Erm... Hi, everyone! *waves*
Apologies for not updating last week, had things happen at work which triggered my anxiety on Friday 22nd November and I was unable to write. By Sunday I had only written 1000 words so I couldn't post. However, to make up for that, this chapter is 7000 words. If my chapters start to exceed 4000 words on a regular basis I may not be able to update weekly, even with a good week at work. I will try to update weekly but I may not be able to, especially as we move further into the story.
I hope this chapter makes up for the lack of a chapter last week!
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The Mind Stone
Wednesday 24th August 2016
Avengers Compound
The training area had been in use every day by Wanda as she sought to improve control of her powers and learn to test her limits. Vision was a regular visitor, instructing Wanda on the best techniques to use and how to maintain her control without draining herself.
Tony hadn't kept an eye on Wanda's progress, mainly because he didn't see he needed to. He knew what she was capable of; it was just reaching that potential when it was needed most. She'd get there, he knew.
He watched from above as Wanda levitated pieces of disused machinery and threw them across the room with as much force as she could muster. Sweat was beading down her forehead and her fingertips glowed red, exuding energy in all directions.
Vision pointed to another set of machinery, this time instructing Wanda to step further away. Tony observed as she once again levitated the objects and sent them flying in all directions. One piece went through Vision.
"Vision! I'm so sorry!"
"It doesn't matter, Wanda. Sometimes in situations, you will just have to act without planning ahead."
"But I can't lose control. The effects could be disastrous…" muttered Wanda. "I could hurt a team-mate! I could accidentally kill them! No," she shook her head vigorously, "I need to learn to use these powers wisely and with control and with meaning."
Tony started to walk down into the training area. "If it's a choice of saving the world, Wanda, or saving a team-mate, what would you do?"
The young Sokovian bit her lower lip, head bowed. "I know what the right thing to do would be… but do I have the strength to do it?"
Tony stopped in front of her, a slight smile on his face. "You do." Because he knew she had. She had killed Vision when there had been no other choice. She was strong enough. "Sometimes we have to make difficult choices, whether it is sacrificing our own lives for the greater good or sacrificing others to ensure the survivability of the universe at large." Doctor Strange had sacrificed Tony for the greater good and Tony had given up the life he loved to ensure everyone he loved could live.
Wanda was fully capable of making those sacrifices too.
I hope she never has to make them this time.
"Why do you have so much faith in me?" asked Wanda curiously.
"Because I believe you are a true asset to this team, Wanda," explained Tony. "You could become the most powerful of us all. I think you underestimate yourself. It's only been a few weeks and I can already see improvement with how you control and use your powers. Vision is right though, if there is ever a time when you need to just act without thinking, it will be because you are faced with a choice between life and death. I have faith in you to make the right choices."
"I'm afraid I don't believe you…" she muttered quietly.
Tony chuckled. "I know. I think you'll surprise yourself one day." He shifted his gaze to Vision before settling back on Wanda. "I'm here for another reason too. I need to talk to you both about an urgent matter that only you two can help us with."
"Us?" caught Wanda. "Only you are here."
"Nat and I," he clarified. "She's busy elsewhere but she knows what I'm here for." He ended in a serious voice.
"What is it?" Even Wanda sounded a little worried.
Tony's eyes focused upon the Mind Stone in Vision's head. "Can we go somewhere private?"
Wanda's quarters were the closest, a place Tony had only been in once when he had been designing the Compound for the new Avengers team before he had departed after the Ultron incident. He'd never thought he'd be welcome in her room. Times had changed.
Wanda sat on the bed, leaning back against the wall, whilst Vision stood next to her as Tony paced the room. He wasn't sure how to begin with this conversation. He knew it would be a difficult one.
Finally, he stopped pacing and stood in front of Wanda, hands behind his back, almost like he was about to give a speech. "The Stone in your head, Vision, it needs to come out." It wasn't the best start.
"But he'll die!" Wanda rejected.
Tony shook his head, rubbing the back of his head over the awkwardness of his beginning. "No. It's complicated. I don't know how to propose this to you two…" Could he tell them he was from the future? After all, Carol and Fury now knew. He'd hoped no one else would find out but it seemed events would spiral out of control which would mean they'd have to be told at some point. Was there any reason to keep on hiding their secret from the rest of their teammates?
"Thor told Steve and I about the Infinity Stones before he left Earth after Ultron. Since then Nat and I have learned more information about them. One of the stones is in Vision's head. Though Thor deemed you worthy to keep it, I fear there is a danger in its continued existence here."
"How so?" asked Vision, his fingers moving up to his head to gently touch the glowing yellow stone.
"I've had a recurring nightmare… Nat has it too, of a future where all of these stones are collected together and used against the universe." It was the best way to explain their future without revealing everything. "I don't know if what I see is real but it is concerning both Natasha and I see the same thing. That is why we've been working together a lot because we fear these visions, these nightmares could come true." He bowed his head. "When I went through the portal in New York, stopping the advancing alien force, I saw how large that army truly was, what else is out there. There is no doubt in my mind that something worse is coming. And we have to be prepared for it."
Wanda looked worriedly at Vision, then back at Tony. "But how do we save Vision's life? Taking it out would kill him."
"I have a solution. Wakanda."
"But that's one of the poorest countries in the world!" retorted Wanda. "How can they help?"
"Oh, you'd be surprised. Wakanda isn't what it seems to be." Tony didn't smile. "They can help remove the Stone without killing Vision."
Vision touched the Stone in his forehead. "This is an entity we know nothing about. What do you intend to do with it once it is removed?"
"Destroy it." There was no other way. They couldn't leave the Stones intact for Thanos to find.
"How?" asked Wanda.
Tony nodded towards her. "You. Your powers come from the Mind Stone. I think you'd be quite capable of destroying it."
"Me?" Wanda's eyes widened. "I don't think I can…"
"You underestimate yourself, Wanda," said Tony quietly. "Your powers came from experiments on the stone. It stands to reason the same composition would be effective in destroying it."
"Mr. Stark, these things are ancient. Should we be messing with the very fabric of reality by destroying something so unique to the universe at large?" Vision asked, the concern evident in his voice. "What if in doing so it causes ramifications we cannot foresee?"
Vision did have a point.
Tony sighed. "All good points but I know for a fact destroying these stones will not cause lasting ramifications for the universe at large."
"You cannot know that," replied Vision.
"I can," stated Tony, determined to stay firm on this point. Thanos had destroyed them in 2018 after wiping out half the universe. Nothing bad had happened then but Wanda and Vision didn't know that.
"How?" Wanda tilted her head to the side, curiously.
Should I tell them? he asked thoughtfully. More people were coming to know their secret regardless. He wondered how many more people would learn his and Natasha's secret.
Let her read your mind…the voice suggested.
Tony winced at the thought of Wanda poking around his mind. He wasn't sure he wanted her to do that. What would she be able to see? If she reads my mind she'll realise I'm from the future.
Exactly, the voice seemed to be endorsing it.
Clearly the voice wanted Wanda to know.
Tony sighed. "Look into my mind and I'll prove it to you."
Wanda shook her head. "No. I can't. I've already imposed on your mind once. I cannot do it again."
He caught her gaze. "This time you have permission."
Wanda bit her lower lip. "Are you sure? What if I see something you don't want me to see?"
"Everything is there for you to see," he stated calmly. "Wanda, neither of you will believe what I say unless I offer you proof. The only way I can is for you to read my mind. Telling you may not be enough."
"Vision?" Wanda turned to Vision. "Should I?"
Vision locked gazes with Tony as he replied to Wanda. "I think if Mr. Stark is insistent upon having his mind read it would be discourteous to deny his request. We seek confirmation of his words, of his sincerity of this threat which faces us… If he can provide proof without resorting to his mind being read, I suggest it is our only viable option to comply with his request."
Tony wasn't sure if Vision was on his side or not but it helped he was trying to convince Wanda the only way was to use her powers on Tony's mind.
"Ok," said Wanda quietly, "I'll do it… but I don't want to."
Tony nodded and moved to sit at the edge of the bed as Wanda moved towards him, kneeling on the fabric of the bed, holding her hands to the side of his head. Gently her fingers brushed the sides of his face before pressing thin fingers to his temple.
He felt prodding in his mind as Wanda's thoughts invaded his own. It was different from when Natasha was in his mind. It felt right, connected as they were. With Wanda, it was an intrusion. It didn't feel right. He winced as he felt her probe further.
He threw up images he wanted her to see. He showed her Thanos, he showed her the Infinity Stones. He showed her the time he fought Thanos and lost. He showed Wanda her own fight against Thanos during the battle where Tony had died. He showed her what she was truly capable of. What she could do with her powers. And then he showed her his death before waking up in 2016.
She pulled back abruptly, falling back on the bed, panting heavily, her eyes wide.
"Wanda?" Vision leaned down concern written across his features. "What happened? What did you see?"
Wanda levered herself up onto her elbows, her eyes still focused upon Tony. "You… You…" she whispered, her voice soft.
"Now you know how I know."
"Wanda? What did you see?" Vision tried again.
She took deep breaths in. "We have to destroy it." She turned to face Vision, raising her fingers to hover before the Stone embedded in his head. "It's the only way to prevent what is to come."
Tony watched carefully. She wasn't telling Vision what she'd seen or what she now knew. "Wanda, you can-"
She raised a hand to stop him. "No. The fewer people that know the safer Tony will be."
"Know what, Wanda?" Vision flicked his gaze between Wanda and Tony.
"He speaks the truth," continued Wanda. "It is not in his interests for people to know, Vision. I'm sorry." Her lips twitched. "Can you trust me? Can you trust me to trust him?"
Vision floated away. "I've known Mr. Stark for years. I can trust both of you. But keeping secrets when we are a team is… We should be open and honest with one another."
Tony watched carefully. He didn't want to interfere. This was a discussion between Wanda and Vision.
"And if in telling you puts Tony in danger?" asked Wanda quietly.
"Why would telling me put Mr. Stark in danger?" Vision couldn't comprehend the logic.
"Because…" Wanda lowered her gaze, "the very same threat that is after your Stone will be after Tony too. If he gets you… and finds out what Tony really is… We'll lose the last hope we have."
Tony's eyebrows rose. Wanda was speaking prophetically as if he had some big destiny. He supposed he did have considering he had been sent back in time to fix things but to label him as the last hope was folly. He decided to step in. "I'm not the last hope. There are the rest of you. All of us are the last line of defence."
Wanda shifted on the bed, twisting her body once more to face him. "No. What I see inside you is far more powerful than you can imagine. No. You are our last line of defence. You and Natasha… You'll be the last ones standing…" Then she glanced back at Vision. "The only way to save Tony is to keep his secret safe. Otherwise… we'll lose…"
Vision floated backward. "There is much of the world I have yet to learn. Whatever you saw in his mind… It scares you."
"It did," admitted Wanda. "But I know what I saw was the truth. And if we are to survive this, we have to put our faith in Tony. We have to destroy the Stone. I know it without a doubt." She moved from the bed, towards Vision, resting her hands on his chest, looking up at his face. "Believe in me, please."
This time Vision didn't argue, only nodded his assent.
Tony lingered in Wanda's room after Vision left, leaning against the wall, arms folded over his chest. "Now you know…"
Wanda looked at him. "You're from the future."
"Where I died," he noted. "Are you not afraid of what I know?"
"No," she answered.
"Does it matter I'm from the future? Do you still want us to be friends? I've already lied to you."
Wanda shook her head. "It doesn't matter to me. I'm not the first to know, am I?"
"No. A few others do not know such as Steve, Clint, or Rhodey…Nor do Thor and Bruce."
"You know where they are though," she pointed out. "Thor and Banner."
"I do. But I can't reach them."
Wanda frowned. "This… alien… I saw in your mind… the one you defeated… He's coming, isn't he?"
"He will be," admitted Tony, his lips twitching. He moved from the wall and slowly paced around the room. "There are six Infinity Stones scattered across the universe. Two are on Earth. I want to destroy them before he can get here to claim them. Saving Vision's life is a priority for me. And I know the method I want to use will work because Wakanda was involved last time."
"Were they successful in removing the Stone?"
Tony sighed. "They… never got as far as being able to remove it before Thanos arrived." He left it at that knowing Wanda would be able to deduce the truth from his words. "We have time now to ensure the Stone is completely destroyed before Thanos even gets close to Earth. And you have the power to destroy it, Wanda. You just have to believe in yourself."
Her lips twitched. "So do you, Stark."
He wasn't going to argue the point. "What you said about Nat and I being the last line of defence… How do you know?"
"I don't know. It's a feeling… When you let me into your mind, I felt like my powers were resonating with you, giving me a glimpse of what is to come, but only in thoughts not in images. You were sent back for a reason, Tony. You and Natasha. I just feel deep down that you two are the most important pieces we have. I can't explain it, but I believe it," she explained quietly. "Vision can't know about you. Too many people know already. This… Thanos… if he's hunting for these Stones, he'll be after you."
"I'm surprised you managed to convince Vision. I didn't mind him knowing."
"The further he is away from this, the safer he will be. The Mind Stone is powerful. What if this Thanos gets it and deduces who you are from it? What you are? And all become one more person knows?"
"Thanos already knows who I am," replied Tony. "He told me so when I first met him."
"But that was then, not now," continued Wanda. "You're still Tony Stark but you are also something more… and that something more, whatever it is cannot be revealed to Thanos before the time is right. I just know we have to keep you safe for as long as possible."
Tony hummed. He didn't like these vague hints he was someone special or this destiny he supposedly had with Natasha at his side. He recognised what his role was, no matter how much he wanted to escape from it. "Wanda… When he comes to Earth, I'll have to face him. I can't be protected forever."
Wanda sought his eyes, reaching for his hands. "I fear, now that I know what we face and who you are, that he'll come for you when you least expect it. And you'll have no way to defend yourself."
"I'm always prepared," said Tony. He held her by the shoulders, moving his hands from hers to grip her by the arms. "Wanda, this is why it is important we find and destroy these Stones. Vision's is just one of six that need to be destroyed."
She lowered her gaze, moving away from Tony. "We will. And now that I know what I can do, what I could be too… I know I have to be with you on your hunt for the Stones." She raised her eyes towards the ceiling. "Even if it means going out there to do it."
Tony raised his eyebrows, surprised by Wanda's insistence. "Wanda…"
"You need me," she replied. She held her right hand up, flickers of red energy dancing between her fingers, fixing him with an intense stare. "Maybe I can destroy more than one stone?"
"Maybe you can," he admitted. He hoped she could. It would make their mission a lot simpler if Wanda's powers affected every Infinity Stone. Tony almost doubted it but they wouldn't know unless they tried.
Thursday 25th August 2016
En-route to Wakanda
"Wanda knows," said Tony, slipping into the seat beside Natasha as she piloted the QuinJet towards Wakanda.
"Does she now? The total number of people knowing about us seems to keep on rising. Why not go all out and reveal it to every member of the Avengers?" Natasha noted.
Tony chuckled. "I think if we are supposed to tell everyone we would have been guided to do so. It feels there are certain people who are important to the endgame that needs to know. Others not so much… Wanda was supposed to know… Vision wasn't. But he knows something is different about us because of the conversation Wanda and I had in his presence."
Natasha frowned, flipping a few switches on the console to put the QuinJet into autopilot. "Maybe he doesn't need to know the full truth because once the Stone is removed he will be insignificant?" she suggested. "He won't have the powers of the Stone anymore, will he?"
"No… he won't." Tony bit his lower lip. "Wanda wants to protect him. But she also implied something else, Nat." He shifted in his seat a bit so he was fully facing Natasha.
She turned in her own chair, noticing the apprehension in the air. "It's got you spooked."
He shrugged. "Yeah. A bit. We're the last line of defence. The two of us. I don't want to be. But I know whatever bought us back is lining us up to be just that. Wanda also implied I'm in danger. That Thanos will come for the Stones… and for me."
Natasha swallowed. "But not me?"
"Apparently not."
"I'm not the one who threw a missile at his army and destroyed it, am I?" she quipped, grinning slightly despite the seriousness of the conversation.
"Kinda wish I hadn't done it now." Tony winced and sighed.
"Can't change the past, can we?"
Tony threw her a glare. "Not funny. Especially considering that is what we are doing."
"One could argue this is now our present…"
Tony groaned, leaning back in his chair. "How did I get stuck with you?"
"Believe me, I wish I knew." Natasha continued to tease.
Running a hand through his hair, Tony slumped forward. "Wanda also believes I am incredibly powerful…"
"You are. When I was in your mind, I saw it."
"I don't want powers!" he grated out.
Natasha leaned forward, resting a hand on Tony's shoulder. "We cannot help what we are, Tony, only do what we can with the gifts we have been given. I've accepted I have these powers. I think you need to decide whether to embrace it or not. But these powers we've come back with? They wouldn't have come back with us if we didn't need them. I saw the potential in you, but it is in chains. Whether it is because you don't want them or it is not time yet… You need to embrace them."
"I know. But at the moment I can't. Nat… I just can't." He leaned back in his chair.
"Believe me, Tony, this is the last thing I wanted for any of us." Natasha rubbed his shoulder. "I'm embracing mine because I know I have to."
Tony remained silent.
"You might need them one day," she pointed out.
"Maybe," admitted Tony. He stood from his chair. "I'm going to go back to Pepper. I'll come by when we're coming into land."
Natasha smiled, watching as he began to walk away. "Tony?"
"Yeah?" He glanced over his shoulder.
"If Wanda is right and Thanos does come for you… I'm going to be there. I'm not going to let him take you. Or hurt you."
Tony smirked. "Romanoff, it's appreciated but there are people here who need you. If Thanos is going to come after me, I don't want you getting in the way."
"Tough, Stark. I'm ignoring everything you say. I'm there whether you like it or not because there are people who need you too. Not just Pepper, but Morgan too."
Tony chuckled, shaking his head. "I knew you were gonna say that."
"Don't underestimate me, Stark."
Tony laughed again and walked away leaving Natasha to bring them to Wakanda, where he hoped they could destroy the Mind Stone.
Wakanda
Friday 26th August 2016
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Shuri.
Vision lay on the table in Shuri's lab. "I am."
Tony stood to the side, arms across his chest, watching intently with Natasha standing next to Wanda. He understood what Shuri was trying to do to save Vision's life. It was something he could potentially have done himself but he knew Shuri's technology was better equipped with dealing with removing such a powerful object without harming what made Vision, Vision.
She was in the process of duplicating Vision's cell activity and data. Shuri had noted the structure was polymorphic. Tony had explained they'd had to attach each neuron non-sequentially, but to save Vision's life Shuri had to reprogram the synapses to work collectively. There were more than two trillion neurons in Vision and even a small misalignment could cause circuit failures, a situation they needed to avoid.
Thankfully, Shuri had time to work on ensuring the correct alignment, a luxury she hadn't had before.
Thanos wasn't breathing down their necks this time either, allowing the work to proceed at a more leisurely pace.
Shuri had estimated the work separating Vision from the stone could take at least a few hours, potentially more. She was barely ten percent through the work.
Tony wasn't sure he should be observing but he wanted to be here to witness the Stone's destruction. Wanda had been practising using her powers and he believed she had the capability to destroy it. She just needed the focus to do so and the will to carry it out, two things Wanda was capable of having.
If they could destroy this Stone today they would be one small step closer to stopping Thanos for good. Even destroying one would prevent him from winning but they couldn't take any chances. They needed to destroy all of them to ensure complete victory. If Tony could work out time travel, it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that Thanos could as well.
Especially since Thanos had.
Tony shuddered. Bringing everyone back and the Compound getting blown apart in a series of missiles strikes had been horrific. The Avengers had been lucky to survive to fight back and marshal the last defence of Earth. That Thanos had time travelled. Still, he had still been an overwhelming threat that needed to be fought back against.
Noticing movement to the right, Tony saw Pepper nodding gently towards him from the doorway. Catching Natasha's eyes, Tony motioned with his head that he'd be back shortly.
Walking across the room, Tony smiled and then embraced Pepper in a warm hug. "Hey. How are the contracts going?"
"We're done," answered Pepper quietly. "All the contracts are signed and Stark Industries and Wakanda are now partners. I'm glad I came on this trip. They've even agreed to allow our top researchers and scientists a chance to come here and spend a month learning about Vibranium and how technology can advance with it, providing, of course, they sign contracts preventing them from spilling the true nature of Wakanda's advancement. I think that's something we can agree upon. How are things going here?" She indicated Vision on the table behind Tony.
"Slowly, but she'll get there," answered Tony. "If all goes according to plan, Shuri should remove the Stone later today. We'll be able to take a flight home tomorrow."
"Good news," Pepper pulled slightly away from Tony. "Do you mind if I take a look around the market? There isn't much more I can do here…"
"Wanting to spend more of my money, Potts?" teased Tony, gently brushing his lips against hers.
"Always, Mr. Stark," responded Pepper, wrapping her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss, their bodies pressing close together.
Tony grinned, nipping her bottom lip before pulling back. "Tonight?" Now was not the time to engage in any other sort of activity, no matter how much Tony wanted to take her back to their room and ravish her.
Pepper's cheeks went pink. "I look forward to it, Mr. Stark." She leaned in and kissed him again before pulling out of his reach and turning to walk away.
Tony couldn't stop looking until she was out of his eyesight.
"Done!" Shuri announced. A tired smile flickered across her face as she finally pulled back from the holographic screen she had been working from as the machines hovering over Vision's head retracted back into their holders. She stepped back and turned to look down at Vision.
"I think we can remove the Stone. It shouldn't be attached to any of his neurons or connective pathways."
Tony walked forwards. "Maybe it is best to remove it without using our hands? These Stones are incredibly powerful. Handling them can be dangerous though some are less lethal."
Shuri reached for a small pair of metallic tweezers. "Would these do?"
"Should be," confirmed Tony. He stepped back beside Natasha. "Here we go."
Carefully Shuri placed the tweezers around the Mind Stone. "Ready?" she asked, her gaze focusing on Wanda.
"I am," the other replied. Little cusps of energy danced out of Wanda's fingertips.
"Are you sure everything is now working collectively?" asked Natasha, a hint of worry in her voice.
"Affirmative," reassured Shuri. "Removing this shouldn't harm Vision at all. Since he is artificial in nature, and born into a synthetic body made from Vibranium, and is in some sense classed as an android, if removing the Stone puts him offline, I have the means to bring him back. I've stored his cell activity and data, backed it up to this point. But I do not believe I will need to rely on this data. Your consciousness shouldn't be connected to the Stone anymore and you are still here, alive and well, suggesting the entirety of your consciousness wasn't completely linked to the Stone. Your consciousness may have been separating since you were born, as you evolved and came to understand the world around you."
"It seems a viable theory," replied Vision.
"Ready for the Stone to be removed?" asked Shuri. He'd already said yes but now was the last possible instant where they could back out of this.
Do it," confirmed Vision.
"Wanda, be ready," added Tony. He didn't need to tell her, she already was.
Gently, using the tweezers, Shuri placed the two sides around the Stone and gently pulled.
The Stone came loose from where it had sat in Vision's forehead.
"Vision, are you still good?" Natasha asked as Shuri walked past her to place the shining yellow Stone upon a smooth workbench situated beside Wanda.
"Feel slightly different… Not as strong as I was before." Vision sat up, gently tracing his fingers over the outline of where the Mind Stone had once sat. "Maybe I have become more human? Less advanced than I originally was?"
"Well, we did theorise this might be what would happen to you," replied Natasha quietly. "Your abilities come from the Stone. With it now removed and no longer linked to you, you may have lost your abilities."
"Reasonable." Vision swung his legs over the table, his eyes focused upon Wanda as she approached the workbench on the other side of the room.
Tony followed Wanda, rounding the bench, placing his palms upon it and looked up at Wanda.
"I can do this," she muttered underneath her breath.
"You can," replied Tony. "Focus. Don't strain yourself. Take your time and increase the energy bit by bit."
Wanda nodded and raised her right hand. Whispers of red energy danced across her fingertips, flowing outwards towards the Stone.
Tony stepped back, raising his hand to cover his eyes, shielding them from the bright light of Wanda's powers as they steadily increased in intensity as she increased the power slowly. Her face was beginning to redden, straining to increase her powers to a safe degree.
Wanda shifted her feet, balancing herself more securely as she added her other hand to the power flowing from her fingertips. The Mind Stone began to glow as the heat intensified, small tiny cracks beginning to appear across its surface.
Tony indicated for everyone to step back, all the occupants of the lab pressing their backs against the wall. Most of Shuri's work was securely held in place, hopefully preventing any destruction to the work she had been working on.
"Urgh!" Wanda strained, her hair flowing out behind her as she increased the energy. "Nearly… there!" Her whole body was shaking in an effort to maintain the flow from her fingertips.
The cracks along the Stone lengthened and deepened and then broke.
The pieces of the Stone flew in different directions and a cosmic wave rocked out, throwing Wanda back, sliding her across the lab, rolling over and landing face down. The rest rocked the wave as it hit them all, pressing them back against the wall for a moment as it rushed over them.
The small shards of the stone cluttered to the floor and Tony rushed forwards, kneeling down beside Wanda. Reaching out, he gently turned her over.
"Did I… do it?" she asked.
Tony nodded. "You did." He helped her up, pointing to the shattered remains of the Stone on the floor. "It's gone. One down."
Wanda got to her feet. "Vision?"
"I'm fine, Wanda." Vision stepped towards her as Tony supported her.
Wanda smiled. "And you're… normal?"
"I am. All the powers I had with the Stone are gone. No phasing but I'm still me."
A little laugh erupted from Wanda's throat. "I'm glad you're safe." She faced Shuri. "Thank you."
The Wakandan Princess smiled. "I did all I could."
"And it worked," added Tony. "It's gone. Exactly what we needed to happen."
Natasha approached him holding a clear plastic bag. "I've picked up the shards of the Stone."
"If you excuse us, Princess, Wanda, Vision… Nat and I need to have a quick talk." Tony led Natasha away, out of the lab and down the corridor. "One down, Nat."
"I know. I can't believe it has been this easy," she replied. "I keep waiting for something to go wrong." She held the packet up containing the shards of the Mind Stone.
Tony took it from her, opened it and poured the shards onto his palm. "Such small things but with the power of the universe… We could stop now… We've destroyed one. Thanos cannot collect them all now."
"Maybe not but I'd still feel better if we got them all. We eliminate their threat for good." Natasha looked at the shards sitting in Tony's hands and then her eyes widened. "Tony? The fragments!"
His hand was hot, a slight tingle running up his fingers and as he directed his focus upon the shards of the Mind Stone, they seemed to melt into his hand. "What!" he yelped, shaking his hand but the few shards which had yet to sink into his palm did not fall off. "What the hell?"
His hand glowed yellow as the final pieces of shard melded into his skin and disappeared. No mark was left only a strange sensation running through his body and into his chest. "What?"
"If that isn't a sign, Tony…"
"Don't say it!" warned Tony. Inspecting the skin he found no sign anything out of the ordinary had happened. His arm was still slightly tingling but the sensations were slowly fading.
"There is more at work here, Tony, then we realise," swallowed Natasha. She reached for his hand, running her fingers over the stretch of his skin which the shards had sunk in to.
"Let's just not say anything more about this," swallowed Tony. He shook his hand. "The sooner we finish the rest of the Stones, the happier we'll both be."
"Tony?" Pepper lay down beside him on the bed. "What is it? You've been quiet since you told me one of the Stones has been destroyed."
Tony lay on his back looking up at the ceiling. "Just thinking about… stuff."
"Isn't it a bit dangerous you thinking about things?" noted Pepper, smiling gently, slightly teasing him. "You know you can tell me anything."
Tony turned to face her, their noses barely apart. "I can't keep on denying it, Pep."
"Denying what?" Pepper sat up, looking down at him. "Tony, did something happen today?"
He nodded. "People keep telling me they think I'm powerful. The link Nat and I share? It's complicated… The Infinity Stones, we both died… But when we came back, I think we brought them or aspects of them back with us. Nat has powers… She thinks I have them too… And what happened today, no matter how much I've denied it to her, I must have powers."
Pepper leaned forward. "Having powers doesn't change who you are, Tony."
"But that's the thing, Pep, I can't use them and I don't know why. I don't want powers but if I have them why can't I use them?" Tony sat up. "The shards of Stone melded with my skin, Pep, and it didn't hurt. These powers what do they make me? Am I still human? Still me?"
Pepper reached out and stroked his cheek. "You are still Tony Stark. Still, the man I love. Still, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with."
Tony's eyes widened. "You… you want to?"
A smile tugged at Pepper's lips. "Yes." She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. "I'm with you to the end of the line."
"You… You're amazing." Tony's face was a picture. He couldn't believe the dedication he had from Pepper.
"You're all I have, Tony," she whispered. "I wouldn't change it for the world."
He kissed her. "Does this mean we're engaged?" he asked, surprised by the development.
"If you want us to be," she smiled.
"None of my proposals are conventional, are they?" he laughed, pulling her in for another kiss.
"What did you do the first time?" she asked. "I mean, I've just proposed to you in a roundabout sort of way!"
Tony chuckled. "I don't think you want to know how I proposed to you before. Let's just say we weren't alone… And there were a lot of other people there…" He remembered the Press Conference he'd organised to introduce Spider-Man as the next official member of the Avengers. Instead, the kid had decided to not take him up on the offer and Tony had improvised by proposing to Pepper in front of a sea of reporters. Granted, he had expected the kid to turn him down.
"Oh god, please don't tell me it was a press conference!"
"Maybe?" admitted Tony, cringing slightly. "You did say yes though."
Pepper shook her head in despair. "I must have been mad to say yes to that proposal."
"You loved me!" he grinned. More sombrely, he added: "Thank you, Pepper, for staying."
"I couldn't ever leave you, Tony," she repeated. "And yes, I will marry you." She slid down onto her back as Tony peered down at her from above. "Now, where is my engagement ring?"
Saturday 27th August 2016
En-route back to Avengers Facility
"Did Tony talk to you?" Natasha sat down beside Pepper as she looked over the contracts which had been signed by the Wakandan King and the Prince.
"He did," said Pepper quietly. "He told me this morning you might come talking to me."
Natasha winced. She didn't want to go behind Tony's back.
"He won't be mad," Pepper pointed out. "He knows you care."
"He told you what happened after the Stone was destroyed?" Natasha whispered quietly.
Pepper nodded. "He's uneasy about it. He's scared." She placed the contracts down on the empty chair beside her. "I know he doesn't want to admit it to me but I know him too well not to know when he is scared."
Natasha bowed her head. "He's told you everything?"
"About you two, yes," admitted Pepper. "You have powers, so does Tony. The fragments of the Stone sinking into his hand through his skin has him worried he isn't human anymore. But I don't care. He's still Tony to me. And I will always love him."
Natasha smiled, relieved. "He's lucky to have you."
"I know." Pepper sighed. "These powers he has… He doesn't want them, but he needs them, doesn't he?"
Natasha nodded. "I think so. I know he has them. I can sense them. I've seen them in his soul. Our bond, the link we share, it is important. When they come out, and I know his powers will be unleashed one day, whether it's soon or a few years from now, he'll need us, the both of us to help him through it." She paused, reflecting for a moment on what to say next.
Pepper bit her lower lip. "Do you have a theory where these powers come from? Tony implied they're the Infinity Stones themselves."
"I believe mine originate from the Soul Stone. It's how I died. Tony used all six… If I have the powers of the Soul Stone, then Tony has the powers of the other five. And I'm not sure what they mean for him, but I know from having seen inside his soul, that the powers he has will be…" She paused trying to find the right word. "Magnificent. I think he'll be the strongest of us all. Whatever brought us back must have done this to us for a reason. I get the feeling we were not just sent back to stop Thanos but for something more…" Natasha trailed off.
Pepper breathed slowly, accumulating the information. "Have you told Tony this?"
Natasha shook her head. "No."
"Why tell me?"
"Out of anyone else here in this time, you know the true extent of what happened to us. Tony's lucky he has someone he can talk to. I don't. Not really. And I've been here a lot longer than he has. Two years longer. I've had a lot of time to think. I know Tony is terrified of losing you, of not being able to have the life he wants so badly. He's already lost it once…" Natasha sighed and sat back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel worse…"
"You haven't," Pepper reassured her, reaching towards Natasha's hand and holding it in her own. "No matter what happens I'm with you and Tony every step of the way, to the end of the line. Regardless of what happens in the future, if you are here for another reason beyond Thanos, I'll find a way to stay not just by Tony's side but with yours too. I can promise you, Nat."
A slight smile tugged at Natasha's lips. "Thank you, Pepper. It means a lot we have your support. I don't know what Tony would do without you."
Pepper laughed gently. "Be more of a walking disaster than he is now, I think."
Natasha grinned. "You're probably right about that."
Pepper smiled knowingly, picked up the contracts beside her and continued to review them, whilst Natasha leaned back in her seat to rest for the remainder of the journey back home.
To be continued...
Please let me know what you think!
A lot going on in this chapter... One Infinity Stone destroyed, five more to go. Wanda now knows about Tony and Natasha. Her role in this story has now expanded, so expect to see a lot more of Wanda! Vision is now normal with no powers of his own. Without the Infinity Stone, he's just an android but he maintains who he is.
And, you may have picked up on the hints in this chapter, but there is a lot more going on with Tony and Nat than what they even realise themselves.
Up next: Peter deals with the Vulture whilst Tony is called as a witness to the trial of Thaddeus Ross!
I hope to post next week but depending on how long this gets, I may not be able to!
Until next time,
the-writer1988