"He's dead."
"I know."
"The transport vehicle carrying the body crashed. It exploded before they could move him out."
"Are you sure it was really an accident?"
"Yes. Though we all know it couldn't have been, S.H.I.E.L.D. hasn't found any evidence of foul play. Everything looks clean. His body's gone."
"He left detailed cloning data."
"Of course he did. The man always had backup plans."
"Should we clone him? Bring him back?"
"Does cloning count as resurrection?"
"I don't think so."
"Then it's not resurrection."
"But he said—"
"He said that when he was alive. Now he's dead."
"What are you getting at?"
"He can't live, but we can live in his place. More importantly, we can't let him know there's another Fury in this world. If he finds out, he'll come for me—for us."
"We don't answer to anyone now."
"Exactly. From this moment, the Skrulls are free to be their own masters."
"I'll clear out everything Fury left behind."
"Do it thoroughly. Leave nothing—not even a trace of DNA."
"I will. I feel... free. Praise the Dragon King!"
"Free at last. Praise the Dragon King!"
In Sokovia, the Winter Soldier stirred awake. With Big Head's help, he'd mostly recovered. His memories were intact, though a shadow lingered in his demeanor. His metal arm, shattered by Hong Fei's punch, had been removed. The loose sleeve of his black T-shirt fluttered in the breeze as he walked alongside Steve through the castle grounds. Steve's eyes kept darting to the empty space where the arm had been, his discomfort palpable.
Bucky moved slowly, breathing in the crisp air and taking in the scenery. Without looking at Steve, he said, "Stop staring at me like that. You're making me feel like some old man waiting to die in a nursing home."
Steve cracked a smile.
"They call us 'old guys,' but half the time, they're older than we are."
Bucky's lips twitched, his smile strained, muscles stiff. Finally reunited and free from distractions, Steve pressed on.
"Age doesn't matter. What matters is we're together again, and there's no endless war this time."
"But you're a wanted man now. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s after you."
Two days ago, Steve had infiltrated a S.H.I.E.L.D. underground base. He'd seen the three massive Helicarriers, each equipped with anti-gravity engines and ground-attack weapons far beyond standard carriers. When he tried to investigate further, he triggered the alarms. He'd clashed with S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, even killed a few who attacked him without hesitation.
After his escape, S.H.I.E.L.D. had labeled him a fugitive. Though his unique status kept the news quiet for now, it wouldn't be long before they fabricated charges, turning him from a superhero into a wanted criminal.
"Soon, I won't be a hero anymore."
Saying this, Steve showed no worry or sorrow. Instead, a faint smile played on his lips, as if he didn't care at all. Bucky studied him.
"The government won't let you become a criminal. It'd mean undoing decades of their own propaganda."
"There are plenty of citizens who've looked up to you as a role model over the years, Steve. Offending them wouldn't be wise."
"How do you know I have so many fans?" Steve asked, surprised.
Bucky smirked.
"I woke up before you returned. Didn't leave the room, but Samuel showed me how to use a computer. I've been catching up on the news from these past years."
Steve chuckled.
"That explains it. But there are things you don't know yet. The Federal Government won't back me this time—if anything, they'll make things worse."
Bucky frowned.
"Why would they?"
Steve patted him on the shoulder.
"Because I just had a heated argument with the President, the Secretary of State, and a few others at the White House."
"Over that?"
"The argument isn't the real issue. The problem is that my ideals don't align with theirs anymore—they're practically the opposite. If I were just another soldier, they could ignore me. But if I pose a threat, they'll try to push me out—or worse."
Bucky shook his head.
"No way. You're Captain America. You're a symbol."
"But I'm alive," Steve said quietly. "If I were dead, they'd happily let me be their symbol—a statue that doesn't talk back or think for itself. But I'm not a statue. And now they see me as a problem."
He gazed into the distance, his voice distant.
"The Federation today isn't the same one we enlisted in, Bucky."
Bucky fell silent, his expression unreadable.
Just then, a small white fox with two tails leaped to Bucky's feet. He looked down to find the creature gazing up at him with curious, intelligent eyes. Bucky leaned forward and extended his arm. The fox jumped into his embrace, its fur soft and smooth beneath his fingers. As he stroked it, some of the tension in his face seemed to ease.
He turned to Steve with a smile.
"You've changed."
"Have I?"
"You're sharper than before. Back then, you wouldn't have thought this deeply."
Steve grinned sheepishly.
"I've been through a lot."
"Good. Otherwise, I'd still have to keep protecting you."
"I haven't forgotten how you looked out for me back then," Steve said warmly.
Bucky glanced at his missing arm and laughed. "Guess it's your turn to protect me now."
"Don't worry," Steve assured him.
"Hong said your old metal arm wasn't cutting it. He's had Ivan design a new one for you—made of Vibranium. You know what Vibranium is?"
He tapped the shield on his back.
Bucky raised an eyebrow.
"Your shield's indestructible."
"And so will your left arm be."
"I remember Hong—he's the one who saved me. How should I thank him?"
"No need. He's a friend. Once you get the Vibranium arm, you can join the Superpower Foundation. He founded it."
"Alright."
Bucky agreed without the slightest hesitation. Seeing this, Steve's smile widened. He paused, then added, "Oh, and one more thing—don't call Samuel 'Mr. Samuel' anymore."
"Why not?"
"He prefers 'Big Head.'"
"That's... an odd choice."
"Hong started calling him that, and it stuck."
Bucky nodded slightly.
Inside the castle, Big Head found Hong Fei standing alone. Bathed in sunlight, Hong Fei remained motionless as Big Head approached.
"Boss," Big Head began, his voice hesitant, "there's something I think I need to tell you."
"Speak," Hong Fei replied, his tone calm and direct.
Big Head glanced around nervously, then lowered his voice.
"Boss, I saw something... extraordinary in Barnes's memory. I cross-referenced the dates, and his memories align perfectly with the reports from that time. Tony Stark's parents—they didn't die in a car accident. It was an assassination by HYDRA. And the killer... it was Barnes."
He looked up at Hong Fei, his expression hopeful, as if expecting praise.
Hong Fei considered this for a moment.
"Well done," he finally said. "Coordinate with Steve to deal with Hydra-S.H.I.E.L.D. And keep searching for key clues. Make sure no one else gets their hands on the evidence and uses it to cause trouble within The Foundation."
Big Head's face lit up at the praise.
"Okay! I'll do my best!"
"Pierce might try to launch the Insight Project during the chaos," Hong Fei added.
"If he does, kill him. Then mobilize everyone to seize the Helicarriers."
"Understood," Big Head replied firmly.
Hong Fei's gaze shifted to Bucky in the distance, who was cradling the fox. His brow twitched slightly.
"Why can he hold them, while I, their true owner, can't even touch them? Are these Nine-Tailed Foxes blind?"
Big Head suppressed a smirk.
"Boss, it's possible you're just too powerful. They might fear you instinctively."
"That makes sense," Hong Fei mused, but his words were cut short as he suddenly looked up at the sky.
Arthur's voice echoed in his mind.
"Sir, an abnormally high-intensity energy fluctuation has appeared in space. It's moving rapidly toward Earth."
"Got it," Hong Fei said aloud.
Big Head frowned.
"Boss, what's wrong?"
"Nothing major. There's about to be a fight. Send out the alert—everyone needs to be ready."
With that, Hong Fei opened a Portal and stepped through.
In New York, he appeared outside the manor. Above him, a streak of brilliant light tore across the sky, racing from outer space toward the horizon. The scorching glow left a lingering trail, like flames etched into the atmosphere.
Sif stood nearby, her long dress flowing, her longsword at her side. A flicker of concern crossed her eyes as she sensed the anomaly.
"Just watch," Hong Fei said, appearing beside her. "Don't interfere."
Before she could respond, he shot into the air.
In an instant, the Dragon Dimension's power surged through him. Golden light erupted from his body, forming a massive, radiant dragon that enveloped him completely. The dragon's form stretched upward, its movement fluid and precise.
As the distance between the two lights closed, a spark of excitement gleamed in the dragon's golden vertical pupils.