Chapter 18

February 8th, 1994

"Go inside, " Bucky muttered.

Allie knew better than to ask questions. She followed his orders and got out of the car. As she walked up to the front door, there was a loud pop. She jumped from the sound and ran back to her soldier. She was afraid he had been hurt and called out to him. Before she could reach him, someone grabbed her by the waist and picked her up. A group of soldiers came from the side of the house and pointed their guns at him. She screamed and cried for her soldier as he voluntarily went down on his knees. He slowly raised his hands up in surrender and placed them on the back of his head. He watched the tears drip down her face as the other men ran up to restrain him and pulled him back to his feet. Then they took her soldier away.

Present

Bucky's expression softened at the memory. It was how they communicated whenever they were apart. She'd send him memories, whether it was his or hers. And although it was traumatizing, he understood the meaning behind it. He needed to surrender. Without glancing away from her, he fell to his knees and put his hands up. She mouthed the words, "I love you" before they took him away.

Rhodes came from behind her and injected something into her arm. Instantly, Allie felt dizzy and fell to her knees. He must've given her the one thing that negates her powers - morphine. Rhodes gingerly grabbed her wrists and handcuffed them before lifting her from the ground. He guided her to the back of an armed SUV along with Sam, Steve, and T'Challa.

No one spoke a word. Sam glowered at Allie and slowly shook his head like a disappointed parent. He was hurt, she knew. But, now he'll never have to worry again.

Traffic rolled around the victory column. The police convoy drove beside the river Spree. Amidst the convoy was a grey armed truck. Inside, Bucky wore restraints inside a prison pod. He felt their connection dissipate the moment he was locked in the pod. Something was wrong. They must've compromised her somehow. This made him nervous. Without her powers, he was a great threat.

In the SUV, T'Challa sat next to Allie and in front of Steve, who sat in front of Sam. Not being able to see what comes next was absolutely nerve-wracking! Not even the sufentanil could keep her calm.

"So," Sam was the first to speak. "You like cats?"

"Sam," Steve warned.

"What? Dude dresses up like a cat and you don't wanna know more?"

"Your suit..." Steve began.

"It's vibranium, " Allie finished.

T'Challa narrowed his eyes at her. "The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your lover murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of king. So," he then glanced at Steve. "I ask you... as bother warrior and king... how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

Stoned faced, Steve looked on.

Allie giggled.

"Did I say something amusing?" T'Challa asked.

Allie shook her head. "No. But in the future, you will laugh too."

The SUV parked at a facility in Berlin. Once the doors opened, T'Challa was the first to climb out, then the other three followed. As Steve helped Allie out, they watched Bucky's pod being carried away by a forklift. A few soldiers quickly grabbed Allie and dragged her away. She was far too exhausted to fight back and trusted her fate.

They guided her to a glass cell and sat her on a chair. The uncuffed one wrist took both of her hands and placed them in front of her. Then they handcuffed her to the table.

"Don't I get a lawyer and a phone call?" She joked.

"Funny," one of the guards commented before they left her.

45 Minutes Later

The last time Tony saw her was a few years ago, right after the incident in New York. She came to him, seeking help to her cause - clean energy. She seemed genuine. Now, he wasn't sure what to think.

As he entered the cell, she smiled at him like they were old friends.

"Hello, Tony."

He didn't greet her back and sat at the table in front of her. "I have some questions for you. You will answer them honestly, okay? The easier you make it, the faster we get this done."

Allie nodded.

"Good," Tony continued. "Explain why we found a various amount of hallucinogens in the Asset's backpack?"

"His name is Bucky," Allie gritted her teeth. "And they're mine."

"You do realize possession of these drugs is taken very seriously."

"I'm aware. Sometimes risks are worth taking."

"Dammit, Allie," Tony banged his hand on the table. "Don't you realize that you're digging yourself in a hole?"

"I don't think you understand that I want to be here," she smiled at him.

"Good. Fine," Tony sniffed and drug into a black bag. He pulled out a laptop and opened it.

Allie's smile widened. "Oh, good! You found it!"

Tony furrowed his eyebrows. "Do you think this is some kind of joke?"

"Did you open the files or not?"

"Yes. You did a piss-poor job on protecting it."

"Of course," Allie rolled her eyes. "I had to make it easy for you. Otherwise, you would've never found it."

"So tell me what it all means, then."

"Wakanda is more than what it appears to be. It has technology and magic, and it can help Bucky," she explained.

Tony scoffed. "Magic? Seriously?"

"You don't believe in magic? Yet, you spent years fighting side by side with a god?"

"I believe in science, and that guy is..." Tony cleared his throat. "Science - look, is there a point to all this?"

"In most places, magic and science are one of the same. The people of Wakanda understand that. Which is why I intend on going there."

"Right, because the new king is so fond of you and your soldier," he sarcastically retorted. "Do you hear yourself? You sound insane."

"Does the word vibranium ring a bell, Mr. Stark?"

Something clicked - things were beginning to sound familiar.

Allie tilted her head to the side. "Now, you see?"

"Has this happened before?"

"No. You've only seen it happen before. Just like me. They were messages I sent you. You did receive them, right?"

"Messages?"

"Visions of what's to come. A war, but not of Earth. The Universe. An Infinity War," she whispered.

"Wait. Wait," Tony raised his hand in the air to stop her. "Those visions were from you?"

"I sent them to Steve too. Except he isn't acting like a whiny bitch about it like you," she spat.

Tony began to hyperventilate. He hadn't had a panic attack since Killian. What was happening to him? His ears rang, his vision blurred. The room felt as though it were one hundred degrees. Then suddenly, the lights went out and the alarm blared.

"That wasn't supposed to happen," he heard Allie say.