Steve Rogers awakens from a deep sleep. He has a recurring nightmare, one in which he is fighting Nazis during World War II. He's unsure what to make of it. He knows that it's impossible given his age and the decades separating the war from the present day. The dream is extremely vivid, making him question how he could have that kind of knowledge. He decides to keep this from his wife Peg.
The next day after breakfast, Steve carpools with his friend Nathan to their factory job in the heart of Philadelphia. The radio is buzzing with news of a rally held by the infamous World Party. The World Party is reported to have ties to White Supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups. As they near the factory, Steve notices an elderly, diminutive African America standing on the corner. He swears he's seem him before but can't place him. The unidentified man knows exactly who Steve is and mutters "Captain" in disbelief
During their lunch hour, Steve confesses to Nathan and his other co-workers about his World War II nightmare. Nathan excuses himself and uses one of the "special" pay phones to place a call over a secured line.
Elsewhere Rikki Barnes is coping with her rejection from Julliard, her lifelong dream. While on the front stoop, her brother John and steroid-infused sidekick Gus stop by to tell her that they're joining the World Party tonight. Rikki's objections are ignored.
At an abandoned church, Master Man - the pride of Nazi Germany - stands on the precipice of finally achieving their objectives. Master Man is made aware that "the shield bearer" has been located. He orders he be eliminated and the shield brought back to him. The World Party organization is a continuation of Nazi principles tailored to appeal to the disaffected youth. As Master Man delivers his twisted view of the world to his unstable masses, one in attendance is not swayed.
Special Agent Hunt is working undercover to find out the true goals of the World Party. Breaking away from the mob, he discovers that the World Party has nuclear weapons. As he attempts to make contact with his superiors, he is met by someone long-thought dead. This individual tells him that they've been aware of his presence. They've allowed it because it's served a specific purpose. Now that purpose has ended.
Later that night, Rogers walks around town hoping to decide whether or not to tell Peg about his nightmare. He is met by the elderly man from earlier, now identified as Abraham Wilson. Wilson convinces "Captain" Rogers to accompany him back to his home. As they walk Wilson begins to explain his purpose to the confused Rogers. Wilson was in Special Forces during World War II. Posing as a cook he was commissioned to accompany Rogers into battle. From a secret storage area, he pulls out a well-worn steamer trunk that contains the shield of Captain America. After his disappearance following World War II, Wilson found the shield on display in East Berlin. He took it for safekeeping and has followed him for decades on a self-appointed mission to return it to the rightful owner - Steve Rogers.
Outside Master Man's forces prepare for their assault. Once the confirmation is received they blow up the building, hoping that it'll take out the occupants. This does not go as planned and they soon face a fighting-mad Captain America emerging from the rubble. His reflexes, strength, and skills return instantly and allow him to quickly defeat the entire squad.
Cap's victory is not complete. Abe was not gravely injured during the blast. He refuses any medical treatment as it wouldn't help and warns Rogers that his family is now in danger. Wilson dies happy, knowing that he brought Captain America back to a world that desperately needs him.
News of Captain America's return makes it to the desk of Nick Fury. He vows that he'll keep Cap under control this time.