The Winter Soldier stepped through the smoke, his boots striking the pavement with thunderous finality. His silhouette was framed by firelight and swirling ash, his mask gleaming under the flashing lights of emergency vehicles in the distance. Each stride was deliberate, filled with purpose. His expression remained unreadable, cold and mechanical, his metal arm flexing at his side like a coiled serpent ready to strike.
Steve rose to his feet, blood trickling down the side of his temple. His breath came in short gasps, chest heaving from exertion, but his grip on the shield was firm.
"I don't want to fight you," he said, his voice raw, shield held low—not as a weapon, but as a reminder.
Bucky didn't respond.
He charged.
The impact of steel against vibranium rang like a gunshot. Their collision knocked Steve backward, but he absorbed it, bracing with his shield as he skidded across the asphalt. Sparks flew from the pavement, the shriek of friction echoing down the street.
Monroe rolled behind a wrecked car, taking cover. He fired two quick shots, but the bullets ricocheted off Bucky's arm. The assassin turned his attention back to Steve without hesitation.
Steve blocked the next barrage of punches, parried the knife strikes, and countered with a shoulder bash that sent Bucky stumbling. But Bucky reversed momentum, twisted behind Steve, and slammed an elbow into his ribs.
Steve grunted, pain blooming in his side. The sound of each blow was brutal—echoes of two soldiers forged in war now clashing under a sky filled with sirens.
"You're my friend!" Steve shouted, stepping back, raising his shield to catch another blow.
"I don't know you," Bucky growled, his voice rough and conflicted.
"You will."
The words cut deeper than any weapon. For a split second, Bucky's expression shifted. His fist lowered slightly. Something flickered in his eyes—recognition, maybe, or a memory on the edge of breaking free.
Steve took a breath, lowered his shield, and reached up.
He unclasped his helmet and pulled it off, letting it fall to the ground beside him. His face, bruised and bloodied, was fully exposed.
"Look at me, Bucky. It's me. Steve."
Bucky's breathing slowed. The tension in his posture faltered. His lips parted slightly, confused. The knife trembled in his grip.
Behind them, sirens screamed closer. Distant police lights flashed against the buildings. SHIELD drones whirred overhead, their cameras zooming in. The world was watching—waiting for a conclusion.
"Shut up," Bucky muttered, his voice barely audible. "Shut up."
He raised his arm again, fist trembling. The knife glinted in the light.
But the blow never came.
Instead, he turned.
Without another word, he sprinted toward the edge of the street. His movements were swift, fluid, and silent. He scaled the nearby wall in seconds and vanished over the edge of the adjacent rooftop, slipping into the shadows like a ghost.
"Bucky!" Steve shouted, taking a few steps forward. But there was no one to chase.
He was gone.
Steve stood there in silence, chest heaving. His shield hung at his side. His fingers clenched the rim with white-knuckled strain.
Monroe stepped beside him, lowering his weapon. "You got to him."
Steve shook his head slowly. "Not enough."
The flames from the overturned SUV cast long shadows behind them. The street, though quiet now, still pulsed with chaos—flashing lights, distant screams, and the ever-present hum of surveillance.
Above them, a low hum filled the air.
A SHIELD transport hovered into view, emerging between the rooftops like a phantom. Its bay doors were open, the interior lit by tactical red lights. The engines pulsed steadily, casting a faint glow across the surrounding walls.
Inside, seated in the command chair with arms folded, was Alexander.
He had seen everything.
He leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing with calm determination. His voice cut through the comms like a blade.
"Now we move," he said.
End of Chapter 98
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️