Before the Morning // TFATWS

05

[The Star-Spangled Man]

Bucky and Dorothy sat in their apartment as they watched the reveal of the new Captain America. Both had their hands to their knees as they stared intently at the TV.

"Did you know Steve Rogers?" the announcer asked.

"I was two years out of West Point when Steve came back on the scene," Walker replied. "I followed his career very closely as an Avenger. I like to think that I modeled my work after his."

"So, you've always wanted to be a hero?"

"I liked that what I was doing would make people feel safe. Steve Rogers was the kind of guy who could do that, he gave me hope." Bucky tilted his head with a slightly seething expression and Dorothy narrowed her eyes. "So, even though I never met him, he feels like a brother." Bucky pursed his lips.

"Wow."

Dorothy frowned. "Dad? Are we going to chastise him?"

Bucky nodded. "Yeah, I am. You're staying here."

"Like hell I am."

"Dorothy, no. I need you safe. I lost your mom. I can't lose you too."

"I lost Mom too. At least you got to meet her! I'm going and you can't stop me."

"Yes I can."

"I'd find a way to follow."

---

Sam looked at a poster of the new Captain America which read 'CAP IS BACK - JOHN WALKER'.

"Seems like a good guy," Torres commented. "You met him?"

"No," Sam said. "Thanks for doing this on such short notice."

As the two walked away, Torres replied, "Yeah. No sweat. I'm just, uh, finishing up the checklist. You'll be all good to go once you land in Munich." They walked down the metal stairs.

Bucky stalked up to Sam, followed by Dorothy, and said, "Shouldn't have given up the shield."

"Good to see you too, Buck. Hi, Dorothy."

"This is wrong."

"Hey, hey, look, I'm working, all right? So all this outrage is gonna have to wait." The three walked toward a plane.

"You didn't know that was gonna happen?"

"No, of course I didn't know that was gonna happen. You two think it didn't break my heart to see them march him out there and call him the new Captain America?"

"This isn't what Steve wanted."

"Oh, my God. So, what do you want me to do? Call America and tell 'em I changed my mind? Huh?" He chuckled. "Yeah, right. It's a great reunion, buddy, Dorothy, be well."

"You had no right to give up the shield, Sam," Bucky retorted as the three of them stopped.

"Hey. This is what you are not gonna do. You're not gonna come here in your overextended life and tell me about my rights. It's over, Bucky. Besides, I have bigger things to deal with now."

"What could be bigger than this?" Dorothy asked, throwing her hands out to the side.

Sam pulled out his phone and showed them a picture of a masked man, the leader of the Flag Smashers. "This guy. His connections with rebel organizations all over Eastern and Central Europe, and he's strong. Too strong."

"And?"

"Well, he's been connected to this online group called the Flag Smashers. Now, Redwing traced them to a building somewhere outside of Munich. So that's where I'm going."

"Well, I don't trust Redwing," Bucky said.

Dorothy shrugged. "He is kinda cool, Dad."

Sam looked between them a moment. "Hold on a minute. You don't have to trust Redwing, but I'mma go see if he's right. 'Cause I have a feeling they might be part of the Big Three."

"What "Big Three"?" Bucky asked.

"The Big Three."

"What Big Three?"

"Androids, aliens and wizards."

"That's not a thing."

"That's definitely a thing."

"No, it's not."

"Every time we fight, we fight one of the three."

"So, who are you fighting now, Gandalf?"

Sam looked between them. "Wh- How do you know about Gandalf?"

"I read The Hobbit in 1937 when it first came out."

Dorothy smiled. "It's a good book. The movies not so much. Lord of the Rings is so much better."

"So you see my point?" Sam asked.

"No, I don't," Bucky answered. "There are no wizards."

"Doctor Strange."

"Is a sorcerer."

"Aah!" He chuckled. "A sorcerer is a wizard without a hat. Think about it. Right? I'm right. I just came up with that. It's crazy. But that's not the point. These guys are magical. All right? They use brute force just like you two, the incredibly annoying guy, and his daughter, in front of me with the staring problem." He started walking off.

"I'm coming with you. And I'm not leaving my daughter alone," Bucky decided as he and Dorothy followed after him.

"No, you're not."

Bucky and Dorothy continued after Sam.

---

The plane flew to Munich, Germany.

An alarm blared and Torres skipped to where the three Avengers were before saying, "One minute to drop off, Sam." He walked to another area of the plane.

Sam and Bucky stared at each other.

Sam leaned forward, then Bucky, and both stood, shortly followed by Dorothy, who was annoyed with their arguing.

As Sam grabbed his goggles, Bucky asked, "So what's our plan?" Bucky walked away and Sam put in his earpiece without answering.

Bucky sat down and added, "Great. So no plan."

"Thirty seconds!" Torres said, looking out the open door.

"Enjoy your ride, Buck," Sam told them.

"No, you can't call me that," Bucky argued.

"Why not? That's what Steve called you."

"Steve knew me longer, and Steve had a plan."

"Fifteen seconds to drop," Torres informed.

"I have a plan," Sam replied as he walked towards the open door.

"Really?" Bucky asked, standing. "What is it?"

Sam jumped out, extending his wings and Bucky muttered, "Great." His voice rose. "Where's the chute?"

"We're at 200 feet," Torres replied. "It's too low for a chute."

"I don't need it anyway." He walked to the door.

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah."

Dorothy grabbed a parachute and put it on.

Bucky ripped off his sleeve to expose his Vibranium arm and jumped out with a yell.

Bucky grunted and groaned as he fell to the earth, hitting it with a thud. He let out another groan. Dorothy landed on the ground shortly after and gathered the parachute in her arms.

Falcon said, "I have all of that on camera. You know that, right?"

Bucky stared at Redwing and retorted, "Get out of my face, Sam, or I'll break it."

"Okay, head north. Come on."

Bucky stood and he and Dorothy began walking away.