The Sapphire Spirit | Book One~Captain America: Civil War

C H A P T E R 4

Patriotic Suit was giving the Winter Soldier a strange look. It was a combination of fear, anger, and... was that sadness? Longing? It was almost as if Patriotic Suit had known him before becoming the Winter Soldier. The rest of the... team had noticed it as well, most of all, the Winter Soldier himself. For an instant, I saw recognition flicker behind those dark, empty eyes, but then it was gone, leaving him as the cold shell HYDRA had left him.

"Buck," Patriotic Suit croaked. It took me a few seconds to realize he was talking to the Winter Soldier. Don't blame me. At HYDRA, everything from his former life was erased. I didn't even know his name, and I knew better than to ask.

Without hesitation, the Winter Soldier shot at Patriotic Suit. The star-spangled man lifted with shield as each bullet bounced off it with a clang. Lightning Dude swung his hammer, hitting the Winter Soldier's prosthetic. The HYDRA agent staggered, but continued to fight back. Arrow Guy drew his bow, firing. At first, I wondered what a metal-tipped shaft would do. As the arrow latched itself onto the Winter Soldier's chest, there was a burst of electricity.

The Winter Soldier staggered, ripping the arrow from his body. Cat Woman punched from behind, aiming for the back of his head then sweeping his legs out from under him. He fell, but only for a second, getting back up just as quickly. When he turned around to retaliate, Cat Woman was gone. Instead, he was met by Patriotic Suit. The Fourth of July tried for a punch, aiming for the nose, but the agent caught the attack in his own hand.

He twisted Patriotic Suit's arm, judo flipping him then flinging him off to the side. Arrow Guy and Cat Woman both launched simultaneous attacks from both sides, each looking like they'd worked with the other well enough to become one being. Cat Woman leapt on top of the Winter Soldier, straddling him. She placed a few good punches and elbowed his nose in a few times for good measure. While this was happening, Arrow Guy knocked the Winter Soldier off his feet, sending him crashing to the asphalt. Cat Woman leapt off him. As they were walking away, the Winter Soldier grabbed Arrow Guy's foot, bringing him down.

Using the momentum, the HYDRA agent swung himself up, roundhousing Cat Woman. Surprised, she staggered, rolling away from another kick. She prepared a punch that would've knocked my teeth out, but the Winter Soldier sidestepped, punching her stomach. She groaned, rolling away.

With no one else to stand in his way, the Winter Soldier looked at me, advancing. I shuffled back on all fours. I couldn't think clear enough to use any powers. He lifted his rifle, aiming at my heart.

"You need me," I spat. "I'm HYDRA's next weapon, a pet to be groomed." As I said it, I knew it wasn't true; Anyone was expendable. Anyone.

The Winter Soldier seemed to read my thoughts. He sneered.

"My orders are to bring you in. Either that or dispose of you. And since you won't come I have no other choice."

He raised his gun once more, determined to finish his mission.

I closed my eyes, preparing myself for the worst....

But it never came.