fiction | Part of the journey is the end

Book 9 - What If...? | 1. What if... Captain Carter were the first Avenger?

"Time. Space. Reality. It's more than a linear path. It's a prism of endless possibility, where a single choice can branch out into infinite realities, creating alternate worlds from the ones you know."

"We're more than familiar with that," said Loki, rubbing his temples thinking about all of his variants.

Thor lit up at remembering all of his Multiversal siblings. "Goddamn alligator," Rhodey grumbled.

Wong's mouth thinned as he shot Stephen, Peter, Wanda, and Loki a dirty look. Dealing with Stephen was more than enough, but now Wanda and Loki as well? It was too much for him. He decided to look for new friends.

"I've seen more than enough about the Multiverse," said Tony, clenching his jaw. His heart hurt at seeing all the pain Peter had to go through because of it.

Peter wondered if he was going to see his older brothers if they were going to watch something related to the Multiverse. He missed them.

"I am the Watcher. I am your guide through these vast new realities."

"We have a guide now?" Sam said.

"We couldn't have gotten a guide when we watched Loki and Peter's futures?" Bucky asked. Loki and Peter nodded in agreement.

In June 1943, Nazis marched across Europe, leaving death and destruction.

Everyone from Earth scowled, especially Steve and Bucky.

"Death and destruction are very nice ways of putting it," Steve muttered.

"The Allied armies band together to create a new kind of soldier. A Super Soldier."

All of them looked at Steve.

"So, we're watching an alternate reality that has to do with Steve," said Natasha.

Steve was wary at hearing this while Bucky frowned. Something that had to do with Steve usually had something to do with him as well. He'd seen what the Multiverse did to Loki and Peter, he didn't want to see anything bad happen to Steve as well.

The Watcher talked about how Steve Rogers became Captain America. "After turning the tide of World War II, he made the ultimate sacrifice, restoring peace, and saving this universe."

Steve shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't the universe; it was just Earth."

"Shut up, Steve," said Bucky.

"But in another universe, a single choice created a whole new hero."

The Avengers froze.

"Wait, what?" said Sam.

"Steve isn't Captain America in that timeline?" Wanda said.

"Then who is?" Tony asked.

Peggy Carter and Skinny Steve Rogers were at the SSR facility.

There was a loud silence as most of them stared at Skinny Steve.

"I've seen the pictures, but damn Steve, you were skinny," said Tony. Steve groaned.

"How did you make it to adulthood?!" Clint asked.

"That's a question I asked every day," Bucky said.

Sam stared at Skinny Steve. "Suddenly, so much about you makes a lot more sense," he told Bucky.

"Wait, that's you?!" Rocket exclaimed, looking between their Steve and Skinny Steve.

"It used to be before I got the serum."