Chapter Two: New York.
Riley Smith is portrayed by Nina Doberv
Riley was walking towards Tony and Pepper, she was just refilling her water bottle at the fountain. She heard Tony and Pepper's conversation a bit. She laughed when she heard their bickering and went towards them.
"If you wanted to have a kid, you wouldn't have done that." Pepper said, tapping on Tony's rec and Tony nodded "I'm glad you brought this up, 'cause it's nothing. It's just a housing unit for nano particles.'
"Tony is a lot of things.. But he's ready to be a father" Riley said and Pepper and Tony turned towards her and Riley grinned "He was the best adopted brother a girl can ask for"
"I would have been a great godfather and uncle to your baby too" Tony pointed out and Riley chuckled "I don't know if Steve would have approved of you being the god father.. Plus you would have had Bruce and Clint fighting with you over that" She said and Tony was silent for a moment
"I can't believe your baby would have been two years old already" Tony said and Riley smiled sadly "Some things weren't mean to happen" She muttered and looked down.
Riley was engaged to Steve Rogers, she stuck by his side during the accords and everything.. Nothing broke them apart, expect when she found out the truth that Bucky Barnes killed her parents, Abbie and Thomas Smith. Along with Tony's parents.
They had broke off their engagement when Riley made him choose between her and Bucky and Connie, Steve's great-granddaughter and Bucky's ex-girlfriend.
It caused her to lose the love of her life, along with her baby.. Which she lost when she was fighting Steve and Bucky.
"Felix and I are back in the country in time for your wedding and this is what we get?" Riley joked and Tony grinned "Thank god for Felix looking after you when you two when to Russia.. Have you manage to look for your real family?" Tony questioned and Riley nodded
"I found a couple of sisters of my mother and their children.. They were very happy in finding out that I was alive, we managed to also track down a couple of family members of Felix so we spent time with our families.. Felix texted that he was back at the Avengers Headquarters this morning" She said thinking about Felix
Felix was nicknamed the Cobra.. Part of the group called the Snakes, which was led by S.J Rogers, son of Steve Rogers and Mary Hunter, Steve's ex-girlfriend from World War II. The other team-mates were Janet Kane, who was on the run with Steve and his team after the accords, Jasper Cole, who was currently living in exile with Lady Sif.. The other members, Sean, Alice and S.J himself.. were dead.
Felix and Riley had gone closer, were best friends during their time in Russia. He helped her with dealing with the loss of her baby and the fact that her and Steve were broken up.. He was truly the best friend a girl could ever ask for.
"You don't need that." Pepper said turning towards Tony who sighed "I know. I had the surgery. I'm just trying to protect us. The future, as is, and that's it. Just in case there's a monster in the closet. Just letting you know."
"Shirts?" Pepper questioned and she sighed and looked at Riley "What am I going to do with him?" She said and Riley laughed "He's family.. What can we do?"
"You know me so well. You finish all my sentences." Tony said and placed an arm around Riley's shoulder and she gave him a look and Pepper sighed "You should have shirts in your closet."
"Yeah. You know what there should be? No more surprises. We're gonna have a nice dinner tonight. Show off this Harry Winston. Right? And we should have no more surprises. Ever. I should promise you."
"Yes." Pepper said and Riley grinned at Tony and Pepper "You two are just the cutest.." She said and Tony smiled brightly when he wrapped his arms around his fiancée before bringing Pepper into a kiss
"I will." He whispered and soon they were cut off when a portal opened and they heard a voice
"Mr. Stark and Miss Smith?" A female voice said and Riley turned towards them and her eyes widen when she saw who it was.. It was the woman from the hospital.. The day when she lost her baby.
"Hi.." Riley whispered at the woman, the blonde woman smiling in front of her as well "Hi Riley.. Long time no see"
"Maria Strange..?" Tony whispered and Riley turned towards Tony "You know her?"
"Dr. Maria Strange helped Dr. Wu getting rid of this when I was dying.." Tony whispered looking down and then looking at Maria "She helped save my life" He whispered and Maria smiled softly
"It's my job to protect and make sure everyone is alive and happy.. Dr. Wu is an old friend of mine.. It was an honor to help you become better, I wish I was there when you woke up but I was needed for another surgery.. These sports can take a toll on some people" She said and Tony smiled
"Then I can thank you.. For helping" He said and Maria nodded "Of course Mr. Stark.." She said and suddenly a man appeared, standing next to Maria
"Tony Stark, I'm Doctor Stephen Strange.. Maria's husband. I need you to come with us." Stephen said and Maria nudged her husband and he coughed "Oh, uh, congratulations on the wedding, by the way." He said and Tony narrowed his eyes at Stephen
"I'm sorry, you giving out tickets or something?" Tony asked Stephen and Maria stepped forward "We need your help. Look, it's not overselling to say that the fate of the universe is at stake.. We really need you two" She said looking at Riley and Tony. Tony sighed "And who's "we"?"
Maria stepped aside and let Bruce come into view. Riley, Tony and Pepper were shocked to see that he was standing in front of them.. He was gone for three years.. How?
"Hi Tony.. Riley" Bruce said coming towards them, hugging Riley before bringing Tony into a tight hug.. Riley could tell that something was wrong with Bruce when he wouldn't let go.
"Bruce.. Are you okay?" She whispered and she looked over at Maria and Stephen "What's wrong?" She questioned and the Sorceress Supreme looked over at Riley
"You and Tony need to come with us.. It's a very long story"
"From the dawn of the universe, there was nothing. Then, boom! The Big Bang sends six elemental crystals, hurdling across the virgin Universe. These Infinity Stones each control an essential aspect of existence." Wong's voice echoed through the halls. Riley looked in amazement of the projection in front of her.. Tony was next to her, just silent.
"Space. Reality. Power." Stephen began, looking at each stone that came into view.. The Blue, Red and Purple stones floating around Stephen before Maria looked at the next few stones
"Soul. Mind. And Time" Maria whispered looking at the stones before opening the Eye of Agamotto. Tony and Riley looking in amazement of the tiny green glow that was coming out of the Eye of Agamotto. Stephen going towards his wife and with his movement, closed the Eye of Agamotto. Stephen looked at Riley and Tony
"Maria was given a prophecy before becoming the Sorceress Supreme.. One that involves her and two others being the ones that would be able to stop a strong figure from destroying the universe.. This is happening now, we need to make sure Maria is with the two others and none of them die.." He said and Riley nodded
"Do we have a location on the other two?" Riley questioned and Bruce stepped forward
"Aya was teleported away with me, but she got lost on the way.. Anthea, I have no clue.. She left before Thanos attacked, something about her finding her family" Bruce said and Tony looked at Stephen
"Tell me his name again.
"Thanos. He's a plague, Tony. He invades planets. He takes what he wants. He wipes out half the population. He sent Loki. The attack on New York. That's him." Bruce said looking at Tony. Tony got up and went towards Bruce, silent for a couple of moments before shaking his head.. Riley standing and going towards Maria
"This is it. What's our timeline?" Tony questioned and Bruce sighed
"No telling. He has the Power and Space Stones, that already makes him the strongest
creature in the whole Universe. If he gets his hands, on all six Stones, Tony..." Bruce said and Tony went towards an item and started to stretch, using it to him up and Maria scowled
"Excuse me" She said and Stephen went towards Tony as well.. Bruce and Riley following and Stephen looked at Tony
"He can destroy life on a scale hither to undreamt of."
"Did you seriously just say "hither to undreamt of"? Tony questioned and Riley sighed and looked at him "We're seriously doing on who is speaking like what now?" She questioned and Stephen looked at Tony, very annoyed.
"Are you seriously leaning on the Cauldron of the Cosmos?" He said and suddenly both Maria and Stephen's cloaks slapped Tony's arm, causing Tony to look at Stephen and Maria with a glare
"I'll let it slide because Maria saved me" He said and he looked at Maria "If Thanos needs all six, why don't we just stick this one down the garbage disposal?"
"No can do." Stephen said shaking his head and Maria sighed "We can't just drop the stone anywhere.. This stone can't be in the wrong hands.. Not anyone can just handle it"
"We swore an oath to protect the Time Stone with our lives." Wong spoke going towards the group now and Tony narrowed his eyes at him "And I swore off dairy, but then, Ben & Jerry's named a flavor after me, so..."
"Stark Raving Hazelnuts." Stephen said and Tony nodded "It's not bad."
"A bit chalky." Stephen said, Maria nodding in agreement "Sorry.. We usually like having some ice cream when we have movie nights. We had many flavors before finding the one" She said and Wong nodded in agreement "A Hunka-Hulka Burning Fudge" is our favorite." He said and Riley nodded "It's sorta my favorite too"
"That's a thing?" Bruce questioned and Tony sighed "Whatever. Point is, things change."
"Our oath to protect the Time Stone cannot change. This Stone may be the best chance we have against Thanos." Stephen reasoned and Maria nodded "As soon as the other two are located.. We have a chance against him"
"And still conversely, it may also be his best chance against us!" Tony said and Riley looked at Tony "We have to do something.. Thanos will come here sooner or later and get that stone"
"Well, if we don't do our jobs." Stephen said looking at Tony who crossed his arms and looked at both Maria and Stephen
"What is your job exactly, besides making balloon animals?"
"Protecting your reality, douche bag." Stephen spoke and Maria looked up and closed her eyes "I know.. Mine and Stephen's lives are on the line because of this.. I know you have a choice in this Tony.. But we don't.. My husband may lose me or I may lose him.. We know what is going to happen"
"Okay guys, can we quick cable this discussion right now? The fact is that we have the stone. We know where it is. Vision is out there somewhere with the Mind Stone, and we have to find him now." Bruce said and Riley and Tony were silent for a moment.. Riley looking down at her left hand.. Her ring finger that once had a ring. Tony saw Riley's expression and he sighed "Yeah, that's the thing."
"What do you mean?" Bruce said and Tony and Riley looked at each other "Two weeks ago, Vision turned off his transponder. He's offline."
"What? Tony, you lost another super bot?" Bruce asked. Maria and Stephen looking at each other.. Giving each other a look and Stephen shook his head "Great..."
"I didn't lose him. He's more than that. He's evolving." Tony said and Riley nodded "He actually feels.. He has emotions, dreams.. Everything"
"Who could find Vision, then?" Maria asked, Riley looked down and shook her head at them "Steve Rogers can do it"
"Oh, great." Stephen muttered and wrapped an arm around his wife's waist and shook his head "What more can go wrong?"
"Maybe. But..." Tony said looking at Riley with equally sad eyes and Bruce went towards Riley "Call him.. You know he will answer you in a heart beat.. He loves you so much, why isn't he with you right now?" Bruce said and Riley looked at Bruce with tears in her eyes, Bruce looked at her and just figured it out.. Something went wrong.. Why wasn't Steve with her?
"It's not that easy. God, we haven't caught up in a spell, have we?" Tony said going towards Riley and brought her into a huge when he saw that Riley was upset and Bruce shook his head "No."
"The Avengers broke up. We're toast." Tony said and Bruce's eyes widen at the two "Broke up? Like a band? Like The Beatles?"
"Us and Cap fell out hard. We're not on speaking terms." Tony said and Riley sighed "Steve and I were engaged, but he broke up with me after a couple of things went out of hand.. It just wasn't meant to be "
Bruce went towards Riley and took her hands "Riley, listen to me. Thor's gone.. Aya and Anthea are missing. Thanos is coming. It doesn't matter who you're talking to or not.. Steve must be missing you and I can tell you're missing him too.. It's the end of the world, save what you lost" Bruce said. Riley was silent for a moment, before taking the flip phone that was in her pocket.. That cursed flip phone she always charged, carried and took care of.. Hoping that maybe.. If Steve missed her that much, he would have called her.
She looked at Steve's number and was ready to press call.. Her heart was racing when she thought she was going to hear his voice for the first time in two years.. Until they all heard a strange noise. Riley looking up from her phone before closing it. Maria's eyes closed as she took a breath
"They're here" She said and Tony went towards the door, looking at the couple, Riley and Bruce before opening it. All of them looking in horror once they saw the wind was going crazy, items were flying, people were screaming and running.
Riley rushed out of the door with Tony, Maria and Stephen walking out of the door with their fingers intertwined and Maria frowned seeing the scene in front of her and she saw a woman tripping, she ran towards her and helped her up
"Hey, it's okay" Maria promised and the woman pushed her away, running away. Riley saw a car crash and Tony looked at her "Wong! Riley, make sure they're okay!" He said through the wind and Riley nodded, going towards the car with Wong.
Tony looked back at Maria and Stephen "Maria! You may want to keep that stone in your back pocket and you get out of here" he said and Stephen glared at Tony, as if he was throwing daggers at him
"She and the stone are staying with me" Stephen said and Tony huffed and they made their way towards the middle of the street and saw it.. A huge ship was landing in the middle of the street.
"FRIDAY, evac anyone south of 43rd Street, notify first responders." Tony spoke to FRIDAY who spoke back "Will do."
"We need to stop that ship's engine" Riley said. Maria and Stephen coming into view and saw what was happening, Maria looked at Stephen who nodded and he opened his hands, before pushing forward.. the ship and wind stopping.
Tony looked in almost in amazement and he turned back to Stephen who nodded at him, before turning to his wife and winking at her.
Maria narrowed her eyes playfully and shook her head, smiling at him
Bruce, Tony, Wong, Riley, Maria and Stephen walked towards the ship, very careful and alert in case something jumped out at them, soon a portal appeared and two figures cam down from it.. Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian came down, Maria stopping dead and she looked at Stephen who held on to her hand
Riley and Tony were in front of them, Riley scowled at the two aliens in front of her and she looked at Tony "When you said there were aliens out there.. I didn't know they were that ugly"
"Hear me, and rejoice. You are about to die at the hands of the Children of Thanos. Be thankful, that your meaningless lives are now contributing to.." Ebony Maw said as Cull Obsidian looked at Ebony Maw, not very impressed with the figures in front of them
"I'm sorry, Earth is closed today. You better pack it up and get outta here." Tony called towards them, Stephen nodding in agreement "You are trespassing and you need to leave" He said. Ebony Maw looked over at Maria
"Stone keeper. Does these chattering animas speak for you?" Ebony Maw asked and Riley saw Maria narrowed her eyes and stepped forward, her hands moving in grace movements before energy came out of her hands
"I can speak for myself.. You're not welcomed here on this planet or taking this stone.. Leave now if you two know what is good for you"
"It means get lost, Squidward!" Tony called and Ebony Maw narrowed his eyes and looked at his partner "He exhausts me. Bring me the Stone." He said and the group saw that Cull Obsidian went towards them and Tony looked at Bruce.
"Hey, do you want a piece?" Tony asked and Bruce sighed, looking at him "No, not really, but when do I ever get what I want?" Bruce muttered and he was trying to turn into the Hulk.. Riley's eyebrows raised when she saw that nothing was happening.. Was something wrong?
"That's right." Tony encouraged and Riley looked over at Stephen and Mary, who were ready to battle when they had mini shields in front of them, Wong behind Bruce, ready to fight.
"Been a while. Good to have you, buddy." Tony said and Bruce shook his head, trying his best but it still wasn't working "I just... I need to concentrate here for one second. Come on, come on, man." Bruce muttered and Riley saw that Bruce was turning a bit green.. Only for his skin color to return normal.
"Where's your guy?" Tony asked and Riley sighed "Bruce we don't have time." She whispered when she saw Cull Obsidian coming towards them, smashing cars in their way.. It had been a few moments and Hulk didn't come out yet
"I don't know. We're certainly having a thing." Bruce sighed and Tony narrowed his eyes and pointed at Cull Obsidian who was getting closer, Stephen moving in front of his wife now
"There's no time for a thing. That's the thing right there. Let's go." Tony said and Bruce grunted loudly but nothing was happening.. Stephen and Maria looked over at Bruce with scowls on their faces and looked over at Tony. Tony just gave Bruce a look
"Dude. you're embarrassing me in front of the wizards." Tony said and Riley narrowed her eyes "Leave him be.. He needs to adjust being back here" She said and Bruce sighed "I can't... He won't...
"It's okay. Stand down." Tony said and he looked back at Wong "Can I leave you with him? Thank you." He said and Wong nodded "I have him."
Tony looked over at Riley and gave a small smile "You ready?" He asked and Riley noded with a grin before Tony pressed his rec while Riley pressed the watch on her wrist.. The familiar red and golden suit of Tony and golden and black suit of Riley coming into full view as they walked.. Riley soon flew into the air and punched Cull Obsidian in the gut before flying away, Tony using parts of his suit to blast the giant away and into Ebony Maw, who with a flick of his hand, caused Cull Obsidian to fly into a car and instead of him.
"Where'd that come from?" Bruce called and both of them turned back, Tony speaking proudly "It's nano-tech. You like it? A little.." He was soon cut off when both him and Riley were blasted off into the air by Ebony Maw
Maria created a huge shield while Stephen turned to Bruce "Dr. Banner, if the rest of your green friend won't be joining us" Stephen said using his sling ring to open a portal for Bruce to fall under, Maria gave her husband a look "He was just trying his best"
"Trying his best isn't enough.. You and the stone are currently in danger" He said and he created a shield.. Ready to blast it at Ebony Maw when another flick of his hand, caused a car to fly at them but Tony and Riley flew in front of them, Riley blasting the car away.
"You gotta get that stone and yourself outta here, now." Tony looked at Maria, Stephen shook his head "They stay with me."
"Exactly. Bye!" Tony said before looking at Riley "Make sure Maria is okay" He said and Riley nodded. Tony flew off to take on Cull Obsidian.
Riley went towards Maria and stood beside her. Ebony Maw lifted bricks in the air and soon twisted them, making them very sharp. Soon he flung them at the figures in front of them
Maria opened a portal first with Stephen, the sharp items flying into the portals while Wong opened another portal moments later, the sharp items flying at Maw and he lifted a car to block them but one still got him in the face.
Ebony Maw flicked his hand, causing a pipe to fly out and hit Wong in the face, knocking him back. He soon flicked half a car towards Riley but Stephen stepped in front of her without thinking, creating a shield but he was still knocked back with the impact.
Riley flew at Ebony Maw and blasted a couple of beams at him and it got Maw's sides. Ebony Maw hissed in pain and he lifted his hand, lifting a bus and flinging it at Riley who was caught in the middle and it was too late to break it in half, causing Riley to fall.
Maria created a rope with her magic and she threw it, causing the rope to wrap under Maw's ankle and she yanked it, causing Maw to fall.
Maw got up and threw a car, but Maria created a shield that was able to outstand the car. Maria soon managed to throw a punch of magic at him but he managed to protect himself in time.
Soon Maria grabbed him once again with a rope but Maw was quick to grab the rope and he flew at her.. Grabbing her and pinning her against the wall, bricks covering her a bit
"You're a good Supreme.. You must be popular with the children with your skills" Maw said with a grin, as he tried to touch the Eye of Agamotto but hissed in pain once his hand started burning. Maria smiling "A simple protection spell I learned from my mentor.. Knew it would come in hand one day"
"Then I'll take it off your dead corpse.. Make sure Thanos gets your body as well" Ebony Maw said grabbing her and throwing her to the ground. He was floating in the air, ready to make his move until he saw something at the corner of his eye and soon Riley had crashed herself into him.
Maria saw that and she threw her hand out, creating a shield for Riley so she didn't land harshly. Ebony Maw slowly got up and stalked towards Maria.. Her cloak flew off and soon was replaced with Stephen's suddenly. Maria attempted to open the Eye of Agamotto but Ebony Maw being a telepath, decided to open his hands, causing pipes to fly out of the ground and around her body and neck.
Maria was gasping for air and she was struggling to move, only for her to slam herself into a car to lean herself on it and she looked up at Ebony Maw and shook her head "You're not going to get this stone easily if I'm dead" She whispered and Ebony Maw narrowed his eyes and closed his fists together, tightening the pipes around her neck
"You'll only wish you're dead when I'm done with you" Ebony Maw said and he grinned when he saw Maria's eyes roll at the back of her head and collapsed on the ground. Ebony Maw lifted himself and Maria off the ground with the ground, at least Ebony Maw had gotten the two things he knew Thanos wanted the most.. The Sorceress Supreme and the Time Stone.. He didn't notice that Stephen's cloak and Maria slipped through the pipes until he heard the wind and he looked back, angered now
"No!"
"Riley! Parker is here!" Tony said to Riley though com, Riley slowly got up and saw that Cull Obsidian was facing off with Tony and she saw that Ebony Maw was chasing after Maria, who was clearly passed out and it was Stephen's cloak that was helping her escape.
"Peter! get Maria! She has the stone" Riley said to Peter through the com and Peter looked over and Riley and nodded "On it Miss. Smith! It's good to see you!" Peter said running before web slinging after Maria and Riley couldn't help but smile
She thought Peter Parker was the most adorable teenager ever, he was so cute and pure.. He was eager to be the best hero he could be and Riley admired that.. She saw Peter almost as a little brother. Even getting text messages from Peter when she was in Russia, telling her his adventures since Tony was too busy.
"Maria!" Riley heard Stephen's voice a couple of feet away from her, Maria's cloak on Stephen now and the cloak helped him starting to teleport his way to her.
Riley could easily see that Stephen was quite protective of his wife, she saw how much Stephen loved and adored Maria. It made her stop to think.. Was it the same way with Steve? Did others look at her and Steve and thought how wonderful it was for Steve to protect and love Riley? Even after he lied to her.. About Bucky being the ones that killed her adopted parents? That her real parents were Hydra? That she was the granddaughter of the Red Skull?
Riley snapped out of her thoughts and quickly flew into the air, watching when Ebony Maw slammed a piece of metal board into Peter who grunted but got up
"You're okay?" Riley called and Peter sighed "He's a tough one"
"Welcome to crime fighting" Riley said and she saw that Ebony Maw once again caused pipes to come out of the building, the cloak being caught of the pipes and it caused Maria to go flying into the air.. Until Stephen teleported right in front of her, catching her.
But it wasn't quick enough when all of a sudden, a beam came down from The Black Order's ship and on Stephen and Maria. Peter with his web, caught on to Maria's arm and he called to Tony and Riley
"Um.. Mr. Stark? Riley? I'm being beamed up!" He called and Riley began to fly up "I'm coming up! Don't worry!" she called. Tony and Wong managed to get Cull Obsidian out of the way and he began to fly up with Riley
"FRIDAY, give us a boost!" Tony called through the com and suddenly Riley felt her feet coming together and suddenly she was going faster and she looked to see that she had gotten a big boost
"That's why you're the best!" Riley called and Tony chuckled and suddenly Tony said "Call 17A!" He said and soon Tony called to Peter
"Pete! You gotta let go!"
"But you told me to after the wizards!" Peter called, his voice getting a bit weak "I can't breathe!"
"You're heading into space now! You need to let go" Riley called and Riley knew that Peter was shaking his head "No! I can do it"
Riley and Tony flew up more, and suddenly Tony's package flew into space, breaking apart once Peter had let go of the ship but the suit came out in time and caught Peter.. Getting to him in time.
"Mr. Stark! It feels like a new car in here!"
"Oh thank god you're okay!" Riley said and Tony nodded "Happy trails kid, FRIDAY send him home"
"On it boss" FRIDAY said and suddenly Peter was being pushed back and Riley heard a "Oh come on!" from Peter before Tony cut open a piece of the ship with his beam, he looked back at Riley
"You come into this ship with me.. I don't know what comes out of this but we won't see anyone for a bit.. Pepper.. You may not see Steve"
Riley was silent for a moment, all she wanted to do was to just call Steve and tell him what was happening.. That the end was happening and how badly she needed him.. But she couldn't leave Tony alone to save Stephen and Maria.
"I'm staying wih you Tony.. Plus Steve has the others.. If something happens on earth, they'll be able to stop it"
Author's Note:
I can say that Riley and Maria will have a good friendship, with Tony and Maria as well.
Stephen will be stubborn with protecting Maria and the Stone.. He doesn't care ho will be in his way.. He will protect them with his life.
So Originally, Riley was going to stay on earth and reunite with Steve.. But I thought about how her reaction would be if she sees Bucky and it wouldn't be good. So it's just not the right time for Riley and Steve to reunite.
Please review and until next time!