- "John. You gotta give me the shield, man."
"Oh, so that's what this is." - ―Falcon and Captain America[src]
The Battle for Captain America's Shield was a three-way clash with Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes against John Walker, over his title as Captain America following the public murder of a foreign national.
Background[]
- "You saw what happened, you know what I had to do. I killed him because I had to! He killed Lemar!"
"He didn't kill Lemar, John." - ―Captain America and Winter Soldier[src]
Following a confrontation with Captain America in Riga, Karli Morgenthau lost her supply of Super Soldier Serum due to Baron Zemo's interference. Morgenthau was under imperssion that Sam Wilson tried to trick her and get her captured, so she contacted Sarah Wilson, threatening her and her sons, and made her pass a message to her brother. Falcon and Winter Soldier met with Morgenthau at the Latvian GRC compound, unaware that Captain America and Battlestar were following them. Falcon tried to reason with Morgenthau and convince her to end her war, but she had no intention of doing so, asking Falcon to either join her cause or stay out of her way. However, Sharon Carter then informed Falcon that Captain America was present at the facility as well, which resulted in a fight against the Flag Smashers.
While Falcon and Winter Soldier separated to find Captain America, Battlestar ended up being subdued and captured by the Flag Smashers, who then attacked Captain America. As the confrontation progressed, Falcon saw Captain America displaying unsual strength he should not have possessed, realizing that he used the Super Soldier Serum. As three of them kept fighting the Flag Smashers, Morgenthau tried to kill Captain America, however, Battlestar managed to free himself and intercept her. Morgenthau responded by punching Battlestar in the chest, sending him flying into a nearby column, which resulted in him breaking his neck in the collision and dying.
Captain America publically executes Nico
Captain America went to check on his partner and realizing that he died, he became furious and chased after the Flag Smashers when they tried to retreat. While Morgenthau and others made their way out, Captain America intercepted Nico and pinned him down. Nico was unarmed and pleaded that he was not the one who killed Battlestar, but due to his rage and the effects of the serum, Captain America did not listen. Desperate to avenge his friend, Captain America lifted his shield and proceeded to brutally beat Nico with it until he died, while Falcon and Winter Soldier could not stop him in time. Terrified Latvian citizens crowded around the scene, filming Captain America murdering Nico and standing by his corpse with blood on his shield.[3]
Battle[]
Falcon and Winter Soldier confront Captain America
- "You don't want to do this."
"Yeah, we do." - ―Captain America and Winter Soldier[src]
Realizing what he had done, a disoriented and confused Captain America ran away from the scene and made his way to a secluded warehouse, where he was found by Falcon and Winter Soldier. Captain America tried to justify his murder of Nico, saying that he did what he had to do to the one who killed Lemar Hoskins, but Winter Soldier reminded him that it was Karli Morgenthau, not Nico. Seeing how the Super Soldier Serum affecting his mind, Winter Soldier tried to warn him, but Captain America did not want to listen and claimed that he was different. Falcon told Captain America that if he calms down and explains the situation, the government might take his otherwise good record into account.
Captain America overpowers Winter Soldier
Falcon then said that he must let go of the shield, which caused Captain America to assume that his only goal was getting his hands on it. He was not going to give up easily and engaged in a fight with both Falcon and Winter Soldier, using his super soldier strength to keep them both at bay. Winter Soldier grabbed Captain America from behind and tried to reach for his gun, but Captain America was able to push him off and swing his shield at him. Falcon was able to stop him, using his EXO-7 Falcon in a close combat, but Captain America's skills and shield still ended up being an issue for both of them. He was able to overpower Winter Soldier, accusing them of making him do that, before knocking him out and damaging his prosthetic arm.
Falcon confronts Captain America
Falcon then engaged in a fight, telling Captain America that he was not acting himself, and Captain America remarked that they could have been a team. Falcon then grappled his shield with a rope and flew up, however, Captain America pushed back and pulled him back on the ground. As the two of them ran for the shield, Captain America subdued Falcon and ripped off his wings, before prearing to deliver a finishing blow, but Winter Soldier came around and stopped him. They fought each other and although Captain America was close to killing him, Winter Soldier was able to hold him and provide an opening for Falcon, who grab hold of the shield.
Captain America is defeated
As the three of them struggled against each other, Falcon used his EXO-7 to give himself enough moment and yank the shield off Captain America's arm, breaking his arm in the process. Despite that, Captain America still recovered and lunged at Winter Soldier, but due to his disadvantage, he was unable to overpower him again. As Falcon flew towards them with the shield, Winter Soldier grabbed Captain America and smashed his head right against it, knocking him out. With Captain America defeated, Falcon and Winter Soldier recovered the shield and retreated from the scene, leaving him behind.[4]
Aftermath[]
- "Oh, by the way, don't worry about the shield. I know you don't have it. Here's a little, dirty state secret. It doesn't really belong to the government. It's kind of a legal gray area."
- ―Valentina Allegra de Fontaine to John Walker[src]
As a result of recent events, the authorities conducted numerous raids and arrested numerous supporters of the Flag Smashers, however, Karli Morgenthau was nowhere to be found. John Walker was summoned to United States Capitol to testify in regards of his conduct in Latvia, as he murdered an unarmed foreign individual on foreign soil in front of the public. Due to his exemplary military service, the United States Congress did not push for a court martial, but Walker expressed his frustration that the Congress would rather use him as a scapegoat than listening to what he had to say. Walker ended up being dishonorably discharged and stripped off the Captain America title, and the Congress demanded him to turn in the shield that he did not have in his possession.
As the hearing concluded, Walker was approached by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine who told him that he did the right thing and expressed interest in his newfound abilities. She also mentioned that Captain America's sheild is not strictly a U.S. Government's property due to unique legal circumstances, so Walker losing it to Sam Wilson should not be an issue.
Sam Wilson trains with the shield
Now in possession of the shield, Wilson and Bucky Barnes contemplated on its legacy, as Barnes admitted that both he and Steve Rogers did not consider the ramifications of a Black man having it. Barnes apologized for being overprotective of Rogers' legacy and dismissing Wilson's situation, as the shield was the closest thing to a family he had left. Wilson then reminded Barnes that Rogers was no longer with them and urged him to stop viewing himself through others and start connecting with people he had hurt, not just making amends. Wilson trained heavily to wield the shield like Rogers used to, so when the Flag Smashers' next move became apparent, he donned the uniform and wings made by Wakandan Design Group, becoming the new Captain America.[4]