Parker Luck

Come Into my Parlour

Adjusting the grip on his sword, Clint Barton plunged the blade deep into the heart. With a grunt he sank to his knees. Ronin then became dimly aware of someone entering. "Mr. Barton! What's going on?" 

** E arlier**

Carol's assessment of Clint had been right. Unable to let of of his anger and regret from the Time Heist and the actions of the Mad Titan, the archer had turned to alcohol in an attempt to soothe the pain. Even though Clint was something of a mentor to Wanda and had formed an unlikely friendship with the king of Wakanda, he knew he'd never have a friend like Natasha. Years spent training and going on missions together had forged an unbreakable bond between the two, each considering the other family.

The rational part of Barton knew that the Russian had sacrificed herself for the greater good, and without it they'd never have been able to restore the dusted and defeat Thanos, but the irrational part couldn't accept that.

Shortly after Tony's funeral Clint had begun drinking. One day during a drunken stupor, an idea came to him, clear as day. He could bring Nat back!

Since that insight, the swordsman quit drinking and devoted every waking minute to studying quantum mechanics, quantum physics, engineering, mechanics and dozens of other subjects. Digging through the Avengers' files had rewarded Clint with the discovery of the blueprints for the quantum platforms they'd used to pull off the Time Heist and send Steve back to return the stones (and Mjolnir). Further digging and research enabled Barton to pinpoint the exact time of when they first departed, where the current time was on the quantum scale and precisely when to leave the Quantum Realm to arrive back in the present.

After the stones had been returned most of the Avengers had wanted to destroy the quantum platform to prevent misuse. But Prof Hulk couldn't bring himself to, so instead he dismantled it and put into one of the facility's back rooms. Clint had found the platform at an earlier time and had begun reassembling it whilst learning how it worked.

Several weeks later the machine was fully functioning and Barton now possessed the knowledge to operate it.

The archer was ready to put his plan into action.

Typing away at the console Clint fired up the device. Donning his quantum suit he stepped onto the platform and waited. Promptly Clint was catapulted into a tunnel of bright lights and incomprehensible images. Looking at the device on his wrist told Barton that the first part of his plan had been successful, he'd arrived the morning just before the Time Heist. The next step was to ensure his past self didn't interfere. In preparation for that Clint had brought along a powerful and fast acting sedative.

Slipping into his room Barton was fortunate enough not to wake his past self. The sedative would ensure that the other Barton would stay asleep.

Soon after the Avengers gathered to execute their plan. Clint had to restrain himself from becoming emotional at the sight of his old friend. When the platform was activated Barton once again found himself in the Quantum Realm. Approaching his and Natasha's stop, the archer steeled himself for his next action. "Nat, something's wrong. My beacon's going haywire!" As the woman neared her friend Clint grasped her in a tight embrace. Activating the homing beacon the duo were catapulted into the present (or the future depending on how you look at it).

As soon as they had landed Barton dashed for his sword and hacked away, before thrusting it through the heart of the machine, twisting it as he did so and ensuring it couldn't be used again. Giving a grunt of relief the adrenaline rush wore off, sending him to his knees.