Project: A Stark Winter

Chapter Five: As the World Caves In

For a moment, everything is in slow motion; watching the world around you break into chaos and panic. Behind you, the team springs into action in an attempt to try and attack the threat that is Thanos who cackles and mocks them from his side of the portal. Bucky's face turns abruptly in your direction as you call his name; staring at you in a mix of fear and determination. Lips parting to give you orders in his typical super solider way, they are instantly drawn into a grimace of pain and confusion. Your eyes dart from his to the portal in horror as your stomach plummets. This can't be happening. A purple arm reaches through the portal grabbing Bucky by the throat to pull him through to the other side. He reaches for you with his flesh hand as his metal grabs desperately for the side of the machine; fingers clawing for any hold they can. Without second thought your reach forward for Bucky screaming and crying for him as your heart is practically ripped from your chest as he falls completely through to the other side. There's a rushing in your ears as your heart beat thrums rapidly intime with staggered uneven breaths. Readying your suit and pulling free your dagger you swallow down the rising panic and ringing in your head; turning to look at the angry and frightened face of Steve who is yelling. The sound of his voice is muffled and distant as he raises a trembling hand. Behind him, the team frantically gathers themselves to fight; becoming the Avengers they were trained to be. The world comes crashing back to you in full force as the weight of everything settles on your shoulders. This is my fault. How could I do this to them? As subtlety as possible, you shift a foot and tilt your head to the portal; hoping to catch the attention of a certain spider-boy. As if on cue, Peter shoots a web at the portal and goes to swing through. You time your sprint with his momentum and grab ahold of his arm as he drags you both into the whirling of the machine while Steve shouts after you.
"Y/n! Please, don't do this." He was too late.
Landing on Titan, you use Peter to help steady yourself as you take in your surroundings. The planet was just as you remembered it, dead and broken. The red and orange dirt swirled around in the humid air. Part of you understood the loneliness and lingering anger Thanos felt for his home world. This place meant something to him and it had been destroyed. Now, as it lay empty and desolate in the universe, it was the reminder and stage for both of your worst memories. Grunting and cussing drew your attention over to low ridge of fallen stones. Thanos was engaged with Bucky in combat as they each dealt each other a flurry of blows. For each hit Bucky landed, Thanos barely flinched; not that you were surprised. You knew how this would end seeing it happen once before when you battled by your father's side. When your dad had an entire planet hurled at him and you thrown from ridge to ridge, both of you had barley drawn a speck of blood in return. Thanos soon after snapped his purple, raisin fingers and dusted half the universe like it was nothing. Your eyes full with fresh tears as you look over to where your dad held Peter that dad. He had caressed his hair and been so confused as Peter dissolved and blew away on the breeze before his very eyes mumbling, "Mr. Stark, I don't feel so good..." Soon after everyone in your party aside from you and Nebula were gone. Dust in the wind on this terrible planet. Peter must have been thinking the same thing as he trembled slightly beside you recalling his last moments on this planet. You squeeze his hand reassuringly as you take off once again in Bucky's direction as you hear him let out a painful grunt. Peter calls through the portal to the rest of the team,
"Okay, guys we have ten minutes before this thing closes." He yells above the fray.
"We'll play defense, kid. Make sure you keep him on your side!" Steve calls back, arms raised and ready for the fight. By his side are Clint, Sam, Bruce, and Wanda; each looking fierce and intimidating as they fan out to protect their universe. Legs pumping, you dash towards Bucky and Thanos. Being extra careful not to trip over falling rocks or rumble, you call out to the Mad Titan,
"Hey, loser! Long time no see!" The sarcastic comment draws his attention immediately as he stops his fight with Bucky and begins a slow walk toward you leaving Bucky heaving and confused behind him. Raising the gauntlet on his left arm, he activates the Reality stone. A bright red flash blurs your vision as the rocks by your feet begin growing and crawling their way up your legs, causing you to stumble and crash to the ground. On your hands and knees, you look up to meet the menacing eyes of Thanos as he stares you down intently.
"How I've missed your fighting spirit, little one. Just like my Gamora." He speaks firmly, but gently as he reaches a hand down to caress your hair. At this moment, you realize that this version of Thanos is the same as you had fought just a few short months ago. His smugness and self-righteous attitude are still ever-present, but also accompanied by a sense of sadness and grief.
"And tell me again, Mr. Grape. How'd you get that Soul Stone?" You spit vehemently as you meet his eyes without fear. He takes a moment to look you over, catching the unmistakable defiance in your eyes. He knots his hands in your hair and tugs harshly, fully tilting you to look at him.
"We all make sacrifices for the greater good, isn't that right, Sergeant Barnes?" Thanos declares as he looks over his shoulder to where Bucky stands. Using the Power Stone he drags Bucky to where you both are and throws him to join you on the ground, causing another shift of the ground to hold his metal arm where it touched the rubble. Peter launches an attack and shoots webs furiously at Thanos who, with a wave of his arm, leaves Peter crumpled on the ground covered in a tangle of materialized vines. He screams and kicks in a futile attempt to escape. Thanos had the upper hand and you all knew it.
"What the fuck, are you talking about?" You scream in question to the grotesque being before you, who simply laughs at you.
"Oh, he hasn't told you, child? He was an assassin. He'd already killed two Starks, what makes you believe that Hyrda would have wanted you or your father left alive, hm?"