The Curse of Dr. Zola
Chapter 17
Iron Man would keep making headlines over the course of the next couple of years, (2008-2010), which they followed, and in those years Bucky and Mary got closer. He eventually left his bedroom and moved into hers.
They couldn't get married because of Bucky's status, but she was okay with it, and Bucky got used to the idea eventually.
He spent this time exploring his enhancements from the serum he had received and perfecting his training.
Landscaping was good solid, honest work, but Bucky felt this need tugging at him. He could do so much, but, he wasn't really helping people.
The words that Mary's grandmother spoke to him, echoed over and over in his head. How was he supposed to help people? She said he was destined to, but he couldn't figure out how he was supposed to do that.
He had a conversation with Mary about it one autumn evening.
"She clearly said HYDRA. I don't know exactly all of what or who HYDRA was, but she saved me from them. She said they wanted to make me into their weapon, whatever that was supposed to mean. She also said that because she saved me, she doomed another man. She said she knew things, but never explained how she knew them. Working is great, I get paid, and I get a workout at the same time, but I need more. I need to finish the training she started me with."
"There are lots of places you can join to get mixed martial arts training."
"I want to find one."
She helped him find a couple of places to join, and he quickly moved up thru the ranks. He found a boot camp organization and completed that.
At home, she helped him set up an obstacle course similar to what the army had back in his day, and added modern day obstacles to make it more challenging. They had to make it as hard as they could and Bucky trained there every day; rain or shine, even in winter.
Inspired by Iron Man's deeds, Bucky decided he wanted to do something similar, and become a "super-hero" like the Iron Man, but without Tony's attitude.
Confronted by the task of choosing a name for himself, he consulted Mary.
"Well, who are you? Who do you see yourself as?"
"I don't know. I got involved with all of this because I got captured in the war. I was just a soldier, doing my part, trying to save democracy from Hitler, at least that's what I was led to believe."
"How about Super Soldier?"
"No."
"Mr. Incredible."
"What? No."
"Well, you are pretty incredible to me."
Bucky laughed, and pulled her close. "You're pretty incredible to me too."
"So, when do you think you'll start this?"
"I don't know. I thought I'd wait until the winter was over, but every night when I watch the news, people are getting hurt in car accidents. All the snow and ice…I could save people if I could get them out faster."
"Well, since you're starting out in the winter, how about the Winter Soldier?"
He bounced the thought around in his head.
"And I did find you frozen in that capsule…"
"I like it. The Winter Soldier it is."
Bucky and Mary went to a police and military supply store and bought a Kevlar vest, black camouflage face paint, black uniform pants and shirts, a black winter jacket, boots, and an assortment of weapons and holsters; no guns.
She helped him with his outfit and added little touches here and there, and when they were done, Bucky looked in the mirror.
He'd let his hair grow long and left some scruff on his face. He hardly recognized himself. He certainly didn't look like the clean-shaven Army soldier from 1944 anymore.
They bought a police scanner, and listened for trouble.
When a call came in about an apartment building in flames, Bucky donned his suit and went into action. He saved an old man, a woman and her child, and even rescued a cat from certain death. He nodded at the fire and police who had witnessed his heroism but Bucky disappeared before anyone could question him.
He started with the local stuff, and expanded his area to include NYC, and became quite the urban legend. He certainly got Tony Stark's attention.
Tony was on his way to a meeting with Pepper, when the traffic backed up due to an accident. One car was so badly wrecked they were waiting for the Jaws of Life to get the person out. The driver was in critical condition, and the EMT's weren't sure if they were going to make it.
The Winter Soldier showed up and ripped open the car door and freed up the driver so that the EMT's could get him into the ambulance.
Tony had just gotten his Iron Man suit on, (it had to fly from Stark Tower to him,) and he watched the Winter Soldier disappear out of sight.
He took to the air and started tracking him, but it was if he had completely vanished!
When Tony stopped looking, Bucky simply got out of the car he had jumped into, much to the shock and delight of the woman who was driving, and left. Bucky left her with a kiss to her cheek and a finger shush to his lips.
Altho he looked quite ferocious to some people, his deeds spoke for him, so he spoke very little. He needed to keep his identity a secret.
Tony didn't like competition, and he didn't like the Winter Soldier.
Imagine his surprise and consternation when the Winter Soldier began showing up with the green faced Wicked Witch of the West!
Yes, it was Mary.
She had finally disclosed her secret gift to Bucky. Her mother had a gift. Her grandmother had a gift. It was passed down thru their genes.
Mary, who had never finished training with her mother, now practiced in secret, with Bucky's help. Each of the women had a different gift, the genes mutating with each new generation. Mary's grandmother could look into the future with some degree of accuracy. Mary's mom could manipulate people and get them to do want she wanted them to do. Mary could levitate objects, including herself to a sufficient degree, and read and send thoughts and feelings to other people's minds. It worked the best when she was able to get close enough to touch them. She mostly watched Bucky's back on missions while he was doing what he did best.
As Bucky's notoriety grew, he also caught the attention of other people; people who were not happy to see the Winter Soldier.
Bucky and Mary kept their escapades to a minimum, as they still wanted to have their own life and spend time together. They were happy to let Tony have the spotlight.
They took pleasure trips down to NYC upon occasion, but abandoned their efforts to speak to Tony. Mary was still upset over it, but Bucky just put it out of his mind.
On one such trip tho, they ran into an impromptu press conference being held outside of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Apparently Tony and the girl of the day were in attendance and after the show, the press gathered and were asking him questions about the future of Iron Man and the arrival of the Winter Soldier. Tony wasn't saying very nice things, and it made Mary mad. Bucky was trying to get her to leave before she said something to draw attention to them. Finally, she acquiesced, but not before she sent a glaring look at the floozy.
Bucky laughed. "For a moment there, I thought you were jealous."
"Jealous? Jealous of that floozy? You've got to be kidding me! Neither of them have any class or self-respect!"
A departing reporter took an interest and started heading over, but Bucky put his arm around Mary's shoulders and walked her away. The reporter jogged to catch up.
"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear your comments. I take it you don't like Tony Stark very much."
Bucky waved him off. "No comments."
"Ma'am? What do you think about Tony Stark and his Iron Man?"
Mary looked about to say something, but she caught Bucky's expression, and just shook her head. The reporter followed them for a bit, but a stern look from Mary changed his mind. She sent a random thought to him and his attention was diverted until they made good their escape.
"You can't let Tony get under your skin like that."
"I know, but you forget that I can pick up on emotions and thoughts."
"You dropped your guard, didn't you?"
"For a moment, I did, but that was because he was saying terrible things about you!"
"He doesn't know me, for starters, and since when do you care what Tony Stark has to say?"
Her shoulders drooped. "You're right. Tony is just an arrogant buffoon."
"Let's enjoy the rest of our evening, shall we?"