I Thought You Were Different: Part 5

Thanos

Sprinting through the hallways now, filled with fear that you would be caught, you and Brooke rushed to your last destination, praying to yourself that he would be there, and this could just be over. Wanda's screams had died down, and you knew that she wasn't alone. When the vibrant red emergency lights filled the hallways, and FRIDAY's voice boomed overhead to call you out, you also knew that Vision had been found.

Two more turns would take you to the door you needed, and your steps were fumbling and nervous with each foot closer. Your arm extended firm and shoved the barrier open, allowing you both to rush inside, only to turn and hold your back against it, should anyone try to force their way in with you.

"Thor, where is it?" you demanded as coldly as you could, watching Brooke's hands raise once again.

"I don't know what it is that you seek," he answered far too calmly. "You have me at a disadvantage."

"The hammer, Thor! Where is it? He's coming for these," you paused, holding the two stones out for him to see, "and I need to know where you've hidden it."

"(Y/N), this is unnecessary," he tried with a hand up and a tiny step towards you, "and there's time to stop what you've done. There are other ways, and you're going to regret going further with your plans."

"The hammer, Thor," you hissed, taking a step closer as well, "I won't ask again."

"You'll never find it."

"Brooke," you commanded, watching his body tense and conform to her will. His arm slowly raised up with a hand extended, summoning Mjolnir to him despite the groans and struggle to fight it. "This is fate, Thor, and we need to accept it. This is the only way. I don't want to do this, but I don't have a choice. Please understand."

"No...I won't let you take it."

You could hear the hammer shattering through the compound walls as it approached his hand, counting down the number of them that was left to yourself before you could have it in your hands once and for all. "Maybe this is why I can lift it, Thor. Not a display of my worth, but because this is how it was meant to be."

With a splintering crack and a shattering of drywall, Mjolnir broke through and barreled towards him, though with a final push for his freedom, Thor pulled from Brooke's grip with every ounce of strength he possessed, and lowered his hand. The hammer passed his grip and flew for you, striking you down with such force that your body smashed into the door and tore it from its frame, crashing you with it into the hallway. The two stones that you had held onto so tightly were released from your hands, and when he rushed to gather them, he was stopped once again; only this time, his eyes filled with a new horror, and he welcomed Mjolnir into his hand.

"Do not touch her," he warned, staring down Thanos for the first time as he stood only feet away, but it certainly would not be the last. The Titan stood next to you as he appeared as if from nowhere, staring down the Asgardian with a smile on his face at the attempted threat.

"I know what it's like to lose, to feel so desperately that you're right, and to fail all the same," he answered, ignoring Thor's command and kneeling at your side. "You have done a great service to the Order, (Y/N)," he said uncharacteristically softly, stroking your hair as you tried to turn away, "and I look forward to battle against you. I release you."

Your body jolted and your lungs sucked in air in a strained gasp as if you had held your breaths for hours, starving for the oxygen. Steve and Tony rushed from around the corner and into the hallway to see Thanos next to you, fighting their own fear and rushing towards him only to be tossed back with a wave of his hand as if they were nothing more than a feather to be swatted away. "Valiant efforts are appreciated and welcomed," Thanos continued, reaching out and collecting the glowing stones from the floor, "and shall not be forgotten. Child," he paused, turning to Brooke, "you have been an immeasurable asset. When all is done and the universe knows balance, I may be persuaded to keep you. Though now, find pain in what you have done to those you love, and let it make you only stronger still."