CHAPTER 23

The Quinjet rumbled as it followed T'Challa's aircraft to the Raft. No one spoke a word.

Allie fiddled with the bracelet the Ancient One gave her. It no longer worked the way it used to. What was once such an easy task became difficult. Unable to tap into her energy since Zemo drugged her, Allie was worried. Not just for herself, but also everyone around her. A cosmic war awaited them, and she wasn't sure when. Bucky and everyone who knew him was in danger without her stabilizing his mind.

As though he could read her mind, Bucky wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He pressed his lips on her forehead, soothing her instantly.

When they arrived at their destination, Steve and T'Challa snuck into the Raft to save their friends, leaving Bucky and Allie behind to rest.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

Bucky shrugged. "I've been worse. What about you?"

She rested her head onto his bare chest. "I'm not sure. Whatever Helmut injected me with hasn't fully worn off yet."

"How long has it been?"

"14 hours, give or take. I should visit the Sorcerer's Supreme once you're settled."

Bucky nodded.

Once they arrived at Wakanda, they were lead in the laboratories that were full of advanced and unheard-of technology. T'Challa's sister, Shuri, was a sixteen-year-old genius who immediately found Allie's abilities fascinating. When she discovered Bucky, she was even more amazed by the triggering methods the Soviets used on him. She promised Allie and Steve that Bucky was in good hands as she turned on one of the cryo-machines.

Shuri put a helmet-like device on Bucky's head and rushed over to her computer. She then explained the removal of the triggers is quite simple, but it could also cause a lot of damage.

"That last thing we want to is to remove all of who he is," she said.

"Don't worry," T'Challa patted Allie on the shoulder. "My sister's tech is infallible. Your soldier is in great hands."

Allie gave him a nod.

"The hardest part is rooting out the extent of his memories that have the greatest amount of control over his physical actions," Shuri continued. "The ones that have been manipulated due to their deep emotional trauma."

Bucky told Shuri he was willing to do anything to fix it.

Steve was concerned. "You sure about this?"

Bucky sighed. "I can't trust my mind. Allie lost her powers, and we're not sure if it'll come back. So, until they figure out how to get this stuff out of my head I think going back under is the best thing for everybody."

Kamar-Taj, Tibet

While levitated with his legs crossed, Dr. Strange flipped through the pages of a spellbook. His cape tugged on his left, forcing him to glance in that direction. A door creaked in the distance followed by soft footsteps. He gracefully floated back to the floor and followed the sound. Pleasantly surprised, he discovered and a younger woman with copper, wavy hair and light brown eyes.

"Hello," he said. "Can I help you with something?"

Allie smiled. "I'm here to see Sorcerer's Supreme."

"That would be me."

He watched the smile fade from her lips.

"The Ancient One?"

Strange's confusion morphed into sadness. "I'm sorry to inform you she passed away."

Her lips trembled and her eyes watered. "How? When did this happen? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"My name is Alexandra Pierce, I'm a relative of hers."

He nodded. "Allie for short, I assume. Follow me. I have something to show you."

AN: Thank you so much, my dudes! We made it to the end. I will be continuing with Bucky and Allie's story soon. I'm currently working on a Loki/OC story that will be Part 3 of the "Phase 1" to my series, so if you're interested in reading more stories like this, come and check it out. Thanks again for all the followers/readers/reviews - I'm grateful for all the positive energy. Happy reading!