Orville: Lost in the Multiverse

chapter seven: a night of rest

The chaos of battle had finally subsided, leaving a tense stillness in the heart of New York. Stark Tower, though still intact, bore the scars of the conflict. Its once gleaming exterior was scuffed and cracked, but inside, the Avengers and their allies found a momentary reprieve.

The world had been saved—for now. But the looming threat of Loki and Strange Supreme still hung over them like a dark cloud. After everything, the team knew they needed to heal, regroup, and recharge before their final confrontation. They couldn't afford any mistakes in the next battle.

Ed Mercer lay in the medical bay, his body aching from the strain of stopping the nuke and destroying the Chitauri. His Iron Orville suit had been trashed in the process, and his muscles screamed from the brutal fall he'd taken after flying through the wormhole. But he was alive, and that was all that mattered to Lucy, who sat quietly beside him.

The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of machinery the only sound. Ed's eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light. His vision cleared, and the first thing he saw was Lucy, her head resting against her folded arms as she sat by his side. Her face was a picture of exhaustion, dark circles under her eyes, but even in her fatigue, she remained alert.

"Hey," Ed said softly, his voice raspy.

Lucy lifted her head, relief washing over her face as she saw him awake. "Hey," she whispered back. "How are you feeling?"

Ed shifted slightly, wincing at the soreness in his body. "Like I got hit by a space truck."

Lucy let out a soft laugh, but it was more out of relief than amusement. "You almost did. But you saved us all."

Ed's eyes softened as he looked at her. "You were right there with me. Couldn't have done it without you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of the battle still pressing down on them. The room felt peaceful, but the knowledge that Loki and Strange Supreme were still out there kept them both on edge.

In the main living area of Stark Tower, the Avengers gathered. Bruce sat nearby, sipping tea, his eyes weary but calm. Tony lounged on the couch, his arms folded behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. Steve, always the soldier, stood by the windows, watching the city slowly come back to life below.

Natasha was seated at the table, polishing one of her handguns, her focus split between her weapon and the conversation happening around her.

"I hate to admit it," Tony said, breaking the silence, "but we all need a breather. A real one."

Steve nodded but didn't turn from the window. "We can't afford to burn out before the next fight. Loki and Strange Supreme aren't going to wait forever."

"Let them come," Natasha said, her voice steady. "We'll be ready."

Tony smirked. "Well, you may feel ready, but I'm running on fumes. Everyone here could use a night to rest, especially Ed and Lucy. They've been through hell with us."

Steve finally turned around, his expression softening. "Agreed. We've all been through a lot, and we'll need everyone at full strength when the time comes."

Bruce set down his tea, nodding in agreement. "We're no good to anyone if we collapse in the next fight. One night won't make a difference. Besides, Loki and Strange Supreme are regrouping too. We'll need to outthink them, not just outfight them."

Natasha spoke up again. "If we're resting, someone should stay on watch. Just in case they make a move tonight."

"I've got it covered," Tony said, tapping his wrist where his suit interface was. "JARVIS will monitor the city for any unusual activity. We'll know if they try anything."

As the night settled in, the heroes began to unwind, each finding their own way to cope with the aftermath of the battle.

Lucy, after ensuring Ed was comfortable, walked out into the living area, where Natasha sat quietly cleaning her weapons. The two women exchanged a glance, and without words, Natasha gestured to the seat next to her. Lucy sat down, rubbing her tired eyes.

"You did good out there," Natasha said softly, her hands moving expertly as she reassembled her handgun.

Lucy shook her head. "I don't know. Ed almost died. And I couldn't do anything to stop it."

Natasha paused, turning to face Lucy. "He didn't die. And that's because you fought right alongside him. We all did."

Lucy sighed. "I know. It's just... It's not over yet. Loki and Strange Supreme are still out there, and I keep thinking—what if we're not ready?"

Natasha's voice softened, but it carried the weight of experience. "None of us ever feel ready, Lucy. But when the time comes, we fight. That's what we do. You've already proven yourself. Don't doubt that."

Lucy looked down at her hands, trying to absorb Natasha's words. After a moment, she nodded. "Thanks."

Natasha gave her a small smile, one of understanding. "Get some rest. You're going to need it."

As the night deepened, most of the team found some semblance of rest. Tony and Bruce tinkered quietly in the lab, working to repair Ed's damaged suit and improve their own tech. Steve, after a long discussion with Thor about Loki's next potential moves, finally allowed himself to relax in one of the tower's many guest rooms.

But sleep didn't come easy for anyone. Even in their rest, there was an ever-present tension, an awareness that the real battle hadn't yet begun.

In the quiet of the med bay, Lucy watched Ed sleep. His breathing had evened out, and his color had returned. Bruce had assured her that his recovery was progressing well, but it didn't ease the knot of anxiety in her chest.

She leaned back in her chair, exhaustion pulling at her, but her mind wouldn't stop racing. The fight was far from over, and she knew they were going to need all their strength for what was coming next. Loki and Strange Supreme weren't finished, and neither were they.

As Lucy finally drifted off to sleep, her thoughts were filled with the battles to come—and the hope that, when the time came, they would all be ready.

The first rays of dawn crept through the windows of Stark Tower, casting a soft golden light over the city. New York was still scarred, but it was beginning to stir again. The calm before the storm was drawing to a close.

Loki and Strange Supreme were out there, somewhere, waiting for the right moment to strike.

But so were the Avengers. And this time, Ed and Lucy were ready to face whatever darkness was coming next.