UNKNOWN GUEST

#76 Team Bonding

Wanda and I sat across from each other in the Avengers Facility cafeteria, a soft buzz of conversations and distant clatter filling the air. She chewed slowly on her sandwich before turning to me, her curiosity apparent. "So... how was it? The future, I mean."

I let out a sigh, leaning back in my chair and glancing down at my coffee. "Well, it was good for a while," I started, feeling the weight of it all creep into my voice.

I noticed her eyes narrowing slightly, probably trying to peek into my thoughts. I shot her a playful look, rolling my eyes. "Wanda, don't peek into my head. You're asking me, and I'm elaborating here," I teased.

She smiled at my remark and nodded, signaling me to continue. "It was good. Since I started remembering everything, I saw happiness around us. Our family—this Avengers family—it grows," I said, waving my hand as if gesturing to the facility surrounding us. "In the middle of all the chaos, I guess we all got used to it. Somehow, we found a way to normalcy. Even after exhausting days, you guys would gather around and still manage to have a good evening together."

I took a sip of coffee, letting the warmth settle in my chest as I thought back on those days. "Science and technology in the future... they soar," I continued. "In a few years, you'll be able to save someone's brain, store it in a machine, and later... interact with that person even though they're gone. It's like having your family and their memories around you, even if they're no longer alive."

Wanda's eyes widened slightly at the mention of it, and I could tell the concept surprised her. "It sounds surreal, right? But that's just how things are in the future. We figured out a way to keep people 'alive' in some way, even if their bodies aren't." I paused, letting the weight of that sink in. "It's the kind of thing that brings comfort... but also a little sadness."

Wanda chewed slowly, her eyes narrowing slightly in concentration as I continued explaining. "They found an alternative to petroleum in the future," I said, watching her expression shift. "Governments even have time machines, allowing people to visit specific times, but the TVA keeps an eye on them. You know, just in case someone causes trouble in another timeline."

Her brow furrowed. "So, the TVA is following people around?" she asked, suspicion evident in her voice.

I shook my head, giving her a reassuring look. "No, not for me. The machine I used is something special—something powerful. Uncle Tony built it, so you can imagine the level of sophistication. It's not part of the government's time travel program."

I took another sip of coffee, leaning forward a bit as I explained. "For regular folks, those who participate in the government's scheme, they're only allowed to travel once every four years. I guess it's their way of keeping people from getting addicted to it—visiting their past lives like they're going on vacation every week."

Wanda seemed intrigued, her gaze locked on mine as I continued, the reality of what I was telling her sinking in. "But with all of this time travel going on, one day... someone messed up. They went back and somehow brought a monster—something red—back to the future. To my time... 2042."

She sat up straighter, her eyes widening. "A monster?"

I swallowed hard, the weight of my next words settling heavily on my chest. "Yeah. It's a disaster. No one is alive there. That's why I'm here—to stop whoever it is from bringing that thing to the future." I paused, looking away briefly before adding, "But I ended up here... in 2012 instead of 2022. An accident, I guess."

Wanda's expression softened as she nodded slowly, her understanding clearer than I expected. "So, you're here to prevent it all from happening," she said quietly, her voice filled with concern.