The faint hum of energy filled the air as the team geared up, each of them focused in their own way. Harry, already dressed in his gleaming red-and-gold armor, lounged against the table like he owned the place. The Phoenix emblem on his chest caught the overhead light, and his Cloak of Levitation billowed slightly, as if it had a mind of its own.
Steve stood nearby, tightening the straps on his Captain America suit. The Vibranium mesh shimmered faintly under the fluorescent lights, the subtle enhancements made by Lily Potter and Howard Stark invisible to the untrained eye but felt in every movement. He reached for his shield, the iconic star in its center now faintly glowing with magical runes etched into the Vibranium. His expression was calm, but his tone carried a quiet authority. "This isn't just about stopping Hydra. Whatever they're building, it's not staying in their hands. We don't fail. Not tonight."
"Spoken like a man who doesn't believe in coffee breaks," Harry quipped, earning a sharp glance from Steve. "What? I'm just saying, saving the world could use a little caffeine."
Natasha, leaning against the far wall as she adjusted the straps of her Black Widow suit, rolled her eyes. "Potter, if you put as much effort into focusing as you do into running your mouth, we'd be halfway through this mission already."
"I multitask," Harry shot back, his grin unabashed. "Some of us can banter and save the day at the same time."
Natasha arched an eyebrow, her Widow's Bite gauntlets sparking to life with a faint crackle. "And some of us have to clean up after your 'multitasking.' Just try not to summon anything with scales this time."
"Dragons are highly efficient problem solvers," Harry argued, holding up a finger. "And, in my defense, it was a small dragon."
Peggy stepped into the room, her Captain Carter suit proudly bearing the Union Jack. Her shield, a masterpiece of Vibranium and enchantments, was strapped across her back. She cast a glance between Harry and Natasha, her voice tinged with dry humor. "Are they always like this?"
"Always," Bucky answered from where he sat sharpening a knife. His White Wolf armor gleamed under the light, the runes etched into his Vibranium arm glowing faintly. "You get used to it. Or you don't, and you just tune it out."
"Bucky, you wound me," Harry said, clutching his chest dramatically. "I thought we had a thing. You know, snarky best friends who save the world together."
Bucky's only response was a flat stare. "We don't have a thing."
"Give it time," Harry replied with a wink. "You'll come around."
Alexei stomped into the room, his Red Guardian armor already strapped on and his broad grin as infectious as ever. "Why so serious, comrades? This is a glorious mission! Hydra will tremble before us!"
"They'd probably tremble less if they could hear you yelling," Natasha muttered, shooting him a look. "We're trying to be discreet."
"Discreet?" Alexei laughed, his voice booming. "Discreet is boring. Where's the fun in that?"
Steve stepped in before the banter could escalate, his tone firm but not unkind. "Alright, that's enough. Focus up. We've got a mission to run."
The room quieted as Vladis entered, a secure tablet in hand. His imposing frame and no-nonsense demeanor seemed to draw the group's attention without effort. "Your transportation is ready," he announced in a thick Latvian accent. His sharp eyes scanned the group, lingering on Harry for a beat longer than the others. "You'll take a van to within a mile of the facility. It's unmarked, with clearance passes forged to Hydra's specifications. After that, you're on foot. Stay out of sight. No mistakes."
"Understood," Steve said, nodding firmly. "Thanks for the assist."
Vladis gave a curt nod, but his gaze remained skeptical. "Let's see if you can finish the mission before I thank you."
Harry smirked. "Love the confidence, Vladis. Real morale booster."
The man didn't flinch. "Confidence is earned, Potter. Prove you deserve it."
With that, Vladis turned and led them outside, where a plain, nondescript van waited in the shadows of the alley. The group climbed in, the interior far more advanced than the exterior suggested. Tactical displays showed live feeds of the Hydra facility, blueprints overlaid with guard patterns and security systems.
As the van rumbled through the cobblestone streets of Riga, Harry leaned back in his seat, glancing at Peggy. "You ever think about how ridiculous this all is? Magic, Vibranium, Stark tech—all of it mashed together like some Frankenstein's monster of world-saving gear."
Peggy smiled faintly, adjusting her shield. "Ridiculous or not, it works. And if it keeps us alive, I'll take it."
Natasha, seated across from them, glanced up. "Speaking of keeping us alive, Potter, don't improvise. Stick to the plan."
Harry placed a hand over his heart. "Natasha, I'm hurt. When have I ever—"
"Latveria. The dragon," Natasha interrupted, deadpan. "Berlin. The giant snake. Budapest—"
"Okay, okay," Harry cut in, raising his hands. "Point made. I'll be good."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Bucky muttered.
The van slowed to a halt, Vladis turning in his seat to address them. "This is your drop-off point. From here, you're on your own. Do your job, and I'll see you on the other side."
Steve nodded, his voice steady. "Let's move."
The team disembarked, their gear glinting faintly in the moonlight. Harry floated to the ground with an effortless grace, the Cloak of Levitation trailing behind him. As they began their approach to the facility, the air grew thick with anticipation.
Harry glanced at Natasha, his voice low but teasing. "Ten bucks says you'll be the first to say 'I told you so.'"
Natasha didn't miss a beat. "Make it twenty, and you've got a deal."
With a smirk, Harry followed the team into the shadows, his armor gleaming faintly as they closed in on their target.
—
As the team split up under the cover of night, Harry cast a quick Disillusionment Charm, vanishing from sight like a whisper in the wind. The Cloak of Levitation adjusted itself around his invisible form, wrapping him in a soft, ethereal embrace as he hovered above the Hydra facility, a ghost in the air. He moved without a sound, a silent sentinel, watching over his team with vigilant eyes.
Below him, Alexei was already hard at work. Despite his imposing size, the Red Guardian scaled the nearby structure with surprising agility, his boots making barely a sound as he ascended the wall. Slinging his sniper rifle over his back, he found a perch on the rooftop that offered a clear view of the entrance. He crouched low, blending into the shadows, his eyes narrowing as he peered through the scope.
"Revenant," Alexei's voice crackled through the comms, thick with his Russian accent, "If I have to shoot someone before you, I will laugh at you for the rest of this mission. No mercy."
Harry's voice came through, dry and unfazed. "Yeah, yeah. You get your kicks now, Red Guardian. I'm just here to make sure they don't turn you into Swiss cheese before I get to do my thing."
Alexei chuckled, a rumbling sound that echoed in the quiet of the night. "Swiss cheese is better than dog food, my friend. At least it's not as soggy."
Harry's invisible form hovered slightly higher, barely suppressing a grin. "You'd know. Spent a lot of time with that canned stuff, huh?"
"I've eaten worse," Alexei muttered, adjusting his aim. "And speaking of worse, how much longer before you get your 'creative' self into action?"
"Patience, my dear Red Guardian," Harry replied, his tone a mock of seriousness. "We're professionals. Or at least, I am." He added the last bit with a chuckle that wasn't quite audible.
Alexei snorted, settling further into his crouch. "You're a joke, Revenant. But fine, we wait. Just don't make me shoot something before you—I'll never let you hear the end of it."
Harry's voice floated through the air with an exaggerated sigh. "I'll try to spare you the humiliation, but no promises. Now, can we focus? I'm not the one who needs to be careful about getting spotted."
"Fine," Alexei grumbled, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement. "But when I get the shot, I'm taking it. I'll even make it a dramatic one, like the movies."
"Sure, dramatic shots are your specialty, big guy," Harry quipped, scanning the area below. "Just make sure you don't miss or we'll be hearing about your 'heroic sacrifice' from Bucky for the rest of the year."
Before Alexei could respond, Natasha's voice came through, sharp and focused, cutting through their banter. "Enough, you two. Focus. We're in."
The tension in the air shifted instantly. The playful back-and-forth melted away as the seriousness of the mission settled in. Harry's sharp eyes followed Natasha, Bucky, and Steve as they slipped into the shadows inside the facility, moving with practiced precision.
"Good," Harry muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "Just don't do anything too reckless. I can only keep so many bullets from hitting you."
"Always so positive, Revenant," Natasha's voice came through again, the faintest hint of amusement in her tone. "You'll get your chance soon enough."
With that, the comms went quiet, each member of the team continuing with their mission. The air crackled with tension as Harry, invisible in the air above, kept his eyes trained on the surrounding area. He felt the familiar buzz of danger around the corner but kept his cool, waiting for the next move.
Down below, Alexei settled further into his position, gripping his rifle with steely determination. "This is the part where I shine," he muttered, eyes flicking between his scope and the shadows below.
---
Natasha, Bucky, and Steve moved through the facility with the quiet precision of well-trained operatives. The dim lighting flickered sporadically as they navigated the maze-like halls, staying in the shadows and out of sight of the patrolling guards. Every step was deliberate, every movement calculated.
Natasha was in the lead, her black tactical suit blending into the darkness, her body a fluid whisper of motion. Her eyes never stopped scanning, always alert, always calculating the next move. Bucky followed close behind her, his Vibranium arm moving silently, the weight of his past sins hidden behind the cold steel of his arm and the steely resolve in his eyes. Steve brought up the rear, his shield strapped to his back, always ready, always vigilant, prepared for any contingency.
They turned a corner, and Natasha raised a hand, signaling for them to stop. Bucky froze instantly, his body tensing as his sharp eyes locked on the two guards ahead. They were engaged in a low conversation by a security door, their backs to the team. Natasha's lips curled into a smirk, and her voice was barely a whisper through the comms.
"Piece of cake," she said, her tone filled with an air of quiet confidence.
Bucky nodded once. "You take left, I'll take right."
Without a word, Natasha sprang into action, moving like a shadow. In the blink of an eye, she closed the distance between herself and the first guard. Her hands were around his throat in a flash, locking in a chokehold. Before he could even make a sound, her blade was pressed to his throat, a lethal warning.
Bucky, just as swift, grabbed the second guard. With a grunt of effort, he slammed the man into the wall with bone-crushing force. The guard's head bounced off the concrete, dazing him just long enough for Bucky to secure him into a tight arm lock, holding him against the wall with the force of a freight train.
Steve moved forward, his shield at the ready. He positioned himself between their takedowns and the hallway, ensuring that no other guards would stumble upon them. His blue eyes remained focused on the hall, scanning for any signs of movement.
Natasha didn't waste a second. Her voice, cold and controlled, cut through the silence. "Talk," she hissed in the local language, her gaze never leaving her captive's eyes. "Where's Project Aegis?"
The man's eyes darted to his fallen comrade, fear creeping into his voice. "I—I don't know—" he stammered, but Natasha's grip on his throat tightened, cutting off any thoughts of evasion.
Bucky leaned in closer, his voice low but carrying the weight of a hundred battles. "Don't lie to her," he warned, his tone calm but lethal. "You won't like what happens next."
The guard swallowed, his breath quickening as sweat began to bead on his forehead. "Second floor... in the lab! West wing! Please, that's all I know!" He blurted out the information like it was the only lifeline he had left.
Without a second thought, Natasha delivered a swift, efficient knockout blow, and the guard crumpled to the floor, unconscious. She stood, wiping her blade clean, her expression unreadable.
She glanced at Bucky, arching an eyebrow. "Convenient."
Bucky's lips curled into a faint smirk. "They always break so fast," he replied, his tone almost amused. The edge in his voice was still there, a reminder of the soldier who had spent years in the darkest parts of the world.
Steve moved forward, kneeling next to the unconscious guards. He checked their uniforms, quickly running his hands over them. "No alarms triggered. Let's keep it that way," he muttered, scanning for any signs of a security breach.
"Agreed," Natasha said. She shot a glance to the door, then nodded toward the hallway. "Let's move. We're getting close."
They advanced deeper into the facility, navigating the maze with the precision of an experienced team. Every corner was met with an assessment of risk, every room surveyed for threats. Natasha kept the comms open, whispering occasional updates, her voice calm and tactical.
"West wing. Second floor. Minimal resistance so far. We're moving on the target," she said, her words clipped as she rounded another corner.
Bucky was already a step ahead, his senses sharp and his body tense with readiness. "Let me take point next. If anyone comes through that door, I'll deal with them," he muttered, glancing back at Natasha, his expression unreadable but purposeful.
Steve gave a silent nod, his shield still on his back but ready to be pulled in an instant if needed. The air around them was thick with the tension of a high-stakes mission, but it was a tension they thrived on.
Natasha's voice crackled through the comms again, sharp and professional. "Overwatch, status?"
---
From his perch on the rooftop, Alexei exhaled through his nose with a grunt, his eyes glued to the scope of his sniper rifle. The facility sprawled before him, a labyrinth of concrete and steel, but so far, it was quiet. "You are clear so far," he muttered into the comms, his thick Russian accent cutting through the static. "No reinforcements yet. Maybe Hydra is too cheap to pay overtime."
Harry's voice came through, a hint of amusement in his tone, though there was an unmistakable edge. "Or maybe they're just arrogant. They think they have everything locked down." His voice was calm, but the undercurrent of tension could be felt, even through the comms. "Don't let your guard down, Red Guardian."
Alexei chuckled darkly, his gloved finger tightening on the rifle's trigger guard. "You're a lot of fun, Revenant. If I wasn't busy being the one to keep an eye on everyone, I'd say you talk too much."
Harry's laugh echoed in his earpiece. "That's a laugh coming from you. You spend half your time staring at a scope and the other half yelling at me to focus. Besides, I'm keeping an eye on everything."
The wind picked up, causing the hem of Harry's Cloak of Levitation to flutter lightly as he hovered above the others, invisible. His enhanced vision scanned the area methodically, his magical senses sweeping across the rooftops and alleyways for any signs of Hydra activity. From this height, he could see the full expanse of the area—no immediate movement, but that didn't mean much. Hydra was as patient as they were dangerous.
"Keep your eyes open," Harry said, his voice now sharper. "We haven't seen anything yet, but this still feels off."
Alexei muttered under his breath. "You're a real bundle of joy, you know that? Here I thought I was supposed to be the pessimist. I mean, we're not that deep into enemy territory yet."
Harry's eyes flicked from rooftop to rooftop, his senses buzzing with anticipation. "Hydra's always one step ahead, Alexei. You might be enjoying the quiet, but you know better than to think we're not walking into a trap."
"Ah, yes, the 'we're all going to die' speech," Alexei teased, rolling his eyes behind the scope. "Nothing gets me fired up like the thought of it."
"You say that now," Harry replied, the edges of his voice tinged with humor, "but let's see how cocky you are when I'm the one saving your ass."
There was a brief silence on Alexei's end before a low chuckle rumbled through. "We'll see about that, Revenant. I think I'm the one saving your ass tonight."
Just as the banter continued, Natasha's voice cut through the exchange, commanding and professional, her words direct. "Focus, both of you. We've got work to do." She didn't raise her voice, but there was no mistaking the steel behind it. She always cut through the noise, whether it was gunfire or her teammates' banter.
Harry gave a small grin under his invisibility charm, glancing at her shadowed form moving through the facility below. "You hear that, Alexei? Even Natasha says we need to focus."
"I'm always focused," Alexei muttered, though his smirk could be heard. "Besides, I'd be much more focused if I didn't have to listen to you talk so much."
"Keep it up, and I'll start charging you for every word," Harry quipped, his eyes flicking over to Natasha as she smoothly took down another guard. Her efficiency was almost unnerving.
Below them, Natasha moved like a predator, swiftly neutralizing threats without hesitation. Her red hair was tucked under her hood, and every movement was precise, calculated. Her focus was razor-sharp, and despite the ease with which she took out her targets, the tension in the air was palpable. She could feel the weight of their objective, even without needing to say a word.
"Anything from you, Captain Carter?" Harry's voice broke through her thoughts, his tone quieter now, more serious as he addressed their comms liaison. He trusted her instincts, and right now, they could all feel something waiting just out of sight.
---
Peggy stood by the van, shield resting casually on her back as she scanned the perimeter with practiced precision. Her eyes flicked from one corner of the facility to the next, every movement sharp and deliberate. The night air was cold, but she barely noticed the chill—her focus was absolute. Hydra's presence in this area had been well-hidden, but she could sense the lingering danger. They were good at blending in, but so was she.
"All quiet here," she reported through the comms, her voice steady and unshaken. "No sign of reinforcements, but I don't trust it. Hydra always has backup plans. They're too methodical to be this sloppy."
"Good," came Harry's voice in reply, low and measured. "Stay sharp. If we need backup, you'll be the first to know."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Peggy's lips. She turned slightly to glance out across the compound, her expression cool but knowing. "You won't even have to ask," she said, the words delivered with the quiet confidence of someone who knew exactly what her role was in a mission like this. If the situation escalated, she wouldn't wait for permission—she'd be right there, ready to act.
Bucky's voice cut through the comms, rough and low. "I wouldn't put it past Hydra to throw some extra surprises our way. I don't like how quiet it is. Too damn quiet."
He was right, of course. Peggy could feel the tension in the air, the kind that built up before a storm, but she didn't let it show. Her eyes briefly shifted to the shadows, where she knew their team was operating, and then back to the distant horizon. "It's always quiet before the chaos, Barnes. You know that better than anyone."
Bucky's chuckle rumbled through the comms, though it was tinged with a hard edge. "You think that's funny, Carter? Because last time I checked, I don't exactly love getting blindsided."
"I don't either," Peggy replied, a soft but fierce edge to her voice. "And I'd bet you anything Hydra's trying to lull us into a false sense of security. Don't take anything at face value, Bucky."
"I'm always ready for a fight," Bucky muttered, his tone drifting from irritation to something more controlled, yet still restless. "But I'll give you credit, Carter. You might be the only one who's got a handle on keeping this quiet... and that's not a compliment I hand out easily."
Peggy raised an eyebrow, her smirk turning into something more teasing, but no less confident. "I wasn't aware you needed compliments from anyone, Barnes. But thank you, I suppose." Her eyes scanned the area again, every inch of her aware of the potential dangers lurking just outside her line of sight. "We stay focused, no distractions."
"Yeah, yeah. Focused," Bucky muttered back, the faintest hint of a smile in his voice. "But just so you know, if the real action starts, I'm jumping in first. I'll leave you the mop-up duty, Carter."
Peggy snorted softly into her comms, but her eyes were still sharp, cutting through the night as she kept watch. "You wouldn't know what to do with mop-up duty if it smacked you in the face, Barnes."
The banter was easy, comfortable even, but beneath it all, Peggy's instincts were still fully alert. She wouldn't let her guard down, no matter how much she teased or how much Bucky riled her up. The silence around them wasn't something she was willing to trust—not yet, not until they had what they came for and were safely out.
"Just remember, Barnes," she added after a beat, her voice low and serious now. "When the dust settles, you'll be glad I was here. Trust me."
There was a pause on the comms as Bucky considered her words. Then, with a wry chuckle, he responded. "You're not wrong, Carter. I'm just saying, when it hits the fan, I'm taking the lead. And you can thank me later."
"Lead, huh?" Peggy's lips curled into a small grin. "I'll believe it when I see it. But I'm sure you'll try your hardest."
As the banter died down, the air between them thickened with the unspoken understanding that they were all on edge. The mission wasn't over. The quiet was simply the calm before the inevitable storm. Peggy's smirk faded, and her sharp gaze swept the perimeter once more. Hydra wouldn't be caught off guard so easily.
She checked her shield again, adjusting it slightly, and then gave one final glance at the van, the shadows, and the night sky. "Stay ready, everyone," she said, her voice a little more serious now, cutting through the playful chatter. "This isn't over yet."
---
Natasha's boots barely made a sound as she pushed open the heavy lab door, her silenced pistol held low and steady. The room was bathed in a dim, sterile light, casting long shadows across the rows of computer terminals and cluttered tables. Strange, humming devices blinked and flickered, glowing with an eerie blue light, their purpose unclear but undeniably unsettling. The unmistakable sound of her breathing echoed through the quiet space as her sharp eyes took in every detail.
In the center of the room, a massive cylindrical tank dominated the space. The liquid inside shimmered with an otherworldly glow, casting ripples on the surface. Within, something—or someone—floated, humanoid but blurry, obscured by the liquid and the faint mist surrounding it. Its shape was indistinct, a shadow behind the fog of blue.
Steve's jaw tightened as he stepped forward, his eyes narrowing in focus. His shield was strapped to his back, ready for anything, but he didn't take his eyes off the tank. "Project Aegis?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with suspicion.
Natasha's lips curled slightly as she scanned the room, her gun trained on the shadows, just in case. "Looks like it," she replied, her voice smooth, yet alert. Her gaze flicked over to the nearest terminal. She was already assessing her surroundings, moving quickly and efficiently as she approached the machine. "Give me a minute," she muttered as she began tapping commands into the terminal. The soft clack of her fingers on the keyboard was the only sound as she worked her way through Hydra's encrypted files, her mind calculating, analyzing, and deciphering with practiced ease.
Bucky stood near the door, his Vibranium arm resting against the frame, eyes scanning the hallway outside. His stance was casual, but his instincts were anything but. His every muscle was taut, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of danger. "Make it quick," he said, his voice a low growl, though his eyes never strayed from the corridor. "This feels too easy."
Natasha glanced over her shoulder, giving him a brief, pointed look before returning her focus to the terminal. "I'm working as fast as I can. Just keep an eye out."
The room seemed to grow colder, quieter, the hum of machinery the only sound. The minutes stretched on as Natasha's fingers danced across the keys, pulling up files and decrypting Hydra's data. "This isn't right," she muttered under her breath, her brows furrowing as the data continued to load. "That's because it is. According to this," she said, pausing to read the data, her lips pursing as she processed the information, "Hydra's already planning to move Aegis. We're lucky we got here first."
Steve stepped closer to the tank, his shield in hand now, his attention fixed on the figure suspended inside the liquid. His jaw tightened as he took in the sight—tall, imposing, but still somehow elusive. It was hard to tell what they were dealing with, but one thing was clear: Hydra had invested a hell of a lot of resources into whatever—or whoever—was floating in that tank.
"Any idea what—or who—we're looking at?" Steve asked, his voice steady but filled with quiet intensity. His hands flexed around his shield, ready to act at a moment's notice.
Natasha shook her head, eyes glued to the screen as more data flooded in. "Not yet," she murmured, her voice calm, though her mind was racing. "But whatever it is, Hydra's put a lot of resources into this project. Too much for it to be anything good."
Bucky shifted his weight, his gaze flicking between the hallway and the tank. "We're walking on borrowed time, Nat," he said, the tension in his voice rising. "Hydra's not known for leaving things in their labs for long. So, unless you've got a magic trick to pull us out of here, I suggest we move."
"Keep it together, Barnes," Natasha snapped back, her voice crisp but not without a hint of affection. She kept her focus on the terminal, though her senses were already keyed in on everything around her. "We're not out yet. Just give me a few more seconds."
Her fingers flew over the keyboard once more, pulling up new files. Some were incomplete, others heavily encrypted. But one file caught her eye—its name simply labeled Aegis: Final Phase. The final phase. Whatever Hydra had planned for this project, it was almost ready to be unleashed. Natasha's brow furrowed as she opened the file, her mind quickly processing the information.
"Hydra's definitely moving fast," she muttered, her voice tense now. "This project's farther along than I thought."
Steve's voice came from behind her, low and firm. "What's the move?"
"I'm pulling everything," Natasha replied quickly, her fingers moving faster now as she downloaded the necessary data to a secure drive. "We need to know what we're really up against before we decide on the next step."
Bucky's eyes flicked to the hallway again, the unease still present on his face. "I don't like it, Nat. Something feels off about this place."
Before Natasha could respond, the faint sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Her hand instinctively went to her gun, her body coiling like a spring ready to snap. "We've got company," she muttered. "Five seconds, then we're out."
Bucky stepped into a crouch, his muscles tense, ready for whatever came through that door.
Steve clenched his fists, his shield ready, his eyes alert as he readied himself for action. "Let's get this done."
Natasha exhaled slowly, the tension palpable in the air as she finished the last of the data extraction. With a final, sharp movement, she pulled the drive from the terminal, securing it inside her jacket. "Done. Let's move."
As they turned to leave, the sound of boots in the corridor grew louder, closer. "We've overstayed our welcome," Bucky muttered, his tone dark. "Time to go."
And just like that, the team was in motion. Every instinct screamed that the real fight was only just beginning.
---
Harry's voice crackled through the comms, his tone laced with urgency. "Uh, guys? Hate to interrupt, but we've got inbound."
From his elevated vantage point, Harry's enhanced vision saw the telltale dust cloud rising in the distance—Hydra's convoy barreling down the road toward the facility at full speed. His heart rate quickened, his instincts already kicking into overdrive. He cursed under his breath, a rare crack in his usually calm demeanor. "Looks like they're bringing reinforcements. Lots of them."
Alexei's low, gravelly chuckle echoed through the comms as he adjusted the focus on his sniper rifle. "Finally, some action. I was starting to think this mission would be all spreadsheets and no punches."
Harry's tone grew more serious, his voice sharpened by the weight of the situation. "Captain Carter, you've got company incoming. Red Guardian, cover her. I'll keep an eye on the team inside."
"Roger that," Peggy's voice came through immediately, calm and ready. Her shield was already on her arm, and her boots thudded heavily on the ground as she began moving into position. She'd been in worse situations before, but there was always a slight edge of anticipation when dealing with Hydra. She had to be ready for anything.
"Hydra's not known for their subtlety, but let's hope they brought their A-game," Alexei muttered, his eyes narrowing through the scope as he took aim at the first of the approaching vehicles. "Otherwise, this'll be too easy."
Harry hovered silently, concealed in the air above them. The Disillusionment Charm cloaked him perfectly, but even through his invisibility, his mind was racing. He could see the convoy clearly now—multiple armored vehicles, a dozen Hydra soldiers hanging out of the windows, automatic weapons at the ready. A standard Hydra assault.
But Harry had other plans.
He muttered under his breath, more to himself than to anyone else. "Time to get creative."
Below him, the others had no idea what Harry was talking about, and when they saw the faint shimmer of his Disillusionment Charm start to dissipate, confusion was written all over their faces.
"What the hell is he—?" Bucky began, his voice trailing off as he glanced up at the spot where Harry had been a moment before.
And then, as if on cue, the shimmer around Harry's form melted away completely. In the blink of an eye, a massive, mythical figure emerged from the sky—a hybrid of dragon and phoenix, its scales glowing with the fiery hues of a sunset. Harry's Animagus form was something that could only be described as pure chaos—majestic, terrifying, and absolutely unexpected.
His wings unfurled, each feather a flame, each beat of them sending the air rippling with the power of his transformation. The dragon-like body was sleek and sinewy, a mix of fire and winged fury. His talons gleamed sharp, and his eyes—burning like molten gold—seemed to pierce through everything around him.
There was a stunned silence from the comms before Bucky's voice broke through, a mix of disbelief and awe. "Is… Is that him? What the hell just happened?"
Steve let out a slow whistle, eyes wide with equal parts astonishment and respect. "I gotta admit, didn't see that coming."
Natasha, ever the strategist, was the first to find her voice, though it was with a sharp edge of surprise. "Harry—what—how—did you—?"
But Harry wasn't listening. His mind was already on the incoming convoy. He stretched his wings wide, the tips brushing against the tops of the facility's walls, and then with a powerful thrust, he was airborne, soaring toward the approaching Hydra forces.
The sound of the wind rushing beneath his wings drowned out everything else, but for a moment, the team could only hear the distant growl of his voice, deep and resonant, through the comms. "Hold tight, this is gonna be fun."
Down below, Alexei's laugh rumbled in approval as he locked onto his target. "I'll cover the ground," he muttered, already calculating his shots. "You take the skies."
"Glad we're on the same page," Harry's voice replied, now echoing with the unmistakable thrill of battle.
With that, Harry twisted mid-air, diving toward the convoy like a living missile. He launched a stream of fire from his mouth, hitting the first of the armored trucks. The explosion that followed was deafening, sending Hydra soldiers flying in every direction. He banked hard, his wings folding as he zoomed past the convoy, setting the second vehicle alight in a burst of fiery destruction.
"Harry—watch your six!" Bucky's voice crackled through the comms, his eyes scanning the chaos unfolding. The explosion had drawn attention, and Hydra wasn't just going to sit back and let him burn them alive. Bucky pulled his gun from its holster, already taking out the nearest Hydra agents on the ground.
Natasha's voice was calm, but the tension in it was palpable as she sprinted down the corridor, her hand on her weapon. "We're almost done in here. Let's finish this quick, and get out."
Steve cracked his knuckles and squared his jaw, ready for the ground assault. "Let's do it."
Peggy's shield slammed into the chest of an advancing Hydra agent, sending him flying backward with a grunt. She didn't waste time looking down at her handiwork. "Focus on your target, Barnes. We're not out of the woods yet."
Bucky gave her a brief smirk, his weapon still at the ready. "I know, Carter. Just getting warmed up."
Meanwhile, high above, Harry was relishing the chaos. His dragon-phoenix hybrid form was a terrifying sight—flames trailing behind him as he twisted through the air with impossible agility. He turned his head to look back at the team below, his voice filled with a playful edge. "Told you it'd be fun."
"Don't get cocky," Steve warned through the comms, but his tone held a note of admiration. "We still need to wrap this up. Can't let them regroup."
Harry's fiery form darted through the smoke and debris, his claws scraping against the metal of a speeding vehicle as he launched himself toward the final target. "On it," he muttered, his voice filled with a strange calm. "Let's make sure Hydra doesn't get their hands on anything today."
As the flames danced in the sky, the team below was already preparing for their next move, each one ready to follow Harry's lead as they dealt with whatever Hydra threw their way.
---
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