The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

sixty-five - survivor

Rubble. Destruction. Devastation.

The Compound had been completely demolished. Water from the lake began pouring into the craters created where they Compound used to be. Pockets of flames spread out across the field covered in dust and rubble. Rhodey, Scott, Bruce, Rocket and Clint became trapped below the collapsing Avengers Facility. 

Thor, however landed above ground and was first back to his feet, not feeling any insignificance from the impact of the bombs sent down from the ship. The ship - Sanctuary II, parked itself in the sky across the field, facing the destroyed facility. A beam of light shone down revealing the culprit of the attack - 2014 Thanos with the aide of his daughters Nebula and Gamora. 

Tony stumbled through the wreckage, exposed electrical wires becoming a hazard. Tony spotted the shield, a shield that carried such significance to him. He scooped it into his hands, knowing Steve wasn't far behind. Several feet away, Tony spotted Steve laying face up in the dirt, "Come on, buddy." Tony spoke, kneeling down beside Steve, "Wake up!" Steve gasped, opening his eyes, "That's my man. You lose this again, I'm keeping it." Steve sat up, grunting with the stiffness. He looked around, almost frantically. Tony noticed this, he too looking around, "Where's Kat?"

Steve looked to him, shaking his head, "I don't know. I had her -" Tony stood up, reaching out his hand. Steve took his hand, grunting as he stood. 

Tony looked to Steve, his heart beginning to race. Knowing how fragile she had become over the last few years, Tony worried for her with an attack like this. "I'll find her." Tony said to Steve. Steve sighed, nodding to Tony before taking his shield from him and slowly making his way to Thor. Thor stood perched in an opening, overlooking the field of devastation. The ship casting a shadow on the ground below. Thanos sat on a rock, waiting. For what, Thor was mildly curious about. 

Tony trudded through more rubble, "Kat." He called, hoping she could hear him in person or through her in-ear radio. "Kat!" 

"Over here!" A voice called back. 

Tony rushed ahead, toward the voice. Not far from where he stood, Katherine lay on the ground. She was covered in dust, her voice was raspy. Tony ran to her side, helping her to her feet. She sported several fresh cuts on her face. Tony cupped her face, checking her over for any other serious damage, "Are you okay?" 

Katherine looked to her heavily concerned brother and nodded with a cough. Particles of dust flew from her mouth as she tried to catch her breath. "What happened?" She asked, regaining her footing, holding onto Tony's arm for a moment for balance. 

Tony sighed, holding onto his sisters arm until she felt steady, "You mess with time, it tends to mess back. You'll see." 

Tony hooked his arm under Katherine's. He helped her and guided her to Thor and Steve who remained where Tony left them - staring at the field below. Steve and Thor greeted Katherine with a smile as she joined their sides. Katherine looked across at the devastation. She sighed before quickly gasping as her eyes fell upon Thanos. A man presumed dead five years prior - something she had witnessed. "What's he been doing?" Katherine asked softly, glancing to Steve and Thor. 

Thor didn't take his eyes from him, "Absolutely nothing." He responded, holding his stare on the being. He sat there, fiddling with his fingers. His double-edged sword was stuck into the ground, standing tall above him, his helmet resting on the top. 

Katherine furrowed her brows at the being, questioning what his motives were. "Where are the stones?" Steve asked, also fixating his gaze on Thanos. 

"Somewhere under all this." Tony breathed, glancing around at the ruins they stood on. "All I know is that he doesn't have them."