Chapter 20: …And I'll Cry if I Want to

A/N: I am so sorry to have kept you all waiting! I was hoping to finish this story before the start of last semester, but that sadly didn't happen. Fortunately, I had some time to wrap this up before my final semester starts. After some thought, I decided to jump right into the flash forward scene. (Especially after seeing the new trailer for ENDGAME!) This whole story concept was meant to explore how the relationship between Tony and Peter could have grown prior to Infinity War. I am going to write this with my original idea, so it will not look too much like what you see you in the trailer. (And if you haven't seen the trailer… go watch it!)

TITAN: 2018 (After the Snap)

Tony sat shaking, cradling his left hand, and rocking himself back and forth. This was all too much! He couldn't comprehend any of this. It had to be a bad dream… the worst kind of nightmare. Perhaps this was all a result of previous trauma and anxiety… maybe he was imagining all of this because… HOLY SHIT this cannot be real!

Tony squeezed his eyes shut and focused on controlling his breathing. After a few deep breaths, he carefully peeled his eyes open and took in his surroundings.

F***! This was not Earth. He was still stuck on this God forsaken planet… Titan… the home of the Mad Titan himself, "F*** you, Thanos!" Tony muttered under his breath.

In his heart, Tony knew this wasn't a dream. This was reality. A terrible, twisted reality where people turned to ash and drifted away… taken by the wind.

So why in his heart did Tony know this was real? He knew because he thought his heart might burst. His heart, too, had broken into dusty ash the moment Peter was lost to the wind.

Tony was haunted by the kid's last words, and he could still feel Peter's desperate grip as he used every once of his superhero powers to keep himself from floating away into nothing, trying to use Tony as some sort of anchor that could keep him alive.

Tony brought his hands up to his ears and continued to rock himself back and forth. He wanted to force those words from his memory, "I don't wanna go!" Peter had begged.

And Tony was helpless to do anything.

After the Ross catastrophe, Tony promised that he would be there to help Peter and keep him from any more harm.

Tony let out a choked cry as he rocked. He remembered thinking about how awful it was to think about how close Peter was to dying at Ross' hand. He remembered how much it hurt just to think about losing Peter. And now…

Now the loss was reality… this was real!

The Mad Titan won.

The Avengers lost.

This loss would take a great toll on all of humanity… on whoever was left.

This made Tony stop rocking. He stopped to think, "My god, who is left?"

For the first time he remembered that he was not alone on the desolate planet. He locked over to see the strange bluish alien woman who had joined their fight against Thanos. Her words had confirmed his fears, "He did it," she had said.

Tony hadn't needed her to clarify who he was. He knew she was referring to Thanos coming out the victor. He just couldn't handle the price of the Titan's victory.

"Who else is left?" He found himself thinking again. His mind drifted back to Earth. He couldn't help but to imagine the devastation that must have taken place. The thought of the damage that would occur with people suddenly and unexpectedly disappearing was unthinkable.

The other thing that was unthinkable… or rather unbearable, was to think of just who else could be gone. He silently prayed to whoever was listening that Pepper was alive. He also thought about May, Rhodey, and Happy and… he also realized that he couldn't bear to think that anything could have happened to his other friends. The friends that he had ignored for so long.

He thought about Steve, Natasha, Sam, Wanda, Clint, and even that Ant Guy he met once. Were the Wakandans able to utilize their tech in the fight? Were T'Challa and Shuri alive? Did any of them survive? And what about Thor? Did he ever even get a chance to join the fight? If Thanos won, what had happened to Vision?

These thoughts swirled through Tony's mind, and as much as he tried not to… he couldn't help but to envision them turning to ash. He felt alone… so VERY alone. Tony didn't even realize that he was sobbing now.

Suddenly a hand was on his shoulder, startling him a little. He gasped and looked up into the face of the alien… what was her name?

"We should try to get you back… to Earth. Perhaps there is someone left who can help us." She said.

"Help us?" Tony asked. He slowly pulled himself to a standing position. He wanted to stand up to her height, not wanting to feel any more vulnerable. "HELP US?" Tony asked louder, incredulous. "What about them? Who can help our friends that just drifted into nothingness?" Tony glared at her.

She shook her head, "You misunderstand. I meant someone who can help us find a way to… maybe… make this right. Someone to help us make Thanos pay for what he has done."

"Make him pay…" Tony reflected. "What price can be higher than this?" Tony asked, using his hand to gesture in the direction in which their friends had drifted away.

Tony looked at his hands and rubbed his fingers together. He noticed dirt on his hands and rubbed at it. He wondered if this dust and dirt was still some part of Peter… some small particles to hold onto Peter's existence.

"He shouldn't have the satisfaction of living to see what he has done. We will make him pay with his life," She said, her voice deadly serious. "I will avenge my sister," she added.

"Your sister?" Tony asked. Realizing he still didn't really know anything about this woman.

"Gamora. We weren't sisters by blood, but she was my only family." She looked at Tony seeming to study for a moment. As if reading his mind and recognizing that they were still strangers, she said, "My name is Nebula."

"Nebula? Right… I'm Tony… Tony Stark." He responded.

She nodded at him. "I'm sorry we had to meet like this, Tony Stark," she said.

Tony let out a breath, "me too."

They studied each other again.

"You're not well," Nebula stated. "You should sit. Let me help you."

"I'm fine!" Tony protested. Yet, even as he said it he could feel his legs shaking, and he reluctantly let her help him back to a seated position.

Nebula joined him, seeming to realize that he preferred keeping her at eye level. "He injured you," she spoke again. "While I can see that you used something to keep your body from losing any more blood, you are still terribly weak." She looked Tony in the eye, "Thanos knows how to bring about the worst pain." Her own mind drifted to the pain of being ripped apart.

Tony huffed, "Clearly."

The two sat quietly for a moment. Each one struggling with their own thoughts and painful memories.

"So… how do we do it?" Tony asked.

Nebula looked at him, a confused look on her face.

"Get back to Earth, I mean." He clarified.

Nebula looked thoughtful a moment. "I will see if Quill's ship is in any condition to get us back. There must be some way…"

She didn't really finish her sentence. Instead she stood up, and began looking for Quill's ship.

Tony didn't bother to follow her. He just sat for a moment before calling out to her, "I'll just wait here. Let me know when you find it… maybe I can help!"

She didn't even bother to answer. She just continued in the direction in which she last saw Quill's Benatar.

In Wakanda, the remaining Avenger's were also struggling to come to grips with the situation at hand. They had returned to Shuri's lab space. The princess managed to survive the snap, but she had been quiet since learning from Okoye about her brother's fate.

Steve was sitting against the wall, needing to feel the solid weight of it. The feeling of something solid grounded him, made him feel secure. The other's looked to him as some solid figure of strength, but this had taken a toll on him. He felt fragile. A man could not watch his friends turn to ash without feeling like, he too, could crumble into pieces. Yes… he needed to feel the solid strength of the wall… that little reminder that the whole world was not also disappearing into dust. He may have been an enhanced super solider, but Steve Rogers was still human. He had human emotion and sadness… the grief alone could break him. He felt like a complete failure. The scrawny kid in Brooklyn… that version of Steve Rogers that existed in the past… was a stronger version than the man in existence at this moment.

The room was silent. No one spoke.

Every Avenger left in the room was lost to their own thoughts. Each one trying to get a grip on this reality… this failure.

Steve took a deep breath and looked around the room. He saw the raccoon creature that had arrived with Thor, rubbing his eyes while sitting on a table. He briefly let himself be amused by that strange image for a moment before he let his eyes drift some more.

Natasha was sitting backwards on a chair, leaning on the back with her arms folded in front of her. She had her head on her arms, and her eyes were staring ahead without really looking at anything or anyone in particular.

Bruce was sitting next to Natasha, but he was sitting normally in the chair and facing in the other direction. He was pulling slightly at his hair as his hands busily rubbed around his head. Steve had a feeling he was using his hands to try and contain the thoughts and images swirling through his mind.

Rhodes was sitting at a table. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes as haunted as Natasha's. He was using his fingers to tap at the table and Steve briefly wondered if he needed to feel the solid table beneath those fingers.

Okoye was standing at the window, looking out at the devastation that lay about her country. A single tear fell down her cheek. Steve had no doubt that she was thinking about her king, feeling somehow as if she failed him.

Shuri was quietly pacing and tinkering with little things in her lab. She moved about without any real purpose. She didn't seem to have any task she wished to complete, she just didn't seem to want to be still.

M'Baku, who Steve learned to be the leader of a tribe called the Jabari, was off by himself in a corner of the room. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. Perhaps pondering what roll he would now take on to help those who were left alive in Wakanda.

Thor was standing with has arms crossed, leaning on a wall opposite from Steve. Steve noticed the other man studying him, and their eyes met. The two men looked at one another, and a silent understanding passed between them. Each one was thinking about the people who were not in that room. Each one was aware of those who were missing.

Steve looked away from Thor's gaze a moment to close his eyes, fighting the image that appeared in his mind's eye. Bucky calling his name before floating away in a cloud of dust… or ash. Just gone to the wind.

The same fate fell upon Wanda, T'Challa, Sam, Groot, and too many more.

Then there were the unknowns… they didn't know what happened to Tony or the other friends of the raccoon, called Rocket. Steve wasn't sure if the kid was alright. He knew they would need to look into the whereabouts of Peter and his aunt… if they made it. They would need to make a list and try to figure out who else survived. Clint and Scott needed to be found as well. Perhaps Nick Fury or Maria Hill could help? Steve rubbed his head. He didn't even know if any of those people were alive.

How many of them now ceased to exist?

Suddenly, Thor's voice rumbled through the room, "Stark." He said, getting everyone's attention. "I was surprised to not find him as part of the fight."

Steve took a breath and spoke for the group, "He went missing before it all started."

"He went after Thanos' men when they arrived in New York on the spaceship," Bruce clarified. "They were there to take the time stone from Dr. Strange."

The group sent confused looks in Bruce's direction.

"He's like a magical figure who also tries to protect the world and our reality… look… that's a longer story," Bruce rambled, "The point is that both Tony and the doctor went missing when that alien ship took off into space."

"I see." Thor said. "So perhaps the Man of Iron is still lost after fighting his own battle in space?"

Natasha seemed to be pulled from her thoughts and spoke up next, "What if he's still out there? Alive? Shouldn't we try to find him?"

The others looked at her, seeming uncertain.

"It would be a place to start." She clarified. "We should see who is left and regroup."

"We can't know for sure where that spaceship went after leaving New York," Steve thought out loud.

"That ship was probably on course for Titan," Rocket stated.

They all turned to look at the raccoon, some a little puzzled that the creature had spoken at all.

Rocket met the confused stares and rolled his eyes a little. He stood up to face the stupid stares, "Thanos is the Mad Titan. His people were likely to be operating from his home planet," He stated with a hint of anger and frustration. He really didn't like it when others stared at him.

"The rabbit makes a good point," Thor said next.

As Thor spoke his next words, Bruce could be heard in the background asking Natasha if Thor called the raccoon a rabbit. She shushed him in order to better hear what Thor was saying.

"I might be able to use Stormbreaker…" he saw some confused looks and clarified, "my new weapon… it can summon the Bifrost…" he saw more confused looks, "the bridge on which I traveled here with the Rabbit and Tree!" The others were only slightly less confused. Thor threw up his hands and simply said, "I can use my abilities to travel out to space to see if Stark is alive on Titan!"

The was a collection of "oh" and "uh huh" and "ok" responses from the others.

"If Tony is alive," Steve said, "Will he be able to travel on the… um… Bifrost or whatever it's called with you?"

"Of course," Thor confirmed. "As I stated before, Rabbit and Tree used the Bifrost to get to Earth with me."

"His name was Groot!" Rocket blurt out. Not bothering to correct Thor with his own name, only wishing to honor the memory of his friend.

Steve didn't bother to dwell on the information from the raccoon. He was still focused on Thor's mission. "Right. You use the Bifrost to look for Tony and we'll start trying to contact anyone else who may have survived. Let's plan to head back to the Avenger's compound in upstate New York. Do you want to meet us back here or in New York?" Steve asked Thor, not knowing how long it would take Thor to make the journey.

"I should be able to meet you here," Thor confirmed. "I only hope to bring Stark and the strange doctor back with me."

With that, Thor made his way outside. The others slowly got up and started making their own preparations to head back to the compound.

Back on Titan, Tony and Nebula were working together on the Benatar. The ship wasn't in the best condition, but Nebula believed that it would fly. The greatest concern was on whether or not they had enough supplies on the ship to make the journey. Neither one was too worried about that. They just wanted to get off of the horrible planet.

As they were working, they suddenly heard a sound like thunder in the distance. They noticed what looked like some sort of rainbow surrounded by lightning a few miles away.

"What the hell?" Tony wondered aloud.

"Perhaps we should be on the move," Nebula stated.

The two quickly finished what they were working on and boarded the ship, closing the ramp behind them. Nebula and Tony made their way to the seats in which were usually occupied by Quill and Rocket. Nebula began flipping switches and preparing the ship to take off.

"What do I do?" Tony asked, hoping for some direction on how to operate the alien craft.

As the Benatar roared to life, Nebula didn't get to answer his question before there was beeping on a screen in front of them.

"Something is coming," Nebula said, frantically flipping more switches and preparing to get them in the air. "It's coming fast! I need you to operate the weapons in case we're attacked."

"What?! Where?" Tony cried, feeling helpless with the unfamiliar tech in front of him.

"Just…" She didn't get to finish her sentence. Something landed on the ground in front of the Benatar, surrounded by lightning. The figure within the lightning had eyes that glowed with electricity.

Tony stared at the figure for a moment. There was something familiar about the guy.

"Pointbreak?" Tony questioned out loud. His eyes widened as the eyes of the figure outside lost the eerie glow and the god of Thunder could be recognized. "Power this thing down! We don't need weapons! He's a friend!" Tony said with excitement.

Nebula quickly ceased her actions of preparing for takeoff and instead opened the ramp that would allow this newest figure to board with them. As Thor made his way onto the Benatar, Tony and Nebula stood and made their way to greet him.

"At least this craft did not fly into me again," he stated as he entered.

Nebula and Tony shared a confused look between them before looking back at Thor.

Thor approached Tony and, none too gently for the beast of a man, grasped his shoulders with both hands and held him in front of himself to get a better look.

Tony stifled a groan as Thor examined him.

"Stark!" Thor boomed. "Thank the gods you are alive!"

"Thor…" Tony whined, "Do you think you could loosen your grip. The battle up here wasn't easy on this mortal body of mine."

Thor quickly released his friend, "Of course, Man of Iron… I apologize. I just needed to feel for myself that you were real." Thor paused, "We have lost too many to Thanos' plot against the universe."

"So… you know about that, huh?" Tony asked, gently shrugging his shoulders to get the circulation moving through them once again.

"Of course, I learned more of his plot on this very ship from the other morons before I went to Nidavellir in search of a weapon to destroy Thanos and stop him once and for all," Thor explained.

Tony just blinked at Thor trying to process his casual reference to the morons he had apparently met, assuming he was referring to Quill and his other friends.

"But alas…" Thor continued, "Thanos survived my attack and completed his mission…" Thor lowered his gaze as he spoke the last words.

Tony shook his head. "Where were you?"

Thor looked up at him, ready to defend his role in the fight.

Tony clarified, "No… I mean… where did you go after Thanos? He must have made it to Earth, right? If he completed his mission, then he got all of the stones. Do you know what happened to Vision?"

Thor seemed to understand what Tony was really asking. "There was a great battle on Earth. We tried to protect the stone and keep it from Thanos." Thor was quiet a moment. "The Scarlett Witch had destroyed the stone at Vision's request, but Thanos used the time stone to restore it…" Thor fumbled a bit before finishing, "… he… Thanos ripped the Stone from Vision's head. I stabbed him with my axe, but he survived long enough to complete the snap, and then… he just disappeared." Thor studied Tony's face as he finished.

"Into ash?!" Tony asked hopefully. "Please tell me that bastard's plan back-fired and he destroyed himself!"

"No…" Thor answered. "While there were many who disappeared into dust, Thanos used the gauntlet to vanish… we know not where… not yet." Thor thought a moment and looked around. "If you know how the others were disappearing as a result of Thanos' actions…" Again Thor studied the ship, "The morons? The strange doctor?"

Nebula spoke up, clearly annoyed, "The occupants of this ship are gone! Turned into ash by Thanos' hand. I would appreciate it if you stopped dishonoring their memory by using that term!"

Thor looked a little taken aback and confused. Tony noticed that he didn't seem to understand that his words were an insult.

"Quill and his crew are gone," Tony stated in confirmation to Thor's suspicions. "So are Dr. Strange and… the kid… my kid," he choked out.

Thor looked more confused. "Banner mentioned that you went missing after coming into space with the strange doctor, but I was unaware that you were a father… you say your child was here and lost?"

"No… I mean… yes, the kid… he's gone." Tony took a steadying breath. "We have some catching up to do, don't we? Pete… he wasn't my kid by blood, but I looked after him…" Tony looked away for a moment. He turned back to Thor, "I tried to look after him… I let him down."

Thor studied Tony for a moment and he recognized the grief of loosing family. He knew all too well that family didn't have to be blood.

"I see… we certainly have much to discuss. Much of which we can do back on Earth." Thor glanced at the desolate surroundings indicating that he was ready to leave this place. "I can get you back using Stormbreaker…" Thor held up his weapon indicating that he was referring to it. "…It will summon the Bifrost so that we can go back to Earth." Ignoring the confused looks, Thor turned to Nebula, "Will you be joining us? Perhaps you can help to inform the rabbit about the loss of the mor… I mean the others who once occupied this vessel?"

Nebula, if possible, was even more confused. "The rabbit? I don't know a rabbit." She looked thoughtful before recognition dawned on her face, "Do you mean Rocket? He's alive?"

Thor beamed, happy to be somewhat understood, "Yes! The rabbit! I'm sure the captain would like to know about what became of his crew!"

"She's coming with us!" Tony spoke up, cutting off Nebula from asking further questions. "We can clear things up once we're back on Earth. I think there's definitely some unanswered questions, but I would like to get out of here!"

"Of course," Thor confirmed. "Stand behind me and hold on to my shoulders… and perhaps to each other."

Nebula and Thor shared a look, but followed the god of Thunder's directions, each too tired to ask more questions.

Once in place, Thor thrust the axe into the air where the three were whisked away on a colorful bridge surrounded by Thor's lightning and thunder.

Back in Wakanda, Steve and the others were preparing a jet to take them back to New York.

"You're sure you won't come with us?" Natasha asked Okoye.

Okoye looked over towards Shuri and M'Baku who were offering assistance to other Wakandans trying to come to grips with the aftermath.

"We are needed here," Okoye explained. "Without our king…" Okoye looked down, "The people need us… they need leadership… and hope. We cannot give them that if we leave."

Natasha nodded her understanding. "We know how to reach you…" she held up her wrist with the kimoyo beads. "…we'll keep you informed." Natasha held her hand out and the other woman grasped it in a friendly embrace.

No more needed to be said. Plus, they were interrupted by a colorful beam of light that crashed down from the sky.

The others gathered to see who, if anyone, was traveling back with their friend. Two silhouettes could be seen alongside the god of Thunder.

Steve came to stand with Natasha, Rhodes and Bruce not far behind. Rocket was making his way down the ramp to get a better look as well.

Steve's eyes lit up at seeing one person in particular with Thor.

"Tony!" He called, making his way to his old friend. Steve didn't miss how Tony swayed alongside of Thor. The man was clearly showing signs of injury, and Steve rushed to meet the other man quickly.

Tony had never been so happy to feel solid earth… his Earth… beneath his feet. He looked up at the sound of someone calling his name. Steve was coming quickly to his aid.

Steve grasped Tony's shoulders, his grip gentler than Thor's had been just a short time before.

"Tony?" Steve inquired, "You hurt?"

"Oh hey, Capsicle," Tony quipped. "Just my pride… it stings the ego a bit when your own weapon is used to pierce your side."

Steve quickly looked down to the side that Tony was favoring a bit.

"Don't worry, I used some of my tech to stop the bleeding. I'll live long enough for you to annoy me some more," Tony explained.

Steve looked crestfallen, "Tony…"

"I know, Steve," the other man said, avoiding any of the nicknames he used to tease the man. "I'm sorry, too."

Steve and Tony looked one another in the eye. A silent conversation passing between them.

"It's damn good to see you, Cap." Tony added, bringing his hand up to pat the other man on the shoulder.

"Are you two done?" Shuri interrupted, having left her task to welcome back the god of Thunder. "I'd like to take a look at Mr. Stark before you are all on your way."

"On our way? Where am I going? I just followed the rainbow express back to Earth. I'm not sure I'm up for any more travel today," Tony stated.

"We were planning to reconvene at the compound. We want to figure out who... is left," Steve explained as Shuri began to lead Tony to where she could take a look at him. As they walked, Steve added, "We still don't know about Scott, Clint, or… well… Peter."

Tony stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at Steve. "You don't know?" Tony asked, looking lost. He glanced back at Bruce, realizing the man may not have seen Spider-Man enter the fight and follow Strange onto the ship.

"Know what?" Steve asked.

"The kid… Pete was with me. He joined the fight when he saw the spacecraft in New York. He followed when the aliens captured Dr. Strange. I tried to send him away, but he followed me. We all tried to take out Thanos on Titan." Tony's eyes were focused on the memory. The others had a sinking feeling about where this story was going.

"We damn near succeeded, too. It was Pete who had almost pulled the gauntlet off of Thanos' hand," Tony choked on his words and fell silent a moment. He wanted to be angry with Quill, but he recognized that the man had been blind with grief. He looked over towards Nebula and… what appeared to be a raccoon? The woman had her hand on the creature's shoulder, likely breaking the news that their friends were all gone. Tony ignored that odd reunion and turned his attention back to his other friends.

"Tony… are you saying…" Steve couldn't finish the question.

Rhodes, Bruce, Thor, and Natasha stood nearby, listening intently.

"The woman, Nebula, and I are the only ones who survived. The others were lost when Thanos got the final stone," Tony said, confirming their worst fears.

"No…" Natasha breathed out.

"Jeez…" Rhodes whispered. "He was only a kid. He was barely 16."

Bruce looked at Natasha. "The kid? Was he Spider-Man or Ant Man?" he whispered to her.

"We have ants and spiders as part of the team now?" Thor asked confused, glancing over at Rocket. "Like the rabbit?" he asked nodding back at the raccoon he mistook for the aforementioned animal.

"What?" Natasha glared at Thor. "Of course not! He moved like a spider. He was… amazing." Bruce could see the spy fighting tears, a rare sight to see. "He was a good kid."

Thor and Bruce exchanged a look, sad to have missed the opportunity to meet the young man for which the others visibly mourned.

Tony looked around at the others, recognizing and understanding their grief-filled reactions. It was also that moment when he realized who else was missing.

"Sam and Wanda?" Tony asked.

The others shook their heads sadly.

"My brother and the White Wolf were lost as well," Shuri added.

"Oh god…" Tony breathed out heavily. He looked at Steve. "The White Wolf? That was…"

Steve finished the sentence, "Bucky. He was among the first to disappear."

Tony thought he should have felt relieved. Strangely the loss of Barnes just added to the weight of guilt on Tony's heart. Too many people had lost their loved ones. This was a fight they couldn't afford to lose, but they had lost.

"Shit!" Tony cursed. He looked at Steve, "The price of this loss is too damn high."

Steve nodded at Tony. Again, a silent understanding passed between the two men.

"I'm afraid the price will grow higher still…" Thor added.

The group again turned to walk inside where Shuri would prepare Tony for the flight ahead.

A while later, the group was on a jet returning to upstate New York. Tony was tired. He looked around at his friends, each struggling with their own grief.

"I'm so sorry. I owe you all an apology." Tony spoke up, getting the attention of the others.

"What do you mean, Tony?" Bruce asked.

"You weren't here, you didn't see how I behaved. I never should have let the Accords… or my own past… drive a wedge between us." Tony shook his head. "This is a fight that we should have fought together."

Tony dropped his head into hands as he sat. He was just so tired and so overwhelmed with grief. He just hoped that he could find Pepper in good health when they returned to New York. She was the only one who could make him feel any better now.

Tony felt the presence of someone kneeling in front of him. He looked up to see Steve there.

"I was at fault, too. Don't think you get to take all the blame. Some of that blame belongs with me. I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you." As Steve spoke, he brought a hand to Tony's shoulder. Trying desperately to bring the man comfort and show some gesture of peace.

Natasha spoke up, "We all took sides."

Tony nodded at her, knowing that she was trying to let the two men know that they all had made mistakes.

"We need to avenge them," Tony said looking at Steve. "We need to avenge ALL of them," Tony emphasized the word "all" so that Steve would understand that they would be avenging Bucky just as much as anyone else.

Steve gave his friend a small, sad smile. One that didn't quite reach his eyes.

The captain stood up and looked at the Avengers that remained, as well as the two new honorary members of Nebula and Rocket. His voice was firm and sure. He used the voice a commanding officer addressing his troops with his next words.

"We avenge them together. As a team, we will make Thanos pay for each and every life he stole away," Steve stated.

His teammates stood. A silent agreement passing from one to the other. As they stood together, the Avengers Compound appeared outside the window of the jet.

And as they began their descent, the Avengers were planning to rise up against evil once again.

*Cue the Alan Silvestri music*