MAGIC TRICKS [PETER PARKER]

THIRTY-SEVEN

"ALL RIGHT, WE ALL HAVE OUR ASSIGNMENTS."

Nadia tore her eyes away from the city on fire and focused her attention on Cap as he spoke. His quantum suit had morphed into the same Captain America suit he wore the first time the Avengers assembled. "Two stones uptown, one down. Stay low, and keep an eye on the clock."

A loud roar made Nadia jump, as the Hulk came around the corner, smashing cars left and right before taking off down the street. She glanced back at Bruce, who put a large green hand over his face in embarrassment. Cap sent him a pointed look. "Feel free to smash things along the way."

Sighing, Banner grumbled to himself, "I think it's gratuitous, but whatever..."

He proceeded to growl half-heartedly, tearing his shirt off and punching an already smushed taxi car. It made a tiny dent. Nadia shook her head, smiling and moving to follow him. Her quantum suit had disguised itself as normal clothes— jeans and a t-shirt, sneakers. Peter's watch still hung around her neck. She turned and playfully saluted Cap, Tony, and Scott before they were out of sight.

Not long after they'd parted, Nadia and Bruce were at the New York Sanctum on Bleecker Street, going up to the roof to enter and find the Ancient One.

The woman sat cross-legged, hovering in the air as little symbols of light floated around her. Her eyes opened as soon as they stepped foot on the roof. "Ah, Nadia. I wasn't expecting you for another five years."

A smile played on Nadia's lips. She'd only met the Ancient One once before she had died. "But you aren't here to catch up, I assume..." The Ancient One stood them. "What is it you're here for?"

Nadia's eyes caught on the Eye of Agamotto, which hung around her neck. "That, actually." The Time Stone glittered inside.

Chuckling, she shook her head. "Ah, I'm afraid not."

Bruce stepped forward menacingly, giving her an apologetic look. "Sorry, but we weren't asking."

"You don't want to do this."

Nadia looked up at Bruce with wide eyed, knowing the extent of the Ancient One's powers. "She's right, y-you really don't."

"You're right," Banner said, ignoring them both, "I don't. But we need that stone—" He lunged, making a grab for it, but the Ancient One thrusted her hands forward, colliding with his body and knocking his astral form from his body. Nadia gasped as a wave went through her as well, and she watched as her body crumbled to the ground. Her hands were translucent; she glanced at Bruce with horrified eyes.

The Ancient One was calm however, a smirk perched on her lips. "Let's start over, shall we?"

｡･:*:･ﾟ★ ｡･:*:･ﾟ

"PLEASE!"

Bruce Banner was practically on his knees, begging the Ancient One for the Time Stone. "I'm sorry. I can't help you," refused the woman, shaking her head, "If I give up the Time Stone to help your reality, I'm dooming my own."