Maya Stark

Chapter 40: Five years later...?

...For about two minutes, maybe? Then I was falling. All I saw was ground and then arms catching me before I could hit the ground. I take a deep breath as I get my bearings and look up, my eyes meeting with Parkers.

'What the hell?' I breathe out before closing my eyes for a second. I look at Peter who had a stupidly adorable smile. I watched him turn to dust. What the hell? 'You...what the hell is happening?' Peter helps me to my feet, and I turn to see the rest of the people I saw turn to dust, my hand still on Peter's arm.

'They did it,' Strange breathed and I stared at him. 'There's not a lot of time to explain. All I can say is that it's been five years since half the population, including us, got turned to dust. Your dad must have figured it out, Maya.'

'Five years...' I mumble, a feeling of numbness coming over me. My dad spent five years without me. Oh my god, what if Pepper disappeared too. I felt panic edge into my mind. Peter pulled my hand into his hand, bringing me back to reality. He gives it a squeeze when I look at him.

'I'm glad you're not dead, Spidey,' I say as Strange starts to do the circle portal thing.

'I'm glad you didn't have to spend five years without me,' he said, smiling still. 'That would be torture for you.'

I smile a little, but it fades quickly. 'Like it has been for my dad.' His smile drops slightly.

'We got to go, they need us,' Strange said. I shove my necklace into my suit.

Peter and I were the last ones to go through the portal. I look around at the battlefield. There were a lot of enemies, but our team was growing by the second. I see Steve in front and make a beeline towards him, letting go of Peter's hand as he stays put. I'm almost to him when Scott emerges from the rubble of what I can only assume is the compound. They always get destroyed. He was holding two people I couldn't make out. I get to Steve as he summons Thor's hammer, making me grin widely.

'Long time no see, Cap,' I said.

He turns to me in shock with relief floating into his features. 'You have no idea, kid.'

'Nice hammer.'

'Thanks,' he said, smiling. 'You want to do the honors?'

I laugh. 'Not a chance.' I summon energy to swirl around my hands and turn to face Thanos's army.

'AVENGERS!' Steve shouted. 'Assemble.'