Universal Chaos

Chapter 19

Sutton attempted to tear her eyes away from the continuing news story. They were flashing a map on the screen with dots showing where the attacks were happening. The Doctor turned back towards the door.

"We shouldn't stay here long," he said. Sutton held up a hand as she continued to stare at the screen.

"Wait," she said. "Something doesn't seem right."

The Doctor looked at her expectantly and Sutton tried to put her uneasiness into words.

"Why," she asked. "Why attack these places? And spaced so far apart?"
"To take out populated areas would be my guess," the Doctor said. Sutton nodded and waved a hand.

"Right. Go for the powerful countries and destabilize them. But that's not what He's doing. Look. They're not attacking any of the major capitals in Africa. And wouldn't you go for China in Asia? But they're not even there at all according to this."

"Perhaps he isn't totally aware of this planet's ruling system?"

"He got D.C. down."

The Doctor looked back to the television, but they panned away from the map and went back to reporting more stories about the immediate attacks.

"What was it," he asked, "they said when they first arrived? They wanted you and-"

"The Infinity Stones." Sutton felt her skin turn to ice as she backed away from the television. "They-they must be looking for them. Here? How many all-powerful stones could end up on earth? One planet in- oh wait. Marvel universe. Of course."

"I always did wonder why Earth drew so much attention," the Doctor mused.

Sutton eyed the television one more time. Dots. That's all these attacks were on the screen. Dots on a globe that would spread if given the chance.

"We have to find them first."

"Pardon?"
She turned to the Doctor, her face resolute.

"We have to find those stones first. If Th-if He gets them before we do, our odds for

coming out of all this on top drop dramatically. Like, to ridiculously low levels."

A crash from outside drew both of their attention away and Sutton watched as the windows in a building down the street exploded and flames shot out, leaping into the air and licking up the oxygen in a mad burst.

"Things are already bad enough."

They peered down the road, both ways, before darting out of the cafe and

hurrying down the sidewalk once more. The heavy scent of smoke and dirt was starting to thicken the sky. Dark flakes of ash drifted down on them in a way that reminded Sutton of Kronos. She swallowed, rolled her shoulders, and tried not to think about it.

The odd, floating ring still hung in the sky. So far it didn't look like it had done anything, or activated in any way, but the fact that it was there at all and continuously spinning, ready, was enough to have her on edge.

"If we're assuming they were after me and a couple of stones," Sutton said as they ran, "then I think we can assume that we don't have to look for an Infinity Stone locally. We need a quinjet or something."

"Quinjet?"

"High tech jet. SHIELD issued. Or, at least, they were. Not sure what's happened with SHIELD now."

Another tremor rippled through the ground and Sutton staggered to a stop, watching as some of the buildings swayed and shook. She sucked in a sharp breath and felt the collar of her suit to make sure it was still sealed. It shouldn't be doing that. Khan and the Doctor had already transitioned over to their universe. Sutton hadn't done anything. Couldn't do anything!