Synopsis / Summary / Plot
Captain America—Steve Rogers—recalls his adventures with Bucky during World War 2 and how he had to inspire his men to victory. As he explained to Bucky afterward, he had to live up to the responsibility of being America’s only Super-Soldier. Now, many years later, Natalia Romanova finds Bucky Barnes contemplating a new costume, assuming he will be giving the Captain America position back to the newly returned Steve, and asks why there can’t be two Captain Americas. Elsewhere Sharon Carter comforts Steve who is still trying to recover from his traumatic experiences while "dead." Bucky decides to go out late that night for one final adventure as Cap, meanwhile Steve, who can’t sleep, also dons his red-white-and-blue costume and heads out. Cap/Bucky and the Black Widow track down Mr. Hyde who has escaped from the Raft and battle him and his men. Bucky spots Cap/Steve watching from a nearby rooftop and hurls the shield to him, and Steve takes down the fleeing Hyde. Later, Steve and Bucky have a private chat: Steve is not sure he wants to go back to being Captain America and he hands the shield back to Bucky with his blessing. At home, he explains to the (sleeping) Sharon his belief that if Bucky does not continue being Captain America, he may die, so he has to sacrifice his own future for his friend. A few days later, Steve arranges a meeting with President Barack Obama. The President signs a pardon for Captain America, and Steve explains how he isn’t sure if he can pick up his shield again, but leaves it up to the President. Obama says it’s all right but has a feeling that the country may need to call on him for something much bigger in the days ahead….