Bucharest
Steve arrived at a sparsely furnished apartment. He picked up a notebook, hoping to find some trace of Bucky within its pages.
Renzo had told him Bucky was last seen here. Steve needed to find him before Tony did.
T'Chaka had survived the attack, so T'Challa had no reason to come to Bucharest alone to hunt Bucky. This was Germany, and the Avengers didn't have free rein here.
Steve knew Tony was in the city. On his way, he had spotted three armed drones hovering high above—clearly searching for Bucky.
"Steve!"
Bucky's cold voice came from behind. Steve turned to see his best friend standing there, alive.
"I'm glad you're not dead."
"I've been exposed. I need to get out of here—now." Bucky wore a cap pulled low, his face unshaven, dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
He rarely did. The constant hum of drones haunted his nights. Tony had nearly cornered him more than once.
German special forces were already closing in. Bucky had sensed eyes on him even before returning here. Fortunately, his counter-surveillance skills were sharp—he had shaken off pursuit several times. He had come back only to grab his belongings before disappearing again.
But now—
Bucky glanced at Steve's gear, his expression hardening. "You here to bring me in too?"
Boom!
Before Steve could respond, a flashbang detonated, blinding them both.
"Move in!"
The special forces stormed the building. They knew exactly who they were dealing with—a threat on par with Captain America. Without perfect coordination, taking down the Winter Soldier would be nearly impossible.
Bucky had anticipated it. He shut his eyes in advance and, relying on his familiarity with the room, kicked the door open.
With the force of a super soldier, the door flew off its hinges, slamming into the soldiers outside and sending them tumbling down the stairs.
Crash!
Glass shattered on both sides as two soldiers burst through the windows, rifles raised, opening fire on Bucky.
Steve reacted instantly. He deflected one with his shield, struck the other in the leg to throw off his balance, then knocked him out with a swift elbow.
Bucky lived up to the name of the Winter Soldier. He moved without hesitation—yanking a mattress off the bed to shield himself from gunfire, charging forward behind it, slamming a soldier to the ground, and knocking him unconscious with a punch.
"Don't move!"
It all happened in seconds. More soldiers flooded in, weapons trained on both men.
To them, it didn't matter who stood before them—not even Captain America. Orders were orders.
But the gap in ability was overwhelming. What would be a dead end for ordinary men was only a minor obstacle for these two.
Years of trust and coordination came into play.
Steve hurled his shield straight into the front line, striking a soldier square in the face. He followed with a flying kick, driving the shield forward with explosive force, sending multiple men crashing back.
Bucky used his metal arm to grab anything within reach and hurl it at the soldiers pouring in from the balcony. Bullets struck his arm and ricocheted harmlessly as he closed in, knocking opponents out one after another.
"Go!"
Steve kicked a soldier down the stairs and shouted.
They leapt out the window almost simultaneously.
Boom!
Shotgun blasts roared past their heads. The streets below were already locked down—military forces had sealed off the surrounding area.
Steve landed first. His instincts kicked in immediately—he threw his shield, disarming two soldiers in quick succession.
Bucky didn't hesitate. He rolled forward and took cover in a corridor.
He checked the gun in his hand, his gaze hardening, and opened fire.
"No!" Steve stepped in front of the soldiers, raising his shield to block the incoming rounds. He didn't want Bucky crossing that line again.
Click!
Empty.
Bucky pulled the trigger in frustration. A sudden movement behind him—he spun and hurled the empty weapon, knocking a soldier out cold.
"Damn it!"
He moved again, heading upstairs. Every soldier who tried to block him was effortlessly taken down. No one could slow him, not even for a second.
Reaching a higher floor, Bucky leapt across to the rooftop of the adjacent building.
Just as he was about to land, a red-and-gold figure descended from above, palm cannon blazing.
Boom!
The blast struck Bucky in the back, slamming him onto the rooftop. He rolled several times before the force dissipated.
"Got you."
Tony's voice echoed from within the suit as he hovered midair, targeting Bucky.
"Fire."
A small missile deployed from his arm and streaked toward Bucky. If it hit, even a super soldier wouldn't walk away from it unscathed.
Boom!
A shield intercepted the missile just in time.
Steve had arrived—after breaking free from the soldiers below, he had scaled the building at incredible speed.
"Tony, calm down!" Steve shouted.
"You tell me how to calm down!"
Tony surged forward, slamming into both of them and sending them crashing back down.
Steve had barely made it up—now he was back on the ground again.
"Sam!"
"On it!"
A man with mechanical wings dove from the sky, striking Tony midair and knocking him into the building.
Ratatatat!
An armed helicopter roared overhead. Its mounted gun unleashed a barrage, tearing into the concrete below. The ground cracked and exploded under the assault, debris and smoke filling the air.
Steve hurled his shield upward, striking the helicopter's rotor and forcing the crew to bail out.
"Bucky!"
Steve turned—but his friend was gone.
"There!" Sam called from above. "He's heading into the tunnel!"
From the air, Sam tracked the fleeing figure, but couldn't pursue closely due to his altitude. All he could do was shadow him—and try to slow Tony down.
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