As dad pulled away from the compound, I sat in the passenger seat watching as the love of my life disappeared in my side view window. "He'll be okay you know," dad offered with a smile.
No matter the universe my dad was always Mr. Positive. He could always find the good in every situation and tried to make sure you focused on that rather than the negative. "I know. I just don't like being away from him. I wish I could have been there with him for his first session with his new therapist," I said, as I lightly bit on my thumbnail. I knew Sam would more than watch out for Bucky, but I still wasn't at ease with therapists especially after his last catastrophic one. Just the thought of that witch still made my blood boil.
"Bucky's a big boy, he can handle this himself. Besides," dad said, taking a deep breath, "I think we'll have our own challenges to worry about today. Try to focus on this. We need you kid." My dad's charming smile always made me feel special. He knew how to send love to someone with just a look.
Reaching into my pocket for my phone I sent Bucky a quick text message reminding him I loved him before putting it away and focusing on the upcoming meeting. I didn't remember much about Dr. Strange from my universe. He was always a bit of a recluse as I remembered. He didn't socialize often and when he did he came across as obnoxious to most. In all honesty he was a lot like Uncle Tony, which actually went a long way, now that I thought about it, to explaining why they always seemed to butt heads when they were together.
The drive into the city didn't take long at all and before we knew it we were pulling up outside of 177A Bleecker Street. The large brownstone seemed innocent enough from the outside, but inside I knew it was like Mary Poppins' handbag. Once inside you could find yourself walking for miles. There were treasures galore and a wealth of knowledge in ancient manuscripts. Dad parked quickly behind Uncle Tony's burnt sienna BMW and stepped out. I couldn't help letting out a little chuckle as I remembered the conversation earlier I had with Tony. I called his car orange, he made a point of explaining the subtle difference between plain orange and burnt sienna, which his car was. I was still smirking as I joined dad's side as he addressed Uncle Tony and Bruce.
"Burnt Sienna," Uncle Tony pointed at me, making me laugh out loud. I needed that to help break the tension I was feeling about what we were about to do. Dr. Strange could make things very difficult for us or very easy, it was all really in his hands.
"Don't tell me you came without at least the shield," Uncle Tony asked dad, shocked that he might leave home without it. Of course dad would never do that as he flexed his forearm causing the lights on his wrist sleeve to light up. Uncle Tony watched as the boot to dad's car popped quickly open and his shield was drawn to the sleeve, attaching into place. "It's kinda hard to walk around with it in public and still put people at ease," Dad said, smirking at Tony.
Uncle Tony had developed a special nanotechnology that allowed dad to have his shield available to him with just the flexing of his forearm.
"What about you kid, no weaponry?"
With all of my new powers, I confess I enjoyed showing off from time to time. Giving a gentle flick of my wrists I quickly produced shiny silver daggers in each hand. "And you thought Loki's powers would be a waste of time." I caught his smirk as he tried to quickly turn from me. After retracting my blades I followed Dad, Bruce and Tony across the street to the front door of Dr. Strange.
"Here goes nothing," Dad whispered as his hand rose to knock. His hand never made an impact as we were all quickly pulled inside. The door was actually an illusion and behind is a stoutly Asian man stood looking us over from head to toe after having pulled us inside.
Slightly caught off guard, Uncle Tony was the first to speak up and introduce himself and Doctor Banner. Wong, who I soon learned was one of the protectors of the inner sanctum, worked alongside Dr. Strange.
Ever the polite man, dad introduced himself and was surprised to learn that Wong was actually a big fan. It was soon my turn to make my own introductions but I didn't get that far as my attention was drawn to the mysterious man who seemed to be almost floating down the staircase.
"Madison Rogers," the man announced with authority, "I've been expecting you."
Dr. Stephen Strange had been expecting me. I didn't know yet if this would turn out to be a good or bad thing, but I was certain I was about to find out.
About half an hour had passed as Madison sat explaining the situation to Dr. Strange. "So, that's why I need you to help us. I have to either have the time stone, you have to give me access to it long enough to absorb its powers, or you have to come with us so you can use it. There's really no time to waste."
Dr. Strange stood with his back to us as he listened and considered all the details of my story. I had to choose my words carefully. Even though Dr. Strange could see a version of my universe, I couldn't tell him completely what would happen in his own. Part of that reason was because I just didn't know. Our universes were slightly different, and changing one event could set off a ripple causing other events to change as well. So sometimes I just didn't know.
"You've been forced to take on a great burden haven't you," Stephen said, slowly turning to face me.
"You have no idea," Madison muttered under her breath more to herself than those in the room with her. Madison felt her father's hand reach for hers as he addressed Strange.
"It's imperative that you help us Doctor. The fate of the world is literally in the balance if we don't stop this guy."
The seriousness of the situation shown on everyone's faces as the doctor continued to stare at Madison. It was as though he were looking for a secret that hadn't be revealed yet. His unblinking gaze was making Madison a little uncomfortable.
"I can't just give you the stone," Stephen said before Tony's head fell, fully expecting to be turned down.
"Then just give the kid a few minutes to hold the stone so she can absorb a copy of its powers," Uncle Tony argued. "Then you can take it and go hide until this is all straightened out. That way Thanos can't get his hands on it either."
As Stephen considered this option, Bruce who had been sitting and listening as Madison presented Strange with the facts of the situation spoke up. "Thanos has ravaged hundreds of worlds already with his goons killing off societies." Every one turned, their full attention now on Bruce as he spoke. "He's wiped out families, children. He's turned planets to rubble when they even attempted to stand up and fight."
Steve stood slowly from his seat and walked to the front door that led to the outside. He watched the people as they walked by on the sidewalks, all going about their day without a care in the world. All of them oblivious to what was coming. What everyone at the compound, Wakanda and Guardian had been desperately trying to prepare for; none of them had a clue.
"If we don't do something. If we don't either have you working with us, or at least Madison having a copy of the stone's powers, then we lose. Plain and simple." Bruce's statement hung in the air like a lead balloon waiting to explode and send shrapnel all around.
Just as Madison began to make yet another desperate plea to hopefully reach Dr. Strange's compassion for the human race Steve spoke, "Hey doc, does this door block the outside completely? You know, like a real door?"
Stephen rose from his feet, Wong following close behind him. Bruce and Tony both made their way slowly to Steve's side as he turned to face the crowd showing them what was in his hands. Leaves. Fall leaves from outside had blown in through the door.
"That's not supposed to happen," Dr. Strange muttered as he walked to the magical door. All eyes were turned to the view outside as it quickly became more and more active. People could be seen running down the sidewalks away from something it seemed. Steve and Tony both looked at one another before stepping back through the doorway, Bruce, Madison, Strange and Wong close behind. As they exited the silence of the sanctum the chaos of the New York streets erupted.
People were screaming and running. The group dodged terrified people as they ran, not caring where to as long as it took them far away from the street corner. Tony rushed down the street, Steve close behind. Just as they were about to reach the corner a car came barreling towards them. Had it not been for Madison's quick reflexes both she and Wong would have been struck by the 3000+ pound vehicle. Carefully, Maddie swept it to the side with a wave of her hands, bringing it to a stop before it could do any harm.
"FRIDAY, what am I looking at," Madison could hear Tony asking the AI system he carried with him everywhere.
"I'm working on it boss." Madison muffled a scream as she watched her dad yank her Uncle Tony back from the street corner as a massive sheet of metal debris flew past his face. Had he been one step further it would have struck him and possibly killed him.
"Thanks man," Tony said as he awkwardly patted Steve's hand that still held the front of his track suit.
The street was overwhelmed with the massive waves of air that fluctuated in pulsating rhythms blowing anything that wasn't nailed down tumbling away like weeds on the prairie. Tony tried again to move around the corner to get a better look at what they were about to face as Stephen walked behind him. With a wave of his hands Stephen was able to cast a spell that calmed the winds completely. A move that caused Tony to give a smirk and a nod of thanks. A nod that was returned by Strange.
As the group joined Tony on the street, everyone stood in awe as they saw a spaceship of sorts. It almost looked like a giant Ferris wheel, only without the inner spokes to control it.
"Dad," Madison said worriedly as she moved closer to her father. Steve reached his hand for his daughter, pushing her behind him. Whatever this was, it would have to get through him to get to her. Looking around her, Madison realized the sky was darker now. Angry looking as though a horrible storm was about to strike. Small strikes of lightening crackled above their heads as they watched a beam of light emerge from the vessel. Two creatures seemed to be beamed out from the ship, standing a few hundred feet from the group.
"Greetings. You are in the presence of the children of Thanos." It was hard to describe what Madison was seeing. The two creatures were pasty grey in color. One had thinning white hair and long, spindly fingers. The other was huge and bulky, almost like a washed out version of the Hulk.
The big brutish one didn't seem to speak, only grunt, while the thin one did all of the talking. "Hear me, and rejoice. Be thankful that your meaningless lives are now contributed to the balance…"
"I'm sorry, Earth is closed today. You better pack it up, and get out of here," Tony said as he took a step forward towards the creature.
This response didn't apparently sit well with the grey creature as his frown settled deeper on his forehead. Madison focused her powers and was able to pick up the faint voice of the creature in her head. "Ebony Maw, that's his name," Madison said softly from behind Steve's back. "The big one is named Obsidian."
"How precious," Maw spoke, his voice a higher pitch and full of dismissiveness, "You have a mind reader."
"That's not all we have, so I suggest you leave before things get out of hand," Steve didn't want a fight if he could avoid it. This would be the first time Madison would be using her powers in actual combat and he wasn't sure he was ready to find out how prepared she was or wasn't at this point.
"Once I have what I've come to retrieve then I'll gladly take my leave of this," Maw looked around, sneering as though he smelled something bad, "quaint little planet."
"And just what is it that you are looking for," Strange asked already knowing the answer before he asked it.
"I believe you know," Maw said, pointing towards Strange and the Infinity Stone he wore around his neck.
"We'll I'm really sorry, but that's an original and it's not for sale," Tony snarked back, moving to stand more in Maw's line of site of the time stone.
"Does this creature speak for you Time Keeper?" Maw's distaste for human beings was growing by the minute. They were a complete waste space in his opinion.
"No he does not, but that doesn't mean he's not correct. I would suggest you and your friend remove yourselves from this planet, now. You are not welcomed." Strange stepped forward even as Tony and Wong also stepped forward.
Maw turned to his companion and uttered something but it was too low for the group to hear. Ultimately, it must have been an instruction to attack because it was only a moment later that Obsidian rushed forward, battle hammer in hand ready to attack.
In the blink of an eye Dr. Strange and Wong cast a spell emitting what looked like shields from their fists. Tony activated the nanotechnology causing his Iron Man suit to slowly materialize around him. Steve had activated the sleeve causing his shield to come flying from the car's boot and attach to his arm. Over her shoulder Madison could hear Doctor Banner as his body quickly began to morph into the Hulk. There was no time to look as the huge green monster stormed forward and engaged the running Obsidian, grabbing him by the throat with one hand while clutching the wrist that held the hammer in his other.
Madison quickly whipped out one long sword as she closed her eyes to concentrate. "Madison, don't you do it," came the voice of her dad as a whisper because she had already made her move. Madison appeared suddenly behind Ebony Maw having transported herself using one of Loki's copied powers. Drawing her sword back, Madison swiftly struck at Maw only catching him on the side as he sensed her presence and ducked out of the way.
"Witch," Maw roared in outrage. "You will do well to remember your place," he said as he turned surrounding debris into projectiles, hurtling them Madison's way.
Madison ducked to avoid what would have surely impaled her several times over only to find a portal had appeared in front of her courtesy of one of the wizards. The sharp projectiles disappeared into the snowy setting before the portal closed.
Letting out a roar of rage at being out maneuvered, Maw used his power to grab at Strange. Large vines sprouted up through the cement, wrapping themselves quickly around Strange's body as he was pinned to the ground. Maw made another motion causing the asphalt to crack surrounding Strange's body before rising in the air and floating towards Maw.
Madison was too far away to help the doctor but her father wasn't. She watched as Steve jumped, using his shield to slice the thick vines before seeing Tony swoop in to lift a visibly shaken Strange into the air.
The Hulk was still actively trading blow for blow with Obsidian, but it was clear who the stronger being was. The Hulk ruthlessly pounded on Obsidian, sending him flying with each connecting fist. His roars of victory could be heard up and down the city block. Tony and Strange landed next to Wong just before a laser blast from the sky erupted at their feet knocking the three men backwards.
Looking to the sky now there was not one but two ships hovering overhead. Blast after blast echoed around the team as they ran and took cover. Cars flew into the air, landing on their roofs as multiple bursts rained down on them. It seemed like they were now seriously outnumbered, so Madison did the only thing she could think to do. Taking out her phone, she texted a group message to everyone. She only had time for one word, so she had to make it count. "HELP!"
The next blast threw her forward right towards a brick wall. "I gotcha." Those words never sounded as sweet as right then when Madison felt the arms of her dad cradling her against his chest. His back absorbed the brunt of the impact from the wall while Madison's took the heat of the blast.
Touching his ear, Madison listened as he and Tony planned out what to do. Madison's job was to try to send the second ship as far away as possible. Tony and Wong would get Strange out and back to the compound. Steve and Banner would hold off Maw and Obsidian. Just as the plan seemed to be set, two more creatures appeared, these two looking just as hideous as the first had been.
One appeared to be female with flowing blueish, black hair. The other had a long, drawn face. Both stood very tall compared to the average human.
"I thought you had this," the female said to Maw. "We always have to come clean up your messes," she sneered.
"I have this covered, Proxima," Maw spat back using his powers to reach out and once again snag the fleeing Strange. Maw rose into the air and flew forward, reeling in his caught prey. "You and your friends are causing me great problems. Why can't you just accept your fate like everyone else?"
Reaching forward Maw attempted to grip the amulet around Strange's neck that held the time stone only to scream out in pain as it scorched his skin. "A childish trick that will not serve you long."
"It may be a simple spell, but it is quite impossible to break," Strange muttered as he was once again wrapped tightly in bindings.
Back on the ground Steve was busy going toe-to-toe with the newest addition to the invading force. Proxima and her partner. They quickly surrounded him causing him to have to defend from all angles and he was beginning to take too many direct hits.
Madison was torn, she needed to go after the stone, they couldn't afford to let it fall into Thanos' hands. But her father needed her as well. Madison took only a moment to decide as she rose into the air to follow Tony and his pursuit of Maw who was rising to his ship. Her father would forgive her…she hoped.
Steve took a direct blast to the abs causing him to fall to the ground. Just as quickly Proxima was on top of him baring down with all of her might, saber in hand trying to finish her prey. Her attention faltered as she heard the pained cry of her brother from behind her. The loss of focus was all Steve needed to toss her over his head, sending her skidding along the sidewalk.
Jumping quickly to his feet he realized with great relief that the cavalry had finally arrived. He only had a second to appreciate the agility and strength of one Natasha Romanoff as she threw punch after punch at her opponent. He might be powerful but he was also bulky making him slower. Nat was catlike with her speed as she dodged and weaved avoiding shots thrown her way.
Steve turned and reengaged with Proxima, this time using his shield more to throw her off balance. Behind him, Steve heard a roar of pain as the detached hand of Obsidian landed at the feet of the Hulk who stood panting from his battle. Wong had apparently opened a portal transporting Obsidian out of the area.
His lack of focus cost him as Proxima slashed his ribs with her blade. The pain to Steve's side was intense and the wound burned. Crumpling to his knees, it felt like the end. Steve knew a death blow was coming, you could just feel something like that in your bones. But it never did. Instead, Proxima was blasted from her spot hovering over Steve, landing several feet away. She lay there gasping, clutching at her chest. Her brother disengaged from his fight with Nat, rushing to her side. "Get up," he pleaded with his sister. "I can't," she wheezed as Steve caught sight of what looked like blue blood seeping from the wound in her chest.
"We don't want to kill you, but we will if we have too," Natasha offered as she came to stand beside Steve. Rising to his feet, Steve clutched at his wound. His blood felt hot to his hand and it hurt like a son-of-a-bitch.
"You won't get the chance again," Proxima spoke, gasping for breath. Just as quickly as they had come the tractor beam of light took them away to their ship.
Turning to look up at the ship that was quickly retreating into the darkened, stormy sky, Steve saw Vision and Wanda approaching. "We got Maddie's text. I'm sorry we couldn't get here sooner," Wanda said, worry evident in her voice as she took in the destroyed street and her friends that seemed to be in even worse shape.
Hearing his daughter's name, Steve stumbled on his feet, Natasha catching his weight as he leaned heavily against her. "She followed Tony."
Every member present looked towards the sky as the first of the two ships that had arrived was slowly slipping out of the view of the naked eye. "Oh God," Nat gasped. She feared the worse as they watched the ship slip further into the atmosphere.
As the fighting continued on the ground, Madison and Tony where pursuing Dr. Strange. Maw had successfully transported him into the ship. Little did either of them realize as they bolted for the spacecraft that another Avenger had joined them on the fight. Hanging on to the ship for dear life was Peter Parker.
"Kid, what the hell are you doing here," Tony could be heard saying to Peter through his suits communications.
"I was on a field trip when I got Maddie's text," he said as his fingers continued to slip. Tony could hear from his speech pattern that the ship was getting too high into the altitude for him and he'd lose consciousness very soon.
"Kid, I need you to let go and Madison is going to catch you."
"But that's the wizard, you said we had to have him or else we'd lose against Thanos." Peter was gasping for breath with each word. The altitude was becoming thin for Madison as well. Much higher and she wouldn't be able to continue her pursuit.
"FRIDAY, unlock suit 17-A now!," Tony's voice could clearly be heard commanding the AI system to propel an emergency suit.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Tony watched as the new nanotech suit he had built for Peter race by him just as the tentative hold Peter had on the ship slipped, as he slipped into unconsciousness from lack of oxygen. This caused Tony to rocket forward to aid the young man he thought of so much like his own son. But before he could reach him he saw a flash of light rocket just a hairs breath away from him, striking Madison full on.
All he could do was watch in mortification as her body absorbed the blast and began falling back down to Earth. She was making no movement as she plummeted like a stone falling from the sky. Images of Rhodes falling to the Earth filled Tony's head as he knew that with no suit to protect her, Madison would die from this height if she wasn't dead already from the blast.
"Anyone, do you copy. Please," Tony begged into his communication device. "Madison is hit. She's not responding. Please, anyone. I can't get to her in time!"
Tears were rolling down Tony's eyes as he watched Madison's limp body dropping further and further from his sight.