Hey guys, I'm back.

I know you guys have been wanting an update. I've been busy with school. Luckily, I'm now graduated (YAY!), so I can spend some more time writing.

For now, let's get into Chapter 6.

Chapter 6- Bucky Tells His Story

The Next Avengers looked through the window. Tony was talking to the man they had rescued from the Citadel. The man was drinking water slowly as Tony talked to him.

"So who is this guy?" asked Hawkeye. "No idea," said James, "But those names, the Winter Soldier, and Bucky. I feel like they should have some significance to me."

Right then, Tony stood up and came to the door. He opened it and said, "Come in here. Bucky here wants to talk to you."

They all came in and sat down. Bucky looked at them all. They looked at him, a little apprenhensively. Then, Tony came and sat down next to Bucky. "Go on, Barnes. Tell them everything."

Bucky nodded, then looked right at James. "You're James Rogers, right?" he asked. When James nodded, Bucky said, "You look quite a bit like your dad. He would be very proud of the man you've become."

"You knew my dad?" James asked excitedly. "Yes. I did. In fact, I was his best friend from childhood," said Bucky. James couldn't believe it.

"I'll you more about him some other time. But right now, I have to tell you a few things. First off, let's start with myself."

"Many decades before the Avengers were formed, James' dad was given his powers. He fought an organization called HYDRA during the midst of a worldwide war. I was his sidekick. But, during the end of the war, I fell into a ravine, and Steve believed me dead. In reality, I survived, and was captured by HYDRA, who brainwashed me and turned me into their ultimate assassin: the Winter Soldier. After the Avengers were formed, Steve eventually tracked me down and was able to break me free of HYDRA's control. However, I couldn't bring myself to join the Avengers after all the bad I had done when I was being controlled by HYDRA. So I joined another team, the Thunderbolts."

Before anyone could ask questions, he said, "And the Thunderbolts I will now explain. The Thunderbolts were a team of former villains, led by a former archenemy of Captain America. They renounced their evil ways and instead decided to protect humanity."

"The Thunderbolts were a varied collection of villains. The leader was Baron Helmut Zemo, the son of one of Captain America's greatest enemies. He too fought against Captain America, but eventually changed and decided to lead the Thunderbolts to protect humanity. He was incredibly strong and quick, and fought with a sword.

"There were 7 more Thunderbolts. One was the Green Goblin, a man who had been enhanced by a special serum, flew on a glider, and used special grenades. Another was Yellowjacket, a man who wore a weaponized suit that also let him shrink to insect size. Then, there was Red Hulk, a smarter, red Hulk. Then there was Elektra, a woman who was master martial artist, and fought with several knives.

"Then, there was Sandman, a man who could turn himself into sand. Then, there was Venom, a man possessed by an alien symbiote, which turned him into a black beast. Then, there was me, the Winter Soldier."

"For some time, we worked as a team. Then, we came into conflict with Dr. Doom, the dictator of the country Latveria. He was a master inventor. He wore a suit of armor that let him cast lightning. He was also a sorcerer. Finally, he commanded an army of robots. Despite our best efforts, we could not defeat him. After our defeat, we disbanded and settled down.

"When Ultron rose and defeated the Avengers, the Thunderbolts reformed to fight him, this time with Dr. Doom on our side. But even we failed. All of the team was killed, including Dr. Doom, except for me. I fled and hid from Ultron, because I had an important mission."

"What mission?" asked Azari. "Protecting and raising the Next Thunderbolts," he said. "Who are the Next Thunderbolts?" asked James, though he kinda felt like he knew the answer already.

"When we settled down, the Thunderbolts, save the Red Hulk, had children. Dr. Doom also had a son. When Ultron defeated the Thunderbolts, I fled with the children and hid with them. I raised them just as Tony raised you, so that one day they might come back and defeat Ultron."

"Then why did Ultron have you?" asked Torunn. "He found us. Dr. Doom's son, Ivan, the oldest of the Next Thunderbolts, escaped with the rest of the kids while I held off Ultron. They escaped, but Ultron captured me."

"Did you have a kid?" asked Pym. "Yes. A daughter. Emily. She was with them too. But, she only found out who I really was, and that I was her dad, right when Ultron found us. I never told her I was her dad until I sent them off with Ivan."

"Why?" asked James. "To encourage her, because the whole time, she believed her dad was alive. Not telling her who I was would motivate her, and protect the other children. It's complicated, but I had my reasons."

The Next Avengers stared at Bucky. Then, Pym said, "Well, let's go find them!" "Pym!" Azari rebuked. "No, don't worry," said Bucky. Azari looked at him.

"Now that you know that the Next Thunderbolts exist, it is time for you to meet them. I know where they went. They went to a special home I built years ago for them in the Savage Land. That was why Vision tried to take you to the Savage Land. He wanted you to meet up with the Next Thunderbolts, because it would've been safer for you since you didn't have Tony anymore. Now that Ultron is defeated, it's time for you to meet my team. If we're going to bring peace back to this planet, we'll need to join teams."

James smiled. He was excited to meet this new team. "Avengers, let's go meet the Thunderbolts."

And that's it. I know this chapter may have been a little short, but I wanted to get it up today.

Next chapter, the Next Avengers will finally meet the Next Thunderbolts. Also, Emily will truly meet her dad, and Bucky will fully explain his reasons for silence.

Until next time, review, and have a good summer.

Raptor2216 out.