Capítulo 85: Chapter 85: Stark, Life’s Winner
"So… I've been in a coma for over half a century?" Steve sat in stunned silence, struggling to absorb the enormity of it all.
After a moment, he looked up, his expression shifting. "Have you found Bucky's body?"
Thor and Peggy exchanged a look, both slightly taken aback. After everything, Bucky was the first thing on his mind. They were struck by the intensity of the captain's loyalty to his friend.
Peggy glanced at Thor, her eyes questioning. Thor had once hinted to her that Captain America and Bucky were likely still alive, but she wasn't sure if now was the time to tell him. Thor gave her a reassuring nod, then turned to Steve.
"After the war, Howard Stark searched the valley beneath the cliff where Bucky fell, but he found nothing," Thor explained. "Officially, the files listed the three of us as 'missing in action.'"
Steve nodded slowly, catching Thor's hint. Three missing… two still alive… A flicker of hope crossed his face.
"…And that's why I realized we need a team of superheroes to handle threats that regular forces can't manage," Nick Fury explained, summarizing the events since the end of World War II.
"You want me to join, then?" Steve asked, understanding where this was headed.
"Yes," Fury replied. "It may be a lot to ask a veteran to take up his shield again, but the world still needs you."
Steve nodded solemnly. "I understand. From the moment I stepped into Dr. Erskine's lab, I was ready for this."
Thor stepped forward, holding a package. Unwrapping it, he revealed a shield. "This is yours. I even repainted it."
Steve took the shield, running his hand over its familiar lines, lost in thought.
Fury watched him carefully. "Captain, is there anything you feel…off about? Anything uncomfortable?"
Steve shook his head, a somber expression on his face. "No, I'm just feeling a bit… nostalgic. Not many people I knew will still be here." He looked down at the shield. "This was a gift from Howard. After all these years… he's gone now, isn't he?"
Thor nodded. "Yes, Howard passed a few years back. He had a long, peaceful life. But his son's still around—I think you'll get along. Once you're settled, I'll introduce you to him."
Peggy smiled at Thor's mention of Tony, but couldn't help chuckling to herself at what Tony Stark was in for.
The awakening of Captain America was a major reassurance for Nick Fury. While Steve wasn't the strongest superhero, he was without question one of the most steadfast.
But no one was as thrilled as Phil Coulson, who finally got to meet his idol in person. Not only that, he managed to snap a picture with him and even get an autograph.
The only person less than excited about Captain America's return was Tony Stark.
Lately, Tony's mood had been great. He had just neutralized his poison, defeat a newcomer villain, Ivan "Whiplash" Vanko, and his competitor, Hammer Industries, had finally crumbled. Hammer Industries had suffered massive setbacks after Ivan's Iron Soldiers malfunctioned and were put on trial in a military court, effectively wiping out Justin Hammer's company.
It had been an unfortunate chain of events for Justin Hammer. In his eagerness to one-up Stark Industries, he'd partnered with Ivan to create Iron Soldiers to rival Tony's suits. But things quickly went south: Ivan used the Iron Soldiers to launch an attack during STARK EXPO, ignoring public safety. In a final act of hatred, he triggered the entire fleet to self-destruct.
Meanwhile, Tony had solved his palladium poisoning issue, solidified his standing with the military by gifting the War Machine armor to his friend Rhodes, and regained Washington's trust. The cherry on top? He used S.H.I.E.L.D.'s influence to get the senator who despised him to present him with a medal. Watching the man forced to praise him with a forced smile was immensely satisfying.
That night, he celebrated his victories by hitting the town with Rhodes, spending the night in high spirits and good company.
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