What Would Happen When Steve Rogers Returned Each Infinity Stone?

Steve Rogers returned all six Infinity Stones to their correct timelines at the end of Avengers: Endgame, but what happened at each stop? The Marvel Cinematic Universe finished an eleven-year story in 2019 with one of the most anticipated movie events of all time. Avengers: Endgame brought the original six Avengers back together again, with some additional help from other surviving MCU heroes, for a time-traveling adventure to undo Thanos' snap from Avengers: Infinity War. Time travel stories are always complicated and typically quite messy in any form, and Avengers: Endgame attempted to clean up its time travel rules by going against many popular interpretations of it.

The MCU explained that what happened in the past can't be undone, but the Avengers figured out that they could travel through time to collect the six Infinity Stones. Earth's Mightiest Heroes devised a plan to travel to three different points in the past to collect the powerful stones. During their travels, they learned that removing the Infinity Stones from the past would create branched timelines since they are significant forces to keep the timeline intact. After the Avengers successfully reversed Thanos' snap and defeated a version of the Mad Titan from 2014, they agreed to go back in time again to return the displaced stones. Steve Rogers aka Captain America volunteered to clip the branched timelines and put each Infinity Stone (and Mjolnir) back where they came from.

While Avengers: Endgame showed Steve Rogers travel to the past, he returned as an old man after living a long life with Peggy Carter. Barring a complete change of heart on Captain America's part, all of the Infinity Stones should be back in their original timelines. The MCU has yet to show exactly how this happened despite plenty of support to see this very different adventure for Captain America. Until Marvel Studios officially reveals what happened, fans will continue to wonder what happened during Captain America's time-traveling adventure. Here are some possibilities for what happened when Steve returned each Infinity Stone.

Returning The Soul Stone to Vormir

The trip that most fans focus on when it comes to Captain America returning the Infinity Stones is what happened when he brought the Soul Stone back to Vormir. Avengers: Infinity War revealed that this is where Red Skull wound up after touching the Tesseract in Captain America: The First Avenger. Now that Red Skull is the guardian of the Soul Stone on Vormir and greets everyone who visits, there is no doubt that Captain America and his first foe met again in 2014.

The reason why so many are interested in this trip is to see Steve’s reaction to Red Skull’s new position and the discussion that would follow. Since Red Skull is now gifted with additional knowledge and in a different mindset, the former enemies could discuss any number of topics. One such talking point could be whether or not Black Widow can be brought back since the Soul Stone is returning. It is understood that her sacrifice is an everlasting exchange, but Captain America would surely argue for that to change if he’s bringing the Soul Stone back. There is no evidence that this argument worked, but perhaps that is a story for another MCU project to tell.

Returning The Space Stone to SHIELD

Captain America's quest to return the Space Stone to its rightful place takes him back to 1970. After Loki stole the Tesseract in 2012, Steve and Tony Stark went to Camp Lehigh to get the Infinity Stone and more Pym Particles. This is where Captain America has to go again to put the Space Stone back in SHIELD's possession. Tony removed it from a vault in the secret SHIELD bunker. This appeared to be the location of Arnim Zola's lab since Howard Stark was looking for him there. And since Peggy Carter was also stationed at Camp Lehigh during this time, it presents Steve with a scenario where multiple people could recognize him as he infiltrates the base again.

While Captain America made it out of Camp Lehigh without being identified before, that might not have happened again, unless the Quantum Realm was able to transport him directly inside the facility. Granted, Steve also has to turn the Space Stone back into the Tesseract, so this might not be a simple and quick fix for him. This opens up the possibility of Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, or Arnim Zola seeing Steve in 1970. Any of them would be shocked and confused to see him at this point in time, and Steve already saw Howard and Peggy during his original trip. He might not know that Zola is there, so a reunion with him could catch Steve by surprise. And considering Steve's last encounter with an artificial Zola came at Camp Lehigh in 2014, it would only be fitting for them to meet again here.

Returning The Time Stone to Ancient One

The Ancient One explains the balance of time to Bruce Banner

Captain America’s travels to 2012 to return the Time Stone to the Ancient One could be among the more important meetings he will have. She wasn’t fazed when Smart Hulk appeared to her before and was the one who told the Avengers they need to return the Infinity Stones. This should mean she’s expecting Steve Rogers to bring the stone back and presumably talks to him about what happened. He’d be able to confirm to her that the Avengers’ plan worked, but this could be an opportunity for Steve to learn even more about branched timelines, the impact of time travel, and so on.

Considering Avengers: Endgame shows Steve went to the past to live a full life with Peggy Carter, could this trip be where he understands the ramifications of that decision? The Ancient One could even be grateful to Steve and the Avengers for returning the Time Stone so her timeline doesn’t collapse and explain to Steve that these actions won’t change the timeline. However, Captain America’s new shield at the end of the movie teases that some events did change. Perhaps Ancient One even helped convince Steve that the branched timeline he could create is a small price to pay for a life that makes him happy.

Returning The Mind Stone to Hydra

Captain America fights the 2012 version of himself in Avengers: Endgame

Sticking in 2012, Captain America is also responsible for giving the Mind Stone back to Hydra. However, this is more difficult to do without the current timeline changing in some regard. Steve only got Loki’s Scepter by telling agent Sitwell and the Strike Team that he was a member of Hydra. They need the scepter in order to give the Maximoff twins their powers and so the Avengers can reclaim it. But, Captain America giving Loki's Scepter back to Hydra means that they would only further believe that he is on their side. Even when the 2023 Steve leaves the timeline, Hydra would still think that the current Captain America is Hydra. It is possible that this timeline could see Captain America actually become an agent of Hydra, unless Steve decides to alter the timeline further by not giving Loki’s Scepter back.

That said, Captain America could take other dramatic actions to keep the Mind Stone in Hydra’s possession. Steve could travel to a point in time before his other 2023 self took the scepter from Hydra and stop him from doing so. After fighting his 2012 self to keep the Mind Stone, it would quite ironic if Steve had to now fight himself again to ensure the scepter isn’t taken from Hydra. Stopping another version of himself from getting the Mind Stone would create another different timeline, though, as that version of the Avengers would need to find a different way to get the Mind Stone. If Captain America were to learn that these branched timelines are already changed, though, then maybe he’d just leave Loki’s Scepter with his 2012 self he knocked unconscious so Hydra doesn’t get it at all.

Returning The Reality Stone to Jane Foster

The Aether in Jane Foster in Thor The Dark World

The Reality Stone could be the most awkward part of this mission for Captain America. Once he turns the Infinity Stone back into its "angry sludge" form (as Thor calls it), Steve has to sneak through Asgard to find Jane Foster. This could involve Steve needing to change his attire to fit in with the normal Asgardian appearance or completely avoid detection from the guards or even 2013's Thor - especially after Steve puts Mjolnir back too. Regardless, Captain America's objective here is to re-inject the Aether into Jane. This is an incredibly awkward thing to do and could be easily detected by Jane. Even if Steve is able to secretly put the Reality Stone back inside Jane, it still makes him responsible for her getting sick again. However, this is what Steve must do unless he's willing to not clip this branched reality.

Returning The Power Stone to Star-Lord

Star-Lord finds the Orb at the beginning of Guardians of the Galaxy

Lastly, Captain America would get the chance to possibly encounter Peter Quill aka Star-Lord when putting the Power Stone back on Morag. Steve could try and return it while Quill is still unconscious. That way when he wakes up, the Orb is back in its temple and the events of Guardians of the Galaxy can proceed, even though this timeline no longer has a Thanos, Gamora, or Nebula. Since the timeline is already changed significantly, Captain America and Star-Lord could also have a conversation. Peter could know who Captain America is from his time on Earth before Yondu abducted him. This would come as a big surprise to Star-Lord and inevitably lead to him asking multiple questions about how Steve is there. Captain America could even refer to Peter as Star-Lord to make the 2014 version even happier. Furthermore, it’d give two major MCU characters a chance to interact after not sharing a single exchange on screen to date.

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