Before the Morning // TFATWS

13

[The Whole World is Watching]

WAKANDA - SIX YEARS AGO

Bucky sat next to a fire as Ayo stood by.

Ayo said in English, "It is time."

"You sure about this?" Bucky asked uncertainly as he stared at the fire.

He was drawn back to the situation at hand when Ayo said, "I won't let you hurt anyone."

Ayo slowly walked around him as she said in Russian, "Longing." Bucky lowered his head, trying to fight the words. "Rusted." Ayo stepped closer. "Seventeen."

Bucky shook his head and said, "It's not gonna work."

Ayo continued. "Daybreak." Bucky breathed heavily and tears formed as memories of what he'd done as the Winter Soldier flashed in his mind. "Furnace." He saw Zemo closing the red book and saw himself punching the glass of his containment chamber and seeing Steve for the first time in 70 years. "Nine." He saw himself fighting three of the Avengers. A vision of him strapped down for brainwashing flashed across his memories. He saw himself in his goggles and mask, then saw himself crash Howard and Maria Stark's car on December 16, 1991. He saw himself choking Maria after killing Howard.

"Benign," Ayo said. He saw himself trying to pull away Iron Man's face mask. He saw the brainwashing again. He fought the words Ayo spoke. "Homecoming." He saw himself after beating Steve near lifeless after he'd uttered the words that would alter his path for the better.

Bucky continued struggling against the words as Ayo said in Russian, "One. Freight Car."

Tears streamed down Bucky's face as he came to the realization that he was himself. He began crying harder, which soon turned to sobs of joy and relief.

Ayo smiled lightly and said in English, "You are free." Bucky glanced up at Ayo and she nodded as her smile widened. "You are free."

Bucky looked down and closed his eyes tightly as he sniffled, still sobbing.

Ayo let out a breath and smiled softly at him.

Bucky stared at the fire, a fist to his mouth, and smiled widely. He was free from hurting others. After decades of torture and memory wipes, he was finally free.

Dorothy hesitantly walked up and Bucky stood.

She asked nervously, "Did it work?"

He nodded. "It worked."

Dorothy grinned and hugged him. Bucky smiled as he hugged her back.

RIGA, LATVIA - STREET - PRESENT DAY

"How could you free him?" Ayo asked.

"We need his help," Bucky answered in Xhosa.

Ayo walked around Bucky. "With time, will, and the resources, the Winter Soldier programming was removed from you like a rotten fur."

"And I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for everything you and Shuri have done... I know Dorothy is as well..."

Ayo continued in an angry tone. "Zemo murdered our King T'Chaka at the U.N. The man who chose us. Who chose me to protect him."

Bucky glanced over his shoulder to Ayo, who had yet to make a full circle and said, "I understand."

"Very little, if anything, of our loss and shame."

He looked down, took a deep breath, and said in Xhosa, "He's a means to an end."

Bucky looked back at Ayo, who was finishing her circle, and she nodded before saying, "Eight hours, White Wolf. Then we come for him." She held out her hand and Bucky returned the beads that had been in his path. Once he returned them, Ayo turned and left.