Irrational

Chapter 54 - Lets Find Out

You all stand in your training room. It was the most resilient, and also on the outside of compound, to avoid damage in case this went wrong.

"Okay Thor, put the gauntlet on Bruce's hand" Tony instructs.

Everyone looked tense, uneasy and terrified. Tony kept glancing over at you, trying to get a read on you but there was no expression to gather, you were numb.

Clint stood by your side as he had done for the past five years. You hadn't fell out with Tony but with the distance and the false hopes you felt closer to Clint and Thor.

Once the gauntlet was placed on Bruce's hand. He was hit with bolts of electric energy and further gamma radiation coursing through his veins.

He screamed out in pain, tensing and throwing his head back, as you all watched the six colours of the infinity stones edge towards his head and heart.

You look at Tony, your face now screaming worry, panic and he gives you a subtle smile and nod.

Thor takes a few steps back and stands protectively in front of Clint, who had pushed you behind him slightly, creating a barrier for you.

Your heart was racing, then you glanced at Gamora. She was terrified, but she also looked hurt, also begging for this to work. Understandable, we lost our people to the snap, he sacrificed himself to make this happen again...

You just prayed it wasn't for nothing.

You all did.

"He can't take this Tony, find another way" Nat screams.

"No, no I'm okay, I'm gonna do it. Get ready" Bruce responded, in agony.

Steve hid him and Nat behind his shield, Tony had the Guardians behind one of his shields whilst he was in his suit, you and Clint had a power surged Thor to hide behind.

Then the snap...

Everything went white, all you heard were screams from Bruce. You closed your eyes to shield them from the light, then as you opened them. Nothing changed.

Your heart broke, your stomach twisted and all you saw was a weak Bruce/Hulk with a burnt, crisp arm, collapsed on the floor, incoherent to the world around him.

Gamora fled, tears streaming down her face, Mantis had to leave with Drax as she was overwhelmed with the emotions she could sense.

Nat and Steve hid their disappointment as best they could, whilst rushing to tend to Bruce... but they were as devastated as everyone. Including Tony.

Whilst everyone else looked after Bruce, you walked over to Tony who was examining his board, checking timelines, muttering to himself. "We must have missed something, there's got to be something".

You give him a sad look and place your hand on his shoulder.

"Pops, come on."

He turns with tears filling his eyes, without hesitating or questioning it, he pulls you into a tight hug, holding your head to his chest and stroking your hair.

"I'm sorry sport, I'm so-so-sorry" He sobbed.

"I know pops, I know. You've tried everything, this isn't you. It's him" You spit the last words out like they were battery acid stinging your throat.

"I thought we had it this time. I really did" Tony sobs.

Then a ringtone plays that silences everyone. It was Robin Hood and Little John Walking Through the Forest. It was the ringtone Clint's kids put on his phone as a joke once they got old enough to understand his job..