Н“‚Н“Ž Н’¹Ð‘’Н’¶Ð“‡ Н“ˆð“…Н’¾Ð’¹Ð‘’Н“Ž – Н“…. Н“…Н’¶Ð“‡Ð“€Ð‘’Н“‡ chapter 7

   The walls trembled and cracked, sending debris cascading down like rain as the tower began to collapse around them. Steve and Bucky sprinted through the chaos, dodging falling chunks of concrete and twisted metal. Their lungs burned from the dust in the air, but they couldn’t stop. They had to make it to the hangar. They had to get out.

   Bursting through the final set of doors, they stumbled into the hangar, where Natasha was already waiting for them by the quinjet. Her expression was a mix of frustration and understanding. She knew Steve too well.

– You’re not gonna stop, are you? – she asked, her voice calm but resigned.

   Steve barely spared her a glance as he straightened himself, catching his breath.

– You know I can’t. -  he replied, his eyes determined.

   For a moment, Natasha hesitated. She’d been through countless missions with Steve, and this one felt different, like the point of no return. She sighed, her gaze flickering to something behind them.

– I’m gonna regret this. – she muttered.

   Without warning, Natasha pivoted, pulling out her stun gun just as T’Challa emerged, hot on their trail. The flash of electricity sparked through the air, catching the Wakandan king off guard. He collapsed, his pursuit halted, for now.

– Go. – Natasha barked, her eyes locking onto Steve and Bucky as they hesitated for a split second. There was no time to waste. As Natasha stepped between them and T’Challa, Steve grabbed Bucky’s arm, and the two ran for the quinjet. They scrambled aboard, the hum of the engines already roaring to life.

   As the hangar doors opened, the jet shot into the sky, leaving the crumbling tower, and their complicated allies, behind. Natasha remained, a lone figure against the chaos, holding the line as long as she could.

   The quinjet hummed under Steve’s control as he tightened his grip on the thrusters, eyes sharp as he piloted through the chaos of the aerial battle. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted War Machine coming in fast from the right. Iron Man flew beside him, while Falcon zipped close behind, covering their six.

   Rhodey’s voice crackled through the comms.

– Vision, I got a bandit on my six.

   Falcon reacted immediately, launching small explosives that detonated near War Machine, shaking his suit. As the smoke cleared, Vision took his shot, firing a precise beam from his forehead. It cut through the air, but instead of hitting Falcon, the laser struck War Machine dead center in the chest.

   A moment of stunned silence followed.

– Vision! You copy? Target his thrusters, turn him into a glider! – Rhodes’ voice crackled again, but the damage was done.

   Steve watched in horror as War Machine’s suit sputtered, then lost power entirely. Flames and black smoke trailed behind him as he went into a helpless, spiraling freefall. Steve’s hands tightened on the quinjet’s controls, heart pounding. Iron Man and Falcon dove in desperation, but the distance was too great.

– Rhodey! – Tony’s voice was a mix of panic and desperation.

   Inside his suit, Rhodes struggled, his systems shutting down one by one.

– Tony, I’m flying dead stick. – he groaned, his voice weakening as the g-forces pressed down on him, threatening to knock him out. His eyes fluttered, darkness creeping in.

   Before anyone could react further, a flash of purple light cut through the chaos. Alec appeared in mid-air, teleporting just beneath Rhodey. With swift precision, he grabbed the falling hero, using his momentum to break the fall just before they hit the ground.

   Alec’s hands glowed faintly as he stabilized the descent, carefully lowering Rhodey to safety amidst the battlefield below. Tony arrived just seconds later, relief flooding his face as he saw Rhodey was alive, if shaken.

– Thank you. – Tony muttered, still catching his breath.

   Alec nodded but didn’t linger. His eyes were already scanning the sky, knowing what he had to do next. With a faint smirk, he glanced at Tony, then in a blink, teleported once more, this time reappearing aboard the quinjet.

   Steve blinked in surprise as Alec materialized beside him in the cockpit.

– Need a lift? – Alec asked casually, as though he hadn’t just saved a life mid-air.

– Nice timing. – Steve gave him a quick nod, his focus returning to the sky.

– Just another day. – the boy shrugged, taking a seat and looking out at the unfolding chaos, he knew the fight wasn’t over yet.

•••

Inside the quinjet, Bucky leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowed as he observed Alec, who sat across from him, casually playing with a coin, making it float on his hand, as if they weren’t flying to one of the coldest places on Earth.

– So, I’ve been meaning to ask you, – Bucky said, his metal arm tapping rhythmically on the armrest – you can teleport, right?

   Alec glanced up, his face calm but his eyes twinkling with amusement.

– Among some other things, yeah.

   Bucky raised an eyebrow.

– Then why are we stuck on this long flight to Siberia when you could just take us there in seconds?

   Steve, sitting in the cockpit, chimed in, his voice clear through the headset.

– Yeah, good question. Why are we burning all this fuel when we’ve got our own human gps?

   Alec sighed, leaning back and stretching his arms behind his head.

– It’s not that simple, guys. I can’t just teleport anywhere like some… magic genie. I need to have been there before, or at least seen it. – Bucky blinked.

– Seen it? Like… Google Maps?

– Exactly. – Alec said with a grin – But Siberia’s not exactly a place you casually street-view. Especially the place we’re going.

   Steve chuckled.

– So you’ve never been to Siberia? Not even a little winter vacation?

– Can’t say it’s on my list of dream destinations. – Alec said dryly – Plus, teleporting blind could get a little… messy.

– Messy? – Bucky asked, leaning forward – Like ‘we end up in the middle of a frozen lake and die’ messy?

   Alec nodded, his expression serious, but there was a playful gleam in his eyes.

– Or worse. Imagine we end up teleporting into a snowbank or halfway through a tree. Siberia’s got a lot of trees.

   Bucky frowned, mulling that over.

– Alright, fair point. But what about teleporting near Siberia? Like, I don’t know, Russia? You’ve been to Russia, right?

   Alec laughed.

– Sure, but then we’re just swapping a long flight for a long walk. Not ideal, unless you’re into cross-country snow trekking. Which, by the way, I’m not.

   Steve chuckled again, glancing back at them from the cockpit.

– I think Bucky just likes the idea of skipping the in-flight peanuts.

– Hey, those peanuts are stale. – Bucky shot back, grabbing the tiny bag in front of him and shaking it for emphasis – And I’m just saying, if I had teleporting powers, I wouldn’t be wasting my time on- – suddenly, the plane hit a patch of turbulence, shaking them all in their seats. Bucky gripped the armrests, his voice tight – On flights like this.

   Alec, completely unfazed by the turbulence, smirked.

– You say that now, but teleporting’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes, it’s nice to just sit back and let someone else do the driving.

– Amen to that. – Steve nodded from the cockpit.

   Bucky scowled, crossing his arms.

– Next time, I’m bringing a map of Siberia. You’re getting no excuses.

– Deal. – the boy said with a grin – Just make sure it’s not a map of the wrong Siberia. You wouldn’t want to teleport into a bear’s den.

   Bucky leaned back in his seat, the low hum of the jet’s engines a constant, comforting drone in the background. The sprawling landscape below them had long since vanished, replaced by clouds and a sky that seemed endless.

   The weight of their mission hung heavy in the air, but Bucky’s mind wasn’t on that right now. He had a different question, one that had been gnawing at him since they started this journey.

– What’s gonna happen to your friends? – Bucky asked, his voice low, almost tentative.

   Steve didn’t respond right away. His blue eyes remained fixed on the horizon, distant and burdened. After a long moment, he sighed, his broad shoulders rising and falling with the weight of the world seemingly pressing down on him.

– Whatever it is… – he finally said, his voice quiet but steady – I’ll deal with it.

   There was a sadness in Steve’s tone, something Bucky could feel, even though Steve didn’t show it outright. He knew Steve was always thinking of others, always ready to shoulder the consequences, no matter how heavy.

   Bucky’s gaze drifted down to his hands. His metal fingers flexed instinctively, the faint whir of the mechanics barely audible. He hadn’t asked to be this, to be the Winter Soldier, a living weapon. But that didn’t change the fact that he had been. The things he’d done.

– I don’t know if I’m worth all this, Steve. – Bucky said, his voice quieter now, almost like he didn’t want to say it out loud.

   Steve turned slightly, finally looking at Bucky, his expression softened by years of friendship and understanding.

– What you did all those years… it wasn’t you. You didn’t have a choice.

   Bucky met Steve’s gaze, and for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid passed between them. Steve meant well, of course. He always did. But that didn’t change what Bucky had to live with.

– I know. – the man replied, his voice rougher now – But I did it.

   Silence settled between them again, heavier this time. Steve’s words were true, Bucky had been a victim, a tool. But knowing that and feeling it were two different things entirely. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to separate the two.

   From across the cabin, Alec, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

– You know, worth isn’t something you measure with scales. It’s something you decide. – both Steve and Bucky glanced at him. The boy shrugged, leaning back in his seat – You did things you didn’t want to. But you’re here now. That’s gotta count for something, right?

   Bucky didn’t respond immediately, but something in Alec’s words lingered. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever feel worthy of Steve’s faith in him, but maybe Alec had a point. Maybe, in the end, it wasn’t about what he deserved, maybe it was about what he did with the second chance he’d been given.

   Steve gave Bucky a small, reassuring nod, as if he’d understood the unspoken thought.

– We’ll get through this. Together.

   Bucky didn’t say anything, but this time, he nodded back. Whatever came next, he’d face it. He owed that to himself, and maybe even to the people who still believed in him.

•••

   The sea churned beneath the rising structure of Raft Prison, waves swelling as the massive, circular fortress emerged from the depths. Its towering walls were fortified and bristling with lights, casting an eerie glow over the surrounding waters. As the enormous semi-circular doors on the top opened, a chopper descended slowly onto the helipad. The doors sealed shut above it, enclosing them in the grim, isolated prison.

   Tony Stark stepped off the chopper, his left arm strapped in a sling. He moved with purpose, his gaze steely as he approached Secretary Ross, who stood waiting with his usual stern demeanor.

– So? – Tony said without preamble – You got the files? Let’s reroute the satellites, start facial scanning for this Zemo guy.

   Ross didn’t budge, his expression hard as stone.

– You seriously think I’m gonna listen to you after that fiasco in Leipzig? – his voice was cold, cutting through the air like a blade – You’re lucky you’re not in one of these cells. – he shot Tony a withering look before leading him through a thick, steel security door.

   Soldiers lined the operations room, monitoring the surveillance feeds with vigilant eyes. Tony glanced at one of the screens and saw Wanda, hunched over in a cramped, dimly lit cell. Her posture was defeated, her face shadowed and worn.

   As they moved deeper into the prison, another security door groaned open. Tony stepped into a chamber surrounded by large barred windows. Beyond them, rows of prison cells loomed like cages in a zoo. The weight of the place was suffocating, a tangible reminder of what his decisions had wrought.

   From behind the bars of one cell, a slow, sarcastic clap echoed. Tony didn’t need to look to know who it was.

– The Futurist, gentlemen! – Clint’s voice dripped with mockery – The Futurist is here! He sees all! He knows what’s best for you, whether you like it or not.

   Tony sighed, rubbing his good hand over his face.

– Give me a break, Barton. I had no idea they’d put you here. Come on.

   Clint leaned forward, eyes burning with frustration.

– Yeah, well, you knew they’d put us somewhere, Tony.

– Yeah, but not some super-max floating ocean pokey. – Tony shot back. He gestured around the grim prison – You know, this place is for maniacs. This is a place for-

– Criminals? – Clint cut him off, standing up to meet Tony’s gaze – That’s the word you’re looking for, right? – his voice was edged with bitterness – That didn’t used to mean me. Or Sam, or Wanda. But here we are.

   Tony’s mouth tightened.

– Because you broke the law.

– Yeah. – Clint said coldly, pacing in his cell – We did. – Tony’s eyes flashed.

– I didn’t make you.

   Clint let out a low, mocking hum, covering his ears.

– La, la, la, la, la…

– You read it, you broke it. – Tony insisted, his frustration rising.

– La, la, la, la la…

   Tony exhaled sharply, his patience fraying.

– Alright, you’re all grown up, you got a wife and kids. I don’t understand, why didn’t you think about them before you chose the wrong side? – he spun on his heel and walked away, leaving Clint glaring after him.

– You gotta watch your back with this guy. – he called to the others, his voice dripping with contempt – There’s a chance he’s gonna break it.

   From another cell, Scott Lang leaned against the bars, shaking his head.

– Hank Pym always said, you never can trust a Stark. – Tony paused, frowning.

– Who are you?

   Scott gave him an incredulous look.

– Come on, man.

   From the shadows, Sam Wilson stepped forward, his expression grim.

– How’s Rhodes?

   Tony’s face softened, and for a moment, the weight of his friend’s injury settled over him.

– He’s fine, Alec managed to avoid the worst. – Sam nodded his head, relief clouding his features – What do you need? – he asked, trying to shift gears – They feed you yet?

– You’re the good cop now? – Sam raised an eyebrow.

   Tony took a breath, leaning in.

– I’m just the guy who needs to know where Steve went. – Sam’s eyes flickered with defiance.

– Well, you better go get a bad cop, because you’re gonna have to go Mark Fuhrman on my ass to get information out of me. – Tony smirked slightly.

– Oh, I just knocked the ‘A’ out of their ‘AV’. We got about 30 seconds before they realize it’s not their equipment. – Tony turned to Sam, urgency in his eyes – Just look. Because that is the fellow who was supposed to interrogate Barnes. – he projected a hologram of Doctor Broussard, Zemo’s disguise – Clearly, I made a mistake. Sam, I was wrong.

– That’s a first. – Sam looked at him, arms crossed.

   The Stark sighed, his frustration turning to something closer to pleading.

– Cap is definitely off the reservation, but he’s about to need all the help he can get. We don’t know each other very well. You don’t have to-

   Sam’s face softened slightly, and he finally spoke.

– Hey, it’s alright. – he hesitated, clearly torn – Look, I’ll tell you… but you have to go alone. And as a friend.

   Tony nodded, relief washing over him.

– Easy.

   Without another word, Tony turned and walked back toward the chopper. Ross was waiting for him, his expression suspicious.

– Stark? Did he give you anything on Rogers?

   Tony’s face was a mask of calm.

– Nope. Told me to go to hell. I’m going back to the compound instead, but you can call me anytime. – he smirked – I’ll put you on hold, I like to watch the line blink.

   Ross stared, his frustration evident, as Tony boarded the chopper. The doors slid shut and the chopper lifted off, rising above the cold, isolated prison.

   Inside the chopper, Tony quietly unclipped the sling holding his left arm. He cradled it for a moment, testing the mobility. Then, without hesitation, he pressed a button on the panel. The Iron Man suit wrapped itself around him, the familiar hum of the machinery energizing him.

   A hatch opened, and Tony shot out of the chopper, the night sky engulfing him. He soared through the dark clouds, the wind whipping around him. Not far behind, a quinjet followed, with T’Challa at the controls, keeping a close eye on his trajectory.

•••

Finally Siberia

   A quinjet soared through the icy air, its engines roaring against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. As it approached a remote peak, Steve Rogers skillfully maneuvered the aircraft to land beside Zemo’s caterpillar truck. The jet’s wings folded neatly beside the fuselage, and the ramp lowered with a mechanical hiss.

   Inside the cabin, Bucky Barnes pulled out a rack of guns labeled “Romanoff,” selecting a light machine gun with a familiar ease. He turned to Alec, who stood by, his eyes scanning the weapons with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

– Do you even need guns? – Bucky asked, loading the gun with a practiced flick of his wrist.

– No, but I think they look cool. – Alec replied, grabbing one of them, a grin forming on his face despite the tension.

   As they stood together, waiting for the exit ramp to descend, Steve turned to Bucky, his voice lightening the mood.

– You remember that time we had to ride back from Rockaway Beach in the back of that freezer truck?

– Was that the time we used our train money to buy hot dogs? – Bucky chuckled, nostalgia flickering in his eyes. Steve nodded, a twinkle in his eye.

– You blew three bucks trying to win that stuffed bear for a redhead.

– Wait, what was her name again? – Bucky asked, scratching his head.

– Dolores. You called her Dot. – Steve replied, shaking his head.

– She’s gotta be a hundred years old right now. – Bucky mused, a hint of sadness creeping into his voice.

   Steve smirked, squeezing Bucky’s shoulder reassuringly.

– So are we, pal.

   Alec, standing between them, chimed in with a playful grin.

– For what it’s worth, you don’t look a hundred years old.

   With that, the ramp finally descended, and the cold air rushed in, biting at their skin. Clad in his helmet, Steve led the way, flanked by Bucky and Alec as they approached the entrance set into the rock. The door was ajar, and Steve peered inside, his expression turning serious.

– He can’t have been here more than a few hours. – Steve said, urgency creeping into his voice.

– Long enough to wake them up. – Bucky replied, tightening his grip on the machine gun.

   They stepped into the bunker, the shadows deepening as they traveled down into the depths. The rickety caged elevator creaked under their weight before it stopped with a shuddering jolt. The doors slid open, and Steve nodded to Bucky, who heaved up the cage door.

   Bucky readied his heavy-duty machine gun, and they moved cautiously along a dimly lit corridor, keeping close to the wall. Alec was chill, walking around unbothered. Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the hallway, causing all three of them to spin around, weapons raised.

– You ready? – Steve asked, determination etched into his features.

– Yeah. – Bucky confirmed, his eyes narrowing.

   Just then, the double doors burst open, forced apart with a resounding crash. Steve’s eyes widened in surprise as Iron Man strode into view, the armor gleaming under the harsh lights. Tony Stark stepped forward, retracting the helmet with a flick of his wrist.

– You seem a little defensive. – Tony remarked, a smirk playing on his lips.

   Bucky kept his gun up while Steve approached Tony, his shield instinctively covering his body. Alec stood back, frowning slightly as he assessed the situation. Steve relaxed a little, lowering his shield.

– It’s been a long day.

– At ease, Soldier. I’m not currently after you. – Tony replied, waving a hand dismissively.

– Then why are you here? – His eyes shifted to Alec, and he quirked an eyebrow.

– Could be your story’s not so crazy. Maybe. Ross has no idea I’m here. I’d like to keep it that way. Otherwise, I gotta arrest myself.

   Steve chuckled softly.

– Well, that sounds like a lot of paperwork. – he looked at Tony, relief washing over him – It’s good to see you, Tony.

– You too, Cap. – he said, glancing at Bucky with a smirk – Hey, Manchurian Candidate, you’re killing me. There’s a truce here. You can drop the gun.

   Steve made a subtle sign to Bucky, urging him to lower his weapon. After a moment of hesitation, Bucky finally relented, lowering the gun but keeping a watchful eye on Tony.

   As the banter continued among Steve, Bucky, and Tony, Alec felt a familiar sensation creeping into his awareness, a heartbeat that wasn’t part of their small group. His hyper senses kicked in, amplifying the steady thump of a pulse that thudded like a drum in his ears. It was fast but calm, steady yet alert, unlike the chaotic rhythm of the bunker around them.

   Alec’s eyes flicked around the dimly lit corridor, but his gaze was focused inward, tuning into the heartbeat. He focused, activating his x-ray vision to cut through the concrete walls and the obstructions in between. His eyes adjusted, and he began to see outlines of the bunker’s structure and the various rooms beyond. Then, he spotted him, a figure crouched behind a stack of crates, muscles tense and ready. T’Challa was watching them, blending into the darkness like a shadow, his expression focused and calculating.

   Suppressing a smile, Alec decided to keep this discovery to himself for now.

   With a sharp hiss, Iron Man reengaged his helmet, the faceplate snapping into place with an audible click. He led Steve, Alec, and Bucky through the imposing entrance of the enormous chamber, a sense of dread hanging thick in the air.

– I got heat signatures. – Tony announced, his voice echoing through the comms.

– How many? – Steve asked, scanning the shadows for movement.

– Uh, one. – the man replied, his tone laced with concern.

   As they entered the vast chamber, bright lights flickered on, illuminating the space. Hazy yellow mist swirled around them, revealing several capsules standing sentinel in the room. Alec’s eyes widened as he took in the eerie sight. Inside each capsule, he saw the frozen forms of enhanced soldiers from the 1991 experiments, their bodies still and lifeless.

– Did you really think I wanted more of you? – a chilling voice crackled through the speakers, belonging to none other than Helmut Zemo.

– What the hell? – Bucky stared at Josef’s corpse, a mix of grief and fury churning inside him.

   Zemo’s voice dripped with condescension.

– I’m grateful to them, though. They brought you here. – Steve’s eyes narrowed as he moved closer to the control room, where Zemo stood, a sinister figure behind glass – Please, Captain. The Soviets built this chamber to withstand the launch blast of UR-100 rockets. – Zemo taunted, his confidence radiating through the speakers.

– I’m betting I could beat that. – Tony shot back, ready to confront the threat.

– Dad. – Alec said, his voice low and cautionary.

– Oh, I’m sure you could, Mr. Stark. – Zemo replied smoothly – Given time. But then you’d never know why you came.

   Steve, his shield ready at his side, stepped forward.

– You killed innocent people in Vienna just to bring us here?

   Zemo’s tone shifted, his demeanor cold.

– I thought about nothing else for over a year. I studied you. I followed you. But now that you’re standing here, I just realized… there’s a bit of green in the blue of your eyes. How nice to find a flaw.

   Alec couldn’t help but interject with a grin.

– Was that a flirt? – but his comment fell on deaf ears, lost amidst the growing tension.

– You’re Sokovian. Is that what this is about? – Steve glared at Zemo.

   Zemo’s expression turned grave, a flicker of pain in his eyes.

– Sokovia was a failed state long before you blew it to hell. No. I’m here because I made a promise. – Steve studied Zemo intently.

– You lost someone?

   Zemo looked grave, clicking his tongue as he glanced back at the capsules.

– I lost everyone. And so will you. – with that, he activated a screen that displayed surveillance footage from december 16, 1991. Steve stepped closer, tension radiating from him – An empire toppled by its enemies can rise again. – Zemo said, his voice low and chilling – But one which crumples from within? That’s dead… forever.

   Tony stepped forward, his gaze fixed on a freeze frame of a secluded road.

– I know that road. What is this? – his anxiety was palpable as he absorbed the implications of the footage.

   Alec stood back, processing the emotional weight in the room. He felt the intensity of the moment, the stakes rising higher with every passing second.

   The surveillance video flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the chamber as it played back the tragic scene. Alec stood just behind Tony, his heart sinking as he watched the car that the Winter Soldier forced off the road crash violently into a tree. The atmosphere grew heavy with tension, and he could feel Tony’s rising unease as the familiar figure of Howard Stark came into view.

   Alec had never met his grandparents, Howard and Maria Stark, but their names had always loomed large in the family lore, an integral part of the Stark legacy. Now, witnessing their last moments on screen felt surreal, and a bittersweet pang of sadness tugged at him.

   Tony’s eyes widened in horror as Howard lay on the ground, bloodied and broken, pleading for help. “Help my wife. Please. Help,” he gasped, desperation lining his voice. Alec felt his throat tighten at Howard’s plea, the realization of what was about to unfold weighing heavily on him.

   As the Winter Soldier dismounted his motorbike and approached, Alec’s stomach churned. He watched, helpless, as Howard’s pleading gaze met the emotionless eyes of the assassin. “Sergeant Barnes?” Howard’s voice trembled with recognition, and Alec instinctively looked at Bucky, feeling the tension radiate off him.

   Then Maria’s voice broke through the horror. “Howard!” she cried, panic evident in her tone. In that moment, the gravity of the situation became unbearable. Bucky, standing beside them, seemed frozen, his face a mask of guilt and regret.

   Alec’s heart ached for Tony as the Winter Soldier pounded Howard’s face with a metal fist.

– No! – Tony’s voice rose, filled with anguish as he turned his glare towards Bucky, searching for answers in the face of his friend.

   When the video showed Howard slumping lifelessly in the driver’s seat, Alec felt a wave of sorrow wash over him. The finality of death was harsh, and even though he was just a witness, it still stung.

   Then came Maria’s tragic fate. Blood streaked down her face as she sat in the passenger seat, eyes wide with fear. The Winter Soldier, expressionless, gripped her throat, choking the life out of her.

   As the Winter Soldier turned to aim a gun at the surveillance camera, the room was heavy with tension. Tony’s expression was a mix of shock and sorrow, and Alec felt compelled to speak, to say something that might ease the pain. But words failed him, and instead, he simply placed a hand on Tony’s shoulder, a silent gesture of support amidst the chaos.

   The atmosphere in the chamber crackled with tension as Tony’s anguished expression hardened into determination. Steve watched anxiously, knowing that the weight of loss was pushing Tony toward an edge he might not come back from.

– Tony. – the blonde called out, his voice urgent – Wait!

   But Tony was consumed by grief, tears glistening in his eyes as he lunged toward Bucky. Alec, standing close by, could feel the adrenaline coursing through the air, and he instinctively stepped forward, ready to help. He understood the depths of pain Tony was experiencing, but he also knew Bucky’s history, how he had been controlled by Hydra, a victim himself.

– Dad! – Alec shouted, moving quickly to position himself between Tony and Bucky – Think about this! He wasn’t in control!

– Did you know? – Tony’s voice was filled with a rage that made Alec’s heart ache for both him and Bucky.

– I didn’t know it was him! – Steve interjected, his eyes pleading.

– Don’t give that bullshit! Did you know? – Tony hissed, his chin jutting upward defiantly as he reengaged the Iron Man helmet, sealing himself off from the emotional turmoil around him.

– Yes. – Steve admitted, the weight of the truth crashing down on him.

   Before Alec could react, Tony swung a punch at Steve, sending him crashing to the floor. With a speed that seemed fueled by pure emotion, Tony deflected the gunfire aimed at Bucky and disarmed him with ease. Then he grabbed Bucky and flew across the chamber, slamming him onto the ground with a force that echoed through the vast room. Bucky struggled against the weight of Tony’s armor as he jumped on his arms, desperately trying to fight back.

– Come on, dad! This isn’t the answer! – in an instant, he harnessed his telekinetic power, reaching out with his mind to envelop Tony’s suit – Stop, dad! – the boy commanded, his voice steady as he used his abilities to wrestle control over Iron Man’s movements.

   Tony hesitated, the suit’s propulsion faltering for just a moment.

– What the hell, Alec? – he shouted, frustration and confusion flashing across his face.

– Think about what you’re doing! – Alec urged, his focus unwavering as he gently pushed back against Tony’s aggression – Bucky was manipulated! He’s not the monster you think he is.

   In that moment of hesitation, Steve seized the opportunity. He hurled his shield with precision, striking Tony in the chest and knocking him backward. The force of the blow sent Tony crashing to the floor, the suit sputtering momentarily as it struggled to regain its balance. Steve rushed forward, slicing through the shackles binding him with a swift swing of his shield.

   Bucky, fueled by the chance to regain control, twisted Tony’s arm as he prepared to fire a rocket from his suit. The room erupted in chaos as the rocket launched, a fireball exploding in their midst. Alec braced himself, using his powers to deflect debris, sending a wave of twisted metal crashing down around them.

   The tension in the air was electric as Steve Rogers shouted to Bucky, urgency lacing his voice.

– Get out of here!

   Bucky didn’t hesitate. He bolted for the nearest exit, but Iron Man fired after him, the blast narrowly missing as Steve instinctively placed himself in front of his friend.

– It wasn’t him, Tony! – Steve pleaded, desperation fueling his words – Hydra had control of his mind!

– Move! – Tony Stark shouted, anger and pain mingling in his voice.

– It wasn’t him! – he insisted, determination shining in his eyes. He lunged forward, grabbing Iron Man’s ankle mid-air and smashing it down against the floor with all his strength.

   Iron Man grunted, regaining his balance just as he blasted rubble towards Steve. With a grunt of exertion, Steve managed to avoid most of the debris, but he couldn’t prevent the suit from ascending, albeit falteringly.

– FRIDAY, report! – Tony commanded, frustration seeping into his tone.

– Left boot jet failing. Flight systems compromised. – the AI responded.

– Ah, crap. – Tony muttered, the urgency of the moment weighing heavily on him.

   Above them, Bucky leapt from platform to platform, desperate to escape. But Iron Man, with stuttering jets, chased after him. Just as Tony aimed to kick Bucky down, an energy bolt ricocheted off Steve’s shield, striking Tony instead. The force sent him plummeting down to a lower platform.

– He’s not going to stop. Go! – Steve shouted, urgency in his voice as he looked at Bucky.

   Tony soared upwards again, but Steve leaped into action, shooting a wire that wrapped around Iron Man’s neck. He pulled back, dragging Tony down, but Iron Man deflected Steve’s shield with a blast, trying to target Bucky once more.

– Come on, come on. – Tony urged himself, frustration etched on his features – FRIDAY, what’s the status? – he asked, determination flashing in his eyes.

– Targeting system’s knackered, boss. – the AI replied.

– I’m eyeballing it. – he grunted, retracting his helmet and shutting one eye to aim at the opening hatch above. He fired, striking the hinge with a satisfying explosion, cutting off Bucky’s escape route – Do you even remember them? – Tony snarled as he gripped Bucky from behind, his arms tightening around his neck.

– I remember all of them. – Bucky replied, his voice steady despite the chaos.

   In a moment of desperation, Bucky managed to push both of them off the walkway, but Steve launched himself into them, redirecting their fall. While Bucky landed on a platform, Tony and Steve tumbled to the concrete floor beside an opening where snow drifted in from the outside. Alec was watching the scene unfold in front of him, not really wanting to hurt his father but also not knowing how to stop this madness.

– This isn’t gonna change what happened. – Steve said, his voice filled with a mix of anger and sorrow.

– I don’t care! – Tony shouted back, fury igniting within him – He killed my mom!

   The two men exchanged punches, their histories and grievances colliding with every blow. Iron Man pinned Steve down, and just as the situation seemed hopeless, Bucky leapt into action, grabbing Captain America’s shield and diving down to help.

   As the two super soldiers fought against Iron Man, the shield changed hands rapidly, a symbol of their teamwork in the face of adversity. But Tony, driven by rage and grief, managed to zap Steve, sending him crashing against the wall.

   Bucky struggled against Iron Man, using every ounce of strength to hold him back as the suit unleashed a devastating energy beam. But just as Bucky forced Tony against the opposite wall, he reached for the glowing core in the chest of the Iron Man suit.

   With a deafening blast, Bucky was thrown backward, his metal arm blown away in a fiery explosion. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Tony turned his attention to Bucky, firing again, only to have Steve rush him with his shield raised high.

   In that chaotic moment, Alec knew he had to act. Summoning his strength, he reached out with his telekinesis, channeling his energy toward Iron Man’s suit.

– Tony, stop! – Alec shouted, his voice firm and commanding. The power surged through him, wrapping around Iron Man’s suit like an unyielding force.

   Tony hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden restraint. Confusion flickering in his eyes as he fought against the invisible hold.

– This isn’t the way! – Alec urged, his mind focused on breaking through Tony’s fury – Stop being unreasonable, you’re fighting against your friend here. – he pointed at Steve – And your own son. I know you want revenge but you’re aiming at the wrong person.

– Please, Tony, he’s my friend. – Steve declared, his voice steady but laced with an urgency that matched the situation.

– So was I! – Tony shot back, the hurt evident in his voice. With a swift motion, he punched Steve, sending him reeling back toward the gaps in the wall – Stay down. Final warning.

– You just won’t fucking listen, will you? – the boy shouted frustrated.

   Struggling to his feet, blood trickling down his face, Steve squared his shoulders, determination etched into his weary features.

– I can do this all day. – he replied, raising his fists defiantly as he stared Iron Man down.

   Tony’s palm raised, ready to fire, but Bucky was quicker. He grabbed Tony’s leg, trying to bring him down, but Tony spun, delivering a swift kick to Bucky’s face.

   In the chaos, Steve took action. He seized Iron Man and lifted him overhead, channeling every ounce of strength he had. With a grunt, he threw Tony down, following up with a flurry of punches that landed heavily. In a final, powerful move, he bashed Iron Man’s mask off with his shield and struck down hard on the suit’s core.

   Tony’s expression shifted from fury to horror, fear glimmering in his eyes as he glowered at Steve, who was panting for breath, blood splattered across both their faces. For a moment, they locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them amidst the chaos.

   Steve looked away, shutting his eyes as he slumped down, the shield remaining upright, wedged in the center of Iron Man’s suit. He struggled to rise again, taking hold of the shield and gripping the edge with resolve, pulling it free.

   Stepping away from Tony, who rolled painfully onto his side, Steve glanced at Bucky, who lay bloodied but conscious. With a swift motion, Steve reached out, pulling Bucky to his feet and holding him up.

– That shield doesn’t belong to you. – Tony said, his voice strained as he struggled to sit up, still caught in the emotional whirlwind of the moment – You don’t deserve it. My father made that shield! – he exclaimed, desperation creeping into his voice.

   But Steve raised his chin defiantly, the weight of the moment settling heavily on his shoulders. He dropped the shield, a symbolic act of letting go, and walked away with Bucky’s arm around his shoulder, Alec on the other side, supporting them both in their shared pain and determination to move forward.

   As they stepped away, the silence that followed hung heavy in the air, a mix of loss, regret, and the hope for reconciliation, a fragile thread that would need to be carefully tended in the days to come.

•••