None except the Guardians knew what to expect. Mantis remained with Genesis and Stephen while they all organized Tony's plan. Star Lord and Drax spent most of the time describing Thanos to all of them.
"He's mostly purple. Got a big chin," Quill described motioning his hand around his chin.
"But, how do these Stones work?" Spiderman asked.
Quill looked down at the young boy and replied, "I know one of them is tricky. He said it helps him shape reality or something like that."
Stephen grimaced. "Meaning?"
Quill wasn't exactly sure how to explain. He thought really hard, as Stephen awaited his answer. "Well...he was able to make the room look like an entirely different place. People and things that weren't there...were there. He just used his glove and he could make things appear."
This was more serious than Stephen could've imagined. A stone that could warp reality as they knew it. He had heard of such magic, but he had spent most of his time working and studying on the Time Stone.
Peter Quill stared at his pistol, when he got an idea. He gave a small whistle to get everyone's attention. "We're going to need a code. Something that'll, you know, help us know who's real and who's not."
Tony, as usual, ignored everyone else and flew off towards the large remains that seemed to cover the entire planet. He stood by a large brick pillar and glanced up at its massive height. He patted it twice with his hand, and mumbled, "Could use this."
A gust of wind flew across the terrain and he covered his mouth with his hand to keep from inhaling the smell. The last thing he needed was something to make his headache worse. He'd had this headache since they arrived. It could've been the alien planet. He wasn't sure. The others seemed alright and unaffected.
"Stephen's not good with thank you's," a voice said.
He turned to see Genesis making her way towards him. Her flying looked a little sloppy, he noticed. Nothing as graceful as, say, Wanda or Vision. The very thought of them made him think of Steve. Back on Earth doing God knows what?
"Sorry about that," the young girl said, as she landed in front of him.
Shaking his head, he asked, "You got a name?"
She grimaced. "Did I not tell you my name?"
He shrugged as he returned his focus on the pillar. "Well, we're probably going to die here so knowing your name doesn't make much of a difference, I reckon."
She side-smiled and followed his gaze to the pillar. "We're not going to die here. I think we've got this."
"Look, you and Peter are too young to even be here, and I've already got his aunt on my ass to keep him safe. I just...don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you should have your wizard boyfriend get you someplace safe."
"If there was a safe place to go, I would. But if Thanos snaps his fingers, no one is safe," Genesis replied, quietly.
"Well, you're not getting anywhere with that flying, I can tell you that," Tony said as he brushed past her.
Genesis frowned at that. And magically appeared in front of Tony, making him freeze. "I get that you're scared, okay? I am too. I think we all are."
Tony examined her carefully. Her brown skin and, suddenly, purple eyes. They glowed. "Stay out of the way. This isn't your fight."
Her mouth opened, but she knew words were fruitless. He stared at her, waiting for her to speak and felt triumphant when she didn't. He walked away from her again, and she appeared in front of him again. "Listen, I know that you've risked your life a lot of times. You're kind of used to this. The only hard thing I had to do was get into college. This...isn't my thing, I guess. But-"
"Gen."
They turned and saw Stephen flying towards them. He glanced at Tony and said, "He's close."
Tony's blood went cold and he nodded. "Have her stay here. I need to bring Peter-"
"There's no time to discuss this, Stark. We need you. Now," Stephen said, firmly.
Stephen motioned for Genesis to follow him back as he flew ahead of them. She turned to face Tony and mumbled, "I know what you fear. I saw it."
Before he could give a witty comeback, she flew off. He glanced at the pillar and gave a deep inhale. His helmet went on and he was ready for action. With all his strength, he dug his hands into the ground at the pillar's base and grit his teeth. Grunting loudly, he lifted the pillar out of the ground. Dust and debris went everywhere as it was finally in his arms.
"Let's get this up," he grunted.
Stephen returned with Genesis as Mantis stared up at her. Spiderman glanced at Drax and asked, "We're all clear on the plan, right?"
Their eyes went up when they could see Tony flying up with the pillar. Mantis widened her eyes. "What is he doing?"
"Present for Thanos," Peter Parker replied, smiling.
"Okay, Mantis, stay out of sight until you see a chance to bring the big man down," Star Lord ordered, pointing at Mantis.
"There's some remains over there that should be far enough if things get too ugly. But an easy run to get back when we need her," Genesis suggested, motioning to where she and Stephen just flew from.
Star Lord winked at Mantis and she obeyed. Mantis climbed onto Genesis' back and they flew off.
"I'll be over there. I want to be close to this prick," Star Lord commented.
Drax nodded, quickly. "As do I."
"We're all clear, now go. He's here."
They all silently glanced at each other and hurried off. Meanwhile, Genesis put Mantis down and said, "Okay, you good here?"
"I am good here, yes," the young bugwoman replied.
She held Genesis by the hand, making her stop and stare. "I think you should stay. Your wizard man wants you safe."
Genesis grimaced. "He needs my help, what do you-"
"He does. But, he also wants you safe. He-"
Genesis took her hand back, shaking her head. Mantis pleaded with her eyes, but there was no time. "Just stay low."
They both crouched down as soon as they heard a thunderous noise. A large purple cloud with black smoke appeared and Mantis gasped. She knew who had arrived. Thanos stepped out of the cloud, looking around. He seemed familiar with the planet. A part of Genesis wanted to try and search his mind, but she thought it would be too risky. They needed to make him think Stephen was alone. Genesis stepped away from where they hid to try and get a closer look. She knew the time to fight was close, but she had barely been trained for it. Glancing at her hands, she prayed for them not to fail her.