What Does The Ending Of Captain America: Civil War Really Mean?

What Happens At The End?

As the film enters its third act, it's revealed that the whole plot up to that point had been part of a scheme orchestrated by Zemo to get the Avengers to tear themselves a part as recompense for his family's death during the events of Avengers: Age Of Ultron. He reveals that Tony Stark's parents were killed by Bucky, forcing him into a fight Cap and The Winter Soldier. Black Panther takes the villain hostage and, after a brutal fight, Steve Rogers incapacitates, rather than killing, Iron Man, leaving his shield, which Tony claims his father's, behind.

Tony returns to the Avengers compound where the Accords are in effect and gets a letter from Steve saying he'll still be there if he's needed. Simultaneously, a costume-less Captain America frees the captured Avengers.