As Peter finally quieted down, Steve's narration continued over the scenes on the screen.
[My principle has always been to do the right thing.]
On the screen, Steve Rogers was locked in battle with the Red Skull, shield raised as explosions and fire lit up the background.
[But now… I can't figure out what the right thing is.]
In the elevator, Crossbones and his men collapsed to the floor, and Steve smashed through the glass with his shield, leaping down dozens of meters.
[During the decades I was frozen, the world was constantly at war. When I woke up, everyone said we won—but no one ever told me how we won.]
"The war is over, Steve."
At a dance, Peggy Carter—wearing a light-blue dress—smiled gently at him.
"We can go home."
But the scene changed suddenly.
Steve, now alone, sat in a small café wearing a peaked cap. He held a pocket watch with Peggy's photo inside, staring at it in silence.
[I thought I could return to the army, follow orders, and protect my country… but everything has changed.]
Inside a S.H.I.E.L.D. base, rows of Quinjet fighters stood ready while a helicarrier slowly powered up.
Nick Fury walked beside him.
"The Insight Program can keep Earth safe, Captain," Fury explained. "Once the algorithm runs, any threat—current or potential—can be eliminated before it happens."
"What's the price?" Steve asked seriously.
"The price?" Fury stepped closer and stared straight into Steve's eyes. "Compared to the results? Any price is worth it. This is why S.H.I.E.L.D. exists."
[If I see something wrong, I can't just ignore it—no matter who the enemy is.]
The scene shifted again—Ultron stood arrogantly on a rooftop.
Behind him, Steve had his arm around Ultron's neck, trying to choke the robot out.
In the theater—
"Uh… seriously?" Tony muttered, glancing at Steve. "You tried to choke a robot?"
Steve could only shrug.
It was the future, after all.
And yes… choking a robot probably wasn't the smartest plan.
—
In a conference room, Steve sat facing Tony.
"Sometimes," Steve admitted, "I wish I could let go of some of my principles. I wish I could be like that."
Tony shook his head. "No, you won't. But Steve—signing this treaty is how we make the Avengers more stable."
Steve was silent for a few seconds. Then he smiled.
"Yeah… I won't."
[I know this path is hard.]
During the Chitauri invasion, with blood soaking the wound in his abdomen, Steve pulled himself upright using Thor's arm.
"Steve, can you keep fighting?"
"Why? You getting tired?" Steve joked.
Facing Ultron's robot army, he charged forward with his shield, smashing robots one after another amid gunfire.
In Sokovia, he threw his shield, knocking down a Hydra soldier, then caught it mid-air and joined Thor in destroying a tank.
[The price of freedom has always been high. Sometimes, we lose what matters most.]
Steve held Peggy's fragile, wrinkled hand with a soft smile.
A heartbeat later, tears filled his eyes as he carried Peggy's coffin out of the church.
In a snowy wasteland, blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. Purple bruises marked his face.
Facing Tony Stark in full armor, Steve refused to back down.
[But I'm willing to pay that price.]
Back in the alley where it all began, the skinny young Steve pushed himself up again and stared defiantly at the bully.
"I can do this all day."
On a Hydra aircraft, shield lost, surrounded by enemies, he repeated the same words:
"I can do this all day."
In the abandoned Soviet bunker, battered and bleeding, he looked at Tony and said again—
"I can do this all—"
Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. broadcast room, Hill and others watched as Steve declared firmly:
"I'm willing to pay this price… even if I'm the only one."
The video continued to play.
Peter Parker looked completely fired up, eyes blazing with admiration.
Everyone else in the theater wore grim expressions.
In each short clip, there was too much information—too many futures.
Ultron.
The Chitauri.
Hydra.
Even Tony and Steve fighting each other.
The video showed only fragments…
But these fragments were enough to confuse everyone even more.
Tony turned toward Steve, ready to ask why the two of them would fight in the future—
When Natasha's voice appeared in narration.
[We'll succeed, Steve.]
[I know we will—because failure isn't an option.]
The next scene exploded into color.
The sky burned with blinding light.
On the battlefield below, Tony Stark lay unconscious in his armor.
Thor collapsed on the ground, panting heavily.
Hulk, right arm bandaged, struggled to stand.
Every Avenger was defeated.
Except one.
"Haa…"
Covered in wounds, Steve stood up, gripping what was left of his broken shield.
He glanced back at his fallen teammates…
Then looked forward at Thanos—dual-bladed sword in hand—and the endless legion of monsters behind him.
He tightened the strap around his bleeding arm.
And walked forward.
Alone.
[I've been alone since I was eighteen. I never truly belonged anywhere—not even in the army.]
[But the people I trust… the individuals and teams I choose to believe in… they've earned that trust. Most of the time, they haven't let me down.]
[So I can't let them down. Not now. Not ever.]
[And this time… I'm not alone anymore.]
A golden flash streaked from the sky.
Someone landed beside Steve—hands glowing with golden light.
Steve turned and smiled through his soot-covered face.
"You finally came back, Linen."
"I had to pick up Strange and the others," Linen replied. "You know how he gets without the Time Stone—had to call every mystical sorcerer he could. Took some time."
"How is it?" Linen asked. "Can you still fight?"
Steve smirked.
"What? You getting sleepy?"
Dozens of golden portals opened behind them. One by one, familiar heroes—and unfamiliar ones in the theater—stepped out.
[This time… I'm finally not alone.]
Steve reached out and summoned Thor's hammer.
Shield in his left hand.
Mjolnir in his right.
He raised both and shouted—
"Avengers… assemble!!!"
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