War of Change // TFATWS

V

[The Star-Spangled Man]

Bucky and Michaela sat in their apartment as they watched the unfurling of the new Captain America. Both had their hands to their knees as they stared intently at the TV.

"Did you know Steve Rogers?" the announcer asked.

"I was two years out of West Point when Steve and Mick came back on the scene," Walker replied. "I followed his career very closely as an Avenger. As I did, Michaela Evans. I like to think that I modeled my work after his, and a little after hers."

Michaela scoffed and muttered, "As if. Michaela to you."

"So, you've always wanted to be a hero?" the announcer questioned.

"I liked that what I was doing would make people feel safe. Steve Rogers was the kind of guy who could do that, he gave me hope. Mick Evans still gives people hope." Bucky and Michaela tilted their heads with slightly seething expressions. "So, even though I never met him, he feels like a brother." Bucky pursed his lips and Michaela narrowed her eyes, balling a fist.

"Wow."

Michaela turned to Bucky and said bluntly, "You know what we have to do, right?" She scoffed. "The sheer audacity for him to call me Mick."

"Yeah, I do. It is your nickname," Bucky replied. "You ready, Mick?"

"To beat the real Cap's ass for what he did? Oh, absolutely. Doesn't mean everyone gets to call me it."

"No beating up. We're gonna talk to him. I suppose not."

"Fine, but we will lay into him a little, right?"

"Of course we will."

---

Sam looked at a poster of the new Captain America which read 'CAP IS BACK - JOHN WALKER'.

"Seems like a good guy," Torres commented. "You met him?"

"No," Sam said. "Thanks for doing this on such short notice."

As the two walked away, Torres replied, "Yeah. No sweat. I'm just, uh, finishing up the checklist. You'll be all good to go once you land in Munich." They walked down the metal stairs.

Bucky and Michaela stalked up to Sam and said, "Shouldn't have given up the shield."

"Good to see you too, Buck, Mick. Glad to see you're still together."

"This is wrong."

"Hey, hey, look, I'm working, all right? So all this outrage is gonna have to wait." The three walked towards a plane.

"You didn't know that was gonna happen?" Bucky asked.

"No, of course I didn't know that was gonna happen. You two think it didn't break my heart to see them march him out there and call him the new Captain America?"

"This isn't what Steve wanted," Michaela said.

"Oh, my God. So, what do you two want me to do? Call America and tell 'em I changed my mind? Huh?" He chuckled. "Yeah, right. It's a great reunion, buddy, Mick, be well."

"You had no right to give up the shield, Sam," Bucky retorted as the three of them stopped.

"Hey. This is what you two are not gonna do. You two aren't gonna come here in your overextended lives and tell me about my rights. It's over, Bucky, Mick. Besides, I have bigger things to deal with now."

"What could be bigger than this?" Michaela asked.

Sam pulled out his phone and showed them a picture of a masked man, the leader of the Flag Smashers. "This guy. His connections with rebel organizations all over Eastern and Central Europe, and he's strong. Too strong."