In the Apartment
Because the incident hadn't fully erupted yet, Linen uploaded the edited video once again.
In Tony's Villa
"According to Linen's plan, he'll probably need to do several media interviews and appear on a few TV talk shows over the next few days," Tony said as he took two cups of coffee from Pepper.
"Want me to have Jarvis draft some talking points for you?" he added, handing one cup to Steve.
Steve smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, but that won't be necessary. I'm still pretty good at public speaking."
Tony chuckled. "That's true. You're better than anyone at inspiring people—oh, hold on."
Pepper waved him over from across the room. Tony gestured for Steve to wait, then walked over to her.
Before Tony could say a word, Pepper whispered excitedly, "Tony, is that really the Captain America? You didn't just hire some look-alike actor, right?"
Tony frowned in mock annoyance. "Come on, Pepper. He's just an antique that's been frozen for seventy years—why are you so excited?"
"That's Captain America! My God!" Pepper took a deep breath and then smiled. "No wonder you've been buying up newspapers and investing in TV networks lately. You wanted the exclusive coverage first, didn't you?"
Tony grinned proudly. "Of course. After all, since Stark Industries shifted direction, as the largest shareholder, I have to think about the company's future."
Pepper smiled approvingly. "You've really grown up, Tony."
He smirked. "Naturally. It's what I do best."
Just as they were talking, a familiar digital tone chimed in their ears.
[New video uploaded. System owner, please enter the viewing room within five minutes.]
Tony raised an eyebrow and turned back toward Steve.
"Pepper, Steve and I have a few things to discuss. I'll leave the media side to you—you're better at maximizing profit than I am."
Pepper nodded briskly. "Don't worry. I'll go to the TV station myself."
She kissed him on the cheek before heading out.
Watching her leave, Tony smirked. "Jealous, Rogers? Pepper isn't just my girlfriend—she's also the CEO of Stark Industries."
Steve smiled. "She's a good woman, Tony. You should cherish her."
"I do," Tony replied with a grin. "But enough of that—let's get to the theater."
"Alright," Steve said, following him into the lab.
Once the system console was ready, both men entered the virtual theater.
Eastern Europe, Sokovia
Hearing the familiar system chime, Natasha turned to Punisher and Hawkeye.
"Stick to the plan. It's three in the afternoon now. Move out at seven and kill every last one of those bastards," she ordered coldly.
After finalizing the operation plan, she returned to the lounge and immediately entered the theater.
Inside the Hydra Base
"You sleepy again?" Pietro asked, watching Wanda stretch after her nap.
She yawned softly. "Just tired."
For some reason, Pietro couldn't help noticing how strange his sister had been lately.
Maybe she's just going through a phase…? he thought with a frown.
In the Theater
Once everyone entered, the screen lit up — the next video had begun.
On screen, Steve Rogers, dressed in his classic Captain America uniform, stood at the entrance of an elevator, his back to the camera.
As the doors slid open, he stepped inside, facing a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents led by Jasper Sitwell.
"Captain? I thought you were only handling the search and rescue," Sitwell said with a nervous smile.
Steve ignored him, stepping calmly into the middle of the crowded elevator.
Brock Rumlow greeted him stiffly. "Captain."
"Rumlow." Steve nodded slightly, glancing around. The tension in the air was palpable—hands subtly hovered near their weapons.
Steve spoke casually. "I just received intel that someone's trying to use the Mind Scepter for personal gain. I'll be taking it into custody."
The agents exchanged uneasy glances.
Sitwell frowned. "Captain, what are you implying?"
Rumlow's tone hardened. "Sorry, sir. We can't just hand over the scepter. I'll have to call the Director."
Steve smiled faintly. "No problem. Trust me."
He leaned closer to Sitwell's ear and whispered—
"Hail Hydra."
The elevator doors opened moments later. Steve walked out with the case containing the Mind Scepter, a subtle smirk on his face.
Inside, Sitwell froze in shock while Rumlow's eyes lit up with sinister satisfaction.
In the Theater
"What the hell?!" Tony shouted, clutching his head in disbelief. "Steve Rogers—Hydra?! That's impossible!"
He looked at the screen, eyes wide. "No way! If this system told me Nick Fury or Natasha was Hydra, maybe I'd believe it halfway. But Steve? Not a chance!"
Meanwhile, in another theater, Steve Rogers himself stared at the projection in confusion.
"Hail Hydra?" he murmured, stunned. "I… said that?"
Impossible. Hydra had been his sworn enemy since the war. Seventy years ago, he'd crashed his plane to stop them. There was no way he'd ever join Hydra.
In Nick Fury's Theater
Fury remained silent, though his single eye darkened with thought.
If the footage showed Steve revealing himself as Hydra just to get the scepter from Sitwell… then that meant Sitwell, Rumlow, and the rest of those agents were all Hydra operatives.
So my hunch was right, he thought grimly. Those two who tried to spy on Linen—and bit cyanide in front of me and Natasha—they were Hydra too.
"Damn it," Fury muttered under his breath. "They've infiltrated deeper than I imagined… even Sitwell."
But as for Steve—no. Fury didn't buy it. Not for a second.
Judging by that faint smirk Steve gave at the end, Fury realized the truth.
He knew they were Hydra. He tricked them into giving up the scepter.
"Smart move, Captain," Fury said quietly. "Real smart."
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