IMUC Chapter 453 Return to the Past for the Space Stone

#### New York City, SHIELD Headquarters

Future Steve stared intently at Caesar, his face serious and determined. Without hesitation, he told his teammates over the communicator, "Forget about the Tesseract for now. Come to me immediately."

"We're on our way," Future Tony replied before disconnecting.

"Caesar, can you tell me what you know about the Space Stone?" Future Steve asked, his concern obvious. Their time travel mission was crucial and left no room for error.

"You're in the wrong timeline if you're looking for the Space Stone." 

Caesar's first words stunned Future Steve and he frowned deeply before saying. "That can't be. Tony and the others almost had the Tesseract!"

Caesar sighed and floated closer, patting Future Steve's shoulder with a small hand. "Listen, the Tesseract you were after is a trap set by my original self a long time ago. Stop falling for it."

"What do you mean?" Future Steve's face grew more solemn.

Caesar continued, "Remember seventy years ago when you crashed the Hydra plane into the Atlantic?"

Future Steve's gaze became distant as he sat on a piece of debris. "Of course, I remember. That crash led to my seventy-year slumber and preserved my body."

"That day was also a turning point for my original self," Caesar said, sharing the nostalgic moment before returning to the subject at hand. "After your crash, I searched for you but found nothing. Instead, I discovered the Tesseract in the ocean."

"So you tampered with the Tesseract?" Future Steve's eyes widened. This fit Kyle's style perfectly.

"I didn't do much. I just took the Space Stone out of it," Caesar admitted.

Future Steve was floored by this revelation. "So, since World War II, the Tesseract..."

"Yes, it was an empty shell with the residual power of the Space Stone. It might last a few more uses before it's completely depleted," Caesar explained. "My original plan was to use the hollow Tesseract to fool the alien forces, but it ended up fooling you instead."

Future Steve felt a chill run down his spine. "It's a good thing Tony and Scott didn't secure the Tesseract sooner. We would have returned to our time only to find it empty. That would have been a disaster."

Caesar fell silent, watching Future Steve. Despite his youthful appearance, Steve's demeanor showed signs of the heavy burdens and fears of the bleak future.

"Steve," Caesar called softly, placing his small hand on Steve's larger one, reassuring him. "Everything will be all right."

"Yes, we'll find a way," Future Steve replied with a forced smile. His gaze softened as he looked at Caesar. After a moment's hesitation, he began, "Caesar, if you in the future..."

Before he could finish, a familiar figure approached.

"What are you two doing here?" 

The voice belonged to a young man wearing an A-emblazoned helmet, a star-spangled shield on his left arm, and the tight-fitting suit of Captain America.

The newcomer was none other than the Steve Rogers of this timeline, and he instantly recognized his future self and Caesar.

"Is this for real?" 

Future Steve's mouth twitched involuntarily as he looked at the unexpected arrivals. Caesar slapped his forehead with a groan. "This mess is getting harder and harder to clean up."

Captain America's eyes swept over the two figures seated together, focusing on Future Steve. He noted the striking similarity in appearance, right down to the star-spangled shield each held as a weapon.

A realization dawned in Steve's eyes as he turned to Caesar. "Caesar, this is Loki disguised as me. Don't be fooled by his magic!" With that, he charged at Future Steve, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

Future Steve, resigned to the situation, quickly stood up and raised his shield as Steve's shield came crashing down on his own.

The clash of the two vibranium shields sent sparks flying, mesmerizing Caesar as he watched with gem-like eyes.

"Ha!" Steve roared, using his shield as a projectile aimed at Future Steve, who retaliated by swinging his own shield.

Once again, the vibranium shields collided in mid-air, canceling each other's momentum and crashing to the ground.

Steve continued his relentless attack, forcing Future Steve into a defensive stance. The two traded blows, their fighting techniques mirroring each other in a dazzling display.

Caesar, his hands in his pockets, watched in fascination, showing no inclination to intervene. To him, it was like watching two twin brothers spar.

Captain America versus Captain America!

It was a scene worthy of Marvel history. With both Steves equally skilled, the outcome was uncertain.

Ten seconds later...

Steve pinned Future Steve, his arm wrapped around his opponent's throat. Despite Future Steve's efforts, he couldn't free himself from Steve's powerful grip.

"No way..." Caesar stared in disbelief, expecting the fight to last longer. To his surprise, the winner was decided so quickly.

The future Captain America was soundly defeated by his younger self.

Caesar had hoped for an upset, but as he watched Future Steve's futile attempts to break free and his increasingly labored breathing, he reluctantly accepted reality.

"Don't think you can beat me with my own fighting style. I could keep this up all day!" Steve sneered, his arm tightening around Future Steve's neck. Realizing that he couldn't overpower Steve, Future Steve reluctantly urged, "Caesar... help..."

"I've had enough of this," Caesar sighed. With a quick movement, he disappeared from his original location and reappeared behind Steve. With a precise blow to the neck, Steve was knocked unconscious and collapsed over Future Steve.

Pushing Steve aside, Caesar helped Future Steve to his feet and teased, "You've let yourself go in the future, haven't you? Your fighting skills have deteriorated considerably."

"I had no choice," Future Steve replied, rubbing his sore neck and looking at his younger self on the ground. "We wasted almost five years..."

(End of Chapter)

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