Chapter 121: How Did I Become the Leader of Hydra!?
"Who activated it?!"
Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. research base, Nick Fury was in a state of controlled fury. The moment Finney Hellseg vanished, Fury had the entire facility locked down. Every scientist and agent was being interrogated, their faces pale with fear.
"Director, if I may," Erik Selvig stepped forward, his voice trembling. "The data shows the Tesseract activated itself. There was no external trigger."
"So you're telling me it just happened to go berserk the exact second the Silver Knight stood in front of it?" Fury stared into Selvig's eyes, his gaze cold and skeptical.
"I... I don't know," Selvig stammered. "Could he have done something to it?"
Fury had considered that. But looking back at the footage, Finney's expression had been one of pure shock, not intent. He was more inclined to believe the Asgardians or some cosmic force had reached out to the Cube.
"Director," Maria Hill whispered, stepping to his side. "We've cleared everyone who had contact with the Cube in the last 72 hours. No anomalies."
Fury's frown deepened. "Have you tracked his coordinates?"
Selvig hesitated. "According to the energy signature... he may no longer be on Earth."
"Motherf—!" Fury bit back the curse. This was a disaster. He looked at Selvig and barked, "I don't care how you do it—find a way to bring him back!"
Meanwhile, on the lonely planet of Vormir, Finney and the Red Skull were sitting on the edge of the sacrificial altar, having a surprisingly casual chat. Finney had deactivated his 'Evil Possession' armor since the atmosphere was breathable.
"Do you still remember Captain America?" Finney asked, looking out at the eclipsed sun.
"Steve Rogers?" Red Skull's spectral eyes grew wistful. "Is he still alive? He must be over ninety by now."
"He's doing much better than you," Finney replied, satisfying the ghost's curiosity. "During your final battle, he crashed into a glacier. He was frozen for seventy years and was just recently thawed out."
"Frozen?" Red Skull shook his head indifferently. "What does it matter now? I am but a shadow."
"Actually, your Hydra is doing quite well," Finney added casually. He summoned a steaming hot Violet Chicken Nugget Wrap and offered it to the ghost. "Want some?"
"I have no body to nourish, but thank you," Red Skull declined, staring at the magic wrap. "You said... Hydra still exists?"
"Of course," Finney said, taking a big bite. "They're currently the world's largest hidden intelligence organization. You should be proud."
Red Skull stood a bit straighter, a spark of his old zeal returning. "Long live Hydra!"
"Don't get too excited," Finney poured cold water on the celebration. "They're still operating in the shadows. And now that Captain America is back, it's only a matter of time before he sniffs them out and finishes what he started."
The smile froze on Red Skull's crimson face. The thought of Steve Rogers waking up after seventy years only to destroy his legacy once again filled him with a sudden, sharp rage.
"He cannot do this!" Red Skull shouted, startling Finney.
"Finney Hellseg!" Red Skull stood solemnly, towering over him. "I, Johann Schmidt, as the founder of Hydra, request your assistance!"
"Huh?" Finney stopped chewing, confused by the sudden shift in tone.
"I want you to save Hydra. From this day forward, you are the new Leader of Hydra! When the organization rules the world and expands into the stars, you will be the Overlord of the Universe!"
"What?" Finney was so shocked he actually dropped his chicken wrap. He stared at the erratic ghost. "Are you out of your mind? I'm literally an enemy of Hydra!"
"I do not care!" Red Skull barked. "Anyone who is your enemy can be purged from the ranks! You have the power, the vision, and you are untainted by the failures of the past."
Red Skull knew he was essentially a commander without an army, but his goal was to trick this powerful "Mage" into protecting his legacy.
Finney stared at the expectant, trusting face of the Red Skull, feeling a massive headache coming on. How the hell did a quick trip to a S.H.I.E.L.D. base end with me becoming the Supreme Leader of Hydra?!
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(End of Chapter)