Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. You are all lovely.

I decided that, yes, we do need ID numbers for the timelines. The Princess agreed with me and created her own system. Just a reminder that DC comics do exist in this universe as fictional characters.

This is another mixed timeline chapter. During these multiple timeline chats, codenames will have the year added next to them to help keep things straight. However, since so many characters are involved, I am doing a key at the end of the chapter.

This is also going to be the last post before Hawkeye comes out. Probably more than any other upcoming project, this is going to influence the story. You might actually get to see Laura again. I didn't mean for her to become a major character. It just sort of happened. Of course, we are already safely in a variant timeline. Still, I do want to know how close I managed to Laura's characterizations.

Conversation 40: Text messages through time and space

Genius Princess 2018: A few notes to everybody else reading this conversation in real-time. First, we're going to try to limit discussion to the leadership circle. You know who you are. Everyone else will be muted.

The heart 2018: That's probably for the best with this group.

Genius Princess: We are tired of referring to the other timeline as the other timeline. After negotiations among the science team, we have developed an alphanumerical naming system. We are now timeline LF052016.

Venom 2018: At least you didn't go with something like earth 52 or zero. This is so comic book. Can't we go with something like the Kelvin timeline? Your naming convention is not dyslexic-friendly.

Chief mechanic 2018: Now I'm 100% sure your nickname came from the comic book character. I always knew you were holding out on movie nights.

Football Hunter 2018: I wanted to call this the Leo timeline, but I was overruled.

Chief monkey lover 2018: Would you like to sleep on the couch for the next month?

Purple Princess 2018: I think we should still go with the Leo timeline. We can call the other timeline the prime timeline since that's what we branched from. It's easier to remember.

Deke Fitzsimmons of 2023 via 2091: But we don't know if it is the prime timeline. It could be a branch of a branch. My timeline was.

Purple Princess 2018: What about the snap timeline?

Monkey lover 1 2018: No. Because we can become the snap timeline too.

Genius Princess 2018: This is why we finally agreed on an alphanumerical system. We want something neutral.

TMNS 2018: Except it's still the year and the month that the timeline branched.

Purple Princess 2018: I'm perfectly okay with this being called the dad and cap dad have their ship together timeline.

Chief mechanic 2018: Let's just go with the system they came up with but dropped the LF part. Please, universe, don't let us encounter more timelines.

Deke Fitzsimmons of 2023 via 2091: You know there's more. An infinite amount of timelines. I came from one.

Chief mechanic 2018: I'm aware. I just don't have the energy to meet more personally right now.

Chief monkey lover 2018: What if timelines are labeled by the dividing point? Then for each variant timeline, we use a letter of the Greek alphabet. So the original timeline would be timeline 052016 alpha, and we would be timeline 052016 beta.

Chief mechanic 2018: Can we go to gamma? Let Fitzsimmons Junior be the beta timeline.

Deke Fitzsimmons of 2023 via 2091: Actually, we should be the alpha timeline. By going into the future and bringing me back, the current 2023 I came from was created. It is still horrible, but at least the Earth is not in pieces. Also, we're not in subjugation to the Kree.

Purple Princess 2018: Let's just go with this. And no arguments about having a different branch day because we do not have time for that. Can we move forward? Otherwise, I'm muting everybody now.

Chief mechanic 2018: Fine, we are the gamma line for short. We should refer to our other selves as variants as well. This other you stuff is weird. Let's take a scientific approach to this.

Genius Princess 2018: I agree. That was actually my next note. Moving on, theoretically, the window between the two timelines should open up, and we will be able to establish a connection in 5.6 minutes. During this time, Ana will transmit all relevant data we have relayed through the device to 052016 beta. This contains information about what is different in timeline gamma and our translation of the notes from Simmons of timeline 052016 beta.

Doctor Fitzsimmons 2018: It wasn't that hard. I wrote worse notes during finals week my first semester at the Academy after living on Tea and red bull for three weeks.

Football Hunter 2018: I don't even want to imagine that. It's bad enough when the hubby does it.

Nomad 2018: Let's keep the unnecessary chatter down, especially once we're connected, even among the leadership group that won't be muted. I assume we're only going to have a limited window?

Genius Princess 2018: Yes, although we're not exactly sure how long that window will last. So we're going to transmit all necessary files first before starting the conversation. Director Stark will take the lead. Everyone else, please stay silent unless needed, or I will mute you all.

Chief mechanic 2018: Why do I get to take the lead? You're doing a good job so far, Princess. You also have at least half a clue what's going on. I didn't even get to completely read the pre-brief because I had to read through agent Johnson's reports. Apparently, the rainbow bridge can do time travel. We should contact Dr. Foster.

Purple Princess: Dad, you are the Director of Shield. It's time to lead. Also, I tried. Dr. Foster wants nothing to do with us. Darcy agreed to be on call because it might help with her doctoral thesis. Apparently, her professors don't take her seriously half the time because she started out in political science.

Chief mechanic 2018: Acting Director, and I feel like Patches could come back anytime he wants. Actually, that would be useful right now. The Princess should lead because she is a head of state. She's also briefed, unlike me. I'm not going to suggest Chief monkey lover because I don't think the other timeline is ready to talk to him yet.

Chief monkey lover 2018: Agree. My presence could possibly derail the entire conversation. I'm planning to stay mostly silent. If I have any comments, I will direct them through acting Deputy Director Coulson. He can assist you, but you should lead Stark.

Genius Princess 2018: My brother is a head of state. I'm not. He's not on this call because he's dealing with the Norwegian government right now for you. So you're leading this.

Nomad 2018: Stark, you are leading.

Chief mechanic 2018: It's never a good thing when you revert to last names Pookie Bear.

Purple arrow 2018: Are we only sending work-related stuff through to the beta timeline? Lily bear made a video of Nikki. She also wrote a letter. Can we send that through?

Avenger Ana 2018: I have already added that information to the data bundle in addition to the reports and emails from Agent Johnson. Is there anything I need to add?

Purple Princess 2018: You are the best.

Avenger Ana 2018: The window is opening in now between us and timeline 052016 beta.

Football Hunter: Are we sure we can't go with Stark and Rogers are morons timeline for the other one?

Purple Princess 2018: Yes. I'm muting everybody other than dad and Coulson now. You are all toddlers.

Xxx

Timeline 052016 beta

Steve sat in the Avengers' ready room next to Tony. He wasn't quite prepared to sit next to his future ex-wife. Thankfully she realized that and was sitting across from him with Natasha. It made sense they were the leaders of the Avengers and shield now. Honestly, they've been avoiding each other since she came back with Doctor Cruz earlier. He had already moved into Wanda's old room before Melinda arrived back at the compound.

"Friday will open the portal between the two timelines. The first order of business will be to send all the information we collected." Natasha explained.

"We successfully put together a timeline of where all stones were located in 2018. We also included all the data we have so far on time travel." Melinda added.

"Please tell me you encrypted the hell out of that list?" Tony asked. "Let's just not hand the keys to the Kingdom to the purple one."

"I'm going to have to go with Stark on that one," Clint added. "I hate saying that."

"It's Potts now. Or if you must, Potts-Stark. I'm always right." Natasha rolled her eyes at Tony's comment.

"Obviously, we encrypted the message. I'm not an idiot." Natasha responded.

"Romanoff and I will do most of the communication with our counterparts in the other timeline for the sake of simplicity which is apparently Stark and Fitz," Melinda added. She seemed proud that one of her bus kids was in charge.

"Stark really is director over there? How did that happen?" Scott asked.

"Tony is still technically acting Director of SHIELD, but he is in charge. He agreed to it in exchange for getting the accords renegotiated and getting all of the Avengers pardoned or put on probation. Mostly Steve. And he was about 30 seconds from blasting Baker with a repulser." Laura explained.

"That makes sense. Honestly, I want to do that on most days. It's why I'm not allowed to bring weapons into board meetings. Or have anything that I can quickly turn into a weapon anywhere near me. Baker called me twice today because Deke is still MIA. He refuses to actually talk to the CEO because she doesn't have a dick. Princess, please tell me that you are sending Deke all of Baker's asinine emails and text messages. He can deal with that. I'm not. Seriously, why couldn't he be snapped?" Tony complained. Steve placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I would like to inform you that the window is opening, and I have established contact with Avengers in 2018." Friday interrupted. "We are currently transmitting all relevant data, including the emails from Baker."

"Please tell me that you're getting Deke's notes back?" Tony asked. "I may be able to understand those."

"Yes, along with a translation of Dr. Simmons notes provided by Dr. Fitz Simmons." Simmons wasn't there. She was in medical working with Doctor Cruz and Morales, going through detox. It's good that they have her notes since she wouldn't be able to help for a while or possibly at all.

"Of course, Deke can understand his Nana's logic," Tony mumbled under his breath.

"Dr. Jemma FitzSimmons did the translating," Friday answered.

XXXX

Chief mechanic 2018: Is this thing on? Greetings, old earth 52. Laura, how are they treating you there?

Counselor Laura from 2018: Relatively well. Although I want this to go well because I want to get home.

Chief mechanic 2018: We want to get you home.

Counselor Laura from 2018: Which might be a little easier to figure out on your side.

Chief mechanic 2018: Apparently, you only have other me, Brucie bear, and Simmons. Granted, Simmons scares me on a good day, but we have the Princess and two Fitzs. If we can get our hands on Pym particles, we might be able to get you by the end of the week.

Scott 2023: Good luck; he hates you. You'll see that in my notes. Not just because you're a Stark but also because you're Director of Shield, and they were responsible for the mess with Ghost. And his wife disappearing for decades. Nick Fury also tried to recruit Hope, his daughter, but thankfully, she said no.

Chief mechanic 2018: My entire tenure as Director of Shield has been fixing other directors' fuck ups. What's one more. Mackenzie, call me after so we can come up with a game plan.

The heart 2018: You are not cleaning up my mistakes. I'm taking care of that myself.

Chief mechanic 2018: If you didn't suffocate the guy who murdered your girlfriend on the planet of the dead, Hive wouldn't have had a vessel to come to this planet. Then you would've never had to resign.

Genius Princess 2018: Obviously, I did not mute enough people. We don't have time for this. Let's go over the plan. For the sake of simplicity, we have come up with a naming convention for timelines. We are timeline 052016 gamma. You are timeline 05216 beta. However, for simplicity's sake, we will refer to each other by years. We will work on using the quantum realm to travel to you. Team 2023 will provide technical assistance.

Purple Princess 2018: This might be easier now that Ana and Philip have figured out how to even out the time difference between timeline windows.

Genius Princess 2018. However, the next window is going to be about three days from now for both timelines. They are working on calculating the exact time as we speak.

Chief mechanic 2018: We're going to assume that the science team will be able to figure interdimensional time travel. The next priority is securing the stones. Do we have all of their locations?

Director May Rogers 2023: Approximately. Nebula believes Thanos could already have the stone being kept by Nova Core. If the timelines run parallel. Or he might get it very soon. We cannot get an exact date, but it happens before the invasion of Earth on April 23rd.

Chief mechanic 2018: Which stone?

Director May Rogers 2023: The one that makes you near invincible.

Chief mechanic 2018: Shit!

The heart 2018: That's what we need to secure first. I'll get in touch with the flamethrower. We need to put a team together. Should we send the big guns?

Director May Rogers 2023: Yes, if it's not already gone. Phil, is that you?

The heart 2018: Yes. We use codenames over here because Ross is a Dick. Good to see that you're the director. I know you will make a good one.

The heart 2018: Do you have a timeline of when the stones were taken?

Romanoff 2023: May needed to leave. I'm taking over. We have an approximate timeline, but the last few stones were gathered within a few minutes of each other. Five disappeared in about a day and ½.

The heart 2018: was it a coordinated attack? Is it possible that he's had the locations for several of the stones for a while?

Romanoff 2023: In our timeline, he knew of the locations of everything but the soul stone. Keep in mind things might already be different in your timeline. But it seems that Thanos attacked [redacted] only after the death of the All-Father.

Romanoff 2023: You really take security seriously.

Chief mechanic 2018: Which happened Friday. Steve, I want you with Robbie's team. We'll talk offline about who else we're sending. Although I'll take suggestions. Apparently, Agent America has several.

Nomad 2018: I agree with Melinda. Natasha should go as mission leader. I think you're going to need me to secure one of the other stones.

Natasha 2023: You need to send Wanda. She was the only one who really stood up against him in our time. I agree my other self would be better suited to lead the mission.

Chief mechanic 2018: We are you guys' variants now. If Wanda is going, her husband is going with her. This may actually keep the purple one from attacking Earth.

Chief mechanic 2018: Our first priority is to secure the stones. Our second priority is to get them to the other timeline. The third priority is to keep casualties down to a minimum.

Romanoff 2023: Yes.

Chief mechanic 2018: I think we maybe should change the plan. Obviously, we have more technical know-how on this side, but we're going to be busy securing the stones.

Chief mechanic 2018: This is made more difficult because we can't just fly off to another planet. Not quickly. Right now, we will have to use the flamethrower and portals to get to the purple stone. Zephyr three is space-ready, but we're still trying to figure out what [redacted] calls jump technology.

Romanoff 2023: Check the plans we sent. You should be able to modify Zepher three for long-range space travel by midweek.

Tony Potts 2023: Good thing you have another way to get there because the power stone may really be in Thanos's hands by then. If the shiny bobble isn't already on his gauntlet.

Rocket 2023: Have you perfected your long-range transmission capabilities? Your planet is so primitive.

Chief mechanic 2018: Yes. Who are you?

Rocket 2023: I'm Rocket. One of two of the remaining members of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Although we did adopt Fitzsimmons for a little while. He is an honorary member.

Deke Fitzsimmons of 2023 via 2091: Good to hear from you, Rocket. I miss you guys.

Purple princess 2018: I thought I muted you.

Deke Fitzsimmons of 2023 via 2091: I undid it.

Rocket 2023: I'm glad you're there in the past. Look, you guys are busy enough. Just have the other team deal with the off-planet stones. Have Fitzsimmons call them. He knows the codes.

Chief mechanic 2018 The Fitzsimmons grandbaby can do that.

Rocket 2023: Okay, maybe not the one on [redacted]. You're going to need Red's firepower if Thanos is already there. But they can pay a visit to the Collector. That's one less thing for your team to deal with.

The heart 2018: I think that was the one Daisy was referring to in her letter. We have to get there as well.

Chief mechanic 2018: Grandbaby Fitzsimmons, will they actually help?

Deke Fitzsimmons of 2223 via 2091: Possibly, especially because Ana just informed me I have a letter for Gamora from Nebula. I'm sure she put a code in there to verify her identity and the note's authenticity. But we might need to pay.

Rocket 2023: Yes, she did. Gamora needs to be protected. Thanos will go after her.

Chief mechanic 2018: Why?

Rocket 2023: You didn't read what happened to her, did you?

Chief mechanic 2018: I have been doing various morning talk show interviews to make the president happy. I, unfortunately, did not get through all of the files.

Rocket 2023: The purple fucker had to kill her to get the soul stone. How we're not sure. Also, in the original timeline, she was the only one who knew where it was. He may have tortured her to death.

Chief mechanic 2018: Now I have that information on my server. Heavily encrypted, but it's still there.

Romanoff 2023: Actually, we didn't send you that location, only a note to ask Fitzsimmons Junior. He knows where it is.

Chief mechanic 2018: Okay, slightly better. At least the purple one won't be looking for a time traveler with information. Ana, activate protective protocols for junior.

Romanoff 2023: I recommend that you take a team there once you have the Zepher ready. Less critical but still something to watch.

Chief mechanic 2018: I agree with that. We'll figure out the specifics. We might have to bring some of the reserves in from Puerto Rico. I am sure Dr. Asshole probably needs a protection detail too.

Romanoff 2023: Potts says yes to the detail. Read his report about what happened next.

Genius Princess 2018: Puerto Rico should stay on the reserve. I'll arrange for protection from my own people.

Avenger Ana 2018:: We're losing the window in an estimated 290 seconds.

Chief mechanic 2018: Last call for comments. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Natasha 2023: Once we're able, we're coming to you to help get the stones.

Chief mechanic 2018: And then secure them in your time.

Natasha 2023: Exactly.

Chief mechanic 2018: Okay, one final question. Do we still need Carol, and how do we get in contact with her?

Natasha 2023: Maria Rambo. Yes, you will need her. I assume Fury is not an option?

Chief mechanic 2018: Unfortunately, no. I haven't seen him since he crashed Thanksgiving 2016. It would be really nice if Patches showed up now.

Natasha 2023: He rarely shows up when you need him.

Chief mechanic 2018: We'll talk again in three days. Maybe by then, we will have a ship that's working.

Natasha 2023: One can hope.

To be continued…

Name guide for this chapter. This was a lot.

Genius Princess 2018: Princess S timeline 052016 gamma

Venom 2018: Eugene "Flash" Thompson timeline 052016 gamma. Please send your suggestions for his name change. He is changing it as soon as this apocalypse is dealt with.

Chief mechanic 2018: Acting director Tony Stark-Rogers timeline 052016 gamma

Football Hunter 2018: Lance Hunter a.k.a. Hunter Leopold timeline 052016 gamma

Chief monkey lover 2018: Leo Fitz originally of timeline 05216 beta. Displaced to timeline 052016 gamma. Now uses the alias James "Leo" Leopold. Although Hunter still calls him Fitz in the bedroom as preferred.

Purple Princess 2018: Afia Stark-Rogers timeline 052016 gamma

Deke Fitzsimmons of 2023 via 2091: Deke Fitzsimmons formally Shaw of timeline 05216 alpha displaced to timeline 052016 beta and displaced again to timeline 052016 gamma

Monkey lover 1 2018: Leopold "Fitz" Fitzsimmons of timeline 052016 gamma.

TMNS 2018: Peter Parker timeline 052016 gamma

Doctor Fitzsimmons 2018: Jemma "Simmons" Fitzsimmons timeline 052016 gamma

Nomad 2018: Steve Stark-Rogers timeline 052016 gamma

Purple Arrow 2018: Clint Barton timeline 052016 gamma

Avenger Ana 2018: Ana AI for the avenger compound timeline 052016 gamma

Counselor Laura from 2018: Laura Barton of timeline 052016 gamma displaced to timeline 052016 beta

Scott 2023: Scott Lane of timeline 052016 beta

Romanoff 2023: Natasha Romanoff of timeline 052016 beta

Tony Potts 2023: Tony Potts-Stark of timeline 052016 gamma

Rocket 2023: Rocket "do not call him a raccoon" of timeline 052016 beta

Flamethrower: Robbie Reyes, a.k.a. Ghost Rider of timeline 052016 Gamma