Chapter 9
It took so bloody long to update this fic that it left people making reviews asking where the update is. Well, here it is. Honestly, the reason it's been in limbo was that I can't figure out what to do next. Should I just go straight into the fight with Thanos or just wait a few chapters before it. I decided to do the latter, but to do that, I need some villains. So, if I could get some help with that along with some ideas on anything (Romance and plot points.), I appreciate it. I already had a friend tell me to use Taskmaster (The comic one. Not the MCU version.) and some character called Nuke. I need to look up Nuke, but I'm fairly knowledgeable on who Taskmaster is and what he can do, but I think I need more than just two villains.
Outskirts of Wakanda
"So this is where Bucky is?" Asked Steve as he looked at T'Challa as he escorted him and Proxima to where Bucky was living out in Wakanda.
"Indeed." Said T'Challa as he walked. "After we successfully removed his conditioning and indoctrination, he has since lived here. With a small village of my people. Said that it would be best that he stay away from my city to avoid any stirring of my people. If the indoctrination has not been completely removed from him, he would like to be somewhere that he can't hurt many people. Even though my sister has assured him that she has completely removed his indoctrination, Bucky still insisted on coming here. Of which I've allowed. I imagine Bucky needs the peace and quiet. After what he's been through, I can understand the need to be away from many people." Steve processed this as the three walked. Eventually, they spotted the village where Bucky was.
As they approached the village, Steve wondered how much Bucky has changed since they saw each other and what he would say when they first met after so long.
Well, first things first, Bucky had to know about Thanos and what he intends to do with the Infinity Stones. His friend would no doubt help stop that insane madman from doing what he intended to do with the Infinity Stones. He may not be able to actually do anything to Thanos, and quite frankly Steve didn't think he had a chance to stop him either, but that wasn't going to stop either of them from doing their best to stop that monster from accomplishing his goals.
As they walked, he looked at Proxima, who was currently following T'Challa and watching his movements. Much as he was sure that he convinced her that killing herself was not the way after Thanos was dealt with, but he still worried for her. As much as it looked like Proxima was convinced by him to not take her own life after Thanos was defeated, Steve knew that he may need to be there all the way to help her. To convince her that there were still things worth living for.
He may need some help, of course, and that was perfectly fine with Steve. The more the merrier. Plus, he didn't know Proxima as nearly as some other people.
Gamora, her own sister, would be a good choice. He was sure that Gamora would help him out when he told her what her sister intended on doing when Thanos was defeated. If he can find her of course.
Another candidate would be Sam Wilson, AKA the Falcon. The man held expertise in helping people finding ways to let go, having helped veterans with PTSD before becoming the Falcon, perhaps he can help Proxima finding new ways to live once all this business with Thanos was over.
Heck, maybe even Bucky can help out. The man had done some despicable acts before during his time with HYDRA. Granted all of that was when he was under mind control at the time, but so was Proxima, albeit a different form of indoctrination, where she followed Thanos willingly and with free will, but he was sure Bucky can see past that and help her.
He was currently thinking of who else can help Proxima when T'Challa spoke up.
"We are here." Announced T'Challa as they approached the small village that Bucky was in. Watching as children played around them with adults going about their business, tending to their homes, or cooking meals, the small group approached a hut in the middle of the village. Upon getting close, T'Challa spoke up.
"Sergeant Barnes." Said T'Challa as his people gathered around him, awed that their kind would visit their humble village. "There is a guest that would like to see you." After that announcement, they heard some rumbling and soon Bucky came out of the hut, wearing traditional Wakandan clothing and some cloth around where his cybernetic arm should be, which Steve noticed was missing. Upon seeing Steve, Bucky smiled. Walking towards his friend, Bucky extended out his hand once he got close enough to Steve, to which Steve took.
"Great to see you again, Rogers." Said Bucky with a smile as he shook hands with his long-time friend. Steve also smiled as he shook Bucky's hand.
"Same here." Said Steve, happy that his friend seemed to do well since coming to Wakanda. He soon let go of his friend's hand so that he can deliver the news to Bucky. "Much as I wish this was just to catch up and see how you're doing, I'm afraid that there's something I need your help on." Bucky just sighed at that.
"I kind of figured that, Steve." Said Bucky. "Let me guess, some HYDRA group causing problems or some alien invasion happening and you need all the help you can get?"
"Something like that." Said Steve. "You might want to invite us inside. It might be best for you to sit down when you hear all this."
"Oh, that's comforting to hear." Said Bucky sarcastically before inviting Steve, T'Challa, and that weird alien chick that was with Steve, to his hut, having a sneaking feeling that the alien was part of the reason Steve was here.
Later
"And that's the story, Bucky." Said Steve as he finished telling the story to Bucky, who was currently processing all this in his mind. It was a lot to take in for the former soldier.
"So, let me get this straight." Said Bucky as he looked at Steve. "We got a genocidal alien trying to kill off half the universe, literally half of it, in order to save it. And this one," He then pointed to Proxima. "Used to be a loyal soldier/daughter of his before realizing how crazy it all was and now decided to help us fight him before he can accomplish his crazy plan, which can be done by collecting the Infinity Stones, some of which are on Earth."
"That's basically the sum of it." Said Steve as Bucky finished. Upon hearing that, Bucky sighed at that.
"Damn." Said Bucky before chuckling. "And here I was thinking it was HYDRA or something more mundane. The universe really seems to like to screw us over, huh Steve? First, you and I travel to the future by getting iced, losing all our friends in the process. Then I get brainwashed into fighting you and your new friends, help inadvertently break your team apart, and get you on the most-wanted lists along with several of your friends that stood by you. Now, this? *Snickers* We really got the short end of the stick, huh?" Steve just smiled a bit at that before replying.
"Yeah." Said Steve. "Yeah, we really did. So, are you going to help? This is something that we need all hands on." Bucky just sighed before replying.
"I got your back, Steve." Said Bucky with a smile. "After what you did for me, no way I'm going to abandon you against something this big. I wouldn't forgive myself if I did."
"I appreciate it, Bucky." Said Steve, happy that his best friend was standing beside him. "When can I expect to see you up and about? I got the feeling we may need you soon."
"Truth be told, I'm just here to enjoy the peace and quiet now." Said Bucky. "T'Challa's sister kept telling me day after day for the past week or two that the indoctrination in me is gone for good and that I can reintegrate into society again without someone turning me into a weapon. Course I stay here because, well, I've grown used to the quiet. The peace. Feels really great. But, of course, when my friend needs me, I'm going to be there for him. So just tell me where to go and I'll be there for you, Steve." Steve smiled at that a bit before looking at Proxima.
"How long until Thanos decides to go after the Infinity Stones?" Asked Steve. "Is he gathering his forces before making a move on the Mind Stone?"
"The last time I spoke to Thanos, he was preparing for an assault on Asgard along with the Nova Empire." Said Proxima. "The Asgardians are powerful, and the Power Stone is at the capital of the Nova Empire. Thanos is preparing his armies to take both stones from them at the same time. That conversation was over a week ago."
"So he already taken them?" Asked Steve in worry. Proxima, fortunately, shook her head.
"No." Said Proxima. "He still believes that I'm a loyal warrior for his cause and I'm one of his finest leaders. If he was going to make a move for either of the stones, he would have contacted me beforehand." Steve sighed internally in relief upon hearing that. Good, that meant they had more time to prepare.
"So, not to sound pessimistic, but how do we beat him?" Asked Bucky. "Going to need a game plan if we want to beat this crazy alien. Especially if he has some of these Infinity Stones in hand."
"He doesn't have any of the Stones." Clarified Proxima. "They're all scattered around the galaxy. Two of which are here on Earth. But even with one Stone, I fear it'll take a miracle to defeat Thanos."
"So, we got to stop him from getting even one." Said Bucky.
"Indeed." Said Proxima. "I know the Nova Empire will give Thanos some pause along with the Asgardians. That being said, he'll go for the power stone first. The Nova Empire is suffering from some issues as of late. Of what, I'm not sure, but it's causing them to send forces away from their capital."
"Where the Power Stone is." Guessed Steve, causing Proxima to nod. "Alright, so we have to keep Thanos from getting either of Earth's stones."
"We know of one." Said Bucky. "Heard the android thing has one as a power source or something?"
"Yes." Said Steve. "We'll need to inform him about Thanos. Since he has one of the stones, he'll be a big target for Thanos."
"We could hide him here in Wakanda." Suggested T'Challa. "Even if Thanos has a way to track these stones, my people will be ready to fight to the last to keep him from acquiring this Infinity Stone."
"That won't be enough." Said Proxima. "Thanos has armies in the tens of millions. Even if that won't be enough to stop your people, he'll easily bombard your people from orbit. Regardless of what defenses you have." T'Challa just looked at Proxima for that, not offended at all, knowing that everything she said was true. This Thanos was tenacious. "He'll track that stone to the ends of the universe if it means his goals will be accomplished." Bucky, upon hearing that, hummed a bit before speaking.
"So, what about destroying them?" Suggested Bucky. Upon hearing that, everyone looked at him. "They're powerful things, sure, but that doesn't mean they can't be destroyed. Right?"
"The power of an Infinity Stone holds is more than you can possibly imagine." Explained Proxima as she looked at Bucky as if he was an idiot. "Even if we can destroy one, the energy it releases can cause an entire planet to be rid of life." Although grim and he would never risk innocent lives, even to deny an enemy their end goals, which can kill countless more, Steve thought that this was perhaps the only way to deny Thanos his prize. So, he thought of several alternatives.
"What about destroying them on an uninhabited planet?" Suggested Steve. When everyone looked at him, he explained. "We place a stone in a desolate planet, even system if need be, and we destroy it there. No one will get killed and Thanos losses his prize. Will that work?" Proxima, upon hearing that, pursed his lips in thought. Thinking about it for a while, she spoke up.
"Even if it would work, we need something of great power to destroy an Infinity Stone." Said Proxima. "And as far as I know, there is nothing on Earth, nor the whole universe, that could destroy an Infinity Stone."
"If my people had access to one of the stones, I'm confident they'll be able to design a weapon to destroy them." Said T'Challa. "It'll take time though." Although it seemed their best option, Steve thought up something. Or rather someone.
"Wanda was exposed to the powers of the Mind Stone." Said Steve, remembering how Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, gained her powers. "Do you think she can destroy any of the stones?" Remembering the one called Wanda from the files she got of the Avengers and how she acquired her powers, Proxima thought about it.
"It's…possible." Said Proxima after some thought. "I'm not sure if she has the power to do, but if she's been exposed to the powers of the Mind Stone, then it's certainly possible she has the power to destroy it. Since her powers come from the Mind Stone itself, she has a unique connection to it. Whether that connection enables her to destroy it or if it enables her to destroy the other stones, is something I'm not sure of." While satisfied that there was a way to destroy the stones, thus foiling Thanos' plans, Bucky saw an immediate problem with it, along with T'Challa.
"Wait, wouldn't that destroy Vision? He's connected to the thing." Asked Bucky. He didn't know about the guy much, but even he didn't want him sacrificed to save the universe. T'Challa nodded at that, also having the same concerns.
"If you're referring to the android, then I'm afraid yes." Explained Proxima. "The stone is embedded in his head. I fear destroying it will destroy him as well. That is unless you remove it from him as well."
"Then we'll do it that way." Said Steve. He refused to allow the death of a teammate and a friend, even if it meant the death of half of the universe's population. Some would say that was stupid, but he was holding onto his beliefs no matter the cost. "I'm not sacrificing Vision, especially if we still have time."
"Your naivety is foolish." Said Proxima, looking at Steve in annoyance. She admired the man for his beliefs, but his views did get taxing at times. "But still, you're right. You have time to remove it. Just make sure you don't waste too much time. I fear Thanos' patience is starting to run out." Steve nodded at that in agreement.
"I'll go with Proxima to find Vision." Said Steve, looking at both T'Challa and Bucky. "Either of you want to come?"
"I must inform my court of this new menace." Said T'Challa. "We must prepare the tribes for war and inform our allies of this. Including Tony Stark."
"No doubt he'll be wanting to know how you come across this information." Said Proxima, hearing the name Tony Stark.
"Then I will tell him how I received it. Now is not the time to keep secrets from one another. Not anymore." Said T'Challa. He saw no point in lying to Tony about how he came across the information about Thanos. The man, despite his dislike of Steve Rogers right now, cared about the people of Earth too much to allow his dislike of Steve to affect his mind.
"He isn't going to like you speaking to Steve or harboring me." Said Bucky, knowing that T'Challa risked a lot by revealing he talked to Steve, much less help him out. T'Challa simply nodded at that.
"Even still, we need his help." Said T'Challa. "We need the help of everyone if we wish to succeed against this foe. And I mean everyone." Steve nodded at that, knowing that T'Challa was right. As much as he dreaded meeting Tony right now along with his disappointment, even hatred of him, he knew that it needed to be confronted and, maybe even pushed aside, if they want to save Earth from Thanos.
"I'll be coming." Said Bucky. "Much as I enjoy the peaceful life here, I know when it's time to drop everything and fight for what's right." T'Challa looked at him in respect for that before Bucky got up. "Going to need a new arm though. Mind if I borrow one?"
"My sister has one ready for you in the event that you're ready to show your face again." Said T'Challa. "Inform me when you're ready to go. I'll have the arm be sent to the ship as soon as possible."
"Ship?" Asked Bucky before looking at Steve with a smile. "What ship?" Steve just smiled a bit before telling him it's a long story. As she watched him interact with Bucky, Proxima couldn't help but think of it being akin to her own interactions with Gamora when she was a child. Feeling a tug in her heart, Proxima wondered how her little sister was doing right now and if she would be proud of her for finally joining the fight against their father.