𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃| 𝐒. 𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒 |

twenty three

NEW YORK
2012

Steve, Bruce, Tony and Scott all land in the midst of the first Avengers battle in 2012. A wave of nostalgia and slight PTSD washes over Steve as he hears the shrieks of civilians running away from the conflict, and the inhumanly sounds coming from the Chitauri army. 

"Alright, we all have our tasks." Steve clears his throat, pushing a button to remove his time travel suit. "Two stones uptown, one stone down. Stay low, keep an eye on the clock-"

Steve gets interrupted by a 2012 version of Hulk smashing a Chitauri with a damaged car, making the current Bruce hide his face in embarrassment. 

"- And maybe...smash a few things along the way." Steve continues. 

"I think it's gratuitous, but whatever." Bruce rolls his eyes. 

Tony looks at his watch. "We're gonna start wrapping up this fight anytime now, we'd better get in that building in time get the stone."

"You're right." Steve nods, ushering Tony and Scott towards Avengers Tower to stay hiding while their past selves confront Loki. 

The 2012 version of the Avengers surround Loki, Natasha holding the sceptre in her hands. "If it's all the same to you...I'll have that drink now." He groans. 

Tony peeks from around the corner, scoffing when he looks at Steve's old suit. "Mr Rogers, I almost forgot. That suit did nothing for your ass."

"No-one asked you to look, Tony." Steve says through comms, hiding in another part of the building, waiting for some agents to pick the sceptre up. 

Scott- perched on Tony's shoulder- takes a look at Steve's old uniform and salutes. "I think you look great, Cap. As far as I'm concerned, that's America's ass."

Steve chuckles at Scott's words before hitting the button to use the elevator once Tony tells him that the STRIKE team has got it. Steve feels a little nervous encountering the STRRIKE team after what happened in 2014, but he knows he'll have to keep his cool in order to make this work. 

The elevator door opens, revealing Agent Sitwell, Rumlow and the rest of the STRIKE team that are actually HYDRA. Steve clears his throat before stepping into the elevator, trying his best to keep calm. 

"Captain." Sitwell blinks rapidly. "I thought you were coordinating search and rescue."

"Change of plans." Steve shrugs, noticing Rumlow put his hands on the gun in his waistband. "I just got a call from the secretary. I'm gonna be running point on the sceptre."

Sitwell turns around, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. "Sir? I don't understand."

"We got word there may be an attempt to steal it." Steve explains. 

"Sorry, Cap." Rumlow stares him down. "We can't give you the sceptre."

Sitwell reaches into his blazer to grab his phone. "I'm gonna have to call the director."

"That's okay." Steve nods casually, leaning down to Sitwell's height to whisper in his ear, "Hail HYDRA."

With those two words, Rumlow hands the Sceptre to Steve with no further questions asked, and the super-soldier exits the elevator with a slight smirk on his face. 

"Alright guys, what's going on?" He says into his mic, wondering what Scott and Tony are up to. "Tell me you found that Cube." Steve's breath hitches and he stops in his tracks when he notices who's standing in front of him. "Oh, you gotta be shitting me."

The 2012 version of himself stands opposite Steve, staring him down. "I got eyes on Loki." He says into his own mic. 

"I'm not Loki." Steve lowers the case, dreading this encounter. Knowing himself, this will definitely end in a fight. "And I don't want to hurt you."