I sprint through the dimly lit corridors of the building, a whirlwind of chaos and determination. Guards fall like dominoes, their faces twisted in surprise, their shouts swallowed by the echo of my heartbeat. I don't care about the consequences; I'm fueled by a singular mission—to escape, to free myself and Bucky from this nightmare.

As I navigate the labyrinth of steel and shadows, I remember the weight of the choices we've made. Bucky, once a trained assassin, no longer seeks to end my life. It's a strange truce born from shared trauma and the hope of redemption. We didn't take Zemo's life, but we left our mark; we made him bleed for the pain he's caused.

With each step, I channel my resolve, driven by the need to break free—not just from the walls surrounding me, but from the ghosts of our past. Together, we'll forge our path to freedom, no matter the cost. The fight isn't over; it's just beginning.

Suddenly, a sharp crack pierces the air as a bullet grazes my shoulder, sending me spiraling down the staircase. Adrenaline surges through me, and I barely register Bucky's voice, thick with urgency, calling my name in Russian. "Kira!"

The world spins as I collide with the wall, the impact jarring my senses. I groan, disoriented, just as the Black Panther lands gracefully before me, exuding an aura of calm amidst the chaos. His eyes narrow, and I can see the disappointment etched on his face. "Kira," he sighs, "it really didn't come to this."

I struggle to get up, my shoulder throbbing, but I can't let the pain stop me. "I didn't ask for any of this!" I retort, my voice strained. "I'm just trying to save Bucky!"

The Black Panther's expression softens, understanding flickering in his gaze. "Then let's do it together," he replies, extending a hand to help me up. "No more running alone."

With a renewed sense of purpose, I take his hand, ready to face whatever comes next. Together, we'll carve our way through this turmoil, allies in a world that often feels stacked against us.

Bucky storms over, his eyes ablaze with anger as he glares at the Black Panther. "Let go of my Kira!" he snaps, his voice a low growl that reverberates through the chaos around us. In a swift motion, he lunges, striking the Black Panther with a force that doesn't quite crack the vibranium suit, but is enough to make the king stagger back, momentarily caught off guard.

I can feel the tension crackling in the air, like the calm before a storm. "Bucky, wait!" I call out, trying to diffuse the situation. The last thing we need is a fight between allies.

The Black Panther regains his footing, eyes narrowing as he sizes up Bucky. "I'm not here to take her from you," he replies, his tone steady but firm. "We're all on the same side."

Bucky's glare doesn't soften, but I can see the hesitation in his stance. "This isn't about sides. It's about protecting her."

"Then let's protect her together," the Black Panther insists, his voice a commanding presence. "We need to move. More guards will be on their way, and we can't afford to waste time."

I step between them, my heart pounding. "Bucky, we don't have to fight. We're stronger united. Please, let's focus on getting out of here."

Bucky's jaw tightens, but slowly, the anger ebbs away, replaced by a flicker of understanding. He nods, albeit reluctantly, and I breathe a sigh of relief. "Alright," he concedes, "but I'm watching you."

With that, we all turn our attention to the path ahead, ready to face whatever challenges await. Together, we'll carve a way to freedom, even if it means navigating the jagged edges of trust along the way.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

The call leads Bucky and me through the darkened halls until we finally burst into the hangar, the scent of oil and metal hanging thick in the air. The sound of engines echoes around us, a stark contrast to the tension crackling between us. Just as I begin to feel a sense of relief, he turns to face us, eyes blazing with fury.

"I won't forgive you for what you did to my father!" he snarls, directing his wrath at Bucky, his voice dripping with accusation and pain.

Bucky's expression hardens, the weight of the past crashing down on him like a tidal wave. "I didn't choose that path!" he retorts, his fists clenched at his sides. "You think I wanted any of this?"

The hangar feels smaller, the air thick with unspoken emotions as I stand between them, desperate to quell the brewing storm. "This isn't the time for blame!" I interject, my voice rising above the tension. "We're in this together. We need to focus on survival!"

But the man's eyes flicker with hurt and anger, and I can see the struggle within him. "You don't understand," he says, his tone softer now, but still laced with bitterness. "You don't know the weight of what he took from me."

Bucky's gaze softens, too, the pain of his own past reflected back at him. "I know loss. I know what it's like to be haunted by the past," he replies, his voice steady but filled with remorse. "But we can't let it consume us. Not now."

As the echoes of their conflict hang heavily in the air, I realize that this moment could either tear us apart or bind us together. The choice is ours to make, and I'm determined to steer us toward the light, no matter how dark the path may seem. "Let's find a way out of here, together," I urge, hoping to bridge the chasm between them.

With a hesitant nod, they both lower their defenses, if only for a moment. We may not be able to change the past, but we can forge a new future—if we're willing to fight for it.

Just as the tension between us begins to ease, the air shifts, and the familiar figures of Steve and Tony enter the hangar. My heart races, but it's not fear that grips me; it's the weight of unresolved history hanging between us. But it's Tony's expression that truly sends a chill down my spine—a mix of betrayal and disappointment etched across his face.

"You... you really slaughtered a whole house of people, didn't you?" he asks, his voice low and incredulous, as if he can't quite grasp the enormity of what's happened.

I can feel the heat rising inside me, fury igniting the edges of my vision. "They're humans! I don't care!" I hiss, my tail lashing against the ground in frustration. The words spill out, fueled by the pain of loss and the desperation that has driven me to this point.

Bucky stands beside me, his expression a mixture of concern and solidarity. "Tony, we had no choice," he interjects, defensively. "We were fighting for our lives."

Tony's gaze shifts between us, disappointment deepening. "That's the excuse you're using?" he counters, his tone sharp. "How far are you willing to go? What happened to the people we were supposed to protect?"

I take a step forward, my heart pounding. "We didn't want this! We're trying to survive in a world that's turned against us!" I shout, frustration boiling over. "You think it's easy for us? You think we wanted to be hunted like animals?"

Steve steps in, his voice steady but commanding. "We're all feeling the weight of our choices, Tony. But we're here now, and we need to work together to find a way out of this mess."

For a moment, the hangar falls silent, the tension palpable as we each wrestle with our own demons. I can see the gears turning in Tony's mind, the battle between his sense of justice and the reality of our situation.

"Fine," he finally concedes, though his voice is tight with unresolved anger. "But don't expect me to turn a blind eye to this. We'll figure it out together, but there will be consequences."

As we all stand there, the weight of our past decisions heavy in the air, I realize that the road ahead won't be easy. But perhaps, together, we can navigate the darkness and find a way to reclaim the light.

I turn to T'Challa, my heart racing with a mix of defiance and hope. "You will not take Bucky and me back to court," I declare, my voice steady despite the turmoil swirling around us.

The king of Wakanda shakes his head, a knowing look in his eyes. "No, you're right. You didn't want this; you didn't choose these paths." He steps to the side, a hint of a smile breaking through the tension, his helmet cradled in his hands.

"I won't be angry at you anymore, Kira," he says, sincerity lacing his words. "You did what you thought was right." He nods at Bucky, a gesture of respect. "We might not be fully friends, Mr. Barnes, but I'll let you live."

With that, T'Challa dons his iconic panther helmet, the transformation from king to warrior complete. He bows slightly, acknowledging the gravity of our situation, and then, with a powerful leap, he sprints off into the shadows, leaving only the echo of his departure behind.

I stand there for a moment, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. The tension in the air shifts as I turn back to face Tony and Steve. Their expressions are a mix of concern and determination, but I can see the flicker of understanding in their eyes.

"Now what?" I ask, my voice softer, but still holding the intensity of our shared ordeal.

Tony crosses his arms, his brow furrowed. "Now we confront the fallout of our choices. We need to decide what kind of heroes we want to be moving forward."

Steve steps closer, his gaze steady and reassuring. "We have to unite, Kira. Whatever happens next, we face it together. No more secrets, no more lies."

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of their words. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but for the first time in a long while, I feel a glimmer of hope. Together, we can forge a new path, one that honors our past while striving for a better future.

"Alright," I say, determination filling my voice. "Let's figure this out."