chasing waterfalls [Peter Parker]

~41~

"Alright. The glove's ready." I looked at a box where a glove made of Tony's armor was turned into a gauntlet. On one of the knuckles was an orange stone. The Soul Stone. Just looking at it made me sick. Rocket was standing over it. "Question is, who's gonna snap their freakin' fingers?" We all looked at each other until Thor stood up.

"I'll do it." Everyone turned to face the Asgardian.

"Excuse me?" Tony asked. Thor started walking towards the stone. Cap and Tony tried to stop him.

"Thor. Just wait. We haven't decided who's gonna put that on yet." Cap gestured to the gauntlet.

"I'm sorry, what?" Thor asked. "What, we're all just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?"

"We should at least discuss it." Scott chimed in. Thor shook his head.

"Look, sitting here staring at that thing is not gonna bring everybody back." I looked down at the ground, trying not to cry. "I'm the strongest Avenger, okay? So, this responsibility falls upon me. It's my duty." Tony moved closer to him to calm him down.

"Normally, you're right. It's not about that." Thor tried to push him aside. "Hey buddy."

"Stop it. Just let me." I saw tears in his eyes. "Just let me do it. Just let me do something right." It was like he was begging Tony to let him. Tony sighed.

"Look, it's not just the fact that that glove is channeling enough energy to light up a continent. I'm telling you. You're in no condition."

"What do you think is coursing through my veins right now?"

"Cheez whiz?" Rhodey responded. I chuckled silently. Thor glared at Rhodey and turned back to Tony.

"Lightning." Banner sighed.

"Lightning won't help you pal. It's gotta be me." I looked over at Banner. "You saw what those stones did to Thanos. They almost killed him. None of you could survive." He walked over to the gauntlet. I almost wanted to stop him. He was one of Nat's closest friends. I didn't want him to die. But I knew he couldn't die.

"How do we know you will?" Cap asked. Banner looked down at the gauntlet.

"We don't. But the radiation's mostly gamma. It's like I was made for this." He grabbed the gauntlet which looked small in his hands.

"Good to go, yeah?" Tony checked. Banner nodded.

"Let's do it." I backed up. I was not about to get hit by a blast of energy.

"Okay remember." Tony started. "Everyone Thanos snapped away five years ago, you're just bringing them back to now, today. Don't change anything from the last five years." I knew he was talking about his family, but it still stung. Everyone put on their helmets. "Friday, do me a favor and activate Barn Door Protocol, will ya?"

"Yes, boss." Every door in the building shut and all the windows covered. I got in a fighting stance so that I would be ready.

Banner sighed. "Everybody comes home." Banner nodded and put the glove on. Since it was Stark tech, it expanded as he put it on. Immediately, a burst of color spread all over his body. He bent over in pain, clutching his hand.

"Take it off. Take it off." Thor yelled. Cap held out a hand.

"No, wait. Bruce are you okay?"

"Talk to me Banner." Tony said from behind a shield. Banner stood up, more of his arm burned.

"I'm okay." He slowly raised his arm up and snapped his fingers. All the lights went out. Banner fell to the ground, the glove smoking. Everyone went over to help Banner, but I had something else in mind.

I went over to the other room and pulled out my phone. After five years, I was surprised I still knew the number. I dialed it and waited for it to ring. After two minutes, I heard a voice. It was groggy, but I knew who it was.

"Hello?" I sighed in relief. I started to cry again.

"Oh my god, Dani. It's you. You're back." I heard Lily stammer on the other end.

"I'm back, what do you mean I'm back? You called me an hour ago." I realized that the five years didn't pass for anyone who was snapped.

"There's a lot I have to catch you up on. Go find your mom. She will want to see you." Dani chuckled.

"Okay? I'm gonna go talk to her. MOM?" I heard her yell at her mom on the other end. I then heard crying, I assume from her mom. I looked back at everyone and then everything exploded.