What If... the other 50% were snapped?

Chapter 5: Understanding the Quantum Realm

At Citadel in Wakanda...

T'Challa sits at the head of the table, Shuri on the other end. Peter, Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and Hank Pym sit on the left side. Janet Van Dyne stands behind her seat next to Hank. Dr. Strange sits at the right side of the table, a bandage on his head where he was knocked out. Hope, Scott, Quill, Drax, Mantis, and Groot sit on the right side as well. Sam, Bucky and Wanda are not there.

"Time works differently in the Quantum Realm. Currently we have yet to find a way to navigate it. But that does not mean it's impossible. What if we tried to find a way; what if we entered the Quantum Realm at a certain point in time but then exited at another point in time... that we chose?" Janet looks around the room at everyone's attentive and baffled faces as she talks.

"Like... Like before Thanos..." Scott murmurs, eyes wide as he thinks.

"So like a time machine?" Parker asks excitedly.

"No of course not; not a time machine," Janet answers. "More like a quantum realm navigator or-"

"No... no, the kid's right. Like a time machine," Scott interrupts. Hank sighs and his eyes widen as he shakes his head with disbelief.

"So you're saying my Antman tech-" Hank begins

"Not just the Antman tech, there's more to it than that, but yes that's an important starting point..." Scott trails off in thought. Shuri pulls up a device and begins typing notes.

"If we are to do this... what would we even do? Is there anything we could really do that wouldn't hurt the fabric time or space or something like that?" Quill asks, shooting Dr. Strange a look. Dr. Strange sighs in a way that makes it very clear he thinks Quill is an idiot. Dr. Strange stands and everyone turns to look at him.

"Time doesn't work that way. All those time travel movies; that's not real. So if you're getting your knowledge or idea about time travel from them; stop. Number 1 rule; changing the past does not change the future. If you travel to the past-" Dr. Strange says dramatically.

"that past becomes your future. And your former present becomes the past. Which can't now be changed by your new future..." Hank finishes; eyes wide.

"Yes exactly," whispers Shuri, furiously typing away.

Meanwhile at Bucky's hut in Wakanda...

Bucky sits on the bed staring straight ahead. His metal arm lay on a stand next to the bed. Wanda sits on the ground facing Bucky, staring at her hands which are twisting in her lap and slightly glowing red. Sam walks from the other end of the hut over to Wanda and Bucky and hands them each a mug of tea. Bucky takes his in his hand and drains it all setting the mug down next to his arm. Wanda takes her and holds it in her hands, not drinking it. Sam sits on the bed next to Bucky and looks back and forth between Wanda and Bucky, clearly hoping one will talk.

"I think I'll go see what the others are up to in case it's important," Sam states. "Either of you need anything? I'll be back in a bit." Sam stands and looks between Bucky and Wanda again. Bucky says nothing. Wanda stands suddenly.

"No. You stay here with him. I will go see what they're doing." Wanda demands.

"How about we all go, so no one has to be alone?" Sam suggests sounding concerned.

"I don't need you to babysit me," Wanda snaps. She rises up to hover, red balls of energy in her hands and flies out the door of the hut. Sam looks back and forth between Bucky and the door.

"Don't follow her," Bucky grumbles. Sam looks at Bucky. "She made it pretty clear she didn't want you to and I don't think you want someone with her powers to be mad at you." Bucky elaborates. Sam sighs and sits back down next to Bucky, putting his right hand on the stump of Bucky's shoulder.