Н“‚Н“Ž Н’¹Ð‘’Н’¶Ð“‡ Н“ˆð“…Н’¾Ð’¹Ð‘’Н“Ž – Н“…. Н“…Н’¶Ð“‡Ð“€Ð‘’Н“‡ chapter 6

Still Vienna

The room was dimly lit, cold, and sterile. Bucky Barnes sat restrained in a chair, his hands bound and his expression distant, his mind caught between memories of the past and the present. The place was filled with a haunting silence, only broken by the faint sound of footsteps approaching.

Helmut Zemo, dressed in civilian clothes that belied his true intentions, stepped into the room. His movements were slow, deliberate. He wasn’t there to fight or shout – he was there to manipulate. In his hand, he held a worn red book, its spine cracked with use. The book was the key to unlocking a weapon, a living weapon who sat before him, unaware of what was about to happen.

Zemo stood before Bucky, regarding him with cold calculation. He placed the book on the table, its presence a looming threat, then pulled up a chair and sat across from him.

– Do you know who I am?

Bucky didn’t answer, his eyes barely focusing on Zemo, his expression stoic but tired. Zemo tilted his head, studying him for a moment, as if observing an animal in a cage.

– Your name is James Buchanan Barnes. You were born in 1917. You’re a soldier, like your friend Steve Rogers. But more than that… – he leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering – You were a weapon. Hydra’s most fearsome asset. The Winter Soldier.

Bucky’s jaw clenched at the name, but still, he remained silent. Zemo opened the book slowly, his fingers brushing over the well-worn pages.

– I’ve studied you. Your missions, your training. What Hydra did to you.

Zemo’s voice was calm, almost sympathetic, but there was a dangerous undertone in his words. Suddenly, the place went all dark, the only light coming from Bucky’s glass box. He flipped to a specific page in the book, running his finger down the list of words inscribed there, Hydra’s control codes for the Winter Soldier.

– What the hell is happening? – he asked confused.

– You don’t want to be that again, do you? – Zemo said, ignoring the question.

For the first time, Bucky’s eyes flickered with something – fear, or maybe anger. Zemo noticed it immediately, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

– But you don’t have a choice. None of us do, really. I lost my family in Sokovia. Your friends, the Avengers, they left a path of destruction behind them. And now, I will make sure they tear themselves apart.

Zemo’s voice was smooth, filled with controlled malice. He wasn’t angry, but focused, as if this was a mission he had planned for years – and in truth, it was.

He sat back slightly, watching Bucky closely. He could sense the tension in the room rising, could feel the suppressed memories clawing their way to the surface in Bucky’s mind.

– Do you remember what you did for Hydra?

Bucky’s breathing grew heavier. Flashes of past missions, bloodshed, and faces of victims flooded his mind. The Winter Soldier program had taken everything from him, had turned him into a living nightmare. Zemo leaned forward again, holding up the book.

– Shall we begin?

He started reading, slowly, methodically, the words that had once been used to control Bucky, to turn him into a mindless assassin:

– Desire…

Bucky’s eyes widened, his breathing growing more erratic as the trigger words echoed in the room.

– Rusty…

Bucky’s body tensed. He tried to fight it, but the words were burrowing into his mind, pulling him back into the darkness. He started to scream for him to stop.

– Seventeen…

His grip on the chair tightened, the metal creaking under the pressure. He gritted his teeth, but it was no use.

– Benign…

Bucky’s eyes glazed over as the conditioning took hold. His mind was being overwritten, every ounce of resistance melting away with each word.

– Tomorrow…

The Winter Soldier was awakening. He started to punch his way out of the box, breaking the glass.

– One… – Zemo had a creepy smile – Freight car.

With the final word, Bucky’s entire demeanor shifted. His body relaxed, but his eyes were cold, emotionless. He was no longer Bucky Barnes, he was the Winter Soldier.

Zemo closed the book, a satisfied smile on his face. The transformation was complete.

– Soldier? – he said in russian.

Bucky’s voice, now mechanical and devoid of humanity, answered without hesitation.

– Ready to comply.

Zemo’s smile widened. The weapon was in his hands now, and with it, he would ignite the fire that would destroy the avengers from within.

•••

Long story short, Zemo used The Winter Soldier to distract the avengers so he could escape. Bucky tried to steal a helicopter but Steve stopped him by holding said helicopter. Alec arrived just when they both fell inside the water under the heliport. He didn’t want to get wet, so he just helped the Captain get out of water and hide with him and Sam in some kind of hear house.

Bucky’s eyelids fluttered before opening, revealing confused, weary eyes. For a moment, he stared blankly at the floor, disoriented, the world around him slowly coming into focus.

Then the memories rushed in.

Zemo’s voice, calm and malevolent, reading the trigger words that had ripped him away from himself again. The Winter Soldier – the weapon he had fought so hard to escape – had taken over. He had been gone, submerged beneath the assassin’s cold, unfeeling programming.

Steve comes in after Sam called him, Alec was already there, leaning on a nearby table beside Sam. The blonde looks at Bucky before saying:

– Which Buck am I talking to?

– Your mom’s name was Sarah. – he said and then smiled a little, remembering something else – You used to wear newspaper in your shoes.

– Can’t read that in a museum. – he looks back at Sam.

– Just like that we’re supposed to be cool? – the Falcon asked ironically, to which Alec responded with a nudge to his sides.

– What did I do? – Bucky wanted to know.

– Enough. – Captain was quick to say.

– Fuck, I knew this would happen. – he sighed – Everything hydra put inside me is still there. All he had to do was say the goddam words.

– Who was he? – the youngest of the room asked.

– I don’t remember.

– People are dead. – Steve began – The bombing, the meeting, the set up, it was all his plan just to get ten minutes with you. So I need more the “I don’t remember”.

The room fell silent for a moment, Bucky making an effort to remember what the man asked him.

– He wanted to know about Siberia, where I was kept. – he tilted his head – He wanted to know exactly where.

– Why would he want that?

– Because I’m not the only Winter Soldier.

Steve’s expression shifted as the weight of Bucky’s words sank in. Alec straightened from where he was leaning, his usual casual demeanor replaced by something more serious. The room felt heavier now, the tension thick enough to cut through.

Steve stepped closer to Bucky, concern deep in his voice.

– Not the only Winter Soldier?

Bucky nodded slowly, his brow furrowed, as if he was still piecing together fragments of memories.

– Hydra didn’t just make me… they made more. Others, like me. Stronger, faster… more dangerous.

– Gosh I hate mad scientists. – Alec complained with a sigh. Sam, standing off to the side, let out a frustrated breath.

– Great. So not only do we have to deal with you, we’ve got a whole army of brainwashed assassins?

– And you think this guy, whoever he is, wants to wake them up? – the boy said and ran a hand through his hair, his eyes narrowing.

Bucky looked at him, his gaze distant, haunted by memories.

– That’s what it seems like. They were kept in stasis. But if he knows where they are… he could be planning to activate them.

Steve’s mind was already racing ahead, trying to figure out how to stop this before it got worse.

– We can’t let that happen. We have to get to Siberia before he does.

Alec leaned back against the table again, crossing his arms.

– So, what’s the plan, Cap? Because if we’re talking about more of you running around, it’s gonna get messy real fast. And we can ask my father for help either, ’cause of the Accords.

Steve turned to face the room, determination written all over his face.

– We find the guy, stop him before he can wake them up. We can’t let him turn these soldiers loose.

– This would have been easier a week ago. – Sam shook his head, still skeptical.

Alec uncrossed his arms, his tone lighter but still serious.

– Guess we’re going to Siberia, then. – he looked between Steve and Sam, a small smirk tugging at his lips – Hope you packed your winter gear.

Sam sighed and shot Alec a look.

– Man, I hate the cold.

•••

   Sharon Carter glanced at the old, beat-up beetle parked nearby, her expression dubious.

– Not sure you understand the concept of a getaway car. – she said, raising an eyebrow.

   Steve turned to look at the small vehicle, then back at her.

– It’s low profile.

– Good, because this stuff tends to draw a crowd. – she replied dryly, walking over to the trunk of her own car. She popped it open, revealing the gear Steve, Sam, and Alec would need. The sight of the familiar uniforms and weapons was a sobering reminder of what was ahead.

   As Sharon and Steve exchanged quiet words, inside the beetle, Bucky shifted in his seat behind Sam, shooting an exasperated glance at him.

– Can you move your seat up? – Barnes asked, his voice strained.

– No. – Falcon replied curtly, not budging an inch.

   Alec, sitting next to Bucky, snickered but kept his eyes on the rearview mirror, silently observing the exchange between Sharon and Steve.

   Outside, Steve gave Sharon a grateful nod.

– I owe you again. – he said.

– I’m keeping a list. – Sharon replied with a teasing smile, before her eyes flicked toward Bucky – You know, he kinda tried to kill me.

   Alec overheard and frowned, leaning closer to the window.

– I don’t like her. – he muttered under his breath. Sam, surprised, glanced over.

– What? Why? – Alec shrugged casually.

– She seems like a bitch.

   Bucky smirked a little, noticing that the boy said that because of what Sharon said about him.

– Sure. – Sam just raised an eyebrow, amused.

   Sharon, unaware of the comments from the car, kept her focus on Steve. His expression softened as the weight of the moment hit.

– They’re going to come looking for you. – he said, a hint of concern in his voice.

– I know. – she said quietly, the gravity of the situation hanging between them. Then, almost impulsively, he leaned in, and their lips met in a brief, unexpected kiss.

– Thank you, Sharon. -  Steve said when they pulled away, a small, sheepish smile playing at his lips.

– That was… – she began, looking slightly flustered.

– Late. – Steve finished for her, sharing a quick laugh. Alec, watching from inside the car, wrinkled his nose in confusion. Isn’t she related to Peggy? The love of his life? the thought made him uncomfortable.

– Damn right. I should go. – Sharon smiled, regaining her composure.

– Okay. – Rogers said, stepping back as she turned to leave.

   Alec, still processing what he’d just witnessed, leaned back in his seat, mumbling:

– This day just keeps getting weirder.

•••

Germany – Schkeuditz

The Captain’s team has grown, now Clint and Wanda came to fight as well, and a guy named Scott Lang – Sam’s contact – was there to help. Everyone was suited up, well, except for Alec who chose to wear black pants and combat boots and a black compression shirt. He believes he fights better when he feels hot.

Steve was running towards a helicopter, but was stopped by Tony and Rhodey appearing in front of him.

– Wow, it’s so weird how you run up to people at the airport. – Tony started, with his usual sarcasm – Don’t you think that’s weird?

– It’s definitely weird. – Rhodes answered.

– Hear me out, Tony. – Captain begins – That doctor, the psychiatrist, he’s behind all this. – T’Challa arrives and Steve’s gaze goes to him.

– Anyways, Ross gave me thirty six hours to bring you in, and that was twenty four hours ago. – Tony said – So don’t make things difficult, Rogers.

– You’re after the wrong guy.

– He killed a bunch of people yesterday, that’s not innocent for me.

– There are more five supersoldiers like him. – Steve continued – The doctor wants them, and I can’t let that happen, Tony, I can’t.

– Steve, – Natasha called his attention – you know what’s about to happen, do you really wanna punch your way out of this one?

The man stayed quiet and that was enough for Stark.

– Alright, I ran out of patience. Underoos! – he called.

Until now, Alec was uninterested, but when he saw the real familiar red and blue suit he got concerned – and maybe angry, Peter was even younger than he was, why the hell Tony called him for this?

Spider-Man stole Captain’s shield and tied his arms with the webs, before landing on a van.

– Hey everyone. – he said, his youthful energy a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation – Hey, Captain, Spider-Man, big fan.

– Not right now kid. – the older Stark said.

Alec was not supposed to show up now, but he got protective when he saw the boy there. So he quickly teleported to Steve’s side, crossing his arms.

– You seriously brought a kid to this, dad? Very fucking responsible. – he said with a frown. He could hear the surprise from Peter as the boy called his name.

– You’re a kid and you are here. – the man argued.

– He wasn’t trained the way I was, and he isn’t involved in this the way I am. – he turned to the boy – Spidey, you’re not fighting.

The boy opened his mouth to speak, but Steve interrupted, talking to Tony.

– You’ve been busy.

   Tony’s frustration boiled over, his voice sharp as he snapped:

– And you’ve been a complete idiot. -he paced, his anger barely contained – Dragging in Clint. ‘Rescuing’ Wanda from a place she doesn’t even want to leave, a safe place. I’m trying to keep… I’m trying to keep you from tearing the avengers apart. – he exhaled heavily, his shoulders dropping with the weight of it all.

– You did that when you signed. – Steve remained calm, his voice level. Tony’s eyes darkened, and he stepped closer, his tone hardening.

– Alright, we’re done here. You’re gonna turn Barnes over. You’re gonna come with us. Now. – he pointed toward the exit – Because it’s either us or a squad of J-SOC guys… with no compunction about being impolite. – Steve looked away for a second, weighing his options, his jaw set. – Come on, man. – Tony pressed, his voice desperate now, hoping Steve would see reason.

   Suddenly, Sam’s voice cut through the tense silence, speaking through the comms.

– We found it. Their Quinjet’s in hangar five, north runway.

   Steve glanced at Tony, the decision made in an instant. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, signaling to Clint. Clint, quick on the uptake, fired an arrow that severed the web binding Steve’s arms.

   The silence shattered as the fight erupted.

   Steve moved first, swift and precise, taking advantage of the momentary surprise. Tony’s eyes widened, but before he could react, Steve had already closed the distance, engaging him directly. Clint took his shot, sending a series of arrows toward Tony’s team, causing chaos as they scrambled for cover.

   Alec teleported, throwing up a kinetic shield to block a blast from Vision, while Sam swooped down from above, firing at War Machine to keep him grounded. The hangar echoed with the sounds of clashing metal, energy blasts, and grunts of exertion.

   Tony’s face hardened as he activated his repulsors, aiming straight at Steve.

– You’re making a mistake, Rogers.

   But Steve wasn’t listening. Not anymore. He was in full combat mode now, and the only thing that mattered was getting out.

•••

Peter swung through the shattered glass, landing a swift kick to Sam’s chest, sending him stumbling backward. As Bucky charged forward, throwing a heavy punch, Peter reacted with lightning speed, catching Bucky’s fist mid-air.

– You have a metal arm? That is awesome, dude! – Peter exclaimed, his youthful enthusiasm cutting through the tension. Sam, recovering quickly, leaped into the air and slammed into Parker – You have the right to remain silent! – the boy said as he dodged he quipped, grappling with the web-slinger as they tumbled through the air.

But just as Peter was about to catch up to Sam, a glowing portal appeared in his path, swirling with energy. Unable to stop himself in time, Peter swung straight through it, vanishing in a blur. The next thing he knew, he was on the roof of the building, his feet landing with a slight stumble.

– What the hell? – Peter muttered, looking around in confusion.

Alec stepped through the portal right behind him, closing it with a wave of his hand.

– Sorry, Spidey. I can’t let you go after him. – Alec said, his arms crossed, his expression firm but not unkind.

Peter straightened up, adjusting his stance and taking off his mask.

– Uh, dude, why did you do that? I had him – Alec smirked, raising an eyebrow.

– Because you’re not ready for this. You shouldn’t even be here.

Peter’s masked eyes widened slightly, his voice indignant.

– I can handle myself! I’ve got powers too, you know!

– Yeah, I’ve seen it, love. – Alec said, his tone softening – But this isn’t just some random fight. You’re way in over your head. And I’m not letting you get hurt because Tony dragged you into something you don’t fully understand.

Peter hesitated for a moment, his confidence faltering.

– But… I want to help.

– I get it. – the older said, taking a step closer, his voice gentler now – But this isn’t your fight. – he gestured around at the chaos unfolding below them – Please, just listen to me, love.

Peter could send so much truth in his eyes that he simply believed it; he felt almost hypnotized, actually.

– You’ll be able to prove yourself to Tony later. – the older said – But now, just let my team do the right thing, okay?

The boy nodded his head, and that was enough confirmation Alec needed, kissing Peter’s cheek before leaving.

•••

Alec teleported back down, feeling a little bad for using his persuasion powers at Peter, but he needed him out of the fight, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to concentrate. This guilty feeling turned into anger for his father, the one who thought it was okay to bring someone who has nothing to due with the situation – who wasn’t even an avenger – into the fight.

That’s why he was quick to locate Tony, seeing him about to throw a blast at Wanda. He quickly protected her, leading the blast into some car instead. That got his father attention, at least.

– We need to talk. – the boy began.

Tony’s eyes narrowed as he recognized Alec’s voice. His face was a mixture of surprise and frustration, but he didn’t lower his gauntlet.

– Now? Really? We’re in the middle of a fight here, kid.

– Exactly. This fight. – Alec gestured around them, his eyes burning with frustration – You brought Peter into this, someone who doesn’t even belong in this mess. What the hell were you thinking?

Tony’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t fire. His gaze flickered to Wanda for a moment, then back to his son.

– He made his choice. Same as you.

– No. You manipulated him. Just like you’re manipulating everyone here.

Tony’s face fell, and for a split second, Alec saw the exhaustion in his father’s eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on him. But it was gone just as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the stubbornness Alec had come to know all too well.

– This isn’t about Peter. Or you. It’s bigger than that. Bigger than us. You think I wanted this? I didn’t. But if we don’t do something now, more people get hurt. You don’t see the big picture, Alec.

– I see enough. – Alec’s voice was sharp, full of disappointment – You’re tearing everyone apart, and for what? To be right?

Tony exhaled, lowering his gauntlet slightly, but his stance remained tense.

– I’m trying to keep us safe. You’re too young to understand-

– Don’t pull that on me. – Alec’s eyes flared with frustration – I’m a fucking mutant, I think I know a little about the government trying to control me, or people they don’t understand because of their fear.

Tony’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond immediately. He glanced down, running a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to find the right words.

– This isn’t the same, Alec. – Tony finally said, his voice calmer but still firm – The Sokovia Accords are about accountability, not fear. We need rules. We can’t just do whatever we want because we think we’re right.

– You really believe that, don’t you? – Alec shot back, stepping closer – You think signing some papers will make everything better, but it won’t. It’s just giving them permission to control us, to decide who’s allowed to be a hero. Who gets to be free. I’ve seen that. It doesn’t work the way you think.

Tony clenched his fists, frustration clear on his face.

– We gotta go. That guy’s probably in Siberia by now. – Bucky had said through the comms.

– No, you get to the jet! Both of you! – Sam had argued – The rest of us aren’t getting out of here.

Alec swallowed hard, trying to focus. He could hear Clint now, the grim acceptance in his voice as he admitted what Alec had considered.

– If we’re gonna win this one, some of us might have to lose it.

– The Accords aren’t chains, Alec. They’re a compromise. Without them, we’re just vigilantes, doing whatever we want without answering to anyone. That’s how people get hurt. – his father said, bringing his attention back to the conversation.

Alec scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

– No, they’re just another way to control people they don’t trust. People like me, who didn’t ask to have these abilities. – His voice cracked for a moment, frustration giving way to something deeper – You should understand that, dad. You’ve always been the one fighting against people trying to control you. Now you’re just helping them do it.

Tony’s face tightened, and for a brief moment, his resolve wavered. He looked at his son, really looked at him, at the anger, the pain. He hated that Alec felt like this, that he couldn’t see the bigger picture Tony thought he was fighting for.

Alec’s heart raced as the conversation crackled through his comms. The chaos of the battle unfolded around him, and the urgency of the situation grew by the second. He could hear Steve, Sam, and the others planning their escape, talking about something big. That’s when Scott Lang’s voice came through, almost unsure but determined, as he volunteered to be the distraction.

– I got something kind of big, but I can’t hold it very long. On my signal, run like hell.

Alec knew what he had to do. If the others were going to have any chance of escaping, Tony needed to stay distracted, focused on him and not on the fight. But Alec had to be careful. Tony was already on edge, and pushing him too far might make things worse.

Suddenly, Scott’s voice broke through the comms again, full of nervous energy.

– I’m the boss. I’m the boss. I’m the boss.

Alec’s stomach tightened as he imagined what was coming next. Scott was about to do something huge; literally. Then, as if on cue, the ground rumbled beneath their feet. Alec glanced over Tony’s shoulder and saw it: Scott Lang, now towering above the battlefield, had grown into a massive behemoth, his giant form grabbing Rhodey’s leg like a toy. The sight was surreal, almost absurd, but Alec knew it was exactly the diversion Steve and the others needed.

•••