Ironman: Fallen Shield

Fallen Shield

The whine of repulsors cuts through the tense silence as Tony hovers in front of the cabin, Maria and Sam flanking him. He's about to give the order to depart when a voice cuts through the air, chillingly familiar.

"Leaving so soon, Stark? We haven't even had a chance to properly welcome you."

From the shadows of the surrounding trees, a dozen figures emerge, clad in the dark uniforms of Hydra. They fan out, surrounding the trio, weapons trained. Tony feels a surge of adrenaline, his instincts screaming danger.

"Damn it, I should have known they'd be watching," he mutters, his hand instinctively reaching for the repulsor controls.

Before he can react, a figure steps forward from the Hydra ranks. It's a woman, her face obscured by a mask, but her voice is unmistakable.

Sharon Carter.

"Sharon? But... you were just..." Tony stammers, confusion clouding his mind.

Sharon removes the mask, revealing a cold, calculating expression. "Did you really think I'd betray my cause so easily, Stark? HYDRA is my family. It's the only family I've ever known."

"But Steve... Maria..." Tony struggles to comprehend the betrayal.

Sharon laughs, a harsh, bitter sound. "Steve Rogers was a fool. He clung to outdated ideals, refused to see the necessity of our actions. And Maria," she spits the name with venom, "she's a traitor, a weakling who deserves to be punished."

One of the Hydra agents steps forward, his voice filled with righteous fury. "We admired Thanos! He understood the need for balance, for culling the weak to ensure the survival of the strong. You Avengers, you interfered with his plan, disrupted the natural order. You deserve to pay!"

The revelation hits Tony like a physical blow. He understands now. This isn't just about revenge for Steve's death. It's about ideology, a twisted belief system that sees the Avengers as obstacles to a warped vision of the future.

"You're insane," Tony growls, his voice laced with anger. "Thanos was a madman, a genocidal maniac. And you're no better."

Sharon shrugs, her expression unwavering. "History will judge us, Stark. And when the dust settles, it will be HYDRA who stands triumphant."

She raises her hand, signaling the attack. The Hydra agents open fire, a barrage of energy blasts and projectiles filling the air. Tony reacts instantly, his repulsors blazing, deflecting the incoming attacks. Maria and Sam dive for cover, returning fire with their own weapons.
The battle is fierce, a chaotic dance of death and destruction. Tony, fueled by rage and a desperate need to protect his friends, fights with a ferocity he hasn't unleashed in years. He tears through the Hydra ranks, his repulsor beams incinerating anything in their path.

But the Hydra agents are relentless, their numbers overwhelming. Tony feels his energy reserves dwindling, his armor taking a beating.

He sees Maria fall, a cry of pain escaping her lips. Sam, outnumbered and outgunned, is forced to retreat.
Just as Tony feels hope slipping away, a figure emerges from the cabin. It's Sharon, her face contorted in anger, her weapon trained on Maria.

"This is for Steve, you traitor!" she screams, firing a blast of energy.

Tony's heart leaps into his throat. He lunges forward, desperately trying to reach Maria, to shield her from the blast. But he's too late. The energy beam strikes Maria, throwing her back against the wall. She slumps to the ground, her eyes wide and lifeless.

Rage consumes Tony, a primal fury unlike anything he's ever felt. He turns on Sharon, his repulsor beams firing with a vengeance.

Sharon screams, raising her arms in a futile attempt to shield herself. The blasts hit her with full force, incinerating her instantly.

The remaining Hydra agents, seeing their leader fall, hesitate. Tony seizes the opportunity, unleashing a final, devastating attack. The Hydra ranks crumble, their bodies falling like dominoes. In a matter of seconds, the battle is over.

Tony rushes to Maria's side, his heart pounding in his chest. He cradles her lifeless body in his arms, his tears mixing with the blood staining her uniform. He had failed to protect her, failed to save her from the darkness that had consumed her.

Sam kneels beside him, his face etched with grief. "She died a hero, Tony," he says softly. "She saved us all."

Tony looks at him, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "We lost so much today, Sam," he whispers. "Steve, Maria... it's not fair."

Sam places a hand on his shoulder, offering a silent comfort. "We'll get through this, Tony. We always do."

Tony nods, his gaze fixed on Maria's face. He knows the road ahead will be difficult, filled with grief and uncertainty. But he also knows that he has to keep fighting, for Maria, for Steve, for the future they all believed in. He will honor their memory by continuing the fight for justice, for a world where heroes can rise from the ashes of tragedy and hope can triumph over darkness.