NEW YORK CITY
Cap closes his eyes and clenches his jaw. He looks at his shield and then lobs it to the Guardian.
Guardian: What do you want me to do with this?
Captain America: I need the edge razor sharp.
The Guardian stares at Cap.
Guardian: Steve…is this who you are?
Captain America: I'm a soldier…and this is war. I just…could never bring myself to accept the reality that we were at war. Maybe none of us could…because it would've meant we were at war with our own. But it is now clear to me that some of our citizens made the decision a long time ago that the rest of us are the enemy…which means we have been at war whether we were willing to acknowledge it or not. Right now, I need to protect Americans who are trying to save themselves and their families…from those who are standing in the way. I need to give them a fighting chance…to keep what this country stands for alive. I will do what I must.
The Guardian runs his hand around the edge of Cap's shield. Sparks fly in all directions. He hands it back to Cap.
Guardian: This is no longer a blunt object. It is a sword. Be careful with how you handle it.
Cap straps it on to his arm.
War Machine and Iron Man glance quietly at each other.
War Machine: Well, if we're going to war then I'm your wing man.
Iron Man: Ew, me! Pick me! I want to slap down fascists too!
Captain America: Tony, your armor is compromised. I need you on evacuation. Cover the city and rescue as many out of the buildings before everything blows. Get them to the portals as quickly as you can. Scott, do what you can to keep these buildings upright until Tony can get them all out.
Cap turns to War Machine.
Captain America: Nuke is mine.
War Machine: Ohhh, I wouldn't dare interfere with that one. Guardian, you said something about buying time?
The Guardian raises off the ground and directs both fists downward. A massive blast explodes out of him, drilling deep into the earth.
Guardian: I'll hold this together as long as I can! Get as many people to safety as possible!
The Guardian grimaces under the strain.
Guardian: Professor? Now's the time.
Professor X's voice echoes everywhere.
Prof X: Citizens of earth. My voice can be heard by every human being across the planet. I am reaching out because humanity is in imminent danger. Ancient forces have damaged our planet's core to an extent that it is on the verge of explosion. To be clear, what we are witnessing is end of our planet…but that does not mean it is also the end of humanity. A small team of heroes have created an escape. Portals, all over the planet have been opened that will carry all who enter to a new land. This land will offer humanity a chance at rebirth. So, the choice is now yours. Stay and take the risk or save yourselves and your families.
War Machine grabs Cap and launches into the air flying toward the Federal Reserve building.
War Machine: Well, that got the point across.
Captain America: He did his job. Now we do ours. Rhodey, get me just within the perimeter of the Federal Reserve. I'll go the rest of the way on foot and sneak in while you distract them from above.
War Machine: You got it. Is this close enough?
Captain America: Yep. Dropping now. Radio silence until we both arrive at the portal.
War Machine: See you there!
Cap lands on the nearest roof top. He leaps across fire escapes from building to building. His speed, grace and athleticism are effortless. A display of acrobats rarely seen. As he hurdles past an open window, he hears someone weeping inside. He kneels at the fire escape and can see the Federal Reserve building directly ahead. Below it, at street level, is an army of the former President's soldiers lined up across the entrance of the portal. Cap turns his head and hears more cries coming from the room behind him. He glances at the open window briefly and then turns back to opposing army. He drops his head and sighs.
War Machine: Cap, I'm in place. Just waiting on your word.
Captain America: Hang tight, Rhodey. I have to take care of something first.
War Machine: I don't want to be a pain here, but we don't have a lot of time. These dudes look like they're gonna open fire on the crowd any minute.
Captain America: I know. Just gimme five minutes.
Cap turns around and walks to the window. He climbs in through the window pane. The power is out and the room is dark. Directly inside the living room is a woman on her knees with her legs folded underneath her. She is quietly weeping.
Captain America: Ma'am? Are you ok?
He walks up and within the angle of light cutting across the shadows he sees the shape of a small boy laying in her lap. The child is motionless. The woman's voice is barely above a whisper.
Woman: He was six years old…
Cap closes his eyes and drops his head.
Captain America: Sigh. I am sorry for your loss, ma'am.
Her voice breaks trying to force out words through the pain of tears falling on the child's face.
Woman: We have been holed up in here ever since his armies took over the city. I told him to stay away from the windows…I told him…
Cap kneels by the woman.
Captain America: Ma'am, I mean no disrespect, but I'm sure you're aware…the world is ending…
She glances up at him. Her face is a mixture of confusion, disgust and horror.
Woman: Mine has. I have lost everything. My happiness…hopes and dreams…my purpose. He was all I had. I have nothing now…nothing but a black hole in my chest…collapsing everything.…and I can't continue on as a ghost…
Captain America: I know this is hard to hear, but eventually time heals everything. Unfortunately, it is also a luxury we don't have because this building isn't safe. Please. If you can come with me, I can get you to safety.
The woman doesn't respond. She hugs the child closer to her.
Captain America: What was his name?
Woman: Jack. He was my little king. I told him that every day.
Captain America: I am so sorry…for everything…all of it…
Sometimes, silence can be deafening, making grief palpable. Almost as if it can be felt across the skin, levitating a person out of their body. Cap hugs the woman and her child.
Captain America: May God bring you peace and watch over your souls.
He stands up, turns and walks back to the window.
Woman: Captain?
Captain America: Yes, ma'am?
Woman: Will you do something for us?
Captain America: Anything.
Woman: Avenge us.
Cap nods and climbs out of the window. Behind him, in the shadows, they remain motionless. Two statues frozen eternally in time.
THE PORTAL
A row of armed soldiers is blocking the entrance of the portal. In front of them, a crowd is screaming.
Man: Let us pass! Move! Get out of the way!
Woman: We're all going to die if you don't let us escape!
One of the soldiers leans his head towards the mic on his shoulder.
Soldier: Mr. Nuke? The crowd down here is getting rowdy. They outnumber us and I don't they are gonna stay back much longer.
Nuke: Soldier, hook me up to the speaker.
The soldier plugs the cord into a speaker and holds it over his head.
Nuke: Liberals! Listen closely! I know it is in your nature to cower and hide, but this is our country! True patriots don't abandon America! They fight to the end! You gave up your rights and citizenship the moment you decided to betray what the rugged freedom and independence that this country was based upon! You are now our prisoners…and we will not tolerate disobedience from traitors! If any of you try to bring harm to any of my soldiers, they will open fire on all of you! This is what happens when…
Before Nuke can finish, a gunshot fires from above, striking the speaker. It immediately goes dead.
War Machine: God DAMN, was that annoying. Imagine listening that shit 24/7.
Soldier: Soldiers! Fire on War Machine!
The entire army raises their guns to the sky and a barrage of bullets rain out towards War Machine.
War Machine: Oh, it's like that, huh? K, bitches, I got something for your hateful asses.
War Machine opens fires, spraying the ground with an array of bullets and rockets. Numerous soldiers are cut down. The rest of the army scatters, retreating behind burning cars and into abandoned buildings.
War Machine: Look at ya now?! Now ya running!
War Machine quickly dives, but as he arrives at street level a rocket explodes across his back.
War Machine: Agh!
War Machine crashes and tumbles into a burning car. The car explodes.
The soldiers gather around the car. Before they can survey the wreckage, a shield flies in, decapitating three soldiers at once. The headless bodies collapse to the ground. The shield rebounds back. Cap stands in front of the army. Captain America: This is your only chance! Stand down and retreat or put your lives at risk! We aren't taking prisoners today…
A soldier bursts from behind a car, firing multiple rounds as he charges Cap. He yanks off his mask, revealing a shaved head and long beard.
Soldier: You liberal bastards stole the election! Stole our country! Traitors must die!
Cap raises his shields and blocks the incoming fire. He leans into the soldier and backhands his shield, knocking the soldier to the ground. He brings the shield down hard into the soldier's chest.
Ka-chunk!
The soldier screams as Cap cuts him in half down the torso. He lifts one half and throws it into the bonfire to his side. Cap turns to the rest of the army. His shield and chest are splattered with blood. His head is lowered, but his eyes glare directly up at them.
Captain America: Who else wants to die for this insanity? Who else!
The soldiers drop their rifles and begin to retreat. War Machine emerges from the burning vehicle.
War Machine: Ok, which mother hit me with a rocket launcher! Wait. Cap…duck!
Another rocket closes in on them. War Machine aims his shoulder cannon at the rocket and blows it out of the sky. In the window above them is the Punisher.
Captain America: Are there any other signs of life in that building?
An antenna pops out of War Machine's helmet. He pauses for a second.
War Machine: Just him.
Captain America: Take it down.
War Machine: The whole building?
Captain America: Take it down.
Cap turns to the crowd. They are staring at him, mouths agape and eyes wide.
Captain America: I am sorry you had to see this, but we don't have time. Those of you that want to save yourselves and your families please escape through the portal as fast as you can.
Thousands of people run towards the portal. Another rocket fires off and War Machine catches this one in mid-air as well.
War Machine: I've analyzed the schematics and locked on to the main lode bearing foundations.
Captain America: Hit him.
War Machine leans forward to brace himself as missiles fire off of him. They hit the base of the building everywhere. The building rumbles as smoke billows out from underneath it. It begins to collapse, leaving behind a massive dust cloud.
Captain America: Any signs of life?
War Machine: Barely.
Captain America: Go. Get as many to the portals as you can, but don't get caught in this. Get to safety before this thing goes up. Don't get yourself killed, son.
War Machine: What about you?
Captain America: I have Nuke. When I'm done with him, I'll meet you on the other side.
War Machine: Godspeed, Captain.
Captain America: Take care of yourself, Rhodey.
War Machine blasts off leaving Cap standing alone in a cloud of dust. Tremors shake the earth. Buildings crumble in the distance. Fires are everywhere. Screams echo out as crowds stampede toward the portal. Cap raises his head and sees the silhouette of the Federal Reserve building through the smoke and dust.