I do not own any of these characters Marvel does.
Chapter 2- The Test
Bucky discovers that trying to take a shower with only one hand has its challenges. He decided he had to get used to it because the Wakandan design group took his metal arm off during his treatment probably for the better. He quickly dresses after his shower, the assistant Esihle left him black trousers, an olive t-shirt, sneakers, a pair of socks, and a shawl. "I guess this is for my empty arm socket, but how can I tie this with one hand?" Bucky said to himself.
He grabs the shawl after dressing and makes his way back to the room he was in before. "Good afternoon Sergeant Barnes, My name is Ayo, I am the Dora assign to perform the test with you. Nice to make your acquaintance." The Dora Milaje introduces herself with a reserved smile.
"I'm Bucky, nice to meet you, Ms. Ayo." Bucky offers his hand and Ayo shakes it.
Ayo likes all the Dora Milaje wears a red bodysuit with harness and shoulder pads, gold neck and arm rings, and black boots. She is tall and muscular and is carrying a vibranium spear, she looks like someone you wouldn't want to be on their bad side. She looks every bit the warrior that she is and the thought gives set Bucky at ease, in case the test fails she is most likely capable of taking him down.
"I can help you with the shawl Sergeant." Ayo offers
"Thanks, I can't for the life of me tie it with one arm." Bucky hands her the shawl and she ties it where his left arm uses to attached.
"It's already 17:00, time to leave the jet is waiting, follow me."
Bucky follows Ayo to a talon jet, at least that what he thinks they're called. He boarded one when he came to Wakanda with Steve and T'Challa, but this one is different. He sits opposite Ayo, another Dora was piloting the jet, he decides to ask some questions.
"Excuse me, Ms. Ayo, I have some questions if it is ok with you." Bucky
"Yes, ask away."
"How is it my programming is undone, and what happens if it turns out it's not? Also if it is, do I have to leave Wakanda, or do I get to stay here?" Bucky asks the questions that have been plaguing him since he woke up this morning.
"The Wakandan design group which is led by our princess Shuri spends a year trying to find a cure, going into the deepest part of your psyche. With patient and our resources, the princess believes she has successfully undone the Winter Soldier programming. We are going to test her theory, if she is wrong, she will continue to work to find a cure because that girl does not know when to give up. If you are indeed cured then what happens after is up to the King." Ayo explains in a matter-of-fact way.
"Thank you, I guess I am indebted to the princess and the design group."
"We are here." The Dora piloting the jet announce.
"Thank you, Yama. Let's go Sergeant."
Bucky and Ayo get off the jet and walk into Peta forest where everything seems to have already been set up. There are several bonfires and a clearing area obviously prepared for them. Ayo urges Bucky to sits and he does despite the urge to run. He is very anxious because he doesn't want anything to go wrong and hurt someone although he is far away from civilization Ayo is there and he doesn't want to hurt her. He also doesn't want to get his hope up and be disappointed. Bucky shivers despite the heat from the fire and hugs himself like a scared child, despite himself, he is on the verge of tears.
" It is time," Ayo said, bringing him back to earth
"Are you sure about this." he was not so sure himself
"I won't let you hurt anyone" is Ayo reply, she sounds confident but Bucky is anything but that. She walks slowly towards him as she recites the activation words in Russian. "Longing. Rusted. Daybreak. Furnace. Seventeen."
"It's not going to work." Bucky is close to tears at this point and all the terrible memories during his time as the Winter soldier start flashing in his head.
"Nine. Benign. Homecoming." She continues to recite the words and Bucky is now openly crying and trying hard to not turn into the winter soldier as if willpower alone can stop it from happening. The terrible memories continue to flash in his head as if his life was flashing before his eyes as he dies.
"One. Freight Car." Ayo said the last two words and he is still himself, he did not turn into a mindless killing machine. He makes eye contact with the Dora and she smiles proudly at him.
"You are free. You are free." She said like a proud mother. Bucky puts his hand over his mouth and cry in relief. He couldn't believe not even in his wildest dreams, he has been the Winter Soldier for over seventy years on and off cryo-sleep for decades. Bucky is tired of fighting and for the first time in a long time he has control of his own mind, and he no longer wants to fight.
They fly back to Mount Bashenga in silence, Bucky was still in disbelief. Ayo explains that he will stay in a room in the Design group building where he was before, king T'Challa will decide his fate the next day. He followed Ayo to the room that was prepared for him lost in thought.
"We are here Sergeant," Ayo said, she swiped a key card at the door and opens it for him.
" Thank you for everything, Ms. Ayo," Bucky said with all the gratitude he can muster.
"No need to thank me, the scientists and the doctors did all the work. Get some rest Sergeant, myself, or one of the Dora will come to fetch you tomorrow morning. If you need anything let me know. There is a phone in your room and emergency numbers should already be in it." Ayo explains.
"Thank you again, good night miss." with that Bucky made his way into the room.
"Good evening Sergeant."
Bucky did not even bother to change into the pajamas left for him, he lies down and fell asleep and for the first, in over seventy years he did not have any nightmare.
Bucky wakes up at exactly six, strips out of his clothes, and takes a shower. He examines the clothes left for him and notices that they all what he guess is Wakandan traditional wear. He Wears a blue what seems to be a male dress and sandals. He looks in the mirror at his reflection and swears he looks like a Hollywood version of Jesus. The shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes, sandals, and the robe thingy he could play Jesus in a movie. He laughs at the thought, when was the last time he laughs like that? A knock on the door brings him out of his reverie.
Bucky opens the door only to be greeted by the Dora Milaje Yama.
"Good Morning Sergeant Barnes. The King requires your presence." She greets
"Good morning Yama. I'm ready," he said with a confidence he doesn't feel. He is going to meet king T'Challa who is going to decide his fate, whatever that is. They fly to the Citadel in the Golden citer which is the capital of Wakanda Bucky knows that much. He has even been to the Citadel which is the King's palace once, one of the most beautiful sites he has laid eyes on. Bucky and Yama arrive at the palace a little after seven, there are kings guard and the Dora Milaje around going about their business. The giant golden door that leads to the throne opens to let them in, Yame does some kind of salute to the king and the other Doras present. Bucky bows because he didn't want to insult the king and assumes bowing is the natural thing to do when meeting a king.
"Good Morning Sergeant Barnes, we don't do that here. No need for bowing." King T'Challa greeted with an amusing smile. Bucky is sure the others present are hiding their own smile. " Good morning Sir, your majesty." Bucky was out of his element here.
"There is no reason to be so formal, it's just me. Call me T'Challa. The rest of you can wait outside." The guards all salute and leave the two men alone. Bucky is still standing in the same place.
"Take a seat, we have some things to discuss before the elders arrive," T'Challa said all business-like. Bucky does as he told and sits opposite the king.
" I receive the news about your complete recovery, congratulations on that, Shuri will be very happy to hear that when she comes back. She worked very hard on you, and I am glad it pays off. T'Challa said sounding very proud.
"I don't know how to thank you for all you and the princess have done for me. My gratitude knows no bound king T'Challa."
"No problem but that is not why we are here. I have discussed with the leaders of the tribes and they all approve of your residence here in Wakanda. I understand that you cannot return to the US at this moment so we are offering you a permanent residence here."
"I am grateful but I have no money and I have no idea how I would be able to support myself because my only good skills are not exactly in need in a place like this."
" Do not worry about any of that stuff, everything has been taken care of. You have been assigned a place to stay and all the necessary things you'll need. After you have all rested and feel like you are ready to work, you will be given a job. You'll be living with the border tribe." T'Challa explains, he had been to a set of long meetings to ensure all of this.
" I am forever in your debt. Have you heard from Steve?"
"My sister is currently in the US, he will bring Captain Rogers with her to visits you in about a week's time. So don't worry, one of my kings' guard will take you to your home to help you move in." Bucky thanks the king thousand times over. This time they didn't go in a jet but horseback. They rode horses to the village he was staying, the guard took him to his hut, it was very modest but he likes it. Bucky has been given a second chance, even though he is 100 years old he is going to try his best.
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