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John loses track of how much he has drunk.
Thanks to the exceptional tolerance to alcohol passed down from Watson, even after all the drinking, there still remains one part of his mind that stays sharp to think.
Sherlock… is dead. This time, it’s for real. He died during the mission in Eastern Europe, and his body was never recovered.
When John first hears the news, he can’t believe it. He assumes it’s another cruel joke until Mycroft—who is always rational and indifferent—bursts into his flat and punches him in the face. “Dr. Watson, you killed my brother,” Mycroft shouts, grief breaking through his normally composed exterior.
John collapses to the ground, Mycroft’s words nearly crushing him. The usually impeccable gentleman shows no mercy, his icy blue eyes, which are similar to Sherlock’s, filling with unmistakable hatred. John feels all the strength draining away, as he lies on the cold floor, barely aware of the tremors running through him. His vision blurs, and heart wails in fierce beating.
Another funeral, but this one is real. John finds Sherlock’s parents, whom he had met once, breaking down in front of the gravestone. Mycroft silently places his arm around his mother, offering little comfort. The grave isn’t a proper one—agents sent to Eastern Europe failed to find Sherlock’s body, all that lies beneath are his coat and beloved violin.
John secretly keeps Sherlock’s scarf, and though Mycroft must know, he doesn't stop. At the moment, the scarf is tightly wrapped around John’s neck. Even while guzzling liquor, John is carefully ensuring that it doesn't get stained. The slight scent of Sherlock still lingers on the scarf, and John buries his face in the soft fabric, fighting back the tears.
About a week after the funeral, Mycroft visits again. He looks thinner than before, stands in front of John with a black umbrella. “You have a chance to bring Sherlock back,” he says arrogantly.
John, still recovering from his hangover, isn’t sure if he is hallucinating. Mycroft frowns, and before John can protest, Mycroft’s men knock him out and take him away.
When John awakens, he finds himself in a sterile lab. A scientist in white coat explains the details of the “Retrieval Project” . John doesn’t understand the technical jargon about quantum physics, but he gathers enough to know that through this project, he can go back in time and see Sherlock again.
Without hesitation, John agrees to participate in this dangerous experiment. The scientist warns him that previous trials have been conducted on death row inmates, and the risk is still high. Despite a few successful cases, she advises against participating while the project is still unstable.
But John doesn’t move. He is willing to give up his remaining life for even a chance to save Sherlock. He says farewell to Harry, Lestrade, and Mrs. Hudson over the next three days, telling them he is going on a journey without return.
Dressed in protective gear, John enters the experimental site as a soldier.