"So, that's it then?" Scott Lang asks. "We're stuck like this?"
"Hey, we're not stuck like this!" Star-Lord says, approaching her. "We've gotten out of worse situations. We can get out of this!" She says as she leans in to make eye contact.
"Yeah!" Mantis adds. "We kick it."
Peter Parker gives Mantis a confused look.
"Maybe it's not that bad, you guys." Bruce cuts in. "I mean, we did save the Universe."
"That's easy for you to say." Peter Quill responds. "You're the one that can change from adorable to dreamy creamy gorgeous on a whim."
"What?" Bruce asks in a high pitched shocked voice. She is now blushing brightly.
"Yeah!" Scott Lang responds. "I can't stay like this."
"It's not that bad, Honey." Hope says, resting his hand on her shoulder. Scott ever so slightly jumps at Hope's touch. A few of the others actually notice.
"I can't." Scott repeats.
"As much as I enjoy having better health." Hank Pymm interrupts. "Scott is right. There are a lot of other issues at play here."
"What kind of issues?" Hope asks, a little aggressively.
Hank looks at his child and for what felt like the first time, felt a little agitated with Hope. "Not everyone was so lucky as you two. There are couples like Janet and I that enjoyed their relationships the way things were... before."
Hope thinks about it for a moment before realizing what his parents are implying. "Eww..." He says, shaking his shoulders.
"No, it's true!" Peter Parker jumps in. They all turn toward her. She catches herself feeling shy all of a sudden. Her eyes darted between everyone for a moment before continuing. "Back on Earth, before I joined you guys, things were getting very heated."
"Heated? How?" Captain America asks from her wheelchair. They all turn to her and she seems to have her old determined look back on her face. Despite the tension in the room, it makes them feel a little better for her.
"Aside from a lot of relationships taking a hit and ending," Peter Parker starts, then pauses. She has to think about what to say next.
"It's a lot of things actually." She tells them. "People have begun to discriminate against those that have changed. There are extremist groups attacking people who were once male. They're calling them the Ex-Men. Politicians' motives and mental wellness are being questioned. Children have been rejecting their parents and vice versa. There are gender wars erupting in the South. The war in the middle east has gotten much worse. Queen Elizabeth is now a king."
"Queen Elizabeth is now a King?" Rocket asks in feigned excitement. Parker doesn't catch it and just nods back.
"Things were getting pretty bad when we left." James Rhodes responds. "I can only imagine how they are now."
"What of Wakanda?" T'Challa asks.
"Wakanda is doing fine actually." Peter Parker responds. "Prince Shuri has begun cooperating with the United Nations and offering assistance with third world countries in need. He's really taken lead."
"Prince Shuri?" T'Challa asks. She has a look of surprise on her face. She turns toward Oyoke, who seems equally surprised. "He's really taken lead..." Oyoke shrugs his shoulders in response.
"Yeah, ever since they introduced the universal trans..."
"So if we want to get things back on track," Tony Stark interrupts Peter, "We need to get those stones. It's the only way we can fix things for certain... 100%." He places a hand on Captain America's shoulder. She smiles slightly toward him.
"Where would we even start looking?" Someone asks from out of sight. They all turn to see Bucky sitting on the floor in the corner of the room. "Do we have some way of sensing them?"
"I used to be able to sense them," another voice answers. They all turn to see Vision standing near Wanda. "But ever since the mind stone was taken from me, I seem to have lost that ability." He thinks about it for a moment. "But that does not mean it's impossible. We can only assume objects with that much power must emit some sort of energy."
"It does!" Tony Stark responds. "Dr. Banner and I have studied it enough to know that."
"What are you saying Tony?" Bruce asks. "You want to turn on the galactic police? Steal the stones?"
"Not steal them." Tony replies. "Just use them."
"This is insane!" Bruce protests.
"Of course it's insane!" Rocket shouts out. "But that's just what we do!"
"You can't be serious." Bruce complains again.
"I must admit, it's not really the best idea." T'Challa says.
"It's also very dangerous." Oyoke chimes in.
"It's fine!" Tony responds. "We don't really need all of us, just a small team. Beside's, what're they going to do? Blow up our planet?" The rest go quiet.
"Can they do that?" Peter Parker asks, with legit concern.
"Of course not!" Tony Stark responds. He looks around the room until he spots Nebula in the back. "Can they?" He asks, concerned.
"The Nova Corp would never stoop so low." Nebula replies. "Not if it's unnecessary."
"See!" Tony responds. "We're safe! So are we doing this?"
"In the interest of my country, and our planet," T'Challa answers first, "I will sit this one out."
Tony looks around.
"I'm gonna have to sit this one out also, Tony." Rhodes responds.
"I'm up for some intergalactic treason." Sam Wilson says while flexing his arm.
"We're in!" Natasha shouts from elsewhere. Tony sees Clint nodding in response.
"You know you got our support!" Rocket shouts.
"Yeah!" Star-Lord agrees, but Mantis stays quiet and is now looking away.
"I'm in." Bucky says as he approaches and stands near Steve. Tony looks at him and grumbles but pushes his feelings aside. He then looks toward Bruce.
"You in, kid?" Tony asks Peter Parker.
She thinks about it for a moment before responding. "I'm sorry sir. I think that's a little above my pay grade."
"That's fine kid." Tony responds, somewhat relieved Peter Parker opted out. "You've done enough. What about you Bruce?"
Bruce looks up at Tony, and openly juggles her emotions. Even with all her super strength, the tension feels heavy. A tear starts to form in the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry Tony... I can't." She says.
Tony nods then turns toward Steve. Her eyes lock onto his with eager passion. "I don't know what I can do, but I trust you, Tony." Steve responds.
"And I trust you." Tony tells her.
"So we're doing this!" Rocket shouts, pumping her fist. "Yeah!"
"I would strongly advise against doing whatever it is you are thinking of doing!" A loud female voice booms over the room. Almost everyone jumps and turns toward the source. There is a vibrant glowing portal coming from the nearest wall, and Dr. Strange is floating through. She is being followed by Thor and Valkyrie, both looking downtrodden. "I especially wouldn't do whatever it is, if it has anything to do with what I think it does."
"Well, look who it is!" Rocket says aloud. "It's Ms. Too Good for Everyone, so I'm gonna join the Nova Corp." Dr. Strange frowns at Rocket, but chooses to ignore her.
"And where have you three been?" Tony Stark asks, feeling skeptical.
"We have been talking to the Nova Corp high council." Dr. Strange tells him. "Asgard has been denied authority over the infinity stones."
"What?!" Star-Lord asks aloud.
"Who're they gonna trust if they can't trust the gods?" Rocket asks.
"I am Groot." Groot interjects. Rocket looks at Groot and frowns.
"But he's still a God!" Rocket tells Groot. "Who cares if he doesn't have a planet?"
"No, it's ok Rabbit." Thor says, waving his hand in defeat. "They are right. It's not a matter of protecting the stones, it's a matter of hiding them. Keeping them safe."
"Hiding them?" Rocket asks. "You can hide them! I can hide them for you! I'm great at hiding things!"
"She is." Drax says with a light chuckle causing her boobs to bounce. The sight of it makes Thor smirk slightly.
"Regardless." Dr. Strange tells them. "The entrustment of the stones must be made to those without ulterior motive, and with the means to both conceal them and protect them. With Asgard's heavy losses, it is too risky of a temptation. Any group or individual from the population could easily be swayed to use them."
"Wait a second." Star-Lord interrupts. "Aren't you from Earth? Why are you on their side? Shouldn't you be on the side of Earth? Don't you want to help your friends?"
"I am on the side of Earth." Dr. Strange grumbles. "Long before any of us was born, back when the Nine Realms were founded, the Time Stone was entrusted to the first Sorcerer Supreme. It has always been my job along with all my predecessors to protect the sanctity of the stone."
"So that's it then?" Rocket asks. "It's just a job to you? You don't want to use the stones... to fix things?"
"As much as I would like to fix things," Dr. Strange responds, "in the grand scheme of things, the protection of the Universe is more important."
"The grand scheme of things?" Tony Stark asks aloud. "You use that phrase a lot. It sounds like an excuse to lord your superiority over everyone else."
"I assure you, that is not my intent..."
"Remind me again, who it was that handed the stone over to Thanos?" Tony asks.
"I did what I had to, for the sake of the Universe."
"And did that work out as planned?" Tony asks.
Dr. Strange starts to flush as she grows more upset. "I made a call that would significantly increase our chances. And the fact of the matter is, everyone is still alive."
"But you said that wasn't your original plan." Tony Stark interrupts.
"That's true." Peter Parker interjects. "You said it didn't go like you expected."
"No, I..."
"What did you expect?" Tony asks. "Because when I put together all the facts, we lost that day..."
Everyone was now concentrating on Dr. Strange.
"You didn't seem too concerned right up until the moment everyone changed." Tony Stark continues. "That's when you started to worry. That's when you admitted your mistake."
"What are you saying, Tony?" Steve Rogers asks.
Tony turns to Captain America to emphasize his point. "I am saying, in the grand scheme of things..." Tony turns back toward Dr. Strange, "she planned for half the universe to die."
"What?!" several people call out at once.
"That's not true, is it, Dr. Strange?" Peter Parker asks, in shock.
Dr. Strange looks at Peter, then Tony, then around the room. It bothered her that she was now feeling very emotional. She contemplated telling them the truth.
"It is, isn't it?" Vision asks. "I can tell by your pulse, your body temperature, and your tension..."
"Why...?" Mantis asks, suddenly feeling the full effects of Dr. Strange's guilt. "We trusted you."
She looks at Mantis and tries to answer. "In the grand scheme of things I..." She can't finish. "I did what I thought was best... It was supposed to work out."
"Yeah, well it didn't, did it?" Rocket asks. "You just wanted the stone's, didn't you?"
"No!" She protests.
"Losing Vision, twice? Almost costing everything?" Wanda asks. "Why are you even here?" He grumbles.
"You have to understand, I did what I thought was best." Dr. Strange tries to explain.
"Just go..." Steve Rogers replies. They all turn to her. Her eyes are angry and teary. "Sacrificing even one life should never be an option for the greater good, let alone half a universe."
Dr. Strange feels hurt, and wants to explain, but remembers why she is there. "I'm also here to pick up King T'Challa." She tells them. "They would like for him to argue his case."
"Do we even have a case?" T'Challa asks.
"Maybe, but you have to trust me." She tells her. "I know that is asking a lot, now."
T'Challa looks at the others in confusion, then rests her eyes on Oyoke. Oyoke nods at his female king and it seems to be what she needs. T'Challa turns back toward Dr. Strange. "Very well. I will trust you." She tells Dr. Strange. Despite it all, your plan did save many lives. I am sure you had your reasons."
"Thank you Lord T'Challa." Dr. Strange says. "Please, this way." She uses her sling ring to slowly open a portal which T'Challa and Oyoke approach. As they walk through Dr. Strange follows, but stops just before walking through. She turns back toward the others.
"I hope in time, you will give me a chance to explain, and possibly understand." She says.
"Yeah, we don't care." Tony Stark snaps back.
Dr. Strange looks down emotionally. It takes every ounce of strength to regain her composure. She chooses to be the bad guy.
"Don't even think about trying to find the stones." She says directly toward Tony Stark. "Not only are they no longer on this planet, but they are concealed by the most advanced science and magic this Universe has to offer."
Tony frowns much more angrily.
"Rest assured," Dr. Strange continues, "No matter how hard you seek, you will never find them, and they will be far away from here long before you find a single clue."
"I'll be the judge of that!" Tony Stark responds defiantly. Somehow he knows Dr. Strange is telling the truth. They've lost.
"We shall speak again soon." Dr. Strange responds before walking through the portal and leaving.
That portal closes behind her.
"What an asshole!" Rocket says, once she's gone. The rest remain silent.
"Do you think it's true?" Scott Lang asks. "Do you think they're that well hidden?"
"Nothing's impossible." Tony replies. "I'm sure if we try hard enough, we can find something." He is not feeling too confident, and he is sure the others can sense it. He turns back toward Steve Rogers for encouragement, and even she looks heartbroken.
Tony turns back toward Bruce, hoping to ask for her help, but then remembers their earlier conversation. He can't rely on her.
"Perhaps, we were too hard on her." Bruce tells Tony. "Maybe there was something we weren't seeing."
"Yeah." Peter Parker jumps in. "Maybe there was something bigger than all of this. Bigger than half... the Universe..." she thinks about what she is saying and stops. "Although I have no idea what it could be."
"To Hell with that lady!" Rocket responds. "If she's not going to help us, we'll do it ourselves. I'm going to start looking for clues." Rocket rushes to the room's exit and Star-Lord begins to follow. Groot soon goes after them as well.
"I have to go." Drax grabs Nebula's hand and waits for permission.
"It's fine." Nebula responds. He can't help but smile at Drax's consideration. He's still not used to it. Drax begins to rush away also. As the guardians are walking out the door, Star-Lord turns and looks back into the room.
"Are you coming, Mantis?" Peter Quill asks.
They all turn to Mantis who seems to be lost in thought. He shakes his head lightly then looks up toward his captain. "I don't want to go back..." He says. "I want to stay a boy!"
"Mantis!" Star-Lord calls out. "It's not about being a boy or a girl, it's about saving Gamora... and the galaxy... again."
Mantis looks at his captain for a moment then at Bruce. He can tell they feel the same about the swap. "You're right..." Mantis responds to Star-Lord, but keeps watching Bruce. "If there is even a chance at saving her, we have to try. His eyes begin to water with tears as he turns away and follows his captain.
The room gets real quiet now that the Guardians have left. Bruce stands near the center afraid to continue the conversation. She wonders if she is being selfish. Is she putting her own concerns before the Avengers and half the universe. She is desperate to look at Tony for comfort, but knows it'll make her feel even worse.
"So uhmmm..." Thor interrupts the silence. "Did I miss something?" Valkyrie punches him hard in the arm.