The Man Out Of Time

Chapter 1: No Place Like Asgard

The swirling colors of the Bifrost surrounded Steve as he gripped Mjolnir tightly in one hand and the briefcase containing the Aether-now once again in the form of the Reality Stone-in the other. The sensation of traveling between realms was still as disorienting as ever, but his focus never wavered. The task at hand was clear. Return the stones. Restore balance.

He landed softly in Asgard, the golden city gleaming in the distance. The year was 2013, just moments after Jane Foster had been infused with the Aether. Steve took a deep breath, gazing out at the lush greenery that surrounded the palace. Everything looked pristine, untouched by the chaos that was yet to come. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to feel the weight of this place. The weight of all that was lost and would be lost.

Steve knew where he had to go. Odin's vault was too heavily guarded for him to leave the Reality Stone there, especially without raising suspicion. The only way to return the Aether safely was to get to Jane Foster before it took a more permanent hold on her. As he made his way toward the palace, he couldn't help but remember how much had changed since then-how much he had changed.

He approached the inner city discreetly, avoiding any unnecessary encounters. His heart quickened as he reached the courtyard, just outside the healing chambers where Jane Foster was resting. Inside, he could hear voices-Frigga, Thor's mother, speaking in soft, comforting tones. Steve paused for a moment, hesitating to intrude. But he knew he had no choice.

He stepped forward, slipping quietly into the room. Frigga, with her ever-present wisdom, immediately sensed his presence, even before he could make himself known.

"You're not supposed to be here," she said softly, without turning to face him. Her voice was calm, but there was a knowing edge to it, as if she already understood the truth of who Steve was and why he had come. "And yet, here you are."

Steve tightened his grip on the briefcase. "I'm here to fix something," he replied, his voice steady, but filled with the weight of the mission.

Frigga finally turned to him, her eyes filled with warmth and knowledge. "The stones," she said, not as a question, but as a statement. "I can sense them. Time must have a different course where you come from."

Steve nodded. "I need to return the Reality Stone, to prevent the future from unraveling."

Frigga glanced over at Jane, who lay unconscious on the bed, her body weakened by the power of the Aether. "You wish to undo what has already been done?" she asked, her gaze piercing.

"No," Steve said. "I want to restore what was always meant to be."

Frigga walked toward him, her long, flowing robes whispering softly against the floor. "You carry a heavy burden, son of Earth," she said, studying his face. "But I know that burden isn't just about the stones. There's something else. Something deeper."

Steve's jaw tightened. He hadn't expected anyone, let alone Frigga, to see through him so easily. "I've lost people. Good people. And I can't bring them back," he admitted quietly. "This is all I can do now."

Frigga smiled sadly, placing a gentle hand on Steve's shoulder. "Loss is a part of all our lives, no matter the realm. We must all learn to carry it. But you... you've carried it for far too long."

Steve nodded, knowing she was right but unable to let go of the weight he bore. "I don't have the luxury to put it down yet."

Frigga stepped back, gesturing toward the briefcase. "Then return what you must. Fate will take care of the rest."

Steve opened the case, revealing the swirling red energy of the Reality Stone. It pulsed with a strange, otherworldly life, as if aware of its immense power. He looked down at it, his mind briefly flashing back to all the chaos the Aether had caused-the countless lives it had threatened. But now, in this moment, he had the chance to make things right.

He glanced at Jane, still unconscious, and hesitated. Could he really just put the Aether back into her body? Would it do more harm than good?

As if sensing his thoughts, Frigga spoke again. "Don't doubt yourself, Steve Rogers. This is the way it was meant to be. You're not altering the past; you're restoring it."

Steve nodded, steeling himself. He carefully raised the stone, watching as it began to dissolve from its crystalline form, returning to the liquid state of the Aether. With a slow, deliberate motion, he directed the substance toward Jane, watching as it seeped back into her body, just as it had before.

A wave of energy rippled through the room, and for a brief moment, Steve could feel the immense power of the stone-power that could bend reality itself-before it settled once more, dormant within Jane's body.

Frigga watched silently, her expression unreadable. "You've done well," she said softly. "But your journey is far from over."

Steve exhaled, feeling a weight lift slightly off his shoulders, though the road ahead still loomed large in his mind. He closed the briefcase, gripping the handle tightly.

"I don't know what comes next," he admitted.

Frigga smiled gently. "None of us do. But you will find your way. You always have."

As Steve turned to leave, Frigga's voice stopped him once more. "Before you go, let me offer you one piece of advice."

He paused, glancing back at her. "What's that?"

She stepped forward, her eyes filled with wisdom beyond even her years. "When the time comes, don't forget to live."

Steve blinked, caught off guard by the simple yet profound words. He nodded, knowing that those words would stay with him long after this mission was over.

Without another word, he left the healing chambers, stepping back into the vibrant, golden city of Asgard. The Bifrost shimmered in the distance, waiting to take him to the next leg of his journey.

His task here was complete. But the burden of what lay ahead still weighed heavily on his heart. The other stones awaited him, and with each return, the cost seemed to grow higher.

As Steve activated the Bifrost, disappearing into the swirling vortex of light, Frigga's words echoed in his mind.

Don't forget to live.