『ᴀʀᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇʟ || ᴀ ᴍᴀʀᴠᴇʟ ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ

Ch. 52: "To See An Empire Fall"

As soon after those words had left my mouth, the lights flickered in the room Sam, Steve, Sharon and I were standing in. The flickering ceased and instead turned pitch black. I whipped around towards the others, staring at them with my eyebrows raised in shock.

I walked up to Steve, staring at the screen that we were once viewing Bucky with. Sharon spoke up to, "Sub-level five, East Wing."

Steve, Sam and I moved instantly, running together and out of the glasses enclosure that we were in. Very faintly and lightly, I illuminated my arm, serving as a light source for the three of us.

We wove through each hall with ease, desperately trying to find our destination and goal: Bucky. I knew that it would be difficult, impossible even, if I was right. If that wasn't the interrogator, anything could have happened.

We turned another corner and there sat a knocked out guard, limp against the wall. Steve stopped and looked down at him, followed by Sam stopping as well. I looked down at the man in pity, before turning to the others. We couldn't waste any time.

My attention traveled to where Steve was going, and stared in shock at the amount of bodies everywhere. I could feel a sour taste forming in my mouth as I looked around. I turned back to Sam, and we shared the same scared and knowing look.

We were most likely already too late.

As Steve knelt down to check on one of the bodies, a faint and quiet voice spoke up, "Help me... Help."

Steve raced into the room where Bucky was contained, followed by myself and then Sam. I looked at the living man, observing his condition. I didn't notice any exterior injuries, but what did catch my eye was the ring that shined on his finger.

Steve spoke grimly, "Get up."

He hoisted the man up to his feet and shoved him against the nearest wall, his brows knitted together. His bright blue eyes obviously showed anger, and I knew what was coming for the other.

I hurried after him, standing loosely at his side. Sam was still in the other room and my arms are folded as I glared at the other man. Steve spoke up, his tone laced with venom, "Who are you? What do you want?"

The man inhaled before exhaling, speaking up, "To see an empire fall."

I heard Sam's footsteps coming into the room and turned to face him. My eyes widened as I yelled out to him, "GET DOWN!"

He ducked down, narrowly missing the punch that Bucky has sent his way. My stomach churned as I realized we were already too late. Our goddamn fucking luck. I raced over to him as Bucky threw Sam into the chamber that Bucky was previously held in.

I ducked below his fist and slid down, swiping my leg under his. Light formed in my fist and I punched him across the face, launching myself on top of him. As soon as I was there I reared back to throw another punch but he grabbed my arm and twisted it. Then with his other he grabbed my neck and threw me backwards.

I let out a groan once I slammed to the ground, feeling the back of my head collide with the cement floor. I laid there, watching the blaring lights as my mind and vision clouded. I couldn't really see or comprehend anything at the moment.

My hands raised to my head, feeling no external injuries. That was a good thing, but despite that fact, I definitely felt like shit. I saw a rushed figure run towards me and grab onto my arms, hoisting my up.

I noticed their mouth moving and narrowed my eyes, focusing in on what they were saying.

"...Nic...Nico...NICOLE!"

My eyes widened once I realized that it was Sam in front of me and I groaned, rubbing my forehead in hopes of reducing the splitting headache I had, "Yeah, yeah, I hear you, so stop yelling."

He stared me down before looking back, "The bastard is running. We got to go."

I blinked in surprise, putting one of my arms down, "He got away? Where's Steve or Bucky?"

"I don't know where they are. We gotta go and find them."

I nodded my head, regretting it after the scream of protest that my head gave me. God that really was a bitch.

Once we were fully orientated, the two of us sprinted out of the room and past all the bodies. I didn't think much of them as we raced through and to the staircase. I let my back glow and my wings ripped holes in the back of my shirt.

Sam glanced behind me and frowned, "I wish my wings did that."

"Yours aren't connected to your body dumbass."

Sam opened the doors to the staircase and we started running up. He slowed down and glanced up, noticing something. He whipped over to me and whispered, "He's there! Go after him!"

"Aye aye," I retorted before taking off and flying up the stairs. I readied light in my hands and blasted it at where Sam had spotted him. He wasn't there.

I looked around swiftly before flying through the doors that led to the outside. I flew above the panicked people and citizens before halting to a stop, hovering in place as I looked around in a desperate search for the man.

I pursed my lips as I recognized Sam looking around as well. I flew down to him, landing beside him. We met each other's gaze in hopes of something good. When he shook his head, I cursed out, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

That's perfect. The man and Bucky are gone. Is Bucky gone? I'm assuming if the man was, the Bucky most definitely got out.

Sam groaned in annoyance, "This would've have happened if we had our equipment."

I knelt down and sighed, staring at the piece of clothing that Sam was holding. I didn't say anything and just kept quiet. My eyes however definitely told anyone who looked in my general direction how I was feeling.

I was fucking pissed.