mandalus :: the city of fates.

[Steve's face filled the screen. He's incredibly serious, almost angry, but he managed to keep his voice even, despite the rising urge to scream and throw things. Behind him was Peggy's living quarters, shrouded in dim light. Her uniform was hanging up on a hook, ready for her burial. In his hands, just out of shot was a framed picture of him that sat next toner bed.]

Mandalus...today we lost Margaret Carter to the bombings in the city. I managed to bring her back but she died in Stark Tower at approximately four-thirty this afternoon.

[He paused to take a breath. There were red rings around his eyes from crying but the tears weren't flowing then.]

Whoever is responsible for these attacks will be brought to justice. Peg- Agent Carter is just one of hundreds who lost their lives or were injured in the attacks. These people can not be left to repeat this experience. I urge anyone with information to meet with me in Stark Tower. Let's give these people what they deserve.

[The screen fell blank.]

Steve stormed out of the dinner, his head bursting with frustration, anger and confusion. Why would Tony keep something so important from him? Surely it would be good to know that he, along with other special individuals, saved New York from almost certain and complete deduction because an army reform another dimension came to visit? Why couldn't he be told that he'd grow to be this 'Captain America' guy? How was none of that important?

Stark Tower let him in as usual (despite almost braking down the door in his keenness to get inside). He called out to the artificial intelligence that seemed to control the functions of the house - yet another thing that Steve didn't understand. "Jarvis. Where's Stark?"

Steve blinked in the sunshine that bounced off his brand new jewelery which had somehow molded into his skin. He tapped it with a finger but nothing happened. It was stuck solid.

It had been a strange day for young Steve. One moment, he had been screaming in agony as Doctor Erskine's formula was being pumped into his body, forcing him to morph into something completely new, and then suddenly he was being manhandled into one cuff without the chain.

His arms felt sluggish as he walked, as though he'd been swimming laps at the local pools for hours on end. Maybe that was an effect of the formula or the bracelet. Eventually he'd ask someone but everyone was going about their business. Even though he was bigger (and judging by his hands alone, he was much bigger), he was still forgettable. But should he have expected anything different? Probably not.

In his hand was a shiny, black device. It looked a little like a hand-held radio but smaller and with plenty more buttons. An impossibly little screen showed a map of the place with a bright red spot blinking in the middle. As he walked, the spot stayed where it was but the map changed. Maybe he was the spot. At least, that was the only reason for the spot which made sense. He supposed that it could have been anything, but if that were the case, shouldn't it be moving?

After long walk, Steve arrived at a tall complex. The map zoomed in to reveal a layout of the building. He wasn't exactly comfortable with entering a building he didn't live in or wasn't invited into, but it wasn't as if he'd chosen to come here. Wherever 'here' is because it certainly wasn't Brooklin. Again, he followed the maps that changed around the glowing red dot. He went up stairs, followed a corridor and stopped when the map shut off.

His name was on a door.