Location: Brooklyn, New York – 1942
Time: T-minus 1 week before Steve Rogers' transformation
---
Brooklyn smelled like coal smoke, cheap whiskey, and war anxiety.
The streets were crowded with soldiers in training, newsboys yelling about Europe, and young men trying to prove themselves. Somewhere in this maze of history was Steve Rogers, still a skinny kid dreaming of making a difference.
And somewhere nearby, Project Omega was plotting to stop him from ever becoming Captain America.
---
[System Alert: Event Anchor Detected]
> Critical Point: Steve Rogers – Pre-Serum
Threat: Temporal Interference Team (Codename: Nemesis Unit)
Objective: Terminate Subject Before Super Soldier Trial
Protection Priority: MAXIMUM
I adjusted my coat and stepped out of the alley. My Symbiote Fragment lay dormant under my skin, disguised. My weapons were period-appropriate: a Colt 1911, smoke pellets, and custom null-knives disguised as trench blades.
It wasn't just about protecting Rogers—it was about preserving the soul of the Avengers.
---
Mission Start
It took hours of old-school tailing, bribes, and a little system help, but I found him—Steve, 90 pounds soaking wet, being bullied by some meathead outside a movie theater.
Some things never change.
I watched from the shadows as Steve took the punches, refused to back down, and got up each time with bloody determination.
"Guy's got a death wish," I muttered.
---
[System Note: Heart Resonance Detected – Trait Match with Subject: S. Rogers]
> Compatibility: 91%
You are now able to track Steve Rogers via instinctive link
Bonus: Nearby Presence Buff (Courage Sync) – 5% increased resistance to fear-based effects
Useful.
---
But something was off. Across the street, two men in long coats watched Steve too closely. Clean boots. Wrong fabric. No accents. Temporal travelers trying to blend in.
Omega Operatives.
I scanned them.
---
[Scan Result – Omega Nemesis Unit]
> Subject 1: Enhanced Physique (Modified Nazi Super Serum)
Subject 2: Psionic Manipulator (Fear Inducement)
Objective: Stage an "accident" – ensure Rogers never reaches the lab trial
---
They started moving. Rogers had just stepped into a quiet side alley—classic ambush setup.
I launched an Ashstep behind them—silent, fast.
The taller operative turned, but I was already mid-swing.
WHAM.
My elbow caught his jaw, sending him into the brick wall.
The second one snarled and flicked his fingers. Shadows writhed from his palm and injected dread into the air.
Instantly, I felt it—visions of failure, of Sovereign killing the Avengers, of the timeline collapsing.
---
[Symbiote Override: Fear Resistance Engaged]
> Fear Signature Analyzed – Creating Adaptive Counter-Tone
Generating: "Courage Pulse" – Aura activated
The symbiote fought back, wrapping my mind in steel.
I advanced.
"You want to play with fear?" I said, drawing my trench blade. "Let's see how you handle reality."
He barely blocked my strike. I twisted my blade, feeding my Ember trait into the hilt.
The blade exploded into flame, consuming his shadows.
He screamed.
---
Steve saw it all.
The two attackers—vanished in smoke and fire. A mysterious man in a coat standing where they'd just been.
He stepped closer.
"Who are you?"
I paused. "A friend."
"Did you… save me?"
"Not yet. But I'm working on it."
I turned to walk away, but Steve called out, "Why me?"
I looked back.
"Because without you… the world doesn't have hope."
Then I vanished into flame.
---
Location: SSR Lab – Day Before Serum Trial
I infiltrated the base under the guise of a mechanic. Thanks to the system and some forged documents, I had clearance to move between wings.
But Omega wasn't done.
They'd sent one more agent—a last-ditch variant.
---
Subject: Omega Berserker – Fear Serum Enhanced Variant of Steve Rogers
> Created from corrupted DNA in a shattered timeline
Full-body Super Soldier capabilities with emotion-driven rage
Goal: Replace Rogers in Project Rebirth
I found him in the lower hangar—restrained, but breaking free.
"Warning," the system chimed.
[Danger Level: HIGH]
> Subject exhibits mimicry of Rogers' values—but twisted by self-hate and manipulation
Mission: Terminate Omega Berserker before exposure to Dr. Erskine
---
Too late.
He broke free with a roar and sprinted toward the main chamber where Erskine and Steve were preparing for the trial.
Time slowed.
I had seconds.
I activated everything:
— Ashstep (double burst)
— Burn Memory Reflex
— Symbiote Armor (Stealth Mode)
— Pantherblood Instinct Boost
---
I crashed into the berserker mid-run, slamming both of us through a wall into a storage room.
He looked exactly like Steve—but his eyes were blood-red, filled with confusion and fury.
"You don't belong here," I growled.
"I am him," he spat, "but better. Stronger. Chosen."
"No. You're what he could've become if he gave in to hate."
We fought.
Fire, fists, and fury.
He was faster.
Stronger.
But I had something he never would—control.
---
I lured him toward the electrical panels, feinted, then triggered Ashstep straight into the ceiling—just as he charged.
He hit the panels.
Electricity danced over his skin.
He twitched. Convulsed.
I dropped down and injected a null-serum Wong had provided.
He collapsed—unconscious.
Erased from this timeline.
---
[System Update: Mission Complete]
> Steve Rogers: Safe
Project Rebirth: Uninterrupted
Omega Variant Contained
Timeline Stability: 94% (Slight Flux From Close Encounter)
---
Later – Rooftop Overlooking Brooklyn
I watched Steve walk out of the lab, smiling, talking to Peggy.
Still small. Still fragile.
But not for long.
Tomorrow, he'd become Captain America.
And thanks to me, he still had that chance.
---
[Sign-In Available – Week Complete]
Would you like to sign in?
"Yes."
[Reward: Combat Technique Scroll – "Ghost Strike Style"]
> Description: Martial arts method from a forgotten universe
Focus: Precision, silent assassination, zero movement waste
Bonus Trait: "Stillness is Speed" – Temporary time compression during critical strikes
---
I felt the data flow into me. New moves. New instincts. A deeper calm.
The war wasn't over. Omega was just getting started.
But now, so was I.
---