Fall of Heroes

Zeke's final mission as a member as the Union Fury and the Winter Soldier Program has been given, and only the Union Fury can stop him...

## Plot

### Castle Zemo, Sokovia

On March 3, 2023, Baron Zemo orders for Bob to cart away Karpov's body, and Bob picks up Karpov and places him on a cart, before leaving. Baron Zemo tells Mortimer that their plan better be worth the loss of the Meister of the Winter Soldiers. Mortimer mentions that once they've accomplished their plan, they won't need anymore Winter Soldiers. Baron Zemo asks Mortimer why he thinks that, and Mortimer mentions that once Blondie and Ghost Soldier eliminate The Union Fury, he will Announce to the United kingdom that the Union Fury has fallen, Military Supplies are low, the "Die Gehornte Teufel" will take over all military operations and use it's sister organization ""H.E.L.M." to take over Political campaigns, allowing for HYDRA to take over the United Kingdom, and use it as a stepping stone to activate Operation: New Empire and build a New World Order.

Zeke then reminds Blondie and Ghost Soldier to commit suicide after completing their mission. He then orders both men to head back to London. Both men comply, before leaving. Mortimer tells Zemo that he was hoping that Zeke would've seen the magnificence of the New Empire. Zemo reminds Mortimer that Zeke would've opposed the New Empire, and Mortimer asks how he would know. Zemo mentions that he has a hunch on Blondie. Back in London, Hilde returns home and places her purse on the couch. She then walks upstairs and up a ladder and climbs on the roof. She begins to look up at the stars, asking Zeke to come back to her. Hilde then receives a text from Mortimer, mentioning that he would like to see her at 10 Downing Street. Hilde then calls Mortimer.

### A Turn in Command

Hilde awaits an answer, but is left with none. She gets down from her roof and into her house. She walks up to the fridge and finds a number. She takes the number with her, before she goes outside and gets onto her motorcycle. Hilde drives down to 10 Downing Street and reaches the security gate. She gives the security guard her credentials, and asks her for her religion. She mentions that she's Jewish, and the security guard refuses to let her pass. Hilde mentions that she was summoned by the Prime Minister himself, and the security guard refuses. Hilde asks if it's because of her religion, and the security guard mentions that it is. Hilde then gets of her motorcycle and slams the security guard on the ground, before knocking him out.

She then opens the gates and rolls her motorcycle on through. She walks up the stairs and enters Mortimer's Office. She tells Mortimer that the security guard wouldn't let her through because of her religion. Mortimer mentions that it's unfortunate, before Hilde asks why he wanted her. Mortimer mentions that he found the list Zeke made when he was recruiting and saw that Hilde was 3rd-in-Command. Hilde asks what that means, and Mortimer tells her that it means that since Zeke and Arthur are listed as MIA, she is the next in line to lead The Union Fury. Hilde begins to think, a little surprised, and asks Mortimer if Zeke is well. Mortimer mentions that he's going to talk with Baron Zemo, to do all he can to rescue Zeke and Arthur. Hilde thanks Mortimer before asking him about the laws he made, prohibiting such acts made by non-white Brits.

Mortimer tells Hilde that it was the act of the people who suggested such laws, and Hilde mentions that discrimination will only lead to war. Mortimer mentions that the United Kingdom is coming to a new age, a New Empire, and the United Kingdom is going to be the Pioneer of it. He then goes on to mention that with the United Kingdom being the first, the European Union will follow, and the rest of the world will eventually cave in to it. Mortimer mentions that nothing cannot be earned without Hardship, and the laws add to that hardship. Hilde mentions that she's going to go home to process it, before thanking Mortimer for the 'Promotion' and leaving. Hilde walks up to the security guard and kicks him in the nuts, before getting on her motorcycle and driving off.

Mortimer watches as Hilde drives away, before ordering Evelyn Necker to contact Baron Zemo. Evelyn Necker mentions that she is patching him to Castle Zemo now. Baron Zemo asks Mortimer what they're going to do with Agent Oxton and Agent Smith, before Mortimer mentions that he's getting on a plan to head to Castle Zemo to give his verdict. As Hilde returns home, she contacts Eric and tells him that she had been placed in Command in Zeke and Arthur's absence by Mortimer. Eric tells Hilde that he will relay the news to the others. Hilde then looks at the number and decides to type in the number. She asks the person if he is selling anything. Sometime later, Hilde sits on her couch, cuddled up, watching the news. She learns that the International Museum of Budapest had been devastated in a Terrorist Assault, possibly connected to the Winter Soldier.

### The Third Stage, Continued Part 1: Infiltration

The news shows a picture of Zeke, and Hilde is left speechless. Hilde contacts Eric and mentions that she may know what became of Zeke. Eric asks what happened, and Hilde begins to mention that Zeke may have been turned into a Winter Soldier, but her connection had been cut off. Hilde begins to wonder what happened, before she decided to leave it alone. She then walks around the house, wondering why Zeke is in Budapest. On March 4, 2023, Zeke and Arthur arrive in London. Arthur asks how they're going to accomplish their mission, and Zeke mentions that they are going to do something that the United Kingdom would never expect. Arthur asks what he's suggesting, and Zeke whispers into Arthur's ear. Zeke then asks for Arthur to follow his lead.

In 10 Downing Street, Mortimer returns to his office, and asks Evelyn to write something down for him. Evelyn grabs a pen and begins to write down, before she is shot and injured by Blondie. Blondie and Ghost Soldier assault Mortimer, who demands to know what they're doing. Blondie tells Mortimer that in 'the name of HYDRA, he shall be terminated'. A British soldier walks in to the office, only to be shot by Ghost Soldier. Ghost Soldier mentions that he's going to wreak havoc, and Blondie mentions that he'll watch Mortimer. Evelyn slowly gets up, only to be shot and injured more by Blondie. As Evelyn falls, she presses a button, summoning The Union Fury. Zeke places a gun at Mortimer's head and mentions that it's all a part of the plan.

Ghost Soldier begins to shoot up the streets near 10 Downing Street. He manages to kill a couple of guards, before being intercepted by The Commando, who orders him to stand down. Ghost Soldier begins to shoot at her. The Commando orders for the Union Fury to attack. As Ghost Soldier aims for Hilde, he is sent flying by Bullet Man. Ghost Soldier lands on the ground, and his mask comes off. Aerobolt approaches him and recognizes him. Aerobolt is left shocked, and Ghost Soldier tackles him. Zanshi approaches Arthur and knocks him out. The Commando mentions that Zeke can't be far, before looking to the building. She enters the building, and finds Blondie holding Mortimer at gun point. Blondie mentions that if she comes closer, Mortimer will get it.

The Commando mention that she won't, but a friend will. Blondie is left confused, until he is sucker-punched by Shrink. Shrink pushes Blondie off of Mortimer, and The Commando helps Mortimer up. She asks him if he's well, before approaching Blondie. She rips off Blondie's mask, and is left horrified that it's Zeke. Mortimer mentions that he can't believe it's him. Hilde mentions that she's going to take Zeke back to Base and look into seeing what happened to him. Mortimer tells him to do as best as they can, and finish their mission, which leaves Hilde and Eric weirded out. Hilde then orders the Union Fury to return to Base. As the Union Fury leaves, Mortimer walks up to Evelyn and mentions that she will be given time off to recover from her injuries.

### The Third Stage, Continued Part 2: The Trap Sprung

Back at Base, Bullet Man and Shrink place Arthur and Zeke on medical gurneys as they enter the hangar at the base. Felipe, Eric, Fan, and Dick are all relieved that Zeke managed to survive Sokovia. Hilde asks Eric for an analysis, and Eric mentions that they must have been exposed to some sort of trauma by Arnim Zola, as he mentions that there is a small device in Arthur's eye. Hilde asks what the device is for, and as Eric begins to explain to her what the device does, Dick spots Zeke's new metal arm and asks where it came from. Dick then experiences a flashback, and realizes that during the Avenger's Attack, the Winter Soldier bared the exact same arm. Before anything else happens, Zeke grabs his pistol and shoots Dick in the head, killing him. Hilde demands to know what Zeke has done, only for him to shout out "Hail, HYDRA!"

Hilde realizes that Zeke had been brainwashed by HYDRA. Fan grabs her sword, only to be shot and killed when Arthur gets up. Hilde tells Eric and Felipe to detain them. Zeke turns his gun on Hilde and attempts to shoot, only for Felipe to move Hilde to safety. Felipe falls on the floor, and Hilde discovers that Felipe has been mortally wounded by Zeke's bullet. Felipe tells Hilde to free Zeke and Arthur, before he is shot by Zeke again. Eric tells Hilde to follow him into the Base's corridors, and mentions how it's like a maze. As both Eric and Hilde flee, Zeke approaches Felipe and shoot him in the head, killing him. Arthur chases after Eric, who leads him to the upper corridors, as Zeke chases Hilde into the lower corridors. Eric shrinks down after running into a dead end, and Arthur tries to find his way back, only to be lost.

In the Lower Corridors, Hilde leads Zeke deep into the corridor, only for Zeke to use used bullet shells to track every corner he makes. He then realizes that one of the corridors is made into a square, and waits around the corner for Hilde to appear. He grabs out his combat knife with intentions of stabbing Hilde. Hilde runs around the corner, and Zeke attempts to stab her, only for Eric to arrive, and Zeke stabs Eric. Hilde is left appalled, though Eric tells her that he'll be fine. Eric tells Hilde about the Mind Machine as they run down the corridor. As they run, Eric is sniped by Zeke and falls mortally wounded. Zeke approaches the mortally wounded Eric, who tells him that he won't succeed in his mission. Zeke then finishes off Eric by shooting him in the head before going after Hilde.

He follows his bullets back to the middle corridors. He loses Hilde there, and Zeke searches every corner. Hilde runs down the halls and hides around the corner. She makes sure neither men followed her, before starting to cry a bit. She begins to blame herself for getting the rest of the team killed. She questions why she was put in charge, and why she didn't go back to save Zeke when he needed it. She then begins to think about words her friends have once said to her. In January 2019, Hilde tells Sadie that she's still devastated over Stormy's death. Sadie tells Hilde that there was nothing they could do for Stormy, as it was just her time to go. Hilde mentions that they could've helped her, and Sadie mentions that it's hard to help when news drops like bombshells.

In December of 2015, Hilde walks through the streets of Dubloch, Scotland. She falls ill and tells herself to keep pushing, for the sake of her unborn child. She falls to the ground, and is later found by a man named Fergus McKelly, who offers to take her in. In Fergus's home, she thanks him for taking her in, and Fergus asks if she's pregnant, and Hilde confirms so. She asks why he took her in, and Fergus mentions that his mother had begged for help when she was going through the same thing, and was never helped and that he promised that no woman would suffer the same mistakes that his mother had been given. In August of 2016, Hilde is carried out of Hospital Ruins by Zeke, while carrying their infant son, Henry.

Upon exiting the ruins, she looks to see if her son is okay, only to realize that her son died of too much exposure to ash and smoke. Both Zeke and Hilde mourn their son. Hours later, following Moritmer's announcement of the beginning of the war against Sokovia, Zeke and Hilde promise to stay together, in the wake of the loss of their son. Hilde tells Zeke that she will always love him, and will never lose him like they did their son. Back in present day, Zeke hears footsteps and believes that he has found her. He turns around the corner and points his gun, only to discover that it's Arthur. Zeke tells Arthur that the "Irish Agent" is dead, and they only need the "German Agent". Both hear sounds in the ventilation Shafts, and both begin to follow it down the corridors, pointing their guns at the shaft.

### The Third Stage, Continued Part 3: Fighting for those you Love

The sounds lead to the Bunkers' largest training room, only for the sounds to stop. As Zeke and Arthur enter, Hilde flips down and kicks Arthur, knocking him out. Zeke engages combat against Hilde. Zeke manages to grab Hilde and shove her in to some equipment. Zeke then picks her up off the floor and pins her to the wall. Hilde begs Zeke not to kill her, telling him that he's not himself. Zeke hesitates to pull the trigger, and Hilde knocks Zeke off his balance. She then tosses a grenade, before leaving the Training Room, with Zeke in pursuit. Arthur wakes up and sees the grenade. He flees the room, before it explodes, destroying the entire room. Zeke is lead into the Mind Machine Chamber, and Hilde attempts to knock Zeke in.

Zeke manages to grab her and rams her head to the wall. He pulls out a gun and tells Zeke to fight the power controlling him. Zeke tells her that she won't convince him, before rethinking again. He hears Mortimer's words to him, before telling himself that "Good Soldiers Follow Orders". Hilde tells Zeke to fight the power of HYDRA that are controlling him. Zeke then falls to the ground, allowing for Hilde to kick him, knocking him out. She then struggles to pick him up and places him in the machine. As she does so, Zeke wakes up. As Zeke tries to escape, he is frozen in place as the Mind Machine begins to reverse his brainwashing. Arthur enters the room and attacks Hilde. Hilde uses her gun to knock Arthur out, again.

She then places him in the other Pod of the Mind Machine and Arthur is frozen in place. Hilde then programs the Mind Machine to eliminate Zeke and Arthur's brainwashings and orders. Zeke's pod opens, and Zeke asks where he's at. He sees Hilde and asks who he's killed. Hilde tells him that he killed Dick, Felipe, and Eric, before proceeding to hug Zeke. Hilde slaps Zeke, and demands the truth. Zeke tells Hilde that Reginald Mortimer is Secretly a Council Member of HYDRA. he tells her that Mortimer plans for HYDRA to take over the United Kingdom after he eliminated the Union Fury then committed suicide. With hope that no one can oppose HYDRA, the world would be brought to a new order, which the Agents of HYDRA are calling "The New Empire".

Hilde hugs Zeke and begins to shed a tear as she tells him that they've became HYDRA's pawns. Zeke confirms so, and mentions that he has looked into Mortimer's history, and he discovered that Mortimer, alongside HYDRA, have plans for the return of Nazism, which explains all of Mortimer's laws. Hilde mentions that with Mortimer's plans failed to terminate him, they have a chance to stop them. Zeke scoffs, before Arthur wakes up and asks what happened. Zeke tells Arthur that Mortimer is planning to have HYDRA become a part of the British Government, and that they'll have to stop Reginald Mortimer before that happens. Hilde asks how they are going to stop THE Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Zeke begins to think.

Zeke then simply stares at his new arm, saying that he has to do it...

TO BE CONTINUED....

## Featured Characters

* HYDRA
	+ Baron Zemo
	+ Bob Dobalina
	+ Reginald Mortimer
	+ Winter Soldiers
		- Ezekiel-Amadeus Oxton/ Blondie
		- Arthur Smith/ Ghost Soldier
* The Union Fury
	+ Hildegard von Zidlitz-Holmes/ The Commando
	+ Eric O'Grady/ Shrink
	+ Felipe Correia dos Santos/ Bullet Man
	+ Darren Muldoon/ Aerobolt
	+ Fan Gan Zhou/ Zanshi
* British Government
	+ Evelyn Necker
* Sadie Botha
* Fergus McKelly
* Oxtons
	+ Henry Oxton

## Notes

* Characters to Debut:
	+ Sadie Botha & Fergus McKelly.
* Characters to Appear in the Series so far:
	+ Captain Calvock, Emily Oxton, Baron Zemo, Helmut Zemo, Ezekiel-Amadeus Oxton, Michael Oxton, Natalia Oxton, Annabelle Oxton, John Oxton, Amy-Evie Oxton, Zachary Oxton, Elizabeth Oxton, Arthur Smith, Hildegard von Zidlitz-Holmes, Edward Knight, Michael Bishop, Laxman Bobbili, Gang Hu, Zan Hu, Elietzer Abbott-Chaves, Aaron Tobias, Finn Callaghan, Kitto Hammett, Captain Haddowitz, Reginald Mortimer, The Black Baron, Zoey Benn, First Mate Boatwright, Hauptmann Mittel, Captain Bonham, Captain Bray, Hauptmann Jansen, Captain Camlee, Director Nixon, Captain Roy, General Bolton, Naomi Levy, Sarah Elliott, General Shelby, General Messenger, Evelyn Necker, Captain Reston, Privateer Stuart, Privateer Hunter, Courtney Ross/ Saturnyne, Major Boylen/ Cloud-9, Heike Zemo, Queen Elizabeth II, Mrs. Windsor, Ferris Alfredson, Adam Quill, Ellen Bancroft, Harry Monz, Chantel Day, Clair Evans, Damien Welathy, Desmond Myles, Deckard Lennox, Elise Grant, John Ainsley, Karac Skinner, Felicity Cockburn, Naomi Ashworth, Trigger Smith, Ottiwell Lucian, Hamato Hayashi, Chelsea Alberts, Poppy Knight, Cherry Solman, Anthony Stark/ Iron Man, Henry Oxton, Juan Fu Liu, Ameka Agrinye, Olinda Zeigler, Henrietta de la Quois, Olga Kaufer, Annahoff Muller, Mrs. Le Cartier-White, Dawn von Essen-Prenderghast, Jarod Spencer, Ashley Holmes-Falsworth, Felipe Correia dos Santos/ Bullet Man, Marcia Correia dos Santos, Lucio Correia dos Santos I, Altair Barros, Snake Eyes, Fan Gan Zhou/ Zanshi, Darren Muldoon/ Aerobolt, Timothy Sanrahan/ Blowtorch, Marissa Faireborn/ Lady Kaye, Robert Remus/ Sgt. Slaughter, Conrad Hauser/ Sgt. Duke, Kim Arishikage/ Jinx, Ronald Tadur/ Dusty, Marvin Hinton/ Roadblock, Abel Kibbey/ Breaker, Courtney Krieger/ Cover Girl, Christopher Lavigne/ Law, Thomas Arishikage/ Storm Shadow, Victor Drath, James McCullen/ Destro, Dr. Mindbender, Anastasia de Cobrai/ The Baroness, Constantin von Djangovich/ Firefly, Serpentor, Edith Teurvigne/ Bayonet, Zartan, Zandar, Zarana, Hung Van/Blipwire, Tomax & Xamot, William Fowler Jr., Nick Fury, Stefano De Luca, Luca De Luca, Aurora De Luca, Guido Tedesco, Archangelo Vitelli, Lucy Vitelli, Brunello Zegardi/ Guerriero, Caderina Zegardi, Claud Manicello, Vittoria Manicello, Yussaf, Ali Zaman, President Esmail Hussain, Aasif Ackbar, Rahim Malek, Jolek Mahmoud, Lord Conrad von Zidlitz, King Hussa Fakkadi, Tarek Zaman, Brian Braddock/ Captain Britain, Adolf Hitler, Johann Schmidt/ Red Skull, Wilhelm Strasse/ Deathshead, Helga von Schabbs; Gruber Brinkhaus, Jacques Guillard, Shoshanna Dreyfus, Martin Guillard, Steven Rogers/ Captain America, James Barnes/ Bucky, William J. Blazkowicz, King Oscar von Zidlitz, King Maximus de Corcillon, Queen Victoire de Corcillon, Bridget von Hammersmark, Reinhardt von Hammersmark, Heinrich Himmler, Montgomery Falsworth/ Union Jack, Sid Ridley/ Captain Midlands, Daniel Dreyfus-Guillard, Fergus Reid, Julius Malarkey/ Killpower, Fred Erkens/ Chamo, Raymond Pist, Morgan Lester, Dusty Frye, Krzys Donatowicz, Piers Hext, Mary Muldoon, Natalie Knightley, Bob Dobalina, Dmitri Bukharin/ Airstrike, Mikhail Ursus/ Ursa Major, Lia Petrovich/ Sputnik, Yelena Belova/ Crimson Widow, General Diaton Rasputin, Harold Attinger, Quentin Charles, Clayton Abernathy/ General Hawk, Barley Hedgwick/ Datatrax, General Morshower, Maria Hill, Cameron Klein, Bruce Banner/ The Hulk, Clint Barton/ Hawkeye, Hank Pym/ Ant Man/ Giant Man, Janet van Dyne/ The Wasp, Samuel Wilson/ Falcon, Ulysses Klaw, Simon Williams/ Wonder Man, Brock Rumlow/ Crossbones, Tony Masters/ Taskmaster, Eric Williams/ Grim Reaper, Constanzia von Djangovich/ Crimson Cowl, Eric O'Grady/ Shrink, Arnim Zola, Zena Riley/ Zero, Sinthea Schmidt/ Rototen, Timotheus Eisenfaust/ Wermacht, Klaus Bosko/ Eisenkreuz I, Nikolai Dragic/ Empirak, Melitta Zlato/ Screaming Mimi, Josef, St. Jean Allerdyce/ Pyro, Brittney Knightley, Vasily Karpov, Jasper Sitwell, Nathan Garrett/ The Black Knight, Sadie Botha & Fergus McKelly.
* Some of Hilde's backstory is revealed in this episode.

## Episode Casualties

* Darren Muldoon/ Aerobolt
* Fan Gan Zhou/ Zanshi
* Felipe Correia dos Santos/ Bullet Man
* Eric O'Grady/ Shrink
* Henry Oxton