August 1945, Louisiane
In the midst of your exile in Louisiana, you remained closely attuned to Steve's every move, leading the troops with unwavering determination on the distant battlefield. Witnessing his remarkable vigor, you felt compelled to embrace new pursuits, and thus, you embarked on the journey of cultivating a flourishing garden.
One serene day, as you toiled amidst the vibrant foliage in your yard, a haven not far from the secure confines of the safe house, your senses were abruptly jarred by a sharp, resonating crash. The reverberation echoed through the air, evoking a sense of unease within you. Swiftly, your instincts propelled you to abandon your horticultural endeavors and hasten towards the source of the disturbance.
Urgently entering the room where Ajak diligently attended to her tasks, a scene of alarming chaos greeted your eyes. The once pristine glass lay scattered on the floor, its shards glinting ominously under the dim light. Crimson stains adorned the shattered fragments, a disturbing testament to the severity of the event that had unfolded. Amidst the wreckage, a steady stream of blood continued to flow from a deep laceration etched across Ajak's palm, painting a vivid picture of pain and distress. With an anguished grip, her left hand clutched her chest, the rise and fall of her breaths desperate and labored, as if every inhalation was a struggle against an invisible assailant.
In that harrowing moment, time seemed to stand still, the weight of concern pressing upon you as you absorbed the gravity of the situation. The serenity of your garden was a distant memory, replaced by a sense of urgency and an unwavering determination to provide solace and aid to your companion in need.
Approaching Ajak, you found her still seated on the chair, her posture reflecting a mix of vulnerability and pain. Carefully, you cradled her wounded palm in your hands, the warmth of your touch offering solace as you worked to mend the deep cut. A palpable hush settled over the room, enfolding you both in a cocoon of anticipation, until Ajak's voice finally pierced the silence.
"Something has happened..." Her whispered words hung delicately in the air, barely audible, as if carrying a heavy burden that she was hesitant to disclose.
"What is it that you sense?" you gently inquired, your curiosity piqued. Leaning closer, you strained to capture each fragile syllable, eager to understand the weight of her concerns.
"I sensed... that The Emergence has been delayed..." Ajak's voice wavered, carrying a profound sense of worry and apprehension.
"But how?" Ajak's whisper conveyed a blend of disbelief and curiosity, mirroring the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind. Acting on instinct, you hurriedly reached for the radio, a lifeline to the outside world, yearning for answers to appease your shared unease. The device crackled to life, emanating a static-laden symphony before the airwaves transformed into the bearer of a shocking revelation. Together, you and Ajak listened intently to the broadcast, the gravity of the words sinking deep into your consciousness. The announcer's voice declared the unfathomable truth: the United States Army had unleashed the devastating force of two atomic bombs upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki a mere few days ago. The broadcast resounded with a tone of triumph, proclaiming Japan's complete surrender, an unconditional admission of defeat that reverberated through the airwaves and echoed within your hearts.
"No..." Ajak's eyes welled up with tears, the shock evident on her face as she instinctively covered her mouth, stumbling back to the refuge of the chair.
Amidst Ajak's mourning for those lost, an unshakable sense of apprehension gripped you. Driven by an insatiable need for answers, you reached out to the cosmic forces, tapping into their vast energy. The weight of uncertainty gnawed at your soul, convinced that something had befallen Steve. You knew deep within that he would never have allowed such a catastrophe to transpire if he were still present. With every ounce of determination, you sought to pierce through the cosmic veil, searching fervently for any trace of his essence. However, despite your relentless efforts, your connection remained silent, devoid of Steve's familiar spark.
"I cannot sense Steve through the cosmos..." you solemnly reported your heart-wrenching discovery to Ajak, the weight of the words heavy upon your tongue. "His spark in the cosmos has fallen into silence."
A flicker of hope sparked in Ajak's eyes, causing her to abruptly lift her gaze and lock it with yours, her voice filled with urgency.
"Where is Phastos?" she inquired, her tone laced with determination.
"Last I knew, he's living in Japan," you replied, pausing as a realization struck you. "But I'm not sure if he's staying in Hiroshima or Nagasaki..."
Ajak's features tightened, her resolve unwavering as she spoke, her voice echoing with conviction.
"I sense an overwhelming sadness consuming his mind. We must find him." The concern for your brother intertwined with Ajak's fears, weaving a tapestry of shared worries that demanded action.
"Then let's go to Japan and find him,"
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Several days had passed since your arrival, and the arduous journey from city to city had yielded no trace of Phastos. Hiroshima and Nagasaki remained the final, unexplored destinations on your quest.
With a deep breath, you and Ajak steeled yourselves for the heart-wrenching task that lay ahead. Stepping into the remnants of what were once thriving cities, you were immediately struck by a sense of desolation. The ghostly silence that enveloped the streets spoke volumes, echoing the tragedy that had befallen these places.
Pressing forward into the heart of the decimated landscapes, you finally beheld the true extent of the devastation. The ground, where the bombs had made contact, lay scarred by colossal craters—horrific reminders of the immense power unleashed upon these cities. Within those vast pits, life had been snuffed out, replaced by an eerie void that seemed to penetrate your very soul.
Amidst this haunting emptiness, a figure draped in black knelt, a solitary presence amidst the desolation. A surge of recognition coursed through you as you extended a hand in reverent silence through cosmo —Phastos had been found. Observing Ajak's graceful descent toward him, you witnessed her tenderly kneeling behind him, offering a pillar of support. The weight of the moment washed over Phastos, and tears cascaded down his face as he sought solace, finding strength in the embrace of Ajak's presence.
You were keenly aware of the devastating impact that weighed heavily on him. Among the eleven individuals, excluding yourself and Ajak, he bore the deepest anguish as he witnessed humanity tearing itself apart with technology born from his own creations.
It's a funeral for all the lost souls. You know that their whispers haunted him, just as they haunted you and Ajak.
Footsteps drew nearer from behind, yet you remained motionless, anticipating the arrival of the feminine figure by your side.
"Miss Carter," you turned your face and found Peggy Carter standing next to you, her once vibrant hair now adorned with streaks of white. She appeared visibly older and wearier than when you last saw her during the Super Soldier serum experiment. Redirecting your attention to the pit, where Phastos had exhausted himself and now sought solace within the comforting embrace of Ajak.
"Speak, Peggy Carter," you gently prompted, while Peggy attentively observed the poignant scene unraveling below. "I assume you haven't traveled all this way to a foreign country merely to stand here by my side."
"Who are you?" Peggy's voice held a firm tone as she extended the envelope toward you, her gaze piercing.
Your eyes met hers, and for a moment, the weight of history seemed to hang in the air. Thoughts raced through your mind as you contemplated how to respond to such a direct question. You took a moment to collect your thoughts, the papers in your hands momentarily forgotten as you locked eyes with Peggy.
"Your face," Peggy continued, her tone tinged with curiosity, "has appeared throughout history according to the information we've meticulously gathered in our database." She gestured toward you, Ajak, and Phastos, emphasizing the enigma that surrounded your presence.
A faint smile played upon your lips as you glanced down at the papers, shuffling through them with a sense of familiarity. The weight of the past seemed to accompany each page, a testament to the events that had shaped your existence.
"But your face... You look like you're no older than 40 years old. It's not possible," Peggy exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of incredulity and wonder.
Returning the envelope to Peggy, you assumed a composed stance, folding your hands behind your back. "You've done your homework and come prepared," you responded, acknowledging the effort she had invested in uncovering the truth. "However, who we truly are is not a matter that concerns you. We made a conscious decision long ago to refrain from meddling in the affairs of men."
Peggy's brows furrowed, her determination evident as she pressed on, challenging the very core of your involvement. "Then why did you help create the Super Soldier serum?" she queried, her gaze steady, waiting for a satisfactory explanation.
The question struck a chord within you, and you visibly froze, a flicker of vulnerability betraying your stoic demeanor. Peggy's patience endured, granting you the space to gather your thoughts and formulate a response.
"Steve told you that?" you asked, your voice laced with a mix of curiosity and caution.
"No," Peggy replied, her voice gentle yet resolute. "It was Erskine who shared with us that there was a gap in his memory. He couldn't recall the exact details, but he vaguely remembered your involvement."
As Peggy's words hung in the air, you found yourself transported back to a pivotal moment—the very origins of the Super Soldier serum. Memories and emotions surged forth, cascading through your mind. Your connection to that significant juncture was undeniable, but revealing the depths of your involvement presented a complex dilemma.
"That was before he held the serum in his hand," Peggy's voice trailed off, her eyes studying your stoic expression, searching for any sign of revelation or emotion.
In that pregnant pause, the weight of silence carried the unspoken truth. Your identity remained shrouded in enigma, leaving Peggy to grapple with the unanswered question that burned within her. Finally, Peggy's resolve solidified as she once again confronted you with the sternness of her tone.
"Who are you?" Peggy's voice rang out, determination infused in every word, demanding an answer that would unravel the mysteries of your existence.
"We are..." you paused, your mind searching for the most fitting description to encapsulate your group without divulging too much. "Outcasts," you finally replied, careful to choose your words wisely, "Outcasts, and that's the only answer I can provide regarding our identity. What you should understand is that we pose no threat to humankind."
Peggy's eyes pleaded with you, brimming with urgency and desperation. "Then, I implore you, help us," she implored, her voice quivering with the weight of her request. "We need to recreate the serum."
"DO NOT," you warned, a surge of cosmic power emanating from within you, unleashing a shockwave that reverberated through the air, causing Peggy to stagger backward.
"Do not go down that path, Miss Carter," you declared, your gaze fixated on the vast pit that lay before you, a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by unchecked power.
"We have witnessed the misuse of power by your kind long before this tragedy occurred."
"But!" Peggy's voice wavered with a mixture of determination and frustration.
"No 'buts'," you interjected firmly, your eyes shifting to Ajak, who was helping Phastos regain his footing. With a subtle nod, you conveyed your final response. "If you'll excuse me, I have family matters to attend to."
"Miss Carter," Ajak and Phastos joined you, acknowledging Peggy with a solemn nod before beginning their departure. As you surveyed the surroundings, a black SUV adorned with an eagle logo emerged on the horizon, swiftly making its way toward your location. You followed Ajak's lead, knowing that your departure was imminent. The weight of the unspoken truth hung in the air, leaving Peggy to grapple with unanswered questions and the enigma surrounding your group's true identity.