Captain America and Superman were now in their superhero uniforms, and walked alongside Sharon, Coulson, SHIELD third-in-command Steve Trevor, and several other SHIELD agents to Bucky Barnes' containment cell. They were inside the SHIELD helicarrier now. It was chrome and metallic, reminding Cap of what the Vanguard Tower used to look like. The bird logo of the organization was coated amongst several of the walls. They really wanted people to remember that this was a SHIELD carrier, Cap thought to himself.

"Alright, thus far, we've had to keep the Winter Soldier heavily drugged, and even that proved difficult," Agent Trevor stated as he led the agents and the two heroes down the hallway of the Helicarrier. He took a sharp left, and everyone followed. "He's killed two agents and hospitalized a dozen more. We haven't been able to get much information out of him."

Trevor then looked over his shoulder to eye Cap. "And you're not gonna like this, Captain Rogers….but we did take a blood sample. Cross-referenced it with all the databases in our reach, and we've confirmed that the Winter Soldier is Bucky Barnes."

Cap pursed his lip. "I had already figured as much, Agent Trevor. I'd recognize that face anywhere."

In-between the confrontation at Stark Enterprises and the visit to the SHIELD helicarrier, Cap did some quick research on the Winter Soldier. A dreaded, ruthless assassin, who for decades had silently treaded the pages of history since the Cold War, killing political and military figures left and right. There was one question which still lingered in Cap's mind. Prior to 1991, it seemed as if the Winter Soldier eliminated the enemies of the Soviet Union; but after it dissolved, the targets became more random. There was less of a pattern to them now, assuming the stories were all true. Cap found many stories and kills that went unconfirmed, especially after the Cold War came to a close.

"Thinking about it now, Sergeant Barnes' body never was found after the Brigade's final assault on Hydra," Superman stated as the group began passing by bolted-down steel doors. "Someone else could have found him first and altered his mind to make him their weapon. But there's also the question of how his aging has been slowed down."

Agent Trevor raised his finger up. "Ah, but that's the thing. A cellular analysis confirmed that he should be aging normally, but instead it seems as if he's only aged about three or four years, if that, since World War II."

Then Trevor added on, "Funny enough, we're finally starting to get proper dirt on Luthor. All sorts of black market dealings, illicit meetings, money laundering. It's almost suspicious how suddenly we came upon it. Best to remain on our guard about it."

Finally, Agent Trevor raised his hand up, and everyone stopped in their tracks. They were at one of the steel doors at the end of the hallway. "Alright, this is where the Winter Soldier is located. Be careful, Captain America. Superman, I'm sure you'll be fine."

Cap murmured. "You don't have to worry about me, either, Agent Trevor."

And with that, the two Vanguardians stepped into the room, and the door was slammed shut behind them. And there Bucky Barnes was, right before them. He was chained up to the wall; he was heavily drugged and weakened, which is why he had not broken through the chains, which he could do in an instant. And when he peered his head up, he snarled at Cap and Superman. He wore a blue prison jumpsuit, and his veins looked like they were going to burst open from his neck. Cap pictured the smiling, loyal, dedicated Bucky Barnes who aided the Liberty Brigade without ever objecting to the danger of being a mere man fighting against the titans of Hydra. And then he looked at the Bucky Barnes in front of him, who could not seem to look either him nor the Man of Steel without his face burning with anger.

"I have heard about you, Captain America! Go to hell! Go! To! Hell!" Bucky shouted out as Cap walked towards him.

Cap sighed. "I refuse to believe that you are completely lost, Bucky."

"That is not my name! It has never been my name!"

"Then what is your name?"

Bucky paused. He opened his mouth as if he was going to let out more curses and insults, but no such words followed. He frantically turned his head around. While doing so, Cap exchanged glances with Superman; Superman's face was downcast and darkened, and when he looked at Bucky again, his seething was almost deafening.

"I never had a name," Bucky stated, breaking the silence. "The men….the ones in charge of me…they never gave me a name. They would wake me up, give me my target to wipe off the face of the Earth, and then they would put me to sleep again."

Superman stepped forward. "Where would they put you to sleep?"

Bucky growled. "It's always fuzzy when I think about it."

"Where. Did. They. Put. You. To. Sleep?!"

As Superman said that, his eyes blazed with the fiery glow of his heat vision. He clenched his fists and slowly prepared to lunge forward towards the Winter Soldier. Cap placed his hand over Superman's chest, and gave him eyes that screamed, 'Please, give me more time!' And with that, Superman pursed his lip before he relented. "Where did they put you to sleep?" Superman asked one more time, standing still this time.

"Even if I could remember it clearly, why in God's name would I tell either of you?"

Cap clasped his hands together. "Because we can help you. Because we can break you free from this control, and bring back the old Bucky."

Bucky jolted up. The only reason he didn't attack Cap right then and there was because the shackles yanked him back a few inches. "What would I do?! All I know is killing! There is no point in changing it, or trying to. You will get nothing out of me. Now set me free, before I make you both wish for the sweet release of death."

Cap thought about various memories that he had with Bucky as a kid, from exploring the Depression-plagued streets of Brooklyn to Bucky fighting bullies that had tried to attack the young and frail Steve Rogers. When he remembered Lex Luthor's interview with Lois Lane, one particular memory soared into the forefront of his mind.

"Bucky, I want you to try to remember something. Election Day, 1936," Cap began, while clasping his hands. "It's the middle of the Great Depression, in Brooklyn. We would've been about sixteen at the time. Do you remember seeing a family being forced out of their homes? What about someone grabbing food out of the trash and eating it? Or the sleeping man on the street that I had to jump over?"

Bucky was initially clenching his teeth, but as Cap described the memory, he stopped. Instead, his mouth went agape, and his eyebrow was raised.

Cap chuckled. "That sounds familiar, doesn't it? Now, I had to get home because my parents wanted me to be there to hear the election results. I was really hoping FDR would get re-elected, and you made some point about how his victory was already guaranteed."

Bucky let out a 'huh' and he titled his head. It was as if that sounded ever so familiar to him, but that he just couldn't put his finger on it. Steve imagined that memory fighting hard to force its way to the surface of Bucky's mind, trying to overcome decades of amnesia. It would only be a tiny remnant of the life he had forgotten about, but it would be better than nothing at all.

"Some kid heckled us when I said I wished to bring hope to people. As if it was so bad to want people to have hope during the Depression," Cap continued on, intertwining his fingers together. "You told me that I didn't have to worry about that kid. And that you would always be with me. And I remember my exact response."

Cap looked up and locked eyes dead-straight with Bucky. "I'm with you, too, Bucky. I'm with you until the end of the line."

When Cap finished that sentence, Bucky's eyes grew twice their original size. It looked as if his mind was trying so, so very hard to bring that memory back, alongside everything else. It was likely the mention of 'until the end of the line' that was getting this memory to try and force itself out of his mind. Superman stepped forward, and eyed Cap before stating, "Is that ringing any bells, Sergeant Barnes?"

"I don't know you," Bucky said, looking Cap in the eye. "But somehow, I recognize you from somewhere. And I know those images."

Bucky lunged forward again, being held back by the chains like before. "Who are you, goddamnit?! кто ты! кто ты!"

Cap tilted his head and grimaced, looking over at Superman. "Do you speak any Slavic languages? Well, I think that was Slavic."

Superman shook his head. "I do not. I also wonder why he slipped into speaking that tongue."

"Enough!" Bucky shouted, interrupting the two. "I do remember something! When I used to wake up, men would speak that tongue to me, and I would see a red flag in the background. It had a star, a hammer, and sickle."

Bucky then looked down, sighing. "But then one day, the room was different. The men started speaking English, and instead of a flag, there was a symbol. A stylized L was plastered across the walls now, everywhere."

With those words, Bucky confirmed what Cap and Superman had already figured out. L, for LexCorp. Cap stepped closer over to Bucky.

"Tell us more. Whatever you can remember."

Bucky sighed. "I will. And for what they have done to me, whoever these men are, I want to be the one to take their heads from their shoulders."

Cap looked away. That bridge would have to be crossed at a later time.

"Well, Captain, I guess I really have to hand it to you," said SHIELD director Nick Fury, pacing back and forth. "You managed to get the information we needed. I'm just glad we're not going to lose any more agents."

Superman and Cap were now in Fury's office. It was confined and simple, with little beyond a desk and some bookcases. Well that, and the likely-dozens of secret weapons and traps that Fury probably hid in this room. Agents Trevor, Coulson, and Carter were also present, plus a dozen other agents standing behind all of them.

Fury continued on, "We've had spies in LexCorp for years. And only now have we managed to find some of his hideouts and bunkers. And we've found all of this."

Fury laid out some files that detailed what Trevor had been talking about. Papers showing blueprints for weapons Luthor sold to shady organizations, emails showing communications between him and the people behind those groups, lists planning out who to contact in the black market, among others.

"We're planning an assault on this corporation, to expose Lex Luthor's illegal activities to the world. And it would be much appreciated if you two would come along with us."

Superman stood by Cap's side. The Man of Steel pictured Lex Luthor behind bars, sulking his head in shame after watching everything he built crumble to dust, with all his efforts to cover up his true nature failing to convince the world. And he thought of his father's grave, with Jonathan Kent lying six feet under because of Lex Luthor. And with that in mind, Superman narrowed his eyes.

"I am in. Lex Luthor has fooled the world for long enough."

Superman looked over to Cap, who was now downcast. "I will aid you as well," he said, raising his head up. "But what will you do about Bucky?"

Nick Fury was silent for a moment, tapping his foot, before sighing. "We will figure that out after Luthor has been brought down."

Superman saw Cap quietly fuming to himself. Then the Captain cracked his knuckles. "You must promise me that Bucky will be all right. I believe he is still in there somewhere."

Fury sighed again, though this time it was quicker and exasperated. "The Winter Soldier has a lot of blood on his hands -"

"But Bucky Barnes does not deserve to suffer for the Winter Soldier's crimes!" Cap shouted, pointing at Fury as he interrupted him. "Bucky will regret everything he was forced to do for Hydra and Lexcorp! He will atone for it, any way he can. I know that for a fact! So promise me, right now, that you will not do anything to Bucky."

There was another pause. While Fury looked away, Superman stared off into the distance. He pictured himself alongside a Bucky who was freed of the mind control. But every time he tried to imagine himself looking the man in the eye, the image just snapped out of existence in an instant. When he tried to picture himself having a conversation with Bucky about anything, the same snap would force its way through. The only way those images wouldn't fade away is if Superman just walked away in those scenarios, and left one of the other Vanguardians to discuss things with Bucky. For even if Bucky was restored to normal, Pa Kent would still be lying six feet under. Nothing could change that sorrowful fact.

With all of that in mind, Superman also couldn't allow himself to finish a scenario where SHIELD did anything wrong to Bucky.

"I agree with Captain America. You must not harm Bucky in any way."

"Well, you are in luck, there," Fury shouted, pointing at the two. Then he let his hand back down. "After your little talk with him, he seems to be coming around to us more. He keeps talking about wanting vengeance, and he hasn't been snarling at any of my agents. It seems that he desperately wants a crack at Luthor. But I can't trust him on that unless the situation is dire."

Fury the pulled out a gun. "Now, ordinarily, I'd send Agent Hill to lead the SHIELD agents alongside you, but I have her undercover in Argentina at the moment. So I will be directly by your side in this battle. And we need to head out right this moment!"

Superman smiled. "Just lead the way, Director."

Superman flew alongside the SHIELD jets that were flying towards this base, with Cap inside one of them with Agents Coulson and Carter. The skies across the state of New York were clear and cloudless; many areas of the ground looked like a gigantic white blanket with all the snow that had fallen onto it. While flying through the air, feeling strong winds on his face, Superman utilized a new functiom of the Vanguard's ear comms. There was now a button on them that, when pressed, would project a miniature hologram of whoever the Vanguardian wanted to talk to. In this case, Superman was currently speaking to Wonder Woman and Thor.

"So, Lois and Jon are absolutely, 100% safe?" Superman asked.

Thor had his arms crossed in the hologram, with a smile on his face, while Wonder Woman had her hands on her hips. *Yes, I promise you, your family is safe* Wonder Woman responded, giving a nod towards the Man of Steel. *Thor and I have scarcely left the Tower since Lois and Jon arrived. Coupled with J'onn and Banner always being here, and that's four powerhouses will fight tooth and nail to protect them*

Thor chuckled. *Besides, no one's managed to break into the Tower since HYDRA fell. Not for lack of trying, I will admit, but our systems are just too advanced. I still don't understand them*

Wonder Woman rolled her eyes. *You would probably have an easier time if you didn't try to scream at the machinery and then smash it into pieces with Mjlonir*

*Come now, Diana! We don't have anything like this on Asgard! Though Midgard still wouldn't stand a chance against us -*

*Alright, excuse me, I want to see my husband* Lois cut in, arriving onto the hologram while holding baby Jon. Superman chuckled; she really looked petite next to the Amazon and the Asgardian. Lois returned the favor when she eyed Superman in the hologram. *Smallville, thank you for checking in, but you really don't need to worry about us*

Superman sighed. "I have every right to be worried for my wife and son, honey. Especially right now."

*I get that, but I promise, it will all be fine. Now, can you hurry up and kick Lex Luthor's ass already? Your mom needs us by her side. And after that, I have some important leads to follow up on*

"Oh, it'll work out, Lois," Superman replied, as he continued to tread through the skies. "Lex Luthor's dealings will bite him hard."

*They damn well better*

And with that, the hologram disappeared. Good timing, too, since they were now approaching the place where, according to Fury, Luthor's most important base was hidden. Superman began tilting downwards, accelerating his descent towards the snow-clad ground. Everything became a blur in the corner of his eye, and in seconds he had landed on the ground. There was nothing but white sheets across the land; the bunker was underground.

"Alright, I've landed," Superman said into his ear comm, for Cap to hear.

It was about a minute or two before the jets began getting closer and closer until they were about to land. The planes were invisible, so Superman activated his X-Ray vision in order to detect their presence. They began riding onto the ground, their wheels grinding onto the ground, until they stopped within a few feet of Superman.

Superman walked over to them, seeing Cap, Carter, Coulson, and a few others get out of the plane. Fury, Trevor, and some other agents were coming out of the other planes.

"Alright, keep one in mind, boys," Sharon said as she loaded her assault rifle, standing by Cap's side. "Our sources say that Luthor is in Miami at the moment, but this is still his most important base, so exposing it will bring Luthor down."

Just as everyone prepared to start the assault, however, there was a rumbling in the ground. It was almost as if an earthquake was about to strike the land and leave a plethora of destruction in its wake. The rumbling was such that everyone began visibly shaking, even Superman.

"W-w-what i-i-is h-h-app-pp-ppening?!" Cap shouted, teetering in an attempt to maintain balance.

Then, massive sentry guns erupted from the snowy ground; there were dozens upon dozens of them. They all made technical beeps before locking sounds erupted all over the air; the guns then targered the group. Suddenly, dozens of soldiers burst from the ground. They were not wearing official military uniforms. Rather, they were clad in black-and-green tactical gear. They must've been a private company. Many of them sneered and shouted 'FREEZE!' as they all aimed their weapons at the group, along with the sentry guns.

The last figure to burst out of the ground appeared to be some form of robot. This mech was coated with two distinct colors: a light shade of green, and a dark shade of purple. However, when the figure came into full view, stomping hard onto the ground, Superman realized that it was no robot. He instantly recognized that balding, stern, wrinkled face. He would know it anywhere.

"I'm afraid, Agent Carter," Lex Luthor stated, a verdant green light shining from the center of his armored suit. Superman's eyes bulged when he realized that the green element was Kryptonite. "That your sources were wrong."