Standing on the temporal platform, Rory looked calmly at Captain America.
Across from him, Steve Rogers carried a case containing the final Infinity Stone in one hand and Thor's hammer in the other. He gave a nod toward Bruce Banner at the console.
"Dr. Banner, send us back."
Banner nodded and initiated the countdown.
The moment it hit zero, fwoosh!
Both men vanished in a streak of time-warping blue light.
Rory had to squint against the brilliance.
When he opened his eyes again, they were back, 1970, just outside the Trenton warehouse.
The same one he'd left behind.
Steve Rogers stood before him, but this time, Mjolnir was gone.
"Looks like you've had quite the journey in just a short while."
Steve gave a brief nod. He'd already returned the Stones and hammer to their original timelines. Only the Space Stone remained.
"Rory, I hope you can live a peaceful life here. I'll drop by and check on you when I can."
As he spoke, Steve removed the time-travel wristband from Rory's arm.
"Oh? You're not going back?" Rory still held the hard drive with all his research.
Steve shrugged.
"I want to try the kind of life Tony talked about."
Rory snorted.
"Huh. And here I thought Captain America was just a mindless patriot. Turns out you've got selfish motives after all."
Steve didn't even try to argue.
He wouldn't let Rory stay in the future, but he'd stay behind himself.
Peak double standards.
Rory had no desire to continue this conversation. He turned to leave, waving dismissively.
"Whatever life you choose to live is none of my business. But I seriously hope… I never have to see your face again."
He was angry, of course he was.
But in front of a bunch of superheroes, Rory was just a regular guy, frail, powerless.
While Steve stayed behind to take Peggy Carter on a date, Rory hitched a ride to New York City.
Not out of sentimentality, but because it was bustling enough to provide access to lab materials.
Step one? Money.
Using knowledge from the future, Rory pitched a startup, and the investor? None other than Stark Industries.
He never met Howard Stark directly.
He passed the strategic investment division's review.
The funding wasn't massive, but enough to build a lab.
"Mr. Rory," said the liaison, "this money isn't a gift. Mr. Hans from Stark Investments expects results in three months. If not, the lab gets pulled."
"I'll send updates by mail. Just don't interrupt my research," Rory said coolly.
In 1970, Rory's knowledge was already next level.
He didn't need three months.
He could build something a century ahead in three days.
Meanwhile…
"Oh, Steve, I can't believe it's really you! This isn't a dream, right?!"
Peggy Carter clutched Steve, trembling.
His warmth, his scent, his touch, it was all real.
Unbelievable. But real.
"I couldn't leave the love of my life behind," Steve whispered. "I owe her a dance."
Their reunion felt like the world slowed down, air thick with sweetness.
Days passed in bliss.
Then one morning, Steve remembered Rory.
"Peggy, I need to handle something. Might be gone a few days."
Peggy, brushing her hair, turned.
"Need help?"
"Actually, yeah. I'm just looking for someone."
"Say no more," she smiled, kissing his cheek. "I'm in."
S.H.I.E.L.D. had only been active for 25 years, but they were good at locating people.
Within hours, Peggy handed Steve Rory's file.
Much of it was fake.
But the collaboration with Stark Industries was very real.
"He got in bed with Stark?" Steve muttered.
"Is that a problem?" Peggy asked, concerned.
Steve stared at the file.
"I just hope I'm overreacting."
They drove straight to the lab address listed.
Bang!
They kicked in the door, empty.
No gear, no notes, nothing. Just a blank shell.
Rory, of course, hadn't used the real address.
After getting the funds, he built a lab elsewhere, knowing Steve might come knocking.
By then, Rory was on a research vessel headed to the Arctic, on a mission to meet the Frozen Ass of America.
"Sir, you sure about this heading? No one goes out that way."
The captain asked, concerned.
"Stick to the route I marked," Rory said firmly. "Exploration means going where no one else goes."
He remembered the rescue map from the Avengers base.
Geography may change over time, but he had to try.
Days later, the ship stopped.
Sailors helped unload a car and some supplies.
Rory drove off alone, deep into the snow.
Two days and nights passed.
Nothing but white.
His lips cracked. Skin dried. Eyes darkened.
But Rory didn't give up.
He had to get that blood sample.
Then,
"Beep… beep-beep… beep-beep!"
The detector picked up something.
Rory lifted his ice pick, chipped hard.
Clang.
The sound of metal, beautiful, heavenly metal, rang out.
He grinned.
"Hey there, Steve. Bet you didn't expect to see me again. Heh… heh…"
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter