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long time coming

"You can't use any of your flashy powers within the limits of the city," Howard explains as the trio walks through the busy streets. "They real strict on that stuff here. There are inhibitors all over the place. And watch out for the guard, they're total brutes... actually you might get along with them."

A very human Emily crosses her arms, grumbling, "I hate this. I can't even shift into my Hulk form."

"Yeah, you're a lot less scary when you're just a puny human."

"I will pluck every single feather from your body and make myself a scarf from it."

"You were definitely not loved enough as a child," he mutters. "And no, that is not an invitation to share your tragic backstory or whatever. No one gives a crap."

Cosmo barks at him, "I care."

"Are you always such a suck-up?"

Emily stops all of a sudden and turns around. Her eyes scan the crowd, landing upon a man dressed in all black staring straight at them. "Run."

"What?"

Emily spots another man to her left and another to her right, "Is there any place more crowded than here?"

"Yeah, a nice club-"

"Go there. Take Cosmo and Fin with you. I'll find you later. And don't die."

"You care?"

"No, I still need you to find my dad. That's all. Now go." Emily places Fin Fang Foom on Cosmo and they take off, leaving her behind.

Emily ducks into the alley waiting for whoever's following her.

The three men walk into the alleyway with weapons raised. One of them scoffs, "Too easy."

"You saw me look straight at you and then conveniently corner myself and you think I'm the dumb one?" Emily places a hand on her hip, "Why are you following me and do you have any preferences on how you want to die?"

"We know you have a Stone. It's not meant for little girls like you."

"Okay, you only answered the first question," Emily points out with a smirk.

"Give us the Stone or I'll shoot your head off."

Emily thinks it over for about a second, "And how do you know I don't want to die? I mean I have an Infinity Stone. Maybe I want to be killed and you'd just be helping me."

The man stammers, "Well-uh- why would you?"

"Everyone I love leaves me or dies," Emily replies in a monotone voice.

"Oh. Wow. Umm... I don't know how to respond to that."

"It used to really bother me but I don't really care anymore. And I like it. Everything is so much easier when I don't have that angsty voice in my head telling me to look deeper into things."

"You are really messed up."

"So are you if you want an Infinity Stone. If it doesn't kill you, people chasing it will," Emily gestures to the men. "I think that makes you the ones with the death wish."

"Just give us the Stone!"

Emily cocks her head, "No."

"Do it!"

"No."

One of the men thrusts a weapon in her face, "Don't  make me ask again."

"You were asking? In that case, I'm going to have to decline politely. Thank you for asking."