Whatever it Takes: Endgame

Chapter 9

The original five of the six Avengers went outside to sit by the body of water. They needed fresh air and time to grieve.

Natasha sat next to Bruce who had an arm around her in comfort. It was no secret that Steve was one of her closest friends. All she could do was stare ahead as Tony explained what happened.

"Steve and I got to Vormir and met this floating red guy that he knew. Called him the Red Skull. He told us that to get the stone we had to give a soul for a soul. I didn't want to kill Steve and he didn't want to kill me. So, we fought to prevent the other from jumping off this giant cliff that would kill anybody. He got the upper hand and told me to go back to my family. He gave his life to save mine."

"We have the stones now. Can we bring him back," Thor asked with a bit of hope in his voice.

"I don't think so," Bruce answered with sadness in his voice. "Even if it was a possibility, there's no way of knowing if he would land to this time and place."

Bruce and Natasha knew better than anyone that what happened to her was because Loki saw that she deserved a better life. And unfortunately, Loki can't save everyone who goes to Vormir.

Natasha put her head on Bruce's shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to gain control of her emotions. It didn't feel like Steve was gone and she couldn't wrap her head around it.

"We have to make this count," Clint said sadly.

"We've got one shot. He wanted us to finish this," Tony added.

Natasha took her head off Bruce's shoulder, nodded and spoke up, "Whatever it takes."

Tony walked up to Natasha and patted her shoulder, then said, "He would want you as co-leader again."

"Let's finish the job," Natasha said, looking Tony in the eyes as she stood up.

Tony nodded and said, "You heard her. Avengers, time to work for a living."

The team went back inside more determined than ever and ready to bring everyone back.

Tony asked for Natasha to follow him when they were in the hallway, where he led them to an empty lab.

"Tony," Natasha started, preparing to apologize.

"Nat, none of this is your fault. I'm thankful you didn't tell me what to expect. If you did, then I would have jumped before Steve had a chance to stop me. But Steve wanted me to go home to my family and he was stronger than my suit. He gave his life for that stone so we could bring them all back. I know we had our ups and downs, but Steve was born to be a hero."

Natasha nodded numbly in response, knowing all too well how that felt. She sacrificed herself for Clint to go home and Steve did the same for Tony.

"I don't blame you for any of this," Tony continued. "And I don't blame Bruce either. If anything, I'm glad it wasn't you on that cliff. You have so much to live for. Bruce, your family, the team. You're the true heart of the Avengers and that's why you were given a second chance."

Natasha nodded while holding back her tears and said, "Thanks, Tony."

"You're welcome," he said with a sad smile. "Let's finish this."

_____

Bruce, Tony and Rocket were finishing a version of the gauntlet that had only taken a matter of minutes, due to the boys preparing the glove in advance. They had used gamma radiation and Tony's nano tech to make it hold all six stones.

Thor had brought back his original hammer with him, telling the team that knowing he was still worthy gave him the confidence he needed. And after everything Thor had been through, Natasha didn't blame him for needing a boost.

Nebula looked worried and distraught as she came into the lab. She had been silent since everyone returned and had been pacing in a corner since everyone else came back inside. Natasha thought maybe it was grief mixed with the shock of seeing Peter Quill again when she had to get the stone. But now that the girl was up close, Natasha knew it wasn't that. Something was wrong.

Natasha walked up to her and asked, "Are you okay?"

Nebula shook her head was about to say something until Rocket interrupted, "Question is, who's gonna snap their freakin' fingers?"

"It can wait. This is more important," Nebula told her with a determined nod as she walked towards Rhodey.

Natasha turned to walk up to Bruce, who took her hand as she intertwined their fingers. He looked just as determined as he did when he decided to join the fight when the team first formed.

"I'll do it," Thor said. "Part of this is on me. I'll do it."

Everyone agreed that Thor should be the one to bring everybody back. He was one of the strongest team members who could withhold the power of the stones, but everyone also knew it meant more to him.

Thor took the gauntlet and held it as Tony asked, "Good to go, yeah?"

"Yes," Thor replied.

"Okay, remember, everyone Thanos snapped away six months ago you're just bringing them back to now, today," Tony said to Thor. "Don't change anything from the last six months."

"Thor," Bruce spoke up. "Don't try to bring back Steve. It won't work."

Thor nodded and sighed as if preparing himself.

Everyone suited up, a few put up some form of shield, protecting a few of their teammates. Bruce protectively stood in front of Natasha without blocking her view.

"FRIDAY, do me a favor and activate Barn Door Protocol, will ya," Tony asked his A.I.

"Yes, boss," FRIDAY replied.

The doors shut and the windows shields came up, protecting the outside world from what was happening in the lab.

"Everybody comes home," Bruce said quietly as Thor put the gauntlet on.

Thor screamed in agony once it was on but was quick to snap his fingers. Once it was done, he quickly took the gauntlet off. He was severely burned on his hand and forearm, causing the team to spring into action.

Clint kicked the gauntlet out of the way to check on Thor, while Tony quickly used his suit to put medicine on their teammate.

Bruce looked over the burns and said, "It's not that bad. Thor can you move your hand and fingers?"

Thor did as Bruce asked and the scientist nodded while making his way to get the medicine he created.

"Did it work," Thor asked quietly, but his voice was laced with pain.

"We don't know yet," Natasha answered as the shield doors opened. She saw Scott leave the room as Clint followed.

Natasha looked up and her eyes widened when a ship came straight towards the building. She yelled out, "Everybody duck!"

Before she could blink, Bruce made his way to her side and had covered her body with his then hulked-out on the spot. Suddenly, there was a giant blast and the only reason she was safe was because the Big Guy kept a hold of her as they were sent in another direction in the mist of debris.