I think you’re trying to clarify that shorting where a capacitor goes won’t provide any useful power.

But electrons will certainly flow and do things.

In useful terms, there will be no useful power. In safety terms, there will be some dangerous unexpected-by-the-designer-of-the-circuit power.

It can let the magic smoke out, yes.

The purpose of a capacitor is to build up charge slowly, and release a larger charge suddenly, under very specific conditions. The specific conditions are determined by the exact model of capacitor.

A direct connection at a point where a capacitor once was won’t do the job. It’ll both provide too much power (compared to zero) and too little (compared to the burst of extra power on release).

Shorting a spot where a capacitor once was will almost certainly damage other components.

If you’re sure there was a capacitor there, and can find out which one, then you want to install (solder in) a fresh capacitor of the exact same make and model.

There’s a great science principle on display here.

We learn by discovering what we were wrong about, in increasing detail. It doesn’t always feel great, but it’s still pretty cool.

Also, an equally important life principle is also in play:

Marine animals are cool and really big animals are cool and evidence left by prehistoric things is cool. And when all three are in play, the coolness is cubed.