Part 8: Welcome back
The Celeste of the past had calmed down. As Rocket took the Milano into the sky they could see Celestials flying around the city repairing buildings. Others were flying the injured to somewhere else. It wasn't until they reached space that someone spoke up, "They werent trying to kill us," Gamora said from her seat.
"The two we faced at the main building were different," Tony said before looking at Raymond. "The male one, you think hes the one who wrote those words in the records?" He asked.
"Theres a good chance," Raymond said before sitting back. "The stones were to leave in the next few days," he said.
"Well they may have not been trying to kills us but those blasts still hurt," Scott said groaning as he held his right arm.
"You still in pain?" Rocket asked.
"No Im, good I would just like to get back home," Scott said.
"The celestials decided to separate the stones because they knew how powerful they were together," Thor said looking serious. "That leader must have used them once," he said.
"That would explain why he was determined to not let us get away with them," Steve said before looking at Bruce who was holding the case with the stones in it.
"Well lets get home and get all our friends back," Bruce said looking determined and everyone nodded in agreement. After a while they reached Earth and landed on the same field from where they had left earlier.
After Scott shrunk down the Milano and handed it back to Rocket. They all equipped their time suits and nodded at each other before activating them. After a few moments they reappeared on the time machine in the present in the avengers compound.
"Daddy," Lisa said running over to her father as he walked down the steps. Raymond picked her up hugging her as Carol walked over to them. The two of them kissed before hugging.
"You okay," said Carol.
"But he was only gone for a second," Lisa said looking confused.
"I'm alright," Raymond said before smiling. "Just glad to be home," he said. Thor picked up his son from Janes arms before hugging her. Steve and Natasha hugged as well.
"Did you get them?" She asked.
"Yeah," Steve said before looking at Raymond who nodded.
Everyone accept Steve and Natasha stood outside as Raymond walked forward carrying the case. "Just contacted Okoye in Wakanda," Natasha said walking outside with Steve. "Their standing by in the field for when the others get back," she said.
"Its all up to you now Raymond now," Steve said. Raymond nodded before placing the case down and opening it. He took a breath before the blue light covered his body and the stones flew out of the case before forming a circle. He placed his right hand under them and let out a gasp.
"Daddy," Lisa said looking worried before Carol held her hand.
"Don't worry hes okay," she said trying to make sure she stayed calm.
"Theres so much power," Raymond thought as he felt the power go throughout his entire body. "Need to focus," he thought before taking a breath. Thinking of bringing back everyone Thanos snapped away.
Then looking determined he snapped his own fingers. Everyone behind him shielded their eyes as a bright blue flash went off. Then when it stoped Raymond placed the stones quickly back in the case and took deep breath as the light stopped covering his body. "Raymond," Carol said before rushing over to her husband with thier daughter.
"Don't worry Im okay," he said smiling at them.
"So did it work?" Rhodey asked looking confused before they all heard the sound of a phone vibrating. They all looked towards Clint who took his phone out of his pocket and smiled with relief.
Then they all looked surprised as a portal appeared next to them. Then five people walked out and Raymond recognized them from pictures in the avengers files. Dr Strange flew out first, then Spider-Man landed on the ground. His mask coming off revealing his face. Then Gamora and Rocket smiled as the rest of their team walked out. Starlord, Drax and Mantis.
Starlord removed his mask as Gamora ran up to him. "I thought I lost you," he said before she hugged him.
"Welcome back," she said smiling before he hugged her back.
"Did we win?" Mantis asked looking confused.
"Yeah we won," Rocket said smiling while Spider-Man rushed over to Tony.
"Mr Stark we were like gone but then when we made it back and so I asked what was going on," he said. "Dr strange said everything was fine and that we won," he said. Despite his talking Tony just smiled before hugging the young hero.
"Oh, this is nice," Spider-Man said smiling before hugging him back.
"Raymond Richards," said Dr Strange walking over to him. "Thank you for everything you've done," he said.
"I couldn't have done it alone," he said before looking over at his fellow heroes.
"I'm sure your tired by now, but theres still one thing left to do," Dr Strange said before looking at the case.
"What does he mean?" Lisa asked.
"I just gotta go back in time one more time," Raymond said smiling. A few minutes later Raymond had returned to the past and started flying towards Celeste. He flew to a nearby moon where he saw the celestial leader waiting for him. He landed on surface and was surprised he could breathe.
"You didn't take long," the celestial said as Raymond walked over. "But then again we never did try to understand time travel," he said. Raymond noticed he was holding a small capsule and he then opened the case. The celestial moved the stones into the capsule before closing it.
"Would you mind sitting," he said pointing at two large stones. Raymond nodded before the two of them sat down. He looked up and smiled. They had a perfect view of the planet.
"From the look on your face I can tell that something happens here," the celestial said getting his attention.
"Sorry," Raymond said looking down.
"Its okay, I wont ask you for answers," he said. "You might be wondering why I let you take stones with you," he said.
"You knew I was a celestial when I stopped your blast," he said. The celestial nodded.
"Yes that but it was also your actions," he said. "One of the most important things we do is protect people we care about,".
"Instead of completing your mission you came back to protect your friends," he said.
"Yeah," Raymond said before looking back at the planet.
"That's one of the reasons I was happy to meet you," the celestial said. "Not just that there is a celestial still out there, but heroes too," he said.
Raymond smiled before standing up. "And I'm sure there will be for a long time," he said as the celestial stood up as well. He then held his hand out and Raymond shook it.
"You probably have people waiting for you," he said.
"Yeah, I should get going," Raymond said smiling. "Thank you for everything," he said before taking off into space.
The celestial leader watched him go until Raymond was out of sight. Raymond however was looking forward to heading home and seeing his family.
A few hours later after returning to the present
Raymond, Carol and Lisa were sitting in the living area of avengers compound. They were sitting with Steve, Natasha along with Bucky and Sam who had come back from Wakanda. "So we missed the wedding," Sam said smiling.
"Well were happy you're here for the baby being born," Natasha said smiling.
"But be honest if it's a boy what were you gonna name him," he said.
"Yeah I would like to know too," said Bucky said sitting up.
"Aunt Nat didn't you and uncle Steve already pick out names," said Lisa.
"Yeah we did," said Natasha smiling.
"I'd like to hear that too," a familiar male voice said behind Raymonds family. Raymond looked behind him to see Fury and Maira hill. "Agent Romanoff, congratulations," he said.
"Thank you director," Natasha said before resting her head on Steve's shoulder.
"So I guess I missed two weddings of people I know," Fury said as Carol got up from her seat.
"Yeah but we still have photos," she said smiling before hugging him.
"Welcome homes ms Richards," Fury said before shaking hands with Raymond.
"So are you expecting or is this the only one," Fury said watching Lisa get off the couch.
"You dropped this uncle Fury," she said handing him his pager.
"Thanks kid," Fury said laughing at what the little girl called her.
"Little Lisa is here is going to be a big sister," Raymond said before picking his daughter up.
"Well I guess we have a lot to catch up on," Fury said as he put the pager back in his pocket.
"That we do," Raymond said before they all sat down. As they told stories the heroes felt happy that everyone was back. But they were also looking forward to their future. This started a few days later when James Rodgers was born and not long after Peter Quill or Starlord and Gamora got engaged.