Ever After

Part 13 - Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Apart from the lack of a Hulk size hole in the roof, the Sanctum looks exactly as it did from the outside; you climb up the fire escape to the rooftop, where Bruce told you the Ancient One would be fighting off the Chitauri. "You just missed him," She chimes out as you reach the top, almost scaring you back down again. You just catch the Bruce disappearing before stepping off the top of the ladder. "I'm assuming Bruce's plans went well then."

"Didn't you already know that?" You smirk, taking the stone out and letting it swiftly float back to her. 

"It could have gone either way," She smiles back, accepting the stone and letting it settle once again into the Eye of Agamotto. "My time is set, I can't see past it's influence." She walks over to a glass table, pouring two cups of tea before turning and handing you one. "But I do know of you Bella Thomas."

The tea smells full of spices, unsettling your stomach. Politely accepting it, you take a sip, before placing it down on the rooftop. "I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not," You shrug, feeling nervous in her presence. 

"I make it my mission to learn and understand people out of their time," She shrugs, sipping her tea. "I know all about you and Mr Rogers. Mr Barnes too." You both turn as you see and feel the ground tremble beneath you as one of the gargantuan creatures slam into an opposing building; looking over the Manhattan skyline you see that the blue beam of the tesseract has stopped, the battle was over. Steve would be handing back the sceptre to HYDRA at any moment.  "You fascinate me, truly." She smiles, causing you to take a step back.

"You know I thought Strange was a pompous ass, but lady you are really freaking me out. No offence."

"None taken," Placing the cup down she takes your hands, squeezing them tightly. "You didn't use it for your own ends, why?"

"Use what?"

"The time stone." She looks deeply into your eyes. "You could have used it to save them all, why didn't you?" Her tone is curious, before she takes a step back, eyes widening. Her words send shivers down your spine. "I see. Captain Rogers barks an order and you must follow." Ripping your hands away from her you head back to the fire escape. "Interesting. Pity it's about to come to an end, you were so close."

"I don't know what your problem is..."

"Strange was right Bella, whatever he told you. You can't save him. That's the lesson you'll need to learn before the end."  Shaking your head in frustration, you start to climb down; desperation mixed with rage filling your stomach to get to Steve, to get out of here. "The road is about to get tougher Bella. Whatever you feel is right is immaterial. Don't stray from the path, stick with Steve." 

***

Charging through the streets, you don't care anymore if people see you. You can't quite comprehend the Ancient One's words, but they fill you with nothing but dread and panic. Finding Steve waiting for you in the alleyway you throw yourself into his arms; him dropping the case to return the hug. "What happened?" He asks as you sob into his shoulder, rubbing your back with one hand. "Belle, talk to me." Pulling away from him, he softly wipes the tears from your eyes. "Belle?"

As you tell him about what the Ancient One said, he screws his face up in confusion. "You have any idea what she meant by that?" Not wanting to admit it to you, he shakes his head. Bending down to pick up the case, he takes you by the other hand. You quickly wipe away the last of the tears before turning to him. "Let's just get rid of this last one and then we can go home. I'm over this." You set up your suit to leave, but nothing happens. Looking up at Steve you see he's staring over at something else.

Following his eye line the tears pull at your mind again; right across from the alleyway is Shawarma Palace, and the seven of you have just walked in. Remembering that moment you have to swallow down a fresh sob before squeezing Steve's hand tightly.

Watching as you, Nat and Barton are laughing together; Steve and Thor jesting about something; and Tony, being less than sensitive but particularly focused on helping Bruce relax. You were all so loud, terrifying the poor owners; by the time the food came you were all so exhausted that you say in silence eating, letting the aches and pains just catch up with you. "I forgot about that day," You let out a little sob, as well as a smile, which eventually turns into a little chuckle. "Earth's mightiest heroes." 

It had been the start of something spectacular; and something you would never have ever again. The urge to go over for a closer look is tantalising; the same urge to pull Tony and Nat into a huge hug even worse. "Let's go." Steve's voice breaks, feeling the same effects of the sight of you all together. "One last job." He sighs, still undecided about what comes next.