Family Matters Chapter 21

Grace looked over at Natasha as they flew through the air heading to Wakanda. They had all been briefed of the situation and she did not want to admit this to anyone but she was craving the fight to come. She had been on the phone for half an hour to her mother, Skye and Phil reassuring them that this is something she needed to do, that she was ready. She knew that her mother had spoken not only to Clint but also Natasha. Maria had been in contact with them making sure they did not need anything but Grace knew that she was keeping an eye on her also. Steve moved over and sat next to her, Grace ended up taking his hand and the two of them sat in silence. She saw that Wanda and Pietro were whispering to each other, she didn't have to read minds to see that they were nervous. Stark was busy looking over the computer trying to come up with a plan, but like everyone else he was not sure what they were really going to be facing. Bruce had his eyes closed as he sat in a seat opposite Wanda, she really wished Thor was on Earth but he returned to Asgard over a week ago, but he usually shows up when earth was in trouble and she had a sneaking suspicion that whatever was going on in Wakanda was troublesome indeed. Steve squeezed her hand so she looked over at him and he gave her a small smile. Grace seemed to relax into her seat, taking this time to rest.

They arrived in Wakanda to be greeted by King T'Challa, he was surprised of their extra team members but welcomed them non the less. Grace saw Steve greet Bucky with a hug it seemed that his friend was back and she could see Steve was over the moon. But Steve seemed to understand that trouble was coming so their reunion was cut short as they headed into the palace to talk business. Grace stayed close to Wanda seeming Steve was upfront with Stark and Natasha. Clint was walking behind her, it was clear he was not going to let her out of his site. She could see the protectiveness in his eyes. Pietro was walking next to him and he also seemed to have the same expression so Grace looked over at Wanda who was not surprised at her brothers antics.

'Do you not want to be part of meeting?' Grace signed to Clint

"Nat will fill me in of the important stuff." Clint replied

'Is this how it is going to be the entire time we are here?' She asked at this he gave her a look.

"Obviously." He replied at this Grace shook her head. They were all in the gathering hall Grace saw the Dora Milaje, royal family and elders. She found herself focusing on their clothing but was brought out of her stupor when the reason they were there came to lite. An alien army was coming lead by a titan Thanos.

"Do we know what he is after?" Natasha asked

"This." T'Challa stated putting a small container in the middle of the table

"What is it?" Steve asked

"A stone, one that has been protected by our people for generations." T'Challa stated

"DO you know why he wants it?" Stark asked

"Legend has it that there are five in total, when the…stones are brought together they can give you the power of the universe." T'Challa states carefully, Grace could tell though that he was holding something back

'How many does he have?' Grace signed gaining the others attention Natasha translated for her at this T'Chall looked uncomfortable.

"He has four of them." He stated

"How do you know?" Stark asked

"I told him." A female stated

"And you are?" Stark asked

"Carol Danvers."

"How do you know Ms Danvers?" Stark asked looking her up and down she was wearing a superhero outfit but it was one none of the others recognized until Grace remembered something.

'Ms Marvel?' she asked

"You know me?" she asked when Natasha translated

"How did you know?"

"Yes how do you know?" Clint asked

'Phil…he told me stories…he said you know how Nick lost his eye.' She signed back 'What I actually listened to his stories?' She shrugged

"Who are you?" T'Challa asked looking at Grace

'I am Grace.'

"SO if he has four of them, that is why he is coming here, what happens if he gets all five?" Steve asked getting everyone back on track.

"He has a goal, once he collects all five infinity stones he will wipe out half of the universes population." Carol replied

"That is one messed up goal." Clint mumbled "Why?"

"He thinks overpopulation will destroy the universe. His ideal is that he is the hero saving everything." Carol responded

"That makes him dangerous." Stark realized "So he is coming here with an army to get that, why not move it?"

"HE is already on his way here. He has a score to settle here anyway."

"What is that?"

"You defeated his army once before." Carol stated

"When…"

"The chitarre, that is his army. Throughout the different galaxies he has conquered many planets killing half of the population but that was slow work. After his army failed here his search for the stones became his obsession he now has four, that is the last one for him to reach his goal. So he is coming."

"Firstly the chitarre followed Loki, secondly if it is the chitarre we know how to beat them."

"Loki was a tool, he failed. Those that attacked here was only a fraction of what his real force is like…he is bringing those forces here so we need a plan to stop him."

"Can't we destroy the stone?" Bruce asked

"If the stone is destroyed no reason to come here, and no way he can fulfil his dream. So win-win." Stark agreed

"It is not that simple my friends. No weapon can destroy an infinity stone." Thor stated entering the room with several Asgardian warriors

"Thor." Steve greeted

"Yay the gang is back together." Stark retorted

"I have brought allies." Thor stated stepping aside revealing not only the Warrior Three and Lady Sif but also a standing racoon, a tree, a blue muscular man, a green woman and another man that was humanoid possibly Asgardian, but the way he held himself and his clothes had Grace thinking human.

"So this is where the party is." The racoon stated making several of them openly stare at him "What? Is there something on my face?" he asked only to end up laughing. "Seriously you would think…"

"Just ignore the rabbit, Quil is the captain of this group they call themselves the guardian of the galaxy they've been fighting Thanos. My Father has sent an army to assist what do you need?" Thor asked.

"Umm,"

"How long do we have until he gets here?" Natasha asked bringing them back to the point of this meeting

"Two days." Carol replied

"Then we have time to set up a defense." Steve stated the meeting then turned to a discussion about the best strategies they can use.

That night they had a banquet where they got to meet everyone on a more personal level but it was clear everyone was tense and they mostly stayed withing their own teams. Steve made the rounds talking with Thor and his closes friends, he spent time with T'Challa and Suri as Bucky was with them he seemed more at ease amongst the younger royal, he even made his way to the Guardians where he spoke with Peter Quil who was a human and Gamora but ended up returning to Grace's side when they started talking about shop that just went over his head. Clint was Grace's shadow eyeing up everyone as if they might be a threat, Grace had begged Natasha for help but she also seemed on protective mode she Grace turned to Steve for solace. No help from him, he agreed with Natasha and Clint it was Bucky that ended up sticking up for her she found herself getting along great with Steve's best friend. As the night dragged on she found herself outside looking up at the night sky, there were so many stars it was breathtaking. The Asgardians had set up a camp just outside the Wakandans camp laughter filled the air as the soldiers took this time to enjoy themselves knowing that in the next couple of days things would change drastically.

AN: so what do you think? This is different to Avengers Infinity War and Endgame it is an AU of sorts. I do not own any Marvel characters. Until next time thanks for reading…