Snakebite | Avengers: Endgame [8]

Epilogue

Everything was dark, like someone had covered up the moon and all the stars. I knew where I was. This was death. It was oddly...peaceful in a way. Like all the worry in the world had been washed away and I was left with only the good things.

Suddenly, in front of me, a light clicked on, showing some sort of video. My mom, laughing as she swung me around as my arms were stuck out like I was flying. My dad kissing me goodnight. Me and Olive with our arms wrapped around each other, grins on our faces as we posed for a picture before doubling over with laughter.  Me sitting by my mother's side, her passing me her dog tags.

Olive knocking on my door as I sat with my back against it, my legs tucked up to my chest as tears poured down my face. Me running into a closet as people shouted around me. Me storming out of Mr. Beel's house and stealing his car. Opening the Quinjet door. Confronting Loki.

Saving the doctor. Meeting my family. Finding Cl--Dad in the vents. Decorating the Christmas tree. Getting the scepter.

The after-party. Finding Tasha. Sokovia. Holding Nat in my arms. Recruiting Scott.

 The Civil War. Getting engaged. Meeting the Guardians. The dusting. Returning to Earth.

Finding my family's remains. Talking with Steve. Testing time travel. Mourning Tasha. The Blip.

Confronting Thanos. Everyone returning. The battle. My final stand. My death.

Orange light flooded my senses. I looked at my hand, still in a snapping position. I looked around, trying to find out where I was. "Mom?" I turned, seeing a beautiful young woman standing behind me. "Do you know who I am?" She asked.

"Nat," I breathed. "Hi, mom," she said, smiling. "Are you from t-the future?" I asked, and she nodded. "Well, sort of. I'm not sure what I am," she admitted. Tears suddenly brimmed in my eyes, threatening to spill over.

"I am so, so, so sorry. I promised myself I-I would always be there for you a-and now I'm...oh, Nat. You don't deserve this," I stuttered. "Mom. Just because you're not here physically doesn't mean you're not part of my life. Cli--Gramps tells me stories about you every month. I have all your things. I know how cheesy it sounds, but you're here in spirit. And that's enough," she assured me. I smiled, taking her face in my hands. "I'm grateful we get this moment. How old are you?" I asked. "Sixteen," she said.

"Anyone I need to lecture from beyond the grave?" I joked. "Well, uh, there's this one girl..." she trailed off, twiddling her fingers, and I smiled. "I'm messing with you, kiddo. What's her name?" I asked. "Katya. She goes to my school," she said, looking away. "I know you're prob--" she started.

"Kiddo, I had a crush on Black Widow. You're fine. Hell, I had a crush on my old friend Olive. I don't care," I said. "I have to go, now," she said softly. I wrapped her in a hug, stroking her hair.

 "Don't let anyone expect things from you just because you're my daughter. Don't do what you think I would do, do what you would do,"

The scene shifted, revealing a large orange plane with a lone figure standing in front of a gate. "Hello," a sweet, elderly voice said. "My name is Stan. Stan Lee. And you are?" I turned, seeing an elderly man with a kind smile on his face. "I'm Ellie," I said. "Ah, Miss Barton. I've been waiting for you. Come, they've been waiting to see you," he held an arm out behind me, leading me through the gate.

Immediately, I was tackled by a blue blur. "Pietro!" I exclaimed, returning the hug. "My sister--is she alright?" he asked, and I nodded causing a grin to spread across his face. "Oh! Vision," I saw the red synthoid holding out a hand. Ignoring his hand, I hugged him.

"Miss Ellie, it's good to see you," he said. "No hug for us?" I turned, seeing my mother standing there with a hug. "Looks like you didn't waste your life, after all," she whispered. "I guess I didn't," I responded, hugging my dad before being tackled by two kids. "Sissy! We've been waiting for ages to meet you!" One exclaimed.

"It's great to finally meet you too," I said, wrapping my arms around them. They let go, backing up. "She's waiting for you," the other said quietly, pointing towards a lake. I walked over, finding a red-headed figure standing at the edge. "'Tasha?" I asked tentatively.

"Did you do it?" she asked, not turning to face me. "Yes," I said softly. "What did it cost?" she asked. "My life and yours," I answered, standing next to her. "What was it worth?" she asked, as we looked at each other, and I smiled.

"Everything,"

The End.