Sam Wilson stood in the quiet of the morning, the words Su Zhan had spoken still echoing in his mind. He gazed up at the endless sky, feeling a mixture of longing and determination. The world had changed so much, yet the soul of a warrior remained the same. Sam remembered the day he heard Steve Rogers was alive. Captain America, back from the ice, back in the fight without hesitation. Sam couldn't help but feel a flicker of envy. It was a different war now, but the spirit was the same. Steve never questioned his place; he just acted.
Sam looked down, almost whispering to himself, "Not everyone gets that chance to step back into the fight. Not everyone gets to be a warrior again." He shook his head, a small smile on his lips, but the ache in his chest lingered. Deep down, he wished he could find that kind of faith in himself.
Su Zhan's voice was steady and genuine as he spoke. "Faith never truly leaves you, Sam. A warrior only dies inside when he gives up on it completely. I can tell you're still very much alive. Maybe what you're looking for isn't a reason, but a chance."
Sam looked up, surprised by how deeply those words resonated. He did not know why Su Zhan's encouragement struck such a chord, but he felt the truth of it in his bones.
"I can give you that opportunity," Su Zhan had promised, his eyes warm with understanding.
Sam blinked, uncertain. "The opportunity?" he repeated, recalling the phrase Su Zhan had used earlier.
"Yes, the opportunity," Su Zhan replied, his tone gentle but firm.
"You heard them just now. Do you want to put on your gear and return to the battlefield as the Falcon?" Su Zhan asked, his gaze steady.
Sam stared at him, startled. "How do you know this?" he asked, unable to hide his surprise.
Su Zhan only smiled, as if the answer was obvious. "It does not matter how I know. What matters is what you want. The world is not as beautiful as you might hope. You can choose to stay a veteran, to live a peaceful life, pretending not to see the dangers around you. Or you can choose to be a hero, to fight for yourself and for the world."
Sam felt the weight of the choice settle on his shoulders. He was silent for a long moment, wrestling with the decision. Finally, he nodded. "I will think about it. I will go to where I am needed. I hope you will be there, too."
Su Zhan patted Sam's shoulder, then, without warning, took off into the sky. The sound barrier shattered as he soared upward, leaving Sam standing alone, staring after him in awe.
Sam watched the sky for a long time, the image of Su Zhan's flight burned into his memory. He imagined himself up there, wings spread, feeling the wind and the freedom of the open air. The thought made his heart race, his blood pounding with excitement.
"Falcon," Sam whispered to himself, the word tasting both familiar and new. He clenched his fists, determination flooding through him. With renewed purpose, he turned and strode away, ready to embrace whatever came next.
…
Somewhere on the outskirts of the city, a secret military base sat quietly, its purpose long forgotten by most. Once, it had been the site of an ambitious project: the development of a two-wing air combat system. But the project had been cancelled, and now only one set of biplane flying devices remained, gathering dust in the shadows.
The base was not as abandoned as it seemed. Thick steel gates guarded the entrance, and soldiers patrolled the perimeter, ever watchful. Sam Wilson approached with a mix of anxiety and resolve. He knew what he needed to do, but the obstacles before him were daunting.
His heart beat faster as he stood before the massive steel door. He remembered Su Zhan's words: "You are a warrior. The battlefield is your home." Sam was confident in his skills. On land, he was competent, but in the air, he was unmatched. Even Tony Stark, with all his genius, might not rival Sam's instincts and finesse in aerial combat.
But none of that mattered without the right equipment.
He stared at the gate, feeling a sense of helplessness. "Su Zhan, you told me I'm a warrior. You said you would appear where I needed you. I'm here now. Where are you?" he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
A familiar voice answered, clear and reassuring. "I am here."
Sam spun around, his eyes widening in disbelief. Su Zhan stood behind him, a calm smile on his face.
"It seems I am lucky to be waiting for you," Sam said, relief and excitement mingling in his tone.
"God, you are really here. How did you know about this place? How did you know I would come here?" Sam asked, unable to hide his amazement.
Su Zhan's smile deepened. "I know more than that. I know exactly what you need. Only by getting this equipment can you become the true Falcon and unleash your full strength. So, are you ready, Sam? Are you ready to take to the sky?"
Sam's eyes shone with determination. "Yes, I am ready."
"Let us go, then," Su Zhan said, leading the way to the steel gate.
Sam hesitated as he looked at the thick door. "What are you going to do? This door is at least several dozen centimeters thick. Even a missile would have trouble getting through."
Su Zhan placed his hand on the cold steel. Suddenly, flames erupted from his palm, the intense heat melting the metal with a sizzling roar. In moments, a gaping hole appeared where the gate had been.
Su Zhan turned to Sam, a playful glint in his eyes. "What about the missile now?" he teased.
Sam shook his head, grinning in disbelief. "Nothing. Nothing at all."
They stepped through the opening, moving quickly and quietly. It was not long before soldiers rushed to intercept them, weapons drawn.
"Stop right there, or we will shoot!" one of the soldiers barked.
Sam tensed, but Su Zhan remained calm, his voice steady and commanding. "I am here to retrieve some things. Once I am finished, I will leave."
"These things belong to the military. You have no right to take anything. Leave now, or we will force you out," the soldier replied.
Su Zhan shook his head. "It is better to give these things to someone who can use them. They will serve a greater purpose. Since you refuse, I am sorry for what comes next."
With a wave of his hand, Su Zhan sent the soldier flying across the room, where he slumped against the wall, unconscious.
Su Zhan turned to Sam. "You know where the equipment is, right?"
Sam nodded and led the way through the winding corridors. They soon reached the storage area. Sam moved with practiced ease, gathering the flying gear and attaching the weapons. His hands shook with excitement as he checked the harness and the controls.
Su Zhan watched with satisfaction. "Let us go, Sam. The Falcon is ready to fly."
Sam looked at the gear, then at Su Zhan, his heart pounding with anticipation. "Thank you," he said quietly.
Su Zhan smiled. "As you wish, Falcon. The sky is yours."
As they left the base, Sam felt a surge of pride and exhilaration. He had reclaimed his identity, not just as a soldier, but as a hero. The Falcon was ready to soar once more, and with Su Zhan's support, there was nothing he could not achieve.
The world outside was waiting, and Sam Wilson was finally ready to meet it head-on, wings spread wide, heart full of hope and purpose.