Steve stands among a line of soldiers, all of which are much taller than him. Peggy walks up in front of them introduces herself and says that she supervises all operations for the division.
"Agent of what?" Valkyrie asked.
"Before SHIELD I was an SSR agent." Peggy answer.
Hodge asks about her accent, calls her Queen Victoria and says that he thought he signed up for the US Army.
"He's going to regret that, isn't he?" Nebula asked.
Peggy asks for his name.
Hodge gives her his name and calls her 'Your Majesty.'
"He really is asking for it." Natasha said.
Peggy tells him to step forward and to put his right foot forward. Hodge complies.
Hodge asks if they're going to wrestle because he has some moves she might like.
"Why will he not stop talking?"Maria asked.
Peggy punches him. Hodge falls down with the impact.
"Haha yes." Shuri cheered.
Colonel Phillips pulls up behind her. They greet each other. Phillips notices that Peggy is breaking in the recruits, then he tells Hodge to get up off the ground and tells him to stand in line and wait until someone tells him what to do.
Hodge hurries to do so.
"Dignity is not for everyone." Wanda said.
Phillips says that General Patton said wars are fought with weapons and won by men. He says that they are going to win the war because they have the best men. He falters when he sees Steve then says that the men are going to get better.
A few people stifled their laughter. You have to admit seeing a 5'4 skinny kid, who looks like a stick with a mile long list of health issues standing around a group of 6'0 tall strong men is a little funny.
Steve starts unpacking his things in the barracks
Phillips says that the SSR is an allied force that is made up of the best minds of the free ward.
The soldiers are climbing a net, Steve falls and gets stuck. People laugh.
Phillips says that their goal is to make the best army in history and that every army starts with one man.
Soldiers are now army crawling through the mud with rifles in their hands under barbed wire. Someone kicks one of the posts, causing it to fall on Steve.
"Dick." Rhodey said.
Phillips says that they will chose the man to become the first super soldier at the end of the week.
"And they chose you." Sam said.
"And they chose me." Steve repeated. "Well Erskine did, Phillips was on the fence for a bit."
He says that they will escort Hitler to the gates of hell.
"I think Hitler did that himself, but once again I like the spirit." Shuri.
"Did you see the conspiracy where it said that he never shot himself he just went into hiding?" Peter asked.
The soldiers are running, Steve is lagging behind. They stop running when they reach the flagpole. Phillips says that they are at the halfway point and whoever gets the flag first can ride back with Peggy. The soldiers, excluding Steve try to climb the pole to get the flag down.
"They're an eager bunch aren't they?" Natasha asked.
Phillips insults them and says that nobody has been able to get the flag in 17 years, then he tells them to get in formation. Steve walks up to the flagpole, takes the pin out of the bottom of it and it falls. He picks up the flag, hands it to the officer and gets in the car.
"Well... that's one way to do it." Fury said.
They are now back at the base and the soldiers are doing push-ups. Peggy tells them to go faster and that her grandmother has more life in her.
"Gym teachers be like." Ned whispered.
Steve is struggling with the push- ups. Colonel Phillips is walking with Dr. Erskine. Phillips asks if he's really thinking about picking Steve.
Erskine says that Steve is the clear choice.
Phillips says he let it slide when Erskine brought a 90lb asthmatic onto his army base because he might've been useful like a gerbil. He then says he never thought Erskine would pick him.
"Like a Gerbil." Tony repeated with a small laugh.
Erskine and Phillips walk over to Peggy who tells the soldiers to stand.
Phillips says that of they stick a needle in Steve's arm it'll go through him.
Shuri snickered.
The soldiers are now doing jumping jacks. Phillips says that Steve is making him cry.
"So little faith." Peter said.
Erskine says the he's looking for more than just physical qualities.
Phillips asks if Erskine knows how long it took to set the project up.
Erskine says he does.
Phillips talks about the groveling he did in front of Senator Brandt's committees.
Erskine says he's aware of Phillips' efforts.
Phillips tells Erskine to throw him a bone and tells him that Hodge passes every test they gave him and that he's big, fast and can follow orders.
"But he's also a dick." Peter said.
"Peter." May scolded.
"What? I'm not wrong." Peter said.
Erskine calls him a bully.
Phillips says that wars aren't won with niceness. He picks up a grenade and throws it at the soldiers and says that wars are won with guts.
"That wasn't real was it?" Quill asked.
"Of course not." Steve said.
The soldiers all move away but Steve jumps on it and tells everyone to stay back.
SOmeone says that it was a dummy grenade and tells the soldiers to get back into formation.
"Test number 2." Natasha said.
Steve sits up and looks at Erskine and asks if he's being tested.
Phillips says that Steve is still skinny.
"Bro... stop skinny shaming." MJ said.
Steve is sitting on his bed reading a book. Erskine enters the room and asks is Steve can't sleep.
Steve says he has the jitters.
Erskine says that he does too.
Steve asks if he can ask a question.
Erskine asks if he only has one question.
"I had hundreds but I thought that that was the most important one." Steve said.
Steve asks why Erskine chose him.
"Adequate question." Thor said.
Erskine says that that's the only question that matters. He picks up the bottle he brought in with him and says that its from Augsburg and that its where he's from. He says that many people forget that the Nazis invaded their own country first.
"I don't think we forgot, I think that we thought the fact was irrelevant and ignored it. We tend to just believe that Nazi Germany always existed." Coulson said.
"Yeah... our history books tend to leave out the 'why' part of things that have happened." Bruce said.
Erskine says that after the war his people struggled and felt weak. He then talks about Hitler and his pageantry.
"He promised hope." Loki said. "When the people thought there was none... and then he was elected into power and abused that power." A few people stared at him, wondering how he knew that. "Is that not what happened?" He asked.
"No, that's pretty much what happened... how did you know that?" Steve asked.
"I recognize the type." Loki said.
He says that Hitler told him that he will make the country strong.
"He told him that?" Rhodey asked.
He says that he wasn't interested so Hitler sent Schmidt, the head of Hydra. Erskine says that Schmidt is a brilliant scientist and he's ambitious. He says that Schmidt and Hitler share passion for power and myths. He says Hitler uses the fantasies to inspire his followers but for Schmidt they aren't fantasies. He says that Schmidt's convinced there is power on Earth left by the gods.
"Well, he wasn't exactly wrong." Valkyrie said.
He says that Schmidt heard of Erskine's formula and can't resist it and he must become a superior man.
In a flashback, Schmidt holds a gun to Erskine's head and in another flashback he injects himself with the serum.
Steve asks if the serum made Schmidt stronger.
"Really? That's your question?" Sam asked.
Erskine says it did but there were more side effects. He says that the serum amplifies everything inside a person as well as outside. He says that good becomes great and bad becomes worse. He tells Steve that this was why he was says that a strong man who has always known power will lose respect for that power but a weak man knows the value of strength and compassion.
"A very intelligent man." Bruce said.
Erskine pours 2 drinks and tells Steve to promise him that no matter what happens the next day he'll stay as he is. He says that Steve isn't a perfect soldier but he's a good man.
Steve makes a toast to the little guys and tries to take a drink.
Erskine stops him and tells him he can't have fluids because he has a procedure the next day.
"Oof."
He pours Steve's glass into his own. Steve says they can drink later.
Erskine says that he doesn't have a procedure so he can drink it now.
"This dude." Shuri said, with a laugh.
Zola walks into the HYDRA lab. Schmidt is behind a desk.
"Did anyone else see that?" Gamora asked.
"See what?" Hope asked.
"His face... it doesn't look very... human." Gamora said.
"Is there something in particular you need?" Schmidt asks if there's something Zola needs.
Zola says that Shmidt has found Erskine.
Schmidt tells him to see for himself and gestures to the photos on the table, they're all of Erskine.
"This isn't frightening at all." Ned said.
Schmidt thinks Zola disapproves.
Zola says he doesn't understand why he's concerning himself with Erskine. He says that it's unlikely he'll succeed with the serum a second time.
"He hardly succeeded the first time." Steve muttered.
Schmidt says that the serum is the Allie's only defence against the power he possesses, he says that their vistory is only assured if they take the serum from Erskine.
Zola asks if he should give the order.
Schmidt says that it's been given then asks Zola what he thinks of the painting.
Zola says that its a masterpiece.
"I haven't seen it but I'm sure that's not true." Scott said.
Steve and Peggy are driving through a Brooklyn neighborhood. Steve recognizes it and lists off a few places where he was beaten up.
"Damn. You got into a lot of fights." Scott said.
Peggy asks if he had something against running away.
Steve says that they'll never let him stop if he starts to run. He says that you can't say no forever.
"Yeah, that makes sense." Quill said.
Peggy says that she knows what its like to have every door shit in her face.
"A woman in the military in the 40s, I imagine that would've been rough." Hope said.
"It was, but once you gain their respect, it's very rewarding." Peggy replied.
Steve says he doesn't understand why peggy joined the army, then stutters through the rest of his sentence unsure of what he should call her.
Steve winced in embarrassment. "You're doing great, pal." Howard said.
Peggy says that Steve has no idea how to talk to a woman.
"That much is obvious." Sam said.
Steve says that this is the longest conversation he's had with one.
"Really?"
He says that women aren't lining up do dance with someone they might step on.
Peggy says that he must have danced before.
Steve says that the thought of asking a woman to dance was always terrifying, and that with what happened in recent years it didn't matter much. He says he figured he should wait.
Peggy asks what he's waiting for.
Steve says he's waiting for the right partner.
"You are such a hopeless romantic." Bucky said.
They pull up outside of an antique shop and they walk up to the door. Steve asks what they're doing there.
"Buying antiques, obviously. What else would you be doing outside of an antique shop." Ned said.
"I don't think that's what they're doing." Wanda said.
Peggy says to follow her and then they walk in.
The shop owner makes a comment about the wonderful weather.
Peggy says that she always carries an umbrella.
"What does that even mean, is it like a secret code or something." Clint asked.
"Of sorts." Peggy answered.
The shop owner pushes a button behind a desk and the bookshelf turns into a door and opens.
"Cool."
Steve and Peggy walk in and the door closes behind them. Two men open another door to them and they walk in. There's a group of scientists talking. Steve walks up to Dr. Erskine. Erskine asks Steve if he's ready. Steve nods and Erskine tells him to take off his shirt, tie and his hat. Steve takes them off.
"You seem nervous." Mantis said.
"Of course I was, I had very little of an idea of what I just got myself into." Steve said.
Phillips walks into an observation room and tells Brandt that he's glad he came.
Brandt asks why he's in Brooklyn.
Phillips says that they need access to the power grid, and says that he requested generators.
Brandt says that a lot of people are asking for funds.
Clemson walks up to them and introduces himself. He says that of the project is a success he'd like to see it used for more than headlines.
Brandt looks at a shirtless Steve, who's stepping into the pod and says to get him a sandwich.
"I want a sandwich now." Steve said. One dropped from the ceiling, into his lap. "Thank you..."
Steve lays down in the pod. Erskine asks if he's comfortable.
Steve says that the pod is a little big then asks if Erskine saved him some schnapps.
A few people laughed.
Erskine says he didn't save much and asks Howard how his levels are.
Howard says that they're at 100% and that they may dimm half of the lights in Brooklyn but they're ready.
"Half the lights, how much power did you use?" Rocket asked.
Erskine says that Peggy might be more comfortable in the booth. Peggy walks away.
He picks up a microphone and flicks it a few times then says that they're about to take the first step on the path to peace. He says that they'll begin with a series of micro injections to the muscle groups then the serum infusion will cause celular change and to stimulate growth, Steve will be saturated with vita-rays.
Nurses takes out six vials of blue liquid and place them in slots alongside the pod.
A nurse injects Steve with something. Steve says that that wasn't bad. "That wasn't so bad." Steve said.
Erskine tells him that it was penicillin.
The room giggled.
"Serum infusion beginning in five, four, three, two, one. *Someone flips a switch and the serum is injected.* Now Mr. Stark. *Howard pulls a lever, the pod elevates and rotates until its upright, then closes around Steve. Erskine taps on it a few times* Steven, can you hear me?" He asks.
" It's probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?"
"I'd say so, yes." Vision said.
Erskine turns to face Howard and says that they'll proceed.
Howard turns a dial slowly and calls out the percentages.
A scientist says that the vital signs are normal.
Howard continues, Steve starts to scream.
A few people winced. Steve rubbed his arms, remembering how painful that was.
Peggy tells them to shut it down.
Erskine tells Howard to kill the reactor.
Steve tells him not to and that he can do it.
"Sounds like you almost gave every person in that room a damn heart attack." Sam said.
Howard finishes, everything starts to overload and the reactor shuts down.
Howard opens the pod. Steve is breathing heavily, and now stands at about 6ft and has muscles.
"I mean, after seeing you I knew it worked but damn." Shuri said.
Phillip says that Erskine did it. Someone beside him stands up, a small metal case is left behind on the chair.
"What..." Natasha asked herself, in reference to the guy that left.
Howard and Erskine help Steve out of the pod. Steve says that he did it.
Erskine says that they did it.
"Did you not think that you could?" Strange asked.
Peggy asks him how he feels.
Steve says he feels taller.
"Yeah, I guess that would be the most noticeable change. Going from about 5'4'' to 6ft tall. " Bucky said.
Peggy takes a shirt from a nurse and tells Steve that he looks taller.
"A bit more than taller." Maria said, a few people gave her weird looks.
Phillips asks Brandt how he likes Brooklyn now.
Brandt says he thinks some people in Germany are about to get nervous. Then he congratulated Erskine.
Kruger detonates a bomb in the observation room. He takes the remaining vial.
Erskine says to stop him. Kruger shoots him.
"son of a bitch." Tony said,
Peggy starts shooting at him, Steve makes his way over to Erskine. Peggy starts chasing Kruger. Erskine points to Steve's chest, then dies.
"Chase the bitch." MJ said.
Kruger makes his way into the antique store, the owner starts shooting at him, he kills her and steals her gun, then runs out of the building. He gets into s car and people start shooting at it. Kruger kills them. Peggy, now out of the building, starts shooting at Kruger's car as well. Kruger blows up the car behind her. Peggy kills the driver.
"Damn, nice aim." Clint said.
Kruger gets out of the car and into the driver's seat of a taxi. He starts driving toward Peggy, Peggy shoots at the car. Steve tackles Peggy out of the way just as Kruger is about to hit her. Peggy says that she had him.
Steve apologizes and starts chasing him, he trips and falls through the window of a bridal store.
"Just casually falls through window, get's back up like its nothing." Ned said. Steve reminded him a lot of Peter in that respect.
"I heal, fast, that didn't even hurt that bad." Steve said.
Steve starts running again, then jumps a fence.
"Damn."
Steve starts jumping on the roofs of cars until he lands on the taxi. Kruger starts shooting upwards. Kruger crashes and the car flips, the door comes off. Kruger gets out and starts shooting people, then at Steve, Steve uses the car door as a shield. Kruger takes a child hostage. The woman calls out for her son.
"Bastard. He didn't shoot the kid, did he?" Hank asked.
"No, the kid didn't get hurt." Steve said.
The kid tells Kruger to let him go. Kruger starts running with the kid. Kruger holds the gun to the child's head.
Steve tells him to stop. He points the gun at Steve and fires, there's no more bullets. He throws the kid into the water.
"You said the kid didn't get hurt." Hope said.
"He didn't." Steve said.
Kruger runs off, Steve goes to help the kid. The kid tells Steve that he can swim and he should go get Kruger Kruger uses a submarine to escape. Steve jumps in the water. Steve grabs on to the submarine and punches through the glass. He drags Kruger out and throws him out of the water. He kicks him, the vial falls and breaks.
"Well that's good... I guess. I mean as long as its not in that guys hand's anymore." Bruce said.
Steve asks Kruger who he is.
Kruger says that if you cut off one head two more will takes its place. He swallows a fake tooth and his mouth starts foaming "Hail Hydra!" He dies.
"What the hell is Hydra?" Quill asked.
"The opposite of SHIELD pretty much." Maria answered.