CopyCat | Bucky Barnes

76

Steve and Tony joined the others to bring them up to speed, but I stayed outside. I couldn't stop my eyes from roaming every inch of my staff. Over and over and over. It was the same. Every last detail was perfect.

What was different was me. That's why it didn't feel the same. I've been so many people with this weapon. What am I now? What will I be if we bring everyone back? I wasn't much of anyone before. My life didn't have some great purpose. I've brought nothing but trouble to everyone I come in contact with.

I was deep in thought, but he didn't escape my notice. I still had pretty good senses, even after five years out of practice.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him.

"Hero of the universe, sounds pretty great. All for a little time machine." He joked.

"I'm not joking." I said turning around to face him. "You are risking, everything."

"I don't intend to lose anything." Tony said confidently.

"Neither did I." I shook my head. "And here we are. You don't know how this will end."

"It ends with us bringing everyone back." He says, again with so much confidence.

"You're dumber than I gave you credit for." I said, shifting my weight to lean against the wall. I watched him, I knew he wouldn't say it, but I could feel it. "It's the kid. Isn't it?"

He averted my gaze, but I could read his face regardless. "It's more than that." He shook his head. "I never liked Magnet Arm, but... I know how much he means to you. I can't even fathom losing Morgan I-.... You had it worse..... Out of all of us, you had it worse."

"Loss is nothing new to me." I told him. "I've been doing it for a hundred years.... It's just routine."

"Not anymore." Tony shook his head. "We're getting everyone back. For good."

"Okay." I nodded. I may have had doubts, but I finally saw this as a real shot. We could do this. "You still in the suit designing business?"

"You got a request?" He asked, in a more perked up tone.

"I've got some vibranium, if you're willing to reshape it for me." He looked questioningly to my staff and I turned it over in my hands. "Not this, something I don't need."

-

After my chat with Tony, I got my head together. I had to focus. I couldn't lay back anymore. Not with this real chance. We all took turns helping Tony building the machine, but with both Natasha and Bruce gone to find more help, that only left Steve, Scott, Dimitri, and myself. Although it wasn't long before Rhodey and Nebula arrived.

I hadn't talked to Nebula much, but from what Dimitri told me she was plenty trustworthy these days. I wondered what might have happened if she or Gamora were still with the Black Order when I joined them.

I got properly dressed, and headed down to the training rooms. I kept in good shape, but it's been a while since I've been in a real fight. Not counting the times I was beyond drunk, getting into fights in Dimitri's bar.

I was expecting to see Dimitri down there to train with me, but instead Steve was waiting for me. "Where's-"

"Tony needed his help." Steve explained.

"You sure you wanna fight?" I asked, wrapping my hands in thick layers of gauze.

"Yes." Steve sighed with a slight smile, moving over to some mats. "I wanna make sure you're ready."

"I will be." I insisted, moving to the mats as I finished wrapping my hands.

"Show me." Steve challenged, holding up his hands.