6/30/23
Bucky was at home thinking about when Steve left him.
Bruce, Steve, Sam and Bucky were at the funeral.
"Now, remember– You have to return the stones to the exact moment you got them. Or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities." Bruce said.
"Don't worry, Bruce. Clip all the branches." Steve said.
"You know, I tried. When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back." Bruce said and looked at him. "I miss her, man."
"Me, too."
"You know, if you want, I can come with you." Sam said.
"You're a good man, Sam. This one's on me, though." Steve said and went over to Bucky. "Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back."
"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Bucky said and they hugged each other. "Gonna miss you, buddy."
"It's gonna be okay, Bucky." Steve said then went over to the Quantum portal and put on the Quantum suit.
"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked.
"For him? As long as he needs. For us? Five seconds." Bruce said and Steve picked up 2013 Mjolnir. "Ready, Cap? Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?"
"You bet." Steve said.
"Going quantum. Three, two, one–" Bruce said and Steve disappeared into the Quantum portal. "And returning in, five, four, three, two, one–" he said but Steve didn't appear on the pad so Bruce looked around the equipment.
"Where is he?" Sam asked.
"I don't know. He blew right by his time stamp. He should be here." Bruce said and Bucky turned around from the pad.
"Well, get him back."
"I'm trying."
"Get him the hell back!"
"Hey, I said, I'm trying!"
"Sam..." Bucky said and Sam walked toward him.
Sam, Bucky and Bruce saw old looking Steve sitting on a log.
Then Sam and Bucky went near him.
"Go ahead." Bucky said with a smile forming and looked over to Sam.
Sam walked towards him and instantly recognized the now-old Steve Rogers.
"Cap?" Sam said.
"Hi, Sam." Steve said and looked over to him.
"So did something go wrong, or did something go right?"
"Well, after I put the stones back, I thought, maybe I'll try some of that life Tony was telling me to get."
"How'd that work out for you?"
"It was beautiful."
"I'm happy for you. Truly."
"Thank you."
"Only thing bumming me out is the fact I have to live in a world without Captain America."
"Oh, That reminds me." Steve said and brought out his shield. "Try it on." he said and Sam looked over to Bucky, who nodded and Sam held Steve's shield. "How does it feel?"
"Like it's someone else's."
"It's not." Steve said and Sam tried to hold back tears.
"Thank you. I'll do my best."
"That's why it's yours." Steve said and shook Sam's hand.
"You wanna tell me about her?" Sam asked seeing the ring.
"No. No, I don't think I will." Steve said smiling.
So I walk alone, down the darkest roads,
Now he was cleared, given money for being part of WWII, working as Sam's partner like he did with Steve when he's on a mission and felt like he had a new family with the Wilsons.
He felt more at home and safer in Louisiana than Brooklyn but didn't have it in him to leave because this was the closest thing to Steve he had.
They had considered him an Avenger after helping them with Thanos eight months ago and had heard about the accident that was going on with Peter Parker.
He bumped into him a month after the fight and had helped him being cleared so gave him his number in case he needed help.
Since Tony is gone this was the closest thing to an amends he had.
'Cause I've always known how the story goes.
He knew Steve was going to leave him as soon as he found out about the stone with Peggy.
He understood that he was doing it but it still hurt.
He looked after him from the day they met to the day he fell off the train.
When the curtain falls, I'll be wearing thin,
"We looked for you after. My folks wanted to give you a ride to the cemetery." Bucky said while they walked towards Steve's apartment after the funeral.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just... kind of wanted to be alone." Steve said.
"How was it?"
"It was okay. She's next to Dad."
"I was gonna ask..."
"I know what you're gonna say, Buck, I just..."
"We can put the couch cushions on the floor like when we were kids. It'll be fun. All you gotta do is shine my shoes, maybe take out the trash." Bucky said and as they got to the apartment door, Steve tried to find his keys but Bucky kicked a brick aside, picked up the keys from under it and gave it to Steve. "Come on."
"Thank you, Buck, but I can get by on my own."
"The thing is, you don't have to." Bucky said and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I'm with you to the end of the line, pal."
Clawing at the walls, as they're closing in.
He knew the minute he remembered everything he wasn't the same Bucky Steve knew growing up and that that was one of the reasons he left him.
After telling Yuri he was the one that killed his son they hadn't spoken to each other and it hurt but he knew he deserved it.
Sam had stuck with him after and it helped a little.
Then he sighed and heard a text so grabbed his phone and saw it was from Sam.
There's a cook out next week and you're welcome to come. The kids and Sarah would enjoy it.
Bucky couldn't help but smile a little.
Sam knew he saw them as family and felt safer there than Brooklyn and offered him to move in but also knew this was his last bit of Steve he had.
Sure. I'll book a flight for Friday.
Great! See you then.
Then he put his phone down and decided to get up and get the tickets he needed.
In this twisted plot, I was destined for,
Later he was having lunch and thinking about what Steve would say if he ever knew what Bucky and Sam had become after working together.
He knew Steve would be happy that they had become friends and partners.
He knew he would be happy Bucky had figured out what to do with himself.
Bucky had helped Sam multiple times and when he found out about T'Challa he had went to Wakanda for the funeral and helped Shuri a little.
Ayo still wasn't happy with him but they ignored each other while he was there.
When he left Shuri had said he's welcome back anytime and Ayo was being to hard on him. She knew he was just trying to help Sam and he was relieved she let him come back.
He knew she was going to be a great queen.
I'm an astronaut, on the ocean floor.
When he was done with lunch he put them in the dishwasher and went to watch TV.
Sam had gotten him a couch for his birthday so he could start out small with not sitting on the floor so much.
While he did he picked up a picture of him and Steve.
So misunderstood, 'til the bloody end,
He looked at the picture and fought tears.
"To the end of the line my ass!" he said and felt tears going down.
Finally after all those years he started crying.
He had been holding this in since the day he lost his dad and became the man of the house.
He had his ma, sisters and Steve to look after so had gotten a job to help with the bills.
When he was captured by HYDRA in '43 he hadn't cried because he was taught soldiers don't cry and already had years of practice.
When they found him in '45 he hadn't cried while being tortured.
When he became the Winter Soldier he never cried during experiments and memory washing.
He was a soldier and soldiers don't cry.
But now after the things he's been through he had enough.
He had cried a little the night the trigger words didn't work but he had still been holding most of it in himself.
How I wish I could, do it all again.
Before he knew it it was Friday and he was at an airport waiting for Sam.
He had been having trouble not zoning out for the last few days while thinking about Steve and his past.
"Bucky!" Sam said smiling and Bucky smiled.
"Hey." Bucky said and they hugged each other.
"You ready to go?"
"Yeah. Let's go." Bucky said and they left.
When they got to the house Cass saw them.
"Uncle Bucky!" Cass said and ran over to Bucky followed by AJ.
Bucky couldn't help but smile and hugged them.
"Hey guys. What's going on?" he asked.
"Just getting ready for the cookout." AJ said.
"Cool."
Sam smiled after hearing the words uncle Bucky.
Bucky had been shocked and had a bit of a panic attack after that but Sam had gotten him to calm down.
Now he was used to it and happy with the name.
Now he comes for holidays, birthdays, cookouts and just to visit.
He helps the kids with their homework now and then. Especially science and history.
Sam had laughed when he found out Bucky had been a science nerd and teased him about being old when he helped them with history.
Sarah was surprised and happy he had helped them with history.
Thanks to that they had gotten higher grades with science and history.
When they're teachers found out how they were shocked when they found out it was Bucky.
"So uh, you need some help with anything?" Bucky asked.
"Yeah." Sarah said and he got to work.
Later he helped AJ and Cass with their homework as usual and was happy they were doing good.
Sam and Sarah were watching him.
"Something's wrong with him." Sam whispered.
"I know. But what?" Sarah whispered back.
"I don't know." he whispered shaking his head.
They watched Bucky checking the papers and Sam saw the look in his eyes.
I feel like a lone survivor,
The next day Bucky played with his dog tags and thought about the Howling Commandos again while he watched Cass, AJ, Sam and Sarah getting ready.
Sam looked at him and knew he was thinking and was worried.
'Steve shouldn't've left him.' he thought and watched Bucky leave.
Forgotten in a dark and deadly world.
While they had the cookout adults noticed Bucky was quiet and just sitting there.
Sam stuck with him to look after him.
Every now and then he'd see Bucky's hand twitch when there was a knife and was worried.
After being a counselor he knew what Bucky was thinking and that scared him.
Sam had gotten up to throw something away and when he got back he saw Bucky was his hands on his face and could tell he was having trouble with his emotions.
"Bucky?" one of the kids said getting Bucky jump, grab a knife and into position.
Then he looked around and saw where he was and felt his hand holding the knife and looked at it.
Sam sped up while he saw Bucky's hand twitching.
"I'll take that." Sam said and tried to grab it but Bucky punched him with Winter Soldier strength getting him and fall.
"Ow!" Sam said and everyone froze and looked at him in shock.
"Huh?" Bucky said and looked down to see Sam rubbing his jaw and then looked at his metal arm and saw a fist then felt something in his right hand to see the knife and froze realizing what he did. "Sam?"
"I'm good man." Sam said and got up. "After all the stuff I've done I've had worse."
Bucky looked at his arm again, dropped the knife, turned around and ran using the Super Soldier in him.
"Bucky!" Sam said but he was gone. "Damnit!" he muttered and went to get his wings.
The next thing they saw was him jumping up and flying away.
Everyone watched worried for both Sam and Bucky.
They knew they'd be fine but with Bucky being out of it and using the full power they were worried.
And on my own, I walk alone,
Meanwhile Bucky was on the deck trying to calm down from the panic attack he was having.
"Shit. He's still in me. He's still in me!" he said in Russian without knowing and panted.
Sam saw him and quietly landed.
He watched Bucky panic and speak in Russian without even knowing.
"I'm losing control of myself." Bucky said and tried to calm down but saw all the people he hurt and killed.
To see the sun again, I'd give anything.
"Bucky?" Sam said gently. "It's me." he said but Bucky was still out of it. "Come on man, relax. Deep breaths." he said and Bucky did as told. "That's it." he said. "Can I touch you?" he asked gently but Bucky shook his head. "OK. I won't touch you."
"Get away from me." Bucky said.
"Bucky-"
"GET AWAY!" Bucky yelled and looked at him fighting tears. "I'm a monster. I don't wanna hurt you." he said quietly and shaking his head.
"No you're not." Sam said gently and shaking his head.
"Yes I am!"
"If you were a monster you wouldn't have been able to help me with my missions. Me and Sarah wouldn't let you near Cass and AJ, they wouldn't be calling you uncle Bucky, you wouldn't be pardoned, getting respect after being part of WWII, Thanos and everything else you've helped with."
Bucky looked at him and finally gave in, fell to his knees and cried.
"He left me! After all those years of looking after him he left me!" he yelled and Sam realized what was bothering him.
But life demands a final chapter,
"I know. But you're not alone. You have me, Sarah, Cass, AJ and everyone else here." Sam said gently.
"He left me because I'm not the Bucky he grew up with!"
"Bucky." Sam said gently and in councilor mode. "It's not that." he said and gently put his hands on Bucky's shoulders.
Bucky looked at him and it broke his heart to see him look broken.
Then he hugged him and Bucky let it all out.
"It's gonna be OK Buck." he heard Steve say.
'No it's not.' he thought while he cried and Sam didn't move.
It took half an hour for Bucky to calm down.
"You good?" Sam asked and Bucky nodded. "Good. Now let's go back and try this again." he said and Bucky nodded.
When they got back everyone looked at them worried.
"He's fine. He just," Sam started and looked at Bucky who nodded. "had a panic attack and took a while to calm down."
"Well it's a good thing you're a counselor!" AJ said smiling and Sam couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yeah. It really is."
Then they continued the cook out and Bucky calmed down more.
After a while he cheered up a little and started talking to a few people.
Every time he came he'd check and ask if anyone needed help with anything he could.
He even helped a few kids with their homework if it involved the Great Depression or WWII.
As a thank you people would often give him some food or something he'd need.
Later he was sleeping on the couch as usual when he sleeps over.
While he slept he started tossing and turning.
A story that we must all leave behind,
Bucky lied slumped against the bars. On hearing his footfalls, he called out wearily.
"Barnes, James Buchanan. Sergeant. 32557038." Bucky said.
Then Steve gaped, stunned.
"Bucky?" he said but the prisoner didn't respond.
"Who... who is that?" Bucky asked and Steve raced to the cage. "Is that..."
Steve smashed off the lock and held out his hand, grinning.
"It's me, Buck." he said and Bucky studied his face.
"Steve?" Bucky said.
"I thought you were dead."
"I thought you were smaller." Bucky said and Steve gently helped him down from the cage. "What happened to you?"
"I joined the Army."
At the control room the first of the timers reached zero and beeped.
Meanwhile one of the machines on the factory floor exploded.
At Zola's experiment room Steve and Bucky staggered as the blast shook the room. As they headed out, Steve saw a big map, featuring a series of HYDRA symbols spreading across Europe.
Then Steve helped Bucky limp down the corridor as more bombs went off.
"Did it hurt?" Bucky asked.
"Little bit." Steve said.
"Is it permanent?"
"So far."
"You are going to get so many girls."
Soon they reached the stairs and headed down but another explosion blocked their way. They headed back up, spotting a catwalk high above.
At the Compound Morita lead a group of P.O.W.'s toward the main gate. Then he heard something roaring up behind them and looked.
"DOWN!" Morita said and tackled a P.O.W. to the ground.
A blue blast just cleared their heads, blowing away the main gate. Behind the Cannon, Dernier and Falsworth whoop, politely and P.O.W.'S swarm the gate.
Meanwhile Steve and Bucky reached the catwalk only to find Schmidt on the other side. Zola waited behind him at the elevator.
"Captain America. How exciting." Schmidt said and smile. "I'm a fan of your films." he said and handed the titanium box to Zola while he and Steve slowly walked forward, studying each other. "So the old man managed it after all. Not quite an improvement, but impressive." he said and Steve hit him in the jaw, sending him reeling.
"You've got no idea." Steve said and Schmidt straightened up.
"Don't I?" he asked and swung but Steve blocked it with his shield.
Schmidt's fist left a dent in the steel. Steve gaped, surprised. When he looked up, Schmidt hammered him down. Schmidt loomed over him.
"Erskine said your experiment was a failure." Steve said stunned but kicked up, driving his feet into Schmidt's jaw and Schmidt tumbled to the floor.
Zola scrambled to the catwalk controls. A gap appeared between Schmidt and Steve as both sides retract. Schmidt shot a withering look at Zola who paled. When Schmidt turned back to Steve his face was askew. Red skin bulged from torn seamed.
"A failure? Oh, no, Captain." Schmidt said and got to his feet. "I was his greatest success." he said then pulled, peeling his face from the bone, revealing Red Skull underneath.
He grind, hideous and Steve stared in disbelief.
"You don't have one of those, do you?" Bucky asked and gaped, then looked at Steve worriedly.
Red Skull tossed his mask away and Schmidt's face wafted into the flames, staring at us as it fell.
"You're a liar, Captain. You pretend to be a simple soldier. But in reality you're just afraid to admit we've left humanity behind." Red Skull said and another explosion rocked the floor below. "Unlike you, I embrace it proudly. Without the masquerade... without fear."
"Then how come you're running?" Steve asked and scowled from the end of the catwalk, helpless.
Then Zola hands Red Skull back his titanium box. Then the two of them step into the elevator and disappear. Steve pulled Bucky away as explosions rocked the catwalk. They saw a gantry above.
On the roof Zola eyed Red Skull's exposed head, queasy. Finally, he looked away and noticed the floor Indicator.
"Sir? We're going to the roof?" Zola said and Red Skull remained silent.
Then the doors open, revealing a catwalk leading to a waiting triebflugel built for one.
"But... what about me?" he continued and Red Skull handed him a set of car keys.
"Not a scratch, Doctor." Red Skull said and left the elevator.
Zola stared at the keys as the doors close.
Meanwhile Steve and Bucky reach the gantry and Bucky ran on and it creaked.
Then Steve stepped on.
"Hurry." he said and Bucky carefully limped across the gantry but rivets fell.
Meanwhile Morita leaded the injured P.O.W.'s toward the woods. Just then, something roared overhead. He looked up at the triebflulugel, its rotating engines whirling into a blur.
At the Triebflulugel Red Skull glanced out the cockpit. Below, his factory burned. He could make out a car speeding down a lonely road.
On Schmidt's car files slid on the seat as Zola sped away. His feet barely reached the pedals.
Meanwhile Bucky jumped form the end of the gantry to the other side. Just then, another bomb exploded and the gantry collapsed. Steve stood alone, trapped. Bucky looked around, frantic.
"There's got to be a rope or something." Bucky said.
"JUST GET OUT!" Steve said and the explosions came faster now.
"Not without you." Bucky said and the roof around Steve fell in and eyed the impossible gap.
"Aw, hell." Steve said, backed up and raced for the edge.
Bucky's eyes went wide as Steve leapt, sailing over the blazing chaos. Just as the biggest bomb yet went off.
Bucky was being picked up by Hydra agents.
"The procedure has already started." Zola said and the Hydra agent amputating his left arm and replacing with the metal arm. "You are to be the new fist of HYDRA." he said to his men. "Put him on ice." he said and Bucky being frozen.
It's do or die, and this is mine,
Fury saw a mysterious figure emerge ahead in the middle of the road.
Then it shot a bomb that attached itself to his vehicle causing it to explode and flip over.
Trapped inside his car, Fury watched as the figure walked over to the car but he managed to escape just in time by using a laser weapon to burn a hole out.
Suddenly the Winter Soldier landed on the car roof, pulled Sitwell out through the window and threw him into the oncoming traffic, killing him, then he started shooting at them until Steve pulled the break handle making the Winter Soldier drop down onto the street, as another car smashed into the trio's car and pushed them along, the Winter Soldier jumped back onto their car, smashed through the windscreen and pulled out the steering wheel.
"Shit!" Sam said and Natasha started shooting at him but the Winter Soldier jumped onto the vehicle behind them.
As their car got pulled off the road Steve held on to the car door.
"Hang on!" he said, broke open the door, holding onto them, they slid on the car door through the streets.
The Winter Soldier was joined by HYDRA agents and they started shooting at them, they scattered and ran off in different directions with the Winter Soldier shooting at Natasha but she managed to shoot him in his eye goggle mask and run off.
"She's mine. I'll take care of her. Find him." the Winter Soldier said and went in pursuit of her as the Hydra agents went after Steve and Sam who both managed to fend them off as they shot at them.
Then Steve noticed the Winter Soldier in pursuit of Natasha.
"Go, I got this!" Sam said.
The Winter Soldier thought he's found Natasha hiding behind a car as he heard her voice.
"I make an LZ, twenty-three hundred block of Virginia Avenue. Rendezvous two minutes. Taking fire above and below expressway. Civilians threatened. Repeat, civilians threatened." Natasha said and he rolled a bomb towards there thinking she's hiding.
As it rolled behind the car Natasha wasn't there but a recording over her voice is being played back on a phone.
"I make an LZ, twenty-three hundred block at Virginia Avenue. Rendezvous two minutes." she said and the bomb exploded.
Then she jumped onto his back and tried to strangle him.
He threw her off, and tried shooting her, only for her to throw an electric device which shocked his electric arm before running off.
He removed the device, and recalibrated his arm.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY! STAY OUT OF THE WAY!" Natasha said to the civilians as she tried getting away from the Winter Soldier.
Suddenly she got shot in the shoulder and fell down. She looked around her, only for the Winter Soldier to come up for behind, ready to shoot her again.
Then Steve jumped in and blocked a punch from the latter with his shield before he kicked him away, followed by him blocking a few bullets from the Winter Soldier's Colt M4A1, Škorpion vz. 61, and SIG-Sauer P220ST.
The Winter Soldier briefly took Steve's shield, and threw it at him, but Steve managed to avoid being hit. Then they fiercely battle it out.
Eventually, Steve managed to stop the Winter Soldier's arm, and threw him away, the latter's mask falling off in the process.
He landed and looked at an aghast Steve, who by just looking at him, learned his true identity.
"Bucky...?" Steve said.
"Who the hell is Bucky?" Winter Soldier asked.
As he aimed his pistol at Steve, Sam flew in and kicked Winter Soldier aside.
Winter Soldier had a brief look of realization, but quickly brushed it aside, and took aim again, but before he could shoot Natasha used the grenade launcher he dropped against him.
Then he vanished in the smoke of the explosion.
Suddenly the Winter Soldier appeared and started firing at the SHIELD pilots and agents killing them all after which he got into one of the jets and flew off.
Suddenly Bucky appears and pushes Captain America off the edge.
"Steve!" Falcon said and went to fly off and help Captain America but Bucky grabbed one of his wings, threw him back and Falcon started shooting at him and as he went to fly off the Winter Soldier used his weapon to rip off one of Falcon's wings and kicked him off the Helicarrier but Falcon managed to get his parachute out and landed on the roof of the Triskelion. "Cap? Cap, come in. Are you okay?"
Meanwhile Captain America was holding onto the side of the Helicarrier.
"Yeah, I'm here! I'm still on the Helicarrier." he said and pulled himself up. "Where are you?" Captain America said.
"I'm grounded, the suit's down. Sorry, Cap." Falcon said.
"Don't worry, I got it." Captain America said and Bucky watched him from above the Helicarrier.
Inside the Helicarrier Captain America was confronted by the Winter Soldier.
"People are gonna die, Buck. I can't let that happen." Captain America said and the Winter Soldier stares at him coldly. "Please, don't make me do this."
Seeing the Winter Soldier wouldn't back down Captain America threw his shield at him and they started battling each other, as they fight Captain America managed to bring up the targeting blade system, but as the Winter Soldier attacked him the chip fell from Captain America's hand.
Captain America and the Winter Soldier were battling it out and the Winter Soldier stabbed Captain America in the shoulder with his knife and then grabbed the fallen chip, but Captain America managed to get the knife out, grabbed the Winter Soldier by the throat and threw him down, armlocks him.
"Drop it! Drop it!" Captain America said as the Winter Soldier kept holding the chip.
Then Captain America broke his arm and held onto his throat until he passed out and let go of the chip.
Captain America desperately tried getting back up to the Helicarriers to get to the targeting system when the Winter Soldier became conscious and shot at him in the left thigh and then the right shoulder, but Captain America managed to climb up.
"Stand by." Captain America said and got the chip out. "Charlie..." he said but the Winter Soldier shot him in the stomach and he fell.
At that moment Captain America managed to get up and put the chip in the Helicarrier's targeting blade overriding the system and locking it down.
"Charlie locked." Captain America said as they watched the targets go offline. "Fire now." he said. "Do it! Do it now!" he said and reluctantly she made the Helicarriers open fire on each other.
Captain America was still inside the Helicarrier looked at the Winter Soldier below him.
Captain America helped the Winter Soldier out from being trapped under some fallen rubble.
"You know me." Captain America said and the Winter Soldier lashed out at him in anger.
"NO, I DON'T!" the Winter Soldier said.
"Bucky, you've known me your whole life." Steve said and the Winter Soldier hit him but he choose not to fight back. "Your name... is James Buchanan Barnes." he said and the Winter Soldier hit him again.
"SHUT UP!"
"I'm not gonna fight you." Captain America said, took off his mask and dropped his shield out of the Helicarrier. "You're my friend." he said but the Winter Soldier pushed him to the ground.
"You're my mission." the Winter Soldier said and mercilessly punched him repeatedly across the face "YOU'RE. MY. MISSION!"
"Then finish it..." Captain America said but the Winter Soldier hesitated holding his fist up. "Cause I'm with you... to the end of the line."
The Winter Soldier looked at him as if he's starting to remember just then the bottom of the Helicarrier fell sending Captain America down into the river below as the Winter Soldier watched from the Helicarrier, then Captain America was unconscious and being pulled out of the water and dragged onto the shore by the Winter Soldier before he turned and walked away.
The anthem of a bird with a broken wing.
Then he tossed to the other side sweating.
It's another night, of the living dead,
On the HYDRA train, roof the train rocketed along.
Steve, Bucky and Jones dropped hard onto the slick roof and met eyes.
On the HYDRA train real car Steve kicked open the back door. He and Bucky rushed in, weapons ready, only to find nothing. They looked at each other and Steve headed for the next car.
On the roof, Jones crawled toward the engine.
In the Middle car Bucky and Steve bang into the next car and found it empty.
"I thought they were supposed to be hauling something." Bucky said and Steve unhooked his shield, wary.
"They were." he said and yanked open the next connecting door, stepping into another darkened car.
They crept forward then a steel plate dropped over the door sealing them in.
The lights brighten, revealing... a HYDRA trooper. Six and a half feet Tall and heavily armored, both of his arms sport huge cannons. Steve and Bucky open fire, but their machine gun bullets ping uselessly off the trooper's armor.
The trooper took aim at Steve. The blue pulse blowed the shield out of his hand and slammed him into the back wall.
The shield clanged to the floor. The trooper turned to Bucky and fired and Bucky dove. The blast ripped a hole in the wall behind them, outside, a jagged ravine whipped past the moonlight. A red light blinked from a camera on the ceiling.
At the engineer booth Zola watched on a monitor as the trooper pressed in on Bucky and leaned into a microphone.
"No. Finish the other one." Zola said.
At the forward car trooper turned back to Steve as he got to his feet. The trooper aimed at the star on Steve's chest. Bucky grabbed Steve's shield off the floor and leapt in front.
"Bucky, no!" Steve said.
The cannon fired, hitting Bucky square in the shield blowing him through the hole in the wall. With a last desperate effort, Buck snagged the jagged edge. The trooper's weapon was momentarily spent by the blast. As it started to power back up. Steve lunges, grabbing Bucky's slipping hand. Steve started pulling him back in. Then he pulled him in, slipped and The Trooper fired, vaporizing Bucky's arm into a blue mist.
"BUCKY!" Steve said.
Like a viper bite, in a spider web.
Then he tossed to the other side sweating and panting.
It's so deathly dark, in the alleyway,
Steve and Sam arrived outside the chamber. Red emergency lights flash all around. There were many agents slumped on the floor. All of them out cold.
"Help me. Help." Helmut said.
Steve finds Helmut in a heap inside the chamber.
"Get up." he said, grabbed Helmut and shoved him against the wall. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"To see an empire fall." Helmut said.
As Sam entered Winter Soldier swung his fist which smashed through the wall as Sam ducked. Winter Soldier grabbed him by the jaw and threw him at the open pod. Steve lurched into the fight and landed a punch which Winter Soldier barely felt. Winter Soldier kicked and punched Steve out of the chamber. A punch from Winter Soldier went through the elevator door. Steve blocked the next one but the power of Winter Soldier's fist sent him tumbling into the darkened elevator shaft.
Winter Soldier stalked through the building's ground floor and battered two guards. With tech-glasses on Tony took cover behind a pillar.
"We're in position." Natasha said on the radio.
Tony tapped a wrist-control which became his Iron Man-glove. He zapped Bucky with a stun-burst before Winter Soldier could shoot a guard. Iron Man rushed him, firing again. Winter Soldier ducked the blast then trades blew with Iron Man, firing the gun. Iron Man had the Iron Man-glove over the barrel, blocking the bullet. He pulled the gun barrel loose then Winter Soldier smacked him backwards. Sharon rushed Winter Soldier, then Natasha rushed him. They both landed kicks and punches, then Winter Soldier flipped Sharon head over heels. She smashed onto a table then Natasha leapt on Winter Soldier, legs around his neck. He slammed her onto another table and grabbed her throat.
"You could at least recognize me." Natasha said.
Then T'Challa came from nowhere and kicked Winter Soldier off. He fought with Winter Soldier, landing lightning fast kicked and some punches. Winter Soldier got a counter punch in and T'Challa fell, but quickly recovered. Winter Soldier hurried up some stairs and T'Challa leapt the levels and vaults a railing, landing in front of Winter Soldier. Limber Black Panther spin-kicks and grab Winter Soldier's metal arm which he tried to twist then looks worried as he realized it wasn't going to work so threw Winter Soldier backwards and kept hold as they both tumbled down the stairs. They resume fighting on the small landing and a leg sweep sending Winter Soldier over the railing. Black Panther leapt down after him but found the wide reception empty and scanned around.
The Winter Soldier was on the rooftop helipad. He marched up to a blue chopper and pulled the lock off the door and got in the pilot seat. Then Steve rushed outside and sprints toward the rising chopper. He leapt, grabbed the landing gear and pulled hard and the chopper struggled to gain height. Steve's feet kicked for traction then he got them flat on the helipad. The chopper dragged him onto the weak looking mesh framing the helipad. Steve grabbed the railing with one hand and clung to the landing gear with the other. He grit his teeth and his neck strained with the incredible effort. The Winter Soldier glowered from inside the chopper then threw the joystick left and the chopper's nose slammed into the edge of the helipad. The rotor-blades were smashed to pieces and Steve ducked as the tail swung around. The chopper lied twisted on the mesh at the edge of the pad and Steve rose beside the canopy. Winter Soldier's arm smashed through the glass and growling he grabbed his throat. The chopper started listing over the edge and the tail broke off and fell into the river below. Winter Soldier kept hold of Steve as the whole vehicle dropped and slammed into the river. The impact seemed to knock the Winter Soldier out cold and he let go of Steve. The body of the chopper sunk quickly to the riverbed along with other debris and Steve surfaced with Winter Soldier in his arms.
And a bleeding heart, makes you easy prey.
Then he tossed to the other side.
I would run and hide, for the afternoon,
Captain America brought his Quinjet into land besides Helmut's caterpillar truck on the remote icy mountain top. The jet's wings fold up beside the fuselage.
On board the Winter Soldier pulled out rack of guns labeled 'Romanoff' and took a light machine gun. Then he and Captain America stand together, waiting for the exit ramp to descend.
Captain America walked with the Winter Soldier up to the entrance set in rock. The door was still open.
"He can't have been here more than a few hours." Captain America said .
"Long enough to wake them up." the Winter Soldier said and Captain America lead them into the cast bunker.
They traveled down into the depths inside a caged elevator. it stopped in the bowls of the bunker, doors slide open. Captain America nodded to the Winter Soldiers and heaved up the cage door. The Winter Soldiers readied his heavy duty machine gun and they walked along a corridor, keeping close to a wall. He looked into an alcove full of junk then they moved on up some stairs. At the sound of a loud thud they spun around, aiming down the corridor.
"You ready?" Captain America asked.
"Yeah." the Winter Soldiers said.
Double doors part, forced open by Iron Man. Captain America stared in surprise and Iron Man walked towards them and retracted the suit's helmet.
"You seem a little defensive." Tony said and the Winter Soldiers kept his gun up while Captain America walked to meet iron Man with his shield covering his body.
"It's been a long day."
"At ease, Soldier. I'm not currently after you."
"Then why are you here?"
"Could be your story's not so crazy. Maybe. Ross has no idea I'm here. I'd like to keep it that way. Otherwise, I gotta arrest myself."
"Well, that sounds like a lot of paperwork." Captain America said. "It's good to see you, Tony." he said and lowered his shield.
"You too, Cap." Tony said. "Hey, Manchurian Candidate, you're killing me. There's a truce here. You can drop . . ." he said to the Winter Soldiers.
Captain America signed the Winter Soldiers to lower his weapon and he does.
They cautiously walked along a corridor. T'Challa in his Black Panther Suit was hiding around a corner, watching them.
With his helmet and face plate reengaged Iron Man lead Captain America and the Winter Soldiers towards the enormous chamber with the capsules standing in it.
"I got heat signatures." Iron Man said.
"How many?" Captain America asked.
"Uh, one."
As they entered the vast chamber the lights came on and hazy, yellow mist descended within the capsules. As well as Josef, each one contains an enhanced soldier from the 1991 experiment. Captain America and the others looked around, bewildered.
"If it's any comfort, they died in their sleep." Helmut said on speaker. "Did you really think I wanted more of you?" he said and all the enhanced soldiers have been shot in the head and the Winter Soldiers stared at Josef's corpse.
"What the hell?" the Winter Soldiers said.
"I'm grateful to them, though. They brought you here." Helmut said and appeared in a control room. Captain America hurled his shield but it flew back. "Please, Captain. The Soviets built this chamber to withstand the launch blast of UR-100 rockets."
"I'm betting I could beat that." Iron Man said.
"Oh, I'm sure you could, Mr. Stark. Given time. But then you'd never know why you came."
"You killed innocent people in Vienna just to bring us here?" Captain America said.
Meanwhile Black Panther watched from the shadows as Captain America looked at Helmut through a window.
"I thought about nothing else for over a year. I studied you. I followed you. But now that you're standing here, I just realized . . . there's a bit of green in the blue of your eyes. How nice to find a flaw." Helmut said.
"You're Sokovian. Is that what this is about?" Capitan America said.
"Sokovia was a failed state long before you blew it to hell. No. I'm here because I made a promise." Helmut said and Captain America studied him.
"You lost someone?"
"I lost everyone. And so will you." Helmut said, looked grave and clicked his tongue. "An empire toppled by its enemies can rise again. But one which crumples from within? That's dead . . . forever." he said and played surveillance footage from December 16th 1991 and Steve stepped over to the screen.
Iron Man looked at the freeze frame of a secluded road and the date, December 16 1991 and his eyes rove, anxiously.
"I know that road. What is this?" he asked.
That car that the Winter Soldier forced off the road crashes into a tree. Iron Man watched intently as the Winter Soldier rode up and got off his motorbike. Captain America watched Iron Mans increasing unease. The driver lay on the ground beside the car. It's Tony's father, Howard.
"Help my wife. Please. Help." Howard said and the Winter Soldier walked over and hoist him up by his hair and stared at Howard's bloody face and Howard stared back pleadingly. "Sergeant Barnes?"
"Howard!" Marie said.
Iron Man glared at him while in the video the Winter Soldier pounded Howard hard in the face with his metal fist.
"Howard!" Maria said.
In grief Iron Man closed his eyes for a moment.
On screen Howard slumped dead. The Winter Soldier put him in the driver's seat with his face against the steering wheel. Iron Man stared in horror. Maria's in the passenger seat with blood streaked down her face. The Winter Soldier walked around, gripped her throat and expressionless strangled her. Iron Man watched the screen stunned. The Winter Soldier walked up and aimed a gun at the surveillance camera.
Captain America watched Iron Man anxiously. Iron Man lunged towards Winter Soldier and Captain America stopped him.
"Tony. Tony." Captain America said.
Iron Man consumed with grief and tears glistening in his eyes he turned and looked at him.
"Did you know?" he asked.
"I didn't know it was him."
"Don't bullshit me, Rogers! Did you know?"
"Yes."
Iron Man stepped back, his chin jutting upwards twitchy and reengaged the Iron Man helmet. He punched Captain America to the floor and deflected gunfire from Winter Soldier, disarming him. Then he grabbed Winter Soldier and flew across the chamber. He slammed him onto the floor, then jumped on his arms. Captain America's shield hit Iron Man, distracting him and Captain America barged him backwards, Iron Man shoulders him to the floor and shackles his ankles. Winter Soldier punched Iron Man who just lifted him and slammed him against a machine. Iron Man raised a fist but Winter Soldier twisted it and a rocket shot out of Iron Man's arm, a fireball exploded. Captain America sliced his shackles as a towering structure of pipework collapsed. Iron Man and Winter Soldier were thrown down a level as twisted metal fell around them, showering sparks.
"Get out of here!" Captain America said to Winter Soldier.
As Winter Soldier bolted Iron Man fired, but missed. Captain America landed in front of him. Bucky hit a control panel and the silo-styled door overhead started to open.
"It wasn't him, Tony. Hydra had control of his mind!" Captain America said.
"Move!" Iron Man said.
"It wasn't him!" Captain America said, grabbed Iron Man's ankle in midair and smashed it.
Iron Man blocked him by shooting down rubble, then falteringly flew up the tower.
"Left boot jet failing. Flight systems compromised." FRIDAY said.
"Ah crap." Iron Man said.
Above him Winter Soldier leapt from platform to platform. With stuttering jets Iron Man gave chase, then kicked Winter Soldier and took aim, but the energy bold rebound off Captain America's shield onto himself. Iron Man dropped like a stone and landed on a lower platform.
"He's not going to stop. Go." Captain America said.
As Iron Man soar upwards, Captain America leapt and shot a wire which wrapped around Iron Man's neck and dragged him back down. He deflected Captain America's shield, then tried to target Winter Soldier.
"Come on, come on." Iron Man said.
"Targeting system's knackered, boss." Friday said.
"I'm eyeballing it." he said and his helmet retracted and he shut one eye, taking aim at the opening hatch.
He fired and hit the giant hinge which exploded, cutting of Winter Soldier's escape route. He flew up, blocks two swings from an iron pipe from him, then grabbed him around the neck from behind.
"Do you even remember them?"
"I remember all of them." Winter Soldier said and pushed them both from the walkway, Captain America jumped into them to deflect their fall.
Winter Soldier landed on a platform while Iron Man and Captain America landed on the concrete floor besides opening in the wall were snow drifts in from outside.
"This isn't gonna change what happened." Captain America said.
"I don't care. He killed my mom." Iron Man said.
They trade punches and Iron Man ended up pinning Captain America down. Winter Soldier picked up Captain America's shield and leapt down to help. As the two super soldiers fist fight with Iron Man the shield changed hands between them until Iron Man managed to zap Captain America who was thrown back into the wall. Winter Soldier struggled to hold Iron Man at bay as he unleashed an energy beam, then he forced Iron Man against the opposite wall and gripped the glowing core in the chest of the Iron Man Suit. A blast of energy knocked Winter Soldier down, metal arm completely blown away. Iron Man zapped him again. Captain America rushed him with his shield up and Iron Man fired right at it.
Iron man and Captain America were still fighting in the silo.
"You can't beat him hand to hand." FRIDAY said.
"Analyze his fight pattern." Iron Man said.
"Scanning!" she said and Iron Man's HUD flashed red as Captain America landed blow after blow. "Countermeasures ready." she said and Iron man grabbed Captain America's shield.
"Let's kick his ass." he said and flung the shield away then zapped Captain America backwards, head over heels.
Captain America raised and Iron man blocked his punches then zapped him to his knees, right in front of Winter Soldier who's lying on his back.
"He's my friend." Captain America said.
"So was I." Iron man said and punched Captain America then threw him back towards the gaps in the wall. "Stay down. Final warning."
Captain America struggled to his feet, his face bloody and his gate weary and raised his fists and stared Iron Man down.
"I can do this all day." he said.
Iron man raised his left palm ready to fire. Winter Soldier grabbed his leg and Iron Man spun, kicking him in the face. Captain America grabbed Iron Man and lifted him over his head, then threw him down, punched him and bashed his mask off with his shield before striking down hard on the suit's core. Iron Man looked horrified and glowered fearfully at Captain America who panted or breath. Both have blood spattered across their faces. Steve looked back at Iron man then shut his eyes and slumped down. The shield remained upright, stuck upright in the center of the Iron Man Suit. When Captain America struggled up again he took hold of the shield, gripping the edge and pulling it free. He stepped away from Iron Man who rolled painfully onto his side. Winter Soldier lied bloodied but conscious, Captain America reached out and pulled him to his feet, holding him up as Iron Man looked on.
"That shield doesn't belong to you." Iron Man said and Captain America turned his back. "You don't deserve it. My father made that shield!" he said and Captain America stopped, raised his chin, then dropped the shield and walked away with Winter Soldier's arm around his shoulder.
With a butterfly, in the panic room.
Then he tossed onto his back.
Though I won't be missed, I would say its time,
"James, you will have to become someone you claim was gone." Zemo said.
At Madripoor.
"We have to fix this. I'm the only one who looks like a pimp. Only an American would assume a fashion-forward Black man looks like a pimp. You look exactly like the man you're supposed to be playing. The sophisticated, charming African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger." Zemo said.
"He even has a bad nickname. Hell, he does look like me, though." Sam said.
"You smell this?"
"Yeah, what is that? Acid?"
"Madripoor. No matter what happens, we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There's no margin for error. High Town's that way. Not a bad place if you wanna visit, but Low Town's the other way." Zemo said.
"Let me guess. We don't have any friends in High Town." Sam said and thunder started rumbling.
"Here we are." Zemo said. "Ready to comply… Winter Soldier?" he asked in Russian.
"Is that the Winter Soldier?" a man asked.
"Hello, gentlemen. Wasn't expecting you, Smiling Tiger." a bartender said.
"His plans changed. We have business to do with Selby." Zemo said.
"The usual?"
"Ah." Sam said.
"Smiling Tiger, your favorite."
"I love these. Cheers, Conrad." Sam said and the glasses clunk and he grunted. "Mmm. Mmm."
"I got word from on high. You ain't welcome here." Zemo said. "I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me…"
"New haircuts?" bartender said and looked at Winter Soldier.
"Or bring Selby for a chat."
"A power broker? Really?" Winter Soldier said.
"Every kingdom needs its king. Let's just pray we stay under his radar."
"Do you know him?"
"Only by reputation. In Madripoor he is judge, jury, and executioner." Zemo said. "Winter Soldier. Attack." he said in Russian.
Then Winter Soldier attacked and the man groaned and grunted.
"Didn't take much for him to fall back into form." Zemo said and heard guns cocking. "Stay in character or the whole bar turns on us." he whispered. "Well done soldier." he said in Russian.
"Selby will see you now." a man said in English.
Then they heard a man groaning.
"Thank you." Zemo said.
"You good?" Sam asked and Winter Soldier exhaled sharply but nodded while.
For a different twist in the storyline.
Then he woke up and fell off the couch.
He sat up, took deep breaths to try and calm down but had trouble.
When he calmed down he looked to see it was 4:00 so got up and went for a run.
I feel like a lone survivor,
While he ran he thought about when he was out of Cyro to get the serum from Howard and fought the Sinister Six.
Forgotten in a dark and deadly world.
1991, a HYDRA base in a snowy landscape. A man entered a bunker and removed a red book marked with a black star.
A technician raise a cylindrical chamber, revealing the Winter Soldier.
He was secured in a chair, a mechanical device either side of his head causing him to scream in pain.
"Longing. Rusted. Seventeen. Daybreak. Furnace. Nine. Benign. Homecoming. One. Freight car." Karpov said in Russian. "Good morning, Soldier." he said and Winter Soldier hesitated
"Ready to comply." Winter Soldier said.
"I have a mission for you. Sanction and extract. No witnesses."
Later that night Winter Soldier rode alongside the car and somehow caused the car to crash. He circled back, pulled up and climbed off the motorbike. He was filmed on CCTV as he approached the car's trunk. He yanked it open, breaking the lock. Inside he opened a metal case containing five clear drip bags filled with bright blue fluid.
Four young men and a young woman sat up in hospital beds and the blue fluid was fed intravenously into their arms. The drip bags hang on stands beside them. One man, Josef was screaming, dragged into a cell and left on a bed.
"It hurts!" Josef said and struggles in leather bindings.
Karpov was sitting at a desk in a corridor, making notes and listening. He opened the door to a lab and switched on the light. Josef was sitting on a bed and looked up at him.
Winter Soldier and Josef fought each other in a barred chamber and the four others who were given the blue liquid were there. Josef kicked with enormous power, sending Winter Soldier flying. Watching Karpov folded his arms.
"Good work." Karpov said.
Then a medic took Josef's pulse and Josef slammed him onto the floor. A soldier clubs him onto the back with no effect. Karpov got behind Bucky and aimed a gun.
"Get me out of here." Karpov said and Josef and the other four Winter Soldiers effortlessly dispatch a squad of Soldiers.
Bucky escorted covering Karpov from the barred chamber, batting guards aside.
And on my own, I walk alone,
When he got back to the house he hopped into the shower and cooled off.
When he got out he went to make breakfast.
While he cooked Sam came in and saw him out of it as usual.
"Bucky?" Sam said gently and Bucky jumped.
"Jesus Sam!" Bucky said and put his hand on his chest. "You're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days." he said and Sam laughed.
"Well, you are 107!" Sam said and they laughed.
Then Bucky thought about something.
To see the sun again, I'd give anything.
Steve moved on to hit him but someone grabbed his arm.
"What's with all the fighting?" Bucky asked and the jerk spun to see him. "Don't you know there's a war on?" he asked and the jerk took a swing.
Bucky slugged him, spun him around, and planted an army boot in the ass. The jerk ran away and Bucky looked down at Steve, getting up from a pile of garbage.
"Sometimes I think you like getting punched." Bucky said.
"I hade him on the ropes." Steve said.
As he got up, a folded enlistment form fell from his pocket and Bucky picked it up and read.
"How many times is this?" he asked and read. "And you're from Paramus now? It's still illegal to lie on an enlistment form, and seriously, Jersey?" he asked and Steve frowned, taking in his uniform.
"Looks like you got your orders." Steve said.
"107th ships to England first thing tomorrow." Bucky said. "This is my last night."
"So, what's the first stop. Church?" Steve said and Bucky grinned.
"Yeah... maybe second stop." Bucky said and they started walking out of the alley.
"Where are we going?" Steve asked and Bucky whipped out a newspaper and handed it to him.
"The future." he said and Steve opened the paper.
But life demands a final chapter,
"Bucky?" someone said and he came back to see Sam looking worried.
"Sorry, I was just thinking. Why don't you go get Sarah and the kids. Breakfast will be done soon." Bucky said and Sam nodded.
While Sam left he heard Bucky sighed and felt worried about him.
Soon they were having breakfast.
"Why are you such a good cook? When I was in hiding after the fight Steve couldn't cook at all!" Sam said and Bucky snickered.
A story that we must all leave behind,
"My ma was a good cook and when my dad died I became the man of the house. Ma doubled her hours and I got a job to help. When she worked late I had to make dinner, help my sisters with their homework, put them to bed and all that stuff. I had to look after them and Steve. Steve's ma and pa would help us and Sarah and ma both taught me how to cook. Steve would burn everything so when we lived together so I did the cooking and he set the table and did the dishes." Bucky said and they laughed. "It's sad really. His ma was a great cook." he said and they laughed harder.
"When did you and Steve live together?" Saraha asked.
"After his ma's funeral. I didn't want him to do anything stupid and with his health problems it was hard for him to get a job." he said and thought about the day before he left.
It's do or die, and this is mine,
"Don't do anything stupid until I get back." Bucky said.
"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Steve said.
"You're a punk."
"Jerk."
The anthem of a bird with a broken wing.
Sam looked at Bucky and thought about when they found out Bucky was alive.
I feel like a lone survivor,
As Sam, Steve and Natasha were being escorted in a van.
"It was him. He looked right at me like he didn't even know me." Steve said.
"How's that even possible? It was like seventy years ago." Sam said.
"Zola. Bucky's whole unit was captured in '43, Zola experimented on him. Whatever he did helped Bucky survive the fall. They must have found him and..."
"None of that's your fault, Steve." Natasha said.
"Even when I had nothing, I had Bucky."
Then Sam noticed Natasha was bleeding from her shoulder and looked at the guards.
"We need to get a doctor here. We don't put pressure on that wound she's gonna bleed out here in the truck." Sam said.
Suddenly one of the guards pulled out an electric rod and neutralized the other guard and knocked him out, the guard was revealed to be Hill as she took off her helmet.
"Ah. That thing was squeezing my brain." Hill said and Sam looked at her confused. "Who's this guy?" she asked.
Forgotten in a dark and deadly world.
Later they were at an airport to say goodbye to Bucky.
"See you soon uncle Bucky!" AJ said and gave him a hug.
Bucky smiled and hugged him back.
"See ya buddy." Bucky said and did the same with the others.
"Be careful man. See you soon." Sam said and Bucky nodded. "Call if you need me OK?"
"Yeah. Call me if you need help with anything." Bucky said. "By guys." he said and left.
Sam was worried and wanted to stop him from leaving, maybe get him to move in with them. But he knew Bucky wouldn't.
And on my own, I walk alone,
The next day Bucky was in Brooklyn walking around thinking.
"I don't know what to do." he said. "I miss him and wish he could've brought me with him. But I was already thought dead so I wouldn't know what to say." he said and sighed. "Maybe I should've stayed in Wakanda." he muttered and thought about when he was there.
To see the sun again, I'd give anything.
Steve and Bucky were at Wakanda medical facility.
"You sure about this?" Steve asked.
"I can't trust my own mind. 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." Bucky said and went back into cryo.
At Medicine hut the kids race out of the hut and over to Shuri.
"Are you playing around with that man again?" Shuri asked.
"No. No!" a kid said.
"You're teasing him again?"
Then Bucky left the hut to the sight of a beautiful Wakandan lakeside and took it all in with a deep breath.
Outside the hut were a Wakandan man, woman and Shuri, embracing the three giggling kids observe Shuri from a close distance.
"White Wolf!" one of the kids said and Bucky settled next to Shuri taking in her view of the lake.
"Good morning, Sgt. Barnes." Shuri said.
"Bucky." Bucky said.
"How are you feeling?"
"Good. Thank you." he said and she smiled.
"Come. Much more for you to learn." she said and he followed towards the other huts.
At Wakanda six years ago.
"It is time." Ayo said in English.
"You sure about this?" Bucky asked.
"I won't let you two hurt anyone." she said. "Longing... Rusted... Seventeen..." she said in Russian.
"It's not gonna work." Peter said feeling a part still in him.
"Daybreak... Furnace... Nine... Benign... Homecoming... One... Freight Car..." she said in Russian. "You are free. You are free." she said in English and Bucky sniffled.
But life demands a final chapter,
Then he thought about the last time he saw Ayo and talked to her.
A story that we must all leave behind,
"I'm gonna go on a walk." Bucky said.
"You good?" Sam asked.
"Yeah. We'll see you guys in a bit." Bucky said.
They kept hearing beeping softly.
"You dropped something." Bucky said.
"We were wondering when you were gonna show up." Peter said.
"I'm here for Zemo." Ayo said in Wakandan.
"How could you free him?" Ayo asked.
"We need his help." Bucky said.
"With time, will, and the resources, the Winter Soldier programming was removed from you like a rotten fur."
"And I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for everything you and Shuri have done..."
"Zemo murdered our King T'Chaka at the U.N. The man who chose us. Who chose me to protect him."
"I understand."
"Very little, if anything, of our loss and our shame."
"He's a means to an end." he said in Wakandan.
"Eight hours, White Wolf. Then we come for him."
The door opened and closed.
"Something's not right about Walker." Bucky said.
"You don't say." Sam said.
"Well, I know a crazy when I see one. Because I am crazy."
"Can't argue with that."
"Shouldn't have given him the shield."
"I didn't give it."
"Well, Steve definitely didn't."
"All right. That's it. Let's go. I'm now ordering you to turn him over." Captain America said.
"Hey, slow your roll. Shield or no shield, the only thing you're runnin' in here is your mouth. Now, I had Karli and you overstepped. He's actually proven himself useful today. We'll need all hands on deck for whatever's comin' next." Sam said.
"How do you want the rest of this conversation to go, huh? Yeah." Captain America said and chuckled softly. "Should I put down the shield? Make it fair?" he said and Sam scoffed.
Suddenly a woman grunted.
"Even if he is a means to your end... Time's up." Ayo said in Wakandan. "Release him to us now." she said in English.
"Hi. John Walker. Captain America. Well, let's, uh, put down the pointy sticks and we can talk this through, huh?" Captain America said.
"Hey, John, take it easy. You might wanna fight Bucky before you tangle with the Dora Milaje." Sam said.
"They don't have jurisdiction here..."
"The Dora Milaje have jurisdiction wherever the Dora Milaje find themselves to be."
"Okay." Captain America said and chuckled. "Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot."
They both started grunting and glass shattered and they grunted.
"We should do something." Sam said.
"Looking strong, John." Bucky said.
"Bucky..."
Captain America was panting.
"Ayo, let's talk about this." Bucky said and they all grunted.
Then they started groaning.
Then the lock clicked.
There was more grunting.
"Bast damn you James." Ayo said in Wakandan.
There was more grunting and breath taking.
"He is gone. Leave it." Ayo said.
"Did you know they could do that?" Sam asked and Bucky groaned.
"No." Bucky said and his arm started clanking.
At Sokovia.
"I thought you'd be here sooner. Don't worry. I've decided I'm not going to kill you." Zemo said. "Imagine my relief." he said and Bucky's gun clicked. "The girl has been radicalized beyond salvation. I warned Sam, but he didn't listen to me. He's as stubborn as Steve Rogers before him. But you... They literally programmed you to kill. James, do what needs to be done. Karli has people everywhere, and there's only one way to make sure she cannot continue her mission."
"I appreciate the advice. But we're gonna do it our own way." Bucky said and Zemo and chuckled.
"Yeah. I was afraid you would say that." Zemo said and the gun clicked then clanking. "Ladies... I took the liberty of crossing off my name in your book. I hold no grudges for what you thought you had to do. Goodbye, James."
"We will take him to the Raft... Where he will live out his days. It would be prudent to make yourself scarce in Wakanda for the time being, White Wolf." Ayo said.
"Fair enough." Bucky said. "Hey! I may have another favor to ask of you."
It's do or die, and this is mine,
Then he knew what he had to do so turned around and headed home.
On his way there he saw Yori at Izzy's and walked past quicker trying not to remember that night.
The anthem of a bird with a broken wing.
"The world will be safer after this." he muttered and tried not to run.
Tell the world I know, that my mind is made.
When he got home he sat down and wrote.
Dear Sam,
I'm sorry for leaving you but I can't do it anymore. I've been through enough and lost to many people.
I know Steve couldn't bring me with him because I was already thought dead but I wish he did. Then I'd be where I should be.
Tell Sarah and the kids I'm sorry. You're the only family I have left.
After I told Yuri I killed his son we haven't seen each other since and it hurts to much. Even though I don't deserve it.
Even though I'm your partner you don't need me to help you with missions. You worked for the Force and then became an Avenger. You did most of it yourself. You'll be fine.
I know when I remembered everything Steve realized I wasn't the Bucky he knew so is one of the reasons he left. I'm sorry for that.
Tell everyone in town I enjoyed being there and felt more at home and safe than Brooklyn. Even though I was the Winter Soldier they treated me like I didn't do it. I was treated like just Bucky and Sergeant Barnes.
When I started working with you with the serum I knew I had to help you and look after you like I did with Steve when I was a Howling Commando. After that I knew I would never get what I wanted. To be free.
After all those years from the Great Depression to World War II to becoming the Winter Soldier and wars I dealt with in those seventy years to the fights with Thanos to helping you I knew I wasn't getting what I wanted.
Even though I'm a hundred and seven I can't get a break.
I've reached my limit of all this and I'm sorry.
But I know you'll be fine on your own.
Bucky
Then he looked at it, nodded, got up and put it on his door.
He had given Sam a key to his apartment and Sam had given him a key to the house.
Then he went to his room and took something out. His gun.
It's a horror show, but I'm not afraid.
He took a deep breath, picked up his gun and looked at the picture of him, Sam, Sarah, Cass and AJ then an old picture of him and Steve.
He shook his head and clicked it.
"I'm sorry Sam, I can't do it anymore." he whispered.
Though I won't be missed, I would say it's time,
Then he aimed at his chest and fell to the ground bleeding thinking about Steve.
"I'll be with you until the end of the line." he whispered and was gone.
For a different twist, in the storyline.
What do you think, sequel and have Sam find him and have him saved or not? I might rewrite this and have a different ending but we'll see.