Trust Me, I Will Never Trust You.

Chapter 26

The Avengers stood on the outskirts of a dense forest, their eyes fixed on the Hydra base nestled amidst the trees. The air crackled with tension as they prepared to launch their assault, their determination unwavering.

Clad in his iconic Captain America suit, Steve turned to address the team. His voice carried the weight of their shared purpose. "Remember, our priority is to find Xpel and bring her back safely. We're outnumbered 30 to 1, but we've faced worse odds. Stick together, watch each other's backs, and let's bring her home."

Bucky nodded in agreement, his resolve hardened by the guilt he carried. His eyes locked with Steve's for a brief moment, the unspoken promise of finding Xpel etched in their gaze. Bucky knew he had to find her and free her from Hydra's control.

The team advanced swiftly, utilising their unique skills to infiltrate the base. Tony and Sam soared through the air, their suits gleaming in the moonlight as they provided aerial support. Stark's repulsor blasts streaked across the sky, obliterating Hydra defence systems and keeping enemy forces at bay.

Bruce's towering Hulk smashed through obstacles with brute force, smashing through reinforced doors and walls as if they were made of paper. The ground shook with each thunderous step, creating a path for the rest of the team to follow.

Natasha swiftly incapacitated Hydra agents with a combination of acrobatics and martial arts as Clint unleashed a flurry of projectiles, hitting their targets with unwavering precision with his bow.

Crimson-hued magic crackled through the air, disorienting Hydra agents and rendering their weapons useless as Wanda sent adversaries flying, their bodies slamming into the trees.

Lightning arced across the battlefield as Thor swung his enchanted hammer, striking with the force of a celestial storm. Hydra agents were sent sprawling, their ranks shattered by the god's might. The air resonated with the thunderous booms of his attacks.

Having volunteered to lend his expertise to the Avengers fight, Loki unleashed his magic, creating illusions and manipulating the battlefield to their advantage. He toyed with Hydra agents, making them see phantoms, shifting the environment around them.

Amidst the chaos, Loki glanced at Bucky, his gaze filled with rare concern. The God of Mischief recognised the weight that Bucky carried, the guilt that consumed him.

"Get the girl back in one piece."

Bucky acknowledged Loki's words with a solemn nod, his heart burdened by the weight of his guilt. With renewed determination, he veered off from the main assault, utilising his stealth and agility to navigate the complex corridors of the Hydra base.

He was determined to right his past mistakes and bring her back from the clutches of Hydra.

Fighting through Hydra agents with a lethal blend of stealth and precision, Bucky's senses heightened. He moved like a shadow, swiftly dispatching his foes with a lethal combination of hand-to-hand combat and the devastating power of his metal arm. Each room he entered, each cell he checked, brought him closer to his objective.

His heart pounded in his chest, his rapid heartbeat drowning out the clamour of battle around him. The weight of his guilt and the urgency of his mission propelled him forward, every step a testament to his determination to find Xpel and bring her back to safety.

• • •

Bucky's search led him deeper into the Hydra base, where the dimly lit corridors twisted and turned like a labyrinth. The air grew thicker with tension, and the dimly lit corridors seemed to close in around him. He knew he had to stay focused; his senses honed for any sign of Xpel's presence.

Finally, Bucky reached a heavily guarded chamber, its reinforced steel door standing as a barrier between him and the next room. He took a moment to steady himself, his metal fingers curling tightly around the grip of his gun. With a determined exhale, he kicked open the door, revealing Xpel standing in the centre of the room. Her eyes were vacant, devoid of the warmth and determination he had come to know. Her movements mechanical and devoid of emotion. She wore a Hydra uniform, her movements rigid and controlled.

"Xpel, it's me," Bucky whispered, his voice filled with desperation.

Xpel's expression remained blank, her body tense and ready for action. Without warning, a voice echoed through the corridor, causing both Bucky and Xpel to turn their attention towards its source.

"Ah, the Winter Soldier," a chilling Russian voice drawled. Gregorovich, Xpel's handler, emerged from the shadows with a sinister smile. "I see you've found our little pet. Isn't she magnificent?"

Bucky's jaw clenched as he fought to maintain his composure. He couldn't let Hydra's mind games get to him. "I'm taking her home," he growled, his voice laced with determination.

Gregorovich chuckled; his eyes gleamed with sadistic delight. "Oh, you can certainly try," he replied, snapping his fingers. Hydra agents closed in around Bucky, their weapons raised and ready.

• • •

The room erupted into chaos as the Avengers continued their assault on the Hydra base outside. Bucky moved with lightning speed, dodging bullets and brutally incapacitating his attackers. He was a whirlwind of metal and fury, his every strike calculated and devastating.

As the fight raged on, the sound of gunfire and shouts of pain echoed through the room. Bucky's training and experience allowed him to anticipate the Hydra agents' movements, granting him a split-second advantage that he used to devastating effect. His metal arm became a lethal weapon, striking with bone-crushing force and sending his enemies flying.

Hydra agents fell one by one under Bucky's relentless onslaught. Despite their numbers, they proved to be no match for the Winter Soldier's enhanced strength and combat skills. With each move, Bucky disarmed, disabled, or dispatched another opponent, leaving a trail of fallen bodies in his wake. 

"Soldier, attack!" Gregorovich shouted at Xpel.

Reluctantly, Bucky prepared himself for the battle ahead. He knew he couldn't hold back if he wanted to save her. 

Without hesitation, Xpel used her powers to hurl objects at Bucky. He deftly dodged the objects, moving quickly to close the distance between them. 

Xpel lunged at Bucky with incredible speed and precision. Her movements were fluid, a deadly dance that showcased the enhanced abilities Hydra had bestowed upon her. Bucky fought back as he matched her blow for blow.

Their fight was a blur of fists, kicks, and evasive manoeuvres. Each strike resonated with power, the sound of their collisions echoing through the corridor. Bucky tried to reason with her, to reach the part of Xpel still fighting to break free from Hydra's control, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Xpel's attacks were relentless, her movements calculated and efficient. Bucky could feel the strength behind each blow, the force of Hydra's programming driving her forward. But he refused to give up. He couldn't let Xpel be lost to them forever.

Each strike Bucky landed was countered by Xpel's unwavering determination to fulfil Hydra's commands. But in a fleeting moment of vulnerability, Bucky seized the opportunity. He landed a powerful blow that sent her crashing to the ground. 

She lay motionless, knocked unconscious.