Not entirely satisfied with certain parts of this chapter but I do hope you guys enjoy it.
Ellie Bishop: Yep. Oh tell me about it, the fact that Laura is so underappreciated in the MCU fandom is a crime.
Avengers Compound
Mid-Afternoon
Sam was still practicing with the shield. By now, he was able to catch it by the edges with ease. As it returned to his hand once more, Bucky walked into the room, seeing Sam catch the shield on the return.
"Nice catch," Bucky complimented and Sam nodded.
"Thanks," Sam said as he looked down at the shield.
"You okay?" Bucky asked as he caught Sam's stare.
"Yeah. Just…feels weird, holding it," Sam admitted.
Sam then turned around and paused. Bucky was holding a rather large briefcase, easily three times the size of a normal one.
"What's that?"
"It was just dropped off. When I decided to give you the shield, I made a call to Wakanda," Bucky said as he walked over, placing it on the floor in front of Sam. "It's yours, when you're ready."
Sam was silent, looking down at the case grimly. He knew what was in it without even asking Bucky. And once he opened it, there would be no going back.
New York
Not long after
In a Flag Smasher hideout, Walker was practicing with his own shield as he waited for news. He caught it on the return as a Flag Smasher approached him.
"Sir, we've received word. Our target is en route," the Flag Smasher said and Walker smirked.
"Excellent. And we'll be there to greet him," Walker said darkly.
Avengers Compound
Not long after
After Sam had dropped the briefcase off at his room, he and Bucky walked into the kitchen to see Wanda had made something.
"What's all this?" Bucky asked.
"I made lunch," Wanda said simply. "Sort of a 'thanks for not giving on me' thing."
"Wanda, you never have to thank us for that. It's what friends do," Sam told her.
"I know. But most people would have just given up by now so just take the gift," Wanda said with a look that said 'do not argue with me'.
"Well, I know better than to turn down a free meal," Bucky joked as he sat down.
Wanda laughed as Sam shook his head in exasperation. Sam was about to sit down as well when his phone started ringing. Pulling it out, he stilled as he saw it was Sharon before quickly answering.
"Sharon?" Sam answered and Bucky and Wanda looked at him sharply.
"Are Wanda and Barnes with you?" Sharon asked.
"Yeah," Sam answered, knowing from the sound of her voice that something was up.
"Put me on speaker," Sharon ordered and Sam did so. "We know what Walker's planning next."
"What's going on?" Bucky asked as the three of them tensed.
"Nick was able to help us figure out how to track the Flag Smashers movements by telling how they got around. A large group of them are heading to New York," Sharon explained. "We gave Nick a list of possible targets of the list of politicians who supported the Accords that are currently in New York. He immediately figured out who Walker was going after."
"Who is it?" Sam asked.
"Secretary Ross," Sharon said and it was silent for a beat.
"And we care…because?" Bucky asked dryly and Sam looked over at him.
"It's one thing for Walker to murder a Russian politician dressed as Captain America. But if he kills Ross dressed as Steve, Captain America will only be known around the world as the traitor who killed a member of his own country's government. It won't matter that it wasn't Steve, anyone who ever thinks of Captain America won't think of anything Steve did, they'll think of that," Sam said passionately and Bucky had paled considerably with each word Sam spoke.
"And then Walker will have destroyed Steve's legacy for good," Wanda said softly, looking sick to her stomach.
"Not if we stop him. Sharon, where's Ross going to be?" Sam asked.
"He's going to be in a meeting with the mayor of New York, at a skyscraper a few blocks north of City Hall," Sharon said and Sam's eyes narrowed.
"Okay, thanks," Sam said before ending the call.
"So what's the plan Sam?" Bucky asked.
"Suit up and meet me by the Quinjet in fifteen minutes. We're going to New York," Sam ordered.
A few minutes, Sam was in his room, staring down at the briefcase as it sat on his bed. After a moment, Sam placed his thumb on the scanner. After a few moments, Sam heard the case unlock and he slowly lifted it open, staring at what was inside.
New York
Night
Accompanied by two armed guards, Ross was led onto the top floor of a skyscraper. Walking down the hall, Ross met the mayor, who had his own armed escort.
"Mr. Secretary, good to see you again," the mayor said politely and Ross chuckled.
"Let's not waste time with pointless pleasantries. I know we both have better things to do," Ross said and the mayor nodded.
"Fair enough. Let's get to the conference room and get this meeting over with," the mayor agreed.
Down on the first floor, several guards were standing around when one of them got a text on his phone. Pulling it out, he looked at it before getting a dark look in his eyes. Walking a little away from the others, he reached into his jacket before pulling something out. It was a ball that he dropped. As it rolled over to the other guards, they looked at it curiously before it started to emit a gas. As the other guards coughed trying to cover their mouths in an attempt not to breath in the gas, the guard who had dropped the ball had put on a gas mask.
Up on the top floor, Ross and the mayor were in the conference room with their guards, having their meeting. Suddenly, they heard the sounds of gun fire outside the room. Ross and the mayor got to their feet, looking out the windows of the conference room as men with guns were walking down the hall, shooting anyone who ran.
"Sirs, you need to stay here," One of the guards told Ross and the mayor, pulling out a gun.
However, he was almost immediately shot down. Ross and the mayor looked towards one of the mayor's guards, who calmly shot Ross's two guards before they could react.
"David? What are you doing?" the mayor asked in shock.
"Sorry Sir, nothing personal," David said, not sounding sorry at all as he turned his gun towards Ross. "You're coming with me Mr. Secretary."
Ross sneered at him but, before he could react, something happened. The window behind the table, which had a perfect view of the night's sky, suddenly shattered. The Captain America shield came soring into the room, striking David's hand and disarming him. The shield then came bouncing back towards the window as it shattered completely as Sam burst through it, wearing his new suit.
Sam caught the shield on the return, throwing it again. This time, it struck David across the chest, knocking him on his back as Sam caught the shield once more. Sam placed the shield on his back as Ross quickly picked up the gun.
"Wilson," Ross said, immediately recognizing Sam as he approached.
Sam ignored Ross as he knelt down in front of David, who sneered at him.
"Where's Walker?"
"Go to Hell," David sneered.
Sam internally sighed before punching David hard enough to knock him out. As David fell on his back, Sam got to his feet and looked over at the two politicians.
"Either of you have anything you can use to restrain him?" Sam asked.
"There are a couple of zip ties in the closet," the mayor remembered as he gestured over to the closet nearby.
"Use those to tie him to a chair. Lock the doors and don't let anyone come in," Sam ordered as he moved towards the door. "Ross, if you have to, use that gun to defend yourself."
"Wait. Who are you?" the mayor asked in confusion.
"Captain America."
Ignoring the flabbergasted expression of the mayor, Sam grabbed the shield off his back and opened the door. As the Flag Smashers turned their guns towards him, Sam threw his shield at them.
Queens
Same time
"As the situation continues to unfold, reports are coming in of what was described as a man with wings seen entering the building by crashing through a window on the top floor."
In his room, Peter turned off the news report on the attack on the building. He had known something big was coming since the imposter Cap had murdered that Russian politician. There was no doubt in Peter's mind that the fake Captain America was involved in this, somehow. It was too convenient.
Peter turned to where he kept his suit, opening the loft space and his suit came down on the rope. As he pulled it down, his door opened. Peter froze as May stood in the doorway, looking at the scene with grim but unsurprised eyes.
"You're gonna go, aren't you?" May asked and Peter didn't need to ask to know what she was talking about.
"I have to May," Peter said with a conviction she hadn't heard from him in months. "I can't just sit around and mope anymore. Mr. Stark is gone, but I'm still here. There are people in trouble and I can't ignore that anymore. With great power-"
"Comes great responsibility," May said, her eyes tearing up. "I miss your Uncle so much."
"Me to. It's why I have to do this," Peter said, nearly telling her everything but stopping himself. "He'd want me to Aunt May."
"God, how did you turn out so good?" May asked with a weary sigh, trying not to cry. "Just…be careful Peter. I know you have to save people, I know I can't talk you out of this…but don't get yourself killed in the process."
Peter wanted to tell her he wouldn't. But after everything that had happened, they both knew that would be a lie. And he loved her too much to lie anymore.
"I'll do my best," Peter promised. "I love you May."
"I love you to Peter. Now go," May said gently, trying to hold it together as much as she could.
Peter nodded and, not long after, Spider-Man emerged from his apartment, shooting out webs as he swung towards the building in the distance.
New York
Same time
Sam used his shield to deflect the bullets before throwing it at the Flag Smasher. The shield struck him in the chest, sending them back as it bounced back towards Sam. Sam caught it, placing it on his back before rushing the Flag Smasher. The two began trading blows, the Flag Smasher sending a kick towards Sam. Sam dodged it as the Flag Smasher struck him in the side of the face. Grabbing the man's arm, Sam whirled around and tossed him into the wall. Before the mac could recover, Sam kicked him in the chest before grabbing him by his collar and throwing him onto the floor back first.
"Where's Walker?" Sam demanded.
"You're all worried about Walker when you have dozens of other Flag Smashers to worry about. Walker spent weeks making sure the Flag Smashers had infiltrated the building," the Flag Smasher said with a sadistic grin. "You can't stop us all alone."
"Who said I was alone?" Sam asked calmly, taking the Flag Smasher aback.
On a lower floor, Bucky grabbed a rifle from a Flag Smasher with his robotic arm, elbowing them in the face. Grabbing him by the collar, Bucky slammed him back first against the wall.
"Where's Walker?" Bucky demanded.
"Go to Hell," the Flag Smasher sneered.
Bucky sighed before punching him with his flesh hand, knocking him out. Bucky then let the man drop to the floor, unconscious, before looking at the room full of unconscious Flag Smashers.
On another floor, Wanda used her powers to pin various Flag Smashers to the wall. Wanda sighed, hating what she was about to do but knowing it was necessary. Wanda closed her eyes and the Flag Smashers all cried out in pain as she probed their mind for Walker's whereabouts. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and the glow around the Flag Smasher's faded and they all fell to the floor, unconscious.
"Sam," Sam paused as Wanda's voice came over the Comms. "Walker's not here. He sent his men into the building as a distraction."
"A distraction from what?" Sam asked.
At that moment, Sam heard a loud noise. Sam paled as he realized what it was. Looking over his shoulder, he looked into the conference room. Ross and the mayor were looking out the window as a helicopter approached. Realizing what was about to happen, Sam got up and rushed into the conference room. Grabbing the mayor, Sam tossed the surprised politician and threw him out into the hall. As the mayor landed on his back, Sam grabbed Ross, wrapping his wings around the two of them as the helicopter opened fire into the conference room.
The mayor ducked for cover as Sam's Vibranium wings deflected the bullets. After a few moments, the pilot stopped firing, realizing it was pointless. Sam unwrapped his wings from around Ross and tossed Ross away. Rushing towards the window, Sam threw his shield. It struck the helicopter's gun, breaking the barrel clean off. Sam caught the shield on the return before flying up high into the air. Sam then turned around, performing a somersault before throwing the shield. The shield hit the side of the helicopter and the pilot lost temporary control. As it did, Sam flew in, catching the shield on the way before kicking the front of the helicopter, trying to lead it away from the building.
From the broken window, Ross watched the fight with interest. Out in the hall, the mayor was breathing heavily as he tried to calm himself. Opening his eyes, he saw one of the Flag Smasher staring into the conference room in horror. Following his gaze, he saw what had him so horrified.
David had been caught in the crossfire when the Flag Smasher had opened fire into the conference room, taking various bullets to the chest. The Flag Smasher simply hadn't cared about his own comrade's wellbeing.
At the entrance to the building, Bucky emerged from the front door. Bucky looked up into the sky, watching as Sam tried to lead the helicopter away.
"Bucky," he looked over his shoulder as Wanda walked out the doors. "I know where Walker is."
"What?" Bucky asked surprised.
"I scanned the minds of the Flag Smashers. I know where he is," Wanda clarified.
Up in the air, Sam was continuing to try and lead the helicopter away from the building. As he flew towards the helicopter again, Sam was alarmed as he saw the pilot unbuckle.
"You wanna play asshole? Let's play," the Flag Smasher sneered.
He then jumped from the helicopter and tackled the surprised Sam.
"No!" Sam cried out in horror as he saw the helicopter begin to fall.
The people below who had been watching the fight cried out in terror, moving to run. But they didn't have to fear, as it suddenly stopped. Looking up, the civilians saw that the edge of the helicopter was covered in webbing. And on the other end of the webbing was Spider-Man, who was clearly struggling to keep the helicopter from crushing the people.
"Boy, you just earned this ass whooping!" Sam snapped, filled with rage as he glared at the Flag Smasher.
The two wrestled in the air for a few moments before Sam flew close to another building. A well placed kick from Sam to the Flag Smasher's abdomen caused the Flag Smasher to lose his grip. He fell harmlessly onto the roof of as Sam turned around, heading towards the helicopter.
"Hang on kid, I'm coming," Sam told Peter.
"Don't have much of a choice Mr. Falcon," Peter said, grunting under the strain of his efforts to keep the helicopter from falling.
Sam moved towards the front of the helicopter, placing his arms under it.
"Okay kid, we need to work together on this," Sam instructed Peter. "We're gonna lower this thing to the ground and, when I say when, you need to let go."
"What?!" Peter asked in surprise.
"Just trust me, alright?" Sam told him.
"Okay, if you're sure Mr. Falcon," Peter said uncertainly.
Sam activated two Redwing drones, which flew out of his suit and attached themselves to the helicopter. Sam increased the power of his thrusters as everyone watched in awe as Sam, grunting with the effort, moved the helicopter towards the ground.
"Okay, now," Sam ordered.
Peter released his grip on the webbing and Sam gave a loud roar as he managed to put the helicopter down on the street, far away from the civilians. As Sam let out a heavy breath, strained from the effort, the crowd broke into applause.
"That was awesome Mr. Falcon!" Peter exclaimed as he jumped right next to Sam.
"Call me Sam kid. It's good to see you," Sam told him before tapping the Comms piece in his suit. "Bucky, Wanda, what's your status?"
"We know where Walker is. We're heading there now," Bucky announced to Sam's shock.
"Sorry about not filling you in, but you were preoccupied. And we didn't expect the Flag Smasher to jump and let the helicopter fall," Wanda apologized and Sam sighed.
"Neither did I. Okay, give me his location," Sam ordered.
Not long after, a few miles away, Walker was surrounded by various Flag Smashers as he watched a news report on the attack on Ross and the Mayor, along with Sam and Spider-Man's intervention.
"Damn Avengers," Walker sneered, angry that his plan had been disrupted.
"What do we do now sir?" one of the Flag Smashers asked.
"Well, you know that old saying: if you want something done right, you'll have to do it yourself," Walker said darkly as he picked up his shield. "Let's go. We have a meeting with Secretary Ross."
Before any of them could move however, they heard the sound of gunfire followed by screams. Walker and his men turned towards the door as they heard a pair of footsteps. Within seconds, the door to the room had been kicked in, revealing Bucky standing on the other side.
"Walker," Bucky greeted as he stepped into the room.
"Bucky Barnes," Walker greeted with a sadistic smirk.
"It's over Walker. I'm not gonna let you destroy Steve's legacy," Bucky said firmly and Walker merely laughed.
"I don't see how you can stop me. Winter Solider or not, you're still surrounded. You shouldn't have come alone," Walker mocked him, taken aback when Bucky merely raised an eyebrow.
"Who said I was alone?"
Suddenly, several of Walker's men were thrown back, pinned to the wall by red energy. Walker glowered as Wanda walked in, her hands glowing.
"It's over Walker," Bucky repeated.
"It's over when I say it's over!"
Walker threw his shield at Bucky, who ducked. The shield bounced off the wall, returning to Walker's hands as he pulled out a pistol. He and the remaining Flag Smashers opened fire on Bucky and Wanda, who created a shield of energy around her and Bucky to stop the bullets. Wanda then unleashed a burst of energy that sent every Flag Smasher crashing onto the floor.
Bucky and Wanda paused, staring at the seemingly unconscious Flag Smashers. Bucky cautiously approached Walker, glancing down at him. For a moment, Bucky was sure Walker was out cold. Then he jumped to his feet, attempting to strike Bucky with his shield. Bucky quickly grabbed the shield with his robotic arm, stopping it inches from his face. The two struggled over it for a few moments before Bucky managed to yank it from his grip, sending a powerful kick to Walker's abdomen. Walker was sent cashing into a wall as Bucky lowered the shield.
"We're bringing you in Walker. It's your choice if you wanna be conscious when we do," Bucky told him pointedly.
"Like Hell," Walker sneered.
Walker picked up a dropped pistol and opened fire. Bucky brought up the shield, deflecting the bullets before throwing it at Walker. Walker stopping shooting, grabbing the shield as it came towards him. The seemingly unconscious Flag Smashers all jumped to their feet, having been awakened by the gunshots. They opened fire on Wanda and Bucky as Wanda hastily created another energy shield.
Most of the bullets were stopped but, unfortunately, one slipped through the cracks. Wanda let out a grunt of pain, looking down at her abdomen, where red was starting to seep into her shirt. With a yell, Wanda sent another, more powerful energy burst at Walker and the Flag Smashers. They were all sent flying back, crashing into the wall of the room violently before falling to the floor, unconscious. At the same time, Wanda fell to her knees, her hand over the bullet wound, her training in treating wounds from Sam and Natasha kicking in.
"Wanda," Bucky exclaimed, rushing to her side and seeing her wound. "Shit."
At the same time, Walker, who had not been knocked unconscious, pulled himself to his feet, clutching his shield. Bucky, sensing movement behind them turned his head as Walker threw the shield at them. Before Bucky even had time to react, an identical shield was thrown into the room, knocking Walker's shield several feet away as Sam caught his own shield on the return.
"Sam," Bucky said as he saw his friend.
"Get her out of here, get her to a hospital," Sam ordered as he entered the room, seeing Wanda's wound.
Bucky didn't need to be told twice. He scooped Wanda up into his arms and ran out of the room, leaving Sam with Walker. For a moment, it was silent as the two eyed each other.
"From Cap's wingman to Cap himself. I guess congratulations are in order," Walker said mockingly.
"It's over John," Sam said calmly.
"It's over when everyone who brought the Accords into law is dead!" Walker snarled.
Walker then opened fire on Sam, who bought up his shield to block the bullets. Seeing it was useless, Walker stopped firing and rushed Sam. He sent a kick towards the shield and Sam stood his ground, blocking it even as Walker pushed him back. Sam then dodged Walker's next strike, putting the shield on his back before deploying his wings. Tackling Walker, Sam grabbed onto him before activating his jet pack. Sam then flew towards the wall, striking it with enough force that he and Walker went right through it.
They emerged into a much larger room, Sam releasing Walker. Walker fell on his back, groaning in pain as Sam landed in front of him, his wings folding back into his suit.
"Stay down John," Sam pleaded with him.
With a roar of rage, Walker jumped back to his feet and rushed Sam. Walker tried to strike Sam but Sam used his shield to block. Sam then moved the shield forward, striking Walker in the face. Walker stumbled back as Sam sent a kick to his abdomen before following up with a punch to the face. As Walker swayed on his feet, Sam then struck him once more in the face with the shield, hard. Walker fell to his knees before falling on his side, out cold. Sam, out of breath, lowered the shield as he stared down at Walker.
Later that night, the police all looked in shock. In a web, tangled in webbing, Walker hung unconscious. Above him, the webbing had letters written into it that formed a message.
'A gift from your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.'
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
Sam has embraced his role as the new Captain America, Peter is Spider-Man once more and Walker and the Flag Smashers have been out. The MCU portion of the second arc of the story is almost wrapped up, so next chapter we'll get back to the Buffyverse side of things.