Altered - A Marvel AU

Chapter 36 - The Physician's Curse

One week, one week had passed by in me lying on Hera and Zeus's bed, my whole body hurting me, and Apollo and Asclepius trying out various methods to heal me. Finally, Asclepius spoke up after trying yet another healing method, "The physicians curse." Zeus looked up at him, "I killed you for trying that and you promised not to use that again." Ascelpius cringed, "Yes, I do remember my mortal life before you killed me Grandfather. I simply mean that we could try that on Lady Eros."

Apollo got brighter, his whole persona getting flashier, "That's interesting. You are forgetting one thing son." Asclepius looked up at Apollo and cocked his head to one side, the two looked nothing like each other, I didn't see how Asclepius could be Apollo's son. Apollo was tanned, blonde with blue eyes and lean muscular, like a surfer. Asclepius on the other hand had black, curly hair with gray eyes, he was quite muscular and was incredibly handsome as well. He looked exactly like a young, attractive doctor might.

"The physician's curse only works on mortals and Lady Eros is far from mortal." I nodded slightly, having gained some influence and control over my body. "Yes, but what if the curse of Delos daisies were picked by Leto and then dipped into Nectar." Apollo's eyes twinkled as he thought about it, "Why Nectar then, let's take it a step further and dip it into the remaining Ichor of Ouranus in the sea." Asclepius jumped up and out of his chair, grinning like a mad man, "By this time tomorrow, Lady Eros may be healed." "Ofcourse, there's still a chance this could go the wrong way and burn her up completely." Zeus spoke out and everyone glared at him.

With their morales unaffected, both father and son zoomed out, discussing the plan in hushed tones. Hera was at my side instantly, smoothing back my hair and making me drink Nectar through a straw.

***

Steve's POV

They say pain is easier to handle as time passes by, yet I was still curled dejectedly in one corner of my room. My body was pale and cold since I hadn't eaten anything for... I couldn't even remember how long it had been. I couldn't get any sleep because every time I closed my eyes, her smiling, beautiful face would flash in front of my eyes and I would be reminded that I could never see her again, I could never hold her again.

The first few days, I was incredibly angry and frustrated at Thor, but soon I realized that I was only angry at myself for being so naive and letting Megan out of my sight. That didn't mean I wasn't still upset at Thor, but I had noticed the fresh bruises everyday on his face when he would come and sit by my side, just staring emptily into space. I would hear the tortured screams of Natasha and Tony as they would land punch after punch on him. I could hear at night, the whispering cries of Nat as she whimpered in her sleep, no doubt having another nightmare. Those were common to her.

I could hear Thor's strangled screams as he yelled into his pillow and then cry afterwards, I could hear Tony's muttering, "I could've done something." He would repeat day after day. I could sense all of their pain, but it couldn't have possibly been worse than mine, and I wondered, perhaps was this pain what she meant when she lost her brother? The pain where each day it feels like your heart is being ripped from not only your body, but from your soul and shattered to a million pieces and no amount of glue will hold it in place. The feeling where a never ending pit of depression enters your thoughts, churning your stomach and making you wish for death. The pain where the person you love tortures you by entering your head 24/7 and each memory of them reminds you of the fact that you couldn't save them.

I heard footsteps approach my door and I knew Thor would walk in any moment, he would sit by my feet, his back leaned against the wall as he would stare into space, tears would flow from his eyes but he would barely notice them. True enough, Thor walked in, a fresh open cut was shining with blood on his cheek, the glistening red substance dripped down his face, onto his neck and disappeared into his suit. "Who did that?" I asked, my voice hoarse. "Tony, he landed a punch to my face and his ring cut me." Thor's accent was immaculate, but it also held pain. "Does it hurt?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Thor shrugged, "I can't feel anything lately." He sat down near my feet and I looked at him, "You feel numb? Why? You barely knew her." "Granted I knew her for 3 weeks, she still had a lasting impression on me, on all of us. Her compassion and empathy towards us was incredible, she was just so pure, so angelic. Sometimes I can still feel her gentle lips on my cheek, I can still hear her laugh, she was family, for all of us."

I laughed without humour, "Yeah well she was my soulmate, one-true love, imagine how I feel." Thor flinched and more tears streamed down his face, "I'm sorry Steve." "No point in that, sorry won't bring her back." I replied and Thor nodded, "But, the team can't keep doing this to you." I got up shakily, I could feel the lack of nutrients in my body weaken me, nevertheless I kept walking. I walked to the intercom, "Jarvis?" "Yes, Captain Rogers." "Call everyone to the meeting room." "Right away, Captain." The A.I. most likely sent a message to everyone personally as nothing could be heard over the intercom.

I made my way to the meeting room, already seeing Nat rush there, her face low and her hair unbrushed. Once everyone was seated, including Thor, I began, "You guys can't blame Thor for this." "Well why the hell not, he let her die." Tony spoke up and Nat nodded, sniffling. "Or maybe we all let her die, we're just scared of thinking that reality so we'd much rather blame an easy target."

Everyone looked up at me, "You're saying I was responsible for Megan's death?" Natasha asked and she looked visibly shaken as realization hit her, "I'm saying it could've been prevented, but it's nobody's fault. Yes, we all had a role to play in this tragedy, but we can't bring her back. Plus, the only this she'd want from us is for us to be together, as a family, as a team." Everyone nodded and Nat looked up at Thor, "I'm sorry." She said through gritted teeth and Tony sighed, "I'm sorry." He said as well and Thor nodded, "I am too, for that matter."

***

Megan's POV

My body was in more pain than ever before, my back arched off the bed as I let out scream after scream, each one more painful and agonzing than the last. "Fix. Me." I gasped out, my throat burning at the effort of just saying those two words alone. Asclepius looked miserable as he stared at me and Apollo was standing right beside him, his face expression matching that of his son's.

I writhed in pain, the intense heat of my body making me literally wraith around like a fish. The heat was just too much, the physician's curse had made it worse rather than heal me. "Asclepius, do something." Hera shouted as her hands tried to cool down my face, "I can't, this is how she dies. We have to let her essence burn." Hera looked away, her eyes tight with pain as she rushed into Zeus's arms.

This is how I die, I thought, and I didn't even get to tell Steve that I loved him back. Images of Steve flashed in my mind, relaxing my body just a little bit. I remembered all our good times, the time he wore my skirt as a prank and let me spank him, the time he took me skiing and pushed me into the snow, falling on top of me and kissing my entire face. The time I cut my knees, running outside and he was at my side at an instant, pushing back all the students and rushing me to his room, peppering me with kisses. The time we were in the hotel and after we had been intimate, I whispered, "I love you." to him.

"She needs to burn her physical body, then I guarantee it will work." Hera looked up at Zeus, "Well, why didn't you say that before, she was tortured with pain." "A reminder to her of what happens when someone wants to take my throne." Zeus walked away and Hera sighed, she was at my side once again, "Lady Eros, burn your physical body, your physical sustenance." I closed my eyes and imagined my current body burning away, it hurt more than ever before, I couldn't even breathe through the pain.

The only thought that kept me going was that I would get to see Steve soon so I could feel my physical sustenance, the one that kept me anchored to Earth slip away and when I opened my eyes I could hear the three God's gasp. "You're... you're in Goddess form." Hera marvelled, "Thank you my queen for healing me." I bowed in front of her as I felt my voice return to normal, I did the same to Apollo and Asclepius, "I will never forget this favour, right now however I have other matters to deal with." They nodded and I flew down to Earth.