The first ray of dawn pierced the Washington District skyline, bathing the skyscrapers in a pale golden hue.
Steve's feet landed heavily on the damp alleyway, as the familiar yet strange figure ahead of him, like a ghost, weaved through the morning light, his metal arm reflecting the dazzling 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 boot soles on the concrete.
The Winter Soldier continued to run, the Mind Stone glinting in his hand.
His movements were as precise as a programmed sequence; every step perfectly avoided all obstacles, without the slightest human hesitation.
Steve leaped over a pile of trash-filled cardboard boxes, 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 in Brooklyn? Do you remember us—"
The Winter Soldier suddenly turned, his metal arm swinging out with astonishing speed.
Steve instinctively raised his shield to block, but this attack was even fiercer than before— "Bang!" The vibranium shield groaned under the strain, and Steve was forced back three steps.
No words, no eye contact.
The Winter Soldier's attacks were like a cold machine, each strike lethal.
He held the Mind Stone in his left hand, and his right metal arm swung out again, this time aiming directly for Steve's throat.
Steve dodged sideways, the edge of his shield grazing the Winter Soldier's mask.
"Bucky, look at me!" He tried to grab the other's shoulder but was struck hard in the chest by an elbow, the air forced out of his lungs.
The Winter Soldier took the opportunity to create distance, and the gem at the tip of the Mind Stone suddenly glowed with a blinding yellow light.
Steve felt a sharp pain explode from his temple, and flashes of Brooklyn's rainy nights, the Howling Commandos' flag, and Peggy's tearful smile flickered before his eyes—
"Ugh!" Steve bit his tongue, the taste of blood spreading in his mouth.
When his vision cleared, the Winter Soldier had already leaped onto a speeding black motorcycle.
Despite the sharp pain in his ribs, Steve leaped just as the motorcycle accelerated.
His fingers barely hooked onto the rear rack, and he was dragged along the rough road surface.
The Winter Soldier didn't look back, suddenly taking a sharp turn.
The motorcycle was almost parallel to the ground, and Steve's body was flung towards a fire hydrant by the roadside.
"Bang!" His back slammed heavily against the metal post, and his vision went black.
When his vision refocused, the motorcycle had already become a black speck in the distance.
Steve struggled to push himself up, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
In the morning light, he saw his palm was raw and bleeding.
"Captain, 2B has locked onto the target," Natasha's voice came through the earpiece, with a slight static noise, "Heading towards Grant Street Pier.
Tony will arrive in three minutes."
Steve spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand: "Tell Tony...don't open fire."
He gasped, pushing himself up, "That's still Bucky..."
"Agent Romanoff objects," Natasha's voice was uncharacteristically tense, "The target is exhibiting extreme danger, immediate action is advised—"
"Execute the order," Steve interrupted her, his voice colder and harder than the Winter Soldier's metal arm.
Just then, 2B's mechanized female voice suddenly cut into the communication channel: "Based on mission danger assessment, Captain Rogers's order is not adopted.
The target has been marked as the highest threat level."
Steve's heart sank, and he immediately quickened his pace, leaping and running rapidly through the ruins.
"2B!" he shouted into the communicator, his voice fragmented by the intense exertion, "You can apprehend Bucky, but don't hurt him!
I repeat, do not hurt him!"
The communication channel fell into a brief silence, with only Steve's ragged breathing and the sound of wind as he ran.
One second later, 2B's voice sounded again, calm to the point of cruelty: "Not adopted.
According to Master's orders, when the target possesses a lethal weapon and exhibits extreme aggression, lethal force is permitted."
"Damn it!" Steve roared, his speed increasing further.
He could feel sweat dripping down his temples, mixing with the bloodstains.
The soles of Steve's boots made a harsh scraping sound on the wet pier ground.
A loud clang of metal collision came from a distance, and his heart was almost pounding out of his chest.
"Stop!" Steve's roar echoed through the empty pier.
The sight before him froze his blood—Bucky lay on his back in a pool of blood, sparks flying from the mechanical interface of his left arm, and his combat suit torn with several gruesome wounds.
2B's silver blade gleamed coldly in the morning light, pointed directly at Bucky's throat.
"Bang!"
The vibranium shield cut through the air, flying towards 2B in a perfect arc.
2B's left hand raised, precisely deflecting the shield.
But this momentary delay was enough—
Steve charged like a cannonball, a flying kick from a seventy-year-old Old Ice Pop.
2B was forced to retreat half a step, the blade grazing Bucky's neck, leaving a trail of sparks on the concrete ground.
"Captain Rogers, you are interfering with a top-priority mission," 2B's voice was eerily calm, "The target has been confirmed as a HYDRA Agent, possessing an S-Rank dangerous item."
Steve stood in front of Bucky, the shield back in his hand.
He could hear faint gasps behind him; Bucky was alive but seriously injured.
"He's not HYDRA," Steve's voice trembled with anger, "He's a controlled victim!"
2B's blade suddenly deformed, extending three sharp spikes: "Last warning, please move aside immediately."
Steve noticed a fresh tear on 2B's combat suit—left by Bucky's counterattack.
This discovery tightened his heart; Bucky was still fighting before losing consciousness.
"I won't say it a second time," Steve lowered his stance, shield held to his chest, "If you want to kill him, you'll have to go through me first."
2B's combat program activated instantly; her figure left afterimages on Steve's retina, the trident blade aiming directly for his heart.
The vibranium shield erupted with blinding sparks, and Steve was forced back half a step by the immense impact, his boot soles leaving two streaks in the blood pool.
"Bucky...can you hear me?" Steve whispered in a gap between blocks, but behind him, there was only a faint groan.
2B's attacks were like a torrential storm, each strike precisely calculated for angle and force.
Steve's right arm began to go numb; he realized he couldn't last much longer.
2B's silver combat boots scraped a semicircle on the concrete, the trident blade cutting through the morning mist directly at Steve's throat.
The vibranium shield erupted with dazzling sparks, and Steve used the momentum to retreat half a step.
"Captain Rogers, please move aside," 2B's voice was still calm, but Steve keenly caught a subtle ripple within it, "My mission priority does not allow me to waste any more time."
"You've saved many civilians!" Steve shouted in a gap between blocks, the edge of his shield precisely wedging into the blade's mechanical joint, "You've protected innocent people in Washington District!
You fought bravely, all for the justice in your heart."
2B's offensive suddenly accelerated, the blade light weaving a silver net.
"That is programmed," her voice remained steady, but her attack trajectory subtly avoided vital areas.
Steve seized this fleeting opportunity, the shield tilting to strike 2B's wrist.
"A program wouldn't hold back in combat!" Amidst the clash of metal, he saw 2B's optical lens focus briefly become disordered for 0.3 seconds.
2B's spinning kick forced Steve back three steps, but she deliberately misaimed the landing point.
"I don't want to hurt you, Captain Rogers," 2B's voice returned to its cold clarity, "But if you continue to prevent me from executing Master's mission, I will subdue you first."
Suddenly, 2B spun around, her silver combat boots splashing ripples in the blood, sweeping past Steve with astonishing speed, rushing towards Bucky.
Steve's heart almost stopped—Bucky had awakened at some point and was now heavily striking the ground with the Mind Stone.
"No!" Steve's roar coincided with the booming sound of the Mind Stone hitting the ground.
A golden energy wave erupted from Bucky as its center.
The golden energy wave swept across the entire pier like a tsunami.
Steve only had time to raise his shield to his chest before he was thrown back by an invisible force.
His back slammed heavily against a shipping container, the booming sound of metal denting echoing in his ears.
2B was in equally bad shape.
Her silver body flew over ten meters like a broken kite, leaving a long trail on the concrete ground.
"Bucky..." Steve struggled to his feet, his vision blurry as he scanned the chaotic pier.
The pool of blood was still there, but the familiar figure had vanished.
He didn't know whether to be relieved or worried—at least Bucky had escaped 2B's fatal blow.
The sound of metal boot soles scraping the ground came from behind him.
Steve turned to see 2B already standing again, her silver combat suit covered in cracks, but the trident blade still gleamed coldly.
"Captain Rogers," 2B's voice was colder than ever, the blade pressed against Steve's throat, "Because you obstructed mission execution, leading to the escape of an S-Rank dangerous target, you will be temporarily detained."
Steve did not resist.
He slowly raised his hands, and the shield fell to the ground with a dull thud.
"I understand your position, 2B," He looked directly into her optical lens, "But Bucky isn't a criminal; he's a victim."
2B's blade tip remained motionless: "Your subjective judgment does not affect my determination."
Her left hand drew a light screen in the air, "Detention order sent, Mr. Stark will arrive in 10 seconds."
"You could have killed me," Steve said softly, "But you chose to subdue rather than kill."
2B's eyes flickered slightly: "Your Death does not align with mission benefit calculations."
She paused for 0.3 seconds, "And...you've saved many humans."
The roar of a helicopter propeller came from a distance.
Steve looked in the direction Bucky had disappeared, a mix of emotions in his heart.
This chase ended in an unexpected way, but the war had just begun.
"I will find him," Steve said to 2B, his voice almost inaudible, "Before you hurt him."
2B did not respond.
Her optical lens reflected the approaching helicopter, and no emotional fluctuations could be seen on her silver faceplate.
But the pressure of the blade against Steve's neck subtly lessened by 0.5 Newtons.
Just as the two stood in silent standoff, a golden-red figure streaked across the morning sky, landing with a roar of thrusters.
Tony Stark descended from the sky, his golden-red armor gleaming in the morning Sun, the six mechanical wings behind him retracting into his body like feathers.
"Situation report," Tony opened his faceplate, his expression more serious than ever.
His gaze quickly swept over the devastated pier, lingering for a moment on 2B's injuries and Steve's bloodstains.
"Mr. Stark," 2B's voice was calm and mechanical, her silver blade still locked on Steve, "The target has escaped, and the Mind Stone's energy readings are climbing."
Steve silently looked at Tony, not defending himself. He knew how dangerous the item Bucky took was—the Mind Stone's power was enough to destroy an entire city.
"Listen, Captain," Tony's voice was serious, "You are temporarily detained for obstructing the apprehension of an S-Rank dangerous target. We'll discuss everything once we're back at Arbitrator Tower."
Steve's blue eyes widened slightly. He noticed the light from the arc reactor on Tony's armor chest was more dazzling than usual—a sign of full power.
"You know that's not just an ordinary dangerous target," Steve's voice was hoarse with fatigue, "That's Bucky; he's been controlled—"
"Alright," Tony interrupted, "Now is not the time to discuss this. 2B, can you disengage alert status?"
2B's eyes flickered: "Confirmation from Master received. Instructions updated, alert status disengaged." Her blade slowly retracted, but her gaze remained fixed on Steve, "Please note, the Mind Stone carried by the target has climbing energy readings, and the threat level has been elevated to SS-Rank."
"Understood," Tony nodded, his tone softening as he turned to Steve, "Old Ice Pop, come back with me first. Chen Tian is already analyzing the Mind Stone's energy trajectory."
Steve didn't argue. He looked down at his blood-stained gloves, remembering Bucky's last hollow gaze. The Mind Stone's power was eroding his best friend, and he was powerless.
Tony noticed Steve's silence and sighed: "I know what you're thinking. But trust me, Chen Tian's technology combined with my brain, we will definitely find a solution that doesn't harm Bucky."
In the distance, Arbitrators' aircraft were approaching. Tony patted Steve's shoulder, his armor emitting a faint hum: "Let's go back and treat your wounds first, and then we'll have a good talk. I promise."
— — — —
The smoke of Washington had not yet dissipated, as Arbitrators' aircraft cut through the sky. Tony looked out the window at the ravaged city, casualty data constantly refreshing on his armor's display. Steve leaned back in his seat, a medical drone tending to his wounds.
"Casualties are fewer than expected," Tony suddenly broke the silence in the cabin, "Thor and Hulk took care of Ebony Maw."
Steve looked up, seeing the distant lightning shimmering over the ruins through the window. Thor's cape flapped in the strong wind, mjolnir plunged into Ebony Maw's shattered head. Hulk stood beside him, his green skin covered in scars but wearing a victorious smile. At their feet, Loki knelt on one knee, his hands cuffed by special restraints Thor had brought from Asgard.
Further away, Uchiha Madara sat on Ebony Maw's twisted corpse, indifferently watching rescue teams move through the ruins—Arbitrators' medical robots and S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents cooperated seamlessly, while orange engineering mechs cleared collapsed buildings.
"What about Triskelion?" Steve asked hoarsely.
Tony pulled up a holographic projection: "HYDRA has been largely cleared." In the image, Crossbones was pinned to a broken glass curtain wall. Suddenly, the camera switched to the rooftop—Chen Tian stood among broken rebar, the Tesseract in his hand emitting a faint blue light, his White hair turning back to black.
Chen Tian seemed to sense Tony and the others watching him. In the holographic projection, he smiled, and Chen Tian's voice came from the aircraft.
"Things here are mostly resolved, Tony. I think we can head back to Arbitrator Tower now."
Tony's lips immediately curled into his signature mischievous grin: "Hey, Old Chen! I just found a Turkish kebab shop miraculously survived next to the battlefield! Their kebab wraps are just…"
Chen Tian's expression in the holographic projection instantly froze, his originally gentle smile vanishing without a trace. He frowned slightly, his mind filled with the memory of the Avengers' unappetizing reactions to the Turkish kebab after the Battle of New York in Avengers 1, which Tony had recommended.
"Tony," Chen Tian took a deep breath, "Don't."
"But that place is really super delicious!" Tony protested like a child whose candy had been snatched, his armor cooperatively emitting a wronged mechanical sound, "Jarvis can testify!"
"Sir, I cannot testify, as that kebab shop has very low ratings online." Jarvis promptly exposed Tony's lie.
Steve couldn't help but chuckle, then winced as he pulled his wound. 2B silently handed him a medical kit, her eyes flickering with a hint of helplessness, these two big kids were at it again…
Chen Tian cleared his throat on the full channel: "Attention everyone, return to base immediately. Repeat, immediately…" He suddenly paused for half a second, then added: "…Tony said he invited Michelin three-star Chef Gou Dan to grill meat for everyone."
The channel instantly erupted:
"Oh! Barbecue! Is there alcohol?" — This was Thor's excited roar.
"Hulk wants double portions!" — The Hulk's voice made the communicator buzz.
"Hmph, barely acceptable." — Uchiha Madara's aloof comment.
"I want double cheese…" — This was Loki, being dragged by Thor.
Tony helplessly said to Jarvis: "Our Arbitrators' leader has given such an order, what can I do? Jarvis, you understand."
"Sir, I have already contacted Chef Gou Dan, he is very Happy to host a barbecue party for the heroes who saved Washington District."
Tony winked triumphantly at Chen Tian: "See? That's called efficiency."
Chen Tian rolled his eyes and turned off the communication, but the corners of his mouth were clearly turned up.
2B was helping Steve buckle his seatbelt when she suddenly whispered: "Master actually booked your favorite cheeseburger truck."
Tony dramatically clutched his chest: "2B, you've learned bad habits! You and Chen Tian conspired to surprise me!"
The aircraft was filled with laughter, and even the scarred Washington looked warm under the Sun. Tony suddenly shouted through the window: "Hey! That kebab shop is really still there! Jarvis, mark the coordinates quickly!"
"Coordinates marked. Would you like me to book a table for you tomorrow at noon?"
"Of course! Remember to book a window seat for Chen Tian, he likes it best…"
Steve smiled and shook his head, suddenly feeling that the mission to find Bucky didn't seem so heavy anymore. After all, with this group of lively teammates, even the darkest moments could be brightened by cheeseburgers and barbecue.
— — — — — —
Post-War Party Outtake
When the Arbitrator Tower's alarms finally ceased, Tony delivered on his promise—Michelin three-star legendary Chef "Gou Dan" and his elite culinary team air-dropped onto the tower's rooftop terrace.
Happy had already led people to set up a luxurious outdoor kitchen, complete with stainless steel grills, professional ovens, giant carving stations, and even a massive rotisserie specifically for roasting a whole cow. Chef Gou Dan started his signature roar the moment he walked in:
"Damn it! Who put this cutting board here?!" He roared, slamming a cutting board onto the table, "You can't even meet basic hygiene standards, do you want the Arbitrators to get food poisoning?!"
His chef team was silent, frantically adjusting various equipment. Chef Gou Dan picked up two special alloy barbecue forks, their tips glowing with a dangerous red light under the high temperature.
Tony had already changed out of his armor, standing aside in a casual suit, a schadenfreude smile on his face: "Looks like our Michelin chef has very high standards."
"Shut up, Stark!" Gou Dan roared without turning his head, "Your grill temperature is 20 degrees too low!"
Tony shrugged and turned to Steve, whispering: "That's what I like about him—as irritable as a Hulk whose underwear has been stolen."
The setting Sun's afterglow spilled onto the terrace, and Chef Gou Dan's roars and the sizzling of the barbecue interwove into a marvelous symphony.
"Welcome to the post-war party, guys!" Tony announced, spreading his arms, "Tonight's menu—Gou Dan's special tomahawk steak, wagyu short ribs, and…" He glanced at Hulk, "The 'Hulk Barbecue Tower' specially prepared for a certain green giant."
Hulk's nose twitched, his eyes instantly lighting up: "Hulk! Want! Meat!"
Thor had already sat down grandly beside the barbecue grill, mjolnir casually stuck into the ground as a hook for his cape: "Midgardian barbecue, worth a taste!"
Chef Gou Dan suddenly crossed his barbecue forks and swung them, flames 'whooshing' up a meter high, and the aroma of meat instantly exploded outwards. Uchiha Madara, who had been standing with his arms crossed in the distance, slightly turned his head after smelling the aroma: "…Hmph, a bit interesting, I suppose."
Tony suddenly turned to Chen Tian, a mischievous grin on his face: "Hey Chen Tian, remember last time I said I wanted you to participate in Chef Gou Dan's 'Hell's Kitchen' to showcase your knife skills?" He exaggeratedly gestured cutting vegetables, "Now's your chance, do you still dare to go?"
Chen Tian, holding a wine glass, nearly choked at the remark: "Are you serious? The video of him making three contestants cry is still in my favorites."
"What are you afraid of!" Tony threw an arm around Chen Tian's shoulder, pointing at the enraged Chef Gou Dan, "Look how friendly he is—at most he'll throw your chopped onions into outer space, or make you eat undercooked Beef Wellington raw…"
Before he finished speaking, they heard Gou Dan roaring as he slammed an entire plate of steak onto the prep table: "You call this medium-rare?! My Grandpa's underwear would be hotter than this meat!"
Thor, in the distance, happily raised his wine glass: "Midgardian cooking standards are indeed strict!"
Chen Tian silently put down his wine glass: "I suddenly remembered the follow-up on the rescue robots still needs…"
"Too late!" Tony smugly shook his phone, "I just showed Gou Dan the video of you slicing open my microwave with a knife, and he said it was 'interesting'—you know how terrifying that word is in his dictionary, right?"
At this moment, Gou Dan suddenly turned, his sharp gaze locking onto Chen Tian: "You're the kid Stark calls a once-in-a-millennium knife skill prodigy?" He tossed a chef's knife over, "Come here! Let me see if your knife work lives up to Stark's bragging!"
The entire place instantly fell silent, everyone looking at Chen Tian with 'good luck' expressions. Hulk even thoughtfully pushed a cutting board towards him.
------------------------
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(End of Chapter)