Avengers Tower
Mid afternoon
"You ready?" Barry said, Mjolnir in hand.
"Just a moment," Loki said, gesturing Thor off to the side. "A word brother? Privately."
Loki walked off to the side, Thor following after him, looking confused.
"Brother, you cannot live your whole life on the battlefield," Loki told him.
"I know, I am king now," Thor said but Loki shook his head.
"That is not what I meant," Loki said, confusing Thor. "Life, I've learned, is more than just fighting battle to battle. And it can be…lonely, if you have no one to share it with."
Loki looked pointedly down to the ground floor. Thor followed his gaze to see he was looking at Sif, who was sharing a drink with Valkyrie. It took only a moment for Thor to catch on.
"I see," Thor said awkwardly, blushing as Loki smirked.
"Think about it brother," Loki said, patting him on the shoulder. "This…is where we say farewell."
Loki held out a hand to Thor, but Thor ignored it, pulling his brother into a bone crushing hug.
"Thor," Loki gasped, finding it difficult to breath.
Thor reluctantly let Loki go, wiping his eyes.
"Goodbye brother," Thor said his voice thick with emotion.
"Goodbye," Loki said, swallowing the lump in his throat.
Loki walked back over to Barry and nodded.
"I'm ready," Loki said.
Barry nodded, looking over at Strange. Strange nodded and opened a portal. Barry and Loki walked through it and it closed a moment after.
"We're sure this is a good idea? Sending Barry off with Loki?" Rhodey asked skeptically.
"If my brother decides to cause trouble, Allen will be more than capable of handling himself," Thor said certainly.
"Well, while we wait, Mr. Barton," Strange looked towards Clint. "There's something we need to discuss."
Clint nodded, already having a feeling what Strange wanted to discuss. And he had already decided to agree to Strange's demand…with one condition.
Vormir
Same time
"Are you sure we're in the right place?" Barry asked Loki as he looked around what seemed to be a completely desolate wasteland of a planet.
"I do not know, I have never been to this planet," Loki admitted as he looked around as well. "But if the stories are true, this is the right place."
"Bartholomew, son of Nora," Barry and Loki tensed as a cloaked figure suddenly appeared in front of them. "Loki, son of Odin. Welcome."
"You know us?" Barry asked, gripping Mjolnir tightly.
"I know all those who will arrive here to seek the stone, for I am its guide," the guide said as he stepped into view, allowing them to see he had a red face that resembled a human skull. "But the stone is not here."
"We know. We've come to return it," Loki said as Barry held out the Soul Stone for the guide to see.
"Very well," the guide said, showing no emotion.
He led the pair to up a cliff, all the wall to the top ledge.
"Simply toss the stone over the ledge," the guide instructed, gesturing to the end of the cliff.
"Just like that?" Barry asked skeptically.
"Yes, just like that," the guide said in the same emotionless, chilling tone he'd been using.
Barry looked over at Loki, who simply shrugged in a 'do it so we can get out here' way. Barry sighed before walking over to the ledge and looked down, seeing it as a long drop. Barry tossed the stone down and waited, but nothing happened. Feeling very unimpressed, Barry turned around and walked passed Loki, who followed him, eager to leave as well.
Sakaar, a few weeks earlier
Day
Barry sped to a stop in the palace, letting Loki go as he looked around.
"This is the Grandmaster's palace? I expected…well, not sure what I expected actually," Barry admitted.
"Yes, well, you should probably get going before one of the Grandmaster's guards sees you," Loki said and Barry nodded.
"Just out of curiously, why did you decide to ask me to take you back?" Barry asked curiously. "I mean, you know you're gonna die, right?"
"I know, my brother told me. Killed by Thanos," Loki acknowledged. "My mother, she warned me of the consequences of messing with time, even with magic. I am mischief, but I am not crazy, nor stupid. Only one without reason messes with time."
Barry stared at Loki for a moment, reminded of Leonard Snart before he nodded.
"Take care Loki," Barry said before he turned and sped off.
Avengers Tower
Now
After dropping Mjolnir off in New Mexico in 2010, Barry returned to the tower to a scene that perplexed him. Clint, wearing the helmet once more, held Natasha's hand as she was bathed in a golden light.
"What's going on?" Barry asked as he walked up to Cisco, who was watching the scene with the others.
"Strange wants Clint to give him the helmet, Clint says he will, but said he wants to 'try something' first," Cisco explained.
As he spoke, the light faded from Natasha as Fate let go of her hand.
"What was taken from you so long ago has now been restored. Live your life as you choose, not how anyone tells you to," Fate said.
Natasha was stunned as Fury's eye widened in shock at the implication. Fate removed the helmet and there was a flash as Clint was returned to his normal form.
"Okay, here's the helmet," Clint said as he handed it to Strange.
"You've given up a lot of power. Pretty easily to," Strange noted.
"I never wanted that helmet, neither did the other guy. We wore it because we needed to. I don't want power; I already have everything I want," Clint said with certainly.
Strange eyed him for a moment before nodding. Taking the helmet, he opened up a portal and walked through it, the portal vanishing behind him. For a moment, it was silent, all of them staring at the spot where Strange had disappeared.
"I feel it is time that I take my leave," Thor said and they all turned to him. "I must get my people settled. I am king now, they are my responsibility."
"Where will you take them?" Natasha asked and Thor smiled.
"I was thinking Norway," Thor said with a chuckled that confused them. "If you ever need anything, just ask and I will be there."
"That goes both ways Thor," Steve said and Thor nodded gratefully.
"Thank you Captain," Thor said before walking over to Barry, holding out his hand. "Allen. You proved yourself worthy. For that, you have my respect."
"Thank you Thor," Barry said as he shook Thor's hand graciously.
"I will be in touch my friends," Thor said as he dropped Barry's hand before he walked off to gather his people.
"Well, I hate to seem like I'm piling on, but we should probably get going to," Clint said as he looked over at Barry, Wanda, and Cisco. "We have jobs and families to get back to."
"Yeah, guess it's time to say goodbye," Barry noted wistfully, looking over at Caitlin.
"Guess so," Caitlin said, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"I'll miss you," Cisco said as he walked over to her. "You sure about this?"
"Yeah, I am," Caitlin said with a look over at Steve. "I'm making a choice for me. I hope you can understand that."
"Yeah, I understand Cait. Doesn't mean I won't miss you," Cisco said as he hugged her.
"I'll miss you to Cisco," Caitlin said softly.
"Yeah," Cisco said thickly, wiping his eyes as they parted before he stalked over to Steve. "And if you ever hurt her, I will Breach you to the bottom of the ocean where sharks will feast on your insides!"
"I don't doubt it Cisco," Steve said with a smile.
"Regretting giving me that advise yet?" Caitlin joked halfheartedly as she walked over to Barry.
"A little bit. I'll miss you Cait. Ever since I woke up from my coma…you've always been the one to keep me in check when I get too caught up in myself," Barry said thickly.
"You have someone else for that now," Caitlin said as she looked over at Wanda. "Keep an eye on this one, Lord knows he can't keep himself out of trouble if his life depended on it."
"I'll try," Wanda laughed as Barry rolled his eyes at them.
"Very funny Cait. Don't be a stranger now," Barry said, hugging her tightly.
"You either. We'll have to visit each other a lot," Caitlin said as she returned the hug.
"You can count on it Cait," Barry promised as he let her go.
"Just remember, heart and head," Caitlin said, confusing everyone else as Barry nodded.
"Heart and head," Barry echoed.
"I think I should probably get going to," Freya said and they all looked over at her. "I came here to make sure you won, that Thanos and Thawne were defeated. I did that. Now, I think I should head back to my own time."
"It feels like you just got here. And we hardly got any time together," Wanda said sadly.
"Mom, we'll have a lifetime together. But dad and Strange are right, I don't belong here anymore than Loki did. And you have to get back to younger me," Freya said with a smile. "We'll see each other again someday."
"I know. It doesn't mean I won't miss you," Wanda said as she walked over and hugged Freya.
"I know," Freya hugged her mother before letting go and turning to Barry. "Dad."
"I'm hoping that, this time around, I can give you the happy life you deserved," Barry said with a smile.
"I don't doubt that you will. And I look forward to every minute of it," Freya smiled before she turned to everyone else. "It's been an honor to fight alongside you all, to know you like I didn't before. But now, I need to head home."
"The honor was ours Freya," Steve said graciously.
Freya nodded before, with one last look at her family, she turned and sped off. For a moment, it was silent until Clint spoke up.
"Anyone have a pen and paper?" Clint asked randomly.
Confused, Natasha grabbed a small piece of paper and a pen, giving it to him. Clint grabbed them, quickly writing something down before handing it back to her.
"Tell Murdock to head to that address, that he'll find what he's looking for there," Clint told her, confusing all of them.
"Let me guess, something else you saw in the helmet?" Steve said knowingly.
"I saw a lot of things Cap," Clint sad cryptically and they all rolled their eyes.
"Clint's right, we should probably get going," Barry acknowledged reluctantly. "But we should definitely see each other again soon. Preferably when the fate of the universe isn't at stake."
"Yeah man, we should," Sam said, walking over and giving Barry a half handshake, half hug.
"See you Sam," Barry said as he let the other man go before walking up to Steve. "Been here before."
"Take care of yourself and your family Barry," Steve said, holding out a hand that Barry promptly ignored, pulling Steve into a hug.
"You to Cap," Barry said as he leaned close to Steve's ear. "Take care of her or I will come back and ripe out your heart."
"Noted," Steve said amused as they stepped back.
"Thank you," Natasha said emotionally as she hugged Clint tightly. "Thank you."
"You deserve whatever you want out of life Nat," Clint said as he hugged her back. "You should visit soon. The kids miss you, especially Lila."
"Sure," Natasha said as they pulled back, managing to gain some control over her emotions. "I miss them to."
"And you should bring your boyfriend to," Clint said as he looked over at Bucky. "Just so you know, if you ever hurt her-"
"No one will find my body," Bucky finished with a grin. "Steve and Sam already gave me that speech."
"See you around guys," Barry said as Cisco opened a Breach. "If you ever need anything, just call."
"That goes both ways man," Sam said.
Barry nodded before he, Wanda, Clint, and Cisco entered the Breach. Before he walked through the portal, Barry turned to Caitlin one last time, the pair exchanging a smile filled with emotion before he turned and walked through the Breach. It closed behind him and Caitlin stared at the spot where they had vanished for a few moments.
"You okay?" Steve asked as he walked over to her.
"Yeah. I won't lie and say I won't miss them like crazy, but I want this. I want you," Caitlin said before she leaned up and kissed him.
"Well, welcome to the team," Sam said and Caitlin smiled.
New York City
Night
High above the night sky, fireworks went off in celebration of the defeat of Thanos and the return of those who had been lost. Peter Parker, on a sky scraper, looked down at the city in thought before he looked down at his mask. Peter slid his mask on over his face before shooting of some webbing, swinging across the night's sky.
In another part of New York, two criminals were braking into a closed store when they heard the cock of a gun. They looked up to see Frank aiming two rifles at them before he opened fire.
Elsewhere a car stopped outside a rather modest building. Matt got out, Karen and Foggy right behind him.
"It's a clinic," Foggy told Matt as he read a sign.
"You're sure this is the address?" Matt asked skeptically.
"735 on Rogers Lane, yeah, this is the place," Foggy confirmed.
"We can go in with you if you want?" Karen offered.
"Thanks Karen, but we don't know what's in there. I can handle this alone," Matt said graciously.
Feeling them nod, Matt walked up to the front door and knocked. After a few moments, an old man opened the door.
"Can I help you sir?" the man asked.
"Yes, I'm Matt Murdock. I was told to come here," Matt said and heard the man's heartrate jolt, like in excitement.
"Mathew?" he asked.
"Yes," Matt said confused.
"Come in, come in," the man said, ushering him inside. "I've been hoping you might come here one day."
"Why?" Matt said confused.
"A few months ago, a woman was brought here, horribly injured. She looked like she'd been thrown off a cliff. She's been in a coma ever since," the man said as he led Matt down the hall. "She had no identification on her, so I couldn't identify her. She sometimes talks while she sleeps, saying a name, over and over again."
"Mathew," Matt noted and the man nodded. "Why didn't you take here to a hospital?"
"Hospitals are more concerned about the money than the medical care. No insurance, no ID, she'd just be another number to them. At least if I kept her, she'd get the proper medical care," the man said as he stopped, opening a door to a room. "She's right through here."
Matt nodded his heart racing. It couldn't be, his mind told him but his heart couldn't help but hope. He heard breathing as he entered, walking over to a bed. The woman was lying there, appearing asleep. Matt, with a shaking hand, reached down, placing his hand on the side of her face. As he touched her, he felt her eyes flutter open.
"Mathew," she said her voice hoarse from lack of use.
"Elektra," Matt said emotionally.
Norway, next day
Morning
Thor stood on the land, looking out at the sky. Sif walked up behind him, looking at him concerned.
"Thor?" she called concerned.
"This is where my father died, right here," Thor told her wistfully. "He vanished, right before Loki and I. It feels fitting that this is where our people should make our home."
"Odin's time as king has ended. Yours is just beginning," Sif said and Thor nodded.
"So it is. I am stubborn, sometimes rash and hard headed. I might need someone to stand by my side and knock some sense into me," Thor said causally.
"We have known each other for thousands of years. I will stand by you, however you need me to," Sif said immediately and Thor smiled slightly.
"You are speaking to me as your king, not as your friend," Thor said and Sif did not deny it. "I do not need someone who will agree with whatever I say. I need a friend to help me if lose my way. Or perhaps something more."
"Thor?" Sif said confused as Thor took her hand in his with a gentleness that surprised her.
"As you said, we have known each other for thousands of years. I am sorry for the pain I caused you with Jane," Thor said, surprising her. "I do not regret meeting Jane, as she helped me become who I am now, a hero and a worthy king. But I hurt you with her, I see that now."
"It is okay Thor," Sif said and Thor was silent before, to her surprise, he put a hand to the side of her face, causing electricity to course through her veins.
"If I am crossing a line, if this is unwelcome, stop me now," Thor said softly.
Sif made no move to stop him as he leaned in. She instead closed her eyes as their lips met in a kiss.
West House, Earth-1
Afternoon
"So you're retiring?" Cisco asked as he, the Allen, Bartons, Joe and Wally all stood in the living.
"We're not retiring," Wanda quickly assured him, holding Freya in her arms as her daughter squealed.
"It's more of a break than an actual retirement. After everything that happened with Thanos and Thawne, we both decided that we need one," Barry explained.
"I get kid. The last few days, they've been rough," Clint nodded, holding Laura by the waist.
"Cisco, you okay?" Joe asked as he saw the look on Cisco's face.
"First Caitlin left, now you're going on vacation. Feels like everything's changing," Cisco mumbled and Barry nodded.
"It does," Barry agreed. "But this isn't forever, and Caitlin's gonna visit. But I've been doing this nonstop almost since I woke up from a coma to find you and Caitlin watching over me. I need a break Cisco. I hope you can understand that."
"Yeah, I understand," Cisco sighed, remembering how he felt after Dante's death.
"Thanks. And, even if I do decide to make this break permeant, you'll always be my best friend," Barry promised and Cisco smiled.
"Of course, who else would put up with you," Cisco joked and Barry laughed. "So, we just saved the universe. We should celebrate. Drinks are on me! And for the kids, all the soda you want!"
Quinjet, Earth-66
Same time
"So, there's public outcry over The Accords now that we've proved they do more harm than good," Rhodey said over a video message as Steve piloted the Quinjet. "The UN is facing a PR nightmare from all sides and over fifty countries have already withdrawn their support for The Accords. By the end of the month, I think we can count on talks of an appeal."
"And Ross?" Natasha inquired.
"Trying to hold onto whatever power he can, but it doesn't look good for him," Rhodey said, unable to keep the note of glee out of his voice, causing everyone else to chuckle.
"Ross will be trouble, keep a look out Rhodey," Steve warned him and Rhodey nodded.
"You to Cap. I'll be in touch in case anything changes. For now, you guys need to stay off the radar," Rhodey warned them.
"Don't worry, we will," Natasha assured him.
"We'll be in touch," Steve said before ending the call.
"Where are we going anyway?" Caitlin spoke up, the only one who didn't know.
Her answer came as a hanger opened up right in front of them. Steve landed the Quinjet and Caitlin looked around as Steve lowered the ramp. The group of five walked down the ramp as Caitlin got a good first look.
"Welcome to the Playground," Bucky told Caitlin.
"It's an old SHIELD base, a good place to lay low. And our new base, for the foreseeable future," Natasha explained.
"So now what?" Caitlin asked after getting a good look.
"We get back to work," Steve said simply.
Earth-1, twenty three years in the future
Afternoon
When Freya returned to her own time, she found herself in a building she didn't recognize. It was full of people walking around to, some of whom waved at her as she passed. A couple, a man with blue eyes and grey hair and a woman with brown eyes and greying red hair smiled and waved at her as they walked passed her.
It took her a moment to realize that they were an older Steve and Caitlin.
As she walked down the hall, her heart jolted as she saw her Grandpa Clint, his hair now completely grey, looking exactly like he had in her time. Except now, there was life in his eyes and strength in his step.
"Hey kid. You okay?" Clint asked as he paused, seeing the look on her face.
"Y-yeah, fine," Freya stammered, trying to keep her voice even.
Clint eyed her, clearly not believing her. However, someone called his name and, as he turned his head in their direction, Freya quickly walked off, trying to calm her thoughts. As she walked, she saw an older Bucky, given away by his robotic arm, standing next to whom had to be an older Natasha, both of them having wedding bands on their hands.
She walked down the stairs, seeing more familiar faces: Fitz and Jemma standing next to an eccentric man who could only be their grandson, Deke Shaw. She saw Bobbi, looking happier than Freya ever remembered seeing her, her blond hair greying as she stood next to a man with a receding hairline Freya realized was Hunter. However, she started as she saw someone standing in the corner.
It was a woman with greying red hair and familiar eyes, eyes Freya saw every time she had dreamed of her mother as a child. Freya numbly walked over to her as her mother looked over at her.
"Freya, are you alright?" Wanda asked concerned.
Freya hugged Wanda tightly, her mind screaming in victory that it had happened, she had changed the future.
"Freya?" Wanda called concerned as she returned her daughter's hug. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just really good to see you," Freya sniffed before pulling back, wiping her eyes.
Wanda frowned, clearly not believing her. However, before she could give voice to her concerns, a man who could only be Cisco Ramon walked over.
"Hey Wanda, the caterers want to know if we want an open bar tonight," Cisco told Wanda.
As Wanda turned to deal with that, Freya got a good look into the room behind her. It was an office, it seemed, greatly resembling her father's old office from the Compound. A man was at a desk, his hair streaked with grey. But she recognized him; she knew his face even better than her own.
"Well, look who decided to show up," Barry said as he got to his feet, disappointment on his face as he used what she had called his 'dad' voice when she was younger. "I told you, we needed your help setting up for tonight."
"Setting up?" Freya asked and Barry sighed tiredly.
"For the celebration. You know the same one we've had for twenty three years, celebrating defeating Thanos and getting back everyone and remember those we lost. Are you okay?" Barry asked, noting that Freya seemed off.
"My head's a little jumbled," Freya said and Barry narrowed his eyes.
"I'd ask if you're on drugs, but we both know dugs, except specialized ones like the Red Death, don't work on us. So what's going on Slugger?" Barry asked as he crossed his arms, waiting.
"I need to catch up," Freya said.
"On what?" Barry demanded.
"On the last twenty three years," Freya said simply.
She watched as it hit him like a ton of bricks, understanding washing over him. He looked at her for a moment, stunned, as if seeing her for the first time.
"Freya?" Barry breathed.
"Hey dad," Freya said with a smile.
For a moment, it was completely silent in the office. Then, Barry laughed, drawing Wanda and Cisco's attention as he walked over, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Welcome back," Barry said as he pulled back, joy on his face.
"I'm glad everything worked out," Freya said relieved.
"We have a lot of catching up to do," Barry said as he let her go.
"Barry?" Wanda said confused as her husband and daughter turned toward her.
"Like I said, a lot of catching up," Barry said as Freya smiled.