PLUTO
Acres of lush jungles stretch across the horizon. Mountains adorn the skyline. Waterfalls decorate the hillside, sprouting rainbows through the crashing water billowing up into mists.
Deep within the heart of this paradise stands a silver citadel, looming over the land and shining within the sun's embrace. Its walls spread out roughly half a mile in diameter. Inside its center is a giant tower, rising high above the castle's walls. At its top is a grand hall with a large circular table at the center connected to the floor.
The heroes are on all fours within the large room, woozy from the journey through the portal.
Iron Man: Everybody check. Make sure you got all ten fingers and toes.
Norrin raises himself to one knee and leans on the Syzygy.
Norrin Radd: We are not on earth…
Daredevil: No.
War Machine: Ok, so WHERE are we?
Captain America: Thema Mundi.
Iron Man: Thema whatey?
Cap nods, gesturing to the entrance at the other end of the room. Inscribed above its archway are the words, "Thema Mundi".
Iron Man: Ooook.
Captain America: Tony…how many made it?
It is quiet for a couple seconds.
Iron Man: About 800 million.
Cap closes his eyes.
Captain America: …what percentage is that?
It is quiet for a couple more seconds.
Iron Man: …about…10%…
The group gasps.
Captain America: …Jesus…this is worse than Thanos…
Norrin Radd: I am so sorry. This may not bring you all comfort, but it should be noted that of all the races Algol has eradicated, yours is the only one to avoid extinction. Humanity HAS survived.
The team sits at the table in silence. War Machine removes his helmet and drops his head in his hands.
Ant Man: Soo Guys? Bruce built this place?
Daredevil: He's the only one who could. And it appears to be made entirely of adamantium. Even this table.
A booming voice echoes through the hall.
Thor: Thine friends! Thou hath arrived!
Norrin Radd: Thor!
Thor: Aha! The Surfer! And thou are puny now!
Iron Man: Of course. HE made it through.
Thor: Stark! And thou are here too! I have been waiting for all of thee. Look at this mighty castle! It goes on forever! And behold!
Thor raises his hammer.
War Machine: Oh shit. Thor, hold on…
The hammer comes down hard. The entire tower shakes as his mighty blow echoes throughout the hall. The heroes hold their ears.
War Machine: God damn it! Thor, stop!
Thor: But dost thou see?! It can withstand thine blows! Not even mountains can withstand the power of Thor!
Iron Man: Uhhh boy. Yeah, big guy? The castle's made of adamantium. We're way ahead of you.
Thor: Ah. Well then. It is a suitable fortress for our might. Wait tilts thou see the room of sacred crystals! And the well of energy!
War Machine: Is this dude always like this?
Iron Man: Just wait till he's had a couple cases of beer. He's real fun then.
Daredevil: Steve, what do we do now? We have nothing. Everything is gone. How will people adjust without possessions? What will they do without money?
Captain America: None of that matters anymore…and maybe this is for the best. All of it. A civilization rebuilding upon unified ideals and vision is better off than an empire decaying and collapsing under hate and division. There were so many truths that were too taboo to acknowledge…or be honest about. Now…we are finally free to see these things for what they really were…and with a clear perspective…rebuild.
Cap closes his eyes and lowers his head. He whispers under his breath.
Captain America: …Bruce knew this…he knew this was coming…
Daredevil: CAN they unify?
Captain America: We don't have a choice.
Daredevil: I sense hundreds of lives in the courtyard below.
Cap glances at the balcony at the end of the room.
Captain America: We need to find all political leaders and representatives who survived. We'll need a gathering of engineers, farmers and scientists. As many as we can find. Also, medical and mental health professionals, teachers and historians. Finally, we need to confirm how many heroes made it. We will need them. There's much work to be done.
Daredevil: I can help with that, but I think this new world needs to hear from you first.
Captain America: Sigh. Matt, I am not an elected leader. I am just a soldier.
Daredevil shakes his head and laughs.
Daredevil: You are so much more than that. You're an archetype of something innate to all of us. Democracy, equality and freedom are home…and we need to know that what we are has not been lost…that these things have never disappeared. You are our reminder that they will always exist…anywhere.
Cap subtly smiles.
Captain America: You're a gifted counselor…
Cap walks towards the entrance leading out to the balcony. The sunlight flows in, wrapping around his body as if its rays were emanating from him. He pauses and looks back.
Captain America: …and a good friend.
Cap walks out on the balcony and surveys the crowd below. Large trees spiral together across the courtyard like a network of little huts. Within one of them is Miles Morales and Peter Parker. At ground level is T'Challa and a crowd of his people. In another set of trees is the Fantastic Four. Hovering above them is the Scarlet Witch. The Human Torch and Falcon fly across the balcony. The Falcon salutes Cap. Far back by the main gate is Professor X and his teams.
Cap looks out across the floral utopian horizon sprawling beyond the castle walls and then back down at the survivors of humanity. They appear calm. In shock, but relieved. Maybe the realization of what has occurred hasn't hit them yet. Maybe their immediate needs for survival have taken precedence. Whatever the reason, there is a certain courage…even stoic honor in their composure and strength. Cap pulls back his mask.
Here, in the endless galaxy, far past the destroyed remains of a planet and civilization whose time had passed…it begins here - a new nation - to bring sense to a species plagued by worse than greed and inequality…this will be a good life…
Captain America: People of earth! My name is Steve Rogers…and I am the man who was known as Captain America…
…good enough.
The End