A Few Days Earlier
Carpeteria - Day
Deep inside a dense, forest where the trees grow tall hiding the sky, and sunlight filters in only in slivers a narrow, winding river slices through the land. The water is clear, filled with flickers of movement as fish dart beneath the surface. The air is still.
On the riverbank, half covered by overgrown grass and trees, stands a small, old cottage. Its wooden walls are faded and chipped, the white paint is now a dull gray. The roof sags slightly. The windows are small, foggy, and lined with rusted metal frames. There's no welcome mat.
The door creaks open slowly.
A black sports shoe steps in, worn but sturdy. Black cargo pants. A black leather jacket, with faded seams and light battle scuffs. Over it, a plain, slightly wrinkled black hoodie hood down.
The man steps inside.
Beard trimmed close. Hair short, not neat. His movements are slow.
He lowers himself onto a sagging couch without a sound. The fabric groans under his weight. In his gloved hand, he holds a folded, crumpled piece of paper a list of names. Some are crossed out.
He stares at one name. Then, with a quiet scratch of the pen he crosses out another name.
A breath escapes him. His gaze lifts. His eyes Dark, still.
It's Bucky.
INT.COTTAGE – DAY
The dim golden light of the setting sun barely makes it through the dusty windows. His gloved fingers run over one of the names. He stares at it for a long time.
BUCKY (softly)
Was it real...? Did I really... kill them all?
A pause. He leans back, his eyes tracing the cracks in the wooden ceiling above him.
BUCKY (softly)
I should've fought harder... Should've taken control when they were using me.
He runs a hand over his face. His fingers tremble slightly.
Another long silence.
BUCKY (quietly)
Steve believed in me. That's why he didn't leave me to die...
He looks to the side, not at anything in particular.
BUCKY (bitter smile)
But maybe... that was just who he was. Maybe it wasn't about me...Maybe it was just in his nature to keep giving people a second chance.
His hand clenches slowly into a fist. His voice lowers.
BUCKY (quieter)
Do I even... deserve that chance?
He goes quiet. Staring at the floor, his jaw tightens. His breath catches, like he wants to cry but doesn't. He just stares.
Suddenly, the trees outside begin to move. But it's not the wind. The air gets heavier. A low, growing hum begins to vibrate through the walls of the cottage.
Bucky's head snaps up. His hand instinctively goes to the knife tucked inside his boot. Through the window the treetops sway violently, bending from pressure.
A QUINJET hovers into view, descending just above the tree line. The shadow it casts swallows the cottage whole.
Bucky doesn't move at first. He just stares at it. Then, slowly, he stands and steps toward the door.
EXT.COTTAGE – FOREST CLEARING – EVENING
The QUINJET has landed, steam hissing from its undercarriage as its ramp lowers onto the damp forest floor. The quiet hum of the engines slowly fades.
Out step Sam Wilson, fully suited in his Falcon gear, Sharon Carter and Maria Hill, scanning the perimeter.
The moment Sam's boots hit the ground, Bucky steps out of the cottage still in black. He halts for a second as he sees them, his gaze passing over Sharon and Hill briefly.
Then his eyes land on Sam. His jaw clenches. His shoulders square up. His expression hardens.
Bucky slowly walking toward them. In one hand, he carries the crumpled list of names. His other hand curls into a fist at his side.
BUCKY (low)
If you're here to arrest me... I'm notgoing. I'm not the Winter Soldier anymore.
SAM (stepping forward gently)
Hey Buck no. We're not here to take you in. We're here because we needyour help. And you might need ours too.
Bucky stops.
BUCKY
Don't call me 'Buck.'
(beat)
Only Steve used to call me that. Youdon't get to not after what you've done.
Silence.
SAM (softly)
I'm sorry, Bucky.
(he takes a breath)
We're not here to fight you. We're here to stand with you. That's it.
Bucky doesn't blink.
BUCKY (voice rising)
Then why'd you start the war by giving up the shield? That shield wasn't just metal. It was his faith.And you gave it away like it didn't mean a damn thing.
Sam looks down for a second .
SAM (quietly)
I wasn't ready. Maybe... maybe Steve made a mistake thinking I ever would be.
Bucky takes a few steps forward.
BUCKY (quiet)
Steve didn't make any mistakes. (softer)
Years ago... when the world called me a weapon, he called me a man. When Ididn't believe in myself, he did. He gave me a second chance not because I earned it but because he believed I could. Every damn day since, I've been trying to undo my wrong doings...
(he looks up, eyes meeting Sam's)
Not to prove that I deserved that chance... but to prove that Steve Rogers that man never chose wrong.
A long pause. Sam doesn't move. SHARON and HILL stand quietly behind.
SAM (softly)
You haven't let him down, Bucky.
(beat)
You're still here. Still fighting. That's all he ever asked from any of us.
They lock eyes.
Finally, Bucky exhales. He doesn't nod. Doesn't smile. Bucky stands a few feet from Sam, Sharon, and Maria Hill, his body rigid, fists clenched. The wind brushes through his short hair, but he doesn't move. The paper in his hand flutters softly.
BUCKY (voice steady)
The Winter Soldier you knew I buriedhim a long time ago.
HILL (calm)
It's something more than that. Bigger.
BUCKY
I don't care.
SHARON
Then tell me what's that paper inyour hand?
BUCKY
None of your business.
SHARON (firmer now) Really? Because I've got filesshowing a trail of corrupted officials quietly disappearing, getting exposed, arrested some dying in very convenient circumstances.
(she steps forward)
I can send it all to the CBI, Bucky. If you really don't care, let the world dig in.
(she looks at him)
What do you say... Winter Soldier?
Bucky stops mid step.
BUCKY (voice low, trembling)
Not by killing.
(beat)
I've been working undercover quietly helping the police take down what's left of Hydra's reach.
(he looks at them all)
These people... they're using Hydra's buried systems to profit, manipulate,control. I once helped them build thatsystem unknowingly. I helped them rise. Now I'm tearing them down.
(softer now)
Not as the Winter Soldier. But as a man trying to fix what he broke. Piece by piece.
A silence. Then
HILL (softly, but intense)
You should know someone has turned the entire world against Nick Fury, Natasha... even Steve. The Avengers. Everything they stood for it's under attack.
BUCKY
And how the hell would I know that?!
(steps forward, voice rising)
I live in the middle of a forest! No news, no comms. No goddamn idea what'shappening out there!
His voice echoes through the trees. Then without another word he turns sharply and storms back into the cottage. His footsteps are heavy. The porch creaks loudly under hisweight. The door slams shut.
SAM (bewildered)
What just happened?
No one answers. Then the door opens again. Bucky walks outslowly.
In his hand, he's folding a small, weathered photograph him and Steve, laughing in uniform. Young. Innocent. He tucks the photo into his jacket over his heart. Then, in one motion, he pulls back his hoodie. The shadows lift from his face.
He reaches to his left arm and tears away the cloth sleeve, exposing the gleaming Vibranium arm beneath. It catches the fading light.
SAM (in awe, softly to Sharon)
How....?
SHARON (without looking away from Bucky)
You just have to use the right words at the right time.
(she exhales)
Told you, Sam... I cut the strings.
Bucky now stands right in front of them.
BUCKY (low, but powerful)
No one touches Steve's home. Not while I'm still breathing.
For the first time, they all stand together.
EXT. NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN – MIDNIGHT
Black water. Endless. Two massive CARGO SHIPS cut through the ocean in silence.
No flags. No lights.
INT. CONTROL ROOM – CARGO SHIP "ATLAS VEIL" – NIGHT
Dim red lighting. Radar screens glow. ZOROK and a Skrull officer, works the controls with two others. GRAVIK enters. No one turns.
GRAVIK
How far from the Port of Virginia?
Zorok checks the screen.
ZOROK
Before sunrise, sir.
Gravik nods once. Exits.
INT. CARGO CORRIDOR – ATLAS VEIL – NIGHT
Metal footsteps echo. Gravik stops beside a HAND COMMANDER.
GRAVIK
The second ship?
HAND COMMANDER
All machines and equipment secured.No losses.
Gravik moves on.
INT. CARGO HOLD – NIGHT
A massive door slides open. Inside SKRULL CIVILIANS.
Elders. Mothers. Younglings. They rise slowly as Gravik enters. Gravik stands before them.
GRAVIK
First, thank you. (beat)
Without you, we wouldn't be this close to freedom.
He looks around.
GRAVIK (CONT'D)
I know this isn't dignity. Cargo ships. Dark waters.
But it's the only way forward.
His eyes settle on the CHILDREN.
GRAVIK (CONT'D)
You don't know how much I owe you. (soft)
The time has come.
The children step forward and follows him.
INT. ADJACENT CARGO HOLD – NIGHT
Gravik raises a hand. They stop. He turns. THARAN stands by a sealed container. Gravik approaches.
GRAVIK Open it.
Tharan hesitates.
THARAN
Sir... was this really necessary?
Gravik watches him.
THARAN (CONT'D)
They're children.
Gravik smiles.
GRAVIK
They're trained.
THARAN
I wasn't talking about ours.
A long beat. Tharan opens the container. Inside, HUMAN CHILDREN. Sedated. Stacked. Breathing shallow. Another container opens. Then another. Rows of them.
Gravik doesn't flinch.
GRAVIK
These are not children. (quiet)
These are humans.
Tharan looks away.
INT. TRANSFER CHAMBER – NIGHT
A sterile room. DOZENS OF PODS line the walls.
Gravik returns to the SKRULL CHILDREN. He kneels to their level.
GRAVIK
Lie down. One by one.
They obey.
GRAVIK (CONT'D)
You'll wake soon. (smiles)
And then you guys already know what to do.
A child hesitates. Gravik places a hand on their shoulder.
GRAVIK (CONT'D)
Your contributions will beremembered.
The pod doors close. One by one. The machines HUM TO LIFE.
Rows of human children lie stacked inside containers. Motionless. Breathing shallow. Gravik walks between them slowly, his fingers brushing across the metal edges.
Tharan follows, but stops midway.
THARAN (low)
After replicating them… what happens to human bodies?
Gravik doesn't answer immediately. He stops at one container. Looks inside.
GRAVIK (quiet)
You know
Then Footsteps approach. A Skrull enters, tall, thin.
DR. VARYN (Skrull Doctor) He walks straight to the containers, already pulling out a scanning device.
GRAVIK (gesturing)
Come, Doctor. Here are your subjects.
Varyn places the device against the glass. A soft pulse scans through the child inside. He watches the readings with quiet interest.
DR. VARYN (focused) There are high chances your formula will work.
CUT TO BLACK.
INT.QUINJET – MID AIR – The next day
The Quinjet hums steadily as it cuts through the clouds, gliding through the sky. Inside, the cabin is dim, lit by pale blue and the occasional flicker from navigation screens.
Sam pilots, focused. Maria Hill leans over a console, analyzing footage. Sharon Carter stands near the holoprojector, pulling up maps and encrypted data. Bucky sits in one of the rear seats arms crossed, gaze locked on the floor.
BUCKY (processing, voice low) So you're telling me… the Rhodey weknew... was one of the aliens?
HILL (without turning)
We're not certain yet. But... yes.That's what we're suspecting.
SHARON to BUCKY (tapping the screen)
Some of the Stark drone footagepicked up inconsistencies in his biometric data. We're heading to the last known location now if we'relucky, we'll find his hideout.
Bucky leans forward slightly, voice sharpening.
BUCKY
And the man you said who turned the world against the Avengers... he was one of them too?
SHARON (nods grimly)
Most probably. It all started aroundthe time he rose to power. Clean profile. No digital fingerprints untilthe last few years.
Bucky exhales, rubbing his temple.
BUCKY (quietly)
This is bigger than I thought.
(beat)
We need more people on our side.
There's a brief pause.
SAM (half-smirking, from the cockpit)
Look who's saying that now...
Bucky glances over with narrowed eyes.
BUCKY (dryly)
Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to it.
SAM (grinning)
Relax. I already texted Steve's ghost. He's proud.
Bucky almost smiles.
BUCKY Tell him I'm still pissed about thatsuit he gave you.
SAM (mock insulted)
Oh come on. I make it look good.
BUCKY (leans back, mutters)
Debatable.
They share a brief look.
MARIA HILL (focused)We're ten minutes out.
Bucky's expression tightens again.
BUCKY (firm)
Let's finish what they started.