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[Frog] Chapter 248: The Winter Soldier Appears
🕑 Added 2024-12-31 16:13:03 +0000 UTC“Pierce, are you still trying to run?” Alan asked.
From the Quinjet, several Hydra soldiers jumped out, guns blazing as they fired at Alan. The bullets ricocheted harmlessly off his armor.
Despair filled Pierce’s eyes. He would rather face Iron Man than confront Alan—there was simply no way to counter this man. Alan’s unmatched intellect always preempted his plans, and his overwhelming strength left no room for retaliation.
Facing such an opponent was utterly demoralizing. Even someone like Pierce, confident in his ability to dismantle S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers, couldn’t even scratch Alan.
“Who are you, really?” Pierce asked dejectedly as he stepped down from the Quinjet.
To satisfy Pierce’s dying curiosity, Alan recalled his armor, revealing his face. Pierce’s expression shifted to one of shock and confusion. In the next moment, Pierce lunged at Alan, his suit jacket flying open to reveal a vest packed with explosives.
He intended to take Alan down with him.
Even at the end, Pierce believed Alan was the sole reason for his failure, unaware that the Avengers would have thwarted his plans regardless.
“Long live Hydra!” Pierce shouted maniacally.
The explosion’s heatwave tore through the rooftop, lifting it into the air. Amid the deafening blast, Alan’s figure remained. Pierce had timed the detonation perfectly, waiting for the brief moment Alan had removed his armor.
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The chaos in New York’s streets began to subside thanks to the combined efforts of the Avengers and Gwen. Numerous Inhumans were captured, and Coulson, overjoyed, led his remaining team to take the criminals into custody.
Near Captain America, Batroc lay exhausted on the ground. Their fight had drained him completely, while Captain America had held back, showing mercy.
Batroc looked at him and said, “Steve, you really are something. I have something to tell you.”
Captain America frowned and leaned in closer.
Batroc spoke slowly, “The Winter Soldier… Pierce sent him to the S.H.I.E.L.D. base. If you don’t stop him, the Insight Program will be activated.”
Captain America’s face turned pale with shock. How could he have forgotten about Bucky?
Strapping his shield onto his back, he didn’t alert anyone else. He hopped onto his motorcycle and sped toward the S.H.I.E.L.D. base. This was a fight between him and Bucky, and it needed to be resolved once and for all.
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Back at the ATCU building, the smoke cleared, revealing Alan with his face covered in soot, his expression a mix of frustration and amusement.
He hadn’t expected Pierce to resort to a suicide attack. Thankfully, the Emperor Armor was sturdy enough. During the explosion, Alan had hit the ground and was blasted away, but the armor hadn’t fully reactivated in time, leaving his face blackened by the smoke.
The Quinjet was also destroyed. As Alan wiped his face, he noticed an enormous helicarrier heading toward the skies above New York.
His jaw dropped.
How had he forgotten about Bucky? True, Bucky’s presence was often subtle, but he was still a pivotal figure—especially while under Hydra’s brainwashing.
“I need to check this out,” Alan muttered, taking off into the air.
---
At the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, the helicarrier had just taken flight. From the distance, Captain America approached on his motorcycle. Spotting the massive ship, he tightened his grip on the throttle, pushing his speed to the limit.
The motorcycle launched off a ramp, soaring into the air. Mid-flight, Captain America leaped with all his might, aiming straight for the helicarrier.
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