Marvel : The great sage

Briefing Room, Allied Base – 1944

The air was heavy with tension as Steve, Alex, and the Howling Commandos gathered around a large map spread across the wooden table. Colonel Phillips stood at the head, arms crossed. Peggy and Howard Stark were nearby, listening intently.

"We have a golden opportunity, gentlemen," Phillips began, tapping a marked location on the map. "Hydra's lead scientist, Arnim Zola, is traveling by train through the Austrian mountains. If we take him alive, we get access to Hydra's weapons research, their base locations, and maybe even Schmidt's plans."

Alex narrowed his eyes. "Great Sage, probability of success?"

⌈ Based on current intel, probability of mission success: 72%. Probability of casualties: 36%. ⌋

"Not bad, but not great," Alex muttered.

Howard Stark adjusted his tie. "Well, that's why I whipped up some gadgets for you. The train's loaded with automated defenses—turrets, energy weapons, and God knows what else. So, you'll need this."

He slid a grappling gun across the table.

"Use this to board the train mid-transit," Stark explained. "No walking in through the front door."

Steve picked it up, testing the weight. "This'll do."

Peggy looked at him, then at Alex. "Be careful. Both of you."

Alex smirked. "Always."

Bucky nudged him. "She worries about you more than Steve, huh?"

Alex chuckled. "Can you blame her?"

Steve rolled his eyes. "Let's focus."

---

The Mission Begins – Austrian Mountains

The wind howled as the Howling Commandos crouched on a snowy ridge, overlooking the speeding Hydra train.

"Remember," Steve said, fastening his shield. "We get in, capture Zola, and get out. Quick and clean."

"Define 'clean,'" Dugan muttered.

Alex pulled down his goggles. "Great Sage, scan for enemy presence."

⌈ Detecting 20+ soldiers, automated turrets, and two experimental Hydra combat droids. ⌋

Alex exhaled. "This just got harder."

Steve signaled. "Let's move!"

The team fired their grappling hooks, latching onto the moving train. One by one, they ziplined across the canyon, landing on the roof.

The roaring wind and clanking metal made it impossible to talk, but the team moved in sync.

Steve led the charge, leaping down to a side window and shattering the glass with his shield. He dropped inside, immediately knocking out two guards.

Alex followed, knife flashing as he took down another soldier in a single, fluid motion.

Bucky and Morita covered the rear, blasting through enemy defenses.

Hydra wasn't going down easy.

A turret whirred to life, tracking Steve—

Alex lunged forward, slamming a knife into its sensor, disabling it instantly.

⌈ Warning: Two combat droids activating in the next cabin. ⌋

"Steve, heads up!" Alex called.

The door to the next car slammed open, revealing two towering Hydra combat droids, their glowing blue visors locking onto them.

"Guess Stark forgot to mention these," Bucky muttered.

The first droid fired an energy blast, forcing them to scatter.

Alex rolled under a table, drawing his pistol.

"Great Sage, weak points?"

⌈ Structural weakness at joint hinges and power core in the chest. ⌋

"Steve, aim for the chest!" Alex shouted.

Steve charged forward, shield raised, deflecting a blast before slamming it into the droid's core. The machine shuddered, sparks flying, but it wasn't down yet.

Alex sprinted behind it, slashing through its knee joint. The droid collapsed, giving Steve the opening to smash its core with his shield.

The second droid turned to fire at Bucky—

Alex reacted instantly, tackling Bucky aside as the energy bolt grazed his shoulder.

"Shit—!"

Ignoring the pain, Alex twisted mid-air and threw a grenade. It lodged into the droid's visor—

Boom!

The machine exploded into flaming debris.

Bucky stared at Alex. "You okay?"

Alex flexed his shoulder. "I'll live."

Steve helped him up. "Let's finish this."

They stormed into the next car—

And there, sitting calmly, was Arnim Zola.

---

Interrogating Zola – Escape from the Train

The short, bespectacled scientist adjusted his glasses, looking at them with mild interest.

"I assume you want information," Zola said flatly.

Steve grabbed him by the collar. "Where's Schmidt?"

Zola smirked. "You are too late, Captain. He is already preparing for his final plan."

Alex narrowed his eyes. "And what would that be?"

Zola chuckled. "I suppose you'll find out… soon enough."

Bucky cuffed him. "You're coming with us."

But just as they turned to leave—

The train car door burst open.

A Hydra trooper fired at Steve—

Bucky shoved him out of the way.

The bullet hit Bucky's side.

His footing slipped.

The wind howled as—

He fell.

"BUCKY!" Steve's scream cut through the storm.

Alex lunged, grabbing for him—

Their hands brushed—

But Bucky plummeted into the abyss below.

Silence.

Steve froze in horror.

Alex's breath hitched. No…

The train rumbled violently.

"Steve!" Alex forced himself to move. "We need to go!"

Steve hesitated, his fists clenched, eyes locked on the ravine below.

Then—he turned. Numb.

They grabbed Zola and leapt off the train as it exploded behind them.

---

Aftermath: The Loss of a Brother

Back at base, the air was suffocating.

Steve sat on a crate, staring blankly at the floor. His hands trembled.

Alex stood beside him, silent. Bucky was gone.Even after trying to change the future due to one reason or another he was still not able to change the fate of Bucky.

Peggy approached cautiously. "Steve…"

Steve didn't respond.

Howard Stark looked at Alex. "I… I'm sorry."

Steve exhaled slowly. "We're not done." His eyes burned with cold resolve. "Schmidt took Bucky from us. It's time we return the favor."

Steve clenched his fists.

He wasn't Captain America anymore.

He was just a soldier who lost his best friend.

And he wanted revenge.