Project Rebirth — A Genius Who Didn't Interfere
Howard Stark moved quickly when he was excited.
Two days after their meeting, Alexander Ashborn received an invitation marked CONFIDENTIAL.
Hera raised an eyebrow as Alex read it.
"Project Rebirth?" she asked.
Alex nodded.
"Time to stand near history. Not on it."
The laboratory was quiet when Alex entered—filled with the smell of chemicals, metal, and ambition.
A thin man with kind eyes and a heavy accent stepped forward.
"Dr. Abraham Erskine," he introduced himself. "You are Mr. Ashborn?"
"Alexander," Alex replied, offering a respectful nod.
Howard wasted no time.
"Alex here is a genius," he announced. "I want him to review the serum."
Several scientists stiffened.
Erskine watched Alex closely—not with suspicion, but curiosity.
Alex examined the notes.
Carefully.
With Ciel's help, he saw everything—what worked, what failed, what would exist in the future.
And then he did something unexpected.
He did not improve it.
Instead, he reproduced—perfectly—the final serum Erskine would one day complete.
No enhancements.
No deviations.
No timeline break.
Alex slid the documents back across the table.
"This is good," he said simply.
Erskine blinked.
"…Good?"
"It's complete," Alex continued. "Your approach is sound. You only need to refine one stabilizing component."
He pointed gently.
"I didn't invent it," Alex added. "I just adjusted the proportions."
Erskine studied the formula.
Then his hands began to shake.
"This… this is my work," he whispered. "But finished."
He looked up at Alex, eyes shining.
"You saw it," he said quietly. "What I couldn't yet."
Alex smiled.
"You were already there."
The room buzzed.
No one doubted Alex's brilliance.
And yet—
Alex stepped back.
"I don't want to be deeply involved," he said. "I'm an investor, not a soldier."
Howard frowned.
"You're sure?"
Alex nodded.
"On the surface only."
Erskine regarded him thoughtfully.
"…A wise decision."
And so Alexander Ashborn became part of Project Rebirth—not as its architect, but as a quiet supporter who ensured it reached its destined form.
History remained intact.
The Stark Expo — A Glorious Failure
That evening, Alex and Hera attended a Stark event.
Hera wore an elegant gown—simple by her standards, devastating by mortal ones.
Howard took the stage, grinning.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, "prepare to witness the future!"
The car descended.
It started.
It sputtered.
It caught fire.
It exploded.
Silence.
Then laughter.
Howard coughed, adjusting his tie.
"…Well. Back to the drawing board."
Alex chuckled beside Hera.
"Still canon," he murmured.
Hera tilted her head.
"…Canon?"
"Never mind."
She laughed anyway.
As the crowd dispersed, Hera leaned closer.
"I like this era," she said softly. "It's flawed."
Alex smiled.
"That's what makes it human."
Quiet Observations
Abraham Erskine stared at the serum late that night.
"This young man," he murmured, "knows when not to change the world."
Howard poured himself a drink, thinking of Alex's suggestions.
Peggy Carter watched the stage lights fade, searching the crowd instinctively.
And Alexander Ashborn—
Stood at the edge of history, letting it unfold.
Exactly as it should.