Brothers

2023 Part Three

"Alright, the glove's ready," Rocket explains once everyone is gathered, "Question is, who's gonna snap their freakin' fingers?"

"I'll do it." Thor immediately volunteers.

"Excuse me?" Tony asks surprised.

"It's okay," Thor comforts.

"Stop, stop. Slow down," Tony argues along with just about everyone else.

"Thor. Just wait," Steve asks, "We haven't decided who's gonna put that on yet."

"I'm sorry. What, we're all just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?" Thor points out.

"We should at least discuss it," Scott points out.

"Look, sitting here staring at the thing is not gonna bring everyone back," Thor states, "I'm the strongest Avengers, okay? So, this responsibility falls on me. It's my duty."

"Normally, you're right," Tony starts trying to get Thor to calm down, "It's not about that."

"It's not that." Thor protests shushing Tony.

Tony tries again, "Hey, buddy..."

"Stop it!" Thor exclaims, "Just let me. Just let me do it. Just let me do something good. Something right."

"Look, it's not just the fact that the glove is channeling enough energy to light up a continent," Tony explains, "I'm teeing you. You're in no condition."

"What do you think is coursing through my veins right now?" Thor asks.

"Cheez Whiz?" Rhodey supplies.

Thor glares at him before turning back to Tony, "Lightning."

"Yeah," Tony replies unconvinced.

Percy sighs, "I'll do it."  He steps forward.

"Like hell you are, kid," Tony replies, "I'm not losing anyone else.  So until we have a better idea, no one is touching the gauntlet."

Bruce speaks up, "Tony's right it's gotta be me. You saw what those stones did to Thanos. They almost killed him. None of you could survive."

"How do we know you will?" Steve asks concerned.

"We don't," Bruce replies looking down at the glove, "But the radiation's mostly gamma. It's like. I was made for this."

"Good to go, yeah?" Tony asks.

"Let's do it," Bruce replies picking up the glove.

"Okay, remember, everyone Thanos snapped away five years ago you're just bringing them back now, today. Don't change anythign from the past five years," Tony explains carefully.

"Got it," Bruce replies. Everyone suits up and stands around him. Percy summons a water shield and freezes it, forming ice.  He is suddenly very glad that he sent Annabeth away.

"Friday do me a favor and activate Barn Door Protocol, will ya?" Tony asks.

"Yes, boss," the A.I. replies as the base goes into lockdown mode.

Bruce looks down at the glove, "Everybody comes home," he mutters before slipping the glove on. Bruce starts shouting as the power of the stones courses through his body.

"Take it off. Take it off," Thor exclaims.

"No, wait," Steve urges, "Bruce, are you okay?"

"Talk to me, Banner," Tony asks.

"I'm okay," Bruce says obviously still in pain, "I'm okay." Thor gives him a weak thumbs up. Then, Bruce manages to snap his fingers, before passing out and falling to the floor.