Till the End of the Line Vol. 5

Chapter 5 - 'The New Captain America' / The Mission in Germany

A few weeks later, early in the morning, Good Morning America is broadcasting an announcement at a local high school. A marching band is playing upbeat music. The camera crew gets everything they can for the shot. The band continues playing upbeat music as John Walker, mid thirties, blonde hair and blue eyes, signs autographs and selfies and runs out to the field. The crowd is cheering in the stadium. Around the stage, military personnel, police, friends, and John Walker's wife watch as John makes his way. "Thank you," shouts Walker.

The crowd continues cheering as he approaches the news anchorwoman. She turns to the crowd and announces, "Ladies and gentlemen... Your new Captain America!"

The crowd continues cheering while fireworks are bursting. Walker raises his arm and confidently says, "Good morning, America." The crowd cheers even louder.

Back in New York City, in Natasha's apartment, Yelena, Steve, and Natasha are watching the news. Yelena rolls her eyes and groans, "What a show-off."

"More like a moron," says Natasha.

"Nat!" Snaps Steve.

Natasha turns to Steve and questions him, "Please tell me you didn't approve of this."

"No, I didn't. And I know Bucky and Becca are not happy about it either."

The band and dancers are gone. Walker and the Anchorwoman sit down and begin the interview.

She begins chuckling, "Thank you so much for coming. This has gotta be fun, though, coming back to your high school after so much has changed?"

Walker chuckles. From the stands, a fan shouts, "John Walker!"

"Oh, it's great," says John. "We're..." He turns as he hears the fan and waves back before he faces the anchor lady. The crowd cheers once he does that.

"Oh! Yeah."

The anchorwoman continues the interview, "John, I think the first thing everyone wants to know is what is it like being Captain America? Do eagles fly overhead wherever you go?"

Walker laughs. "Uh, yes." The anchor chuckles. "Yeah, that and flags tend to start majestically waving in the wind."

"And how's the tour been? I know they did a big rollout for you, right?"

"It's the greatest honor of my life. Um, but I'm just a little shocked, I think. How did a guy like me end up here?"

The anchor chuckles and interrupts him. "Oh, wait, wait, wait. "A guy like me"? Somebody's being a bit too humble. For those of you who aren't familiar with his résumé..."

As she explains, a series of footage of Walker throughout his military career plays. "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," Walker interrupts her. He adjusts himself. "...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."

Meanwhile, Bucky and Sofia are watching the news and are speechless about the entire thing. "Did you know Steve Rogers?" asks the anchorwoman.

Walker replied. "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."