Chapter Five: Don't Say it's Over
Natasha and Gamora were barely able to pull their gaze away from the portal before they were interrupted by a grunt and the distinct sound of a body collapsing to the ground.
"Tony!" Nat exclaimed, both of them rushing over to prop him up. Her shaking hand came away slick and dripping red. "No, please..."
"This shouldn't be happening, not here. You can't maintain your physical form like this..." Gamora stated, looking around desperately as if there was something she could use to help him.
"He...he's fading, isn't he?"
Gamora gave her a sorrowful glance before bending down and placing a gentle hand on Tony's shoulder.
"Stark? Thank you for saving my sister."
He made a noise that was a mix between a gruff chuckle and a yelp of pain.
"She saved me, more accurately. I just served as eye candy for the ride home."
"You're a hero, Tony." Nat said steadily, her gaze warm as she squeezed his hand.
"I guess we both are." He mumbled, struggling to meet her eyes.
Tony winced again, barely able to keep himself from crumbling into ashes.
"Hey, Auntie Nat? Do me a favor, and keep an eye on my Morguna for me once you get back."
"You know I will, Tony."
He mustered a smile, and reached out to genially grasp Nat's shoulder before he disappeared.
Nat sighed deeply, heartbrokenly, trying to justify the injustice of it all.
"He just saved the entire universe as we know it. His sacrifice will not be in vain." Gamora said with a decisive nod.
"No. And neither will ours." Nat agreed, removing the twin blades from the holsters at her sides.