John then went to Oa to collect the power stone and the other stones from various places. For the first time in the history of their universe the infinity stones were coming together.

He went to Strange for the time stone and asked for his advice on the soul stone.

"You want me to give away the time stone?" Strange asked

"Yes. There is no other way. You can look into the future yourself." John said. He himself once looked into the possible future in handling Black Winter and this was the the way where they had the highest percentage of winning,

Strange then proceeded to look into the future using the time stone. And after few minutes of looking into it he had creases in his eyebrows

"Is there something wrong?" John asked.

"No. It's just. We will be losing the anchor that holds the universe together. I hope this is worth it."

"I hope so too." John said as Strange handed him the time stone.

"What will you do with the soul stone?" Strange asked. They had access to all the stones except for the soul.

"I am here for that. I need to sacrifice a soul close to me to get the soul stone. Do you have any idea how I can bypass that? All I am thinking about is using the lives of convicts who are lovers." John asked as really had no idea.

"How dumb are you John. Don't you have the philosopher's stone? When will you put that to use?" Strange asked as he had a weird look on his face. John had Gate of Baylon and he should have had that much intellect to process that.

"But the souls in philosopher's stone aren't anyone who are close to me." John reiterated.

"Does it matter? The soul stone gives itself in exchange for a soul. Here we are giving more than one soul. The soul stone should be happy about it." Strange said as he already knew where the soul stone was and its history. Being a child of the world tree brought him immense knowledge.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Alright. I will try this." John said. Even though he had high intellect he didn't use this power often. John then went to Steve who was in the hidden dimension.

Diana too was living with him there nowadays. They have finally moved in together and they both handled the league. By now Killmonger had become one of the most important generals of the League and looked over the general situation of the League.

Killmonger was happy with the work being done by the League. In maintaining order and rooting out the evil in the most efficient way possible. John appeared near the gate of the headquarters and walked in.

He went straight to where Steve was and knocked in

"It's been sometime you came here. Any problems?" Steve asked as he was talking with Killmonger

"Problems? No. I am here to meet an old friend. Do you want to accompany me?" John asked.

"Old friend? Who?" Steve was curious when John said that.

"That's a secret. Want to go?" John asked again without revealing the details.

"Alright." Steve replied.

And the next moment he and Steve appeared in Vormir. On the entrance for the soul stone's tomb. It was kind of dark all around. There was an eclipse in the sky and it was cold with little bits of snow falling.

Steve didn't expect such a change of scenery. He was thinking that John would take him somewhere on Earth. he didn't expect John to take to a whole new planet.

"Where is this?" Steve asked.

"Almost at the centre of our universe. The place where we can get the soul stone." as John said that a dark figure came levitating by. It's whole body was covered in rags and he looked more like a ghost than a person.

"Welcome, John, son of John Jonah Jameson and uhh... Steve son of Joseph Rogers." said the figure levitating.

"What the..." Steve said, looking at the figure. He knew the face. He even fought him once. The man who was the reason behind his sleep.

"Red skull?" Steve almost screamed when he said that.

"Yes. Steve Rogers. It's been some time." Red Skull said.

"Why are you here? Are you not dead?" Steve said as now he was in fighting mode.

"It's alright Captain. He is in his punishment. He can't leave this place and he will have to guard this dead tomb forever till eternity."

"Wait. You mean he is the guardian of the soul stone? That's a stupid decision. He wanted to use the space stone. What stops him from using the soul stone?" Steve said as he was ready to chug his shield at Red Skull.

"I can only see the stones but never touch them nor use them. This is my punishment for trying to use the power which was never meant for me." Red Skull replied he didn't show any agitation with the reaction of Steve.