Wakanda, August 11, 2016

Steve walked over the brightly lit bridge into Shuri's design lab, built within the heart of Mount Bashenga. He'd imagined finding something similar to the medical unit, with strict white lines, but Shuri had gone all out to make this place her own. 
A giant cylinder with a winding staircase stood in the middle of the room. A splendid design of rich, colorful African motives decorated the black outer walls of the two white cubicles in the middle of the cylinder. Some of the most intricate tech stuff Steve had ever seen was displayed in an arc around it. He immediately thought of Tony. Iron Man would be as giddy as a kid on the playground in a place like this. 
Shuri and Sam sat together, hunched over a table holding several tablets and computers near the window. Daylight streamed in from up above, down the shaft holding the nation's most precious substance. He suspected the close location to vibranium was the primary reason for Shuri and the Wakandan Design Group to have set up shop here. 

"Please tell me you got something," Steve said as he approached the duo. 

"Something and nothing," responded Sam, surly. "How'd it go with Nemesis?"

"She definitely knows Lucas well enough to get upset after I told her he was found dead at home."

"Wait, what? You told her Lucas died?"

"I had to get her to react to the photograph, and the best way to do that was to shock her." 

By the manner in which Sam pinched his lips, Steve could tell he didn't agree with this course of action and would've handled things differently and more empathically, but they had no time to treat Nemesis with kid gloves. She was far from one, despite looking so young. And he was far from the skinny, naïve boy he used to be. Too much had happened for him to still look at the world the way he had before the war.  

"What do you have?" asked Steve again. 

Shuri answered first. "Nemesis's DNA profile is one of the most complicated I have come across. I am still running the data, but I suspect she may be a human chimera. It is a genetic mutation that sometimes occurs when blood or marrow gets mixed in, for example, a transplant. I've found blood cells of both type A and O, but I cannot say how the mutation occurred. Yet. You would not know what you have, by any chance, would you, Captain? It would help me filter the results."

"Type A," he answered. "S.H.I.E.L.D. did a full analysis on me after they pulled me from the ice."

 "All right, so assuming we are correct in our identical twins' theory, Evelyn had the same type, so we are still left with the same questions as before. I will have to determine the O, which will not be easy. Over 37% of the world's population has that type."

"If anyone can figure this out, it's you, Shuri." Steve next turned to Sam. "What about you? What's the word on Lucas?"

"Not that much, though he's had some bad luck in his life," answered Sam. "Moved to LA in the Spring of '47, where he raised his son alone after his wife died of —"

"Whoa, back up. His son and wife? That's not possible."

"Why not?"

"Lucas is gay. Bucky remembered and told me before we found out he was still alive."

Sam furrowed a brow and then groaned in annoyance as he glanced at Shuri. "Looks like I owe you and Widow ten bucks." 

"Told you." She smirked triumphantly. "He was far more interested in speaking with you than me or Natasha."

"Guys, focus." Steve brought them back to order. "Sam, what about the wife and son?"

"Right, so the wife, Deborah Rider, died of TB a few months after giving birth. The pregnancy advanced and complicated the disease, but the baby was delivered safely and didn't have it. The kid then died when he was sixteen when he was visiting relatives in Brooklyn."

"By Bast, so young. What happened?" asked Shuri.

"Police and paramedics got an anonymous tip of a gunshot victim in an alley. Kid was rushed to the hospital and had surgery but died in the morning 'cause of a blood cloth in his lungs."

"Did they ever catch who shot him?" 

"No, it's a cold case. There wasn't enough blood at the scene, so inspectors believed he was moved there. No bullets, or any other clues that could help, either." 

Steve leaned his hands on the table, head hung low. He tried to process what he'd just learned, but nothing made sense. What did it all mean? How was Nemesis connected to Lucas, and where did this wife and son come from?

"Steve!" Widow's urgent voice suddenly rang in his earpiece. "Rogers, come in!"

"Romanoff? What's wrong?"

"It's Bucky! He's going after Nemesis! I tried to stop him, but he knocked me down!"

"I'm on my way! Alert T'Challa and meet me there!"

Without explaining anything to Sam and Shuri, Steve rushed out of the design lab. He sped through the corridors and streets, making his way from Mount Bashenga back to the detention level below the palace. The super-soldier serum flowing through his veins made him a lot faster than any mere human, but there was no way he could intercept Bucky in time. All he could hope for was that his friend wouldn't do something incredibly stupid and that it was still Bucky who was in control. If the Winter Soldier had awoken again, there was no telling what would happen to his nemesis.

***

The young assassin heard a terrible ruckus outside. People were yelling, though she couldn't make out the words. Something banged against the door. The four Dora Milaje guarding her moved as one, spears at the ready. Fools. There was nothing they could. 
The sudden silence that ensued was deafening. Everyone but the girl trapped within the vibranium shield held their breath in anticipation. They hoped that whatever had attacked the guards outside had been neutralized. They were wrong.
The corner of Nemesis' lip pulled up into a smirk when the door opened to reveal the one-armed Winter Soldier. About damn time. 

"Hi there," she said cheerfully. "Nice of you to drop in for a visit."

A pair of calculating ice-blue eyes narrowed at her. The Soldier stalked into the room. Nemesis threw a glance at the unconscious women outside before resting her gaze on the four still standing inside. If she failed to deal with her foe again, Black Panther surely would. That kitten would never condone the Soldier's violence against his people. 

"I don't want to hurt you," said the Soldier to the Dora, "but I will if you stand in my way."

"Not on my watch."

Nemesis gleamed when Captain Righteous showed up on the threshold. Excellent! All the players were on stage.

"Stand down, Bucky," ordered Rogers. The Soldier didn't budge. He kept looking at Nemesis, and she returned his glare with a gleeful smile. "Bucky, I won't tell you again. Back up, now."

"Can't do that, Steve," said the Soldier. 

Another two figures appeared in the corridor outside. The Crown Prince of Wakanda checked on the knocked-out Dora while Black Widow took position beside Rogers, one hand on her thigh holster. 

"Barnes, you wanna explain what that was all about just now?" she asked. "Or did you just feel like playing Hulk and smashing me against the wall?"

Nemesis furrowed her brow. Was that guilt she saw in the man's expression at being called out for having used violence against Natasha? No, impossible. The Winter Soldier didn't have emotions. He was a cold-blooded killer, HYDRA's number one. What would he know about feeling guilty over something?

"Look, I know what you're both thinking, but I need you to trust me for a sec," he said. "I have to talk to her."

"Why?" demanded Rogers. "Did you learn something from Evelyn's journal?"

Journal? What journal? 

Nemesis subtly cocked her head as the blond man approached his friend. She didn't recall Lucas ever telling her about a journal. Interesting. 

"She knows it, Steve," the Soldier then said. "She knows the song."

Rogers visibly started at the revelation. He swiftly walked over to the Soldier and turned him by his shoulder. "What are you talking about?"

"I saw her mumbling something on the live security," explained the Soldier. "I zoomed in to read her lips. The words matched the lyrics to the song Evelyn used to sing in the Poppy Lounge. It was our song, Steve. Mine and Evelyn's. And she knows it."

They both turned their attention back on Nemesis, one looking at her in utter shock, the other with determination. She flashed them a grin. The Soldier remained calm, as she knew he would, but Rogers wasn't nearly as composed.

"Everyone out," he spoke. "Right now."

The Dora Milaje remained in their defensive stance, weapons pointed at the Winter Soldier, until their Crown Prince ordered them to help the wounded. Slowly, they moved around the two super-soldiers and out the door to carry their sisters to the medical wing. 

"You too, Romanoff." Rogers glanced back at her. 

Nemesis met her gaze as the assassin-turned-Avenger lingered. She preferred not to see Natasha get caught in the crossfire, but if Black Widow was stupid enough to stay put, she had no problem taking her down as well. Luckily, Natasha moved back, and the door closed with a soft whoosh.
Nemesis took a deep breath. Retribution was within her grasp, at long last. She would destroy the Soldier and Rogers for what they had done to her and the people she loved. Time to make her move.

***

Steve's arms trembled at his side as he dug his nails into his palms. How? Just how did this girl know about something so private between his sister and friend? 

"Don't hurt yourself there, Rogers." Nemesis chuckled lightly. "Wouldn't want you to burst outta your suit now, would we? Oh, wait, my bad."

He sneered back at her. She really had a way of getting under his skin. "Enough of your games, Nemesis. Tell us how you know that song."

"Song? What song?" She scrunched her nose, pretending to think. "Oh! Do you mean...?"

Steve's heart lurched as the girl hummed a melody. He knew that song. It got really popular because of that Casablanca movie. But how would Nemesis know it? She didn't look like the type of girl who would watch such a classic. Had S.H.I.E.L.D. even held movie nights for their staff? Probably not.
He looked down to find the tablet he'd put on the ground earlier was still there. Was that it? Did he have to look at Lucas for this? Bucky told him the union rep had been a musician in the Poppy Lounge. Had he accompanied Evelyn's song with the piano? Had he played it for Nemesis? If he had, why? Why that song? What the hell was going on here?

"Catchy little tune, don'tcha think?" Nemesis's violet eyes settled on Bucky. "Perfect for lovers."

Steve stiffened when she spat the word. Was she talking about Evelyn and Bucky? Or... did it hold another meaning? 

"What do you know 'bout that?" demanded Bucky. "Tell me what —"

"Желание," she suddenly said. "Ржавый."
(Longing. Rusted.)

Bucky's eyes widened in terror. "No... No, don't!"

"Семнадцать."
(Seventeen.)

He staggered back. Steve was instantly on high alert. Natasha had been teaching him some Russian during their time at the Avenger Compound, so he knew enough to understand the seemingly random words Nemesis was saying had to mean something. Something bad. 

"Рассвет."
(Daybreak.)

"Stop, please!" Bucky doubled over and gripped his head.

"Bucky!" Steve hurried toward him. "Bucky, what's wrong?"

"Steve, get him out of there right now!" shouted Romanoff through his earpiece. "She's activating the Winter Soldier!"

"She's what?" 

"Печь," continued Nemesis, unperturbed.
(Furnace.)

Bucky screamed and fell to his knees. 

" Девять."
(Nine.)

He banged his fist so hard against the concrete floor that the ground shattered instantly upon impact. 

"Добросердечный."
(Benign.)

Steve tackled Bucky and held him down, but his friend was a man possessed, screaming in agony at the top of his lungs. 

"Nemesis, stop!" yelled Steve. 

She smirked and kept going, "Возвращение на Родину."
(Homecoming.)

The door opened. T'Challa and Natasha stormed in.

"Один."
(One.)

The force field around Nemesis dropped, but by the time Natasha was within reach to make her stop, it was already too late.

"Товарный вагон."
(Freight car.)

Bucky fell silent as the last magic word was uttered. He stopped struggling, remaining perfectly still as Steve and T'Challa held on to him. 

"Bucky?" tried Steve. "Bucky, you with me?"

Icy, empty eyes leered up between tresses of rowdy dark-brown hair. Suddenly, Bucky kicked his legs free from T'Challa's grip and struck the Crown's Prince chest. Since he wasn't wearing his suit, but a regular shirt and pants, the blow hit him full on, and T'Challa was thrown across the room. He hit the wall, and his body fell limp to the floor. 
Before Steve could react, Bucky grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him down. His nose made a sickening crunch when Bucky head-butted him. The next second, Steve lay seven feet away and flat on his back after Bucky pushed him off with way more force than any one-armed man should have.
Natasha released Nemesis and jumped at Bucky as he got to his feet. She pushed off against his knee and spun around, making to kick at his head. He expected the move, though, and leaned back to avoid the hit. Once Natasha landed on her feet, he snaked his arm around her waist and then smacked her down against the concrete floor. She gasped for air, unable to defend herself as Bucky hovered over her, ready to end things. 

"Bucky, stop!" shouted Steve. 

He crawled up, meaning to tackle Bucky again like before, but a sudden blur passed him. He held back, eyes widening when he recognized Nemesis. Somehow, she'd gotten out of her straitjacket, using the commotion as a distraction. She forced Bucky to retreat, launching a salvo of punches and kicks at him. Having only one arm, Bucky was forced to defend himself. The young assassin got the drop on him when she ducked and swept her leg against his to throw him off balance. Her cartwheel kick against his chin dazed Bucky enough for her to flip over him, but he recuperated fast and blocked her attacks again.
Steve followed the fighters' movement, searching for an opening. Despite the disadvantage of not having his bionic arm on, Bucky still kept up with Nemesis. Her fighting style was just like Widow's, a lethal dance where she took the lead.
Suddenly, Bucky's hand was around the girl's throat. He raised and held her up at arm's length. Nemesis kicked at Bucky, but couldn't strike him where it would hurt. She clawed at his arm as she struggled to breathe.

"Bucky, no!"

Steve jumped at him from behind, locking Bucky in a chokehold by applying pressure against his throat with his arm. Bucky barely seemed to notice. His murderous eyes were on his prey.

"Let her go!" cried Steve. Nemesis wheezed. Her eyelids fluttered, and her arms dropped. "You're killing her, let go!"

The twinkling notes of a piano playing suddenly filled the room. Steve's head whipped aside to find Natasha holding up her phone. The song... Yes, of course! That's how Evelyn got through to Bucky when they were in Siberia! 
Hoping the song and his own breath being stripped from him would make Bucky release Nemesis, Steve built the pressure against Bucky's throat. The iron grip he held the young assassin with loosened. T'Challa rushed over to pry Bucky's hand away, and Natasha caught Nemesis before she hit the ground. Steve made himself fall backward on the ground. He wrapped his legs around Bucky's waist to keep him from fighting. 

"I'm sorry," said Steve. 

He released his chokehold and slammed his fist against Bucky's temple. The punch instantly knocked the super-soldier out. T'Challa pushed and rolled Bucky off of Steve. Panting from the exertion, Steve sat up on his knees and checked Bucky's pulse, praying he hadn't overdone it. Slow, but still there. Thank God.

"Romanoff, how's Nemesis?" 

Steve looked at his fellow outlaw-Avenger. She held Nemesis in her arms like a mother would her sleeping child. But the girl wasn't sleeping.

"Romanoff?"

Sad eyes met his. She lightly shook her head. Steve pressed his lips together. He glanced at Bucky's unconscious figure. The Winter Soldier had won. His nemesis was dead.