It Was Always You (Universe 163,729)

Chapter 60

The Avengers stood there in silence. Thor and Carol were still facing Yon Rogg, ready to strike at any moment.

"You're a plague to the universe."

"You're the plague. The entire Kree empire is. They don't care for anyone but themselves."

"That's where you are incorrect."

Thor charged towards Yon Rogg, prepared to slam his axe into the Kree's head.

"Just die already!"

"You first!"

Carol followed behind him, hitting him with the occasional photon blast. Thor swung his axe towards Yon Rogg, hoping the Kree would die. He missed, but turned right back around.

"At first I thought Thanos was bad. I was clearly mistaken."

"The Avengers amused me at first. Then Carol joined them. You stole her from me."

"She was never your's in the first place! You kidnapped her for six years. After all that time, she still hates you!"

Yon Rogg fired his gun at Thor, hoping to kill him. Without even thinking, Carol jumped in front of the bullet. It hit her directly in the chest, sending a searing pain through her entire body. She heard Thor scream out as her vision went blurry.

"NO!"

Thor caught her before she hit the ground, while he summoned Stormbreaker. It flew off the ground, through Yon Rogg's chest, and into his hand. He placed it on the ground, looking back at Carol while tears streamed down his face.

"Carol...why...?"

"I couldn't let him do it..."

"It was supposed to be me..."

"He was always supposed to kill me..."

"No...he...wasn't..."

Tears kept falling from his face as he sat on the ground. He held her in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. The rest of the Avengers watched as Yon Rogg fell to the ground. Thor didn't look up as the Kree's body hit the ground with a thud.

"I can't do this without you.."

"You...yo...you won't..."

"Please Carol..."

"Sparkles..."

"Don't g...go..."

Carol looked up at him, his eyes red and filled with tears. He was sobbing loudly, while the rest of the Avengers stared at him, sadness filling the air. She knew she was dying, but fought to hold on.

"I can't go on without you..."

"Tell Maria and Monica they were my only family..."

"No, Carol please..."

"I'm go...goi....going to be...al...alri...alright..."

"No, no, no...no..."

She looked up at her husband, staring into his tear filled eyes. Her vision was getting dark, and the pain was getting stronger. She fought for her life, but it was getting more difficult by the minute.

"Mom...?"

"It's going to be alright.."

Chris sat down by his parents, letting the tears fall from his eyes. He looked away, not wanting to watch his mom die.

"I'm...so...sor....so..."

"No....no.....please...."

Carol looked up at Thor, letting out her last breath. Her world went black as she closed her eyes. Thor started shaking and tears fell from his face. They continued to fall, Thor's sobs grew louder. He just sat there, holding the body of his wife. He didn't even move as the Avengers just sat there in silence. He just to wake up from this nightmare, but in the back of his mind, he knew it was real.

"...no...."

Thor's voice was hoarse but he didn't want to accept that Carol was dead. The other Avengers kneeled to the ground in respect, a few of them crying along with Thor. Everyone was still processing what had happened. Steve took off his helmet, placing it on the ground. The others did the same, until everyone had paid their respects. Clouds formed in the sky, getting darker by the minute. Thunder was heard in the distance, followed by rain. It was pouring out, but no one left.

"Earth just lost its best defender..."

They sat in silence for over an hour, not even caring that it was pouring. One by one, each of them got up from their spot on the ground, leaving quietly until Thor was the only one left. He was still sobbing with the energy he had left. His world had been torn apart, and nothing could ever fix it.

"...pl...ea...se...."

Thor managed to speak in between sobs. He was the only one left, still holding the lifeless form of Carol. Everyone had left hours earlier, but he didn't move from his spot. The bodies of the last Kree still laid on the ground. Wind flew through the air, moving Thor's hair slightly.

"...you...kn...know...how...I feel..."

Yon Rogg slowly sat up, wincing in pain from his wound. He used what energy he had left to speak. Blood spilled from his mouth, adding to his worn out self. Thor didn't bother to look up at his worst enemy.

"...long...reign...the...Kree..."

Yon Rogg collapsed after taking his last breath, while Thor ignored him completely. He was still broken and sobbing. He would never be able to recover from this. He had watched his brother die countless times, watched his father die, saw his mother's lifeless body, but none of that hurt more than watching the only thing he loved die in his arms. The pain was unbearable, yet he was still alive. The sun set over the New York sky, leaving a broken couple glowing in a bright orange.

"The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are."

"Look at that. Remember this place... home."

"I assure you, brother, the sun will shine on us again."

"There is always hope."

Thor watched the sun fall over the horizon, sobbing over the fact Carol wasn't watching it with him. He heard footsteps behind him, but didn't care to look behind him. The footsteps stopped and he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"It's going to be alright Thor."

Thor didn't respond so Frigga kept going.

"I know the feeling when your world is torn to pieces and you don't have the strength to stand. It's okay. Even gods are vulnerable."

She watched her son hold Carol in his arms, sobbing.

"...I....wish....she was here."

"She is always with you Thor. No matter where you may be, she's right beside you."

"I will never forgive myself.... it was supposed to be me..."

Thor kissed Carol's forehead for the last time.

"It was always you Carol. It was always you."