When all was over, the battlefield was quiet—broken buildings stood as reminders of the chaos, and the sky above slowly began to clear. The dust of war settled, and a strange calmness blanketed the area.
Tony and the others made their way toward John and Carol, who were still lying on the ground, catching their breath after the intense battle.
"My friend, you were incredible!" Thor exclaimed, his voice full of admiration as he ran toward John with Hawkeye right beside him.
They both knelt down and gently helped John sit up. His body was worn, his energy nearly drained, but his eyes still held that quiet fire. Natasha was already beside Carol, helping her to her feet with a soft but concerned expression.
"You know..." Tony started, his voice slightly shaky as he looked at John, "What you did was very risky. You could have ended all of this with the Infinity Stones. Why didn't you?"
There was frustration in his tone—but also worry. Somewhere deep inside, Tony felt a strange pull toward John. He couldn't explain it. Was it because he was his brother from a different Earth? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing was certain—what John had done for them… no one would've done that for people who were practically strangers.
John looked at him, a tired smile barely forming on his lips. "I had to do it. And honestly… I can't explain why. It's just… a feeling."
Ever since the fusion with the Space and Time Stones, John had sensed something different. A strange awareness of time itself. The stones didn't feel as infinite as they once were. Their power was fading, or perhaps... they had already served their purpose.
He didn't want to gamble with that power—not yet. He had seen fragments of what was to come. Shadows of a future so grim that even today's battle felt small in comparison. He had to be ready. And this stone could be a trump card.
Tony was quiet for a moment. He stared at John, trying to read him, then simply nodded. He still didn't understand, but he respected it.
"All right," Captain America spoke up, stepping forward while scanning the horizon. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's head back to Avengers Tower. I've already contacted S.H.I.E.L.D.—they'll be here soon."
As Captain America finished speaking, everyone silently agreed. The battle was over. They needed rest.
---
Back at Avengers Tower, the atmosphere had shifted from tension to quiet relief. The original Avengers from Earth-52, along with John, Thor, Hawkeye, and Natasha, returned to the iconic building. Though scars marked their faces, there was still room for one thing—a small celebration.
The tower's lights glowed warmly. Music played softly in the background, and for a while, laughter echoed through the halls. Food was laid out, and drinks passed around. No one danced or went wild—they weren't in that mood—but they shared stories, toasted to the fallen, and found comfort in each other's presence.
John moved through the crowd slowly, talking to those who had fought beside him. He didn't speak much, just enough to thank them for standing together. Everyone seemed to treat him with quiet respect. His actions had earned him a place in their hearts.
Toward the end of the gathering, as most people were starting to leave or rest, John found himself face-to-face with King T'Challa—the Black Panther.
The King stood near the window, gazing at the city lights below. His presence, as always, was calm and powerful.
"Your Highness," John approached with a respectful nod.
"John," T'Challa greeted, his voice deep but kind. "You fought well today. Wakanda will not forget."
"I wanted to ask for something," John said carefully. "A small amount of Vibranium. I'm working on something…"
T'Challa raised an eyebrow. In different times, such a request would've been denied outright. But this was no ordinary moment, and John was no ordinary man.
"You risked everything—for all of us," T'Challa replied. "Wakanda honors those who protect life. I will send you what you need."
John's eyes widened in slight surprise at how quickly the King had agreed. "Thank you," he said sincerely.
T'Challa gave him a nod and turned back to the city.
---
The next day, the team slowly began to go their separate ways.
John disappeared into seclusion, quietly retreating into one of the tower's lower labs. He needed peace, time to think, and a place to work. He had begun sketching a design—even though it wasn't some kind of weapon, it was equally important. And if John managed to succeed in building it, then future world travel would become a little easier.
Thor, meanwhile, spoke to John early in the morning before leaving.
"I heard from another me," Thor chuckled, scratching his beard. "The big, round one who eats too many tacos. He told me about a place—New Asgard. I want to see it for myself."
John smiled and nodded. "Good luck, God of Thunder. But come back in a week. We can't stay here for too long."
"You have my word." Thor grinned before vanishing in a flash of lightning.
Hawkeye and Ronin, the two sides of Clint Barton, made a decision together. They set off to find Robin's family, who had vanished five years ago when Thanos snapped his fingers. It was a personal mission—one that had haunted Clint ever since. And now, with the world beginning to heal, he couldn't wait any longer.
They packed lightly, leaving a short note at the tower: "We are leaving. Be back soon."
Natasha, still trying to understand everything, found herself lingering around Hulking Bruce. She hadn't met her other variant—but she had heard a tidbit about her. When she finally asked Hulking Bruce about it, his face turned sad.
"She… she jumped," Hulking Bruce said softly. "To get the Soul Stone. For all of us."
Natasha didn't speak for a while. She just looked down at her hands.
"She must've been brave," she finally said.
"She was," Hulking Bruce replied, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"If only we were stronger, then nobody had to die." Saying that, Hulking Bruce became silent.
For a while after, they simply sat in silence. No plans. No battles. Just two people, trying to hold on to what was left.