Another United States, 1964
"I'm asking you, as your President, and as an American, son. Stark might not see past his own ego, but surely, you can see what you could do for our country?"
The man in front of me scarcely even reminds me of the same man who took the oath of Presidency almost six months ago, after... Fuck...
I failed
Kennedy is dead, and the withered husk in front of me is barely holding himself together. President Johnson is coming apart at the seams, and he expects me to fix it all for him. Stark left, Banner left, Thor left, Pym left...
I never even found Captain America. If I had, maybe he could have made things better. He could have made things right. He's CAPTAIN AMERICA!. But I never found him. Maybe he's not down there in the ocean at all? Maybe he died alongside Bucky in this universe? It doesn't matter. The Avengers are done, and I'm all that is left.
"Son?" President Johnson gives me an uncertain look, and I shake myself out of my reminiscence. The request he's made is so horrifically simple, that's what's so fucking horrible. Join the war effort in Vietnam. Turn Mr. Sunshine into a Captain America for the 1960's. Part of me almost wants to laugh, I'm not even an American citizen, much less a supporter of this insane war. My own country didn't even support it!
But... it's not even really my country any more, is it? I look down on my hands, ignoring the nervous old man and his bodyguards behind me.
I'm...nothing...
My parents, if they even exist in this timeline, are about 3 years old right now, half a world away. I won't exist for another 32 years, if I'm ever even born at all. I thought having these powers would make things better, but somehow, they've made everything worse! I don't... how can sunlight feel this cold?!
My hands tighten into fists.
It's not fair. But when has my life ever been fair? The emptiness isn't ever going to go away.
Alright, if that's the way things are going to be...
"Mr President... you can count on me. Let's give those fucking commies something to really be afraid of..."
Johnson nods, giving a tired smile "Glad to hear it son. However, before we start, I've talked to some of my staff, they feel the whole... Sunshine title, it's a bit... hippie-ish, don't you think? It's not really giving the message we want to send to the Reds. I mean, I know it's a change, but..."
"No, no, you're right, Sir. It's not a very intimidating name, is it?" I grin under my flag mask "You want something to make the Reds shake?"
"Call me... Nuke"463