Real-Life Myth

Twenty-three.

There are holograms displaying the different locations; the Soul and Power stones in space in 2014; the Reality stone in Asgard, 2013; and the Space, Mind, and Time stones in New York City 2012.

"All right. We have a plan. Six stones, three teams. One shot," Steve states. He and the other Avengers (plus Lana and Loki) walk up and look at the screens determinedly.

~~~

Later, the Avengers walk in a single file line to the Quantum Time machine, wearing the Quantum Suits, albeit with some minor differences for different people. Rhodey has a bulkier repaint of the War machine armour. Lana and Loki both wear their horns.

"Five years ago, we lost," Steve remarks. Lana rolls her eyes, biting back a retort. "All of us. We lost friends. . . We lost family. . . We lost a part of ourselves. Today, we have a chance to take it all back. You know your teams, you know your missions. Get the stones, get them back. One round trip each. No mistakes. No do-overs. Most of us are going somewhere we know. But it doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives. And we're gonna win." Tony gives Steve a look. "Whatever it takes. Good luck." Lana glances to Clint and Natasha, biting her lip.

"He's pretty good at that," Rocket admits.

"Right?" Scott agrees.

"All right. You heard the man. Stroke those keys, jolly green," Tony orders.

Lana holds out her hands. "Wait!" Everyone looks to her. "I wish to switch teams." Steve raises an eyebrow at her.

"Lana, we already picked our teams and we know our missions. What can you possibly deem more important to switch now?" Lana's hand curls into a fist.

"Oh, I don't know, dear Captain. Perhaps the lives of your teammates?" She fires. Steve rolls his eyes at her. "If you remember what I said during our debriefing on the Soul Stone-"

"You'd rather go to Vormir- someplace you've never been- then to Asgard- your home?" Lana nods. Steve looks to Tony questioningly; the inventor shrugs. With a sharp inhale, Steve looks back to her. "Fine." Lana smiles thinly and moves to stand by Natasha and Clint. Loki looks to his twin, concerned. She smiles at him assuringly.

"Don't worry brother, the sun will shine on us again," she promises. Loki's heart drops. Lana waits a moment before laughing. "Relax, you fool, you'll see me again." Loki lets out a shaky breath.

The blonde looks around his team. "Anymore last minute changes?" Everyone shakes their head. He turns to Bruce. "Banner."

"Tractors engaged," he tells the Captain.

"You promise to bring that back in one piece, right?" Rocket asks, referring to the shrunken state of the Benatar in Clint's hand.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. I'll do my best," he promises.

"As promises go, that was pretty lame," Lana laughs.

Natasha smiles excitedly. "See you in a minute." Lana nods in agreement.

They all shrink and enter the Quantum Realm, and they all split at different intervals, going to a different place at a different time in history.

~~~

The First Group which has Tony, Steve, Bruce, and Scott travel to New York during the Chitauri attack. They had contemplated bringing Loki with them but then thought better about it. So it's the four of them.

"All right, we all have our assignments," Steve starts. Always the perfect Captain. "Two stones uptown, one stone down. Stay low. Keep an eye on the clock." 2012!Hulk passes by them, smashing everything in his way. Bruce puts his hand on his face, embarrassed. "Feel free to smash things along the way."