The Captain's Kid

Episode 2: The Star-Spangled Man (Part 1)

Word Count: ≈4.7k
Warnings: a little cursing, fights, kind of angst(?)
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"Good morning... America!"
What the hell is this?

Alyxandria was watching the news at her apartment. This new guy was doing an interview. Outside. At his high school. For no reason.

"How did a guy like me end up here?"
"Oh, wait, wait, wait. "A guy like me"? Somebody's being a bit too humble. For those of you who aren't familiar with John's resumé; John Walker: first person in American history to receive three Medals of Honor, ran RS-One missions in counterterrorism and hostage rescue. The government did a study of your body at MIT and you tested off the charts in every measurable category. Speed, endurance, intelligence..."
"Look, here's the thing, uh, I'm not Tony Stark, I'm not Dr. Banner, okay? I don't have the flashiest gadgets, I don't have super strength. But what I do have is guts. Something Captain America always had, always needs to have, and I'm gonna need every ounce of it. Because I got big shoes to fill."

James wasn't taking this easy. He was at his apartment watching this interview. He was sitting on the floor instead of, say, a couch. But, it's James. It's not the weirdest thing he's done.
He was in shock, though. He was pissed; pissed at Sam for giving up the shield, pissed at Alyxandria for giving it away. But this guy? He got under James' skin and they didn't even know each other.
"Did you know Steve Rogers?" The interview lady asked.
"Well, I was two years out of West Point when Steve came back on the scene. I followed his career very closely as an Avenger. I like to think that I modeled my work after his."
"So, you've always wanted to be a hero?"
"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. Even though I never met him, he feels like a brother." Walker explained. Alyxandria wasn't sure about this. No one really felt sure of this.
"Wow..." The interviewer seemed surprised and touched by his words. Was it a real reaction? Eh, who knows. Alyxandria knew what she did and how pissed everyone would be. But, she felt like she was forced to literally give the shield away— her being Steve's kid and all. Sam, on the other hand? He didn't have to... so why did he?

——

Sam was at a hangar. When he walked in, the first thing he saw was a poster of Captain America, except it was John Walker instead of Steve Rogers. It said "Cap is Back!" and there were confetti bits all over the background. He stared at it for a second before Torres, who had snuck up behind him, said, "Seems like a good guy. You met him?"
"No," Sam replied. "Thanks for doing this on such short notice."
"Yeah. No sweat. I'm just finishing up the checklist. You'll be all good to go once you land in Munich." The two of them started walking down the stairs, and Sam stared for a second at the landing when he saw another poster of John. But, he continued to make his way down the stairs with Torres following him when someone said, "You shouldn't have given up the shield."
"Good to see you too, Buck." James was walking towards Sam fast-paced and stopped at the end of the stairs, but Sam just walked past him.
"This is wrong," James states harshly.
"Hey, hey, look, I'm working, alright? So all this outrage is gonna have to wait," Sam replied.
"You didn't know that was gonna happen?" James asked, pointing at another poster of John.
"No, of course I didn't know that was gonna happen," Sam replied, before another voice chimes in.
"I don't think any of us knew that was gonna happen, Sam. I know I didn't." It was Alyxandria. The two boys stopped walking to get a good look at her, but didn't wait— so they just walked away. She speed-walked up to them to catch up with their pace.
"Buck, you think it didn't break my heart to see them match him out there and call him Captain America? Especially with Alyx being the one to give to him," Sam said loudly and slowly, turning his head to Alyxandria.
"You think I liked it? That's my dad's legacy being handed over to some guy on a silver platter. Or, a vibranium shield," she argued.
"You had no right to give up the shield, Sam," James said. Sam stopped in front of James, making him stop walking. Alyxandria stopped with them, too.
"Hey, this is what you're not gonna do. You're not gonna come here in your overextended life and tell me about my rights. It's over, Bucky. Besides, I have bigger things to deal with now."
"What could be bigger than this?" James said, solemnly. Sam pulled out his phone from his pocket.
"This guy," he said. "His connections with rebel organizations all over Eastern and Central Europe, and he's strong. Too strong."
"And?" James asked.
"Well, he's been connected to this online group called the Flag Smashers. Now, Redwing traces them to a building somewhere outside of Munich. So that's where I'm going."
"Well, I don't trust Redwing," James shot back.
"Why not?" Alyxandria asked.
"I don't know, he's Bucky. Look, you don't have to trust Redwing, but I'mma go see if he's right. 'Cause I have a feeling they might be a part of the Big Three." Sam answered.
"What Big Three?" James asked.
"The Big Three," Sam answered, as if he should know what he's talking about.
"What Big Three?" Alyxandria repeated.
"Androids, aliens, and wizards," Sam replied.
"That's not a thing," James said.
"That's definitely a thing."
"No, it's not."
"I've never heard of it," Alyxandria said.
"Every time we fight, we fight one of the three," Sam said.
"So, who're you fighting now, Gandalf?" James asked. Alyxandria snickered while Sam was left confused.
"How do you know about Gandalf?" Sam asked.
"I read The Hobbit in 1937 when it first came out," James replied nonchalantly.
"So, you see my point!"
"No, I don't. There are no wizards."
"Doctor Strange," Sam said.
"Is a sorcerer," James finished.
"Oh, aah. Ahaha. A sorcerer is a wizard without a hat. Think about it, right? I'm right. I just came up with that. It's crazy," Sam said, proud of himself. James looked pissed. "But that's not the point. These guys aren't magical. They use brute force just like you, the incredibly annoying guy in front of me with the staring problem." Sam started making his way to the plane.
"I'm coming with you," James said, following Sam.
"No, you're not," Sam answered.
"I'm coming, too!" Alyxandria said, catching up with James.