The night wore deep and Matt soon found himself unable to rest comfortably in the super sized, deluxe bed provided to him. The dreams he had witnessed for the last week had left him tired and unable to go long periods without growing dizzy. He knew he should talk to someone about his nightmares, maybe Wanda could even help stop them, but he didn't want to seem weaker than the rest of the half Avengers.
Half Avengers, that seemed to be a good title for their ragtag group. The Avengers as it was, were disbanded. One half as wanted criminals, and the other as scattered heroes. The conflict between Iron Man and Captain America had left Earth's Mightiest Heroes divided and fallen.
"You okay?" Casey asked sitting up next to him. It was already very weird having to adjust to her being back into his life, even weirder that she had powers. This was the third time he had woken her up with his nightmares, and the third time he was telling her the same thing.
"I'm fine, Cas. Just gonna go for a walk quick." Matt slowly stood up out of bed, he didn't bother putting a shirt on, the Wakandan jungle would keep him more than warm. Striding out to the nearest balcony, Matt leaned against the glass railing. The giant stone Black Panther statue was covered in early morning fog. In the low sunlight Matt could make out the light orange pigment in his veins. The Time Stone working its way into his blood cells and throughout his body.
"Good morning." Nebula said from behind him. She was in a purple shirt and black pants, unusually looking kinda nice. The alien-cyborg had an unwelcome welcoming to the castle, it was agreed that she could stay, but when it was made possible she would return home.
"Hi." Matt said returning his gaze to the jungle. Even this early the wet heat was making its way into the air.
"I expect you've had another nightmare." Nebula said sitting in the nearest chair, funny how the only person who knew was the same one who gave him the nightmares. "Same as last night?"
"No, different this time." Matt muttered.
"Really?" Nebula asked in what sounded like disbelief, but was more like wonder.
"It wasn't just Thanos, this time he was holding something. It was my Infinity Stone, the one I had before. He said 'One of the six' and put it into this gauntlet he was wearing. I don't really know what it meant."
"Dad was always looking for the Infinity Gems, as he called them, even got his hand on one way back when. Unfortunately he gave that to the Asgardian Frost Giant and things went south from there. Now it's in the androids forehead. Seeing as both Loki and Ronan failed in giving him the stones, I expect he's taken matters into his own hands." Nebula told Matt.
"Nebula, you've shared the stone with me, you know that these aren't nightmares." Matt said finally turning to her.
"No, they're visions. Which means you're seeing Thanos as he is, was, or is going to be. He's had your old stone for two years now, I'm surprised he didn't move sooner. After I betrayed him to help Ronan, taking your stone was the only way to prove my loyalty to him. But when he told me what he planned to do with them, I could stay no longer."
"What is he planning to do with them?" Matt asked.
"Rule the universe, that is his quest. Master the stones, master the universe." Nebula finished.
"Well, there's two here, and one on Asgard. I expect he'll have his work cut out for him." Matt said looking up at the sky.
"There's a reason Thanos got the title of being the Most Powerful Being in the Universe, I don't want him to have to remind the universe of that." Nebula said walking back inside.
"He just might have to." Matt said to no one.
"Okay, today is another basic lesson." Daisy said from the sidelines. Both Matt and Casey were in their training gear, wielding their weapons. Matt was armed with six metal balls that orbited around his hand. Casey had chosen a sword, pretty badass if Matt could sum it up. "Matt I know you have literally years on me in having your powers, but I figure this will help Casey learn hers. Afterall, ExHuman and Inhuman, perfect couple. Matt, I want you to come at Casey with everything you've got."
Matt grinned and sent the six balls flying in rapid succession. Casey rolled to the side and they embedded themselves in the wall behind her. Running at Matt, Casey brought her hand to her side and a ball of light appeared in her palm. Matt took to the air and dodged as beam after beam of energy flew at him. Finally Casey ran out of light and Matt recalled the metal balls. The six orbited around Casey faster and faster, slowly closing in. Bringing her sword out, she held it horizontally and the balls cut themselves in half.
"Not bad." Matt said with a smirk.
"Just getting started." Casey said holding her hand out, the light from the nearest bulb flew into his palm and she threw it at Matt. She did this repeatedly until it was completely dark in the room, except for one exception, Matt's skin. Giving a soft orange glow, Matt was easily locatable. Noticing this, Matt sent all his energy out into a shield around his body. Casey's sword bounced off the shell repeatedly until she sent all the lights back into their bulbs, pulled them back and and sent one massive beam at Matt. The shield cracked horribly, but thanks to the power of the Time Stone, it did not break. Slowly each light turned back on and Casey was sitting on the ground where Matt had last seen her.
"I think that was great practice today, Casey great use of your environment. First time I used my powers for real, I blew a forest away." Daisy said.
"I made air punch a guy in the face." Matt said with a cheshire grin.
"Nice Matt. Thank you, Daisy, I really appreciate it." Casey said.
"Anytime, afterall I don't entirely have a home yet. S.H.I.E.L.D is still hunting me."
"It's nice when you come and visit though." T'Challa said walking into the room.
"Thank you for allowing me to stay." Daisy said giving a small bow to the King.
"Anytime, no one should be afraid to hide what they are. Although, I cannot say I am pleased with you breaking the Sokovia Accords like this."
"You know I'm doing good." Daisy said.
"Mrs. Johnson, everyone good or evil, believes that in their heart, they are doing good." T'Challa said before walking toward the door. "Always a pleasure Mrs. Quake."
"Quake?" Matt asked turning to the black haired Inhuman.
"It's what the media is calling me." Daisy said.
"Not terrible, I was freak for about two years before the Avengers took me in." Matt said with a grin.
"Very funny, Garetty, my turn now. Let's go." Daisy said taking a fighting stance.
"Bring it." Matt said lifting himself slightly off the ground, lifting more metal balls. The two flew at each other in a fury of telekinetic and seismic blasts.
So bad news bears time, college plan fell apart last minute, good news cat I get to write more! This really just popped into my head and it is currently 6am where I am. This is spur of the moment and I think it'll let me shape each character more. Further explaining, Casey's powers are Photokinesis, i.e the ability to manipulate light. Also, this takes place about a month or so after Civil War, a year after Age of Ultron, and two years after Guardians of the Galaxy. This is so beyond not canon anymore lol, Doctor Strange (fav hero by the way) will probably make an appearance very soon simply because I love the Sorcerer Supreme and I'm so happy he's in the MCU and I can introduce him into this. Okay, next chapter even though I suck at timing them will probably be out before September ends, so someone wake up Green Day a little early? Thanks guys, reviews are awesome and favs and follows are amazing.