The first thing Steve did the moment the volcano finished exploding was go back over on the other side where he was met with what seemed like another new mountain of rubble where they had exited. His face distorted for a mere second into one of complete despair before he felt the tongues of anger beginning to lick at him. With a small scream, the man punched the rubble ahead of him, splitting a large rock into two pieces. For a moment, it almost appeared he wanted to dig with nothing but his bare hands, before he collapsed alongside the rubble, knowing it was futile. It didn't matter that he could lift about two tons on the average day, he couldn't move a mountain, and that realization threw the cloak of despair around him as he hit a nearby rock, the sheer force of it grinding it into dust.
"Why.... why?!" Steve roared at the very heavens themselves as they only gave him the dark ashes and clouds for an answer. Why? Why... why did...
He never liked Slade... but in this moment. This moment alone, he could have only felt worse if he saw Bucky die again. He looked back at the rubble that crushed the man called Deathstroke, the man he had long despised for the weeks they've been here, but in this moment alone... he loved the man like he was his closest brother in arms, like he had fought with him through the ravaged lands of Europe against Nazi Germany and HYDRA. He fought hard, but in the end, it was a futile battle as the lone tear dripped out of his eye and unbridled rage filled his soul. He lashed out once again creating a massive hole in a large boulder that he could never have hoped to move.
"You... you... why? Why you?" Steve asked. "Why... both of you..."
There would be no sense in speaking to a dead man as he stopped and took a deep breath, looking around for any signs of life. The only ones there would be would be the light steps Sanya took as she caught up and looked around, the magical antennas listening deeply for anything. Heartbeats, breathing... as much as a stir. There would be none.
"Why did you do it?" Sanya whispered to herself as the tears flowed down her cheeks. "We both could have gotten out together."
She was given no answer. Even if Slade could answer, it was doubtful she could have heard his reply. She looked around, looking for anything... something did sparkle to her though as she ran up the rubble to investigate. Despite the obviously present danger of falling down and springing her ankle a second time today, she didn't care. Kneeling over the shiny object... she grabbed it for a closer look... fresh tears ran down her cheeks like a summer storm as she saw what it was.
A wedding ring. His wife... his children... and yet... he didn't even get to say goodbye. He would have died, knowing that his family hated him for what he had done, that the world he lived in despised the man underneath the mask and that he would not be missed once he finally bit the dust.
But in this moment... Sanya missed Slade almost as much as she had missed her father. She said nothing, only knelt down at the sight of the ring, holding it. She remembered Slade's words. How he said he would leave anyone behind if anything happened to them.
He didn't. In the end... he didn't. And for that reason... for that reason alone, he was dead now.
Armin had been thinking the same thing, though he said nothing as he looked at Sanya kneeling over with the ring. It occurred to him then that Slade... had always intended to maybe make amends with his family one day... and now... he never will.
Raynor looked at the ground by Steve as he walked over.
"Godspeed you magnificent son of a bitch..." Raynor grinded through his teeth as Medic came over and bowed his head slightly. He watched as Sanya and Armin made their way over, Sanya holding Slade's wedding ring.
"Why... why did he do it?" Sanya asked through her tears. "Why?"
"I... I dunno..." Jim said.
"I never should have left him..." Steve said. "It..."
"You would have died with him then." Raynor said putting a heavy hand on the Captain. "Somehow... I think... I think... Sanya... I think he did it... maybe to atone for things... many things... he may have been one cold bastard... hell... reminds me of someone I know... but he... he did the right thing in the end..."
"Maybe... maybe that's why I am still a Captain..." Steve said as he looked at Medic who had found the broken mask. "And that's why you were a Colonel."
He handed the mask to Sanya who looked at the thing, for a moment before reaching down by her waist, revealing the long knife Slade had given her back in the gave. Moving forward... she took the knife and drove it within the rock and laid the mask on top. The strands at the back fluttering within the wind like a flag as the broken mask's lone eye socket stared back, as though it wanted to say something.
She couldn't bear it anymore. Turning around, she began to walk away, though unable to continuously turn her head back at the mask which marked the final contract of his world's greatest mercenary.
Feynaltdrog would be coming. To finish the job he started. They had to be ready.
Steve looked into the mirror one final time as he opened the box and grabbed one of the modified assault rifles. Gas powered, armor piercing bullets, and modified to the Terminator's taste. It wasn't like he would be needing it anymore. He grabbed other things as well, many grenades, a long knife and of course, his shield. His eyes were burned with the flames of vengeance. He watched at the rest of his companions.
Raynor checked this tablet for the last time before going outside. The loud stomping noises causing a miniature earthquake. Steve grinned slowly as he saw the mechanical monstrosity that looked like it could crush Hulk. (Except... it probably couldn't.)
He looked over to Sanya who was staring down at the ring. She slipped the trinket into her pockets as she placed the gloves, the Fliegerhammer was ready. She looked over at Medic who had been discussing things with her earlier as he placed his new Medi-gun on the table.
Critical Ubers. Now that was the stuff.
Armin checked over his blades for the last time. He looked at the grappling gun that Slade had abandoned, after some consideration, he took it with him. It's not like Slade would be here to say "no" anyways.
They were ready.
And so was Drog.
