Prologue
It was a normal day for Melody Smith,the poor girl had to endure a long tiring day at school, it was the last period and her next lesson was R.E. She was glad to have one of her favourite teachers.
In today's lesson the class got to partner up in a group of four to design a poster on heroism. Melody was thrilled to be doing the poster with her closest friends, Beth,Lily and Clara. Melody of course put pictures of superheroes on the poster but suddenly the atmosphere changed and confusion struck the room.
Melody's P.O.V
I went to hug my friend Clara but she turned into to dust. Most of my class started to panic as people were vanishing.
Lily reassured me not to panic but then she disappeared right in front of me as well. I stood tense holding Beth's hand we were all so scared and confused.
A thought blasted my mind, what if mum had vanished, I didn't want to loose her after i'd lost my dad a few weeks ago. It also would mean that I would have to choose a funeral to go to my mothers or my fathers.
Miss looked very angry and she almost grabbed my phone off me but then she vanished as well. I hugged the distressed Beth and ran out of the class room. All I could hear in the corridor was sounds of people screaming.
I rang mum and she answered to my instant relief. She answered very concerned.
"Melody are you alright, your supposed to be in school!"
Typical I was frustrated mum cared about school when all I cared about was her. I bluntly replied.
"I was in school, people are banishing into dust look outside!"
Mum hesitated and the sound of her heavy breath could be heard from a mile.
"Oh Melody, stay calm dear I'll come pick you up and we'll be able to watch a movie to calm you down. I love you, everything--"
The phone fell silent and I screamed for my mum but no answer. I stood frozen, slowly falling to the floor weeping,I just wept as I was an orphan who only had her siblings and friend left for guidance.
I received a text from my sister Mara it said "meet me and Martin outside the train station as we want to go home as if we're not careful we could be next to fade into ashes."
My brain felt numb I was so overwhelmed and I ran out of the door heading straight for the train station. I felt so scared and confused, I sat on the train listening to sad music in deep despair I felt alone and lost.
As soon as the train stopped I gasped as people kept on vanishing. I sore my distressed sister and ran to hug her. I then grabbed my brothers hand but Martin faded to dust completely. Me and Mara ran to the house but as soon as she was about to unlock the door she banished dropping her keys.
I tried calling my other siblings but nothing, straight to voice mail. All hope was gone I truly had nobody as I'd been abandoned all because of this random dust surge.
When i opened the door more tears streamed down my face and I read the news that my idols the avengers had failed defeating this,Thanos guy who had snapped away half of the universe. I was angry and confused. Why didn't I die why did Thanos curse me to live in this hell?
I woke up the next day and decided to skip school as I didn't care about anything as I felt like my life was ashes nevermind my family. I hacked into my mother's bank account and my sisters and I went to a machine,so I had over £1000 to survive on. I went back to the house packed all I could and left my home forever as there was no purpose to be there as my fantastic family were gone all of them.
My plan was to go to Leeds as my brother Danny, had a nearly one year old son who could have survived. I didn't want him alone as I realised we needed each other.
I put on a hoddie as a disguise and payed for a train ticket to Leeds. Once I got to Leeds I found an abandoned store full of thief gadgets and stole them. My mind felt ashamed for what I was doing but i had no choice, i knew I'd be breaking the law but I must survive that's my only goal now.
My body shook as I walked to my brothers house. I knocked on the front door, but no answer, all I could hear was the sound of a baby crying.
"Hang on little Seth, I'm hear to save you!"
That's the only thing I could say as he was a baby after all. I got a hammer and broke down the door. Then I ran in found most of Seth's stuff and put it near the door. I walked over to a cot where Seth was crying next to three piles of Ash. For a moment me and Seth cried together but I fed him milk and food.
Seth fell asleep in my arms and I put him in his pram.
"It's ok Auntie Mel's hear and I swear to the Lord I'll not let anything happen to you!"
I fled to an abandoned house and stayed there untill I could make a plan but my mind was empty and blank the only thing I did was make costumes for me and Seth so that the remaining security wouldn't be able to find us. I was so adement that the only person who could look after me was my mother or my family so I vowed to not get caught by anybody. I fell asleep looking at the cold dark lonley night sky!
Beth's P.O.V
The last few days have been hell I lost half of my friends, my sister and my father to the snap. Everything has gone into deep chaos and one of my closest friends Melody has gone missing. I'm dead worried about her, she missed what's left off school yesterday and fled school when the snap happened.
I woke up to the sound of my phone bleeping intensly. It was a message from Melody.
"Hi Beth,I'm ok but alone, all of my family are gone I need somewhere to stay in secret for 6 Weeks!"
I dropped my phone on my bed in utter shock the poor girl lost her dad a few weeks ago and now she's lost her family to this snap. After convincing my mum to let her stay I replied.
"Poor Babe,of course you can,I'm here for you and we can give you anything you want. I lost my dad and sister in the snap we can grieve together. xxxx"
Two hours later I heard a loud knock on the door. I answered it not just to Melody but her baby nephew too he was laying fast asleep in the pram. I was even more worried for her now, she sat on the couch relaxing and making sure Seth was occupied but after 10 minutes of silence I finally had the courage to speak.
"Mel what the heck were you thinking you can't just abduct your nephew and look after him, mainly you need to look after yourself too!"
Melody turned bright red and broke into tears.
"Beth,I had no choice he would have died trapped in the house after his parents got dusted,I've only got him left and he's just a baby toddler he deserves priority over me. Nobody is looking after me as Mum was the only person who could, she was the perfect mother."
I simply replied feeling guilty with
"and I had the perfect Dad and Sister!"
Melody began to sob more and more so I grabbed her and we hugged tight together for 15 minutes.
My mum walked in with some plates of food and milk for Seth. I wondered what the heck was going through my Bffs head she was so quiet and normally she was very lively but that sunshine was gone she had become a cold empty star.
Mum broke the long akward silence,
"So Mel what do you intend to do after six weeks!"
I looked into Mel's eyes she looked firm and determined,I could tell this was gonna end terribly!
"I'm gonna get a passport and fly to New York so I can busk on the streets and get a wage!"
My heart froze I couldn't believe she would leave the country and focus on making money to look after her nephew and not herself. Melody had always wanted to explore and leave the country but I never knew it would come true like this. I tried to plead with her but there was no reasoning. She was arragontly stubborn that nobody else could take her in.
"Melody please just let us take you to a orphange please your not safe living like this at all!"
Melody banged her hand on the table, for the first time I sore her full of red anger.
"Beth you don't get it do you, I've lost everything that nobody can replace you still have family, meanwhile the only family I have is a baby!"
Seth cried but Melody quickly rocked him back to sleep with a gentle lullaby, using her dazzling singing voice.
Me and my mum reluctantly decided to help her but before we did, I prayed she would find hope,safety and someone that could shape her back on the right path.
My mum walked out with documents in her hand,
"Alrighty Melody you have yourself a deal!"
I was really worried for Mel as she'd already stolen Seth from her brother's house. I prayed this would work as people probably didn't care about there jobs anymore after the snap.
My mum was about to take the identity of Mel's Mum and I hoped that she'd learned enough about Pearl Smith to naturally act like her.
The person at the desk fell for the trick too easily and we filled everything in. This was it in six weeks my friend would be boarding on a plane to start a new life.
For the next six weeks we watched movies, played video games and school had been officially cancelled now for a month until things could reorganised. The snap had wipped out half of school after all.
The dreaded day came and we walked Mel to the airport, she had to lie about her age so that she could get her and Seth through.
My mind went blank, I've known her for two years and I did promise her we'd stay in touch but I'll never be able to see her face to face ever again and it breaks my heart. I hugged her tight instantly with all of my love.
"Don't do anything stupid Missy!"
Mel hugged back and replied a soft
"I won't don't you worry, thank you both of you deeply!"
Mum and I hugged her for one final time before she got on the plane and waved goodbye. I just pray that the avengers will one day be able to fix this, one day!
Melody's P.O.V
It's been six months since I fled to New York for better supplies and for more of a chance of getting money. It's almost my birthday and things are not going well.
Fewer people are on the streets and I've had to resort to stealing and beating up people for resources. The universe hates me now for sure and Seths learnt how to walk.
I probably think I'm going to die soon and Seth won't have anybody, as all of my money I have gets knicked by thugs so that's my mum and sisters credit cards gone and left them with very low bank accounts if they ever come back.
Me and Seth are on the streets as people are looking for us and all the abandoned houses are now either destroyed or they have people in them.
I only make ten pounds a day and all of the payed resources go to Seth as I feel like it's more important for him to be alive as my brother would want him safe. Everyday he looks more and more like my sister in law.
All I have left is Seth's pram and my yellow rutsack both full of supply's. I'm very weak, I haven't eaten for 2 days and haven't had water for 3 days as I said earlier I'm defently on the brink of dying.
What have I become? My mother,my father,my friends and family would be so ashamed. Living on the streets is really rough and I always dream every night of me being in a nice walm bed with my family back. Nobody's gonna rescue me and I was seen by this guy in armour but he was no iron man though. I know it sounds stupid but I just want my mother back as she was my light and the only person who could give me the life I wanted.
Natasha's P.O.V
It's been six months since the snap and I feel so guilty. Fury brought us together to protect the planet but no we failed and because of this I lost half of the only family I've ever had. There's no way to reverse it expect survive it but I can't move on it's super hard.
Today was our usual council meeting and I put on a fake smile as if everything was ok but deep down I knew it wasn't fine.
"So have all the kids with out families been placed with foster families or put in a orphange!"
Thanos had ruined everything and I knew there would be kids without families. Let's just say me and the council have had alot of clearing up to do since the snap happened.
Rhodey sighed pulling out a projection of a young girl with a toddler in her arms. He spoke in a calm voice.
"Melody Smith age thirteen, reportedly living on the streets in New York with her one year old nephew Seth Smith. She's been stealing and beating up people just for food. Claims say there hole family got Dusted and that her Dad died a few weeks before on April 2nd"
I froze in horror and realisation this girl was alone, she only had a toddler left as her family and the girl was becoming a liar and a cheater. Plus a cruel thief so I thought long and hard trying to decide the right thing to do.
Rocket spoke
"I say put the kid in a orphange or a with a Foster Family!"
For a while they all argued back and forth until I broke the fight up.
"Guy's shutup, Rhody tell England to bring over her medical files and her nephews. I'm adopting them they'll be safe nowhere else as this girl deserves a second chance at life!"
Everyone froze in shock but Carol broke the silence.
"I'll find the girl and rescue her, Okoye can bring all of her medical files over, we don't know what state she's in so get a doctor over just in case if it's serious!"
I sighed in relief that Carol supported my choice as she was the second chance I needed.
Steve walked in and comforted me as I looked out of the window.
"Nat, I know it's hard to move on but what makes this girl different from all of the other children without families!"
My fist clenched in anger as I can't believe Steve wouldn't support me on this, my past consumed me and I yelled at him accidentally.
"Steve this is the only case of a girl refusing to accept family and surviving on the streets in grief. She's become like me before I had you guys!"
I breathed heavily and hit my head on the table but Steve put his hand on my shoulder in comfort.
"If you really want to do this I support you and I'll be here to help Melody grow back into her trueself too!"
Steve called in Bruce to help just in case, Melody was in a bad state when she arrived.
I could do nothing else now but just wait for Captain Marvel to arrive with the girl and the toddler.
Melody's P.O.V
I looked at the town clock and realised it was midday I had to act quick as Seth was crying as he was hungry.
I pick pocketed a man and headed straight for the stalls, there I only manged to buy milk and a piece of bread.
Seth continued crying until we shared the bread. Seth tried to offer me the milk but I shook my head gesturing him to drink it all despite the weak dehydrated state his Aunt was in.
You see for days I've been trying to steal food and money but every time it's been a success these thugs come along and knick it off me.
I stole money from a cash machine and instantly a member of the police chased me but I ran to the hideout where Seth was waiting. I looked up and sore Seth crying and struggling in the thugs arms.
"Hey gentlemen, put him down he's just a toddler!"
Seth's crying continued as he got dropped on to the floor. The thug pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at my heart.
"Listen Kid, give us that 100 pounds or else your gonna die and your little toddler friend too!"
I weakly punched the thug in the head and grabbed Seth emensly tight. I began to run before yelling a loud.
"That friend is my nephew you big jerk!"
My head hurt and I was on the verge of passing out since I had asthma. Just before I could steal a car the thug shot me in the stomach and I layed there weak with Seth on my body. The thug punched me in the eye, this was it I would die immensly young and bump into my Dad who would slap me in deep anger and shame over what I've become. My pulse slowed down and I found it harder and harder to grasp onto the air around me.
All of a sudden a lady with long hair and in a rubber space suit thing flew over to the thug and beat him up.
"Don't mess with kids sir or else your gonna have bad luck for the rest of your life!"
The Thug ran away in fear nearly wetting his pants in the progress. My vision went blury and I tried to get up but the lady gestured for me to pass out as she gently shroked my dark brown locks, what was even spookier is that she knew my name.
"Hello, Melody Smith please save your energy as you need to survive!"
I looked at the women weakly before I passed out with Seth crying in my arms, trying to wake me up.
Steve Rodgers P.O.V
As Natasha gloomily starred at her massive medical file I heard the sound of a rocket. I looked out of the window and sore Carol dropping a car down with a crying toddler inside it lying on a unconsious bleeding child.
I was horrified, humanity had really fallen since I took a seventy year nap. The girl had been shoot in the stomach and she was loosing blood fast.
"Carol get a doctor for the todler, Bruce and I will focus on keeping Melody alive!"
Melody? That was a nice name, I sneakily followed Bruce and looked up at the monitor, I heard Natasha scream.
"She's lost 2 pints of blood and she needs it replacing fast!"
Bruce had taken the bullet out but Mel was still loosing blood. I thought long and hard about what choice I should make.
She was a young innocent girl who had a full life ahead of her and I already had missed out on one. There was only one option!
I gestured Bruce and Natasha to come out to talk to me. They had looks of frustration
on their face as if I was wasting their time.
"Look I think I can save Melody, if I gave her two pints of my blood the serum could heal her!"
Bruce looked at Mel's medical files, he had a look of urgency but he also looked hesitant.
"Steve if we do this, it could effect your blood stream and you could loose part of your strength and it could speed up your aging!"
I banged my hand firm down on the table,
"I don't care about the risks, someone is in danger and about to die. I had a life but screwed it up, unlike me she's a teenager who's got a chance."
The two of us went silent and Natasha went back in to try give Melody a pulse whilst me and Bruce stood outside thinking until he broke the silence!
"Despite there being risks for you there could be benefits for her, now I know her blood types unknown but the serum could cure her Asthma."
"Then let's do it, a true hero would help!"
Bruce nooded and we ran into a separate room, Bruce gave some fluids to knock me out.
A few minutes later I woke up feeling slight pain but miraculously I was fine. Bruce tested me to see if I had lost some of my abilities but no. No aging old and I still had the powers of the serum.
Natasha walked in with a beaming smile on her face and she hugged me tight!
"She's alive, her pulse is perfectly beating and we've given her some fluids to hydrate and feed her body!"
I sat up and smiled
"That's great to hear, I had to do it, it was the right thing to do and I know how much raising her means to you!"
Natasha handed me a whole chocolate bar to me to feed my blood some sugar. You know its actually true after you've given blood it's best to have sugar.
"Thank You Steve, your the bestest friend anyone could ask for, now get some rest!"
Natasha walked out and after eating the chocolate, I fell asleep happy knowing that I'd done the right thing.
Melody's P.O.V
When I awoke I was attached to a monitor and my stomach was sewed up. I felt alot better but confused as I'd lost all memory of what had happened before I passed out.
I looked around further and realised I was in a hospital of some sort but the monitor bleeped as I yelled out with all my strength.
"SETH!"
A man in a lab coat rushed in, calming me down instantly. He looked very friendly and familiar some how like I'd seen him on TV.
"It's ok, Melody your safe and so is your nephew we've just given him some fluids to feed his body properly."
It was practically confirmed that I was in a hospital and then I put two and two together realising that the strange space lady most have brought me here.
"Where am I? How did I get here and who the heck are you?"
"Listen everything's gonna be ok, I'm Doctor Bruce Banner, your in avengers head quarters, look you we're suffering from starvation and dehydration but even worse was that a thug shot you in the stomach but you've had a blood transfusion and Steve Rodgers gave you 2 pints of his blood!"
What! I was so confused I couldn't process everything I felt so overwhelmed that I'd almost died and my life had been saved by someone who I idolised alot.
My mind exploded inside and my impulsive nature kicked in. I somehow strongly broke out of the medical equipment and walked outside indeed seeing that I was indeed in avengers head quarters. Before I fainted Bruce Banner caught me just in time.
Natasha Romanoff's P.O.V
I ran up to Bruce actually caring as if I were her real mother and I don't know how I just felt like I was responsible for looking after her, responsible for keeping her happy and safe.
Seth was in my arms and dang he was getting a heavy toddler, I wasn't sure how in the world Melody had survived six months carrying him around. Me and Seth sat beside Mel waiting for her to wake up.
I admired her alot, she had strong determination and had gone 5 months on the street's unseen until Rhodey caught a glimpse of her whilst he was on patrol.
As Mel began to wake I sighed in great relief and to my suprised she seemed very excited and confused.
"Black Widow! My favourite and the most coolest out of the avengers. Ugh I've studied hero's for years and after school I'd bring my mother drawings of Black Widow or Captain America defending the city!"
Her smile faded into a sulk, Seth smiled and tried to walk onto the bed but Melody picked him up and hugged him tight.
"Look kid, the world's changed and we can't go back. Your family would want you to be happy and your best you. Please give up being a street rat theif, I may not be your mother but we can help each other get through this and you can live here. I'll give you anything you want!"
Melody looked at her locket and starred at the picture of her Dad inside.
"Your right, Natasha I need support and maybe we can help each other and if Steve Rodgers really gave me some of his blood does that mean?"
I nodded, she sat up and had the biggest grin of hope i'd ever seen on someone since the snap happened.
"Hey can you train me in super spy skills and maybe you could home school me too but you'd have to get private teachers for lessons you can't teach."
Wow I've never met a person that plans that far ahead,I tucked her in and handed her the teddy bear Okoye had found from Mel's home back in England. She hugged it tight and kissed it.
"Gaurdian is a Teddy bear that was my Grans but my Dad gave it to me once she died."
I thought about a educational plan and I looked at her school work and what options she took and realised I would sort out a planed time table with Steve as, I knew looking after Mel would take great cooperation with Steve as there should never be a surrogate mother without a surrogate father.
"We'll talk about a educational plan tomorrow morning but for now go to bed you've earned a nice long comfortable rest!"
Mel nodded and I gently stroked her hair watching her fall fast asleep. I walked out back to my desk and signed the papers I finally had a purpose, a true heroic way I could help.
Steve stood by my side and handed dinner to me, we looked out of the window at the night sky. The next few years would be a lot better even if we couldn't properly move on from the snap.
To Be Continued...
If you cared about this fanfic and actually read it thanks for reading. Chapters 2-5 will focus on the five year gap between endgame and Melody growing up with Natasha rasing her. Then Chapters 6-10 will cover the events of Endgame and the aftermath of the snap being reversed.
I'm a very busy kid and have changed names to protect people's identitys. So expect, Chapter 2 to be out in about three weeks.