5 Years After the Snap
Piper studied her opponent. Neither of them would use any weapons. Simple hand to hand. They had already been going at it for almost an hour. Piper rushed forward, falling to her knees to slide under her swinging fist. She held onto the mat under her as she spun around, knocking Natasha to the ground before she shot up to her feet.
"Surrender?" Piper panted with a smile.
Natasha smiled before jumping to her feet. The woman threw another punch to her which Piper blocked with her arm.
Block. Punch. Evade. Punch. Duck.
Piper swung her fists at Natasha the same time she kicked her in the stomach. Both women fell to the ground.
"Ow." Natasha panted releasing a chuckle from her.
"Let's call it a draw?" Piper suggested sitting up.
"Your getting rusty." Natasha pointed out as they stood, walking over to where they kept their water.
"You say after I almost beat you."
"Almost." Natasha pointed out. "You should be able to pin me no problem."
"Do you give Steve this much crap when you beat him?" Piper avoided.
"You've been getting more violent in your patrols." Natasha said.
"You've been looking for more tragedies to monitor." Piper pointed out. It was no secret that Natasha and the others kept in touch. Mostly it was Natasha asking them what was going on and what could she do to fix it. Not that she blamed her. "Everyone has their own thing."
"Spider- Man isn't-"
"Spider- Man is dead." Piper snapped. "He wasn't violent. Arachne is as violent as she needs to be."
"Oh yeah?" Natasha turned on a hologram revealing the crime scene of three men laying bloody on the ground wrapped in webbing. "What did they do to deserve your wrath?"
"I don't kill. All I'm doing is maim or seriously injure." Piper said in a Dobby voice. "It's not even that bad." She returned to her regular voice as she walked away. "If you want to lecture someone, go track down Barton. He's the one that's been on a five year killing spree."
Piper stopped sighing deeply before turning to her. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
Natasha said nothing for a moment. "I failed him. He saved me from being just a weapon. And when he needed me the most..."
Piper put a hand on her shoulder. "We've all failed someone."
"There was nothing you could do." Natasha assured.
"That's what makes it worse." Piper grabbed her bag. "I'm going to go on patrol. Told Tony that I'd try to be home before sunrise."
She carefully climbed through the window of the tall tower, already making sure all the cameras were off. She glimpsed at her reflection in the window.
"You took your time." She looked back as the lights turned on revealing a young man with straight brown hair wearing dress pants and a white dress shirt. "You are here for me, right?"
She stalked toward him slowly. "Of course I am."
"Ooh." He sat forward a smirk on his lips. "Should I be scared?"
She put a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back as she took off her mouth mask. "Terrified." Before leaning down and kissing him.
He slowly reached up pushing her hood back, before sliding his hands down to her cheeks, pulling away. "Let me see you."
"You always see me." She said softly as she picked up one of his hands and together they pulled off her mask.
He leaned forward as she closed her eyes, letting him kiss her forehead. "My beautiful Piper."
She smiled. "My Handsome Harry."
The two laid together on the roof, staring up at the starry night. Ever since the snap, light pollution has decreased, meaning they could see the stars in the middle of the city. She and Harry spent a lot of nights together like this.
Sometimes she was amazed they were even a couple. Tony gave him some advice, and next thing she knew they were dating.
"When are you leaving?" He asked quietly.
She sighed. "In a few minutes."
"Do you have to?" He moved to look at her face.
"I promised Tony I would go home."
"You're an adult." He said almost begging, sitting up. "Stay with me."
She leaned up, kissing him. She wanted to stay. She wanted to be with him.
'I want to be on my own.' She had told May and Peter as she argued to go to her own school. 'You'll be fine on your own, little brother.'
She pulled away. "I'm needed at home."
"Promise you'll come back?"
"Always." She smiled softly as they stood, she putting on her domino mask.
"Piper!" She groaned as a small force jumped up and down on her. "Piper! Piper! Piper!"
She threw the blanket off her face and glanced down at 4 year old Morgan Stark on her stomach. "Morgan!" She said as excitedly as she could.
"Get up!" Morgan cried bouncing again. "Mommy's making pancakes!"
"Is she?" She sat up, Morgan sliding into her lap with a giggle. "Then let's go!"
She swung Morgan onto her shoulders and walked down the hall. Even from outside her room she could hear Pepper and Tony talking in the kitchen.
"Mommy!" Morgan yelled as they walked into the kitchen. "Daddy! I got Piper!"
"Morgan Stark." Pepper chided as Piper sat her onto a chair. "Did you go wake up Piper?"
"Maybe..."
"It's alright, Pep." Piper assured as she sat down next to Morgan, across from Tony. "I needed to get up anyways."
"What time did you get in?" Tony asked through a mouthful of eggs.
Piper shrugged. The sun was beginning to rise over the horizon when she got in.
"Friday told me you had some damage to your suit..." Pepper probed.
"Nothing major." Piper tried to assure as she ate. "Just got sliced by a knife."
"Piper."
"It's nothing too bad." Piper tried again.
"When do I get to train?" Morgan asked curiously.
"When you're older." Piper said.
"Much, much older." Pepper emphasized sharing a look with Tony. The couple had yet to discuss whether or not they'd let their daughter be a hero.
"But in the mean time," Piper turned to Morgan. "I saw you're Lego building." It was a crude replica of the old Stark Tower, now named Oscorp.
"You did?!" Morgan asked excitedly.
"Yep. I can see the headlines now: Morgan Stark, Youngest Chief Architect of All Time. Now," She put on a reporter voice as Morgan giggled, "Tell us Miss Stark what would happen in this magnificent building?"
"The building is used for playing."
"For playing?" Piper tried not to laugh.
"Yeah! One floor has swings, one floor has trampolines, one has Legos."
"Ooh, tell me more."
"Everyone wears pajamas all day long. And all you can eat pizza and cake."
"Already sounds amazing." Tony smiled encouragingly.
"There's even a balcony for Arachne to come visit."
"Well don't I feel special." Piper affectionately messed up Morgan's hair, who squealed happily.
"You finish your semester?" Pepper asked Piper.
Since she was 21, Piper had long since graduated high school and was taking online college courses. She was not as smart as Peter and Tony nor had their drive for the sciences, but still made decent grades.
"Yeah I took the test last night after I got in." Piper explained.
"Well, how about we all go out on the lake today then?," Tony said looking to Morgan. "What do you say Morgana?"
"Can we?" Morgan asked excitedly looking to Pepper.
"I don't see why not." Pepper smiled at her.
Piper smiled as Tony and Morgan talked about all they could do on the lake. She was glad Tony and Pepper were able to have Morgan. They were so scared there would be complications due to their age, but she was perfectly healthy.
She couldn't help but wonder what would've happened to her if they didn't take her in. What would she have become?
After they had come back from the lake, Piper decided to check on her grades. How was it that she barely tried and still got one of the highest scores in the class? According to the roster sheet she was 3rd best in class. Right behind Ben Urich and Angela Yin.
She walked down stairs as soon as she was done to the smell of fresh food downstairs. She saw Pepper in the kitchen, and Tony outside with Morgan and... Steve, Natasha and some guy.
"Pep," Piper warned. "We got company."
Pepper looked outside and sighed. "Can you send Morgan in? I don't want her to see Tony upset by them."
They both knew Tony had problems with the Avengers, especially Steve. Their last encounter wasn't exactly on good terms.
"But be friendly." Pepper warned handing her a tray with glasses and a pitcher with some health drink she didn't drink. "I mean it."
Piper opened the door, ignoring the Avengers, as she placed the cups on the small table. "Morgan, your Mom wants you in before your food gets cold."
"You better listen." Tony said putting the girl down. She bounced inside oblivious to any tension. Tony handed her the Rescue helmet. "And can you put that back in the garage? Somewhere Morgan can't reach it preferably."
"You're the one who left it on the desk." Piper pointed out taking the helmet from him.
"Hey Piper." Natasha said kindly.
"Nat." Piper nodded back politely as she walked away. She wished she didn't hear them.
A time heist? It sounded ridiculous at first, but... Could it work?
No. Tony was right. Why even consider something so ridiculous?
Because Peter would try it out.
She walked back on to the patio quietly so they couldn't hear her.
"Tony..." Steve tried. "We have to take a stand."
"We did stand." Tony pointed out, "And yet, here we are."
"I know you got a lot on the line." Scott began. "You got a wife, two daughters. But I lost someone very important to me. A lot of people did. And now, now we have a chance to bring her back. Bring everyone back. And you're telling me that won't even-"
"That's right, Scott, I won't. Leave it." She made eye contact with Tony for a brief second as she heard Morgan and Pepper talk. She tapped on the wall. "Got a kid."
Morgan ran out to Tony who picked her up. "Mommy told me to come and save you."
Even Pepper was trying to give them a hint, via cutest kid on Earth.
"Good job." Tony said pushing her hair back to look her in the face. "I'm saved." He looked up to Steve, Nat and Scott. "I wish you'd come here to ask me something else. Anything else. Honestly, I... I missed you guys, it was-
"Tony, I get it." Steve tried again. "And I'm happy for you, I really am. But this is a second chance."
"I got my second chance right here, Cap." He said standing with Morgan. "I can't roll the dice again. If you don't talk shop, you can stay for lunch." He walked inside, not bothering to look back.
"Piper." Steve turned to her as she walked toward the door. "Surely you could convince-"
Piper shot webbing at his mouth. "If you don't talk shop, he said. And why should I convince him? I lost everyone I ever knew during the Snap. Aunt? Dust. Brother? Dust. Half my friends and classmates? Dust. The ones left died in accidents as a result of the others disappearing. This," She gestured to the house. "This is all I have left. Tony's right, we can't gamble on this. Prove to me that this plan could work. Then I'll help."
"So you're going to do nothing?" Scott said incredulous.
"Do nothing?" Piper turned to him. "I don't know if they told you, but I killed Thanos. Chopped his head off. Almost every night since, I go out into different cities to try and somewhat maintain the crime. I write to give people the smallest bit of hope we can recover."
She walked closer to him. "What have you been doing the last 5 years? Better yet, what were you doing before, because I never even heard of you until my brother kicked your sorry ass at that airport."
Scott swallowed and opened his mouth, no sound coming out.
"So don't think I do nothing. I've been working my ass off to make things better." She looked to Nat. "Look, I'm sorry, but I can't lose everything a third time. I can't."
"I understand." Natasha nodded.
Piper put a hand on the doorknob, before sighing. Be nice, Pepper had said.
She looked back. "Try Bruce. Last I heard he was somewhere in New York." She looked to Scott remembering the changes Bruce went through. "And don't stare. It's rude."
Not waiting for a reply she walked in.
Later that night, she sat in her room, her suit laying in front of her. She had just finished patching up her uniform.
Now she had her laptop balanced on her lap as she looked at her draft.
'It's been 5 years since the Decimation. Usually I'd be thinking about the aunt who disappeared in front of me or the twin who I never got to say bye to.
But right now? All I can think about is my little sister. She'll be turning 5 later this year, and I already got her a birthday present. Don't tell her, but it's an old Iron Man action figure I had found at a second hand store.
I don't know why honestly. Maybe it's cause her favorite hero is Iron Man. Maybe it's cause growing up I had one exactly like that. I slept with it the way most girls my age slept with teddy bears. After my parents death, Tony Stark announced he was Iron Man and suddenly things felt so much more hopeful. Now I know the man's made mistakes, but haven't we all? There's something comforting about that.
Late at night, I wonder if Thanos ever regretted what he did 5 years ago. If he could would he go back and stop himself from snapping? Would he do things differently?
What could I have done differently? But now, I'm trying to live with no regrets. I try to live to do my best. For myself and others.
So what are you going to do?'
She looked away from the laptop, to where 2 pictures of her families sat. The first one held her parents, her aunt and uncle and what had to be 6 year old versions of her and Peter at a family dinner. Her hand strayed to her father's ring. The other was of her, Tony, Pepper, Happy and Rhodey sitting around the hospital bed when Morgan was first born.
You know what you're going to do.
Piper got up from the bed and grabbed a red drawstring bag, stuffing her uniform in it along with extra knives and web fluid. She threw on a pair of jeans, a purple t-shirt and combat boots before grabbing the bag and leaving.
She peeked into Morgan's room to see the girl dead asleep. She creeped in and petted her hair back gently, placing a kiss on her forehead. "You'll be safe. Remember I love you 3000."
Piper made sure to close the door as quietly as possible before walking downstairs. She stopped a few steps before the bottom to hear Pepper and Tony talking.
"-seems like you can." Pepper was saying.
"Not if I stop." Tony argued. "I can put a pin in it right now, and stop."
"Tony, trying to get you to stop has been one of the few failures of my life."
"I sometimes feel I should put it in a locked box and drop it at the bottom of a lake... go to bed."
"But would you be able to rest?"
Piper walked loudly down the last few steps getting their attention. "Hey."
"Piper..." Pepper said surprised. "I thought you weren't going on Patrol tonight."
"I'm not." Piper confessed. "I was thinking about when they came earlier."
"You want to join them." Tony realized.
"Peter would do the same for us."
"I know."
"I want to ignore it, but I can't."
"I know."
"But I'm not even sure if it'll work-"
"It will. I figured it out." She gaped at Tony. "Guess we both had the same issue."
"Guess so." Tony looked at Pepper. "I'll be coming home."
"I know." Pepper said sadly. "You always do."
"And I always will." The two kissed. He looked at her. "We leave in 5."
The two took turns driving to the Compound. Right now Tony was driving the last leg of the way.
"You think this will work?" Tony said breaking the comfortable silence.
"I have no idea." Piper admitted. "I want it to, but..."
"But you don't want to hope."
"And at the same time I can't stop hoping. But you know what?" He raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised I understand how you figured out Time travel."
He chuckled. "Never underestimate me." He sighed. "I had FRIDAY run different models until I got one that worked."
"And you're sure it will?"
"Yeah." He put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently as they pulled into the Compound parking lot. " We're bringing him back."
Piper smiled as they passed Steve, "I think you-"
"I know." He said stopping and reversing the car to Steve.
Piper rolled down her window. "Why the long face?"
"Let me guess." Tony said, "He turned into a baby."
"Among other things, yeah. What are you doing here?"
"That's the EPR paradox." Tony continued as they got out of the car. Piper grabbed her bag before getting out. "Instead of pushing Lang through time, you might've wound up pushing time through Lang. It's tricky. Dangerous. Somebody could of cautioned you against it."
"You did."
"Oh, did I?" Tony said in fake shock. "Thank God, I'm here. Regardless, I fixed it." He held up the wrist with his new invention. They made enough for the team. "A fully functioning time-space GPS. I just want peace. Turns out, resentment is corrosive, and I hate it."
"Me, too."
"We got a shot at getting these stones, but I gotta tell you my priority is to bring back what we lost? I hope, yes. Keep what I found?"
Tony looked to her sadly, undoubtedly also thinking of Morgan, as they walked to the trunk. "I have to, at all costs. And, maybe not die trying will be nice."
"Sounds like a deal." Steve said as Tony opened the truck revealing the infamous Captain America shield. "Tony, I don't know-"
"Why? He made it for you." Tony held it out to him. "Plus, honestly I have to get it out the garage before Morgan takes it sledding."
"That would be fun though." Piper thought aloud.
"Thank you, Tony." Steve said taking it.
"Will you keep that a little quietly?" Tony asked as they walked inside. "Didn't bring one for the whole team. We are getting, the whole team, yeah?"
"We're working on that right now." Steve admitted.
"Well Rocket better come." Piper noted. "He still owes me $50."
AN:
Hi! So, my second summer course is starting soon and I'll probably be moving soon so I have no idea when I'll be able to post again. So enjoy this.
Sorry if I made Piper seem rude toward Steve, I just feel she would still have some resentment towards him on Tony's behalf. She is very protective of her loved ones.
Credit where credit is due, Dobby is from Harry Potter (I forgot which movie that line was from). Ben Urich and Angela Yin are characters from the comics that work at the Daily Bugle.
Thank you for everyone who reviewed.
AnimeLover229: I intend to use the first part of this story to explore my version of the Endgame plot, the next will be interacting with the Returned, and then we get into a new challenge. But yes, there is going to be drama.
pottermaniac6: I'm glad you love this. And please enjoy, again I don't know when I'll be able to update again.
ashleyag: Enjoy.
HeavenlyMonster: I'm glad you're enjoying this and appreciate any encouragement.
Now the next few chapters are going to be Endgame heavy, and I know not everyone has seen it, so if you haven't seen the movie, you may be lost in some parts. This is your final warning ENDGAME SPOILERS AHEAD. As always enjoy and please review. Thank you.
Bye.