A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

FORTY

     Astrid slowly gets up, steadying herself on her feet as she looks around. All of her friends one by one have been taken down, and now she looks to Tony and Thanos. Tony has been pierced through his stomach with a blade from Thanos and Strange seems to be handing over the time stone.

"No..." the sight is heartbreaking. Their one shot and they blew it.

As she's running towards them, Thanos suddenly disappears. Astrid finally reaches Tony who is already stitching himself up. She kneels down next to him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" He doesn't answer her though. His face filled with shock.

The group recover and walk towards Tony and Astrid, all unsure of what just happened.

"Did we just lose?" Quill speaks up.

"What did you do?" Astrid barely whispers. But Tony hears her loud and clear signalling her not to bother.

"What?" Quills asks as he didn't hear the Vanaheim girl.

"We almost had it! But you had to go and ruin everything!" Astrid has never gotten angry like this with any of her friends before. But something took over her body and she couldn't help it.

"I-I'm sorry... it's just that he-"

"No! You didn't think, Quill!" Quill fell silent but Astrid only continued. "Don't forget I lost someone too! The most precious person in the world to me, not only that but I lost my child who I will never get to meet!" Astrid was crying again. She had been strong for so long and this was her breaking point.

"I'm sorry..." Quill could only apologise as they watched the girl fall down to her knees in defeat. Mantis once again came to her rescue her new friend, rubbing her back in circular motions to comfort her. Peter also came to her aid asking if he could do anything to help.

Quill exchanged glances with Tony, knowing what he had done wrong. It was now up to the Avengers back at home to protect the final stone.

~

On Wakanda, Thanos places the final stone in the gauntlet. A surge of power rushes through his body as he cries out. He admires his work while suddenly, a bolt of lightning strikes him down sending him flying backwards. He looks up to see Thor flying towards him at some speed. He aims the gauntlet at Thor, while the God swings Stormbreaker at him with some force. It lands in Thanos' chest as Thor lands in front of him.

Thor looks at the monster with pure hatred. He's finally done it. He's fulfilled Astrid's wishes and avenged Loki, as well as his friends and the citizens of Asgard he lost that day. Thor grabs Thanos' head, making sure all attention was on him.

"I told you. You'd die for that." Thor pushes Stormbreaker into Thanos further causing him to shout out in pain.

"You... you should have..." Thanos' breathing became shallow while Thor was listening to his last words as his final breath drew near. "You should have gone for the head."

Thor's eyes widened as Thanos brought his hand up. Without a chance to do anything, Thanos snapped his fingers...

~

Back on Titan, Astrid has once again calmed down while the remaining guardians and avengers are still processing their loss.

"Something... is happening." Astrid looks to Mantis who is sat by her side as she suddenly disappears into ashes.

"Wh... No!" Astrid tries to grab her hand but it was too late. She then stands up watching the others around her disappear one by one.

Drax was the next to go as Quill watches in horror before turning to Tony.

"Steady, Quill."

"Aw man." Quill then disappears into ashes.

Astrid walks back to Tony unable to process what is going on.

"What's happening to them?" Her voice was panicked, and Tony was unable to answer.

"Tony." Astrid and Tony turn to Dr Strange. "There was no other way."

Strange then gets erased while Astrid couldn't believe that no matter how they looked at it. They would lose.

"Mr Stark?" Tony and Astrid turn towards the spider boy. He looks terrified. "Ms Astrid... I don't feel so good."

Tony is doing all he can to stay calm in front of the boy as walks to him. "You're all right."

"I don't know what... I don't know what's happening. I don't..." Peter falls into Stark's arms, clutching him tightly and crying as they fall to the ground. "Save me, save me! I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go, Mr Stark, please. Please, I don't wanna go. I don't wanna go..." Astrid could only watch in horror at the young boy so scared for his life.

"I'm sorry." Peter then disappears into ashes.

Nebula walks over to Tony and Astrid, seeing Thanos' victory.

"He did it."