Chapter 4: Beyond Any Hope In The Universe
Sam Wilson felt sickly travelling through the quantum realm for the sixth time. He'd sneakily snuck the Power Stone back into Quill's pocket, thankfully Bucky had given the guy a hell of a punch, still out cold when he found him on a desolate planet. He managed to sneak into Nick Fury's office and place the reconstructed Scepter on his desk, packed and locked safely in its case. As a matter of fact, Fury may have walked into the office as Sam was fleeing through the window, heading towards the Ancient One.
He's confident that's going to be brought up at some point.
The Ancient One was a gentle presence, the breadth of her wisdom not needing introduction. She made returning the Time Stone the most straightforward task of them all, as simple as a conversation and a smile. She seemed to understand every perspective, every certainty and uncertainty simultaneously. It's no wonder she's where Doctor Strange earned his affinity for magic.
Sam was much more successful at Camp Lehigh, appearing in the basement where Kate, Yelena and Wanda retrieved the Tesseract. Not having any of their charm or bewitchment, it was easier to teleport himself to the next location, not wanting to risk getting caught.
Wilson couldn't help but find Asgard captivating, its beauty and benevolence, unlike anything he ever imagined. He's ultimately thankful he got to see the Odinson's and Asgardians' home in all its glory. Knowing Asgard is long gone in the current day almost killed Sam's mood-
If not for Queen Frigga. No excuses in the world could get past her wit and insight, the Queen found his embarrassment of getting caught amusing. She wasn't at all fussed about him returning the Reality Stone, insisting she understands the extent of the situation. Lady Frigga promised she'd make sure the past remained as it should.
He can understand why Loki insisted on accompanying Rocket to retrieve the Aether. The God of Mischief didn't speak much after his return, uncharacteristic of him, the depth he went into within his thoughts, not so much. Then again, everybody was lost in their dismayed thoughts when Nebula returned alone.
A rare look of devastation on the luphomoid's face answered their questions without needing to say a word.
Whatever it takes.
Why did he have to use those words?
He should've known Parker was going to take it to heart. That stupid fucking kid always gave his everything to any task, no matter how great or simple.
Why did Sam expect it to be different?
Peter was fifteen when he floored him and Bucky at that airport in Germany, giving the fight his all.
All because it didn't want to underperform, in fear of disappointing or looking weak to Stark. Something Parker told him personally.
Fuck. Why couldn't he just stick to his promise in Tokyo when he told the Falcon and the Winter Soldier to go fuck themselves.
Sam could never get it out of his mind
If I ever see any of you again-
Being beaten in Germany was different, they were fighting Spider-Man, a hero who swore never to take a life to save one.
Being held under the mercy of the Huntsman was another story entirely.
-I'll burn everything you love to ash.
Turns out, Peter didn't like repeating himself anymore. A simple conversation turned into a brawl in a mere minute.
Though they could tell he wasn't trying to kill them, they were left with enough bruises to send the message clearly to the rest of the Avengers.
The Huntsman was no ally to the Avengers.
Not a friend, but not a foe.
It was perfect.
It was his way out of the Time Heist.
Why'd he have to show up at the Compound?
That kid.
Of course, he knew someone was going to have to die for everyone else to live.
Of course, he wasn't going to let it happen to anyone else.
Maybe that was the way out he wanted.
Maybe that was his plan all along.
On Vormir, Sam shambles up the mountain, close to the peak, taking his time soaking in the eerie forlorn scenery of the planet's surface. He cannot believe this is Peter Parker's final resting place; a dreary place for someone who weathered, suffered and killed for what many believe is the greater good-
No matter how brutal and inhuman his methods could be.
Sam likes to they all had the genuine Peter back those weeks before the Time Heist, that they saw that glimpse of who he was before.
That, that young kid may still be hiding among the shadows behind all those walls he put up; that fog of aggression and scepticism. Kate and Yelena may have done the most to bring him out of his gruff moody shell, but with the combined presence of Morgan and Pepper, it was almost easy to forget what Peter had become.
What he did on his patrols at night.
Lawful evil in spider's clothing.
Yet, in the end, Peter somehow had the selflessness to freely give his life in exchange for trillions more.
Did so without ever asking for forgiveness or redemption.
Sam really thought bringing everybody back would be a new beginning for Pete, throwing his shattered life into a new chapter.
A new beginning.
A way to heal.
Parker made it clear during his final exchange and fierce battle with Nebula-
-he was never going to be about that life.
He simply did what had to be done, without unwillingness and without guilt.
Even if it meant his own demise.
Not that Wilson should be surprised, there was no way he was going to let Kate or Yelena near that particular part of the mission.
Sam noticed, and honestly, that's something he'll always wish he spoke up about.
He should've spoken up, should've asked Peter why he was so insistent and rather obsessed with Vormir.
He could go back and stop Peter from ever going on that mission.
Exchange his life for Parker's, but he knows Peter, he'd only hate him if he found out.
Too late to go back now.
That's beyond any hope in the universe.
Wilson finally reaches the peak of the mountain, thirty feet away from the ledge, his mind suffocating within his thoughts. He barely notices it at first, a cloaked figure standing completely still at the edge of the cliffside, staring off into the distance.
The sight causes Sam to grimace, he was hoping the Red Skull would be long gone, free of his bond to the Soul Stone. Seems that wasn't so simple, seems the Red Skull is destined to stay on this forsaken planet for all eternity; a tragic fate Wilson knows the former Hydra leader deserves.
What's strange, though, is that Sam is only ten feet from him, nearly close enough to touch the cloak fluttering against the wind, and the Red Skull hasn't spoken a word. Hasn't offered his guidance to the Soul Stone, and hasn't shown him where to return the Stone.
Not a word.
"Hello?" Sam narrows his eyes, his hand slowly looming in on the figure's shoulder, making slight contact. "How do I return the-"
The figure turns swiftly, striking the Falcon in the chest, bending the armoured plating as the wind is knocked out of his lungs. Sam flies through the air, his wings retracting to cushion an otherwise devastating landing. Desperately trying to catch his breath, Sam's eyes blur in on the figure stomping towards him, the hood blowing off his head in the harsh wind.
"No- no, you? No, it- it can't be."
Sam stares at the angry eyes glaring back at him, rage the only expression on the figure's deathly pale face, black veins engulfing it. The figure breathes through clenched displaying razor-sharp fangs; an unnatural shriek to his voice. Peter stops in his tracks, claws retracting from the fingertips of his armoured hands and eight-bladed spider legs tearing from the back of his cloak. Sam slowly and cautiously rises to his feet, eyes locked on his former friend, never prepared to face this.
The moment Wilson stands, however, Peter charges toward him, a monstrous shriek leaving his lips as he suddenly leaps into the air, claws striking towards his prey.