Wakanda
Late morning
"Thank you for everything," Steve said as he shook Okoye's hand. "I'm just sorry this didn't turn out the way we hoped."
"Wakanda will survive, as we always have," Okoye said, a mask of coldness hiding her true emotions. "Take care Captain."
Steve nodded before dropping her hand. He turned and walked up the ramp, entering the Quinjet. Clint and Natasha were in the pilot and co-pilot seats respectively. Caitlin sat next to Barry, who was looking down at his sword with a look that Steve knew meant he was wondering if he deserved the sword. Thor sat next to Rocket with the same solemn stare he'd had since the snap. Bruce and Rhodey also sat next to each other as the ramp lifted up, closing.
"Where to Cap?" Clint called back.
"Home," Steve said simply. "The world needs to know that we're still alive. That there's still hope."
Clint nodded, starting to take off as Steve sat down. Caitlin looked over at Barry, knowing now was as good a time as any to tell him about Freya.
"Barry," Caitlin said softly and he looked over at her. "There's something you need to know…"
The Lighthouse
Same time
"How do we know any of this is true?" Davis demanded as they eyed Freya. "You could just be lying to us."
"He said you'd be hard to convince," Freya said, to their confusion. "I'm gonna reach into my pocket now. Don't shoot me."
Freya slowly reached inside her jacket pocket and pulled out a small, circular device. She pressed a button and a holographic screen appeared in front of her. The others all stared at the screen, shock on their face.
"Fitz?" Coulson breathed.
Indeed, it was Leopold Fitz, their lost teammate. However, it was not the Fitz they knew. He was several years older; his heir had started to grey and there were scares on his face that weren't there now. He looked weighed down by loss and pain, his eyes hardly filled with the energy they had been filled with when they first met him.
"Coulson, Mack, Bobbi, if you're seeing this, that means Freya made it and got you all here," Fitz told them. "You need to trust her. The fate of the universe depends on it. Make sure this future never happens. That this version of me never comes to exists. But this can only happen if you trust her."
The screen faded and they all stared, shock on their faces.
"You know Fitz?" Bobbi finally found her voice, looking over at Freya.
"I don't know your Fitz, but I know Fitz from my time," Freya explained.
"And when exactly is that?" Mack asked wearily.
"Twenty three years from now," Freya said to their shock.
"Okay, maybe you should start from the beginning," Coulson said, feeling a migraine coming on.
Deep space
Same time
Tony winced as Nebula managed to stitch up his would with the more advanced medical supplies of Enoch's ship.
"Thanks," Tony said before looking over at Fitz. "So, you're with SHIELD? How'd you end up out here?"
"Complicated story but basically, I came to save my friends. Apparently, I did," Fitz said as he glanced over at Fate.
"What's his story?" Tony asked as he followed Fitz's gaze.
"See that helmet? It allows him to see the future. Apparently, I'm going to save the universe," Fitz said, his tone telling Tony how much that prospect thrilled him. "I think he's got the wrong man for the job."
"On the contrary Agent Fitz, there is no other man who can do what you can," Fate said as he walked over. "I see your fate. You are the one we will need. You will understand when we return to earth."
"When is that exactly?" Tony asked curiously.
"Several hours from now. Get some rest Anthony Stark. You will need it," Fate said, confusing Tony.
Nevertheless, Tony decided to head Fate's advice. Tony leaned back in his seat, giving himself his most comfortable position at the moment. He closed his eyes, allowing the humming of the ship to lull him to sleep.
Avengers Compound
A little later
"Nice digs," Frank said as Fury led him and Matt inside.
"Someone's here," Fury and Frank stopped as Matt spoke. "Two people, a man and a child. Down the hall."
"Stay here," Fury said, pulling a gun out of his pocket. "Let me check this out. If it's a threat, I'll call you. But I doubt it, given there's a child here."
Fury cautiously made his way down the hall, looking for the intruders. He rounded the corner, walking into the kitchen. He found a dark haired man and a young girl, most likely his daughter, sitting at a table, the girl eating a sandwich.
"Hey," Scott said as he spotted Fury. "You must be Nick. Freya said you might show up here."
"I know who you are Mr. Lang," Fury said as he pocketed his gun. "But how do you know who I am? And who the h-"
"Language!" Scott shouted with a pointed look at Cassie.
"Heck is Freya," Fury amended.
"I know what he was going to say," Cassie said matter of factly and Scott scowled.
"It's a long story. You might as well tell Castle and Murdock to come in and sit down. I don't feel like telling this more than once," Scott said as he looked over at Fury.
Quinjet, a few hours later
Barry sat next to Caitlin, it having been quiet after Caitlin had told him about Freya. His mind was whirling with the news that his daughter who only days ago he had held in his arms, rocking her to sleep, had come back in time as a young woman.
"Barry? Are you okay?" Caitlin asked, finally speaking up after Barry had remained quiet for a while.
"Yeah. It's just…a lot to process. My daughter, here from the future. I just put her down for a nap a few days ago. It's pretty surreal," Barry said in disbelief.
"Hey, at least she didn't call you Grandpa. Man did I feel old," Clint said wistfully.
"Well, you are getting up there," Natasha teased and Clint rolled his eyes.
"Thanks a lot Nat," Clint said sarcastically as he looked ahead. "Well Barry, you should prepare yourself, we're here."
Barry tensed as the Compound came into view. The hanger opened up and Clint landed the Quinjet. The ramp lowered and they all got off. Caitlin and Rocket, the only ones who hadn't been there before, looked around, impressed.
"Welcome to my home away from home," Barry joked quietly and Catlin smiled.
"Welcome home."
Everyone started at the voice. They looked to see Fury standing at the edge of the hanger.
"Fury," Steve greeted, relieved to see he hadn't been lost in the snap.
"Rogers," Fury greeted as he walked in, eying all of them. "It's good to see you all made it."
"Not all of us did," Natasha said roughly and Fury nodded.
"No, not all of us did," Fury agreed, thinking of Maria. "But we're still here. We can still fight. And according to your friend, you know how to do that."
"Friend?" Clint questioned.
"Hey," everyone looked over to see Scott entering the hanger. "Glad you all made it."
"Scott?" Barry said in disbelief.
"Hey guys," Scott said.
"This guy a friend of yours?" Rocket questioned, eying Scott wearily.
"Yeah, he's a friend," Natasha quickly assured the trigger happy creature.
"Scott Lang, Antman," Scott introduced himself.
"Good to see you Scott," Steve said, relieved Scott hadn't been lost.
"You to Cap. So, I think we should compare notes," Scott said.
Outside the compound, a car pulled up. It stopped and four people got out. Coulson looked at the Compound, knowing that his old friends were in there. And they might not be too happy to see him, knowing he had been alive all this time and hadn't told them.
"You okay sir?" Mack asked as he, Freya and Bobbi noticed Coulson staring at the Compound.
"Yeah, just…a little overwhelmed. They probably won't be too happy with me," Coulson said, wincing.
"You sure you want to go in?" Bob inquired and Coulson nodded.
"I appreciate it Bobbi, but this is something I have to do. It's time for me to face my past," Coulson said, knowing he didn't have much time left. "While I still can."