"You…should've gone for the head!"
Thanos rises slightly, and then presents his gloved fingers, before snapping them. The gems on his gauntlet flashes and Thor roared as a shockwave emanated throughout the universe. As the light faded from the gems, Thanos stepped through a portal, leaving the axe to fall on the ground before the distraught god of thunder.
Steve approached, confused. "Where did he go? Thor, where'd he go?"
Before Thor could answer, Bucky called out. "Steve?"
Both Steve and Thor turned to see Bucky staggering in the clearing, confusion written on his face. Steve rushes to his side, just in time to catch the ashes left behind as the former Winter Soldier disappeared.
Realizing what has happened, Steve turned back to Thor, horror gracing his face. "Oh god…" Steve uttered before both Avengers disintegrated into ash.
(On Titan)
Tony collapses next to the pile of dust that used to be Peter Parker, unable to articulate the grief that coursed through him at that moment. His brain, one of the smartest on the planet he called home, couldn't function, couldn't even begin to make connections on what to do next. Not that it mattered, because only seconds after the last speck of ash fell from his hands, did his own body shatter into fragments as well. Nebula, still recovering from when she had been thrown during the fight with Thanos watched in horror, as she too began to disintegrate.
(The Soul Stone)
Billions of souls wandered around aimlessly in the yellow hellscape that was existence. Many had thrown themselves to their knees, or their anatomy's equivalent of them, in shock or fear. Animals of all kinds wandered around, and everyone wondered what had happened. People screamed out, hoping someone or something could answer.
Steve opened his eyes to witness this situation when he felt something tug on his hand. He looked down to see a little girl; only her skin was bright green. He stared at her, unsure of what to do, when she tugged on his hand again and said: "Follow me." She then began to weave her way through the people, and Steve felt he had no choice but to follow her.
Eventually, she led him to a platform, with an almost oriental-like structure overhead. A few people stood on the platform, and Steve recognized them. He stopped in his tracks, and whispered "…Tony?". For there in front of him, although the billionaire's back was turned, stood Tony Stark, suited up in the bashed Iron Man suit.
Tony froze, shoulders tensing upon recognizing the voice. He had previously been having a stare-off with the Scarlet Witch, who blamed him for running off when people needed him. Slowly, Tony turned around to look at the man he had once called a friend. He was not ready for this, not ready to look Steve in the eyes again after Siberia; he couldn't do this, he…he wasn't ready. Their eyes met, and both men took each other in. Not for the first time, Steve saw how tired the other man looked, but this time he could see the pain of heartbreak and loss on the face of the man he had left behind. Tony saw the exiled soldier, with a full beard, and the confusion in his eyes at once again having died because of an infinity stone.
No one said anything, before Bruce stepped forward, and placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. "I know a lot has happened, and that you two need to work things out. But we're here for a reason, and we need to address that at the moment, okay?" Bruce looked at Steve as he said this, but the message was clear to both men; now was not the time.
The little girl reappeared, with even more people in tow. Bucky, Thor, Clint, and Scott emerged from the crowd, and more followed that Steve did not recognize. The tree that had introduced himself on the battlefield ran forward, approaching one of the strangers, screaming "I AM GROOT!". A sandy-haired man dressed in red leather knelt down, and let the tree embrace him, softly whispering "Hey buddy."
A young boy also emerged from the crowd, looking around like a lost puppy, before his eyes locked upon Tony. "Mr. Stark?" Tony, who had still been staring at Steve, whipped his head to look at the boy. "Pete?" Tony whispered, unsure of what to do. His feet carried him closer to the teenager, before reaching out and drawing the Spiderman into a hug. Peter Parker wrapped his arms around the older man, and Tony stroked his hair, thankful that the young man was not gone forever.
Eventually, after reunions were made, the green girl stood on the platform. "Avengers," she called out. "Guardians, heroes. You know of the events that brought about this situation, but to resolve this, you must look within your past to save your future. Please, gather around me.
Several people organized themselves into a circle. The girl began to address them all. "Tony Stark. Steve Rodgers. Thor. Clint Barton. Natasha Romanoff. Bruce Banner. King T'Challa. Princess Shuri. Doctor Steven Strange. Peter Quill. Drax. Mantis. Groot. Rocket. Nebula. Bucky Barnes. Peter Parker. Wanda Maximoff. Scott Lang. Hope Pym. James Rhodes. Sam Wilson. Welcome to the Soul World. I have gathered you to show you a series of videos, as you would call them on Terra, in hopes that you might glean information that will help you to undo the terrible deed wrought upon this universe."
"Who are you?" Steve found himself asking. The girl appeared thoughtful for a moment. "I am but a remainder of a woman who played a large part in the events that have passed. I am a shadow, an interface, and a guide here in the Soul World. My name is Gamora."
As the little girl stated her name, choked sobs emerged from the Guardians of the Galaxy, and from Nebula, who looked upon the little girl she had grown up with in grief, reminded of the act her father had performed.
Doctor Strange opened his mouth in preparation to ask questions, but the girl raised her hand, holding it out in front of her to stop him. "Everything will be explained in time. But for now…" She trailed off, and waved her hand, making a ball of light appear in the center of the circle, above her head. "Please, watch this, and I will explain more when I return." With that, the girl disappeared, and an image of a dusty landscape appeared on the surface of the ball, turning it into what was effectively a television screen.
That is when ACDC began to play.