Never Back Down // TFATWS

05

[The Star-Spangled Man]

Bucky sat in his apartment as he watched the reveal of the new Captain America. He had his hands to his knees as he stared intently at the TV.

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

"I was two years out of West Point when Steve came back on the scene," Walker replied. "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." Bucky tilted his head with a slightly seething expression. "So, even though I never met him, he feels like a brother." Bucky pursed his lips.

"Wow."

---

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

"Good to see you too, Buck."

"This is wrong."

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

"You didn't know that was gonna happen?"

"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."

"Oh, my God. So, what do you want me to do? Call America and tell 'em I changed my mind? Huh?" He chuckled. "Yeah, right. It's a great reunion, buddy, 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 are not gonna do. You're not gonna come here in your overextended life and tell me or Reya about our rights. It's over, Bucky. Besides, she and I have bigger things to deal with now."

"What could be bigger than this?"

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."

"And?"

"Well, he's been connected to this online group called the Flag Smashers," Reya informed. "Now, Redwing traced them to a building somewhere outside of Munich. So that's where Sam and I are going."

"Well, I don't trust Redwing."

Sam looked at him a moment. "Hold on a minute. You don't have to trust Redwing, but I'mma go with Reya see if he's right. 'Cause she and I have a feeling they might be part of the Big Three."

"What "Big Three"?"

"The Big Three."

"What Big Three?"

"Androids, aliens and wizards."

"That's not a thing."

"That's definitely a thing."

"No, it's not."

"Every time we fight, we fight one of the three."

"So, who are you fighting now, Gandalf?"

Sam looked at him. "Wh- How do you know about Gandalf?"

"I read The Hobbit in 1937 when it first came out."

Reya chuckled. "Overly extended life, Sam. Remember?"

"So you see my point?" Sam asked, giving Reya a look.

"No, I don't," Bucky answered. "There are no wizards."

"Doctor Strange."

"Is a sorcerer."

"Aah!" He chuckled. "A sorcerer is a wizard without a hat. Think about it. Right? I'm right. I just came up with that. It's crazy. But that's not the point. These guys are magical. All right? They use brute force just like you, the incredibly annoying guy in front of me and Reya with the staring problem." He started walking off, followed by Reya.

"I'm coming with you two," Bucky decided as he followed after them.

"No, you're not."

Bucky continued after Sam and Reya.

---

The plane flew to Munich, Germany.

An alarm blared and Torres skipped to where the three Avengers were before saying, "One minute to drop off, Sam." He walked to another area of the plane.

Sam and Bucky stared at each other. Reya rolled her eyes at their behavior.

Sam leaned forward, then Bucky, and both stood, shortly followed by Reya, who was annoyed by with their arguing.

As Sam grabbed his goggles, Bucky asked, "So what's our plan?" Bucky walked away and Sam put in his earpiece without answering.

Bucky sat down and added, "Great. So no plan."

"Thirty seconds!" Torres said, looking out the open door.

"Enjoy your ride, Buck," Sam told them.

"No, you can't call me that," Bucky argued.

"Why not? That's what Steve called you."

"Steve knew me longer, and Steve had a plan."

"Fifteen seconds to drop," Torres informed.

"I have a plan," Sam replied as he walked towards the open door.

"Really?" Bucky asked, standing. "What is it?"

Sam jumped out, extending his wings, followed by Reya, who did the same, and Bucky muttered, "Great." His voice rose. "Where's the chute?"

"We're at 200 feet," Torres replied. "It's too low for a chute."

"I don't need it anyway." He walked to the door.

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah."

Bucky ripped off his sleeve to expose his Vibranium arm and jumped out with a yell.

Bucky grunted and groaned as he fell to the earth, hitting it with a thud. He let out another groan.

Falcon said, "I have all of that on camera. You know that, right?"

Bucky stared at Redwing and retorted, "Get out of my face, Sam, or I'll break it."

"Okay, head north. Come on."