Chapter 54
The End of the Line
It had been a year now since the fight with Thanos, and many months since Zara's disappearance. There had only been a single message in all that time; just Thor saying he'd look after Zara.
Steve had fallen into a state of depression. Even when his house arrest had turned into general limited outings, he rarely went out.
Sharon had noticed it, and in spite of her insistence, he just claimed it would be safer for him to stay inside.
He'd lost Bucky…again, he'd lost Zara…again, and now for the first time in his life, he wondered whether or not America needed a captain. Since he hadn't been outside very much, and out of the public eye, he decided he would never be Captain America again.
He wrote letters and resigned from SHIELD, and "retired" from the army. Neither letter was necessary of course, but he felt he had to do it. He needed to see the letters in his hand. Steve was completely defeated. It felt like it was the end of the line.
Bucky, Sam and Gamora, and all the others stayed close to camp. Over the course of a few days people drifted in and settled down or grouped and wandered off. It made no difference. The sky was still orange, the light barely changed and time went by slowly.
To pass the time they told stories and made up games. People took turns sparring to keep up their skills.
They sent out hunting parties to search surrounding areas for other lost souls. Some days went by and they found no one. Some days the search party brought several others back. Those just arriving had lots of questions. Most were already scared, and learning where they were didn't really solve any issues. A few naturally got mad, and didn't believe them, and questioned further.
There were all sorts of species, subspecies, and races. The "people" all tended to stay within their comfort zone of like kinds. A few adventurous types wandered about between groups to talk and socialize, tell stories to the children and keep the peace.
It was hard waiting.
On Atlantis, word finally reached Ronon of Zara's disappearance. Since he already a man of few words, he just replied in typical fashion. "Okay."
The team held a quiet get together to wish Zara the best in the hopes she would find what she was looking for and return safely. Even Mr. Woolsey stopped by for a drink and to express his opinion, remarking about the day he had her clean his office.
Jennifer recounted how terrified she was when she arrived. Carson told of the strange looks she'd give him whenever he spoke. "I gave her some photographs of Scotland. I think Commander Adama was going to take her there someday."
Teyla expressed her regret that she hadn't quite been able to reach Zara and become friends, but maybe if she returned, they'd have a second chance.
John made everyone smile when he reminded them about the look on Zara's face when she took that first bite of chocolate.
"It was the same as the looks on those kids' faces when Ford gave them their first chocolate bar, you remember that planet that had the suicide pact."
Nods came from John and Teyla. Both had sad smiles on their faces too. Ford had been a casualty of the Pegasus galaxy.
They toasted to her success, and hoped for the best.
After many more months of searching and dead ends, Thor and Rocket came upon a lucky break and followed it.
They were all tired and now extra cramped. They had traveled to Titan and picked up Nebula and Tony Stark. All the details from what they knew were exchanged, dissected and analyzed for any clues.
Zara stayed away from them as much as possible. Nebula gave Zara chills, and Tony was very curt every time he opened his mouth. He bickered constantly with Rocket.
Now, they were on their way to yet another planet.
As they dropped out of hyper speed, they came upon a dreadful scene; Thanos fleet.
Thor and Rocket veered off, but they were spotted almost immediately. As they recalculated a new course, a mini-fleet of fighter ships barreled after them. "Hang on!" Rocket shouted, as he veered off in another direction.
The three passengers in the back grabbed hold of anything they could find to avoid being tumbled around in the ship.
The efforts were valiant, but so far unsuccessful. They headed down in the direction of the planet, hoping to lose the swarm either in the clouds or under cover somewhere.
The cloud cover, although very thick, did nothing to protect them. They had to go lower.
"Give me a readout on the planet."
Thor flipped a few switches. "Habitable…breathable atmosphere, not bad actually."
Rocket pushed the engines even more. "We…got….to… go…lower."
Zara was terrified as the ground loomed closer and closer, and they hurtled down at breakneck speed.
Rocket found a canyon and zigzagged between the mountains. Zara screamed as the ship brushed past and lurched.
A couple of explosions sounded behind them. If Rocket could keep out maneuvering them, maybe he could reduce their numbers considerably. "Two down!" He said triumphantly.
"And a lot more to go." Tony added. "Has anyone told you how insane you are?"
"Everyday." Rocket jerked back in the other direction, and caused Tony to teeter precariously.
Another explosion signaled the demise of another fighter craft behind them.
Rocket's ears began to droop as a dark shadow fell over the small ship. "This ain't good."
A tremendous shudder coursed through the ship as a laser bolt struck it.
Rocket tugged on the controls. "We're going down." He fought the beleaguered ship all the way to the surface.
Once they landed they grabbed whatever they could and abandoned ship.
When it became apparent Zara could not keep up, Thor picked her up and carried her.
"Head for those caves!" Nebula shouted and they all ran as fast as they could.
From inside the cave, they could hear the roar of the engines as they flew by the entrance.
"They'll have to land! If we don't find an exit we'll be trapped in here. Move!" Nebula hissed.
They scrambled further and further in until they came to a dead end.
"Oh crap!" Tony said.
Rocket pointed his gun and fired off a few rounds. The walls shook and rocks pelted them from above.
"What are you trying to do? Kill us?" Tony shouted.
"I'm trying to get us out of here!" Rocket shouted back.
There was a huge explosion from the outside, and the ground shook. Zara screamed as bigger rocks fell from overhead.
"Shut her up, will you?" Tony yelled at Thor.
Rocket blasted away rock at the far end, but no one knew how thick the walls were, and if they'd punch a hole through before or after the falling rocks killed them all.
Another tremendous blast shook the cave hollow. Zara pressed herself up against the side as much as she could, and cowered on the rocky ground.
Thor zapped the same spot as Rocket was blasting with bolts of lightning, with the hope that together, it would go faster.
Between the blasting from overhead and from inside, the ground shook and stones flew in every direction.
"STOP!" The order echoed around the hollow with a definitive sense of doom. The soldiers had cornered them.
With multiple blasters aimed at them, it didn't look good. Thor spun and shot lightning out at them, but they kept coming and coming.
Enemy soldiers began shooting at the ceiling and caused rocks to loosen and fall. The intrepid group dodged as best they could, but moving made them lose their only protection from the blaster fire.
Finally overwhelmed by sheer numbers and injuries from falling rocks, they were forced to surrender.
They were marched out of the caves and into a shuttle. They were transported up to Thanos flagship and separated into individual cells.
On the monitors Thanos watched them as he sat. They all paced in their cells, except Zara. She huddled in a ball on the floor. He didn't recognize her; the rest he knew.
He had no need to speak with any of the others, he already knew what they wanted, but the woman intrigued him.
"Have her brought to me." He commanded of his minions.
They went to her cell and dragged her out. She cried loudly as she was hauled past the cells of the others, begging them to return her to her cell. They just kept pulling her.
Zara was released abruptly at the feet of the Titan, and she crumpled to the floor weeping.
"Why are you crying my child?" Thanos asked.
Zara couldn't answer; she just shook her head.
Thanos stood up and went over to her. He bent down and stroked her hair with his massive hand. "There is nothing to be afraid of here. I will see to that." He waited patiently for her sobs to subside.
"What is your name, child?" Thanos scooped up one of her tiny hands in his. "Sit up and speak with me."
Zara struggled to a sitting position.
"Are you in pain?" Thanos asked her.
Zara nodded.
"What causes your pain?"
"It doesn't matter." She sputtered out.
Thanos took a deep breath, and after a slight pause, helped her to her feet.
"You did not tell me your name."
"Zara." She answered. When she looked up at the giant's face, she suddenly felt very small. A look of fear crossed her face swiftly, and she lowered her eyes to the floor.
Thanos knelt down. "Are you afraid?"
Zara nodded.
"Why?"
Zara half-turned and pointed to the way she had come into the room. "They told me…they told me…"
"They told you what?"
"Please don't hurt me! I didn't do anything bad. I just want…I just want Bucky back."
"Who is Bucky?" Thanos tilted his head.
"I'm…I'm not sure, but I just want to talk to him. He knows the answers to my questions. I have to know why I can't remember him, Steve wouldn't tell me."
One of the minions came forward and held out Zara's journal. "She had only this on her."
Zara's eyes got really wide and she lunged for the book, but Thanos got to it first.
"No! Please, no, don't read it! It's not for you. It's to tell Steve everything I can't say to him."
Thanos looked upon Zara quizzically; then to his minions. "Return her to her cell."
Zara screamed out NO, all the way back to her cell.
Thor beat on the force field with all his might, but even he was unable to escape the confines. He drooped to the floor as he heard Zara's cries.
Thanos had a difficult time with the book. His hands were too large to hold it comfortably, but he used the Infinity Gauntlet to leaf through it.
He saw the pictures she had included of Bucky and of Steve Rogers.
He read about her harsh life of pain and suffering.
He sniffed a bit as he recalled a young girl named Gamora. Gamora was young when he took her as his own.
He read about her explanation of why she had left; of her doubts and questions, and the haunted feelings she had.
Then he read the passage that stopped him cold. He closed the book. Finally! He thought. Someone understands.
All of the prisoners were brought some food, and about an hour later, all the plates were collected.
Thanos watched the screens as before.
Thor paced. Rocket sat. Tony appeared to be thinking of a way to escape. Nebula had an unreadable expression on her face. And Zara huddled in the corner furthest from the door.
Thanos picked the book up again and finished reading her entries. He put the book down on one of the arms of his large chair. "Bring the prisoners here. I wish to talk to them."
All of them struggled with their captors as they were brought before Thanos; all but Zara.
"I suppose you're all wondering why I had you brought here."
"You let me go and I'll show you why I'm here!" Thor threatened. It was an empty threat as Thanos held all the cards, so to speak.
"Release Zara." Thanos commanded.
The minions let go of her, and she stood there trembling.
"Come up to me my child. Tell them why you are here."
Zara glanced up in surprise. She sputtered out a few syllables in confusion.
"What did you wish to ask me? This man you have an image of in your book; the one you call Bucky. You believe me responsible for his disappearance?"
Zara nodded dumbly. "They said you made him go away." She squeaked out. "I want him back."
"I see. And you think I can bring him back?"
"If you are as powerful as they say, why couldn't you?"
"Oh, I didn't say I couldn't, but why would I? What's in it for me?"
Zara chewed on her lip and thought really hard.
Thanos watched her struggle with her thoughts until defeat finally appeared on her face.
"I don't have anything to offer in exchange, except for myself. I will take his place, if you are gracious enough to accept it."
"NO ZARA!" Thor cried out.
Zara glanced sadly at him before resuming. "Bucky has more value on Earth than I do. He can help so many more people. He is stronger than I am. Please let him go."
"And you would willingly give up your life for his?"
Zara sank to her knees, and bowed her head. "Yes."
"And what of these pitiful creatures? What should I do with them?" Thanos swept his hand at the rest of the group.
"Send them back to Earth with my book, so Steve understands why I did what I did."
"Would that make you happy, little one?"
Zara nodded.
He picked up the book and held it out for Zara. She took it from his paw, and she tucked it in under Thor's shirt and into the waistband of his pants. "Make sure Steve gets this."
Thor continued to struggle. "No, Zara, don't do this please."
She ignored him and faced Thanos. "I'm ready."
Thanos lit up the gauntlet stones, twisted his wrist, and Zara vanished into ashes.
Sam, Bucky and Gamora were sitting in the camp talking, when suddenly, without any warning, Bucky vanished into thin air.
Sam's mouth hung open for far too long. "What the hell…?"
Bucky was sitting talking to Sam one moment when he felt a funny, but familiar feeling. Everything before his eyes went dark.
When he opened his eyes, he was looking up at blue sky. He turned his head and instantly saw green grass. He sat up with a start and instantly regretted it. He felt nauseous and dizzy. He moaned at the awful feeling.
Behind him, a circle of watery light appeared and he jumped to his feet. The nauseous feeling got worse, but he had long since been trained to ignore his pains by HYDRA.
Stumbling and flailing, out of the circle came Nebula, Stark, Thor and the talking raccoon. The hole closed up with a whoosh, and all was still.
Once they picked themselves up off the ground, Rocket gave him a toothy grin. "Can I buy the arm now?"
Bucky ignored the question.
Tony stood up and glared angrily at Bucky. Tony pointed a finger at him. "I'm still going to kill you!"
Down the hillside, an armed assortment of Wakandans charged the little ragtag group.
Shuri opened her mouth in surprise. "What is this?" She spread her hands. "How are you here?"
Before Bucky could utter a sound, Thor stepped forward. "We need to speak with Steve Rogers."
