"Alright, I will be off now. It was lovely meeting you all," Stephanie announces with a small smile, looking at the different people in the room, and then goes out.
Peggy looks at Jemma and asks, "The war … did we win?"
"Yes, the Allies won the war," Jemma answers excitedly. "It is all thanks to you, Captain Carter!"
I excuse myself as Jemma starts narrating Captain Carter's stories that every kid in the UK knew about.
"Dr. Strange, please wait a minute," I call out to the figure walking away.
She stops as I approach her. "Yes, what is it, Luke? Is this about the confidentiality? Then you know you don't have to worry. The amount of money you are giving me, even if you were doing something illegal, I wouldn't say a word," Stephanie responds with a smirk.
"No, I trust your integrity, doctor. I just wanted to give you a gift," I explain, bringing out a red and blue coloured Personal Shield generator bracelet.
"Look, we have known each other for some years, and you are a very handsome guy, Luke. But you are too young for me, and I am very busy with my work, so I have no time for a relationship. So sorry, I can't accept your gift," Stephanie responds firmly, pushing the bracelet back towards me.
"This isn't that kind of gift; it's a defensive device…" I awkwardly explain the details of the bracelet.
"Oh? this sounds like an amazing item ... why are you giving it to me?" she asks curiously.
"It's a thank-you gift for keeping today's matter a secret, and a genius mind like yours should be protected," I reply with a smile as I present her the bracelet.
"Well, if you put it like that, then I don't mind accepting it," she acknowledges with a pleased smile, taking the bracelet from my hands.
"Why don't you keep it on all the time? I don't want you to get hurt; the streets aren't safe nowadays," I suggest as I notice her putting the bracelet in her pocket.
"Well, I suppose you are right," Stephanie muses as she wears the bracelet. "I have to say... your roundabout methods are cute. Keep this up for some years, and who knows, I might just give you a chance," she adds with a smirk and a wink.
"Okay, I am going to be late. I have to go now!" she calls out, waving at me and rushing away.
"Drive slowly and safely!" I yell as she gives a wave.
I let out a sigh. Sometimes I am unsure if I should really change someone's fate or not. Shaking my head, I go back to the room.
"There is so much to show you. The technology, the advancements… you will be amazed," Toni is showing something on her tablet to the seated Peggy as Christine conducts tests on her.
"Yes, she is Iron Woman!" Jemma exclaims from the side. I shake my head; ever since Jemma saw Captain Carter alive, her enthusiasm hasn't subsided. I even checked if she was secretly taking some NZT, but it is just a celebrity aura effect.
As I enter, Peggy's gaze turns towards me. I smile and gesture towards the door, "Shall we take a walk? Some fresh air might be good for you."
Peggy nods, and we all take the elevators to the roof of Watson Tower. Along the way, Peggy looks around curiously.
As the doors open, Peggy steps out and gasps at the sight before her.
The New York City skyline stretches out, it is a breathtaking view of modern skyscrapers and bustling streets.
"This… this is incredible," Peggy breathes, her eyes wide with wonder. "So much has changed!"
"Yes," I acknowledge, standing beside her, others giving us both a bit of privacy. "The world has advanced in ways people could never have imagined decades ago."
Peggy nods slowly, taking it all in. "I spoke with Howard's daughter... She told me that you are one of the richest men in the world, that even she doesn't know how much money you have. Now you have spent so much money on me," Peggy turns towards me, looking at me with a serious expression. "What do you want from me?"
I smile as I look out over the busy city below. "Right now, I want nothing from you," I state calmly.
Peggy narrows her eyes, following my gaze to the bustling city. "If not now ... then you must have plans for the future. Why not just be straight with me and tell me what you want?" she presses.
I sigh, "Miss Car—"
"Just call me Peggy," she interrupts. "Every time you call me Miss Carter, it makes me feel old... although I am technically over 80 years old now," she adds with a chuckle.
"Peggy... much has changed in these 60 years. The world is different now," I explain with a sigh.
"I figured. Invisible Woman, Iron Woman—these aren't just fancy names, are they?" Peggy asks, looking at Toni and Susan, who are chatting with the other girls while having drinks.
"Still, this doesn't concern you ... You can just live and enjoy your life. You don't need to worry about money. Your contribution to this world is too great already, and I don't lack wealth, so you can live a lavish life for as long as you want," I say sincerely.
I honestly wouldn't mind that; she has done enough, paid the ultimate price! It would be selfish of me to ask her to pick up her shield again.
"There was this bloke I once knew. He was a scrawny little guy who could be blown away by a strong breeze. But even with that weak body of his, he wanted to do good for this world." Peggy reminisces, looking at the sky with a smile. "He was supposed to get the serum ... He deserved these powers, but he died that day by the hands of a spy, and I had to step up in his place! From that day, I vowed to myself... to honour his memory and use these borrowed powers for good!" Peggy declares with determination, clenching her fist.
I smile, knowing all about the circumstances of that day and Steve Rogers' tragic fate. But even if one hero died that day, another was born from his ashes!
"Lucas, I can tell by your tone that even though the war has finished, the fight has not!" Peggy asserts, looking at me steadily.
"Yes, it hasn't," I admit with a wry smile. "But first, you should integrate with this modern world before taking part in that fight."
"63 years of history, technology, current affairs… I have so much catching up to do!" Peggy sighs in exasperation.
"You have been asleep for a long time but you are not alone, Peggy. We are here to help you adjust to this new world, and you can take all the time you need," I assure her with a smile.
"... My relatives?... My comrades? The Howling Commandos? ... Are any of them alive?" Peggy asks hopefully.
My expression softens as I gaze back at her. "I am afraid most of them are gone. It has been many decades," I reply slowly.
Peggy's shoulders slump slightly, the weight of the news pressing down on her. "So, I really am alone in this new world."
"Not entirely… one of your relatives is still alive. Your great-niece—she is even in this same building," I reveal with an odd look.
"Oh? Where is she? Let's go and meet her," Peggy suggests, her mood lifting a little.
"Before you meet her, I need to inform you about two important organisations ... One of them is S.H.I.E.L.D., a name unfamiliar to you now but soon it won't be. The other is a name you are very familiar with," I say, looking at her sadly.
"Don't tell me…" Peggy looks into my eyes and can infer what I am about to say.
"Yes, it's… Hydra," I confirm with a bitter smile, knowing her history with them.
"Hydra? But how? Red Skull was swallowed by a blue portal! Did he not die?" she asks, confused.
"I will tell you all I know slowly. And there is really no need to hurry, they have survived for so many years; a few more days will make no difference," I say, patting her back as she clenches her teeth.
"There is also something else you need to know," I add, opening my palms parallel to the ground in front of her.
She looks at what I am doing, puzzled. I smirk and activate my Powers: Electricity Manipulation and Phoenix Magic.
"Bloody hell! Magic??" Peggy exclaims, stepping back.
In my right hand, a blue fire burns, and in my left, electricity crackles.
I deactivate my Powers and look at her with a harmless smile. "Welcome to the future, Captain Carter!"