Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

THE FIRST AVENGER: CHAPTER TWELVE

Rhiley and James exchanged a glance and followed the voice until it led them into a wider chamber where a familiar figure stood, back straight, eyes locked on Steve.

"I'm a fan of your movies," the man added with a smirk.

"Captain," James called out, alerting Steve to their presence.

Steve didn't turn around. "Get out of here."

"So, the old man managed it after all," the stranger drawled, pacing lazily. "Not much of an improvement but impressive."

Rhiley rolled her eyes. Another villain with a monologue.

Before the man could get another word out, Steve's fist crashed into his face. The hit should've knocked him down for good—but instead, he smiled through bloodied lips.

"Do I look like I don't know?" he asked, voice eerily calm.

Rhiley's hand twitched at her side. She wanted to jump in. To help. But her feet were rooted in place. Something about the man—about the way he smiled—froze her.

"Erskine said your experiment was a failure," Steve growled.

"A failure?" The man slowly stood, and the room seemed to dim around him. "Oh, no, Captain... I was his greatest success."

And then, with practiced ease, he reached to his face and peeled back a layer of synthetic skin, revealing a burn-scarred visage glowing a deep, unnatural red.

James turned to Rhiley. "You don't have one of those, do you?"

"I hope not," Rhiley muttered.

"You're a liar, Captain," the man sneered. "You pretend to be a humble soldier—but in truth, you're afraid. Afraid to admit you've already left humanity behind."

"Oh, shut up," Rhiley muttered loudly enough for him to hear. James nudged her hard in the ribs.

The man chuckled, shaking his head. "And you... you're nothing. Not even worth the time it would take to kill you."

"Guess I struck a nerve," Rhiley muttered under her breath.

"You wear the mask," the man continued, ignoring her. "I embrace what I've become. Without fear. Without shame."

"Then why are you running?" Steve asked coldly.

James grabbed Rhiley's arms just as she made a move forward. "Don't. He wants you to."

She tensed but didn't resist. Not yet.

Skull looked at Rhiley and chuckled, "Why did he choose you?" 

Rhiley didn't have enough time to process that comment. No one did. 

The villain—Skull—glanced over his shoulder. Zola appeared, handing him a titanium case. They stepped into an elevator, and just before the doors sealed shut, Skull turned with a smile that made Rhiley's stomach churn.

Then the explosion hit.

The catwalk buckled beneath them with a deafening crack. Rhiley hit her knees hard and caught herself against the railing. Below them, flames licked up toward the ceiling like hungry hands.

"Move!" Steve shouted, grabbing Rhiley and yanking her up.

She rushed to James, immediately throwing her arm around his waist to support him. Steve noticed—of course he did—but said nothing. No teasing. Not now.

The second explosion shattered the middle of the catwalk, a massive chunk falling into the fire below. Smoke roared to life around them, choking and thick.