Infixity War

Oh! Hey Squeaky!

"Tony!"

I call, waving a hand, but not catching the billionaire's focus.

"Stephen, there."

Tugging the sorcerer's sleeve and pointing, I lead my partner in time-crime towards the playboy philanthropist.

"Tony!"

I call again, finally getting his attention.

"Oh! Hey Squeaky!"

His face perks up and I get a friendly bro-hug as I approach. Stephen clearing his throat before explaining the situation.

"We need your assistance. Well all the avengers really. -speaking of- Maddie can you get Bruce?"

"Only if you open the gateway."

Stephen sighs at my response, but quickly complies, inwardly relieved he wouldn't feel the disconnect. Within a minute I was walking Dr. Banner back through the portal.

"Bruce!"

Tony trotted up to his pal, embracing his fellow scientist warmly, arms dropping back to his sides as he steps back and gives Stephen a questioning look.

"So what's going on?"

"Thanos has returned. And now he has something capable of wielding all the infinity stones."

Tony's face drops, eyes going dark as he's bombarded with images he'd rather not remember.

"Hey~"

I pat my friend's back, a motherly softness behind my actions as I get a grim, appreciative smile in return. A calculated tone cutting through our small exchange.

"We need you all to assist in defending the infinity stones on Earth. The mind stone is our main concern, as the time stone is with me."

Tony seems to take the topic as a distraction.

"Well, I have no clue where Vision is."

"Know anyone who does?"

"Not anyone I'm on good terms with."

"Are you and Steve fighting again?"

I interject, getting a regretful nod. Stephen just seems irritated as he lets out a sharp sigh.

"Well figure out how to find him. We don't have much time. As it is, Thanos' minions are probably en route to our position."

Almost like it was waiting for Strange's verbal cue, a dark shadow overtakes the city of New York. Two figures dropping down from the ship. Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian.

Maw begins spouting off monologue as I set my weight, bending my knees.

"Maddie, take your magic back."

Stephen's hissed whisper sends my gaze towards him, my face set as I shake my head.

"You need your power to fight."

He asserts, almost sounding desperate, it's then I remember he'd looked through many timelines before I convinced him to try and break the loop by going back to rescue the Asgardians. It's a brick to my ribcage. He must've seen me die...

:How many times did I watch him die in the timelines I didn't get to see?:

My expression skews, but I refuse to pull my magic from him.