Chapter 16:
[Bucky Barnes POV]
[HYDRA Base, Washington DC, USA]
I sit staring into space, fighting off the fragments of memories threatening to drive me insane. The target had called me Bucky. Why? Did he know me? Did I know him? 'Who's Bucky?' As I was silently going through a mental crisis, a team of scientists and medics patched me from the latest mission. They surrounded me with their concerned faces, their voices a distant hum as they tried to assess my condition. Incoherent memories flash in my head like disjointed scenes from a movie reel. A blurry image of a man in a blue uniform calling out to me, his arm stretched out in a desperate plea for help. Zola, the name echoes in my mind like a distant warning, leaned over me in a sterile medical room filled with the harsh scent of antiseptic. I remember feeling cold, the chill seeping into my bones even as I lay on the examination table, surrounded by beeping monitors and sterile white walls. The memories flicker like dying flames, leaving behind only a sense of dread and confusion. Was I going to die? Or had I already died? The questions swirl in my mind, taunting me with their elusive answers, pushing me further into the depths of uncertainty and despair.
[Drake POV]
From the sideline, arms crossed over my chest, I watch the scientists secure the Winter Soldier into the chair, each strap a symbolic shackle to contain the formidable force within. The asset holds a distant expression, like someone attempting to piece together a puzzle amidst the chaos of his fragmented memories. Suddenly, Winter Soldier's demeanor shifts, his body tensing before he launches himself at one of the scientists with startling ferocity. The STRIKE commandos in the room react swiftly, their weapons trained on him, ready to unleash a barrage of firepower at the slightest provocation. Beneath my mask, I can't help but grin at the spectacle unfolding before me, the tension thick in the air. Alexander Pierce, a calculating figure of authority, strides into the room with an air of command, his presence demanding obedience. He orders the soldiers to stand down, a testament to his astuteness in dealing with the volatile asset. "Mission report," he demands, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere like a blade. Yet, the Winter Soldier remains silent, his defiance palpable even as Pierce's patience wears thin. With a swift, backhand-smack across the asset's face, Pierce attempts to coerce compliance, but the response he receives is not what he anticipated. In a blur of movement, the Winter Soldier retaliates, seizing Pierce by the throat with a grip of steel, his actions a stark reminder of the danger he poses when provoked. As Pierce struggles under the icy stare of his captor, his eyes dart to me, silently pleading for intervention. However, I merely shake my head, knowing all too well the hierarchy of power in this organization.
"The only ones who are allowed to discipline their dog is its master," Zemo's voice cuts through the tension like a knife as he enters the room. With a casual wave, he dismisses the soldiers, their obedience a testament to his authority as the supreme commander. As he approaches the Winter Soldier and Pierce, a sense of boredom evident in his demeanor, he issues commands with an air of casual indifference, "Stand down, asset," Reluctantly, the Winter Soldier releases his hold on Pierce, the man gasping for air as he crumples to the ground, his dignity shattered. With a disdainful glance at the pitiful display before him, Zemo turns his attention to the Winter Soldier, his gaze penetrating the mask to meet the haunted eyes beneath. "Now then, mission report," Zemo demands, his words carrying the weight of expectation and consequence. Winter Soldier hesitates for a moment, his mind wrestling with the fragments of memory that threaten to overwhelm him. "The man I faced. Who was he?" he finally whispers, a note of desperation tainting his voice. Zemo narrows his eyes, sensing the significance of the revelation. "You crossed paths with him on another mission," Zemo replies cryptically, his words laden with implications yet to be fully realized. "I knew him," Winter Soldier murmurs to himself, his voice barely audible amidst the cacophony of emotions raging within him. Zemo places a reassuring hand on his shoulder, his words a mixture of reassurance and manipulation.
"Your work has been a gift to humankind, Winter," Zemo declares, his voice a siren's call promising purpose amidst the chaos. "Society teeters on the brink of collapse, and tomorrow, we shall give it the push it so desperately needs. And you, my dear Winter, shall serve your role." With a sense of resignation, Winter nods absently, his fate seemingly sealed by forces beyond his control.
As Zemo pushes Winter into the machine, preparing to erase the remnants of his former self, the room resonates with the echoes of his screams, a chilling reminder of the cost of obedience in a world governed by power and manipulation. Turning to me with a gaze that brooks no dissent, Zemo issues his final command. "If he wavers, exterminate him," he says, his words a stark reminder of the precarious nature of loyalty in this unforgiving world. "Sure thing, Boss," I reply, my voice betraying no hint of emotion as I bow my head in submission. Zemo's gaze shifts to Pierce, who meets it with a mixture of shame and embarrassment. "On your feet," Zemo orders. Weakly, Pierce rises, his facade of authority crumbling in the face of Zemo's unwavering command. Glancing over to me once more, Zemo's eyes gleam with anticipation. "Be ready to move when the order goes out," he commands, his words a harbinger of the chaos to come. "You, along with the others, will provide additional enforcement."
[Spartan POV]
[1 day later, SHIELD HQ, Canada]
[Training-area.] The outcome of the last mission was a bitter victory, a taste that lingered in the air like a bitter aftertaste refusing to fade. And then there's the whole tangled web surrounding Cap and the Winter Soldier. 'Talk about the past coming back to bite you in the ass,' I mutter under my breath, the words carrying a weight of resignation and bitter irony. Wanda enters the room, her presence a welcome distraction from the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. "Hey, I was looking for you," she says, her voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos of the world outside. She settles down on a nearby bench, her posture mirroring my own weariness. "You disappeared after we got back from the mission," she observes, her tone tinged with concern. I continue to fire on the target, each shot a release of pent-up frustration and anger aimed at the faceless enemy before me. "Sorry. Wanted to blow off some steam after the whole shit show," I reply tersely, my voice betraying the strain of the recent mission. Wanda's gaze follows the trajectory of my shots, her expression unreadable as she processes the weight of my words. "Clearly," she murmurs, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement at my obvious attempt to mask my emotions through the guise of target practice. With a sigh, I stow my pistol back in its holster and join her on the bench, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly as I allow myself a moment of respite.
She leans her head against the wall, her eyes gazing into the distance as if searching for answers amidst the chaos that surrounds us. "Things are chaotic," she remarks, her voice soft yet filled with a sense of quiet resolve. "The funny thing is, after everything that happened, I do not regret joining the AVENGERS." Her words hang in the air, a testament to her unwavering commitment to the cause despite the countless trials and tribulations we've faced together. I can't help but give off a small smirk at her declaration. The two of us sit in comfortable silence, the weight of the world momentarily lifted from our shoulders as we find solace in each other's company amidst the chaos of our uncertain reality.
[Living-area.] Both Karai and Skye are hard at work coding the virus that would ultimately serve as the digital scythe to cut down the towering monolith of the Insight system. On the table before them lay three palm-sized computer chips, each one representing a crucial component in their daring plan to dismantle the oppressive regime of NEO-HYDRA. "How's it coming along?" I inquire, my arms folded across my chest as I survey their progress with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Karai, her brow furrowed in concentration, leans back in her chair, her gaze meeting mine. "It's nearly done," she replies, her voice tinged with a quiet confidence that belies the gravity of their task. "Once it's complete, we'll be ready to take the fight to NEO-HYDRA and finally put an end to their reign of terror." I place a reassuring hand on Karai's shoulder, a silent gesture of solidarity. "Yeah, we are," I affirm, my voice laced with determination. "We're going to make them pay for everything they did, for every life they've destroyed and every soul they've corrupted." Despite her outward bravado, Karai's expression softens, a flicker of doubt crossing her features like a fleeting shadow. "The real concern is what happens after," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper as she wrestles with the weight of their impending victory and the uncertain future that awaits them. I meet her gaze with sympathy, understanding the magnitude of the burden she carries on her shoulders. "The main issue right now is dealing with NEO-HYDRA," I reassure her, my tone firm yet compassionate, "We'll deal with the aftermath later, together."
Karai nods in understanding, a sense of relief washing over her as she draws strength from our shared resolve. "Right," she murmurs, her voice steadier now as she returns her focus to the task at hand. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." With a sense of purpose, I place a cup of steaming coffee on the table alongside a plate of food, a small gesture of comfort amidst the chaos of the mission. "Thanks," Karai says, her gratitude evident in the weary lines of her face. "I could always count on you to have my six." "Always," I reply, my voice a solemn vow to stand by her side through thick and thin, no matter the challenges. Together, we'll face whatever the future holds together as comrades in arms.
[Steve Rogers POV]
[Outside.] I stand by the entrance, a solitary figure bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, my gaze fixed upon the vast expanse of the night sky stretching out before me like an endless tapestry of stars. With everything that was going on, the chaos and uncertainty that seemed to permeate every facet of our existence, I needed this moment of solitude to clear my head, to find some semblance of peace amidst the storm raging within me. 'Bucky is alive.' The words echo in my mind like a refrain, a constant reminder of the surreal twist of fate that has brought my long-lost friend back into my life. Part of me still struggles to believe it, to reconcile the memories of the man he used to be with the shadow of the person he has become. There are moments when I wonder if all of this is nothing more than an elaborate dream, a figment of my imagination that I will soon awaken from, only to find myself plunged back into the harsh reality of the world. But sadly, that isn't the case. As Sam's voice breaks through the silence, pulling me back to the present, I can't help but feel a sense of resignation settle over me like a heavy cloak. "He's going to be there waiting for you," Sam says. I bow my head in acknowledgment, the weight of his words sinking in with a sobering clarity. "Yeah, I know," I reply, my voice tinged with conflicting emotions. "Whoever he used to be and the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop," Sam tells me, his brow furrowed in concern as he meets my gaze. I shift my shoulders uneasily, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air between us. "Not sure if I could do that," I admit, the uncertainty of the task ahead weighing heavily on my conscience. "He might not give you a choice," Sam states matter-of-factly, his voice a stark reminder of the harsh realities we face. "He doesn't remember you," he adds, his words a sobering reminder of the gulf that now separates me from the man Bucky once was. There is a chance, however small, that I will be forced to confront Bucky, to confront the possibility of having to put down my friend myself if he proves to be beyond redemption. It's a prospect that fills me with a sense of dread and sorrow. I shake my head, banishing the doubts and fears that threaten to overwhelm me, and turn to face Sam with a steely resolve in my eyes. "He will," I assert, my voice firm and unwavering. "But if there's no other choice, then I'll do what I have to do. Gear up. It's almost time."
[Room.] As I step into my temporary room to prepare for the upcoming mission, I find Nat waiting for me, her presence unexpected yet somehow fitting given the gravity of the situation at hand. "Nat, what are you doing here?" I inquire, a note of curiosity coloring my voice as I take in her serious expression. She keeps her eyes forward for a moment, lost in thought, before finally shifting her gaze to meet mine. "The Winter Soldier. You know him?" she asks, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency. I nod slowly, my mind immediately turning to thoughts of my long-lost friend. "Bucky. He's my friend. I told you this all before," I reply. For a brief moment, Nat's expression shifts, a flicker of recognition passing across her features before she schools her features into a mask of neutrality. At first, I assume she's simply reminiscing on her own encounters with the Winter Soldier, but the faraway look in her eyes suggests that there's more to her question than meets the eye. I debate with myself whether to press the issue or let it go, ultimately deciding to confront the issue head-on. "You crossed paths with him before. Long before the mission in Iran," I assert, my voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling within me. Nat's expression softens slightly at my words, a shadow passing over her features as she recalls memories long buried beneath layers of secrecy and deceit.
"Before I joined up with SHIELD, I was a member of the WIDOWS," she begins, her voice quiet yet filled with an undeniable weight of sorrow. "A program created by an organization called the RED-ROOM, a top-secret Soviet training program where they take young women and turn them into deadly assassins. The Winter Soldier was one of my instructors." I peer at the spy, studying her carefully as I struggle to contain the rage building up inside me. "Did you know who he was before? His real name? That he was my friend?" I demand, my words coming out colder and more accusatory than I intended. Natasha shakes her head, her gaze meeting mine with a mixture of regret and remorse. "No, I didn't know he had any connection to you whatsoever, or that he was a HYDRA asset," she confesses, her voice tinged with genuine remorse. It's a surprising admission, one that catches me off guard despite everything I know about the complexities of our shared past. "Why are you telling me this now?" I press, my tone softer now, filled with a sense of longing for answers that may never come. "I don't know," Nat admits, her voice barely above a whisper as she rises from her seat and moves toward the door, "Maybe I just wanted to get some weight off my shoulders. Truth be told, if there's anyone who could restore Bucky's humanity, it's you." Her words hang in the air like a silent plea, a testament to the bond that still exists between us despite the secrets and lies.
[Amory.] The team is busy gearing up for the assault on the Triskelion. Spartan and Karai pick out an assault rifle and pistol from the weapon rack. Coulson and his team strap on their body armor. Nat is with Fury and Hill going over their part of the mission. Sam is done placing on the last piece of his Falcon suit. Clint's gathering his bow. Wanda throws on a red jacket. Rhodey powers up his armor. I clip on my helmet and shield. Once we're fully set and prime, we go.
[Triskelion, Washington DC, USA]
The quinjet touches down far enough from the Triskelion, so it wouldn't be detected. I gaze toward Natasha, "You're up." The spy treads off, actuating the holo-mask, disguising herself as one of the world security console members. "The rest of you are with me," I say toward the others. Going stealth, we enter the Triskelion and move to the satellite command center. [Inside.] The PARAGADES take the lead; they stack-up by the door. "On your world, Cap," Spartan says. "How many are inside?" I ask. Karai scans the layout via HUD, "Seven. Two are armed." Maria Hill pulls a device from her pack, triggers a short-range electronic squeal that disrupts their comm system. On the other side of the door, I hear someone orders a technician to check out the dish. The door swings open, and the man's eyes gape when he sees me and the others. "Excuse us," I say. Not putting up a fight, the technician steps aside. Spartan and Karai enter first. Gun aim, "Don't do that," Spartan says to one of the security guards going for his weapon. The man slowly pulls his hand away from the handle. Both Spartan and Karai strip their guns in practice fashion then zip-cuff them. Skye and Hill set themselves at the computer terminal.
Working her hacker magic, Skye patches me into the facility intercoms, "Ready, Cap." Sam and Rhodey secured the tech team on the other end of the room; they stare at us with worried expressions. For a moment, I wondered what lie did Pierce spin to make them believe that we're the enemy. I lean over the mic, "Attention all SHIELD agents, this is Steve Rogers. You heard a lot about me in the last few days. Some of you were even ordered to hunt my team and me down. But I think it's time for you to know the truth. SHIELD has been taken over by NEO-HYDRA. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The STRIKE and the Insight crew are NEO-HYDRA, as well. I don't know how many more, but I know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want, total control. They shot Nick Fury. And it won't end there. If you launch those helicarriers, NEO-HYDRA will be able to kill anyone who stands in their way unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot. But the price of freedom is high. It always has been. And it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not." Sam walks up to me, "You wrote that down first, or was that all at the top of your head?" Sam and the rest of the team in the room all look at me with admiration.
Skye pulls up a video feed across the whole Triskelion. Via security surveillance, we watch as Rumlow barges into the command center to one of the tech crews. "Preempt the launch sequence. Send those ships up now." The young man shifts nervously in his seat. He steals a glance at Rumlow and everyone else in the room, then turns back to the computer screen, but he doesn't move. "Is there a problem?" Rumlow asks. The boy shakes, scared out of his mind, "No. Um..." Getting frustrated, Rumlow snaps. "Is there a problem?!" The boy drops his hands and takes a deep breath, "I'm not going to launch those ships. Captain's orders." Rumlow draws his pistol, aims it at the back of the young tech's head, "Move away from the station." Kid shuts his eyes but remains steadfast, "No. I won't." Kate rushes over, points her weapon at Rumlow, "Like he said, Captain's orders." Suddenly every armed person has their gun aim. Rumlow shoots a side glance, "You picked the wrong side, Agent." Kate keeps a solid grip, "Depending on where you're standing. Now drop your weapon." Rumlow lowers the gun, keeping a close eye on Kate. Kate tracks the gun's fall. Moving fast, Rumlow whips out a knife, slashes Kate's arm.
The whole room erupts into a gunfight. SHIELD vs. NEO-HYDRA. Rumlow gets his gun back. He's about to shoot the technician, but Kate kicks the chair out from under him, saving the man. Forgetting about the tech, Rumlow overrides the sequence, launching the ships. Once done, he breaks for the exit under fire. On another video feed, a squad of HYDRA commandos viciously and remorselessly gun down a lone agent who's running toward one of the control centers, yelling to the technicians inside to shut the bay doors. Skye turns away, not wanting to see the carnage and death unfold. By the window, Spartan, Karai, Sam, Clint, Wanda, and Rhodey step back as we all see the helicarriers establish takeoff. "Clint, Wanda, hold position here and provide backup for Hill and Skye," I voice.
[Hanger-bay.] We dart toward the helicarriers. "Hey, Cap, how do we tell the good guys from the bad guys?" Sam asks, running next to me. 'Simple.' "If they're shooting at you, they're the bad guys," I say. Both Falcon and War Machine take to the air. 'Now, the real fight starts.' I drop over the edge of the open bay door to the helicarrier-1's flight deck. Up ahead, a squad of HYDRA commandos storms forward. Weapon at the ready, Karai and Spartan lay down covering fire from above, clearing the path for me. Two commandos go down. I cut between the crates, parkour over another. A commando appears. Grabbing the guy, I knock him out with one hit with my shield. Taking the merc's spare grenade, toss it over to the converging squad, blowing them away. Push on. In the air, Sam and Rhodey fly by, dodging the anti-air guns. The fight is going to get far more bloody before the day is done. "Found those bad guys you were talking about," Sam's voice comes through the comlink. "You two okay?" I ask. "Not dead yet," he says. 'Good. Neither am I.' I run. Shoulder-slam an unsuspecting sentry, shield-strike another HYDRA commando across the face, and push-kick the last guy back. Seeing the entrance, I break for the hatch.
[Spartan POV]
I leap onto a HYDRA commando and take him down with a jump-guard-sweep. While keeping the man pin, I shoot the oncoming group, taking them all down with headshots. On my right, Karai jump-knees a soldier in the chest with enough force to cave it in, killing the man instantly. Running up behind an unsuspecting soldier, I grab him in an inverted-headlock; aiming my pistol, I blast two soldiers in front of me. The guy I'm holding, I knock out by dropping myself backward, driving him head-first to the ground.
Through the comlink, Cap says, "Alpha lock." 'One down. Two to go.' "Copy. Falcon, what's your status?" Hill inquires. "Had to take a little detour," Sam voices back. Via HUD, Karai and I watch as Rhodey and Sam dodge incoming missiles. WM is doing an excellent job of providing offensive support for Sam by firing blasts at the guns, destroying many of them. From out of nowhere, an enemy quinjet gives chase. Maneuvering through the air, Rhodey blows a human-sized hole onto the belly of the helicarrier; as Rhodey takes up all the aggro, Sam jets in the opening. By Sam's HUD, we see him insert the computer chip into the core. "Bravo Lock," he says. 'One more to go.' In the sky, spot a quinjet flying toward the Triskelion. 'That must be Fury, Coulson, and May. Guess Nat has everything under control on her end.' A large door opens with a squad of SHIELD pilots walking out. "We're the only air support Captain Rogers and his team ha-." The lead pilot never finished what he was going to say due to being caught in an explosion, killing him and half of the other pilots. The Winter Soldier strides, shooting at anything with a SHIELD uniform. Within seconds the assassin killed nearly every member of the flight crew.
When the Winter Soldier spots us, he strolls over. Karai and I get ourselves into a fighting stance. Drawing our weapons, we open fire on the assassin. The man zig-zags side to side, dodging the oncoming shots. Leaping into the air, he delivers a kick to Karai in the chest, sending my partner flying back. He turns on me. I try to punch him, but he easily blocks it. Seizing hold of my arm, he drives me down to the ground. Karai rushes in, leaps into the air, trying to get the drop on the Winter Soldier. Without even looking, he catches Karai by the neck, then choke-slams her to the floor. Getting to my feet, I take the Winter Soldier's back, back-suplex him to the pavement. The assassin jumps back to his feet, completely unfazed. He dashes in close range, left-hook-punches me in the face, sending me sliding across the floor. Karai and I charge him, attacking a combination of strikes. The assassin parries the blows, shoots a swift jab, right-hook, and punches a powerful hit to my gut, doubling me over. Grabbing hold, he side-slam me to the ground.
The Winter Soldier stops his attack abruptly, like a dog's chain is yanked. The Winter Soldier stalks to a nearby craft that wasn't touched in the attack. Taking off, the craft jets toward the last of the three helicarriers. 'Oh, shit.` Karai and I are about to go after him, but something hits us both. We fall to the ground hard. Switching off the stealth-camo, Drake appears along with Skeith.
[Steve Rogers POV]
[Helicarriers-1.] I sprint toward the edge of the craft, HYDRA commandos on my heels. Tap my comlink, calling Falcon, "Hey, Sam, I'm going to need a ride." "Copy. Let me know when you're ready," Sam states. One of the HYDRA commandos fires a rocket. Though it missed, it did me a favor and acted as my signal. "I JUST DID!" I shout, jumping off the edge. Sam dives toward me, Rhodey right behind him. The man catches me and boots to the flagship.
[Flagship.] Sam drops me on the flight deck. "You know you're a lot heavier than you look," Sam comments. I smile at the light joke, "I had a big breakfast." From out of nowhere, the Winter Soldier appears, pushing me over the railing. "Steve!" Sam yells, running over. But the Winter Soldier seizes one of the wings and tosses him to the side like a ragdoll. Rhodey starts to open fire on the assassin. Acting fast, the Winter Soldier jump-rolls to cover. Sam tries to get back into the air. Stepping out of cover, the Winter Soldier fires a grappling-line to one of Sam's wings, and with a mighty jerk, he rips it off. Falcon falls back to the flight deck. He forces himself back to his feet. Rushing onward, the assassin push-kicks him over the edge. "No! Sam!" Rhodey cries, freefalling after him. I pull myself back onto the flight deck, but the Winter Soldier is gone. If I had to guess, he's heading to defend the core. Tapping the comlink, "Sam, Sam, come in. Are you alright?" I shout, worried. "Yeah, I'm okay. Rhodey got to me before I ate the pavement. I'm grounded. The suit is down. Sorry, Cap," Sam tells me, frustrated. "It's okay. Leave the rest to me." I start to move.
[Spartan POV]
[Hanger-bay.] Drake bolts to me; he tackles me over the edge of the open bay doors, sending us both falling to the lower-level. Karai shouts out my name as I fall. [Lower-level.] Drake and I hit the ground hard. He's the first back to his feet, pulls back the lower half of his mask, grinning at me. 'This asshole's getting a kick out of this. Damn, blood knight.' I stand up, glaring, "You pack of psychos are starting to piss me off." Drake's grin widens, "We have a score to finish." Now it's my turn to smirk, "That we do. I've been itching to get another shot at you." We rush to each other, slamming our fists together, while our free hand holds the other at bay. "Neither you nor your friends are going to get out of this alive." Drake moves my hand out the way and left-hooks me in the face. I parry the punch, counter with a blow to the body. Drake sees it coming, pushes back, then dashes in, hitting me with a close-line, flipping me chest-first to the ground.
"That all you got, Runt?" he taunts. "Fuck this shit," I say, roll onto my back, draw my gun, and shoot Drake in the chest. To my shock, Drake activates some energy shield to protect his body from the shots. "Had an upgrade since our last run-in," he says. Drake brings out his gun and fires. I roll out the way, then jump to cover. 'Okay, I didn't expect him to have a fucking energy shield!' Drake moves to flank me. I bolt, sway across to Drake, throw out a punch, but he traps my fist. "That's what I'm talking about," he says, getting a thrill from the fight. "Got you, bitch," I say. Drake holds a confused face. Opening my fist, I revealed a high-power grenade. "OH, YOU MOTHERFU-" The shell goes off, blowing both Drake and me back.
[Karai POV]
[Upper-level.] In the blink of an eye, Drake races toward Spartan and tackles him over the bay doors' edge, falling to the darkness below. "Spartan!" I cry out. Skeith flashes to my side and hits me with a powered-up fist to my face. I skid across the floor. "You need to be more worried about yourself than your little partner," She hisses. Swiftly Skeith clutches hold of my arm and tosses me to the wall. The woman starts throwing a series of punches and kicks. I block the last attack and swing her face-first toward the wall. Using the wall as Leverage, she flipped behind me, taking my back, and wraps her arms around me, readying for a back-suplex.
Acting fast, I shoot three fast elbows to the woman's face. She staggers, stunned. Recovering, Skeith fires a blast to my chest. The blast nearly cuts through my armor. Skeith strolls over, "I told you wouldn't be so lucky on our next encounter." She grabs me by the collar, lifts me over her shoulder, rams me to the wall, cracking the surface. I drop to my knees. The aura of energy forming around Skeith's hand turns into a blade. Before Skeith could raise the blade to strike me down, I jump her to the ground, jam my pistol to her hand and unload half a mag, shredding the hand to bloody pieces. Skeith screams out in agony. I switch on my shock-knuckles and knock Skeith out with a powered-charge fist. Suddenly there's an explosion in the lower-level. 'Oh, no.' Getting to my feet, I hurry to the lower level, to Spartan.
[Steve Rogers POV]
[Flagship.] [Core.] I walk the catwalk toward the core. Blocking the way is Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. I stop my advance. "People are going to die, Buck. I can't let that happen," I say, trying to reason with him. Bucky stares back at me; there's no recognition or emotion on his face. I give it one last try, "Please don't make me do this." Still, Bucky didn't move. I thought about what Fury had said about the things a person had to do or sacrifice for the greater good. The choices may not be fair or favorable, but you still had to make it. If I don't get to that core, millions of people will die, so I'm going to have to make Bucky move by any means necessary. I fling the shield, and Bucky deflected it with his metal arm, just as I predicted. Catching the shield as I rush Bucky, I block three gunshots and hit Bucky Hard enough to make him stagger and drop his pistol. Bucky sprawls onto his back next to the core. He springs to his feet with a knife in hand. I'm ready, blocking knife thrust and knocking Bucky out of the way. I got into the core's small space, but I only had time to pull the lid open before Bucky is on me again.
I stop a punch from Bucky's metal arm with my shield, and we wrestle back out off the catwalk. We both fell to lower-level, skidding on the angled floor. When we hit the ground, I drop both my shield and the virus card. Still fighting, Bucky and I go after the device. Getting the computer chip is my top priority. I'm almost to the virus card on the floor when my shield knocks me down, thrown by Bucky. It falls nearby. Bucky draws another gun and starts shooting. Leap to the vibranium disk and use it as protection until Bucky empties his pistol. We fight across the bottom of the glass dome. Bucky grabs the virus card. I quickly jump on Bucky, put him in a stand-up-armlock, "Drop it!"
Bucky fights the hold. I break the arm. 'Better to break a limb or two than killing him.' "Drop it now!" I shout. Bucky tightens his grip on the virus, still trying to fight me off. I wrap my arms around Bucky's neck in a back-headlock, choking him out. Bucky goes slack, the card flipping out of his hand. Pushing Bucky's motionless body off me, I grab the virus card and speed back to the core. "One minute left," Hill says over the comlink. I'm about to report my status when a bullet gets me in the leg.
I look back to see it was Bucky, back on his feet, pistol in hand. 'Oh, come on!' I push on. "30 seconds," Hill voices, a hint of panic in her tone. "Stand by," I say. I plug the virus in. A shot gets me through my back and out of my stomach. 'Armor piercing rounds. Yeah, why not.' The lower half of my suit turns crimson. I sink to the floor. "Charlie lock," I say, voice cracking in pain. Through the hacked comm-channel, I could hear the HYDRA technicians about to link-up to the satellite. 'No, it's not going to end like this. I'm not done yet.' "Okay, Cap, get out of there," Hill says. With this gutshot hindering me, I wasn't going to clear the flagship in time. I had to make the call, so I did. "Fire now," I order. Hill's voice comes back, "But, Steve, you'll..." "Do it! Do it now!" I shout. "Yes, Sir," she says, voice nearly a whisper.
[Spartan POV]
[Hanger-bay.] [Lower-level.] Pain throbs through my whole body as I regain consciousness. "Let me never do that again," I groan, forcing myself to stand but only get to one knee. I scan the surroundings; Drake is nowhere in sight. "Spartan!" Karai calls out. She jumps down from the upper-level and lands next to me, eyes full of worry. Holding out her hand, she helps me to my feet. My enhanced regeneration starts to kick in, healing the injuries. The blast did a real number on me, so it'll take a longer time to recover fully. Drake appears on the upper-level, looking down on us, combat-suit damaged. Karai and I stand ready for another fight. "Why are you doing this?!" Karai asks, "Out of some twisted sense of loyalty to NEO-HYDRA." Drake coughs a laugh, "Loyalty to NEO-HYDRA? Bitch, I'm loyal to no one but myself. I could care less about NEO-HYDRA's goals; it's a fucking cliche. Like really, why would anyone want to conquer or rule? It's boring. Me? I do it for the thrill." "You're psychotic," I snarl. "Wrong! I'm a high functioning psychopath," Drake tells me. The masked merc pulls out a device from his pocket, "You may have won the battle, but the war is far from being finished. Until next time, Runt," pushes a button on the device and teleports out.
Our focus turns to the helicarriers up in the sky; the three ships aim their weapons on each other and open fire. It's a barrage unlike anything ever seen before. For a moment, I wondered how the devastation would've been if we didn't stop it. My line of thought is cut short by Skye calling Cap over the comlink, but there's no response on Cap's end. I tap my comlink, "Cap! Cap, do you hear me?!" Nothing but silence. "We need to get the fuck out of here!" Karai shouts, pointing at the falling helicarrier that's coming right at us. Using our enhanced speed, Karai and I sprint clear of the danger zone. When we get up top, a quinjet comes flying toward us. The side door opens, revealing Fury and Coulson. We leap into the aircraft.
[Quinjet.] Scanning the interior, I didn't see Cap. "Where's Cap?" I call out. Outside, the helicarriers continue to fire on each other out of the sky. One of the ships heels off into a dive and crashes into another. They both plow into the river, crushing the launch bay on the upstream side and tearing themselves into pieces with the impact's force. The flagship is starting to come down as well.
[Steve Roger's POV]
[Flagship.] Forcing myself to my feet, I peer through the chaos of the wreckage and spot Bucky pin under a collapsed pillar. Going against my better judgment, I rush over to him. With the bullet still in my gut, lifting the damn support beam is difficult. It's been a long time since I was in this weakened state. Putting everything into it, I peel the pillar off of Bucky. Bucky rolls free, stands, and glares at me but doesn't attack outright. "You know me," I say. "No, I don't!" Bucy shout, throwing a punch that knocks me down. I didn't try to block the strike. Maybe I couldn't have even if I tried; the bullet in my leg and stomach has left me weak. I get back up, didn't have much left, but I wasn't going to give up. "Bucky, we're friends. Brothers. You have to remember!" I cry out to him. He knocks me back down again. The helicarrier drifts lower; it's going to crash to the ground soon. "Your name is James Buchanan Barnes," I say, trying to get through to him. "SHUT UP!" Bucky yells. He hits me again.
I try one last time, "I'm not going to fight you," drop my shield, "You're my friend. Partner. Brother." Bucky tackles me down and starts punching me with his metal arm, "You're my mission! You're my mission!" He hammers me with strikes after strikes. Each blow is harder than the last, but I don't fight back. Eventually, Bucky stopped; there's a strange look on his face. There's a hint of humanity in his eyes. "You're my mission," he says, more to himself than anything. "Then finish it," I say, "Because I'm with you to the end of the line." Bucky's eyes go wide, "Steve…" Suddenly, the helicarrier begins to fall apart around us, and everything goes black.
[Days later, Hospital, Washington DC]
I wake up to the music of the running man. Lights shine through the window. My vision is blurred. After a few blinks, it starts to clear. I'm in a hospital room, lying in a medical bed. The memory of the battle between Bucky and me quickly comes back to me. I jerked up straight and immediately regret the action as pain flows throughout my body. Notice the IV line that's connected to my arm. Must've lost a lot more pints of blood than I thought in the fight. One my right, Sam sits in a chair, asleep. His face is riddled with cuts and bruises. On the other side of the room stands the two PARAGADES, Spartan and Karai. "On your left," I say to Sam, waking him up. Sam raises his head and shoots me a smile at the inside joke. "How are you doing?" Spartan asks, turning to me.
"Like I went ten rounds with a semi-truck," I tell him, "What did I miss, and how did I get here?" They run me down through the aftermath. "In order: the world knows NEO-HYDRA was directly responsible for the attacks and Project Insight, thanks to Skye and Karai dumping NEO-HYDRA's dirty secrets onto the internet," Spartan tells me. "Fury made the call to disband SHIELD. Said NEO-HYDRA corrupted it. It needs to start over. Build it up from scratch," Karai interjects. I sigh, "Can't say I disagree. The world needs SHIELD, but not in the state that it was. A restart is best." "And to your last question: A rescue team found you at the river, half dead. An eyewitness reported that you were pulled out by a man with a metal arm. Saved your life. The guy was long gone by the time we got there," Sam states. 'Bucky saved me?' Before I blacked out, I remember him saying my name. Despite the small chance, Bucky's still in there somewhere.
[1 week later, Washington DC]
[Cemetery.] After getting out of the hospital from a week-long recovery, Fury requested a meet. Found the SHIELD director standing by a gravestone; with Fury are the PARAGADES, Clint, and Nat. Sam and I walk over to where they're standing. "The people I trust I could count with two hands, and I'm not afraid to cut off a few fingers. When you want to build something, you need a strong foundation. The principal SHIELD was founded upon was pure. Protection. One word," Fury says, turning to face Sam and me, "It's the belief that drives us. The world needs SHIELD and the AVENGERS more than ever." We incline our head at Fury's words in agreement. Fury pockets his hands and takes his leave. The team forms up around me. "What now, Boss?" Spartan asks. I peer at each one of them, "We crusade on."
[Drake POV]
[New York City]
[Rooftop.] I meet with Zemo along with the rest of CERBERUS. "Alexander Pierce is dead. Killed by Nick Fury. Project Insight was a complete failure," George Tarleton says. "No, Tarleton, this is simply the opening move," Zemo says, gazing over the city of New York. The CERBERUS members all peer to him, cognizance seeking in. "You plan this?" I say, voicing everyone's thoughts. No one could see it, but we could feel the grin hidden behind Zemo's mask. "Yes," he says simply, "A sacrificial pawn. I provided the AVENGERS an antagonist to keep their focus, while in the shadows, CERBERUS survives. When the time is right, we will strike again."