New chapter is here! Wanted to say thank you to all of you in the comments, I appreciate the love and support. Makes it even more fun to keep writing. So thank you all so much and enjoy this chapter...or will you? 👀 Hehehe.
The next morning came and just as the ones before that, the group came together for breakfast. It was a lot easier and more comfortable for them compared to when they first arrived.
The conversations were full of laughter, trust, and compliments. This made Peter and Jamie happy to see. They're team had become more than just friends, they had become almost like a...a family. And they all knew it.
After breakfast, the team had all moved to the living room and chilled as their food digested. They were all doing something either with someone or just sitting alone. Nikki was reading a book, as per usual. Peter and Ava shared a love seat as they watched a movie Peter suggested to her. On another couch was Frankie laying his back, catching a few more Z's and Kate was writing something in her journal.
Riri was working on something on a holo-tablet, something she was obviously invested in. Harley was writing a letter to his little sister.
Unlike the others, Azari sat calmly and quietly and meditated with music while Maddie and Viv played a friendly game of Chinese Checkers. And Sam watched YouTube on his phone while Kamala sat next to him with a comic book.
And Torunn was leaning on Jamie's shoulder, who was looking at something on his laptop. A little later, though, Torunn got up to got to the bathroom. On coming back, she saw PJ sitting alone on the steps in the living room and noticed he was listening to something on his phone.
Truthfully, she had grown to love the kid like a little brother, crazy as he might be. But she did like him and saw him as a good friend. So with that, she decided to interact a little with the Lang preteen.
"What're you listening to, PJ" She asked, sitting down next to him.
Looking up to the blonde princess, PJ smiled before taking out one of his earbuds and handed it to her. "High School Musical 3 soundtrack."
Putting the bud in her ear, Torunn could hear a certain song from the collection that she particularly enjoyed: 'Now Or Never'.
It was funny because with what they had to do today, this track was so relatable right now. This was their one and only chance, and they'd have to make it count. As a team.
Torunn straightened her lips at that and gave PJ a side hug, and he returned it. She thanked him for letting her listen and for reminding her how important this was to all of them. This made him happy to hear.
Over next to Harley, Cassie smiled at the sight if her little brother making friends with Torunn. She was proud of him for all he was doing and how he was handling all of this. This was big stuff for an eleven year old. And yet, here he was, handling it like a champ.
About forty-five minutes to an hour later and it was still peaceful. As they all sat peacefully, an alert came from FRIDAY.
"Hello, young ones. Doctor Banner has asked to let you know that everything is ready and waiting for your mission. He awaits your arrival as do the other adults."
Hearing FRIDAY's message brought the group out of their relaxed state, now they were up and alert.
"Thanks, FRIDAY." Peter spoke up, "Tell him we've got it."
"Will do, boss."
That was all before it went silent again. Soon, all eyes went to Peter and Jamie. The two co-leaders looked to one another and Peter gave Jamie a nod, to which he gave one back to his big brother.
Looking to the others, he put on a look of determination and readiness.
Standing up, the co-leaders spoke up. "It's time, guys." "Suit up."
To their order, they all nodded.
Everyone went to their rooms and got ready.
Peter slipped into his iconic blue and red Spider-Man suit. It was the first one that Tony Stark had given him way back in 2016 when he recruited him. This suit was special to him and since this mission was for those lost, including Tony and the rest of the Avengers, it was only right that he wore it.
Jamie put on the suit that his father wore in 2012 and picked up his father's shield and took a breath...
"Ten years ago, the Avengers lost...
Nikki, already donning her Black Widow suit, gear, and sleeveless hoodie, sat on the side of her bed and held a picture of her parents. Tears were at the border of her eyes and she let them flow. This was for them, so she wasn't holding back anymore.
"...but we did too."
In the lab, Riri and Harley stood still as the hydraulic arms put their suits onto them piece by piece.
Once they were fully armored, the two looked to each other and shared a nod before heading out.
Torunn slipped on a grey coat over a red t-shirt. The goal for her look was for a low profile, meaning no huge sword or axe. So she concealed a dagger in a holster within her coat and wore the coat over it.
Cassie and PJ got into their suits, tested their helmets and were good to go.
"We lost friends, our families...our lives."
Azari mentally called for his suit and the nanites of it materialized around him and taking their shape on him. He then flexed his claws out, then in before making a fist.
Sam, in his Nova suit, kissed a picture of his family before picking up his helmet and slipping the picture into the rear of it.
Ava slipped into her suit that Peter had made for her and stood in front of the mirror, seeing how she looked in it.
A smile came to her as she mentally thanked him again.
Frankie and Kate filled their quivers with arrow, making sure the heads were all in order and helped each other strapping the on.
Once that was done, the two archers faced one another and Frankie kissed Kate's forehead and she smiled at the before bringing his down to hers.
"But it's not their fault."
Kamala was saying a silent prayer by her bed before standing and grabbing a scarf and her mask and putting it on.
Maddie, in his Hulk form, slid on an XL dark blue tank top along with a pair of XXL black denim shorts.
He turned and saw Viv waiting for him with a smile in the doorway and smiled at her. Walking to the door, they headed out.
And it's because of their training, of their faith in us...that we have a chance to get it all back."
***Hangar***
They all entered the hangar where the grownups and the Quantum Time Machine awaited them.
They watched as the young ones walked in, all in their respective suits, and serious looks on their faces. There was a measure of pride in them as they looked on.
"Most of us are going somewhere that we don't really know, meaning anything could happen. So watch each other's back."
They kids all stepped up and onto the platform of the machine and gathered into a circle. When they were all in their spots, they listened as Jamie spoke.
"No do-overs. So be careful, look out for each other...and do your best. This is the fight of our lives."
With that said, Jamie looked to Peter and nodded.
Nodding back and lowering his head, Peter spoke up. "When the Avengers first came together, Tony Stark said... 'If we can't protect the Earth, you can be sure we'll avenge it.' And that's what we're gonna do. Time to live up to the name, guys."
All within the circle, the others nodded with agreement and approval, some giving thumbs up and others a dramatic neck pop.
Rocket looked up at PJ with a surprised look on his face. "They're pretty good at that." He said.
"Right!" The kid exclaimed, "Phew!"
"So cool!" Kamala whisper yelled with excitement.
Down at the operating station stood Bruce, Bill Foster, Rhodey, Betty and Scott.
Scott held a stopwatch while Bruce and Foster were ready at the controls.
The team all pressed their wrists and their quantum suits materialized around them and their attire. Once they were fully suited, Peter looked down to control center and nodded to Bruce.
"Alright guys," Bruce called out, "we're going in five...four..."
The helmets of the quantum suits came up and the young ones all prepared themselves for it like a big drop on a rollercoaster.
"-three...two...one!"
Bruce pressed the button and the machine sucked all of the team into the Quantum Realm.
"Okay, preparing for reentry." Foster spoke up. "Scott, start the stopwatch and Betty, alert us when it reaches ten, please."
Following the instructions, Scott pushed 'START' on his stopwatch and he and Betty watched and waited until it reached ten.
Meanwhile, Bruce and Bill finished preparing for the return of the young ones.
"Ready?"
"Good to go." Bruce replied, "Waiting on your signal, Betty."
Betty nodded before she and Scott counted it out. "Seven...eight...nine...ten!"
Once "ten" was said, Bruce and Bill went for it and pushed their controls, opening the way for the team to return. And within seconds, they all came through.
The helmets came down and everyone took breaths as they got their footing.
"You guys good?" Harley asked.
"All good!" Torunn replied breathlessly, giving a thumbs up.
Scott had run up onto the platform to his kids and hugged them tight out of relief that they were alright.
By the looks of it, the team had acquired the stones and made it back safe and sound...
Or so they thought.
The relief began to slip away when Bruce noticed that, one: the team that was supposed to go to Vormir seemed greatly troubled. And two: they were one person short.
This brought up worry and curiosity in everyone in the room, multiple questions as well. Like where was their missing team member? And what happened to them while they were gone?
CLIFFHANGER!
The Time Heist has happened and been completed. And as was expected, one person didn't make the roundtrip... as to who, well...
You'll just have to see... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Til next time, guys.
