Winter Soldier, Captain America, and 2B

The first ray of dawn pierced the Washington District skyline, coating the skyscrapers in a faint golden sheen.

Steve's boots landed heavily in the damp alley. The familiar yet unfamiliar figure ahead moved through the morning light like a ghost, his metal arm reflecting the glaring sunlight.

"Bucky!" Steve's voice echoed through the empty street, carrying the weight of seventy years of waiting. There was no response, only the cold echo of metal boots against concrete.

The Winter Soldier kept running, the Mind Scepter gleaming in his hand. His movements were as precise as a preprogrammed machine, every step perfectly avoiding every obstacle without the slightest hesitation a human should have had.

Steve leaped over a stack of cardboard boxes filled by Man with garbage, closing the distance to within five meters. "That thing is dangerous!" he shouted, his voice breaking in the morning wind. "Do you remember the alleys of Brooklyn? Do you remember us—"

The Winter Soldier suddenly spun around, swinging his metal arm at incredible speed. Steve instinctively raised his shield to block, but this attack was fiercer than the last—Bang! The Vibranium shield groaned under the impact, and Steve staggered back three steps.

There were no words, no exchange of glances. The Winter Soldier attacked like a cold machine, every strike lethal. He held the scepter in his left hand while his metal right arm swung again, this time straight for Steve's throat.

Steve twisted aside, the edge of his shield scraping across the Winter Soldier's mask. "Bucky, look at me!" He tried to grab the other man's shoulder, only to take a vicious elbow to the chest that forcibly drove the air from his lungs.

The Winter Soldier used the chance to pull away. The gem at the tip of the scepter suddenly flared with blinding yellow light. A sharp pain exploded from Steve's temples, and images flashed before his eyes: a rainy Brooklyn night, the banner of the Howling Commandos, Peggy's tearful smile—

"Argh!" Steve bit through his tongue, the taste of blood spreading through his mouth. By the time his vision cleared, the Winter Soldier had already leaped onto a speeding black motorcycle.

Ignoring the searing pain in his ribs, Steve threw himself forward as the motorcycle accelerated. His fingers barely hooked onto the rear frame, and his whole body was dragged across the rough pavement.

Without looking back, the Winter Soldier suddenly made a sharp turn. The motorcycle nearly went parallel to the ground, hurling Steve toward a roadside fire hydrant. Bang! His back slammed into the metal post, and his vision went black.

When his sight refocused, the motorcycle was already a black dot in the distance. Steve forced himself upright, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. In the morning light, he saw that his palm had been ground into a bloody mess.

"Captain, 2B has locked onto the target." Natasha's voice came through his earpiece with a faint crackle of static. "Grant Street docks. Tony will arrive in three minutes."

Steve spat out bloody saliva and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Tell Tony... don't fire." He braced himself upright, gasping. "That's still Bucky..."

"Agent Romanoff objects." Natasha's voice was unusually tense. "The target has demonstrated extreme danger. Immediate—"

"Carry out the order." Steve cut her off, his voice colder and harder than the Winter Soldier's metal arm.

At that moment, 2B's mechanical female voice abruptly cut into the comm channel. "Based on the danger assessment, Captain Rogers's order will not be adopted. The target has been marked as the highest threat level."

Steve's heart sank. He immediately quickened his pace, bounding and sprinting through the ruins. "2B!" he shouted into the communicator, his voice broken by the strain of running. "You can arrest Bucky, but don't hurt him! I repeat, don't hurt him!"

The channel fell briefly silent, filled only by Steve's ragged breathing and the wind rushing past him as he ran.

One second later, 2B's voice sounded again, calm to the point of cruelty. "Request denied. Under Master's orders, when a target possesses a lethal weapon and displays extreme aggression, lethal force is authorized."

"Damn it!" Steve roared, running even faster. He could feel sweat sliding down his temples and mixing with the blood.

Steve's boots screeched against the wet dockside ground. A thunderous clash of metal came from ahead, and his heart nearly burst from his chest.

"Stop!" Steve's roar echoed across the empty docks.

The sight before him froze his blood—Bucky lay on his back in a pool of blood, sparks flying from the mechanical connection in his left arm. Several savage gashes had torn through his combat suit. 2B's silver blade glinted coldly in the dawn, aimed directly at Bucky's throat.

Bang!

The Vibranium shield tore through the air, flying toward 2B in a perfect arc. 2B raised her left hand and precisely knocked the shield away. But that instant of delay was enough—

Steve charged in like a cannonball, delivering a flying kick from a seventy-year-old grandpa. 2B was forced half a step back, her blade grazing Bucky's neck before scraping across the concrete in a spray of sparks.

"Captain Rogers, you are interfering with a highest-priority mission." 2B's voice was terrifyingly calm. "The target has been confirmed as a Hydra agent and is carrying an S-class dangerous item."

Steve stood in front of Bucky, the shield returning to his hand. He could hear faint breathing behind him. Bucky was alive, but badly hurt.

"He isn't Hydra," Steve said, his voice trembling with rage. "He's a victim being controlled!"

2B's blade suddenly transformed, extending three sharp spikes. "Final warning. Move aside immediately."

Steve noticed a fresh crack in 2B's combat suit—left by Bucky's counterattack. The discovery tightened his chest. Even before losing consciousness, Bucky had still been fighting.

"I won't say it again." Steve lowered his center of gravity, holding his shield before his chest. "If you want to kill him, you'll have to get through me first."

2B's combat program activated instantly. Her figure left an afterimage across Steve's retina as the three-pronged blade shot for his heart. Blinding sparks burst from the Vibranium shield, and the massive impact forced Steve back half a step, his boots carving twin trails through the blood.

"Bucky... can you hear me?" Steve called softly during a gap in his defense, but only a faint groan came from behind him.

2B's attacks came like a raging storm, every strike precisely calculated for angle and force. Steve's right arm began to go numb, and he realized he could not hold out much longer.

2B's silver combat boots traced a semicircle across the concrete as her three-pronged blade cut through the morning mist for Steve's throat. Blinding sparks burst from the Vibranium shield, and Steve used the force to retreat half a step.

"Captain Rogers, please move aside." 2B's voice remained calm, but Steve keenly caught an almost imperceptible tremor in it. "My mission priority does not permit me to continue wasting time."

"You've saved countless civilians!" Steve shouted between blocks, the edge of his shield precisely locking onto the blade's mechanical joint. "You protected innocent people in the Washington District! You fought bravely because of the justice in your heart."

2B's offensive suddenly accelerated, blade-light weaving into a silver net. "That was programmed behavior." Her voice remained steady, but her attack paths subtly avoided fatal areas.

Steve seized the fleeting opening and angled his shield upward at 2B's wrist. "Programs don't hold back in battle!" Amid the metallic collision, he saw the focal distance of 2B's optical lenses destabilize for 0.3 seconds.

2B's spinning kick forced Steve three steps back, but she deliberately missed her intended landing point.

"I do not wish to hurt you, Captain Rogers." 2B's voice returned to its cool detachment. "But if you continue obstructing Master's mission, I will restrain you first."

Suddenly, 2B spun around. Her silver boots sent ripples through the blood as she flashed past Steve at astonishing speed and lunged toward Bucky. Steve's heart nearly stopped—Bucky had somehow awakened and was slamming the Mind Scepter into the ground.

"No!" Steve's roar sounded at the same time as the scepter's thunderous impact against the ground.

A golden energy wave erupted outward from Bucky.

The golden energy wave swept across the entire dock like a tsunami. Steve only had time to raise his shield before an invisible force sent him flying. His back smashed into a shipping container, and the roar of denting metal exploded in his ears.

2B was in no better condition. Her silver body flew more than a dozen meters like a kite with its string cut, carving a long trail across the concrete.

"Bucky..." Steve forced himself upright, his blurred vision sweeping across the wrecked dock. The pool of blood was still there, but the familiar figure had vanished. He did not know whether to feel relieved or worried—at least Bucky had escaped 2B's fatal strike.

The scrape of metal boots against the ground came from behind him. Steve turned and saw that 2B had risen again. Her silver combat suit was covered in cracks that Man had left, but her three-pronged blade still gleamed with cold light.

"Captain Rogers." 2B's voice was colder than ever as her blade pressed against Steve's throat. "Because your interference caused an S-class dangerous target to escape, you will be temporarily detained."

Steve did not resist. He slowly raised his hands, and his shield fell to the ground with a dull thud. "I understand your position, 2B." He looked directly into her optical lenses. "But Bucky is not a criminal. He is a victim."

2B's blade did not move an inch. "Your subjective judgment does not affect my assessment." She drew a light screen in the air with her left hand. "The detention order has been sent. Stark will arrive in ten seconds."

"You could have killed me," Steve said quietly. "But you chose restraint rather than lethal force."

2B's eyes flickered faintly. "Your death does not satisfy the mission's cost-benefit calculation." She paused for 0.3 seconds. "And... you have saved many humans."

The roar of helicopter rotors came from afar. Steve looked toward the direction where Bucky had disappeared, his heart a tangle of emotions. This chase had ended in an unexpected way, but the war had only just begun.

"I'll find him," Steve told 2B, so softly that he was almost inaudible. "Before you hurt him."

2B did not respond. Her optical lenses reflected the approaching helicopter, and no emotional fluctuation could be seen behind her silver faceplate. Yet the pressure of the blade against Steve's neck subtly lessened by 0.5 newtons.

Just as the two faced each other in silence, a gold-and-red figure tore through the morning sky and crashed down with the roar of thrusters. Tony Stark descended from above, his gold-and-red armor shining brilliantly beneath the rising sun as six mechanical wings folded back into his body.

"Report." Tony opened his faceplate, his expression more serious than ever. His gaze quickly swept over the Man-ravaged docks, lingering briefly on 2B's injuries and the blood on Steve.

"Stark." 2B's voice was calm and mechanical, her silver blade still locked onto Steve. "The target has escaped. Mind Scepter energy readings are rising."

Steve silently looked at Tony without defending himself. He knew how dangerous the thing Bucky had taken was—the Mind Scepter's power was enough to destroy an entire city.

"Listen, Captain." Tony's voice was stern. "You interfered with the capture of an S-class dangerous target and are now under temporary detention. We'll discuss everything once we return to Arbitrator Tower."

Steve's blue eyes widened slightly. He noticed that the glow from the reactor in Tony's chest was brighter than usual—the sign that it was running at full power.

"You know that isn't an ordinary dangerous target," Steve said hoarsely from exhaustion. "That's Bucky. He was controlled—"

"Enough." Tony cut him off. "This isn't the time to discuss it. 2B, can you stand down?"

2B's eyes flickered. "Master has been contacted for confirmation. Orders updated. Alert status lifted." Her blade slowly retracted, though her gaze remained fixed on Steve. "Please note that the Mind Scepter energy readings carried by the target are rising. Threat level has been raised to SS-class."

"Got it." Tony nodded, then softened his tone when he turned to Steve. "Old popsicle, come back with me first. Chen Tian is already analyzing the scepter's energy trail."

Steve did not argue. He lowered his head to look at his bloodstained gloves, remembering the hollow look in Bucky's eyes. The scepter's power was eroding his best friend, and he could do nothing about it.

Tony noticed Steve's silence and sighed. "I know what you're thinking. But trust me, Chen Tian's technology plus my brain—we'll find a solution that doesn't hurt Bucky."

In the distance, an aircraft from Arbitrator Tower was approaching. Tony patted Steve's shoulder, his armor humming softly. "Let's get your wounds treated first, then we can talk properly. I promise."

The smoke of war had not yet cleared from Washington when the aircraft from Arbitrator Tower cut through the sky. Tony gazed out at the Man-ravaged city through the cabin window, casualty figures constantly updating across his armor's faceplate. Steve leaned against his seat while a medical drone treated his injuries.

"The casualties are lower than expected." Tony suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the cabin. "Thor and Hulk took care of Cull Obsidian."

Steve looked up and saw lightning shining over the distant ruins through the window. Thor's cape snapped in the fierce wind, Mjolnir embedded in Cull Obsidian's shattered skull. Hulk stood nearby, his green skin covered in Man-inflicted wounds but wearing a victorious grin. At their feet, Loki knelt on one knee, his hands locked in special cuffs Thor had brought from Asgard.

Farther away, Madara Uchiha sat atop Ebony Maw's twisted corpse, coldly watching rescue teams move through the ruins. The Arbitrators' medical robots worked seamlessly alongside S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, while orange engineering mechs cleared away collapsed buildings.

"What about Trident Building?" Steve asked hoarsely.

Tony brought up a holographic display. "Hydra has basically been wiped out." In the footage, Crossbones was pinned to a shattered glass curtain wall. Then the feed switched to the rooftop—Chen Tian stood amid broken steel rebar, the Tesseract glowing blue in his hand as his white hair turned black again.

Chen Tian seemed to sense that Tony and the others were watching him. In the hologram, he smiled, and Chen Tian's voice came through the aircraft.

"Things are mostly settled here, Tony. I think we can head back to Arbitrator Tower first."

The corner of Tony's mouth immediately curled into his trademark mischievous grin. "Hey, Old Chen! I just found a Turkish kebab place near the battlefield that somehow survived! Their wraps are—"

Chen Tian's expression in the hologram froze at once, his gentle smile vanishing without a trace. His brow furrowed slightly, his mind filled with Man's image of the Avengers after the Battle of New York from Avengers 1, all struggling to swallow the Turkish kebabs Tony had recommended.

"Tony," Chen Tian said after taking a deep breath, "no."

"But that place is really delicious!" Tony protested like a child whose candy had been stolen, while his armor cooperatively made a pitiful mechanical whine. "JARVIS can vouch for it!"

"Sir, I cannot vouch for it, because the restaurant has poor online reviews." JARVIS promptly exposed Tony's lie.

Steve could not help laughing, then hissed as it pulled at his injuries. 2B silently handed him a medical kit, her eyes flickering with helplessness. Those two oversized children are at it again...

Chen Tian cleared his throat over the full channel. "Attention, everyone. Return immediately. I repeat, immedia—" He suddenly paused for half a second, then added, "...Tony says he has invited Michelin three-star Chef Dogdan to grill meat for everyone."

The channel instantly exploded.

"Oh! Barbecue! Is there alcohol?" Thor roared excitedly.

"Hulk wants double!" Hulk's voice made the communicator buzz.

"Hmph, barely acceptable." Madara Uchiha delivered his cool verdict.

"I want extra cheese..." Loki said as Thor dragged him along.

Tony helplessly said to JARVIS, "Our Arbitrators' leader has given the order, what can I do? You know what to do, JARVIS."

"Sir, Chef Dogdan has already been contacted. He is delighted to host a barbecue party for the heroes who saved the Washington District."

Tony winked smugly at Chen Tian. "See? That's called efficiency."

Chen Tian rolled his eyes and shut off the channel, though the corners of his mouth were clearly lifting.

As 2B helped Steve fasten his seatbelt, she suddenly said softly, "Master actually reserved your favorite cheeseburger truck."

Tony dramatically clutched his chest. "2B, you've gone bad! You actually teamed up with Chen Tian to surprise me!"

The aircraft was filled with Man's laughter. Even battered Washington seemed warmer beneath the sunlight. Tony suddenly shouted through the window, "Hey! That kebab place is really still there! JARVIS, mark the coordinates!"

"Coordinates marked. Would you like me to reserve a table for tomorrow at noon?"

"Of course! Remember to get Chen Tian a window seat. He loves—"

Steve smiled and shook his head, suddenly feeling that the mission to find Bucky did not seem quite so heavy anymore. With these lively teammates around him, even the darkest moments could be lit up by cheeseburgers and barbecue.

Postwar Party Extra

When the alarms at Arbitrator Tower finally fell silent, Tony made good on his promise—Michelin three-star legendary chef, "Dog Egg," arrived by air at the tower's rooftop terrace with his elite culinary team.

Happy had already led people in setting up a luxurious open-air kitchen, complete with stainless steel grills, professional ovens, massive cutting tables, and even a giant rotating roaster specifically for whole cattle. The moment Chef Dogdan entered, he began his signature roaring.

"Goddamn it! Who put this cutting board here?!" he roared, slamming a cutting board onto the table. "It doesn't even meet basic hygiene standards! Are you trying to give the Arbitrators food poisoning?!"

His culinary team fell silent, scrambling to adjust the equipment. Chef Dogdan grabbed two specially made alloy grilling forks, their tips glowing a dangerous red under the intense heat.

Tony had already changed out of his armor and stood nearby in a casual suit, a gleeful smile on his lips. "Looks like our Michelin chef has some very high standards."

"Shut up, Stark!" Dog Egg roared without turning around. "Your grill is twenty degrees too cold!"

Tony shrugged and turned to whisper to Steve, "That's what I love about him—he's as irritable as Hulk after someone stole his underwear."

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled across the terrace, Chef Dogdan's roars and the sizzle of grilling meat blending into a strange symphony.

"Welcome to the postwar party, gentlemen!" Tony announced with his arms wide open. "Tonight's menu—Chef Dogdan's special tomahawk steak, wagyu ribs, and..." He glanced at Hulk. "A Hulk Barbecue Tower specially made for a certain big green guy."

Hulk's nose twitched, and his eyes instantly lit up. "Hulk! Wants! Meat!"

Thor was already seated boldly beside the grill, Mjolnir casually stuck into the ground as a hook for his cape. "Midgard's barbecue is worth trying!"

Chef Dogdan suddenly crossed his grilling forks in a sweep, and flames shot a meter into the air with a whoosh. The scent of meat instantly exploded through the terrace. Madara Uchiha had been standing in the distance with his arms folded, but upon smelling it, he glanced over slightly. "...Hmph. Somewhat interesting."

Tony suddenly turned to Chen Tian, a wicked grin curling across his lips. "Hey, Chen Tian, remember when I said I'd have you demonstrate knife skills in Chef Dogdan's Hell's Kitchen?" He exaggeratedly mimed chopping vegetables. "Now's your chance. Do you still dare?"

Chen Tian was holding a wineglass and nearly choked at the words. "Are you serious? I still have that video of him making three contestants cry saved in my favorites."

"What are you afraid of?" Tony threw an arm around Chen Tian's shoulders and pointed at the enraged Chef Dogdan. "Look how friendly he is—at worst, he'll throw the onions you chop into outer space or make you eat undercooked Beef Wellington raw..."

Before he could finish, Dog Egg roared and slammed an entire platter of steaks onto the prep table. "You call this medium rare?! My grandmother's underwear is colder than this piece of meat!"

Thor raised his cup happily from afar. "Midgard's culinary standards truly are strict!"

Chen Tian silently put down his wineglass. "I suddenly remembered that the rescue robots' follow-up situation still needs—"

"Too late!" Tony smugly waved his phone. "I just showed Dog Egg that video of you splitting open my microwave with a knife. He said it was 'interesting'—you know how terrifying that word is in his dictionary, right?"

At that moment, Dog Egg suddenly turned around, his sharp gaze locking onto Chen Tian. "So you're the kid Stark calls a once-in-a-millennium knife prodigy?" He tossed over a kitchen knife. "Get over here! Let me see whether your knife skills are worthy of Stark's bragging!"

The entire terrace instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at Chen Tian with expressions that said good luck. Hulk even thoughtfully pushed the cutting board toward him.