Fake... all fake!
Bucky was fake, and the Winter Soldier was fake too!
In an instant, Steve felt somewhat dazed, memories of the past flashing through his mind.
The fragments of memory flashed past like slides, finally freezing on the Siberian ice field, where Bucky Barnes roared as he pushed him away, only to fall into that bloody maw himself, ground apart and swallowed alive by two rows of huge teeth.
That was right... Bucky had died long ago.
He had clearly witnessed Bucky's death with his own eyes, so why had he still developed those unrealistic fantasies?
Even after seeing them again, deep down, he had once thought that Bucky actually had not died.
Thinking about it now... it was all guilt at work.
He would rather immerse himself in fantasy than recall that painful memory.
Even less did he want to recall Bucky, who had been swallowed alive by a Hollow in order to save him. That indescribably heavy sense of guilt tormented him at every moment, like a scar that would never heal.
Sam was dumbfounded after hearing it, the corner of his mouth twitching spasmodically as he slowly lowered his arm.
He did not want to get involved in this kind of complicated and troublesome relationship. Not only would he end up covered in trouble, but it would also be easy to please neither side. Besides, this was someone else's private matter. What did it have to do with him, who was only helping?
After hesitating again and again, Sam decided it was better to stay farther away, so he would not be dragged into it later.
"This is the truth you wanted."
Bucky seemed to have unloaded a heavy burden, straightening his bent spine once again as he said calmly, "Perhaps it is very different from what you imagined, but the truth is just this dramatic. Whether or not you can bear this result, the truth is always the truth."
"I..."
Steve opened his mouth weakly, but after seeing Bucky's disappointed eyes, the words that had reached his lips were swallowed back down.
"You don't need to say anything, Steve." Bucky sighed heavily, glanced at the Winter Soldier who was as blank as a puppet, and said, "I've already told you the truth. He became like this because of Hydra's hypnosis and brainwashing. Take him back and treat him properly."
"Then... what about you?" Steve asked with his head lowered. He did not dare look into Bucky's eyes, because that would make him feel too ashamed to show his face.
"Me? Heh, don't worry about me."
Bucky pointed at himself and smiled freely. "After this matter is completely resolved, I'll choose a place to live in seclusion, never get involved in any disputes again, and become a leisurely farm owner."
"You... are blaming me?"
Steve clenched his fists, his heart filled with regret. "If it's because of what happened just now, I can apologize to you!"
"You don't need to apologize to me, really."
Bucky sighed faintly, patted Steve on the shoulder, and said, "I have never blamed anyone, but just as you said, a clone is not the real Bucky, so I can't go back to the way things were with you."
"Then why are you..." Steve turned back to glance at the Winter Soldier, whose brain had crashed and fallen into a dazed state.
"He is different from me, Steve." Bucky said meaningfully, "From the very beginning, I knew my identity, but he is different. He does not know the truth of everything. Do you understand what I mean?"
"You mean..." Steve's whole body shook, and a trace of shock appeared in his eyes.
"Right now, Bucky's memories are awakening deep inside his brain." Bucky looked at the dazed Winter Soldier, and a trace of envy appeared in his eyes. "As long as Hydra's hypnosis is removed and the memories belonging to Bucky are awakened, he can become the real Bucky."
"!!!"
Steve's pupils dilated slightly, frightened by this bold proposal.
"Do you still remember what I told you?"
Bucky smiled faintly, patted Steve's shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Someone who possesses the same memories, the same past experiences, the same personality and appearance, the same DNA genetic sequence. As long as you believe he is, then he is the real Bucky Barnes."
"The real... Bucky?"
Steve had to admit that after hearing this proposal, he was truly tempted.
Perhaps it was to make up for his past guilt, or perhaps it was the wish for his close friend to revive. This proposal was like the temptation of a devil, instantly knocking open his hardened heart, making that heart beat violently, even causing his breathing to become rapid.
"After recovering Bucky's memories, he won't know any of this." Bucky looked seriously into Steve's eyes and said softly, "So he is the real Bucky. Is there any problem with that?"
"But..."
Steve's pupils were wide open, and deep in his heart, he sank into the mire of choice.
"Bucky is still here. He has only reappeared in another form." Bucky decided to release his final trump card and said, "If even you refuse to accept him, then he really can only stay forever in the abyss and become a weapon in someone else's hands."
He could choose to live in seclusion, but the Winter Soldier Bucky had no way out.
From the moment he was born, the Winter Soldier Bucky had been a weapon in Hydra's hands. If even Captain America would not accept him, then who else could accept him?
The best result one could imagine was nothing more than becoming a killing weapon in someone else's hands again.
They were both people drowning in water. The difference was that he was about to struggle out of the water, while the Winter Soldier was still sinking in the cold lakebed. The only person who could save him was his former best friend, Captain America.
"The choice... is in your hands."
Bucky slowly lowered his hand and smiled lightly. "You have always been stubborn since before, but I truly hope that you can listen to my advice this once. No matter what... we are all Bucky Barnes. That will never change."
"In the future... can I still see you again?" Steve did not directly agree, but asked with his eyes lowered.
"Yes. After I resolve this matter, I'll tell you where I'm living in seclusion."
Bucky froze for a moment, then revealed a hearty smile, pulled Steve tightly into his arms, and whispered in his ear, "No matter what happens, I am your best friend. As long as you are in trouble... I will definitely come help you."
Steve fell silent for a moment, then hugged Bucky tightly.
After the two embraced, they slowly separated.
Bucky took one last look at them and said, "I should go. I'll leave him to you."
"Your matter... I can help."
Steve clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "Just like you said, we are best friends."
"No need, Steve."
Bucky smiled and shook his head in refusal. "You still have more important things to do, right? Besides, helping me take him away is already the greatest help. Leave the rest... to us to resolve ourselves."
Steve moved his mouth weakly, lowered his head in disappointment, and said bitterly, "You're right. I still have something more important to do."
"After everything is resolved, let's sit down together and talk about these years." Bucky grinned, carrying an indescribable ease and carefree air.
...
The long night was endless, and the moonlight was hazy.
A private jet cut through the night sky and secretly landed at a hidden airport in the suburbs of New York.
Hive looked at the pitch-black night sky outside and the flashing neon lights in the city, and a vague ominous premonition arose deep in his heart.
That prosperous city seemed like a lurking monster, opening its bloody maw and quietly waiting for him to jump in.
Fine rain began to fall from the sky. Bone-piercing chill crept along the skin, eroding the bones bit by bit. A faint hazy mist rose, brewing an unsettling aura.
"You finally came, Hive."
Suddenly, a woman carrying a black briefcase appeared in the endless rain curtain.
"Peggy Carter..."
Hive narrowed his eyes and sneered. "As expected, I guessed correctly. You deliberately lured me here."
After all, he had lurked in the human world for decades. How could he fail to see such a crude plan?
However, even if he saw through it, he still had to brace himself and come.
But this was precisely Peggy's brilliance. She used the Obelisk as bait, and after cutting away most of Hydra's forces, forced Hive to come over and personally seize the Obelisk.
An open and aboveboard scheme. It did not fear that you would not come.