Never Surrender // TFATWS

16

The trio made their way to the street hoping Zemo wasn't too far gone. As they searched the streets, Sam's phone began ringing and he answered. "She said what? Right. Hold on, hold on. I know, I know. Listen, pack an overnight bag and take the boys."

"What happened?" Bucky and Mirna asked.

Sam lowered the phone. "Karli called Sarah. She threatened my nephews." He spoke into the phone again. "Okay. Go somewhere safe. Only pay cash. All right? Let me know when you get there. I know. Look, I love you. I'll never let anything happen to you and the boys, you know that. Okay. Bye." He hung up, looking at Bucky and Mirna. "Karli wants to meet. She left a contact number." His phone chimed. "She said come alone."

"I'm coming with you."

---

The three made their way back to the house and changed into their uniforms.

---

They made their way to the address Karli had sent.

"Karli!" Sam shouted, looking up to see her leaning over a railing. They walked up the walkway and around the area, Sam leading. "You called my sister? That's how we're gonna play this?"

"Sam, I would never hurt her," Karli replied. "I just wanted to understand you better." She glanced at Bucky and Mirna who stood further behind Sam. "I see you, um, didn't come alone."

"You have to end this now."

"I don't wanna hurt you. You're just a tool in the regimes I'm looking to destroy. You're not hiding behind a shield. If I were to kill you, it'd be meaningless. I was gonna ask you to join me. Or do the world a favor and let me go."

Sharon, over the comms, said, "Hey, Sam, new Cap is moving, looks like he's found them, or maybe they found him."

"It's Walker," Sam informed.

Bucky jumped off the balcony, but Karli hit him halfway down. He groaned. As Mirna ran down the stairs, she frowned at Karli.

Sam glanced at Bucky and Mirna. "I'll send you two the location. Go!"

Bucky and Mirna ran off.

---

Bucky jumped off a building ledge, then caught a fearful Mirna who jumped down, and ran through the streets, being chased by Karli.

Sam got to the building the Flag Smashers were hiding in, just in time to see John send a man flying through the air and over the stairs with one punch. The pipe the man was fighting with was bent and was thrown down. The man got up and ran away.

Sam stared a moment and asked, "What'd you do?"

"They've got Lemar," John answered, not slowing his stride as he walked past him.

Bucky and Mirna ran in and attacked the Flag Smasher. Rosie was knocked into a wall and let out a pained groan, instantly putting a hand to her head. The Flag Smasher wrapped an arm around Bucky's neck and Bucky used a foot to push off the wall before knocking the Flag Smasher back into another wall. Bucky managed to free himself and grunted as he kicked the Flag Smasher, knocking him down the stairs.

Bucky helped Mirna up and asked, "You all right?"

Mirna nodded. "I'm all right."

He leapt from the stairs over the railing and landed on the ground while Mirna ran down the stairs. Bucky kicked the Flag Smasher, knocking him through a wall.

Bucky and Mirna walked closer to the unconscious Flag Smasher and the former said, "Stay there."

John, Bucky, Mirna and Sam followed the Flag Smasher into a large with windows covering the ceiling and most of the walls. When they got halfway into the room, they turned to see two more Flag Smashers jumping down. John sent the shield flying into both, but it did nothing to stop them, just knocked them off balance. Bucky twirled his knife in the air.

John fought another who pulled out a knife and asked, "What's with all the knives?"

Mirna ducked before another could hit her and kicked him back. "Sorry," she said.

John and Mirna continued fighting. The Flag Smasher she was fighting pulled out a knife. Mirna grabbed his wrist and tossed the knife to the side.

The blade was caught by Bucky who told her, "Careful, where you're throwing things, doll."

"Sorry," she said again.

They continued fighting and one of the Smashers grabbed her from behind. Mirna glanced back and kicked him, sending him to the ground with a groan. She turned to see another running directly for her and Sam.

Bucky punched them in the face, knocked them down and said, "You're welcome."

Karli kicked Lemar, knocking him into a pillar.

The sound of breaking concrete caught her attention and she turned to see Lemar laying in front of a pillar, his body still and his head leaning to one side.

She ran up to him and checked his pulse before lowering her head.

John rushed towards his friend, trying to wake him up. "Hey. Hey. Hey. Lemar. Lemar." He repeated his friend's name, unable to wake him. He glanced to Mirna. "Help him."

Mirna shook her head. "I can't. Your friend is gone. I'm sorry."

"You have to help him!"

"I can't. It's too late. He's dead. But if you ever want to talk..." She saw Sam and Bucky running after the Flag Smashers. "Just not right now. I'm sorry."

John got up and ran towards one of the windows. He jumped out of it and landed on a van. John looked around and shouted, "Where is she?!"

John caught the shield and used it to knock down one of the Flag Smashers who wasn't wearing a mask.

"It wasn't me!" the man cried from the steps as he tried defending himself. "It wasn't me!"

Mirna moved in front of the man and said, "Stop, please. John, we can talk about this."

John stared at her. "Don't make me hurt you. Move, Mirna." He pushed her out of the way.

John turned to the man and used the shield to stab him, killing him. The crowd gasped and John yelled.

Mirna stared in horror as Sam and Bucky ran up, looking at the scene with the same expression. The two stared at the crimson tainted shield.

Bucky caught site of a familiar brunette and frantically checked her over. "Did he hurt you?"

Mirna shook her head. "No. James, he wouldn't even try to talk to me. He's so angry."

Bucky cupped her face. "Sometimes you can't reason with people, doll. I know how much that pains you. Maybe he'll come around in his own time."

Mirna nodded slowly and changed the subject. "Come. We need to get the shield back."

She walked away and Bucky stared after her before following her.