It was a beautiful and sunny day.
It was quiet and peaceful.
It was a very good day in the USA.
But,
Was it really…?
-…It is all my fault.-America said, on the verge of tears.-I was never the hero, you guys were.-He looked on the graves, around him.-You fought and died for me, while leaving all of your loved ones behind.-A lone tear dropped from his eye.-You did so much for me, while I continued with my existence, calling myself the "Hero".-By now, he started crying.-Because of me…you all…and now even the Captain…All because of me…
Two weeks prior…
-Tony, can you tell us what happened? Why has Steve been holed up in his room, for the last week? He doesn't even come out to eat!
-…He…He got a message a week ago.-Tony answered, in a sad voice.-His former girlfriend, Peggy Carter, was killed on a mission, two years after Steve crashed the plane into the Antarctic.
-…You mean…?
-Yes, he blames himself for it.-Tony answered, with a sigh.
At the same time, in Steve's room…
-I am sorry, Peggy.-Steve said, sadly.-I am sorry, that I couldn't save you…-He looked really bad.-I am sorry, for leaving you to die…
Steve was so into self-blame, that he didn't notice the strange shadow, creeping towards him.
And when he did, it was way too late…
A week prior…
-To think that it was that easy!-A strange voice, came from Steve's mouth. –Possessing this so called "Captain America", was a piece of cake.-The voice continued. By now, Steve had red colored glowing eyes, and shadows all around him.-Well, I suppose it's time, to give his friends a little "present".
Then, he exited the room, while laughing maniacally.
At the same time…
-…Captain…?-America had a really bad feeling.
Three days prior…
Somewhere in North Sentinel Island…
Inside an underground warehouse…
-Well, I just downloaded the files. It was way too easy, for my splendid mind.-Said Tony, while taking a hard disc from the big computer, which was right in front of him.-Are you sure it's all Fury wanted us to do?
-Yes.-Said Natasha.-Now, let's get out of here, before anyone notices us. –She said, seriously.-The operation will fail, if we are seen.
-Fine, this operation is way too dull, anyway.-Said Tony. Then he, Natasha, Bruce and Clint, walked from the warehouse, via a secret passage Natasha has found.
They walked in complete silence, trying not to be seen, until they saw the exit.
Clint suddenly stopped, mouth agape, looking on the person's siluete, way before him.
-Has someone noticed us…?-Natasha asked, annoyed, while taking a battle stance. Everyone else, except for Clint, did the same. They were ready for battle, until the strange person went closer, and they saw who it was. They were confused.
-Steve…? Is that really you…? What are you…?
-Wait! He seems wrong.-Tony said. Then, the avengers noticed, that Steve had a scary face expression.
-Hello, my precious "Friends"…
At the same time…
-…No!Captain!-America yelled in anguish.-Don't do it!
Current day…
The wounded Avengers+Thor(who got the call and returned to Midgard), were discussing what happened three days ago, in the S.H.I.L.D. headquarters.
-What should we do…? Steve is our friend. We can't kill him.
-If only we knew what is possessing him, we could save him somehow.
-We better go to the meeting, before the director gets mad.
At that, they went inside the meeting room, where Nick Fury waited.
At the same time…
A certain American, just went inside the S.H.I.L.D. headquarters.
After thirty minutes…
-Remember: You have to follow the plan.-Nick ordered.
-But…
-No "But"s!-Nick said.-Steve is a treat, and must be eliminated.-He said, while opening the door of the meeting room. And was meet with a surprise. The avengers were also surprised.
-Is it true…?-America asked in despair.-Is what you discussed just now, true?
-…Alfred, what are you doing here…?-Nick asked, surprised.
-…I felt it…I felt his presence sweeping away from me…-America said.-Is what you said the truth…? Do the aliens plan to attack again, and use MY captain as their leader's host, while he was depressed, from the news about Peggy's death?!-He shouted.-It is all my fault, that he couldn't be with her, and protect her from getting killed?! That he fought so hard for me, was frozen for 70 years and lost his love?!-America didn't see the avenger's surprised faces.-Is it all my fault?!
-Alfred!-Nick shouted.-Calm down!
-I can't calm down! It's all my fault that it turned like this!-America shouted.-It's all my fault!-Then he stopped for a few seconds.-…I will save him…!
-What…?!-Nick was surprised.
-I will save him. I won't let him get killed or be possessed anymore!-America said.
-Are you crazy?!-Nick was shocked.-You know that you can't do much during an alien invasion!
-After all he has done for me and the sacrifices he made, it's the least I can do for him.-Said America. –And, it doesn't matter, if I have to drag myself and fight to stay conscious!
-No! you are not!-Said Nick.-You are going straight to the white house, and staying there under heavy guard. –He continued.-I don't want the president, throwing a fit about you falling into enemy hands, while trying to save one of our former members!
-Don't care. I am still going.-Said America.-And don't try to stop me, I am a lot stronger than you are.-He continued, while walking in the direction of the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters' exit.
-…That…Idiot…-Nick was pissed.-Avengers, don't let him leave the building!-The avengers, were still surprised about the strange exchange.-I said, go!
The avengers went to stop America.
-At least, we could keep an eye on the idiot, here…-Nick sighed.
After 15 minutes….
-He got away…
-He what?!-Nick "Asked".
-Well, you didn't tell us that he was really strong and could pull out deadly weapons out of nowhere!-Tony said. –…What's going on here, anyway? Who is this "Alfred" person? It's not his real name, right?
-Tony.-Nick said dangerously.
-I won't follow your orders or give money to S.H.I.E.L.D. until you tell me the whole truth.-Said Tony.
-I would also like to know, he reminded me of one of my former employers, in Russia.-Said Natalia.
-He is not a Midgardian or an Asgardian.-Thor said.-Who is he?
-He felt suspiciously familiar.-Said Clint.-But, I don't remember meeting him before.
-He has won in a fist fight with Hulk.-Said Bruce. –How is that even possible?
-…Fine…I will tell you everything.-Said Nick.-Let's go to my office, I will explain everything there. On the condition that you sigh a silence treaty, and search for that stupid idiot right afterwards!
-Sounds fine.-Said Tony.
-…If only you knew, what you are signing into…-Nick whispered. Then Nick+The Avengers went to Nick's room.
After an hour and a half…
-Where could he had went…?-Tony asked annoyed.-We are already searching for him, for a whole hour! Did he fuse with the city or something?!
-From what the director told us, I don't think it works that way.-Said Natasha.-At least, I didn't see Russia(And it probably was him, now that I know about the "Nations Personifications") ever doing something like that, he just walked away, after giving me an order.
-Russia?-Bruce asked with interest.-How did he look?
-Well, he was a tall person with white hair and blue eyes. He wore a long coat and a scarf.-Natalia explained.-He also had that strange smile, that looked innocent, but at the same time felt wrong. People said his smile was scary, but for me it wasn't that concerning.
-…Probably, because you also smile like that…-Said Clint.-…Must be a Russian thing…
-What…-Natalia started saying, before being interrupted.
-F*** this s***!-Tony yelled, in frustration, while looking at the ships, up at the sky.
-At least, we are already in out suits.-Said Bruce, as the ships opened, and aliens dropped from them. The alien invasion has started.
At the same time…
-…Seems like it's time…-America said, while wiping his face.-Thank you for everything, guys.-He looked at the tombs one last time.-Goodbye…-He said as he took out a rifle out of nowhere and went away. In his sadness, he didn't feel the presences appearing inside the cemetery, and neither could he feel the worried glances given his way, as he exited the cemetery.
-America, you idiot!-Four voices, said at the same time.
-What should we do, sirs?-Another voice asked. Then, the place, was filled with different voices asking similar questions.
-…It should be obvious.-One of the first four voices said.-We go after him, and try to stop him from doing anything stupid!
-…Just like we always did.-Said another of the first four voices.
-…Since he is, our "Kid".-Said another of the first four voices.
-Damn right!-Said another of the first four voices.