Red, White & Blue | Bucky x Reader

Chapter Nineteen

In the morning, Barton volunteered to help Banner and Tony test the GPS, stepping in for Scott, who was a bit nervous to do it. He came back physically okay, holding a baseball glove from the past, but he was also overwhelmed from seeing his family alive.

Now, I join the team back in the briefing room as we make our final preparations. Natasha, Barton, Rhodes, and Nebula are headed back to 2014, going after the Soul and Power Stones on Vormir and Morag. Rocket and Thor will go to Asgard in 2013 to collect the Aether, aka the Reality Stone, while Steve, Tony, Scott, Banner, and I will travel back to 2012 New York to get the Space, Mind, and Time Stones.

After gearing up in our new red and white Quantum suits, we follow Steve into the hanger bay where the newly built Quantum Tunnel waits.

"All right," Steve says as we form a circle on the platform. "We have a plan. Six Stones, three teams, one shot. Five years ago, we lost. All of us. We lost friends... We lost family... We lost a part of ourselves. Today, we have a chance to take it all back. You know your teams. You know your missions. Get the Stones, get them back. One round trip each. No mistakes. No do-overs. Most of us are going somewhere we know. But it doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives. And we're gonna win." Tony gives Steve a look. "Whatever it takes. Good luck."

"He's pretty good at that," Rocket mutters to Scott.

"Right?" Scott excitedly replies.

"When this is over, you two should start a Captain America fan club," I joke.

Steve chuckles softly. "Don't encourage them."

"All right, you heard the man," Tony cuts in, steering us back on track before turning to Banner. "Stroke those keys, Jolly Green."

"Tractors engaged," Banner confirms, pressing a few buttons on the control panel in his hand.

Rocket turns to Barton, gesturing to the shrunken Benatar in his hand. "You promise to bring that back in one piece, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Barton responds with a forced smile. "Okay. I'll do my best."

"As promises go, that was pretty lame," Rocket mumbles.

"See you in a minute," Natasha says, smiling at me.

I return her smile as our helmets come down around our faces, and we're sucked into the Quantum Realm, splitting off into our designated places in time.

Tony, Steve, Banner, Scott, and I land in a New York alley, the Battle of New York still raging around us. Overhead, a group of Chitauri warriors shriek and snarl, and a few blocks away, I know the original seven Avengers, myself included, are coming together as a team for the first time.

"All right, we all have our assignments," Steve reminds us. "Two Stones uptown, one Stone, down. Stay low, keep an eye on the clock."

At that moment, the 2012 version of the Hulk charges past, smashing everything in his path. Banner puts a hand over his face.

"Feel free to smash a few things along the way," Steve suggests.

"I think it's gratuitous, but whatever," Banner states, removing his shirt and wandering out onto the street, half-heartedly roaring and flipping cars as he makes his way downtown.

The rest of us head in the other direction, toward Stark Tower. When we arrive, Scott shrinks to ant-size, catching a lift on Tony's suit as he flies up to scan the building, getting a better view of the situation inside. Meanwhile, on the ground, Steve and I sneak into the building, using my powers to teleport us through walls and floors to avoid being seen.

"Got to hustle, Cap," Tony warns through the communicator. "Things look like they're just about wrapped up here."

"Got it. I'm approaching the elevator now," Steve replies before turning to me.

"Good luck," I nod, jumping into the in-between and teleporting away.

I land in an empty hallway a few floors down, ducking into a nearby office as I wait for Steve.

"Uh, Mr. Rogers," Tony says through my earpiece. "I almost forgot that suit did nothing for your ass."

I struggle to hold in my laugh as Steve replies. "No one asked you to look, Tony."

"It's ridiculous," Tony continues.

"I think you look great, Cap," Scott assures him. "As far as I'm concerned, that's America's ass."

After a few moments of silence, Tony's voice returns. "All right, Cap. I got our scepter in the elevator just passing the 80th floor."

"On it," Steve replies. "Head to the lobby."

"Alright," Tony confirms. "I'll see you there."

A few moments later, the elevator dings on my floor, and I peer through the window of the dark office as the elevator doors open. Steve steps out, holding the scepter case, as Rumlow, Sitwell, and the STRIKE team watch him walk away, surprised looks on their faces. At the sight of them, a few wisps break free, and I clench my fists, forcing myself not to attack them for what they've done, what they're currently doing, and what they will a few years from now.

The elevator doors close, and I step out of the office to meet Steve, falling into step with him. "That was almost too easy."

"It's not over yet," Steve reminds me. "Stay focused."

I nod, grabbing his arm and teleporting us away.