Chapter 19

Despite the multitude of glares being exchanged around the room Bruce was as calm as ever. He stroked the choker around his neck, the cool material a comforting presence. Tinker for once was presentable in faded jeans and an oversized t-shirt tucked haphazardly into the waist. She wore fingerless leather gloves, bangles with what he now knew as runes on her wrists and her hair tied up in a long ponytail. The knot between her brows hadn't left ever since he saw her this morning. Her eyes were hidden behind the shine of her glasses but Bruce could tell she was nervous. They had arrived in the Avenger's residence some time ago.

Tony waved a negligent hand in their direction. "I understand Bruce but what's Tinker Bell doing here?" Tinker bit her lip a moment then her features smoothed out. "I'm his minder. We wouldn't want your kind unsettling him to the breaking point." "My kind?" The elf smiled sharply. "Brash, thoughtless, has no filter and has the emotional depth of a gnat. Should I say more?" "This Thanos, when will he get here?" Natasha wasn't interested in the cutting words Tony was prepared to unleash. Bruce dragged his elbows on the glass table he sat at to intertwine his fingers. "I don't know, but soon. We have to be prepared by then." Tony shrugged, swinging around on his seat in the large office-like room. "That'll be a problem." "Why?" "I don't know if you've heard but we're bound by the law now." He wasn't very happy about that. "I don't think that matters. This is way bigger than the white wigs." Natasha's lips turned down in displeasure. "Signing that contract was nothing but trouble." Tony gestured in defeat. "It was the most sensible thing to do. We should be held accountable." "It's restricting out movements. We can't twitch without their permission. Frankly, in our line of work that's bullshit." "Please focus back on the problem at hand. Where's Steve?" "Hunting down an old friend. He's all righteous about it too, acting all on his own." That sounded like a sore topic. "We need to talk to him about this." "I've already told Mr. Eye Patch, he'll do something about it."

"So you're what, five? A small team for such a large organization." Tinker commented. Tony spun a pen around his fingers, contemplating the woman. "We're thinking of recruiting." Bruce asked, "Really? Who?" "We haven't ironed out the details." Natasha stood. "I'll drop by Clint's place. Make sure the Captain is here when I get back." The room grew silent in her wake. Tinker stared at Tony. Unfortunately the man didn't seem fazed. "Do we have rooms?" "What makes you think you're staying?" She smiled thinly at the irritating man. "Right now we're worth more than any petty feelings you harbor. Where are our rooms?" Bruce sweatdropped as Tony's features darkened. "Tinker, you're not helping any." The elf turned to him but her irritation bled out with a realization. She placed a soft hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, am I getting you worked up? How's the dampener?" Bruce's fingers found the choker again. It was thin enough to disappear under his collar, padded so it didn't chafe his skin. "It works fine. No twinge all day." "Great." She beamed. Tony watched the exchange with curious eyes. "You're so telling me what's up with that collar." Bruce flushed, Tinker bristled and they bit out. "It's a choker!"

~Scene Change~

Gomora grunted in pained surprise when she was shoved to her knees. Drax lay stunned still in his seat. Groot was in a shimmering cocoon Alex had conjured, Naruto had Quill pinned under his foot with Mentis bound by ropes in the corner and the rat held by the scruff of his neck by Suigetsu. "Why must I be the one to hold the filthy rat?" "What did you call me?" the animal snarled making Suigetsu draw it away from his face. Naruto contemplated the alien a bit. "I think it's a raccoon." "What do you want?" Gomora asked, squirming in Alex's grip. The runes expert took out his wand to point it at the back of her head. "You." "Over my dead body." Quill growled, straining to get up on his hands and knees. A solid punch to the face made him collapse back on the floor of his ship. "That can be arranged, I think." Naruto said. Alex rolled his eyes at the blonde and closed his eyes. "Legillimens." He uttered. He was still for a few seconds.

Suigetsu shook the raccoon. "What kind of creature are you anyway?" "One that will claw your eyes out if you don't drop me right now." The creature threatened. Naruto looked over at them, tired of Suigetsu's fascination over the creature. "His name's Rocket." "How'd you know that?" both raccoon and human asked in surprise. Naruto glared at Suigetsu. "We both got the brief, you moron." Suigetsu dismissed him by focusing back on Rocket. "Oh, that. I never read those things if I don't have to." Naruto clicked his tongue but didn't reprimand him. Quill was starting to struggle again. Naruto put more weight on his back to keep him down, stomping on it just to disorient him more.

Alex hissed, turning his head to the side as if warding off an invisible attack. He brought his wand up to the right and with a wordless incantation a spell whizzed out of the wand and rendered Mentis unconscious, her glowing antenna dimming. "That hurt." He said through clenched teeth. Gomora took advantage of the distraction and leapt up to head-butt Alex. He staggered back, groaning at his bruised jaw. She kicked the wand from Alex's hand so it clattered into the wreckage around them. "Whoa." Naruto exclaimed, body tensing at the inevitable attack. He ducked under a kick from the woman and rolled away when she threw a knife at him. It stuck between Quill's legs, inches away from his crotch. Quill made to get up once again but Naruto advanced forward. He kicked him violently in the face taking him instantly out of the fight.

Naruto wrenched the dagger from the floor. He slashed at Gomora's wrist and she dropped another weapon she had drawn from her leg. Alex had gained his wits and he grabbed her arms to wrench them behind her back again. He kicked at the back of her legs so she was forced to her knees again. With his full attention on her reactions she couldn't catch him off guard. "Accio wand." The wand came hurtling into his waiting hand and he stunned her.

Suigetsu was laughing where he stood making the other two glare at him. "She almost got you that time." He said between breaths. Rocket was squirming harder in his grip but no matter what he did he couldn't escape. "You guys will regret this. Don't think I'll let you mess with us." Suigetsu was getting fed up with his whining so he knocked him out. Alex ignored the space raccoon, wiping some blood from his bitten lip. He licked at the wound and winced. "We have a problem on our hands." "What, that you can't beat a girl?" the blue-haired man teased, grin still on his face. Alex's lips twitched in something like anger but it never really had the chance to form as he was used to Suigetsu's antics. "Gomora knows where the Soul Stone is." "Spit it out then." Naruto urged looking around to make sure everyone was secured. Alex shook his head. "Not here." He bent down to place a hand on the green woman's head, his other hand pointing the wand at her. He muttered the mind reading spell once again and this time he was under for much longer.

"Are we going to leave them alive?" Suigetsu questioned. Naruto thought about it, resting in one of the ship's seats. "There's no point either way." "I want to kill them." Suigetsu offered, grinning with pointed teeth at Rocket. Despite himself Rocket shrunk into himself. He glared silently at his captor. "Can I?" Naruto looked at all of them. "As I said, there's no point either way. I think we should ask Alex though." Said man seemed to come out of his trance. He traced patterns in the air with his wand. Shining symbols came into focus and formed a chain over Gomora's head. Alex flicked the piece of wood and the chain slammed into her head. He made another, then one more before he deemed it safe enough to leave it be. He placed the wand on her head and with some concentration locked all her memories of the whereabouts of the Soul Stone away. Then just for good measure he obliviated her.

"All that for a memory charm?" Alex got up to face his partners. Naruto's eyes were locked on his in question. "A memory charm doesn't get rid of the memory, it only makes the victim forget them. The spell chain is there to lock away the knowledge, the charm is meant to make her forget she has it in the first place. All this would be for nothing if we don't take care of another loose end." "That is?" Suigetsu was getting impatient. Alex stretched languidly as if their next task was nothing to be worried about. "Gomora told someone else she knows where the Soul Stone is. We just need to find her, but that won't be easy given she's probably with Thanos right this moment." "Forget finding her, how are we going to apprehend her?" Naruto asked in astonishment. Alex shrugged. "That's what we have to figure out. That or we call it a day and go back home." "I think Thanos can break whatever enchantment you placed on her in time." Suigetsu cautioned. Naruto smirked. "Oh look, you said something smart." Suigetsu just sneered at him, his grip on Rocket tightening and choking him. "I think I'll kill this one."

"That's not necessary, Suigetsu." Alex said calmly. Rocket heaved in much needed breaths when Suigetsu's grip loosened. Alex continued. "It would be better to catch Nebula off guard on one of the many tasks Thanos sends her on." "And I guess you can divine where she is, oh all knowledgeable one." Naruto's voice was dripping with sarcasm. Alex smirked back at him, eyes glittering. "I can't, but you can." Naruto shrunk in the chair, guessing as to what Alex meant. "You're not casting a single thing on me, Winston." He growled much like a cornered animal. Alex's eyes bore into his. "Why me?" "You have the Kyuubi in you. If I were to try scrying for someone light years away I'd probably die, but your power's much more vast." "We're immortal, remember? Chakra's not magic, it won't be of any use." The blonde tried desperately. Alex shook his head. "Even muggles can do divination with the right help from a wizard." He stepped forward, trapping Naruto in his seat. He loomed over the sweating blonde. "Don't worry, it won't hurt…much."

~Scene Change~

He clutched at his head. He felt like demon chakra was concentrated in his skull tearing at and dissolving his brain to a puddle of mush. Bile rose up in his throat. Expelling it violently didn't make his pain any less. "You said it wouldn't…" he gagged again. "wouldn't hurt." Alex had all his focus on the basin of water before him, no concern for his condition whatsoever present in his stature. "You've endured worse. Come look." Naruto got up unsteadily, wiping at his lips with his sleeve. A hand shot out to hold him in place. He sent his pseudo-boss a scathing look that could snuff out the sun. "Don't be such a pussy." Suigetsu's nonchalant tone made Naruto bristle. He gulped down the pain-reliever Alex handed him in one go. The pain lessened to make his less irritable. That didn't stop him from throwing the empty vial at Suigetsu's head though. The bluenette yelped when it shattered at his temple and he toppled over from the table.

Satisfied, the blonde focused on the images in the water. Blurry images flitted across the calm surface, going in and out of focus periodically. "She seems to be in some ship." The comment made Naruto wonder. "You can actually see that?" Suigetsu came to stand next to him, head tilted at the scenes he was seeing. "Looks like we have bad reception." Alex touched the water's surface lightly. It rippled and the image zoomed out. "Nebula's too far away so my sight's a little shaky, but I understand what the magic's trying to show me." "I don't see a thing." The bluenette complained with furrowed brows. Alex dipped his hand in the bowl and closed his eyes. "You're not talented enough to understand this sight, the sight." "Smug bastard." Suigetsu muttered petulantly.

Alex breathed out, allowing magic to flow through him, through the water, through his soul. Sights and sensations invaded him yet he remained still. Any unnecessary movements could influence his clarity. Silvery eyes fluttered open. "So?" Naruto was getting impatient. "We're going home." Alex stated. The other two were befuddled. "What, why?" "That was Thanos' ship. No way am I poking that hornet's nest."

Suigetsu perked up. "We're done then. Can I kill them?" Alex gave a long suffering sigh. "Do as you wish." He exited the ship they hijacked so he could board theirs. Naruto followed suit not wishing to witness what was to come next. The sword user grinned perversely going to the nearest unconscious body. Mentis was still slumped against the wall. Suigetsu's eyes held no compassion. "Too bad I can't see the terror in your eyes. It's been a while since I killed someone though, so this'll have to do." His foot lashed out and there was a sickening crack as her chest caved in. "Maa, that was too easy." He stalked to the muscle-bound guy slumped over in a chair. He lazily threw his foot forward. He grinned when he didn't break on contact. He tried harder, snapping the unconscious alien's head to the side. Blood spluttered out onto the floor. He giggled, grabbing the dangling arm.

Naruto poked his head back in. "Hey, we're leaving you behind if you don't come out in the next fifteen seconds." Suigetsu sneered in annoyance, Naruto didn't flinch. Grunting, he drew his sword and with a quick movement he sliced Drax's head off. Blood showered him from head to toe. "How filthy of you." Naruto deadpanned. Suigetsu clicked his tongue. "Whatever. Let's go."

~Scene Change~

"Merlin." Harry was the only one who could hear the horror in his voice. There were rotting corpses everyone, buildings falling apart and the magic in the air screaming in rage, despair and yearning. His nose flared, emerald orbs darkening with an emotion he had yet to identify. "Point me." The stick he had picked up spun on his palm until it chose a direction. He followed without paying any further mind to the destruction. He went down into the bowels of the castle, deep into the earth, so deep he felt he was entering the underworld itself.

A flick of his wrist had fairy lights bobbing around him providing much needed light. He was in a room with ancient relics, treasures of the universe that had been there for what could have been an eternity. He spied a figure slumped on one of the pedestals that held the more pleasing treasures. He came forward until his light shone directly into the male's face. Loki was pale as moonlight, face splattered with specks of dried dark blood and bruises all over his body. His battle garment had been torn from him in places, patches of skin with deep gouges revealing how the fight had been taken out of him.

He crouched before the fallen god, hand outstretched to make sure he was really gone. There was no pulse, no breath. Loki was dead. It took a moment to take this in, fists clenched until they turned white. "I'm sorry." The words felt hollow and meaningless, reverberating in the halls like a betrayal falling from his lips. Why did he care? He was loyal only to his men, no one else should matter. He wanted to live the way he wanted only for themselves, on his terms. Loki wasn't supposed to matter, Thor wasn't supposed to matter, the Avengers weren't to be thought on for more than a moment.

He had become too complacent. He should have hunted down Thanos the moment he arrived to this universe, the moment he settled. He stood smoothly, eyes still lingering on Loki's still form. This was the last he let himself be weak. No one, nothing was going to interfere anymore. "Peace, sorcerer." The words reverberated in his skull like the voice of the universe came to give him solace. He knew better. "The fates have decided this path. The forces of the universe have come to take what they please. The worlds don't need your rage but your compassion." "Compassion? My kindness led to this outcome." "That may be, however do you truly believe what you've done so far is a mistake?" He didn't answer. "You do well not to lie to yourself. Gather your resources sorcerer, there is much to prepare if you wish to save the world you now call home." Harry looked up into the dark ceiling. "I hope you don't expect me to be a benevolent savior, Heimdall." The gatekeeper was quiet for a moment, eyes distant where he was huddled with the remaining Asgardians. "I only expect your competence. Whatever you resolve to do now will decide all our fates."

~Scene Change~

Imperium stared down imperiously at the woman shackled at her feet. The dungeon was dark and dank, making her spectral visage all the more chilling. "Miss Maximoff, is it?" "What do you want with me? Where's my brother?" The red-head's voice was laced with loathing. Wanda tried to channel her power to snap the chains like she knew she could. A strangled shout was ripped from her as the runes etched into the links glowed a red like burning. Imperium tucked her hands into her long sleeves, the shawl around her shoulders glittering in the gloom. "Don't fight it, you only waste your strength." Her voice was soothing, as if Wanda was a child who didn't know any better.

She glared at the blue-haired woman. "Where's my brother." "He's safe." She sighed in relief, a weight lifting from her shoulders. The heavy door opened behind Imperium to let in a tall man with dark hair. His green eyes bore into hers. "Is she ready?" he asked. Imperium nodded. "Yes, master. Liam's getting good with those runes." Harry stepped forward until he was looming over the kneeling woman. He placed a hand on her head and pulled. Wanda shuddered as pain wrecked her, body going rigid with the agony and the feeling of something precious being taken away from her. Tears fell from her eyes as she screamed and screamed, mind shattering with the incomprehensible torment that was etching ridges in her soul.

Wanda toppled over, the red energy that was the signature of her power disappearing into Harry's hand. Her dull lifeless eyes stared into his merciless ones. There room flashed with green light and whatever life was left in her body vanished. "I wanted to play with her first." Imperium complained crouched to poke a finger into Wanda's cheek. "There's no time for games. Come." She followed him up the stairs to the living room where some of Phoenix were lounged drinking beers and having pizza.

Alex approached him at the room's threshold. "You're back early." Harry commented. His second winced. "Yeah, about that." The raven stalled his excuse. "You'll tell me later. Samuel." The red-head came forward at being called. He bowed his head slightly in deference sensing his boss' sour mood. Ever since he came back from Asgard there was something cold about him. They were all upset to some degree, Samuel didn't blame him. Harry turned. "Come to my office, you too Alex."

Samuel sank into the comfy chair opposite Harry's office desk. The tall windows to the side were letting in plenty of light so every detail was clear to him. Alex sat on the desk itself and Harry stood by the window facing them. "Are you comfortable with the way you fight, Sam?" Samuel tilted his head slightly, wondering where this was coming from. "Well, yes. I mean I'm good at my job, there's nothing to complain about. Why?" Flickers of red energy were born in Harry's palm. "This power was taken from a woman with whom it would otherwise have been wasted on. I want you to have it." Samuel's eyes widened. "For real? I mean yes, I'd be honored. But why?" "To give you an advantage in the coming conflict. You're still going to work mostly in the dark but this power's potential is versatile." "I work with guns, sir." Harry waved his concerns away. "It's no problem. Open your hand."

Samuel did so. Harry transferred the red energy into his hand and it sank into his skin. The auburn-haired man gritted his teeth at the aches running through his arm. Harry held it steady in his hands. A coldness seeped into the room making Alex shiver at the bone-deep sensation. 'Make his body compatible.' He spoke to his eternal companion, the silent entity that stayed with him but never interacted. Something unfurled in his at the command, annoyance ringing in his mind. 'I'm not yours to command as you please, Hadrian James Potter. I'm too busy to be your errand boy.' Harry almost smiled. 'Please? I'm not being a brat, am I?' 'Tsk. This isn't my area of expertise, you know.' 'Yet you'll do it anyway.' 'Insufferable…' The entity sighed. 'Fine, do as you please.'

Samuel gasped in relief when the rush of energy settled somewhere around his chest. Harry's arms dropped to his side. "I'll teach you to imbue your weapons with it." Samuel nodded, holding back his excitement. Their leader gestured to Alex who had been dumbfounded the whole time. "Spill, what happened on your mission?" "Uh, yes." Alex shook himself out of it. "We found Gomora of course, her and her companions were easy to subdue. We ran into a hurdle, however. I perused Gomora's memories at the scene and found she has knowledge of where the Soul Gem is located." This caught Harry's interest. "It's hidden on the planet Vormir." "Then why didn't you go there?"

"She's not the only one who knows about it. Her sister Nebula was told it was found but not the location. I want to confirm our next actions with you. If no one else knows where the Soul Stone is we can just leave it where it is." Harry stared out the window in thought. They could as Alex suggested leave the stone where it was and get rid of Gomora and Nebula, but who could tell how many more people knew about its location. The other option was to get the stone. "She's the only one who knows the location." Alex nodded hesitantly. "As far as Gomora knows no one else knows where it is. I locked away her memories of it just to be sure." "Go find it ASAP." "Yes, sir."

Samuel spoke up. "Aren't the gems supposed to be kept separate? This has been nagging at me for a while." "Yes." Harry conceded. "Collecting them is a dangerous risk, but right now not doing so will spell certain doom. We'll separate them after all this is over." Alex got an idea. "Hey Samuel, why don't you come with us? To give those powers of yours a test drive." Before Samuel could reply Harry denied the suggestion. "Samuel needs to get used to them in a safe environment. Naruto and Suigetsu will still suffice I presume." Alex pouted momentarily while Samuel smiled in amusement. "Suigetsu might cause trouble again." "Again." Alex huffed, annoyed. "He insisted to off some of Gomora's partners, he might do the same again with everyone we meet." Harry's lips quirked. "Suigetsu's not stupid, he can exercise discretion."

An explosion and slight tremor drew their attention and the three raced to the lower floors to see what was going on. Samuel covered his laugh at the sight that met them. Imperium was waving her hands frantically, all up in Naruto's face. There was a smoking hole spanning the size of the room and an empty vat of what used to be experimental explosives in the center of it. "You blithering idiot! I told you not to touch anything in the basement. This cost fucking millions." Naruto chuckled sheepishly, hand raised to rub the back of his smothering hair. It seems he was caught in the blast, skin littered with burnt patches and clothes nothing more than rags on his body. "Sorry, sorry. I thought it was hydrochloric acid." "And that's better?!" Her shrill voice made everyone wince. Sasuke and Liam were hiding behind the walls sniggering.

Harry closed his eyes wearily. "Liam, clean this up please." "Eh?!" the brunette exclaimed incredulously. "Naruto did it." Harry ignored his whining. "Naruto's leaving and between the two of you you're the one with a wand." Liam grumbled under his breath. "Whoa." Suigetsu had just made an appearance, arms laden with junk food. Alex grabbed his bicep. "Don't ask. Go dump that in the ship, we're going to Vormir." Naruto was all too eager to escape a fuming Imperium.

Harry's phone beeped. He withdrew it and promptly resisted the urge to groan. "You never catch a break, do you?" Alex sympathized before leaving the room. Sasuke came to look over his shoulder, Liam still muttering under his breath and throwing banishers and reparos at everything in sight as if hoping it'd combust instead of being fixed. "There's Spider-Man and an Ant-Man? Oh and a wasp too. What's up with these animal themed super humans? Look, there's a Hawk. You have to get through all that?" Harry shoved the curious Uchiha away. "Don't you have things to do?" "No, actually…" "Go join your brother on his mission." Sasuke raised his eyebrow, pointing at the phone screen. "I think he already did all the work." Harry bared his teeth mockingly at the raven and Sasuke backed away with a laugh.

Samuel watched the Uchiha go. "So much is going on, will we be ok?" His concern made Harry frown. "We will be, I'm not so sure about Earth." Samuel's lips were downturned. "I need to keep Zack close." "Where is he anyway?" "On a school trip." The older man let out a laugh. "He's always telling me stories about Spider-Man's school boy life." Harry's mouth quirked. "Placing him in Midtown Tech was a horrible mistake." Samuel's tone was now lighter than before. "He wanted to go there, we couldn't deny him that." Harry hummed, exiting the room. "Let's go to the training room while we still have time to fool around." Liam was left alone glaring at a glowing neon blue stain that just wouldn't vanish.

A/N: You know how most secret organizations have their own especially immoral guy. I think Suigetsu fits the bill. In Naruto canon he's the chaos-loving kind is he not? I don't really remember. I'm thinking of bringing the fight to earth like in the End Game, and please give me pointers for that. Should anyone die like Tony did? Nebula here is still loyal to Thanos, don't bite my head off for that. And I killed Wanda Maximoff. Frankly I never liked her yet I want her superpowers to play a role somewhere somehow. Don't kill me for that either.

R&R please