STEVE'S POV

Each time, it's harder to get up again, but I always do. Everything aches. I never knew when to stop. So I stagger up, tighten my broken shield, and walk forward with as much bravery as I can muster. Something inside of me has decided to face Thanos' entire army alone.

"Hey Cap, you read me?"

I blink. I haven't heard his voice in five years. Am I imagining?

"Cap, it's Sam. Can you hear me?"

I glance backwards this time to see an orange portal opening.

"On your left."

T'Challa, Shuri, and Okoye emerge from the portal. The king nods respectfully at me, determination in his eyes. Then Sam flies out of the portal and over Thanos' army, but that's the least of his concerns.

All over the field, portals open, revealing people I haven't seen in five years, but I don't register any of them. The rallying cry of the Wakandans echoes around me, but I don't say anything. I'm too distracted.

She's here.

Mer emerges from a portal with Wanda, the two of them whispering about something. She's too far down for me to get to right now, but the fact that I can see her is enough. Her head whips back and forth, and I can tell she's looking for me.

"AVENGERS!" I yell as they all join behind me, forming the strongest, most formidable team the universe has ever known. Thanos just stares at us all, trying to seem indifferent, but I watch the apprehension on his face grow. Pietro appears next to me, blood trickling down his cheek and covered in dirt, but as soon as I point at the two of them, a grin stretches across his face. Thor stands on my other side, gripping Stormbreaker. He nods to me, and Mjölnir flies into my grasp.

Across the battlefield, my eyes meet hers.

"Assemble."