""Crossing Fates"" Bucky Barnes Fanfiction

--- Chapters 5~6 ---

Chapter Five: The Proposal

It had been days since you arrived in the SHIELD facility, adjusting to the rigid schedules and careful glances from agents who were clearly intrigued but wary of you. The flicker of purple energy around your hands had already caught attention, making you feel like a specimen under scrutiny. But you kept to yourself, training diligently, always mindful to avoid giving away too much. You knew them—their faces, their names, even fragments of their future—thanks to the Marvel films you'd watched since childhood. But here, in this reality, you were careful to keep that knowledge hidden.

During another morning of training exercises, you practiced controlling the purple aura now interwoven with your being. The light felt natural yet wild, as though it held centuries of mysteries you hadn't yet uncovered.

Coulson observed from the edge of the room, arms crossed, his expression contemplative. Natasha Romanoff stood beside him, her eyes narrowing as she monitored your focus.
"You're making progress," Coulson said as you powered down. "But we need to see more control. SHIELD wants to understand exactly what you can do—and to make sure we're safe having you here."
You nodded, though your mind was already preoccupied with another mystery: what exactly SHIELD's plans for you might be.
Just then, a subtle shift in the room's atmosphere caught your attention. You looked up, and

 there he was—Director Nick Fury. The agent who defined what it meant to be a leader within SHIELD, and, eventually, the Avengers. You were familiar with the weight he carried, his tendency to observe with piercing intensity, and his ability to command attention without saying a word.

"Ms. Lily," he began, his voice resonating across the training room. "I hear you're making quite the impression."
Coulson and Natasha straightened, showing the respect they clearly had for him. You met Fury's gaze, attempting to maintain your composure. Knowing what you did about his leadership, you felt the gravity of his words.
"Director Fury," you responded, nodding respectfully.
"I'll cut to the chase," Fury continued, circling around you slowly. "You're a mystery—one with power. We don't know how you got here or why. But we do know this: you have potential. And we're willing to give you a safe place here if you're ready to work with us."
You swallowed, aware of the significance of his offer. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
Fury stopped, hands clasped behind his back. "SHIELD is no stranger to power. We've worked with people who had to unlock their potential, piece by piece. We're offering you the same chance. Learn to control this," he said, gesturing to your hands. "And we'll guarantee you safety and possibly a future with our team."
Your heart raced. The thought of being part of the Avengers felt surreal—but that wasn't the only pull. You wanted answers about why you'd been sent here, and SHIELD was your best bet. After a moment's pause, you nodded, accepting his offer.
Fury's mouth curved slightly in approval. "Good. You'll work with Coulson and Romanoff here. They'll make sure you're on the right track. And I'll keep an eye on you myself."

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 Chapter Six: Training Under SHIELD

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In the days that followed, your routine intensified. Mornings began early with Natasha guiding you through martial arts drills, enhancing both your combat skills and your focus. By mid-morning, you'd meet with Coulson in the tech labs, where you'd practice controlling the purple energy that now felt like an extension of you.Coulson was careful in his approach, using guided exercises to help you tap into your power. "Imagine it like a river," he suggested one day. "The energy's flowing through you. Your job is to direct it."You closed your eyes, envisioning the purple light as he described. Slowly, you extended a hand, feeling the warmth of the energy pool and pulse. It flickered faintly at first, but with practice, it stayed steady in your grasp."Perfect," Coulson said, a hint of admiration in his voice.Yet you felt the secrecy gnaw at you. *If only they knew.* You could recognize agents like Maria Hill and certain classified projects just from MCU scenes, but you held back, masking your familiarity behind curiosity. It was safer this way; trust with SHIELD had to be earned, not demanded.