Time is of the Essence

High above Earth

Year 40XX

A man in a Victorian lab coat appeared in a flash of light in space. Not far from him, a large ship orbited the Earth. "The new mechanics of this multiverse have been insightful. Seeing Earth-616's evolving timeline is simply fascinating." After readjusting his tie, he smirked, noticing a presence. "I know you are there."

From behind, a bald man in blue and white robes materialized into view. "You should not be here, Time Walker."

Professor Paradox crossed his arms. "Perhaps, Watcher. However, unlike you and others like you, I prefer to nudge history to a more preferable path."

"The Watchers are aware of the possible consequences of interference."

"And from my experience," Paradox retorted. "I have seen the results of both action and inaction." Paradox's expression turned grave. "We both know what is coming for this timeline. We can feel it is already progressing."

The cosmic watcher paused. "I will admit that the final fate of the timestream is in flux." The watcher turned to the present Earth before turning back to Paradox. "This Tennyson of yours will have many trials to face." He huffed. "This new branching of Earth-8096 may intersect with Earth-555326."

"Call me optimistic. A near-dead world like that one needs its heroes."

"You wouldn't happen to know about a new branch of Earth-199999 appearing due to another visitor from outside my reality?"

Paradox raised a brow. "I can't say I do. Not a danger to everyone I hope."

"For a lack of better words, this red-head has the word sword written all over him."

Paradox blinked. "Can't say I follow the metaphor. We can stop by there in a bit. I'd like to catch up on a little history. Care to join?"

The Watcher rolled his eyes. "If only to keep you out of trouble."

The two extra-temporal beings reappeared in a room filled with crystal and its unique owner. By shifting to a different dimensional frequency, they could observe without being seen.

There, a being wore a green uniform with purple gauntlets and a helmet. He stared intensely at the crystal display before him. On a golden throne, he put his hands together. "Display chronal archive 001944. Keyword: Rogers."

"Loading," a computerized voice replied. The crystalline display began to playback an ancient recording dating back to Earth's second world war.

Paradox turned nostalgic. "Oh, I remember seeing these kinds of films all the time in my youth."

A long-forgotten announcer started. "News from the front. As the Hydra war machine expands its reach, one by one, the nations of Europe fall under its shadow." An emblem of a skull with tentacles stretches across Europe from the East. "None so far have withstood the onslaught." Civilian buildings were set ablaze as Hydra Flags were held high with their army raising their fists.

"While my original timeline had its own World War 2, it's disturbing to see such an organization from the German science division show themselves so publicly."

"Unfortunately, Hydra is a constant in many realities here," added the Watcher.

"But Allied soldiers from across the globe stand together, and as the world goes to war, we recount the tale of Steve Rogers, the man who would become Captain America." A lanky young man stands on a scale, seemingly unfit for duty. A doctor is soon shown with a large syringe in hand. "Although young Rogers was too frail for combat, his fighting spirit wouldn't give up. He volunteered for a secret military experiment and, with the help of the country's finest scientists, was transformed into the world's first super-soldier." The lanky shadow bulked into a new form.

He smiled. "But with Hydra comes the Captain, one of the infinite variations."

The new and improved Steve Rogers suits up and stands alongside another masked soldier and their allied forces. "And now he fights alongside the Allies as a symbol of freedom and liberty for all the world."

A headline spins into view, showing various victories during their campaign. "Even now, Cap is leading the charge against the dreaded Red Skull and his Hydra forces. Good luck, Captain America, wherever you are."

Another recording queued, this time showing a monument of the late Captain. "Today, Earth's mightiest hero fell in the line of duty. Farewell, Captain America, wherever you are."

"No. Not where. When." With the recordings concluded, the blue-skinned ruler stood up. It was time to begin his own investigations.

Paradox clapped his hands. "Time for our little field trip."

The Watcher sighed. "Please refrain from altering the timeline."

The professor waved it off and gestured to the man known as Kang. "As you can see, Earthlings are more than capable of doing that themselves. Then again, I am an Earthling."

---

Northern Germany

1944

The time-traveling trio appeared in the past, above and out of sight.

Rain was pouring and thunder was roaring. An infantry vessel made its way toward the shallow waters outside their objective, a large castle in the distance. These soldiers known as the Howling Commandos slowly but surely trekked their way, eventually reaching a cemetery, but they would not be alone.

A bright flare lights the storming sky, notifying of their discovery by Hydra soldiers.

Jack Fury yelled. "Howling Commandos, move!" The two forces took cover and exchanged fire, but the Allies were at a disadvantage. "We're sitting ducks out here. Howlett, I need recon!"

James Howlet held his helmet down as another bullet nearly grazed him. "I'm working on it, bub."

On the hill, the Hydra Machine Gun raining down on the Commandos jams. Just as the enemy agent attempted to fix it, a red and blue blur zoomed by, slicing the gun apart. Like a boomerang, the round shield came back to its wielder.

"Oh, if only I had access to Vibranium in my younger years," Paradox mused. "Who knows what I could have invented at the time?"

"I'd like to see your reaction to the various Wakandas," replied the Watcher. "They've made significant developments with the material."

Atop a gravestone, Captain America stood proudly. "This is the end of the line, boys. Our job is to take down Hydra's science base, and we've already got a man on the inside to get us in." The Howling Commandos gathered around the American Super Soldier. "Now let's go show the Red Skull that his day is over!" With that, his allies cheered.

Paradox chuckled. "I can see how he is such a charismatic icon."

-Later-

The howling commandos charged toward the base at the herald of a brass trumpet.

Captain America took out a watchtower and the surrounding guards.

Co-commander Dum Dum Dugan easily barged through a trio of unarmed operatives caught off guard.

Near the mist-covered water, an armed soldier backs up at the ready. He never noticed James "Logan" Howlett, rising from the deep, pouncing on the unsuspecting man with his bone claws extended.

Ever the gentleman, Pinky Pinkerton easily dispatched a group with his fists and a trusty umbrella.

Paradox brightened. "Fascinating. To see mutants appear at this point in history."

The Watcher smirked. "He's far older than he looks. James has been around since the Civil War?"

He raised a brow. "Some form of Longevity?"

"Technically. He has very potent cellular regeneration."

"Simply marvelous what your realities offer. I haven't had a chance to delve into the histories prior to the 20th century."

Meanwhile, Jack Fury and Steve Rogers push their way to the entrance of the castle. Bullets and fists fly, taking down more Hydra goons. The trusty shield kocks a trio into the chasm below with ease.

Jack whistled in admiration. "They should make that thing standard issue."

Steve smirked as he caught the iconic weapon. "Sorry, Sarge. It's one of a kind."

Suddenly out of the corner of their eyes, a grenade falls toward them. Steve narrowly blocks it with his shield in time, the explosion knocking him to the ground. As the smoke cleared, he tried to get his bearings. "Jack?" The Sergeant was also brought down by the shockwave. "Jack!" Before he could help his ally, he is struck in the head by the butt of a gun. Before the Hydra agent could even fire, Steve sweeps his leg, sending him off the edge. Unfortunately for the Captain, a second soldier arrived, rifle cocked.

Unknown to both of them, the drawbridge entrance to the castle came crashing down, crushing the enemy. Leaving the castle was a young masked man in a red and blue uniform. "Uh… You're late."

From behind the other Howling Commandos regroup and help their Sergeant up. "Cap! We're falling back to patch up and report to command. Will you two be okay?"

"We'll manage, Sarge." Captain America chuckled at the victory so far. "Any trouble inside, Bucky?"

"There are Hydra soldiers everywhere. I couldn't get into the lower levels on my own without raising the alarm, but I know the way."

"Not a problem. The stealth portion of this mission is officially over." The two walk inside and face a giant wooden door.

Buck tosses around an advanced grenade. "I'll knock." With a clean throw, it attaches itself to the door before detonating. As the doors fall to the ground, they feel the rumbling of giant footsteps."Must be the welcoming committee." The boy smirked. "I've got this covered."

From the shadows, a humongous one-eyed yellow monster growled and stomped into view. The beast wielded a mallet as its left hand.

"You know what, Cap?" Buck chuckled nervously. "I changed my mind. You get this one."

Paradox turned to the Watcher. "A cyclops… in World War Two?"

"Indeed. If you saw the previous battles, it got weird."

The two Americans dodge the oncoming hammer blow that cratered the brick floor. Bucky backed away carefully. "Okay, we've seen some weird stuff in this war, but what is that?"

Steve shook his head. "I don't know. One of Zola's experiments, maybe. Whatever it is, it's angry." Cap's shield took a hammer blow, skidding himself across the room.

"Back off, ugly!" Bucky jumped on the beast's back and covered its lone eye. It attempted to remove the boy to no immediate success. "Cap!"

With its right arm, it manages to grab the young he could chimp on the boy, Cap's shield batted its head away, freeing Bucky. When its vision cleared, he saw the lone captain at the entrance.

"You want me, monster?" Steve taunted. "Here I am."

Without thinking much, the monster rushed at the captain and slammed his hammer arm down. Unfortunately, this is what Steve wanted. Steve jumped and grabbed onto the drawbridge chains. The wooden bridge couldn't take the stress, breaking apart, bringing the beast to the depth below.

Swinging back to the castle, Steve got ready once again. "Let's keep moving."

Bucky looked down at the chasm and back to Steve. "Yeah. Sure. No use dwelling on the big monster that almost ate us." With that, the two made their way into the depths of the base.

Below, the two cosmic watchers, Kang grew impatient. "Forward to time index 3.2."

Paradox shook his head. "Not a patient one, is he."

"And a sloppy time jump at that," added the Watcher.

Bucky had turned around, seemingly hearing the future human but missing it at the last moment.

---

Approaching the bowels of the research facility, the duo came across numerous documents and specimens. A folder labeled Project Nova described a test site located outside the municipality of Poland. Due to heavy bombing, the project was moved to a different location. Several photos of yellow barrels with an "N6" symbol were found. This new chemical was proposed to be armed on a battery of V2 and the experimental V3 rockets.

Paradox narrowed his eyes at a periodic table showing three elements circled: neodymium, rhenium, and sulfur. "To think the axis powers here were up to such dangerous developments."

The Watcher sighed. "It is unfortunate that Hydra is responsible for a number of mortal tragedies across timelines."

Another folder showed the insignia of a fist grasping the number 935 with electron orbits around it.

Captain America put down the documents with a forlorn expression. "Smart bombs. Nerve gas. Germ warfare. I've heard rumors of German Wonder Weapons, and my fears may be realized."

"Yeah, this is creeping me out. Hydra's been working on this stuff for years. Any one of these things could mean big trouble for the Allies."

"That's why we're here, Bucky. No matter what, we're taking down the Skull once and for all."

---

The two walked into another room, finding a number of strange creatures being contained below them. "What in the world is this, Cap?"

"I'm not so sure this is from our world."

Below, a man with a Red Skull chuckled. "You may come out now, Captain. I know you are here. You have arrived just in time to witness history."

From the duo's left and right, weapons cocked at them. Bucky groaned at his friend. "Ah, you always get me caught." The two got in a fighting stance but were interrupted by Red Skull

"Oh, please, Captain. Even if you were to survive, your partner would not."

Understanding their current situation, Steve allowed a Hydra soldier to take his shield.

Bucky gaped at his friend's surrender before feeling resentment to himself, knowing he was holding the Captain back.

The two were brought to the ground level of the lab. "Still doing Zemo's dirty work, Skull?

"No. No." Red Skull chuckled. "I have stopped looking for the relics of this world. Today, I take the power of another one." He gestured to the containment units. "Ancient Norse mythology told of a realm of supernaturally powerful beings. And all myths have some basis in truth. This cave was the location of one gateway to that realm. The Norse called it Bifrost- the Rainbow Bridge."

"In some realities, the Bifrost simply connects distant planets together. For others like this one, it links to places outside of normal space," elaborated Watcher.

"There are other dimensions and pockets of space that are part of the same timestream. I am familiar with the concept," replied the Professor.

"Picture an army of mythological beasts unleashed upon the battlefield. The Allies won't even comprehend the forces that are destroying them." From behind the glass, a wolf-like creature growled in defiance."

"Looks like your doggy there would rather gnaw on you than us, Skull," snarked Bucky.

"We have ways of guiding their choices." Skull pulled out a remote that silenced the beast and made it shiver in fear.

"What have you done?" toned Steve.

Skull chuckled. "What have I done? I have won this war, Captain." "Open the portal!"

The device managed to lock on to a specimen, increasing power to bring it through. Just as the figure of a large blue being appeared, the courageous duo sprang into action, taking down their nearby guards and reclaiming the Shield. Steve blocked a flurry of bullets, allowing strays to fire at the consoles, damaging the portal.

Steve tackled a now enraged Red skull.

With several spinning kicks of Taekwon-do, Bucky took down more hydra goons.

The power in the room flickered, disabling the containers of the numerous Asgardian creatures and setting them free.

With a building rage against its captors, the wolf proceeded to tear the Hydra Soldiers to shreds.

Steve skidded back on the floor against a blow from a large brown horned beast.

More Hydra gunners were taken out by a white minotaur-like creature.

The multi-colored fairies flew back into the portal home.

Bucky squared off against a green ogre more than twice his size, kicking it back into an electrical box before it exploded. When the wolf tried to pounce on the lad, a flying shield knocked it away.

With the creatures still distracting the enemy, Buck ran to disable the portal, dodging threats gracefully until he came to face the swordsman Strucker.

"I had hoped to test this blade on the great Captain America. You are not worthy to face me."

"Is it because I have more hair than you? Don't feel bad, Strucker. Maybe when you get older, it'll grow in."

Bucky continued to dodge the sword swings and thrusts with ease. "Sloppy technique. You shave your head with that thing, too? That would explain a lot."

Paradox chuckled at the banter. "The boy certainly reminds me of my friend."

Watcher nodded. "I can say the same about a certain spider avatar."

With a final dodge, he tricked Strucker into stabbing another machine of the portal, electrifying him much like the green beast from before.

With most of the Hydra agents down or retreated, Captain America was left alone to fight the Asgardian Beasts. Seeing himself outmatched, he checked his surroundings before hatching an idea. He ran to a fuel line, slicing it open and igniting it into a makeshift flamethrower.

Deterred by the flame, the creatures decided to retreat back home through the portal, all except the wolf. Just as Steve raised his shield to protect himself, no attack came. From the portal came the upper half of a crystal blue giant, one hand wrapped around the wolf.

"An Ice Giant. Jotunheim, then." Paradox got a better look at the symbol on the runestone.

The other giant hand reached for the Captain as he called to close the portal.

Using Strucker's sword, Bucky cut power from the Nordic rune stone. As the energy stopped flowing, so did the giant sent through the closing portal.

Watcher blinked. "It seems our blue friend just arrived." Above, Kang returned in a flash.

One objective down, but the job wasn't done yet. As the lab started to self-destruct, an evacuating Red Skull seethed. "No! You have destroyed everything! I will have my revenge on you and the world!"

"We have to get out of here!" exclaimed Bucky.

"Not this time, partner. We're not letting him get away again." Steve wanted to end their fight with Skull once and for all.

Kang was nearing his goal. "Ahead 7.25."

Outside, one of the castle spires shed its outer bricks, revealing an escape rocket.

The heroic duo followed Skull to the roof just as he entered the cockpit.

Unseen by the soldiers. Kang continued.

Steve turned to his friend. "Bucky, stay here. Secure the fortress."

The young man didn't seem satisfied with that order.

Before the rocket began to launch, Captain America grabbed onto its outer ladder. With that, the transport lifted off.

Steve started climbing, but he got cut off. "I got your back, Cap!" Behind him, Bucky Barnes also grabbed onto the shuttle.

Now in his hoverchair, Kang traveled again. "Ahead .39."

"Bucky, I told you to st-"

"Yeah, I know. But we're partners, right?"

Steve could reprimand him for not following his orders, but if he was in Bucky's shoes, he would have done the same. He smiled softly at his oldest friend. "Let's finish this."

Red Skull managed to travel to the Arctic Circle before a shield bashed through his windshield and Steve grabbed him by the uniform. "It's over, Skull."

Instead of fear, the Red Skull laughed sinisterly. "Finally, we agree." His right hand reached out and pressed a yellow button. "Goodbye, Captain America!" A countdown clock started and Reed Skull was ejected with his seat to safety.

"A pity he escaped," sighed Paradox.

The Watcher turned solemn. "He will be back."

"No!" Seeing Skull's getaway boiled the soldier's blood. He looked back into the cockpit, and they only had less than thirty seconds to get to safety. "There's not enough time! Bucky, jump for it!"

Unfortunately, Bucky's foot got caught in a bent ladder rung when rushing to meet Steve. "I can't! Cap!"

"Hang on, Bucky!" He made his way to him, ready to help, but Bucky had other plans.

"Sorry, Cap."

Steve continued to try and pry Bucky free. "Stow that talk. We'll make it."

"No, I mean, sorry, but the world needs Captain America more than Bucky." Using his free leg, he kicked Captain America off the shuttle.

Steve looked on as he fell. His closest friend sacrificed his life to save him, and in turn, the world. "No! No! Bucky!"

With a final salute, Bucky and the shuttle exploded in a massive burst. The shockwave crashed against the captain, knocking him out and into the icy water below.

"The lad seems like a true friend." Paradox pocketed his hands.

Watcher nodded. "It is unfortunate that his fate here is also in flux as is the Captain's."

Kang hovered over the water, searching for any sign of the Captain's survival. He was unsatisfied "Mmm. Manual control." With his console, the area fast-forwarded in time around him with two unseen compatriots tagging along for the ride. Even after twenty years observed, nothing had seemed to change with the Captain's place of "death."

A male voice on the radio sounded. "Time disturbance in progress."

Kang's "present" was now at risk. He needed to return. "Initiate chronal jump to Damocles base."

"It seems our little field trip is over." The temporal duo followed Kang back to a branched future.

---

Damocles Base

Year 40XX

Kang sat in the crystal room again, preparing for the imminent. "Report."

The computer answered. "Temporal disturbances reaching critical levels. The fabric of time-space is in the process of rupturing."

"Show me."

The futuristic cities on Earth began to fade away in white light, leaving only a barren wasteland behind.

"My entire timeline- all of reality is being wiped out, and it's all because of you." He glared at a hologram of Captain America. "My travels into the past suggest that you are the link, Captain America. Some moment in your past heralds the end of the future. Something to do with you. But I saw you meet your end in the 20th century. How can you be responsible? Unless… Damocles, scan all surviving records from the 21st century."

"Executing."

A flash of documents appeared. "Freeze image." He read the news article and glared once more. "Of course. I did not conquer the Earth just to see it wiped from existence. Damocles, prepare the fleet for a time jump."

Outside, the rewriting or reality was slowly reaching them.

Kang stood straight on the bridge. "All ships begin trans-temporal jump."

One of his men answered. "Sir, we don't have the coordinates. There's not enough time to-"

Kang grabbed him by the uniform. "Never tell me there's not enough time." He pulled out a hard light console and did it himself."

"Time coordinates accepted. Jump in progress."

"Where is Princess Ravonna?"

"She's boarding now, my Lord."

A dark-skinned woman in a blue royal garb walked onto the bridge. "My love, what is happening? Why are we leaving?"

Just as she asked, the reality rewrite reached them, catching several men. The princess ran as best she could, but even she knew she would get caught.

At seemingly the last microsecond, she felt a sudden push against her back, escaping the white light and into her lover's arms.

"I've got you, Ravonna. Damocles, now!"

The ship disappeared from the future in a blue flash as the rest of the Earth and soon the universe was altered."

---

High above Earth

Year 2010

Kang breathed a sigh of relief as he held Ravonna close. "I thought I lost you."

Ravonna returned the embrace. "I thought so as well. It was miraculous that I survived. It was like some otherworldly force saved me."

"We can talk about that later. I'm just glad you're safe." Kang turned to the computer. "Update."

"We have arrived at our destination."

"Don't worry, love. I'll save our entire timeline, even if I have to conquer this time to do it."

Ravonna gave a hesitant nod. She had never seen him so tense before. Only time would tell if things would get better.

---

The Moon

The Watcher sat in his chair, upset at his recent companion. "Why did you interfere?"

Paradox shrugged. "Call me a romantic, but I'd rather not get rid of the man's only emotional connection while he's going back in time to save humanity. As I said before, I prefer to nudge history on a better path."

The watcher sighed. "Even a simple push can lead to unprecedented consequences."

Paradox rolled his eyes. "Considering the future Earth turned into a literal wasteland, I believe we have a better chance of a happy ending now."

He turned away. "I don't condone your actions, but I do see your point."

"We both know he is wrong. Whether Captain America died during this event should not have affected his branch of history this way."

"I know… Let us leave this place. I will see how well you and your ally's actions make a difference."

The scientist smiled. "I hear Earth-91119 is quite amusing to see."