(A/N before this chapter gets started, I want to let you know it's going to be long. I want to let you know that it's going to be okay. now I want you to find a nice, comfortable spot. take a minute to do that. now, take a deeeep breath. in, and out. slowly. let's try again, okay? in....out. okay great! now let's get started...)
*TONY'S POV*
Natasha is dead.
The fierce, brave, loyal and crazy companion I've known for so long.
She's gone.
We were her family. The only family she's ever known. And she died for our asses. She sacrificed herself for us. And if that's not love and loyalty, I don't know what is.
Bruce is heartbroken. He really loved her. And you can see it in his eyes, even though he tries not to let it show.
Clint's shaken up. He watched it happen. He told us the story about how he tried to take her place but she wouldn't allow it. She knew it had to be her.
Steve gently hugged me and smiled a painful smile. "You okay?"
I sighed. "Not really. But I will be."
We're in the lab now, about to put the Stones in the gauntlet I made.
Yes, I made my OWN gauntlet in less than day. Kiss my ass Thanos.
I walked over, grabbed some tweezers, and took the Stones one by one from Steve's hand and placed them in the gauntlet. The last one, the Mind Stone, attached itself to the center.
"BOOM!" Rocket shouted and everyone in the room jumped. He started laughing hysterically.
I scoffed. "Now... who's going to test it?"
"It's obviously got to be me." Thor said.
"No," Rhodey said sternly. "It definitely should not be you."
"You think I can't do it? I feel like I'm the only one that should do it." Thor argued. "Do you even realize what's running through my veins right now? Lightning."
"I understand," Rhodey said calmingly, "but you are in no condition. After everything..." Rhodey went silent and Thor lowered his head.
"I'll do it," Bruce said. "It should be me."
"Are you sure?" Steve asked and Bruce nodded.
"Yes. I'm sure."
He walked up to the gauntlet, took it off of the stand, and started to put it on his arm.
It attached itself and Bruce screamed. Steve and Rhodey ran to him but he waved them off. "Stay back!" Harley stood next to me, watching intently.
They walked away and turned to watch. The colors of the Stones streaked up his arm as his face coiled in pain. His arm was being burned quickly and half of it was already turning black. He struggled as he brought his fingers together. Then, slowly, he snapped.
There was a bright light and all of us were thrown back. I opened my eyes hesitantly, my head pounding after I collided with the floor. Steve and Harley were beside me, looking at me curiously.
I saw Clint and Scott walking, disoriented, to the big window. "I- I think it worked." Scott stammered.
A phone started to ring. Clint walked up to it, lying on a table and he gasped, tears in his eyes. "My wife."
He picked it up. "Laura?! Baby, I'm here!" We heard a female voice breaking up on the other side of the line and Clint desperately continued, needing her words. "Laura?! We're in New York, we're here! We're alive! It's going to be okay!" The call got disconnected but Clint still had a weak smile on his face.
