A Time Heist?

In the Avengers Compound, Natasha was talking with several people on holograms. Tina, Rocket and Orlins on one call. Okoye. Wendy, whose hair had been cut shorter. And Rhodes.

"We boarded that highly suspect warship that lady twin pinged," complained Rocket. "And now we smell like garbage,"

"For the record, we were closer so we did save her the hassle," said Orlins.

"Thank you," appreciated Wendy.

"You got a reading on those tremors?" Nat asked Okoye.

"Twas a mile subduction under the African plate,"

"Do we have a visual? How are we handling it?"

"Nat, it was just an earthquake under the ocean," Okoye assured her. "We handle it by not handling it,"

"How's Erik?"

"Still isolating himself…from everyone," said the general remorsefully.

"Wendy, when we can expect you?"

"Not for a while,"

"Why you're getting another haircut?" asked Rocket.

"I'm covering a lot of territory. The things that are happening on Earth are happening everywhere. On thousands of planets,"

Tina closed her eyes. "It's even worse than we thought. Call us if you need any help,"

"What about your brother? He found anything that could…you know?" Orlins asked.

Wendy closed her eyes. "My brother has searched the furthest outreaches of the galaxy. But he's had some encounters with loads of other people seeking the same thing we're all searching for. But he's on the verge of a breakthrough. Speaking of brothers…"

"We haven't heard anything or looked into anything if that's what you mean," Tina interrupted.

"Tina…" Rhodey spoke up before she could shut herself and her best friends off. "Listen…I know that it seems like…you should cut ties with him forever. But listen to me when I say this. What you are doing is exactly what Tony did with Cap. It didn't do any good for either of them. And it won't do any good for you,"

"Enough discussion about this. We've already had enough bugging from Valkyrie and Una enough as it is,"

"You're gonna regret it for the rest of your life if you don't try to speak to him again," said Nat. "He's been gone for five years. The least you could do is find out what happened to him,"

Tina was silent for a second. But after a moment, the call was ended. Everyone just sighed. She was never ever gonna let go of that anger. And neither was Rocket.

Peter, holding his daughter's hand, walked into a gathering room towards a round table of ten seats. Tobias, the leader of the fighters sat down, his son beside him. He opened the chair out for Pete and he sat down, his daughter next to him. Scylla sat down. And so did a large alien fox named Hornil Aythublix along with two other main fighters who looked very human.

"What did you find?" Tobey asked the black-haired Erzi.

"We found an ancient site one home to the Cosmic Entities. We found the history of the Infinity Stones and something very important," he looked to the badger who nodded.

Scylla activated a hologram on a machine in the centre of the table and a small gem of pure starlight white appeared in the centre, awing the audience.

George sat on a bench, mourning silently. He missed his loved ones. He wanted them back more than anything in his life. Luis stood by. He had failed to get close to him. He had been pushed away, rejected of anything comforting like a hug or a drink. The rumble of wheels made him twist his head and he saw Scott with a whole new face colour. Determination. He marched out of the car. "Scott? Scottie? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay but we haven't got time to wait. George?" The heartbroken man wouldn't turn to him. He tried again. No success at all. He furrowed his eyebrows and marched right to stand on his left. "Crying time's over. Get up,"

"You think a hug's gonna make us both feel better?" he grumbled.

"Listen, George, there is a chance to fix this,"

"How?" George was red with tears. "How is there a chance to fix this?!" he regretted raising his voice like that.

"You remember I fought with and against the Avengers?" Scott reminded.

"Really? That's all you're thinking about? What about my Ali? What about my sister? What about…?"

"Just listen," Scott shook his shoulders, making him concentrate. "The Avengers can help us,"

"How?!" George exploded again, letting out all his grief on Scott. "How are they gonna help us? For all we know maybe they're ash too!"

"Woah! Woah! Let's just calm down," Luis tried to calm them down.

"No!" George shouted again. "My entire family is gone! And I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to them!" he stormed off.

"George," Scott chased after him. "Just listen!"

The former soldier slowed down when he grabbed his arm. He wouldn't run anymore. And he wouldn't turn. "I miss them too," Scott's voice was breaking. "I loved…your sister. And I know…" he sniffled. "You loved Ali. But mourning for them won't do any good. I know you feel like there's no hope at all. But our Quantum tunnel could be the key to finding a way to undo everything. I know that together we can find a way to bring them back but we're going to need friends. And our knowledge of your father's work and that we experienced,". George was silent for a long moment. Scott hoped his words were not enough to give up. "I won't do this without you,".

George pulled his arm free, then turned his head. "What are we waiting for?"

"A seventh Infinity Stone?" breathed Peter with wonder.

"Our search teams scoured through the ancient archives of the most distant planets throughout the galaxy and this was what they found,"

"How come no one knows about this?" Leok asked.

"No one has ever heard of it because it was believed to have been destroyed by the Cosmic Entity Entropy who feared its power was a threat to his desire to spread chaos and hardship across the universe. But in truth, Eon another Cosmic Entity like him kept it safe. But we also found something else,"

The red-haired freedom fighter with dreadlocks held up a cylinder. "We believe this cylinder contains a message from Eon. If we play it, it could give us clues to how we can undo the Snap,"

Tobey nodded and crawling onto the table, Scylla took it and pressed it into a special device which was meant to activate it. A towering figure appeared. He looked ancient and mighty, holding the ancient stone of pure white. Within this seventh stone holdings the infinite power of the universe, The Cosmic Stone. In the wrong hands, it would mean total unbalance for eternity in the universe, but in the hands of one who will use it for good, it would protect all life from those who seek to use the other stones for cruelty. If you seek to undo the damage of the power of the other six stones, combined together, use them again with this sacred gem. If you seek, journey beyond the edge of the universe to the hidden isle. But when you do, you will be tested. And only the other six, can be fixed.

The message ended and everyone was silent. They couldn't believe it. Ever since Peter had joined these freedom fighters three years ago with his daughter and told them of Doctor Strange's prophecy, they had spent every possible moment searching for an answer to undo everything Thanos had done.

"So, once used with the other Infinity Stones, it could bring back everyone who died because of the Snap," said Sylva, becoming ecstatic.

"We could undo everything Thanos did," said Harvie excitedly as she smiled at Erzi.

"Except you're all forgetting one thing," said Peter glumly, eyes turned on him. "Thanos destroyed the stones and no one has ever been able to bring them back. It's just another dead end,"

"Come on Uncle. This is the first sign we've had in years," said his nephew.

"Without the other stones, we're not fixing anything. We're not bringing anyone back. It's all hopeless. The wizard's prophecy will not come true. Half of all life won't be returned to normal. Thanks to me," Peter pushed his chair back and stormed out.

"Pete," Tobey tried to reach him but he walked off again. He sighed feeling sorry for him again. He looked at his son and niece who held each other tenderly, sorrowful for him.

"Go and talk to him," encouraged Scylla, his oldest and truest friend. "He'll listen to you,"

The vigilante hero slipped through the window of his bedroom, and then quickly closed it again. Short hair puffed out after the mask was pulled off. Daniel Kevin Miston pulled off his suit and quickly changed into a shirt and jeans. He heard loud barking from his bed. "Hey Joki, buddy," he sat on his bed and hugged his best dog friend, earning licks.

"Danny!" cried a voice outside. "Is that?" he jumped. The door opened revealing a fuming girl with short strawberry blond waves. "Where…have…you….been?"

George had fallen asleep in the van. Scott, stopping for petrol had pulled off his coat and tucked it over him. He sighed seeing him so heartbroken like this. He missed the Pym family so much too, but if this was the chance that was needed to try and bring everyone back they had to try. He drove all night, not stopping until it was morning when he was able to fall asleep himself.

George woke up to the tweeting of birds and was surprised to see Scott's coat over him. He twisted his head to the sound of snoring and smiled, touched by his kindness. When he looked out through the windshield, he saw a giant compound with a giant 'A'. "Hey, Scott?"

"Peanuts!" Scott blabbered.

"We're here,"

Steve and Natasha were making some sandwiches when they heard a loud beeping on the machine. They looked at the screen and they could not believe what they were seeing. "Hey! Guys, it's me, Scott! We met a few years ago! I turned big!"

"How is it…" Nat couldn't believe it.

"Open the gate!"

Steve pressed a button.

George watched Scott waving and shouting until blink!

The front gates opened and immediately Scott drove inside. They parked by the front door and as they did, Steve and Nat stepped outside into the light.

"It's good to see you, cap," he greeted.

"It's good to see you too,"

"Avengers, George Pym. George Pym, Avengers," he introduced.

"Hello," he said a little glumly. "Mind if we come inside, we're hungry,".

Once inside they devoured sandwiches very quickly like hungry pigs the two Avengers just stared at them. Once they were full, Scott stood up and could see how much he had to explain. "Okay," he inhaled deeply. "I know you guys have a lot of questions right now but…have either of you guys ever studied quantum physics?"

George bent his eyebrows. "Really, you asking them that?"

"Okay, five years ago right before….

"Don't," he interrupted. "Just don't," he wiped his eyes earning pitiful glances from Steve and Nat.

"Before Thanos. George and I were transported to a place called the quantum realm,"

George decided to step in and talk himself. "It's a microscopic universe my father Hank Pym, who Howard Stark knew, studied for years. He invented a suit that allowed him to be small and if small enough enter that realm. My mother was trapped in that realm for thirty years and then brought back to us,"

"Our loved ones…were supposed to pull us out," it took all the guts for Scott to say that. "Then… Thanos happened…and…." He bit his lip, hating himself for talking about this in front of George. "We were trapped in there…for five years,"

"I'm sorry you both had to go through that," said Nat sorrowfully.

"We're sorry you both suffered," Steve apologised, comforting them.

"It didn't feel like it. It felt like five hours to us," said George. "Five hours of not knowing time was going so much faster in this world. The rules of the quantum realm aren't like they are, up here,"

"So, what are you guys saying?" asked Steve.

"Everything is unpredictable," said Scott. "So, we need a way to navigate it. What if there was a way to enter the quantum realm at a certain time…"

"And then exit the quantum realm at another time?" finished George finally getting what his friend was saying.

"Before Thanos," they said together.

"Hold on. Are you both talking about a time machine?" Steve asked, getting the point. The men paused. "You guys need to come with us. If this idea of yours is to work, we're gonna need to talk to Stark,"

"You talking about Howard's kid aren't you," George said.

The men were given new clothes and immediately escorted to a new car. In a few hours, they arrived at a beautiful hut by a lake where they saw Tony Stark holding a little girl in his arms. He was surprised to see them. He ushered his daughter to go inside and he felt tense seeing Scott approaching along with George.

"As I recall, you're supposed to be dead,"

"Well, I'm not,"

"And who's this?" Tony gestured to George.

"You may not know me. But our fathers knew each other well,"

"Let me guess. You're Hank Pym's kid?"

"That would be correct," his glum tone and wet eyes told the message to Tony that his family were gone. For the next hour, Scott and George told Tony what they had experienced and how they had escaped being victims of the Snap. Then they told him the idea of possible time travel. But once they had told him, Tony looked reluctant.

"We know it sounds crazy," Scott tried to explain.

"Tony, after everything you've seen," Steve spoke up, "…is anything really possible?"

"Quantum fluctuation messes with the Planck scale…which then triggers the Deutch proposition. "Can we agree on that?" he handed everyone drinks. "In layman's terms, it means you're not coming home,"

"We did," George said with a strong voice.

"No. You both accidentally survived. It's a billion-to-one cosmic fluke. And now you wanna pull a…What do you call?"

"A time heist?" offered Scott.

"Yes. Not possible,"

"We could go back. We can get these Infinity gem things, bring them here and bring everyone back," said George. "Sounds pretty straightforward if you ask,"

"Or screw it up worse than that he already has, right?"

"You don't know that," said George.

"There's no hope if I can't help you guys safely execute this time heist,"

"Yes, there is. We just have to follow the rules of time heist like no talking to our past selves," Scott listed down. "Not betting on sporting events,"

"I'm gonna stop you there Scott. Do you really think you and Pym's plan to save the universe is based on Back to the Future?"

"Maybe?"

"Tony, we have to take a stand," Nat said with determination.

"We did stand,"

"Look, we get it," said Scott. "You got a wife, a kid. But George and I….we lost people very important to us,"

"And I'm sorry for that,"

"If you are sorry, why won't you agree to this?" George demanded. "Why do you think it's fair while you have a family, the rest of us have nobody?"

"George…" Nat tried to sound calm.

"Don't 'George' me. The son of the great Howard Stark is refusing to help bring half the universe back. I knew it was ridiculous coming here. My dad warned me never to trust a Stark and look there is plain as crystal,"

"Look George…" Tony tried to sound peaceful.

"No, you look, Tony. A lot of people including me and Scott lost loved ones, families, and friends. So how is it fair that while you're happy with your wife and kid… everyone is upset?"

"Don't bring my family into this. And look I'm sorry you lost your…"

George pinned him to the wood in a fit of rage.

"Easy George," Scott grabbed his arm.

"You speak like that again…" he sneered. "And I won't be very nice,". He released Tony and stormed off towards the lake, leaving the others especially Scott, his only living friend to sigh.

In his quarters, Peter was sitting on the bed, glum again like he occasionally was.

"You think we're supposed to trust him after what he did?" complained a solider.

"Calm!" Scylla hissed. "The wizard foretold one path to victory and it is set in motion,"

"After all the people we've lost, friends, you think we're gonna let him stay with us,"

"No. He is sacred property to our enemy and needs our protection," Tobey announced.

"But Captain…"

"That's enough!" Tobey silenced him. "He is under our protection. He's staying with us. And there will be no acts of aggression or any mention of what has passed. He's been through enough and he will not be blamed any further than he deserves,"

The men kept silent under Scylla's hissing. Peter was escorted away to be taken care of. He had only spent a day so far and he didn't feel totally good again. His entire blood system was still recovering from all the metal that had been inserted through his skin. Tobey had ensured the best doctors would watch over him very daily. He escorted him to somewhere peaceful with Sylva, Leok and Scylla by their sides.

"Why did you speak for me?" Peter asked Tobey, touched by his kindness and defence. The man who had rescued him from his captors was displaying the same level of generosity as the Asgardian women who had comforted him when his sister and ex-teammates didn't.

Tobey walked a little slowly and Peter could tell by his pursed lips that he was plagued by painful memories. "Because I know what it feels like to screw up and be rejected for it. I lost someone I loved too. And I couldn't walk away from that pain like you," Peter was stunned. He and Tobias were more alike than they thought.

Peter remembered that day. It had taken some time for the order to calm down after he chose to tell Tobias of his mistake and of Doctor Strange's prophecy of there only being one path to victory.

He heard 'banging' on the door. "I brought you coffee," offered Tobey. He walked inside and pulled his chair to sit in front of him. "Come on. You really should drink something,"

"Thank you," Peter sipped the pace of a snail from his cup, his caretaker watching him every sluggish second.

"I know it's difficult for you to accept but what our men have found is exactly what we've been waiting for,"

"Did you not hear what I said before?" Peter straightened his head. "Without the other stones, it's pretty much useless,"

"You don't know that for sure,"

"You heard the message. There's no point looking for it,"

"There is. It's our only chance,"

Peter just hung his head again. "You're only saying that just to make me feel better. Even though I don't deserve it,"

"Look at me. When you told us what you did, did I just abandon you like your former teammates,"

A sign. "No,"

"Did I allow my men to constantly make you feel more and more alone than you already did before?"

"No,"

"What happened, happened. And I know you won't want me mentioning this but if Gamora was here, she'd be telling you to pick yourself up, stop feeling sorry for yourself and do whatever it takes," He rose from his chair, offering his hand to Peter whose eyes were a little wet at the mention of Gamora. "Even if our sister isn't here, you'll always have me to hang onto. And our kids. And Scylla. Everyone here,"

Inhaling deeply and reflecting again on his deceased girlfriend's wisdom and good heart, Peter slowly clasped Tobey's hand and he was pulled up. They shared a warm hug. "Thank you Tobes. For everything,"

"Who's the bigger brother?" he joked causing him to chuckle.

"You are. But not because you're older,". The pair laughed.

"Come on," Tobes patted his back as they parted. "Let's bring back half the universe,"

What did you all think again of this chapter? Please let me know what you all thought. I would love to hear your reviews again and once again thank you for the OC Ideas. I can't promise I'll use all of them but I try to incorporate them in future stories too. What do you think of Peter and his half-brother Tobey? And the idea of a seventh Infinity stone? Look forward to hearing your opinions again. See you all soon