Lost Our Minds |5| The Ascension

Chapter Forty Six: Endgame-Vormir, 2014 and New Jersey, 1970

In the Benatar, Clint's eyes widened as the ship leapt through a wormhole, speeding up. He glanced across at his wife. "We're a long way from Budapest." She just laughed.

***

They stopped halfway up the mountain on Vormir, taking a breather, as well as a chance to see the sights from up high. For a man who'd been to the end of the universe, Clint was remarkably impressed. "Wow... Under different circumstances, this would be totally awesome."

McKenzie, on the other hand, wasn't happy. "I bet Stark didn't have to climb a mountain."

"I think he'd probably fly up," Natasha commented as they started to climb again.

"Yeah, and then sit at the top laughing at us," McKenzie snorted.

"Welcome." In a flash, the three warriors had their weapons drawn and aimed at the cloaked figure, arrow, sword and quarterstaff each ready for a fight. "Natasha, daughter of Ivan. Clint, son of Edith. McKenzie, daughter of Jacqueline."

Natasha narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"

The figure tilted its head. "Consider me a guide. To you, and to all who seek the soul stone."

She shrugged cautiously. "Good. You tell us where it is, then we'll be on our way."

"Ah, liebchen... If only it were that easy." He led the trio to the edge of the mountain, where a precipice preceded a thousand-metre drop. "What you seek lies in front of you... as does what you fear."

"The stone is down there?" Clint realised, his eyes widening.

"For two of you. For the other... In order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love. An everlasting exchange. A soul for a soul."

The trio shared a look of horror.

***

"How's it going?" Clint asked later. "Jesus, maybe he's making this shit up."

McKenzie shook her head, staring at the ground. "No, I don't think so."

Natasha raised her eyebrows. "Why, 'cause he knows your mom's name?"

"I'm the only person left who should know that name," McKenzie admitted. "Everyone else died, in the Decimation or..." She faltered. "Look, Thanos left here with the stone without Gamora. It's not a coincidence."

Natasha swallowed hard, resigning herself to it. "Whatever it takes."

Clint met her eyes. "Whatever it takes."

"If we don't get that stone, billions of people stay dead."

"Then I guess we both know who it's gotta be."

"I guess we do."

They joined hands and Clint smiled halfheartedly. "I'm starting to think we mean different people here, Natasha."

"For the last five years I've been trying to do one thing: get to right here," she implored. "That's all it's been about, bringing everybody back."

"Oh, don't you get all decent on me now," he tried.

"What, you think I wanna do it?" she scoffed. "I'm trying to save your life, you idiot."

"Yeah, well, I don't want you to, because I..." He hesitated, tears pricking at his eyes. "Natasha, you know what I've done. What I've become."

Her gaze softened. "I don't judge people on their worst mistakes."

"Well, maybe you should."

"You didn't."