition. 2 It's not so much as dark magic to Harry but the taint of demons, that was that feeling of stagnation that he sensed. 3 I felt that having a comic style explanation for magic just fit. 4 Well Harry's knowledge of the initiative was from the Ancient One, she didn't necessarily have to tell him about HYDRA so she didn't. 5 Well I had to find something different from all the Ghost, Mage, or other equally wizard like monikers and I figured Summoner wasn't bad and fit the demon theme. 6 While Harry is professional, he also spent nearly twenty years on his own in a dead world. 7 Harry joined SHIELD mainly to gain access to the SHIELD umbrella, he can now move quite freely with SHIELD backing him. 8 Harry didn't want to save Stark before he became Iron Man, the Ancient One warned him about certain events, that if they don't happen could destroy this multiverse's future. 9 The thing about Chaos energy reacting with things is how it changes the strength of the reaction, so a bullet, highly precise in it's reactions, would be awful to use with magic, a campfire is neither precise nor needs to be. Hope you see this.
Krassyouman - Glad you like it. I usually post every other day, but took a small break. Thanks for reading.
Monkey D. Conan - I'm sorry to say Emma Frost won't be joining. Star Lord being magical would be interesting and I might mess with that later in the story. Thanks for commenting all the time!
Firestar Prime + qwertyuiop123214685 - Don't worry, Harry will be doing this research but he isn't going ot bring it up. If he fails nothing happens but not finding something after informing her would be needlessly disappointing.
Red's Melancholy - Thanks for reading. I like the occasional fluff.