- Sabrina Carpenter, Exhale

In Asgard in 2013, Loki sits in his cell. Distracted by throwing an item in the air, Loki didn’t notice Rocket and Thor creeping past his cell. The pair stop at a pillar a few metres away from the room Jane is in.

“That’s Jane,” Thor explains.

“Alright. Here’s the deal, Tubby: You’re gonna charm her and I’m gonna poke her with this thing-” Rocket holds up a device. “-and extract the Reality Stone and get gone, lickey-split.”

“I’ll be right back, okay? There’s a wine cellar, that’s just down there. My father used to fish huge barrels of ale. I’ll see if the cellar has a couple of…”

“Hey! Hey! Aren’t you drunk enough already?”

A door opens, causing Rocket and Thor to try and hide. Thor sees Frigga walk out with some ladies, and his breath catches.

“Who’s the fancy broad?” Rocket asks.

“It’s my mother. She dies today.”

“Oh. That’s today?”

“I can’t do this. I can’t do this. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have come. This was a bad idea.”

“Come here.” Rocket stands in front of him.

“No, no, no. I think I’m having...I’m having a panic attack. I shouldn’t be here...this is...this is a bad-”

“Come here. Right here.” Rocket slaps him. “You think you’re the only one who lost people? What do you think we’re doing here? I lost the only family I ever had. Quill, Groot, Drax, the chick with the antenna, all gone. Now, I get you miss your mom. But she’s gone. Really gone. And there are plenty of people who are only kinda gone. But you can help them. So is it too much to ask that you brush the crumbs outta your beard, make schmoopy talk to Pretty Pants, and when she’s not looking, suck out the Infinity Stone and help me get my family back?”

“Okay.”

“Are you crying?”

“No...yes!”

“Get it together! You can do this. You can do this. Alright?”

“Yes, I can.”

“Good.”

“I can do this. I can do it, I can’t do this.”

Rocket turns away for a moment. In this moment, Thor runs away.

“Alright, Heartbreaker. She’s alone. This is our shot.” Rocket turns back to see Thor not there. “Thor? Thor! Ugh!”

--

Back in 2014, the Benatar lands on Morag. It holds Rhodey, Clint, Nat and Nebula.

“Alright,” Rhodey guides. “Bring it down low. Right on that line. That’s it. Down, down.”

“Hey, can we hurry it up?” Clint asks.

“Guys, chop-chop,” Nat agrees. “Come on. We’re on the clock.”

Nebula walks out of the ship, seemingly having directed it to the next destination. The other three follow her out.

“All that is really helpful,” Rhodey says, hugging Nat. “Take care, okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Take that stone and come back. No messing around.”

“Hey,” Clint says to Rhodey. “You got this.”

“Let’s get it done. Yes, sir.”

Clint and Nat walk back into the ship. “See you back.”

“You guys watch each other’s six.”

Nat and Clint just look back and smile. “Yeah.”

The ship takes off, leaving Nebula and Rhodey on Morag. Nebula watched it leave. “The coordinates for Vormir are laid in. All they have to do is not fall out.”

--

In the Benatar, Nat and Clint sit in the front of the ship. It takes a jump at hyperspeed, and the pair look at each other.

“It’s a long way from Budapest,” Clint jokes, making Nat smile and laugh.

--

“Okay, so, uhh…” Rhodey starts awkwardly. “We just wait around for this Quill guy to show up and then he leads us to the Power Stone, is that it?”

Nebula looks around. “Let’s take cover. We’re not the only ones in 2014 looking for the stones.”

“Wait a minute, what are you talking about right now? Who else is looking for these stones?”

“My father, my sister...and me.”

“And you? Where are you right now?”

--

Somewhere else, Mora and Neb fight some Korbinite soldiers.

Mora helps Neb up. “You’re welcome.”

“I didn’t ask for your help.”

“And yet, you always need it.” Neb laughs and takes Mora’s hand. “Get up. Father wants us back on the ship.”

“Why?”

“He’s found an Infinity Stone.”

“Where?”

“On a planet called Morag.”

“Father’s plan is finally in motion.”

“One stone isn’t six, Nebula.”

“It’s a start.”

“If he gets all of them…”

Thanos arrives, carrying a double-bladed sword and blood on his armour. “Ronan’s located the Power Stone. I’m dispatching you to his ship.”

“He won’t like that,” Mora explains.

“His alternative is death, then. Ronan’s obsession clouds his judgement.” He wipes his sword.

“We will not fail you, Father,” Neb says. Mora rolls her eyes at this.

“No, you won’t.”

“I swear...I will make you proud.” She suddenly doubles over, and a projection of Nebula’s memories shows Rhodey.

‘We just wait around for this Quill guy to show up, and then he leads us to the Power Stone, is that it?’

‘Let’s take cover. We’re not the only ones in 2014 looking for the stones.’

The memory shuts off.

“Who was that?” Mora asks.

“I don’t know...my head is splitting...I don’t know…”

“Her synaptic drive was probably damaged in battle.”

Thanos walks towards Neb and holds his blade to her throat. “Shh…” He points at her. “Bring her to my ship.”

--

Back in 2012 New York, Tony flies around Stark Tower. He scans the interior of the building, seeing the Avengers from 2012 taking Loki into custody. “Got to hustle, Cap. Things look like they’re just about wrapped up here.”

Inside the Tower, Steve walks towards an elevator. “Got it. I’m approaching the elevator now.”

In the middle of the Tower’s large room, Loki tries to talk his way out of arrest. “If it’s all the same to you...I’ll have that drink now.”

“Alright, get him on his feet,” Stark says. “We can all stand around posing up a storm later. By the way, feel free to clean up.”

Tony stares at Rogers’ previous suit of 2012. “Uh, Mr Rogers. I almost forgot that that suit did nothing for your ass.”

“That’s not what you said all those years ago, Tony.”

“I do not need to hear of our former antics. It looks ridiculous.”

“I think you look great, Cap,” Scott speaks up. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s America’s ass.” He does a patriotic salute to go with the statement.

“Uhh, magic wand?” Romanoff asks Stark.

“S.T.R.I.K.E. team’s coming to secure it.”

A small Hydra team walks into the room, known as members of S.H.I.E.L.D. to the Avengers. The team consists of Brock Rumlow and Jasper Sitwell.

“We can take that off your hands,” Sitwell says, taking Loki’s scepter from Romanoff.

“By all means. Careful with that thing.”

“Unless you want your mind erased,” Barton warns. “And not in a fun way.”

“We promise to be careful,” Sitwell responds.

“Who are these guys?” Scott asks.

“They are S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Tony explains. “...Well, actually Hydra. But we didn’t know that yet.”

“Seriously, you didn’t? I mean...they look like bad guys.”

“You’re small, but you’re talking loud.”

Rogers makes a small announcement, unaware that Tony and Scott were spying from only a few metres away. “On my way down to coordinate search and rescue.”

Loki transforms into Rogers to imitate him. “On my way down to coordinate search and rescue! I mean, honestly! How do you think you’ll be-”

He’s shut up by T slapping a device over his mouth. “Shut up.”

Tony talks to Scott, looking at the briefcase holding the Tesseract. “Alright, you’re up little buddy. There’s our stone.”

Scott lies down on Tony’s shoulder. “Alright. Flick me.”

Tony flicks Scott, who then lands in Stark’s beard. Stark scratches his beard, dropping Scott onto his ARC reactor.

As all of the 2012 Avengers file into an elevator, Hulk finds that there is no space for him.

“Move.”

“Whoa!” T pushes back.

“Whoa, whoa,” Stark continues. “Hey! Buddy. What do you think? Maximum occupancy has been reached.”

“Take the stairs.”

“Yeah.” Hulk pulls his fist back as the elevator door closes. “Stop. Stop!”

Hulk followers through with the punch, denting the wall where the elevator doors were. He starts to walk towards the stairwell in a pissed manner. “Take the stairs! Hate the stairs!”

“Alright, Cap,” Tony says. “I got our scepter in the elevator just passing the 80th floor.”

“On it. Head to the lobby.”

“Alright. I’ll see you there.”

Steve waits outside the elevator the scepter is, then watches the door open. He walks in and hits the button to keep going down.

“Captain,” Sitwell starts. “I thought you were coordinating search and rescue?”

“Change of plans.”

“Hey, Cap,” Rumlow says.

“Rumlow.” The agents in the elevator get suspicious and secretly have their guards up. “I just got a call from the Secretary. I’m gonna be running point on the scepter.”

“Sir?” Sitwell questions. “I don’t understand.

“We got word that there may be an attempt to steal it.”

“Sorry, Cap,” Rumlow starts. “I can’t give you the scepter.”

“I’m gonna have to call the Director,” Sitwell agrees.

“That’s okay. Trust me.” Steve leans over to whisper in Sitwell’s ear, taking hold of the briefcase. “Hail Hydra.”

He walks out of the elevator with a smile on his face, leaving the Hydra agents dumbfounded.

--

In the lobby, the 2012 Avengers are starting to make their way out of the Tower. Tony watches from afar, Scott on Stark’s ARC reactor.

“Thumbelina, do you copy? I’ve got eyes on the prize. It’s go-time.”

“Bombs away.” Scott clutches the ARC reactor. “Is...is that Axe body spray?”

“Yeah, I had a can just for emergencies. Relax. Can we focus, please?”

“I’m going inside you. Now.”

Pierce stops the Avengers. “May I ask you where you’re going?”

“To lunch and then Asgard,” T replies. “I’m sorry, you are?”

“Alexander Pierce,” Tony responds. “He’s the man, one of the folks behind Nick Fury.”

“My friends call me Mr Secretary,” Pierce explains. “I’m gonna have to ask you to turn that prisoner over to me.”

“Loki will be answering to Odin himself,” T refuses.

“Oh, he’s gonna answer to us. Odin can have what’s left. And I’m gonna need that case. That’s been S.H.I.E.L.D. property for over 70 years.”

“Hand over the case, Stark,” A Hydra agent demands.

Over the radio, Tony talks to Scott. “Alright, move it, Stuart Little. Things are getting dicey up here. Let’s go.”

“You promise me you won’t die?”

“You’re only giving me a mild cardiac dysrhythmia.”

“That doesn’t sound mild.”

“I need the case,” Pierce pushes.

“I know you got a lot of pull,” Stark refuses. “I’m just saying…”

“Okay. Then give me the case.”

“Do it, Lang!” Tony hisses.

“Get your hands off!” Stark yells.

“Window’s closing. Pull my pin!”

“Here goes!” Scott says, disconnecting Stark’s ARC reactor. Stark drops the case.

“Stark?” Pierce asks, surprised.

“Stark!” T shouts.

Stark falls to the ground.

“Look, he’s convulsing,” Pierce points out. “Give him air! Medic!”

“MEDIC!” Tony yells. “You guys, some help!”

“Stark, you...your chest machine?”

Scott pushes the case towards Tony, Loki watching as it slides past.

“Good job,” Tony compliments. “Meet me in the alley. I’m gonna grab a quick slice.”

Hulk suddenly bursts out from the stairwell, crashing into Tony. “NO STAIRS!” As Tony is knocked to the ground, the Tesseract slides to Loki. He picks it up and teleports away, using the chaos as a distraction.

“You’ll be fine, Stark,” T tries to reassure him. “Stay with us! I’ll try something, okay? I have no idea if this is gonna work.” He uses Mjolnir as a defibrillator on Stark. “YES!”

“That worked a treat. That was so crazy!”

“I had no idea if that was gonna work.”

“The case?”

“The case. It’s, uhh...where’s the case? Where’s Loki? Loki!”

“That wasn’t supposed to happen, was it?” Scott asks.

“Oh, we blew it,” Tony sighs.

--

On a walkway a a few floors above, Steve struggles with his communicator. “Tony, what’s going on? Tell me you found that cube.” He looks up and groans. “Oh, you gotta be shitting me”

“I have eyes on Loki,” Rogers says over his own intercom. “14th floor.”

Steve puts the case down. “I’m not Loki. And I don’t wanna hurt you.”

The two Captain America’s start to duel.

“I can do this all day,” Rogers huffs.

“Yeah, I know. I know.”

They throw their shields at each other, which clang as they hit. It knocks the case down a few levels, making Rogers pull Steve down there. As Steve hits the floor, his locket of Blythe falls out.

“Where did you get this?” Rogers asks quickly, holding Steve in a chokehold.

“Bucky...is...alive!”

“What?”

Steve takes the chance to sucker punch Rogers and knock him up. He grabs the case as he stands up. “That is America’s ass.”