What If?

Chapter 11: Everyone Comes Home

Five Years ago, a day after the Death of Thanos.

Sam Wilson was seen looking through items that were placed for storage after the events of the Civil War between the Avengers, hoping to find a tool that could reverse the Stones' removal as he searched and searched to no avail...

Having found nothing, he slammed his fist in frustration, causing something to fall down. Hearing a loud familiar thud, he looked around, listening to the source when he found the item lying on the floor... He took the item, shocked that such a piece would be placed in storage. But then again, after everything that's happened, what's there to be surprised of?

Sam: (Sighs as he looked at the object in his hand) Cap, what are we gonna do without you?

As Wilson remained inside the Compound, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes was seen standing at a dock after what he's been through... Having learned that the Stones were wiped out, he had nothing to do but mourn the deaths of everyone who was lost from the Snap, including his best friend, Steve Rogers, who was one of the victims of that atrocity. As he stood alone looking at the lake, King T'Challa walked over to the White Wolf as he stood next to him at the dock.

Bucky: (Looks at the water, listening to the environment chirp) Your Highness.

T'Challa: (Stood next to Bucky) Sargeant Barnes. Have you thought about my request?

Bucky: You mean the one where I look after your Country as you have Gorilla Man runs it while you go explore the World and see how you can help out? I don't see why it should be me.

T'Challa: For one, I trust you to do so... And there's another reason for behind it.

Bucky: Like what?

T'Challa: (Looks at the river, pausing before turning to Barnes) Like this.

T'Challa showed a hologram to Bucky. When Barnes saw the hologram, he saw the person behind it.

Bucky: (Sees the person in the hologram) Is that who I think it is?

T'Challa: It is...

Bucky: (Turns to the King) But I thought-?

T'Challa: Too many lives were lost after what happened. And I cannot lose another to Thanos, not while I can help it.

Bucky: Are you sure your people could bring him back?

T'Challa: I am uncertain. (Closes the hologram) But I know that if this succeeds, I need someone to be there when he wakes up... The World is changed now, and he needs a guide to walk him through it, just as you have.

Bucky: (Nodded) Well, I guess I can't refuse, can't I? (Looks around, giving a moment) ...I'm really sorry about what happened all those weeks ago...

T'Challa: (Nodded as he looked at the River) Not as sorry as I am...

Being put back into the present, T'Challa and the rest of the group met outside to a dock where he stood the previous five years, where they grieved the loss of another of their teammate after their attempt to reclaim the Infinity Stones was a success... At a fatal cost.

Sam: (Folded his arms as he looked around) ...Any family we should contact?

Natasha: (Shook her head) His Brother hasn't been seen in a long time, so he's long gone by now...

Peter: (Rubbed his head in guilt) ...I killed him... (Gets everyone's attention) I put added that Web Arrow into his Quiver, it's my fault that he's dead!

T'Challa: No. (Turns to Peter, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder) No, it wasn't your fault that this happened, Peter.

Natasha: He's right... The blame is mine. If anyone was supposed to die, it was supposed to me.