"Uncle Ben?" He asked hot tears sliding down Peter's face, "I-"
"Shush kid, I got you." Tony Stark looked at Spidey through watering eyes. He thought Tony was his Uncle.
"I couldn't save you..." Peter mumbled.
Natasha let out a sob. Clint put an arm around her in shock and she buried her face in his jacket.
"You did all you could kid, you have done so much." Stark couldn't stop the tears now.
"I'm sorry." Peter took in one final halting breath, looked away and melted into ash.
Tony looked around wildly. He had been back... there. On Titan. Again. He looked to his right and saw Pepper sleeping next to him. An arm automatically reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. She looked so... peaceful. Not a care in the world. She barely knew Spidey. He was just a random kid from Queens to her. That was what everyone thought he was. A random kid from Queens.
A random kid from kid fromQueens.
A random kidfrom from Queens.
A randomkidfromQueens .
ArAnDoMkIdFrOmQuEeNs.
Tony woke up with a jerk. Pepper's arm was draped over his side, and Bruce was leaning over him. "Tony," he said urgently, "Come with me, quickly." He pulled his friend out of bed. Pepper groaned, and rolled over to face the other way.
"What's going on?" Tony asked Bruce, pulling on a clean shirt.
"It's Vision," he replied grimly, "He's awake."
"It's alright. You could never hurt me," Vision tried to reassure Wanda as he knelt in front of her. Her face crumpled, and she ducked her head. He took her hand and pressed it to his cheek. "I just feel you." Wanda breathed deeply, before striking the stone, focusing all her power into one purpose. She heard Thanos come behind her, and she used one hand to keep him back. "Wanda," Vision said, "I love you."
And it was over. They were safe.
Something was off though. Wanda looked back towards Thanos and everything changed. The second she looked back to Vision, Thanos was standing in front of him. "NO!" She screamed, before being flung back into a tree. Thanos grabbed Vision by the neck. And ripped the Mind Stone from his head.
After what seemed like hours, Thanos finally left. Wanda crawled over to Vision, and placed a hand on his cheek. "Vis?" She finally choked out. "God, no." A tear rolled down her cheek. Breathing deeply, she waved her hand over his head. Red fumes erupted out of her fingers, and drifted down to his head. Before her eyes his wound healed itself and his eyes flew open. Their eyes met, and Wanda thrust herself upon him. "Come on," she whispered, pulling him to his feet, "It won't last for long."
Tony and Bruce ran into the room where Vision was sitting up, his hand being held tightly by Wanda, who had dried tear tracks on her cheeks. She smiled at them as they entered, and Tony and Bruce stood awkwardly at the foot of Vision's bed. "Hey Vis," Tony said, doing a little wave, "How's the new tech doing?"
Vision smiled dryly. "It is not the same as the Stone, but it is substantial. Thank you for making this Tony. I appreciate your effort."
"It's not a problem." Tony replied.
"Stark..." Vision said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm sorry about what happened to Peter."
Tony felt his heart speed up, and his throat tightened. He nodded in response. It was too much to talk right now.
Vision was finally up and about, though he was constantly under the watch of Wanda, who held his hand at every opportunity. The Guardians had finally come back to Earth, and they were all gathered around the living room, with mugs of coffee. "Are we sure about this?" Stephen asked taking a sip of coffee, fighting back the gag that arose in his throat. It was extremely strong.
"Of course we are," Gamora replied haughtily, "Vormir has this place... where Thanos took me. He meant to kill me in order to get the Soul Stone, but this Red Skull apparently took 'pity' on me, and Thanos got the Stone anyway. I'm certain if we take Red Skull the Stone, he can bring everyone back."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Steve asked, "Let's go!"
"Yes," Red Skull said, examining the Stone carefully, "I can bring them all back using this."
"Then do it!" Tony said agitatedly.
"I will, once a certain debt is repaid." He looked towards Gamora. Quill stepped in front of her.
"No," He said, "You're not hurting her."
"A debt is a debt and must be paid. And this time, " He paused, "I will not be as lenient."
Tony stepped forward. "Then have this." He held out the gauntlet that had once belonged to Thanos.
Red Skull sucked in a breath. He took the gauntlet, and admired it for a while, before speaking. "This is sufficient," He said, "I will begin work right away."
Tony paced angrily up and down. It had been three hours since they had made the deal with the man. What the hell was taking so long?
"I do believe," a voice eventually rung out, "That I am done." Tony, Quill and Gamora jumped at the news, and rushed towards Red Skull. He handed the stone to Tony, who took it apprehensively.
"Well?" Gamora asked, "Did it work?"
"All you have to do," Red Skull addressed Tony, ignoring Gamora, "Is hold it and think. I do suggest doing once you return home, however."
"Thank you." Tony said. "Really. Thank you."
"You're back!" Natasha jumped up, and rushed towards the trio who'd just returned from Vormir.
"Did it work?" Steve asked.
Tony grinned and held up the stone, "Just gotta hold it and think!"
"Then do it!" Clint urged. The others made indistinct noises that Tony guessed were support for the idea.
Tony gripped the Soul Stone in his hands and thought about Peter. How he'd held him as he turned to ash in his arms. How he'd reassured the kid that he'd be okay, and tried to make his last moments last. How this world, this universe needed Peter Parker in it. The Stone started to glow, and suddenly exploded in light, blinding them all.
A/N: Aaand that's it for this chapter! I just wanted to say thank you, for the support this story has been getting, and I hope the cliff hanger wasn't too bad. School's starting soon, so it'll be harder for me to update, but I'll do my best! Also, I may or may not have quoted Blood Brothers in this, but, eh. S'all good.
-Charli
