Chapter 3

Hopes Dashed

23 days later

After recording a message for Pepper. Buy using the HUD from the Iron Man armor. Tony who was feeling weak laid down and feel asleep. Sometime later Nebula found him and put him and one of the chairs. Then she walked away to find something to do. Not long after that a bright light appeared outside the ship. At first Tony tried to ignore the light. But the light got brighter. Tony opened his blood shot eyes as the light dissipated. And he saw a woman floating outside the ship. The woman looked into the ship and saw a man inside.

"Are you Tony Stark?" The woman asked

Tony nodded and watched the woman smiled and fly off. Then he felt the ship jerk and watched the stars move by. Nebula came to the front of the ship.

"What is going on?" She asked Tony.

"I don't know. I saw a woman outside the ship. She asked me if I'm Tony Stark. She smiled and flew off and now we are moving." Tony replied

"What did woman look like?" asked Nebula

"She has blonde hair and is wearing a red, blue, and gold suit." replied Tony describing the woman that he saw.

"I think we are going to be ok. It sounds like we were found by Captain Marvel. Also known as Carol Danvers." said Nebula sitting down

2 days later

Steve is in the bathroom finishing shaving. The man has finally shaved off the bread that he had grown while he was on the run. And had been keeping it that way. They suddenly thing started shaking.

"Guys come you might want to come outside!" yelled Pepper

Steve, Natasha, and Rhodey ran outside and up to Pepper. It's dark out but they saw the strawberry blonde woman look up at the sky. Just then they saw a ship appear in the night sky. Underneath the ship is Carol who has been carrying the disabled ship. She came in for a landing and the ship's landing gear came down. A hatch came open and stairs came down. Just then they saw Tony with a blue alien woman. Rhodey and Steve ran up to Tony and helped him. But Tony saw Pepper and she went over and embraced him. Rocket who had come outside went up to Nebula. The alien woman is sitting on the ship's steps. Rocket sat down next to her and held out his hand. Nebula took his hand and held. The two spoke not a word. But understood and knew what they lost.

That night Rocket and Nebula slept in the ship. And everyone else went into the compound and went into their rooms. In the morning after breakfast. Steve and Natasha filled in Tony what happened in Wankanda. And why Jeremie and Yumi were at the compound. They also introduced him to Carol. Tony in turn told everyone what happened to him. Then Tony and Steve got into a heated argument. Being as weak as he is Tony Passed out. And was taken to the medic bay. Everyone else went into the common room. Rocket pulled up a hologram of Earth.

"25 days ago Earth became ground zero. Of an energy serge of cosmic proportion. Except for two days ago. On this planet." Rocket addressed

Natasha looked at the hologram of the planet. "He used the stones again." said Natasha

Yumi looked at the group and asked "So what are you going to do about it?"

"We go get him. Get the stones back so we can bring everyone back." Carol replied

"You do realize if we do this. We'll be seriously out gunned." Bruce advised

"Yeah how is it going to be any different?" asked Rhodey

"It will be different because you have me." advised Carol

"New girl we are all about our super hero life. But where the hell have you been all this time?" asked Rhodey

"There are a lot of planets in the galaxy. And not all of them have you guys." admitted Carol

"We owe it to everyone that's not in this room. To a least try." coaxed Natasha

"Let's go get this son of a bitch. Rocket how long will it take for repairs on the ship?" asked Steve

"Nebula and I should be able to have the ship. Up and running in few days. replied Rocket

With that said Rocket and Nebula went outside to get to work.

"Are you so sure about this Nat?" asked Yumi

"Yes I'm sure sestra. I hate see you and Jeremie so miserable." replied Natasha

Three days later Rocket and Nebula have replied the ship and it's ready to go. Steve and Thor loaded the Hulkbuster and War Machine arours on the ship. Steve got into his old stealth uniform. Natasha got into her uniform that she wore in Wakanda. Then Rocket, Carol, Thor, Nebula, Bruce, Rhodey, Natasha, and Steve go into the ship.

"Good luck and safe trip everyone!" yelled Pepper

Everyone in the ship strapped in and prepared for take off.

"Who here hasn't been in space?" asked Rocket

Natasha, Steve, and Rhodey all raised their hands. "Ok try not to puke in my ship." replied Rocket. The ship took off and once it was between the Earth and the moon. Rocket found a jump point and had the ship go through it. Once out of the jump they could see a planet in front of them. Carol went out of the hatch and went outside.

"I'm going to scout ahead to see if he's alone." cautioned Carol

While she gone Bruce got into the Hulkbuster amour. And Rhodey got into the War Machine amour. Soon Carol appeared outside the ship.

"No army, no guards, no visible satellites, it's just him." assured Carol

Rocket landed the ship and everyone got out. Carol lead the group within ambush range. Then she charged into the cottage and grabbed Thanos by the neck. Bruce came in and grabbed Thanos' right arm. Rhodey grabbed Thanos' legs. Then Thor flew in and cut off Thanos' left arm. Rocket, Steve, Natasha, and Nebula then came in. Rocket turned over the gauntlet and didn't see the stones. With tears in his eyes he said "Oh no."

"Where are the stones?" asked Natasha looking at Thanos.

"Answer the question." hissed Carol as she squeezed his neck tighter

"They're gone reduced to atoms." Thanos gasped

"You killed trillions!" yelled Bruce using the Hulkbuster amour to punch Thanos.

"I used the stone to get rid of the stones. To completely restore balance. And it damn near killed me." assured Thanos

"He's got to be lying let's search everywhere." suggested Rhodey

"My father is a lot of things. A lair is not one of them." admitted Nebula

Thanos looked over at Nebula. "Oh thank you daughter maybe I treated you to harshly."

Suddenly Thor swung Stormbreaker and cut off Thanos' head.

"Thor what did you do?" asked Rocket

"I went for the head." replied Thor leaving the cottage.

Everyone returned to the ship for the trip home. Once back at the Avengers compound. Jeremie saw the group come in.

"Did it work? Did you get the stone from Thanos?" he asked smiling

"I'm sorry Jeremie but Thanos distorted the stones. There is nothing we can do." admitted Steve

Tears started falling from Jeremie's eyes. And ran out of the room. He found Yumi told her what Steve had to say. The two of them started crying because. They knew that they won't seeing their loved once ever again. Considering Jeremie and Aelita were married. And Yumi and Ulrich were engaged. Natasha felt so bad for Jeremie and Yumi. After Tony recovered some more. He and Pepper moved out of the compound. Tony had bought a cabin miles away from compound. Two months later Tony and Pepper got married. It was a private ceremony with only Tony and Pepper's family and closest friends. Well what's left anyway. Unfortunately Steve and Natasha weren't on the guest list. Steve didn't blame Tony for hating him. And Natasha didn't blame Tony for being upset with her.