[Avengers Compound. The Hangar. 2023.]
The massive hangar bay was buzzing with nervous energy. The time platform—a sleek, technological marvel built from Stark, Pym, and Guardian tech—hummed in the center of the room.
The Avengers stood in a circle. They were suiting up.
The Quantum Suits were advanced, white with red accents, designed to navigate the turbulent currents of the Quantum Realm.
"This material is... restrictive," Sebastian Michaelis commented, pulling at the collar of his suit.
He was the only one who managed to make the high-tech armor look formal. He stood straight, his posture perfect, though he looked visibly uncomfortable without his tailcoat.
"It's nanotech, Seb," Tony said, his helmet retracting. "It molds to your form. Try not to complain; you look like a very dangerous marshmallow."
"A marshmallow," Sebastian sighed. "How dignified."
Rocket Raccoon walked by, checking his blaster. "Hey, Whispers! You sure you don't need a gun? We're going to Asgard. They have big swords."
"I have my own cutlery, thank you," Sebastian replied, patting his side where silver knives were concealed within the suit's storage matrix.
[The Circle]
They gathered on the platform.
Steve Rogers. Tony Stark. Natasha Romanoff. Clint Barton. Thor. Bruce Banner. Scott Lang. Nebula. Rocket. Rhodey. And Sebastian.
Steve looked at them. He took a breath.
"Five years ago, we lost. All of us. We lost friends. We lost family. We lost a part of ourselves. Today, we have a chance to take it all back."
Sebastian watched Steve. He saw the soldier's weariness, but also the burning, unshakeable will.
"You know your teams," Steve continued. "You know your missions. Get the stones. Get them back. One round trip each. No mistakes. No do-overs."
He looked at Tony. Tony nodded.
"Most of us are going somewhere we know. That doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other."
Steve paused.
"This is the fight of our lives. And we're going to win. Whatever it takes."
"Whatever it takes," the team echoed.
Rocket looked up at Scott. "He's pretty good at that."
"Right?" Scott grinned.
Tony leaned over to Sebastian.
"You good?" Tony whispered.
Sebastian looked at his hand. The seal of the contract was hidden beneath the white glove of the suit.
"I am ready, Sir," Sebastian said softly. "To the past."
"See you in a minute," Natasha said to Steve with a smile.
All helmets snapped shut.
"Quantum Tunnel active in three... two... one."
The platform surged with energy. The floor dropped away. They shrank instantly, vanishing into the kaleidoscopic tunnel of the Quantum Realm.
Colors that didn't exist flashed past them. Time bent and twisted. They were surfing the bloodstream of the universe.
The team split.
Rocket and Thor veered off toward the golden spires of Asgard. Natasha, Clint, Nebula, and Rhodey banked toward the stars of 2014.
Tony, Steve, Scott, Bruce... and Sebastian fell toward the gray skyline of New York City.
[New York City. 2012. An Alleyway.]
The air shimmered. Four figures and a large green one appeared in a circle of quantum energy.
Tony Stark (2023), Steve Rogers, Scott Lang, and Bruce Banner (Smart Hulk). And leaning heavily against a dumpster, Sebastian Michaelis.
The sky roared. A Chitauri Leviathan flew overhead. The Avengers Tower loomed in the distance, a beacon of past glory.
"Okay, we have our assignments," Steve said, adjusting his cowl. "Two stones uptown, one down. Stay low. Keep an eye on the clock."
Hulk looked at a car. He sighed, ripped his shirt off (awkwardly), and half-heartedly smashed the roof.
"Smash," Hulk mumbled. "So gratuitous."
"Focus, Green Bean," Tony tapped his wrist. "Seb, you're with me and Scott. We're going for the Tesseract. You look... green."
Sebastian adjusted his Quantum Suit, which shimmered and morphed back into his familiar black tailcoat (Tony had programmed the nanotech to mimic fabric upon arrival).
He was staring at the Chitauri flying above. His 2012 self was up there somewhere, feasting on souls, reveling in the chaos.
"I am fine, Sir," Sebastian said, though his hand trembled slightly. "Just... memories."
[Stark Tower. The Lobby. 2012.]
The heist was in motion.
Tony (2023) and Scott were shrinking/sneaking to get to the briefcase.
Sebastian (2023) was stationed in the stairwell, guarding the exit. He checked his pocket watch. It was cracked—a souvenir from the Benatar.
"He's coming," Sebastian whispered to himself.
The door opened.
Sebastian Michaelis (2012) walked in.
He was radiant. His skin glowed with vitality. His eyes were a vivid, hungry fuchsia. He had just finished slaughtering a squad of Chitauri and was high on the adrenaline of the kill. He was carrying a silver tray with a glass of whiskey for 2012 Tony.
He stopped.
He looked at the man standing in the shadows of the stairwell.
Sebastian (2023) stepped into the light. He looked gaunt. His coat was worn. His eyes were dull red.
The two demons stared at each other.
"Well," 2012 Sebastian sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "This is unexpected. A doppleganger? Or a very poor imitation?"
"I am you," 2023 Sebastian said, his voice raspy. "Or rather, the version of you that learned the value of a good nap."
2012 Sebastian walked closer, sniffing the air. He recoiled.
"You smell of... decay. Starvation. You are empty. Have you ceased feeding?"
"I am on a diet," 2023 Sebastian replied.
"Pathetic," 2012 Sebastian laughed. "Look at you. You are weak. You serve the human so deeply you have become one. I should put you out of your misery."
He lunged.
It was a blur of black cloth. 2012 Sebastian aimed a lethal strike at the throat.
2023 Sebastian didn't block with force. He used leverage. He sidestepped, caught the wrist, and used his past self's own momentum to slam him into the wall.
"Your stance is wide," 2023 Sebastian whispered into his ear. "You are drunk on power. You lack discipline."
2012 Sebastian snarled, his eyes glowing. Shadows erupted from his body, forming massive claws.
"I will eat your heart!"
"Try it," 2023 Sebastian said calmly. "But if you do, you leave the Young Master unguarded in the penthouse. And I believe the God of Mischief is currently looking for an opening."
2012 Sebastian froze. His duty to the contract overrode his hunger.
"He is safe?" 2012 Sebastian asked.
"For now," 2023 Sebastian released him. "But you have missed a spot on your lapel. Chitauri blood. Very unprofessional."
2012 Sebastian looked down. There was a speck of purple blood. He looked mortified.
"Go," 2023 Sebastian ordered. "Clean yourself up. The Master needs a butler, not a butcher."
2012 Sebastian glared at his future self. "If this is what awaits me... perhaps I should terminate the contract now."
"You won't," 2023 Sebastian smiled sadly. "Because he is the most interesting thing you have ever found."
2012 Sebastian scoffed, straightened his tie, and vanished up the stairs to tend to Tony.
2023 Sebastian slumped against the wall, exhausted. That brief exchange had drained his reserves.
"Show off," he muttered.
[The Lobby. The Fumble.]
"Flick me!" Scott yelled.
Tony (2023) flicked Ant-Man onto 2012 Tony's Arc Reactor.
ZAP.
2012 Tony gasped, clutching his chest. "Arrgh! Cardiac!"
Chaos erupted. The briefcase with the Tesseract was dropped.
2023 Tony grabbed the case. "Got it! Move!"
They were almost to the exit. Sebastian (2023) opened the door.
BAM.
The stairwell door exploded outward.
Hulk (2012) burst into the lobby. "NO STAIRS!"
He slammed the door open, hitting 2023 Tony square in the face. The briefcase flew into the air. It slid across the polished floor.
Right to the feet of Loki.
Loki, bound and gagged, looked at the Tesseract. He looked at the chaos.
He grinned.
He grabbed the Tesseract.
ZOOP.
Loki vanished.
"No!" Scott yelled, growing back to normal size. "You gotta be kidding me!"
Thor (2012) looked around, confused. "Where is the Rock of Ages?"
Tony (2023) sat up, rubbing his head. "We blew it. We lost the Tesseract."
Sebastian (2023) walked over, helping Tony up.
"It seems," Sebastian noted dryly, "that not even time travel can cure the Hulk's lack of subtlety."
[The Alleyway. Moments Later.]
Steve Rogers joined them. He had the Scepter (Mind Stone). But Tony and Scott were empty-handed.
"We lost it," Tony said. "Loki's gone."
"We can't go back without the Space Stone," Steve said. "We don't have enough Pym Particles for another round trip."
Tony looked at Steve. He looked at the frantic Scott Lang.
Then, he looked at Sebastian.
"There is another way," Tony said, his eyes lighting up with a desperate idea. "We can get the Tesseract. And more particles."
"Where?" Steve asked.
"When," Tony corrected. "1970. Camp Lehigh. New Jersey."
Steve realized what he meant. "Tony... are you sure?"
"It's there," Tony said. "S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded there. My dad was there. Hank Pym was there."
"It's a risk," Steve said.
"It's the only play," Tony set his GPS. "Seb? You hold the fort here? Or you coming?"
Sebastian looked at the glowing device.
"1970," Sebastian mused. "The fashion was... regrettable. But I am coming. I believe you will need someone to carry the luggage."
Tony grabbed Steve's hand. He grabbed Sebastian's arm.
"Do it."
[End of Chapter 46]
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