And here is the final chapter of Endgame and our last viewing chapter. We'll likely have only one or two more chapters after this. As I said, I do plan for a sequel, but I'm not sure when that will be. For now, I hope you enjoy this.
Once again, I would like to thank Aragorn II Elessar for the use of his movie text.
Jinero: He would've bene disappointed in Tony in both Homecoming and Far from Home, as well as Civil War. Clearly, we'll have to agree to disagree on the ending.
Darth Vader: Indeed.
Millysent: I disagree. It should not be appreciated; it should be a lesson on how not to write female character empowerment scenes. It makes them all look ridiculous and gives a bad impression of female characters. Which is a shame because, aside from Carol and maybe Shuri, I like all those characters. Even if what you say is true, they would not have had time to interact, especially not enough to want to fight side by side and pose together for the sake of it. All I'm gonna say about Wanda/Vision is lets agree to disagree.
John: So because I don't think Vision is worthy, therefore I must have something against him? Thanks for the laugh.
Coolguy: Sorry, no.
Spidey-girl: Glad you're enjoying it.
Green Hal37: He probably would, amusingly enough. No kidding, what was done to Thor is unforgivable. He probably is.
Watson Smith: Glad you enjoyed it. Why thank you.
Guest 1: Yep, but they nerfed Peter in order to make him an iron Man fanboy.
Guest 2: Don't know.
Guest 3: Maybe. Still doesn't make Carol overpowering him any less stupid.
Guest 4: With the exception of Tony's funeral, every scene Carol is in, it's treated like we're supposed to be in awe of Carol's mere presence without her having done anything to earn it. That's pretty much the definition of propping someone up.
Guest 5: I am making a sequel, just not sure when.
The next day, a Quinjet flew over the Barton farmhouse and Lila and Cooper ran out to see Clint descending from the ramp. They ran to him happily as he embraced them.
Clint watched the scene solemnly. While he was happy he had his family back, it would never sit well with him that it had come at the price of a friend. From the look on Barton's face, he shared the sentiment.
Peter was shown in his high-school again and saw Ned standing there. The two did their 'cool handshake' happily and hugged each other.
"Ned," Peter said softly with a smile, happy Ned was back.
Seeing the scene, Tony smiled, knowing he had made the right choice. Whatever happened to him, everything was as it should be. That made it worth it.
Firecrackers were shown being blown in the air as Scott, Hope and Cassie sat together happily while Tony's voice was heard. "Everybody wants a happy ending, right? But it doesn't always roll that way."
Everyone, especially the original Avengers and Rhodey, looked pained upon hearing Tony's voice so soon after seeing his death. Tony looked solemn, an emotionless mask on his face.
T'Challa was shown standing with Ramonda and Shuri in Wakanda as Tony's voice said, "Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we get it back, and something like a normal version of the planet has been restored. If there ever was such a thing."
"There never was such a thing as a normal version of Earth," Thor said softly.
"Especially after me," Steve noted.
"And me," Tony added and everyone nodded absently.
Shots of Scott, Hope and Cassie, T'Challa, Ramonda and Shuri, and Clint with his family were shown as Tony's voice said, "God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, let alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised. But come on, you know? That epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play." Clint was shown reuniting with Laura.
"No one could've imagined this," Natasha said lowly.
Clint put a hand to his face, trying not to break down. It was everything he wanted, his family was back. He should be happy. But he couldn't be, because it had come at too high a price. Natasha and Tony had given their lives for this and that would never be okay. From the grim look on Barton's face, he agreed and Clint understood his future self's decision to do this a lot better now. He couldn't live in a world where two good people had given their lives for his happiness.
"And, for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in," Tony's voice said.
"It's the reality everyone has to live with," Sam said softly and there were several nods of agreement.
An Iron Man visor was shown on a table displaying a holographic recording of Tony to Pepper, Morgan, Rhodes, Happy Thor, Bruce and Steve as he said, "So I found the time and I recorded a little greeting...In the case of an untimely death. On my part. Not that death in any time isn't untimely."
Everyone winced, the memory of Tony's death still too painful.
Tony said, "This time travel thing that we're gonna try and pull off tomorrow, it's, it's got me scratching my head about this. But then again, that's the hero gig. Part of the journey is the end," Tony then stood up. "What am I even tripping for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to."
"No, it didn't," Steve said gruffly as everyone looked at Natasha and Tony painfully. "It didn't."
Tony then knelt down to look at Morgan and with a smile, said lovingly, "I love you 3,000."
There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Steve and Rhodey looked like they were barely holding it together as tears fell down their cheeks. Thor was fighting back tears as Clint and Natasha stared at the screen solemnly. Everyone else looked at the screen sadly as Tony placed a hand on Rhodey's shoulder, trying to offer him some sort of comfort.
The hologram disappeared as Morgan watched it sadly while Pepper had a half-smile due to Tony's words but looked like she could break down any moment.
Tony sighed, hating that he had caused Pepper pain once more. But he knew it was necessary, no matter how much it may hurt.
Later, Pepper led Morgan out by the hand as they were followed by the others. Everyone else stood outside. The flowers were put on the water nearby and between them was the original Arc Reactor that said 'Proof That Tony Stark Has A Heart.'
Tony smiled weakly, remembering when she had given it to him. It seemed fitting that it would be used for his funeral.
On the shore sat Pepper, holding Morgan while behind her, Rhodes and Happy tried to comfort each other and behind them, Steve looked at the floating Reactor, his face an emotionless mask, hiding how he was truly feeling. Behind him Peter was being comforted by May. Behind them, Thor stood sadly while Bruce, his arm now in a sling, wiped his face. Behind him stood Doctor Strange with regret on his face and Wong was with him too. Behind them were Scott, Hope, Janet and Hank who wore sunglasses.
"Can't believe he showed up," Tony muttered.
"Hank has his faults, but he's a good man underneath it all. He would be thankful to you for bringing Janet and Hope back," Scott said and Tony nodded.
"Plus, Janet made him," Lila said and they all chuckled, the tension breaking momentarily.
In another corner stood Quill, Rocket, Nebula, Groot, Drax (wearing a shirt!) and Mantis who was swaying as it was her species' way of mourning. Behind them were T'Challa, Okoye and Shuri. Behind them to their right were Clint, Laura, Lila, Cooper and Nathaniel and to their left were Bucky, Sam and Wanda, with Sam putting a hand on Bucky's shoulder. Behind them was a teenage Harley Keener.
Tony stared at the young man in the recording, a nagging suspicion in the back of his mind. Then, his eyes widened in realization.
"Is that…" Tony trailed off as Barton nodded. "Well I'll be. Good to see you Hartley."
"Who's that? Sam asked confused.
"Long story. I'll tell you about it later," Tony promised.
Behind Harley were Hill and Ross.
"He has the nerve to show up after what he did?" Wanda snapped.
"Don't worry, Pepper kicked him out after it was over," Parker assured him.
"And Dad threatened to use his intestines as target practice," Lila said as everyone laughed and Barton shrugged.
"Maybe I'm still bitter about being locked up," Barton said grimly, remembering the conditions of The Raft.
Behind them was Carol, looking at the scene sadly and behind her arrived Fury, who looked both proud and sad. The screen then went dark.
"Guess he does care," Tony muttered, touched Fury had come to his funeral.
Clint and Wanda stood together later at the edge of the lake. "You know, I wish there was a way...that I could let her know. That we won. We did it," Clint said. Wanda looked at him and assured, "She knows. They both do." The two put their hands on each other's' shoulders for comfort.
"I do," Natasha said gently, taking Clint's hand and nodding at Wanda, gratefully that she could support him when Natasha couldn't.
Happy and Morgan sat together as he asked, "How you doing, Squirt?" "Good," She said. "You good?" He asked and she nodded. "Okay. You hungry?" "Mm-hmm," She nodded. "What do you want?" He asked her. "Cheeseburgers," She said.
"That's my girl," Tony joked weakly, unshed tears in his eyes as he remembered getting home from Afghanistan.
"You know your Dad liked cheeseburgers?" Happy asked her and she nodded. "I'm gonna get you all the cheeseburgers you want," He said. "Okay," She told him.
Tony smiled sadly, thankful to Happy for taking care of Morgan when he couldn't, mentally making a note to give Happy a raise when he got home.
Thor stood at New Asgard with sunglasses as Valkyrie asked, "So, when can we expect you back?"
"I'm leaving?" Thor asked shocked.
"For a while. You needed to do some soul searching. You came back after about five years," Scarlet explained.
"About that..." Thor trailed off. "Thor. Your people need a king," Valkyrie pointed out. "No, they already have one," He said as he looked at her. She laughed and said, "That's funny." She noticed his look and asked, "You're being serious?"
"So now she's the king?" Peter asked.
"Sort of. She was basically a regent, ruling in Thor's place until he returned. Once you came back, she was more than happy to hand off the responsibility to you," Lila said as she looked over at Thor, who nodded.
"Everyone wants to be king until they actually get the job," Thor noted wistfully.
"It's time for me to be who I am rather than who I'm supposed to be," He said. "But you, you're a leader. That's who you are."
"So are you," Steve said and Thor smiled weakly.
"Thanks Cap," Thor said humbly.
"You know I'd make a lot of changes around here," Valkyrie said. "I'm counting on it," Thor said as he held out his hand. "You're Majesty," She shook it. "What will you do?" She asked him. "I'm not sure. For the first time in a thousand years, I...I have no path. I do have a ride, though," He turned to look at Rocket. "Move it or lose it, hairbag."
"So I joined them?" Thor asked and the future Avengers nodded.
"For a little bit. Then you went off on your own for a while before you decided to head back to earth," Barton explained and Thor nodded in understanding.
Quill was looking at a hologram of 2014 Gamora before he heard Thor greet everyone behind him. "Well, here we are. Tree! Good to see you. Well..." He put his bag down and tapped Quill's shoulder, "The As-Guardians of the Galaxy back together again."
"Nice Point Break," Tony said as they all chuckled, the mood lifting a little.
"I suppose you've rubbed off on me Stark," Thor joked.
"Just hope it wasn't too much," Natasha cracked and they all laughed, feeling able to joke now.
"Where to first?" Thor asked as he changed the map. "Just so you know, this is my ship still. I'm in charge," Quill said as he changed the map back. "I know. I know. Of course, you are. Of course," Thor said as he changed the map again.
"You're screwing with him, aren't you?" Scott asked and they all laughed when Thor nodded.
"See, you say of course, but then you touch the map. It makes you think that maybe you didn't realize I was in charge," Quill said as he changed back. "Quail, that's your own insecurities in there. Okay? I'm merely trying to be of service. An assistant," Thor assured. "Quill," Quill corrected him. "That's what I said," Thor shrugged. "You should fight one another for the honor of leadership," Drax said as he ate.
"What's with him and fighting all the time?" Sam wondered.
"His people are naturally violent," Thor said with a shrug.
"Sounds fair," Nebula said. "It's not necessary," Quill stammered. "It's not," Thor said too. "I got some blasters unless you guys wanna use knives," Rocket said. "Oh, yes. Please, use knives," Mantis urged.
"Man she is creepy," Tony muttered and they all nodded in agreement.
"Yes, knives," Drax agreed. "I am Groot," Groot urged too. The two gave each other a look and laughed weirdly. "Not necessary," Quill said. "There shall be no knifing one another," Thor said. "Everybody knows who's in charge." After a few seconds, Quill looked at Thor and asked, "It's me. Right?" Thor looked at him and said, "Yes, you! Of course! Of course. Of course."
"Seeing him get so riled up is funnier than it should be," Scott said as they all laughed.
Sometime Later, Bruce put the Orb, Time Stone, Soul Stone, remade Tesseract and Rocket's Aether extraction device in a case while Steve held the Scepter on which the Mind Stone had been put back. "Remember...You have to return the Stones at the exact moment you got them. Or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities," Bruce warned him. "Don't worry, Bruce," Steve assured. "Clip all the branches." "You know, I tried," Bruce said regretfully. "When I had the Gauntlet, the Stones, I really tried to bring her back."
Natasha sighed ruefully. While she didn't love Bruce, she considered him a close friend and was thankful that he had tried to bring her back, even though it was futile.
"I miss her, man," Bruce said. "Me, too," Steve said.
"Didn't help that we just had your funeral the day before," Baton noted and Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"What, you didn't forget about me?" she joked and Barton shook his head.
"You know I never could," Barton said thickly. "It was pretty much just me, Laura, Cap and the kids; we put up a grave on a hill not far from the farm."1
"You know, if you want, I can come with you," Sam offered. "You're a good man, Sam. This one's on me, though," Steve said before turning to Bucky. "Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back." "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Bucky said as they hugged.
Steve suddenly laughed, remembering another time they'd said something similar. Back when they younger and far less damaged.
"Inside joke," Steve said as he saw everyone looking at him oddly.
"Gonna miss you, Buddy," Bucky said. "It's gonna be okay, Buck," Steve assured.
"Why would he miss you?" Rhodey asked Steve, who looked as confused as the rest of them.
"I don't know," Steve said, sensing that he was missing something.
Scarlet looked away, unable to look at Steve as she felt that familiar rise of hurt and betrayal rise up in her, the same one she'd felt all those years ago before she went down that dark path. She'd come too far to let watching this break her. Steve Rogers would not break her, she vowed. Not a second time.
"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked as Steve walked to the machine and put on his Quantum Suit. "For him? As long as he needs. For us, five seconds," Bruce said before asking, "Ready, Cap?" Cap nodded as he said, "Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?" "You bet," Steve said as he picked Mjolnir while Bruce counted, "Going quantum. Three..two.. one..." And then Steve was gone.
"Well, let's hope you get all those stones back where they came from," Scott said and Steve nodded.
"Otherwise, all those timelines…" Steve trailed off but they all caught his meaning.
"Let's agree not to think about it," Tony said and they all nodded.
After a beat, Bruce counted down again, "And returning in, five, four, three, two, one..." But nothing happened. Bruce tried to press buttons but nothing happened to his shock.
"Wait, what happened?" Sam demanded, worried for Steve as the rest of the past Avengers looked torn between confused and worried.
"Just watch," Barton said lowly, eying Scarlet, hoping she could take this, that she wouldn't slide back into the darkness that had almost taken her ten years ago.
"Where is he?" Sam asked. "I don't know. He blew right by his time stamp. He should be here," Bruce said, puzzled. "Well, get him back." Sam said. "I'm trying!" "Get him the hell back!" Sam snapped. "I said, I'm trying!" Then Bucky turned away and noticed someone in the distance. "Sam," he called out. Sam walked up next to him and they noticed an old man on a bench with a round pack next to him.
"What the hell?" Steve whispered feeling like a bucket of ice water had just been dumped on him as the realization hit him.
The rest of the past Avengers simply stared at the screen in disbelief as Barton placed a hand on Scarlet's shoulder.
"Go ahead," Bucky urged Sam as behind them, Bruce watched with a grim look. Sam walked to the bench and asked, "Cap?" And old Steve Rogers looked up at him with a smile. "Hi, Sam."
"That's me?" Steve asked in stunned disbelief.
"Yeah, that's you," Barton said carefully.
The past Avengers were still too stunned to respond. Even Tony was too shocked to make a quip about Steve looking his age.
"So did something go wrong, or did something go right?" Sam asked him. "Well, after I put the Stones back, I thought...Maybe I'll try some of that life Tony was...telling me to get," Steve said.
"What the hell?" Steve repeated in a louder voice, breaking the past Avengers out of their shock. "I don't...how…what?"
"Yeah, that was pretty much our reaction," Barton nodded.
"Who the hell is this guy? Because it's certainly not me," Steve said angrily.
"Steve, calm down," Natasha told him gently.
"Just wait until the end, then you can explode," Lila said dryly.
Steve was still clearly far from happy, but pursed his lips and nodded as Barton unpaused the recording.
"How did that work out for you?" Sam asked. "It was beautiful," Steve said. "I'm happy for you. Truly," Sam assured him. "Thank you," Steve said gratefully. "Only thing bumming me out is the fact I have to live in a world without Captain America," Sam said. "Oh...That reminds me..." Steve said as he opened the pack, revealing the remade shield. "Try it on."
"You're giving it to me? I thought if you'd give it to anyone, you'd give it to Barnes," Sam said shocked and Steve took a moment to calm himself before answering.
"If watching this has taught me anything, it's that Bucky doesn't want to fight anymore. He'll help out if he needs to, but he won't look to lead. And he'll need to find himself in this new world, the same way I did. But you, you're a leader. And I know you'll honor the shield and everything it stands for," Steve said and Sam looked humbled and honored.2
"So, every time you guys say Cap…" Sam trailed off as he looked at Parker and Lila.
"We were talking about you," Parker confirmed and Sam looked shocked.
"I need to lie down after this," Sam muttered.
Sam looked to Bucky who gave him a nod of approval Sam took the shield and held it. "How's it feel?" Steve asked. "Like it's someone else's," Sam said. "It isn't," Steve assured and Sam sighed as he straightened, the weight of the shield in his hand seeming to increase. "Thank you," He said. "I'll do my best."
"I know you will," Steve said and Sam nodded, the burden seeming to already settle on his shoulders.
"Just stick around this time. I'm in no hurry to take your place," Sam said and Steve nodded grimly.
"I will," Steve assured him, the anger returning to his eyes.
"That's why it's yours," Steve said as they shook hands and Sam noticed a wedding band on Steve's finger. "You wanna tell me about her?" Sam asked him. "No," Steve said as he looked away wistfully. "No, I don't think I will."
Steve grumbled things under his breathe that made Peter stare at him wide eyed.
"Whoa," Peter said, shocked at hearing Captain America of all people say such things.
"Yeah, don't let the heroic exterior fool you kid, the guy's got a mouth on him," Clint said only half joking.
In the 50's, 'It's been a long, long time' played as Steve and Peggy were shown dancing to it together happily. They kissed each other passionately and the screen went black.
"So you went back to have a life with Ms. Carter," Vision noted.
"What the hell?" Steve repeated, still not over it.
"And now he's gonna blow," Tony said as he leaned back in his seat to watch.
"After all we've been through together, how can I just abandon you guys?" Steve asked angrily as he looked around at them. "You guys are my friends, my family. I-"
Steve suddenly stopped; looking over at Scarlet, who still refused to look at him. Suddenly, her rather frosty reception to him made perfect sense. And Steve was filled with shame as he realized how him going back in time must have felt to her after losing Natasha and Vision in what would have felt like the same day to Wanda.
"You know, I visited you not long after you came back," Barton said and Steve looked over at him. "I asked you why you decided to do this."
"And what did I say?" Steve asked, still feeling angry with his on screen self.
"You said that you were running from what happened, that you didn't feel like you could handle living in a world without Nat and Tony after all you'd lost. So you ran, from your pain and yourself," Barton and Steve was silent for several moments.3
"I'm sorry," Steve said as he looked at all of them, but particularly Scarlet. "That I-he abandoned you. But I will never leave you guys again, I swear on my life."
Everyone nodded, not doubting him as they saw the conviction in his eyes.
"On that note, it's been a long day. Let's get a good night sleep and we'll send you back in the morning," Parker offered.
The past Avengers nodded, knowing they would need to process everything they had seen today. So they stood up and followed the future Avengers out, ready to take a long rest.
1: A reference to my fic 'Goodbye Nat'.
2: As nice as it would have been to see Bucky take up the shield, let's be honest, it just fits Sam more. After everything he's been through, Bucky just doesn't seem like he wants to fight anymore. After he was freed from Hydra's mind control, he didn't go out and join the good fight with Steve, he stayed in Wakanda to live peacefully. It's even noted by T'Challa in infinity War that he is tired of war. Therefore, Steve giving the shield to Sam makes a lot more sense.
3: Everyone has their own opinion on Steve's ending, which is fine. Me, I've looked at it from every angle, I've heard all the arguments about how 'perfect' it is and I just don't buy it. It would have worked in the beginning of Steve's character Arc but not after The Winter Soldier and especially Age of Ultron. Steve's entire character Arc in AOU was about him letting go of the past, he even turns away from Peggy, rejecting a life with her, in his vision and makes peace with what he lost in the end of the movie. I just can't reconcile that Steve with the one who willingly abandons Sam, Bucky, Wanda and everyone else. It's a complete betrayal of Steve's entire character Arc; Steve would never erase Peggy's children and grandchildren from existence for his own selfish desires. If he was going to make an alternate timeline, it's a lot more likely he'd make one where Bucky never became The Winter Soldier or where Nat and Tony were still alive rather than…this. And even if, as has been suggested, Steve used the opportunity to save Bucky in this new timeline he created, he's still abandoning the one in his own and I can't see Steve ever abandoning any version of Bucky or Sam willingly. If any of you like Steve's ending, good for you but I can only see it as Steve's unhealthy way of coping with Nat and Tony's death. I know Chris Evans wanted to leave but there are other ways he could have left without Steve dying or ruining eight years of character development.