Aubrey plunged back into battle, watching as Captain Marvel streaked through the sky, headed towards the van. She was going to return the stones, they were saved.
She worked her way back to Bucky, impaling the beasts with arrows and talons. Blood dripped from her nose and the cuts on her face but she wiped it away. Her hearing had been reduced to a dull hum. Suddenly, the ground rumbled with such ferocity that she was forced to land. Light exploded, sending waves of energy over them all. Dust and ash rose up once more and she crouched, coughing into her elbow. Bucky pushed off of the ground, reloading his gun.
"What was that?" He panted
"I...don't...know…. I'll fly up and look" Aubrey's wings flapped and she moved upwards, careful to avoid flying debris.
Thanos and Captain Marvel were locked in battle, she glowed with power and a look of determination was plastered on her face. Landing one punch after another onto his face, Captain Marvel reached for the glove. Thanos caught her hand and flung her away with a grin.
He put on the glove, screaming in pain.
Aubrey gulped a breath, flashing a horrified look at Bucky before darting to Thanos. She collided with his massive hand just as he made the move to snap. Captain Marvel appeared beside her, nodding once. Aubrey got the message and let go, flapping back to where Tony was struggling to get up. He glared at the hand she held out and got to his feet, muttering
"I'm not dead yet"
"And we're gonna try and keep it that way, yeah?" her mouth quirked and something flashed in his eyes.
"He's here?"
Aubrey gave a nod, unable to keep the sparkle from her eyes. Purple light beamed and they both looked on as Thanos took the Soul Stone and punched Captain Marvel with it. Sending her flying. Tony heaved a breath, blood steadily dripping from a cut above his left eye. He glanced to someone behind Aubrey and stiffened. She saw the movement and began to turn. But Tony grabbed her arm, meeting her eyes, something was lit in them and she sensed the urgency in his voice.
"Aubrey, I'm gonna do something. Don't come after me.-" heaving another breath, he spoke again, softer "-Everything's going to be okay."
"Tony...what?" He'd already flown away at her response. Her back stabbed with pain again and she staggered back against a chunk of metal, hissing.
Tony had his hands wrapped around the glove. Thanos carelessly knocked him away, raising his hand, laughing maliciously
"I am inevitable" and snapping.
There was no flash of light, no dusting.
Her vision cleared and with pure horror, Aubrey watched as the Infinity Stones, the most powerful things in the universe, with enough power to light up a planet, she watched them attach onto Tony's hand. He flashed her another look, as a wave of pain traveled through his body. Tony's mouth quirked a smile just for her before he focused back on Thanos.
Aubrey choked back a sob, sensing what was coming as she slapped a hand to her mouth. His next words rang through the clearing as the writhing strings of Infinity Stone energy traveled up and down his body.
"And I…..am….Ironman."
The world imploded. All of a sudden, their enemies were dusting away. The pain she'd felt just moments before was covered by adrenaline. Aubrey frantically looked for Tony. Then she spotted him, leaning against a chunk of rock. She half flapped, half limped over, feeling her soul rip at the sight of him. Tony's right side was charred and his eyes only half focused on her face as she crouched in front of him. Battling emotions welled up as his and twitched, she took ahold of it, trying to put ona brave face.
"Tony...you did it…. You've saved us all."
"I'm the hero...huh?" the words were barely a whisper but the left side of his face lit up in a small, painful smile as footsteps sounded behind her. Spiderman crouched down, grief rolling off of him in waves. Aubrey gently set Tony's hand down, backing up. Sorrow soaked down to her every bone as Spidey said whispered words to him. A hand lightly fluttered on her shoulder and Pepper came past, gently touching Spiderman's shoulders. She felt Bucky come up beside her, felt the metal arm that hovered just behind her back as if he was afraid she would collapse. Pepper kneeled in front of Tony, his eyes focused on her and his mouth tried to form words. Tears shimmered in his eyes and Aubrey felt her knees wobble. Pepper's words were laced with love as she murmured
"Tony? Look at me,-" she waited until he met her gaze again. "-We're gonna be okay. You can rest now" Aubrey heard the waiver in Pepper's voice and gulped down tears. Tony wheezed, groaning painfully under his breath. Her head bowed and soft cries came.
Tony's arc reactor flickered before going dark.
Aubrey slapped a hand up to her mouth, squeaky sounds escaped and she swayed, grief enveloping her. Bucky sucked in a breath, hovering beside her, not knowing how to help.
The world had just lost a great hero and an even greater man.
But he had known the risks and saved them all anyway.
Her vision flashed and she let herself lean into the familiar coolness of a metal arm, unable to speak.
A/N* Bit of a short one this week. I kind of cut it off in an awkward place last week, more will be coming soon :)