Super Template System In Marvel and Beyond
Chapter 290: Winter Soldier

Chapter 290: Winter Soldier

"It’s not that they deserve it. It’s that we need it."

His voice, though calm, carried the weight of centuries.

"The Earth is fractured—not by villains, not by monsters—but by fear, by ego, by indecision. You all believe you’re protecting your people. But in truth..."

He glanced across the crowd of flickering holographic world leaders.

"You’re protecting your seats."

A silent tremor passed through the room.

"The Ten Rings are not salvation."

He gestured behind him as the floating rings slowly circled, glowing with ominous power.

"They are trials. A burden meant only for those strong enough to carry it, wise enough to fear it, and selfless enough to never use it for themselves."

A pause.

"This world doesn’t need more kings or presidents or dictators."

His voice deepened.

"It needs shepherds."

He turned slowly, walking toward the edge of the platform.

"So we open the gates. To the brave. To the worthy. To the forgotten. The Ten Lords of Earth will rise—not because of what you own, but because of what you endure."

A silence settled in again.

Then—

"Any further questions?" he asked coldly, resuming his calm composure as he folded his hands behind his back.

A moment later, a representative from the African Union leaned forward.

"You say the rings are trials. What exactly are they meant to test?"

Aizen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Power. Judgment. Resolve. Self-control. Sacrifice. Compassion. Discipline. Adaptability. Purpose. And above all... humility."

The feed began to fade—signals programmed to automatically cut at the end of the message.

"Prepare your nations."

Aizen’s voice echoed one final time as the Unity symbol surged on the global broadcast.

"The trials begin in seven days."

INT. UNITY TOWER – CORE COMMAND

The transmission faded.

Dave leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, looking vaguely bored.

"Seven days, huh?" he muttered.

"You could’ve made it five."

Tony turned to him.

"We needed time to stabilize the trial zones, not just conjure lava pits and storm clouds like you do."

Bruce added from the side,

"And to ensure we don’t create ten new global threats instead of ten protectors."

Dave just shrugged.

"If they survive, they’re worthy. If not... someone else will try."

Shuri looked up from the console.

"The first waves of applicants are already flooding in. From every continent. Martial artists, scientists, orphans, hackers, monks, retired soldiers—even civilians."

Tony smiled slightly.

"Looks like Earth is ready."

The holographic feed fully shut down. The global transmission was over, but the tension still lingered in the air. Shuri began archiving the data as Bruce leaned against a console, deep in thought. Dave sat casually at the edge of a high-tech platform, tossing one of the Ten Rings between his fingers like it weighed nothing. Aizen stood silent, gazing out the glass wall at the world below.

Then the secure door slid open.

Nick Fury entered. Black trench coat, single eye still sharp and unreadable. He carried with him the air of someone who had seen every crisis Earth could offer—and still wasn’t sure this wasn’t the biggest one yet.

He didn’t greet anyone. Just walked to the center of the room and spoke low, direct.

"So..."

He looked around at the faces of Earth’s brightest and most dangerous.

"What do you all really think... about these Ten Ring Lords?"

This Guy is alse memeber of Unity as Unity after an Year have gobbled up the SHIELD, though only select few so, now there is SHIELD but that SHIELD is nothing but HYDRA with SHIELD logo on them, while all of the real SHIELD have been taken by UNITY.

There was a silence before Tony broke it.

"Think? I’m terrified."

He half-smiled.

"We’re talking about arming ten unknown individuals with weapons that each rival a infinity Stone to some extent and any one can use them. It’s either the smartest thing we’ve done... or the dumbest."

Bruce grunted in agreement.

"We’re trusting fate to pick the next Avengers. But fate’s not exactly the most stable director."

Shuri added thoughtfully,

"And yet, we’ve tried every system. Every council. Every shield and sword. Maybe... it’s time we earn our protectors through fire, not politics."

Aizen’s voice was quiet.

"Merit creates order. Power without trial corrupts."

Dave narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Then why are you here?" he asked, his tone sharp. "I doubt you’re just here to give your opinion on the Ten Ring Lords."

Tony added with a glance,

"Yeah, and if you’re here for the rings—get in line."

Before Fury could respond, he raised his hand and said calmly,

"I’m not here to argue."

He walked forward and sat down on one of the sleek Unity Tower chairs, his tone suddenly more serious.

"I was attacked."

The room went silent as heads turned to him. Even Aizen tilted his head slightly, interested.

"Fortunately," Fury continued, "Natasha was with me, so nothing fatal happened. But the attacker... Steve might know him."

As he said that, the door opened again.

Natasha Romanoff entered— composed. Behind her floated a large coffin-like containment chamber, sealed and humming softly with energy. Inside, a figure lay unconscious and restrained.

Steve’s eyes widened the moment he saw the face inside.

"Bucky?" he whispered.

Fury nodded grimly.

"Yeah. He was the one who attacked me."

Tony stepped closer, scanning the readout on the containment chamber.

"How is this even possible?" he muttered. "Steve, you were in those super soldier tanks. You got the serum. You survived being frozen in ice. But Bucky?" He looked over at Steve. "He was just a normal guy. How did he survive all these years? And why hasn’t he aged? He should be in his late nineties by now."

Steve’s face was grim, staring at his old friend with a thousand questions burning behind his eyes.

"I... don’t know. After that mission—after the fall—I thought he died. I saw him fall off the train. Thought he was gone. And then the ice canyon swallowed him up. I never got closure."

Fury nodded, his voice low.

"I was on my way to a secure meeting with the President when it happened. Out of nowhere, a damn rocket slammed into our convoy. Targeted. Precise."

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