Chapter 130: [129] : Happy Birthday
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"It's done for this helicarrier. Only one more to go," Captain America said, turning toward Roger after finishing the chip replacement on the carrier.
Using his enhanced vision, Roger scanned the remaining carrier and replied, "No need to worry, Tony's already taken care of it."
"Tony…?" Captain America was surprised. He hadn't expected Iron Man to be involved. When everything started, things had moved so quickly that they hadn't even had time to contact him, heading straight to the helicarriers instead. In hindsight, going to Tony first might have actually been quicker.
Mention of Tony's involvement helped Cap realize who Roger was. "Then you must be the 'Superman' Nick mentioned."
"You've seen him? I thought he was missing," Roger replied.
"He was, but we found him. Natasha and Clint are protecting him now," Cap explained.
Roger finally understood why Black Widow and Hawkeye weren't there; they'd been assigned to protect Nick Fury, ensuring that HYDRA didn't launch another attack on him.
Knowing Fury was safe, Roger felt reassured. Thanks to Cap's update, Roger now knew Fury would make the HYDRA infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. public within the next few days. For now, it seemed events were realigning with the plot of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
But before that, the Avengers needed to capture some of HYDRA's key operatives.
Starting with… the one right next to him.
Roger glanced over at the unconscious Winter Soldier and said to Steve, "Since Nick told you about me, you probably know I'm from a parallel world."
"Yes, he mentioned it, although he didn't seem fully convinced."
"Doesn't matter if he believes it or not," Roger replied with a shrug. "What's important is that I have a pretty good relationship with Bucky."
Cap's eyes widened. "You know Bucky?"
"You could say we're friends who've saved the world together. That's why I'm giving you this heads-up: Bucky's working for HYDRA because they brainwashed him. And if you use Loki's scepter on him, it should clear his mind. You should try it after all this is over."
Roger offered his advice, hoping it would help his old comrade.
In his own universe, he had grown close to the Winter Soldier. He'd even thought about bringing that version of Bucky into his own team before Andrea's Mind Stone sidetracked him.
Seeing the alternate version of his friend here, he felt compelled to share this solution. The Mind Stone was a manifestation of universal law, easily capable of undoing brainwashing. It always baffled him that the Avengers hadn't tried this in the movies.
Once Bucky's mind was restored, it would be one less threat for the future, perhaps even delaying or changing the infamous Civil War storyline.
With no way of knowing how long he'd be stuck in this world, Roger didn't want to witness Earth fall into chaos.
"Thank you," Cap said earnestly, his gratitude evident.
Roger smiled. "No need for thanks, just don't be mad at me later."
"Mad at you? Why would I be?"
Roger smirked without explaining, stepping out through the helicarrier's opening and watching as the S.H.I.E.L.D.-controlled craft began their descent.
He had initially expected the carriers to self-destruct after the chips were replaced, taking each other out in mid-air. But it seemed this version deviated slightly from the original plot.
Unsure why, he considered that Fury might have changed his mind about destroying the carriers, not wanting to waste such costly assets. Or perhaps some part of their plan had malfunctioned.
No matter. If the ships weren't going to go down with dignity, Roger would give them a nudge.
Rising high into the sky, Roger unleashed his heat vision, sparing no power as he targeted the carriers' propulsion and weapons systems.
He focused particularly on the central command cores, leaving no chance for them to be revived.
Slicing through engines with his heat vision and sometimes emulating Captain Marvel's reckless abandon by crashing through the massive steel beasts, Roger soon ensured the helicarriers were beyond repair.
Only after thoroughly dismantling them did he fly away under Cap's watchful gaze.
"Nicely done, pal," Cap murmured as Roger soared off. Only then did he understand why Roger had warned him about being blamed.
Though the carriers could've been preserved, they were now ruined, billions of dollars' worth of military assets reduced to scrap metal. If Cap were the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he would be furious with Roger. But since he wasn't, and because he had always harbored doubts about Fury's decision to preserve the helicarriers, Cap didn't mind. In fact, he felt grateful.
With the helicarriers destroyed, Roger's task was over.
He planned to return to Stark Tower to await Thor's arrival, but he noticed something unusual near the wreckage.
There, hovering mid-air and gazing pensively at the debris, was Tony.
"Stark…?" Roger said, floating up beside him.
Tony, snapped from his thoughts, turned to find Roger. "Next time, could you announce yourself before showing up?"
"Uh, sorry?" Roger said with a smirk, entirely unapologetic. "I saw you here, deep in thought, and was curious. What's on your mind?"
"Deep in thought? Me? Nah," Tony denied, shaking his head.
JARVIS, ever helpful, corrected, "Sir, you spaced out for precisely thirty-one seconds as the helicarrier was destroyed."
"Quiet, JARVIS! I didn't ask you," Tony snapped.
Amused, Roger let it slide as Tony, now caught off-guard, admitted, "Okay, maybe I was lost in thought. I just… I don't know. Something about all this felt strangely familiar."
Roger instantly grew alert. "Familiar? You're sure?"
"Pretty sure… well, maybe not completely," Tony replied, shaking his head. "It's like déjà vu or something… but why am I even telling you this? It's not like we're that close."
Roger ignored Tony's defensiveness, leaning in. "We don't have to be close. What matters is why you feel this way, it's crucial."
"Crucial? Right. And I'd love to know why that is," Tony said sarcastically, but Roger noticed a hint of confusion behind his usual bravado.
Roger cut to the chase. "Forget the déjà vu for a second. I just need to ask, does the name 'Andrea Kelson' mean anything to you?"
Tony had prepared to dismiss Roger's question, but as soon as he heard that name, he froze, the retort dying on his lips.
Without another word, he turned and flew back toward Stark Tower. Sensing the significance of his reaction, Roger followed close behind.
The two landed on the tower's upper floor, where Tony immediately removed his armor, ignoring Roger as he hurried into his quarters.
From a hidden compartment, Tony pulled out a box filled with random, seemingly forgotten belongings.
Digging through, he finally pulled out a smaller, intricately designed box. He hesitated before opening it and setting it on the table.
Inside lay a delicate silver necklace with a small pendant. Tony carefully opened the pendant, revealing a tiny photograph.
The sight of that picture sent a jolt through Roger, leaving him almost breathless.
In the picture were three people, Tony, Pepper (who wasn't yet his girlfriend), and… Andrea Kelson.
Andrea Kelson, again.
Roger could barely contain his shock. He had found traces of Andrea with Odin, and now here she was in Tony's life. It seemed this enigmatic predecessor had left her mark all over the Marvel Universe.
Roger stared at the picture, dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Tony's eyes were vacant, his expression unreadable. He looked at the pendant as if he had no idea why he even possessed it.
After a moment, he murmured, "There's something engraved on the back."
Roger, his keen eyes catching the words, pointed it out.
Turning the pendant over, Tony slowly read aloud the inscription on the back.
"To my dearest sister… Happy Birthday."
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