Avengers: Infinite Wars

by free man writer

The Clone Wars are in full swing with the galaxy divided. The Jedi lead the clone army against the infinite droid army of the Separatists. Yet a wild card enters the fray. The Avengers. From there, newer, more sinister and deadlier threats emerge and The Galaxy, no, the universe, shall never be the same again. Co-written by Jebest4781 and BulletStormX. Now in Season 4.

115. Home What is home?

So comes the rising Darkness, the tidal wave of death, the Dark Side of the Force.

Last chapter was fun cuz honestly, I have been waiting for so long to finally get to the Sith Lords.

I know you all have reactions and all that but just know, your answers shall all come in due time.

There will be an expansive story/explanation that goes into detail about the nature and history of this Sith faction me and the boys have been setting up within this story.

There are familiar beats yes, but we have something distinctly different from the history that is known from the Star Wars galaxy.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.

Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 115: Home… what is home?

It was so quiet.

So much quieter than he remembered.

*BEEEEEEP*

"Watch where you're goin' kid!" The man who just honked at him shouted as he passed him by.

Ok, maybe not that quiet but Peter Parker's point still stands. When coming back from a place like Coruscant, he may have his personal bias for home, but New York ain't exactly as loud and as hectic as it is a literal city planet.

He had a small taste of it when he went on his multiversal adventure. He got such a reminder from the other New York, how it was both familiar and alien to him with the various changes.

There was a detail he could remember people saying when they moved away from a place, only to return years later for certain reasons. It makes them reminisce about how the area once was and is presently different as it'll take them some unknown time to grow used to it.

This was Peter's case after being away from his New York for roughly a year and a half now.

There was the thai restaurant he and Aunt May went to often where the food was either too larpy or not larpy enough. Yet it was one of several places where the employees gave them free meals or items, just because they thought May was really attractive.

So damn awkward for him to remember. And at the same time, kind of a fond memory now. It's been such a long time since he had that type of moment, just spending time with Aunt May.

Being back home after everything he had experienced was beyond surreal.

The war, the battles, patrolling the City Planet of Coruscant and all made this place bizarrely hazy in memory. He remembers everything about this place but there was now this overlay of fuzziness to it.

Like he didn't recognize what he once saw every day in his life at one point.

It was merely strange. Such as what he was looking at now after getting to the destination he had in mind.

"It looks so… small."

"Small?"

"Yeah, ya know or… wait, you wouldn't exactly know but just… yeah."

"Just yeah?"

"May~~"

His Aunt chuckled, patting his cheek. "Come on, Peter, you know I haven't been able to do this in forever."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Peter mumbled, gazing ahead at his old high school.

It felt crazy to think of it in that regard. His "old" high school.

He was barely in sophomore year before he up and got teleported away to another galaxy and joining the Avengers to fight an interstellar war.

Now he was back in order to properly settle a number of things.

Sort of.

"Come on," May softly nudged with her arm and the pair strode forward.

Walking across the field of the Midtown School of Science and Technology, they reached the main building, walking in through the front doors. The security guard there briefly asked their business, quickly stating they had a meeting with the principal and also showing Peter's old school ID.

It didn't take long for them to reach the office, glad that classes were in session with no one in the hallways though the ambient sound of students and lessons were clear to hear in the background.

Time passes where May and Peter Parker came out of the principal's office. Peter shook Principal Morita's hand as was handed a packet soon after. No other words were exchanged as they said their farewells.

"So?"

Peter turned to May. "So what?"

May gave him a look, eyeing the packet in his hands.

The young teen glanced down at his packet and then back at his aunt, giving her a quizzical look.

"Are you excited? Happy? Disappointed?"

"Disappointed?" Peter repeated in bemusement.

"It's just, you said you wanted to go back here and all." May said, gesturing all around them in regards to the entire school.

"Yeah," He remarked offhandedly. "I guess…"

May didn't say anything in response and slowly, her expression fell with a glisten in her eyes. Wondering about her silence, Peter looked up and jolted slightly at his Aunt's face.

"May?" He worriedly said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright?"

She sucked in a shaky breath, shaking her head and quickly wiping a tear out of her eye.

"Sorry," She softly replied. "Just… looking at you is all."

Peter said nothing, instead waiting for her to say more as he sensed more coming.

"I see you now and," Aunt May placed her hands on his cheeks. "And I still see the boy Ben and I raised one second only to see a grown man then next."

Her nephew smiled with slight strain. "Come on, May, I'm still Sixteen, seventeen soon."

"No sixteen year old goes through what you did." She countered and he knew he couldn't really argue against such a thing.

There was a tremble in her voice that made Peter's heartache.

"I look at my boy and… I see the eyes of a man who has endured more than he should have at his age." May said, her voice filled with sorrow.

Before they were able to talk any further…

"Peter?"

It took a moment but the Avenger recognized the voice.

May pulled away and the teen turned, a smile immediately bloomed on the New Yorker's face at the sight of a familiar face he had not seen in a long time.

"Hey Ned." Peter softly said, voice almost croaking at the sight of his old friend.

Without any prompt, the Avenger walked right up to Ned who met him halfway and the pair embraced tightly.

What the rotund Ned Leeds did not expect was the sudden loss of the floor beneath his feet as Peter had lifted him up with ease in the hug. He was placed down on the floor a second later, Peter pulling back and having a small chuckle at Ned's face.

"Ned." May came up from behind, giving him a kind smile and going in for a hug as well. "Good to see you again."

"Yeah," Ned shakily laughed, turning back to his best friend. "Peter."

"That's my name." He joked, making his friend laugh again.

"Where were you man?" Leeds blurted out. "You just disappeared."

Spider-Man released a long breath, rubbing the back of his head"Things happened. Things that took me away for a long time."

"Well, what happened?"

"Peter?"

A new voice chimed in and they turned to see a surprised set of students, most of whom were his old Decathalon classmates.

"Hey guys," Peter greeted with a small wave.

In an instant, he was swarmed, the teen actually being thrown off by this reaction.

He was bombarded with questions on all sides with questions.

"When did you get back?!"

"Where've you been?!"

"Were you kidnapped?! I bet you were kidnapped."

"Enjoy the moment of fame Penis Parker."

"Shut up Flash."

"Guys!" Peter interrupted them all with a raised voice, frazzled by all of them, actually applying a bit of his super strength to get some space. "Give me a moment here."

Some were thrown off by the display of power, not expecting the normally scrawny and feeble Peter to be able to do this.

Now that they looked at him, Peter appeared a lot more defined, far more bigger in a sense and in the eyes of the girls, they picked up on a more muscular build.

"Look, it's good to see you all but I can't stay long." He apologetically said. "I came back here to get some stuff from the school. I'm having a few tutors to get me caught up with what I missed and then some."

"So you're coming back?" Ned said with a hopeful tone.

At that, Peter didn't respond, instead, holding a more intense face of contemplation. The others picked up on his lack of a response.

"Peter?" Michelle Jones tentatively asked.

He glanced over at her and then at Ned again and gave him a sad smile.

"Wish I could, but I'm not." Peter held up the packet to show the one side labeled "GED". "Given the circumstances, I have to go through this."

"The GED? But taking that is like a few years away." Betty Brant now spoke up.

"Why do you get to do that?" Flash Thompson asked with annoyance.

"It's complicated."

"What have you even been doing?" Michelle asked. "Were you kidnapped or something or-"

Peter barked a laugh at that, shaking his head. "No, that's the furthest thing from the truth. I've been busy with… a lot of other stuff."

"Oh yeah, like what?" Flash challenged.

"Flash, really?" Liz Thompson said with a side-eye.

Peter opened his mouth to respond until he was quick to notice something behind the others. Said people took notice, turned and gawked.

Orange sparks suddenly appeared in the air. They soon traveled into a circular motion before one end connected with the other. Shortly after, something was filled within the space as a few individuals stepped out.

The teens in the hallways save for one, all had their jaws on the floor upon seeing Captain America along with Doctor Strange and two human teenage girls with unusual tattoos on their faces step out of the portal.

"Figured we'd find you here, Peter." Steve greeted with a small smile. "Ms. Parker."

"Mr. Rogers." May pleasantly returned.

"Oh, are these your friends, Peter?" The girl with the white markings on her face asked with a smile.

"Yeah, my old School friends." Peter confirmed. "When'd you two get here?"

"Only recently." The girl with the tattoos over her nose said puffing her cheeks out. "You promised to show us around your home, remember?"

Peter blinked. "That was today? Ah, sorry girls. I had to do this with my Aunt."

"You can make it up to us." The white-marked girl said with playful smile.

"Anakin and Luminara give you both time off?" Steve spoke up.

"Mhmmm."

"Is she telling the truth, Barriss?" Steve said, ignoring Ahsoka who squawked at the disregard sent her way.

"Yes, Mr. Rogers." Barriss Offee said with a teasing smile directed at her girlfriend who huffed at this treatment.

Taking a closer look at the two girls, Peter's old highschool friends saw they were pretty attractive. The one with white markings had white and blue hair braided in pigtails hanging over each shoulder with one ponytail hanging in the back. Her skin was light brown though seemed to have a slight orange tint to it. The other had olive skin with diamond-like freckles swept across from one cheek to the other over the bridge of her nose. Her long silky black hair was slightly braided on the side while another part seemed to have a smaller braid with a piece of jewelry attached. And both girls had striking blue eyes.

"Apologies for coming in like this." Steve spoke up again, addressing the high school students. "I know you all are happy to see Peter again but," He clapped a hand on the teen's shoulder. "Peter here is an Avenger and a meeting is being called. All hands on deck for this one."

At that, many went bug-eyed, their heads snapping the direction of the bashful and slightly embarrassed Spider-Man.

"Ah come on, Cap, you didn't have to go and say that." He said, face slightly red at all the attention he had on him now.

"Peter's an Avenger?" Flash Thompson blurted out in complete disbelief if not outright denial.

"Yeah, just not here." Ahsoka said. "He's been in space with Cap."

"I'm sorry, what?" Michelle Jones said in bewilderment, completely thrown off by what she just heard, a sentiment shared by the others.

"Ahsoka," Barriss softly chided, making the Togruta clamp her mouth shut at the slip-up.

"Wait, that's true?!" Ned almost exclaimed. "I thought that was a rumor."

"It isn't. Captain Rogers with Peter and the other missing Avengers have all been in space." Doctor Strange confirmed, his expression laced with amusement at all the faces of the high schoolers. "You'll all find out the craziness they've experienced soon enough."

Steve shot the Sorcerer a withering look with the man only smirking at the Captain.

Shaking his head, a rueful grin on his face, he turned back to Peter.

"Got what ya needed?" Steve asked, Parker nodding in response. "Alright, let's get going. Tony wants a talk about our plans."

"I'll get a portal for you home, Ms. Parker." Doctor Strange spoke up, the Aunt giving him a grateful smile.

"Most kind of you, Mr. Strange." She appreciatively said.

Ahsoka and Barriss waved goodbye to Peter's old classmates before the boy in question stood in front of the portal, facing them.

"Sorry I gotta go so abruptly, guys." He earnestly said. "I'll hit you guys up later. We can catch up over a bite to eat."

He didn't wait for a response from them as most were still a bit shell shocked at what they were looking at. They had all been so shocked that they failed to notice that the hallway had become crowded with other students, all of whom were holding their phones out, taking pictures and recording what was happening, watching Peter step through the portal and it disappearing a moment later.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...What the fu-"

On the other side of the portal, it closed behind them as they walked through the Avengers HQ in upstate New York.

"Hey Cap?"

"Hmmm?"

"You made that entrance intentionally, didn't you?"

"I don't know what you mean."

Peter gave him an accusing stare that morphed into a small grin.

Steve smirked, patting the teen's shoulder. "Guess you're gonna be the popular kid forever now, huh?"

"Does it even count since I'm not going back?"

"Think of it as you're now the cool "bad boy" of Queens." Stephen Strange chimed in. "Every high school kid in the borough is gonna know who you are now."

"Not like you made any bones about planning on keeping your identity a secret." Ahsoka pointed out.

Peter huffed, pouting slightly.

"How are you girls liking Earth?" Aunt May asked the two girls and now, in the "safety" of the Avengers HQ, the two Padawans peeled off a translucent device and their faces morphed from human back to their true alien forms.

"Well, we haven't been able to truly experience anything just yet." Barriss remarked.

"Still weird that we have to wear these things." Ahsoka commented, holding up her Phototastic Veil provided for them by Natasha.

"It's best to do so while on Earth, Ahsoka." Steve advised.

"They're not used to aliens quite yet." Strange tacked on, turning to May. "Ms. Parker."

He conjured another portal a moment later into her apartment.

"Thank you," She kindly said, giving a faux stern look. "Don't keep him for too long."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Rogers said in jest.

May turned to give Peter a goodbye hug before she stepped through the portal back home.

"Get suited up Pete, and meet us at the gate." Steve said, Peter, nodding at him as he and Strange left the trio of teens.

"So, how was it? Being back home?" Ahsoka quickly asked, her boyfriend grimacing surprisingly.

"Weird." He admitted. "Just… so weird. Everything feels so much smaller than I remember."

"Hard not to imagine why." Offee softly said, moving over to peck him on the cheek. "Were you glad to see your friends?"

"Well honestly, Ned's my only real friend." Peter admitted. "The others are just part of my decathlon group and we sorta hung out, sorta knew each other but… yeah." He then made a face. "Is it weird or wrong that other than Ned, seeing everyone else felt so… I dunno, off?"

"It's alright." Ahsoka placed her hand on his shoulder. "You just gotta take a moment to let the slow down of it all sink in."

Her boyfriend hummed in response at that.

"What about you two?" Peter gave them both an expectant gaze. "How'd it feel in your new looks?"

"Weird." The pair parroting what he said seconds ago.

"I'm just glad I didn't look too different." Ahsoka said, her hands going up to her montrals. "Still, I felt so unbalanced without the rest of my lekku. Like I was missing something."

"Mine wasn't too bad." Barriss commented. "Just a change in complexion is all."

"What do you think?" Tano asked their boyfriend who smiled.

"Either in your natural look or disguise, you two still look beautiful to me."

"Tacky." The Togruta "chastised", rewarding the comment with a quick kiss. "The kind we've grown to love."

"Come on you two." Barriss said, taking their hands. "Let's not keep everyone waiting."

-Scene Cut-

-The Next Day-

Driving his car through Delacroix, Louisiana, Sam Wilson was feeling all sorts of emotions.

He was glad to be home after so long but at the same time, it's been so long that he wonders if anything has changed.

There was a part that rationalized that these thoughts were unfounded. After all, the place he grew up at still had all the same shops and stores that were around when he was still in his youth. All those old ma and pa stops that made his neighborhood what it is today.

Yet another part argued that a lot can happen in a year.

These thoughts came to a close as the woman occupying the passenger seat spoke up.

"So is this like one of these Earth shows and movie moments?" His Zeltron lover/girlfriend wondered aloud.

"What now?" Sam amusingly said in confusion.

"You know," Dani rolled her wrist. "The whole guy bringing the girl to meet the family thing."

"Ah, that," Wilson's head shifted from side to side before he shrugged. "I mean, more or less, yeah. Why? Ya nervous?"

Dani huffed, turning away from him in a faux-dramatic fashion. "Why would I be nervous meeting your family?"

"Well, you're all fidgety."

"Puh-lease, I'm as calm as a pickle."

"Cucumber. And ew."

"What's ew about that?"

"Pickles are salty, cucumbers are plain."

"Are you saying I'm plain?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Yes, very."

Dani shot up in her seat, mouth gaping.

"Sam Wilson."

"Yes, plain Jane?"

Dani huffed, crossing her arms and turning away from her boyfriend. He kept on driving with a small smirk until they broke down into a fit of laughter.

The Zeltron turned back to her lover, leaning over to place a kiss on his cheek.

"I'm just excited." She admitted. "And a bit nervous, yeah. I wanna make a good impression."

"You'll be fine." Wilson assured. "Sarah's gonna love you."

Dani smiled at him, settling her head on his shoulder releasing a comfortable hum.

They drove in comfortable silence when Dani took a glance at the rearview mirror, catching her "new look".

Presently wearing the camo mask, Dani appeared more human with the change of hair and skin coloration. After workshopping on the appearance, she got something that worked closely to her natural appearance. Her pink skin was switched out for a tanned appearance whereas her indigo-colored hair became a rich brown to make it appear black.

She made a face, the movement of her face making Sam briefly look down at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothin', just not used to looking like that."

Wilson arched an amused brow. "Ya know, you look exactly the same, just a pallet swap."

"I feel like I'd blend in more." She jokingly argued. "How else am I supposed to stand out?"

"You do already, trust me on that." Before she could ask on how, her lover perked up. "We're here."

The Zeltron sat up, taking in the lake-based hometown of the Falcon.

Dani took in the quaint and homey town with a look of wonder. She had been around the galaxy back home but experiencing places like this one here, especially in another galaxy was something to marvel at. The houses and structures looked and felt so different in comparison to what she had seen in her home galaxy.

Going to the waterfront, Sam parked his car where he and Dani stepped out. He quickly looked at the water where he saw the old family boat, "Paul & Darlene". And gazing a bit further, he spotted a certain tent with a line of people waiting to get served a decent meal.

A very long line for that matter. Made Sam pause for a moment before going forward.

Wilson Family Seafood. The family business had been struggling for years since the passing of Paul Wilson, but they managed to stay afloat due to loyal customers.

He sent money home on occasion to help out since he joined the military instead of continuing on with his sister. A bit of a buffer to help with the bills. With his joining the Avengers, he was able to contribute more and his worldwide recognition as a superhero helped draw more attention to the family's old business.

However, with him being away for a bit over a year, Sam can already imagine how hard things are without his assistance.

Yet… things didn't appear so bad.

In fact, everything looked well in order, actually. Booming even considering the crowd of people.

"Okay, something is up." Sam murmured.

Dani looked at him in confusion. "About what?"

"About all thi-"

"Sam? That you?" An elderly man abruptly spoke up from the crowd.

"Sam? Paul's boy?"

"Sammy?"

More people began to speak up and recognize him yet before he was able to talk or address any of them, a single voice pierced through them all.

"Sam!?"

Sam and Dani head's turned in the direction of a woman who was staring at the former in shock and disbelief, tears soon filling her eyes.

"Sarah." Sam warmly said, glossy-eyed as he gazed at his younger sister's teary face. "I missed ya sis."

The young woman said nothing, instead sprinting at full speed to the Avenger and jumped into his arms, hugging her brother tightly as she sobbed.

"You dummy." She quietly said, holding onto him with all her might.

There was an audible "aw" heard from the crowd at the Wilson siblings reuniting.

Next to the pair, Dani was smiling happily at her lover's reunion.

Sarah pulled away, wiping her eyes dry which in turn made her catch site of Dani. She held a confused look until Sam stepped back and took the Zeltron's hand into his own, making his sister gape slightly, an expression that demanded he explain.

"No phone call, text or email for over a year. The hell were you!?" She then shoves him, barely moving him with a sad smile in place at her out burst. "Iron Man just appears one day and tells us you're on a secret mission and I haven't heard a word since!"

"What about all this?" Sam pointed out at the large crowd who were unable to help themselves but watch.

His sister huffed. "Well, I just got a check in the mail one day from someone with a lot of money to help out. Take a guess."

"Ah, that would explain the lack of slow business here."

Should've known Tony was guilt-tripped into compensating the families of the missing Avenger members. May Parker was a quick example after chatting with her.

"Guess I owe him big time."

"What you owe me is an explanation." His sister reminded, looking back at Dani. "And sorry that you had to see that side of me."

"Oh please, no worries." Dani kindly said. "Nice to meet you, Sarah, I'm Dani. Sam's girlfriend."

"Could've guessed that." She remarked in bemusement. "Come on. Alicia?"

"Yeah?" Another woman popped her head out of the tent and her eyes bulged upon seeing the Avenger. "Sam?! That you?!"

"Hey, Leash." Sam waved at her.

"Alicia, honey, I know you wanna say hi but can ya cover for me for now?" Sarah quickly interjected.

The woman paused before remembering they were still in a lunch rush and gestured for her to leave it to her.

Sarah led them to her home and upon entering, she quickly embraced her brother once more, Sam reciprocating the hug.

"Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" She quietly said.

Sam held an expression of guilt, gently placing a hand over her head and rubbing her hair.

"Sorry, Sarah." He murmured. "I never wanted that to happen."

She sniffled, pulling away from her brother. "I'm just glad you're back."

"You and me both." Wilson said with a haggard sigh. "I know you've been worried sick and working your ass off but Sarah?" Sam exhaled dramatically. "Boy, do I have a lot to tell you."

"I can imagine, superhero." His sister remarked, getting a laugh out of him.

Sam took a moment to look around, realizing two noticeable absences in the house.

"Where are AJ and Cass?"

"Remember Cassidy?"

"Yeah, Ma's old friend."

"She's been looking out for them whenever I have to work."

"Damn." Sam shook his head. "How old are they now? Five and six right?"

"Glad to see you still remember after being away for so long." Sarah shook her head, giving him a pointed look. "They'll be excited to see you later today. You have any idea how many times they've asked about their Uncle Sam?" She then gives her brother the look. "That is, unless you have somewhere else to be."

"Nah. My schedule is wide open for the rest of the day."

"Good, cuz you'll be cooking dinner."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

"Can I help?" Dani spoke up. "I've never cooked in a place like this. Or cooked at all for that matter. Not the way you guys do it at least."

"The more the merrier." Sarah kindly said. "You can help explain where you got up and went to and tell me how you two met. That secret mission Stark talked about felt hokey and forced."

"Don't blame him for going down that route." Sam remarked as the three of them went to the kitchen.

"So what actually happened?"

"Just make sure you don't hold anything sharp whenever I tell you some of the crazier stuff." Sam jokingly warned. "To start with, me and the Avengers went to space."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"What?"

"Yeah, it's as crazy as it sounds." Sam said, pulling out some utensils and cutting boards. "It just goes up from there."

"Oh!" Dani perked up, reaching for the side of her head and pressed down on her veil, a glimmer over her face.

She peeled off her "face", causing her hair and skin color to return to their natural state of pink and violet-blue.

And the obvious response was Sarah dropping the metal pot to the kitchen floor in utter surprise.

"Glad those are durable or else you'd be cleaning that up, sis."

"Wha-what are-"

"A Zeltron." Dani quickly said. "A species from a galaxy far, far away."

Sam saw the look on Sarah's face and made a decision.

"Ya know what, I'm just gonna get some of our food from the tent. Don't think you wanna break everything here."

Several hours later, after a looooooong time regaling Sam's younger sister about his time spent in the other galaxy, the war he's been a part of, meeting Dani, Ultron, the Jedi, all of it, the three of them soon found themselves in the living room.

During that time, AJ and Cass were brought home by the elderly woman called Cassidy and the boys rejoiced at the sight of their uncle.

They were currently sleeping, AJ on Sarah and Cass with Sam.

"God, Sam, are you sure you want to be going back there?" Sarah softly asked. "I mean… after everything you told me."

"We've done a lot there." Sam solemnly said. "The Avengers have expanded their range of protection, you could say. And I don't wanna just uproot Dani from her home."

"Oh come on Sam, you don't have to do that for me." Dani lovingly said, kissing him for a second. "After being here, seeing all this, I wouldn't mind settling down here."

"I'm still trying to wrap my mind around everything." Sarah muttered, stroking her son's hair as he continued to doze off. "Just… I just… I don't know what to say."

"That my life became more hectic than before."

"Well, that, but…" Sarah shook her head. "Just, now I'm more worried than ever. It's not hectic Sam, it's dangerous."

"Sarah-"

"I know, I know but that's what it looks like to me." There was a torn expression on the face of Falcon's sister. "And I know you're sugarcoating on some of what you said, don't try to deny it."

Sam grunted, averting his gaze from Sarah when he felt Dani scooch up next to him, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Sarah." The Zeltron said in a sweet tone. "Sam isn't going anywhere. He has a lot of reasons to fight and come home."

Sarah gave a strained yet grateful smile all the same at Dani.

"Well, you're always welcome here, Dani." She stated. "Haven't seen Sam all googly-eyed for a girl in years."

Said sibling released a good-natured groan, throwing his head whilst Dani laughed, repeatedly kissing the side of his face.

"My googly-eyed Avenger." She teased.

"Stoooop."

"Nope." Dani says, emphasizing on the 'p'.

-Scene Cut-

"There's a small village here."

"Surprised anybody even bothered to do anything here after… well, just surprised is all."

"They want to rebuild."

"Here? After everything that's happened?"

"You should know what our people are like, Pietro."

Quicksilver hummed with a small grumble at that, looking back out at the small town that was being built not far from the crater that was once Sokovia.

"Why there though?" He couldn't help but ask, gesturing to the town and crater. "Just feels so… I dunno, just weird to look at."

Wanda gave her brother a shake of her head yet smiled. She couldn't deny the similar sentiment she shared with him. It was still a bizarre sight for the both of them to find after coming back here.

Frankly, after nearly two years of being away from their home country, for this place to be the first one they visited felt cathartic and necessary.

As said, two years ago, they didn't have powers, were living as best as they could before getting scooped up by HYDRA and allowing themselves to be experimented on with the Mind Stone. Next thing they knew, they were aiding a mad AI against the Avengers only to realize their folly and join with those whom they once viewed as enemies.

And just when they thought their lives couldn't get any crazier, they get shot into space to an entirely different galaxy.

To be back here was an unusual experience and feeling.

"New foundations for new lives."

"Tony said he's been helping where he could." Pietro brought up.

"He's doing a lot of that from what I've been told." Wanda commented, shaking her head. "Too much guilt in him, I swear."

"Can't say I blame him." Her twin brother remarked. "I mean, I know that's how we felt after finding out what Ultron's real plans were, remember? God, felt like such an idiot being suckered in like that."

Wanda couldn't fault him for feeling that way. In so many aspects, Wanda has come to harbor a deep-seated feeling of guilt for her actions when she still considered herself an enemy of the Avengers.

Thinking back to when she first hypnotized Tony, the vision she saw, the nightmare Iron Man held genuinely shocked her.

To think that such a nightmare weighed upon the mind of one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes was eye-opening, to say the least.

It was after seeing that and making him "live" through such a vision that led to the creation of Ultron.

Much as Tony has come to blame himself for it, Wanda carries equally as much to blame as he does.

She spurred him into it. He already had it planned but it was because of her that he ran headfirst into his creation without a second thought.

"Wanna help out?" Pietro's voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"What now?" She said in slight confusion.

Her brother thumbed down to the village. "You've been staring at the town like you're about to burn a hole in it. Do you wanna go down there?"

Wanda contemplated this before shaking her head. "Maybe another time. For now, I'm content to see it from here."

Pietro simply nodded along and the twins fell into a comfortable silence.

"Think there's anyone down there we know?" Pietro spoke up, making his sister cross her arms and sway side to side.

"Don't know. Maybe." She muttered. "Would be shocked to see them down there."

Pietro hummed along, eyes drifting over to the crater where Sokovia once was, having a far-off look.

"Think you can figure out where our home used to be?" He brought up, nudging his head at the crater.

"Couldn't even if I tried." Wanda freely admitted.

The twin brother had a stray thought, guffawing slightly.

"Can you imagine me bringing Riyo here?" He rhetorically asked, gesturing with his hands. "Hey love of my life, look at this lovely valley with a crater that was once our hometown that became a floating island/meteor that nearly ended the Earth."

His twelve-second younger sister burst out laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, I know what you mean." Wanda gave her brother a smile of approval. "Best not to have that detour than, hmmm? You and Chuchi got a wedding to plan for."

Pietro chuckled, running a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "I gotta learn all about Pandora and how they do weddings."

"Isn't it Pantora?"

"Yeah, that," Pietro said without much thought, making his sister roll her eyes. "Learn how they do things and… learn more I mean. Already been exposed to how their culture is and all-"

"Chuchi told me she wouldn't mind doing it our way first." Wanda cut in, her brother blinking in response.

"Did she?"

"Apparently ours is more straightforward and all."

Wanda nodded at that, a coy smile now directed at her brother. "So~ when should I expect nieces and nephews?"

Rather than being flustered, Pietro held a more flat face of amusement, directed more at himself than Wanda.

"At the rate Chuchi and I are going, I wouldn't be surprised if we get like a dozen."

Wanda gaped at her brother, lightly hitting his arm a few times, getting him to laugh.

"Pietro Maximoff." She said in a faux-affronted manner. "Did Mom and Dad teach you nothing about etiquette and chivalry?"

"Ah come on, Wanda, you know how much you want nieces and nephews." Pietro argued, hardly fighting back, laughing all the while. "Besides, I bet Merrin and Ilyana would love to be aunties."

Wanda huffed, yet a small smirk wormed its way onto her face seconds later.

"Where would you even raise them?" She found herself asked, seeing her brother rub the top of his head.

"I… I dunno, honestly." Pietro admitted in a small murmur, a deep, intense expression of contemplation. "I mean, yeah, Earth is home and all but-"

"Other than the Avengers and our duty, do we have a home here?" Wanda finished for her brother, not needing to read his mind to gauge his thoughts.

It was just a twin thing.

Pietro sighed, nodding at his sister's words.

"Yeah, basically." He quietly said. "Wouldn't be fair to Chuchi to have her uproot her life and her own responsibilities to come live here. Where would we even live? Sokovia? What's left of it? And I know we're American citizens now and all but… Yeah, just… yeah."

Wanda smiled sympathetically at her twin, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Whatever you choose, you know I have your back."

The speedster gives his sister and appreciative smile, the two resuming a peaceful silence for the rest of their time here before they make their way back to the Avengers HQ.

-Scene Cut-

It was peaceful on the planet of Atollon. A perpetual state of peace with seldom a whisper or sound that would disturb the planet's tranquility.

One of the sole inhabitants of this planet chose this place for that very reason.

The tranquility… and the isolation.

Almost like a self-imposed prison.

One of quiet and deep reflection.

The silence, however, was sadly broken when a ring of orange sparks opened up near a particular crater.

There was movement that followed from within, what looked like jagged rocks shifting about to reveal a bearded face that slowly turned in the direction of the portal. The eyes of the being widened with curiosity and wonder.

Yet that changed to a pleasant surprise as a familiar being with a yellow cape, red face, green-tinged body and an Infinity Stone in his forehead stepped out from the portal.

"Vision." The large, rocky creature said with a wide grin. "So good to see you, my friend."

"Bendu." Vision responded, smiling up at the being of the Force. "I see you are doing well."

Bendu rumbled with a small chuckle. "Well enough considering my state. However, I feel insulted that my friend has not visited me sooner now that he now appears to have the means of utilizing sorcery to traverse the stars. For shame, my friend."

Vision continued smiling, shrugging. "I would apologize, my friend, but knowing how busy I have been, I believe you would consider an exception."

The Bendu huffed in a false-affronted manner, his wry grin returning a moment later.

"When you put it like that, I can't exactly stay angry at you." Bendu's hollow, echoey voice remarked, reverberating around the area. He tilted his head upwards, pointing at the portal behind him. "Forgive my curiosity, Vision, but who among you holds such a power?"

"New friends from home." Was all Vision said, looking back at the portal.

As he said this, out stepped an Asian man garbed in personalized clothing and he bowed.

"Bendu." The Master Sorcerer Wong greeted.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sorcerer." Bendu greeted friendly in return. "I would like to know more about your order but right now, I wish to speak with my friend."

"No worries." Wong said with a raised hand. "I come here knowing that was Vision's intentions as well."

Bendu inclined his head at him in gratitude, turning back to the synthetic Avenger.

"While I am grateful you came by to see me, old friend, I believe there's more to this friendly visit." Bendu shifted slightly, frowning in thought. "A change has happened in the galaxy."

Vision nodded. "Ultron met his end."

The being of the Force hummed aloud, reaching up to stroke his beard. "Truly?"

"It was quite the group effort to make it happen." Wong spoke up.

"With what I felt, most certainly." Bendu hums. "A void is in its place now. Sometime, maybe soon or much later, it'll be filled with something much as dangerous."

"You sense a greater threat?"

"Nature abhors a vacuum, my friend." Bendu grimly stated. "A phrase you taught me yourself. The Force is no different. Though it thrives in the peace, people are still beings of their own individuality and choices. And sometimes, those choices lead to disruption and chaos. Order, in time, will set things right."

"What do you sense?" Vision asked softly.

Bendu reclined back, looking as though he had sat down and held a focused look.

"Filtering through the echoes of the death of Ultron's wake… darkness. Death and darkness are on the horizon." He shook his head, closing his eyes in lament. "Oh my friend, I fear the coming rapture of madness."

Vision and Wong shared a disturbed and worried glance, the former looking back at Bendu.

"Bendu, I know how you believe-"

"I cannot help you, Vision." Bendu cut him off with a look of forlorn regret. "Not after my past, my actions. This remains my penance to go through until a time when I can truly be free once more."

"Is there nothing? Nothing you can do?"

Bendu gave him a sad smile in return. "Only knowledge and a good conversation."

Vision was silent for a few seconds, his Mind Stone lightly radiating a glow for a few moments.

"Would you perhaps know where the Soul Stone resides?" Vision inquires. "Or any hint?"

Bendu raised a rocky eyebrow. "And why would you ask that?"

"One of the other Avengers, Thor," Vision elaborated. "He came here with the express purpose of seeking out information of the Infinity Stones. He gained knowledge that one of them, the Soul Stone, resided somewhere here in this galaxy. The Father said finding it is easy, but obtaining it is a different matter."

Bendu released a reminiscent huff of begrudging amusement. "And he is right. The Soul Stone is the most unique of the six. The means of how it was stored away was and is complex. The most dangerous singularity of the stones had to be safeguarded in a method that can be nigh impossible."

"How so?"

"Change. People forgetting their roots lies the key to obtaining the final stone. It's not just with one person, but many need to know, understand and accept it. Only then will the apparent vault where it's stored will open."

"Vault?" Wong parroted in curiosity.

Bendu held up his finger, wagging it at them both. "The "vault" is not what you would expect it to be. Far more… unique to how it has been hidden away. I never aided in its holding but I always understood its function. And frankly, even if I told you how it operates, at this point in time, managing to unlock and find it is impossible. Truly, I say this not as an exaggeration."

Wong grunted, crossing his arms in thought. "At least we have some knowledge now. Better than nothing."

"And hopefully once you know how to form the key, it could help find the vault's location in an easier fashion, rather than the other way around."

"You mentioned that this vault is not what we think it is."

"I can explain it, perhaps, but to understand it…" Bendu left the statement unfinished, leaving both Wong and Vision to contemplate on this matter.

"Regardless, thank you, my friend. You have been a great help with your insight."

Bendu nodded, now a happier smile in place. "Of course. Just do not take too long to visit next time."

"If the galaxy allows it." Vision wryly said.

Just as he and Wong were about to depart, Bendu called out to them.

"A moment," Bendu said, his serious gaze returning. Vision and Wong stopped where they were, gazing back at the rocky creature who leaned down to be at eye level with them.

"The coming darkness and dangers shall be vast and outright deadly, not just for your lives but for your souls and values. That is the clear and present dangers that come in these circumstances. They are unavoidable."

The pair were troubled yet remained silent, allowing Bendu to continue on.

"I cannot tell you just what it is that is coming but only that for all of you to succeed, you must hold to unity. Hold strong, hold fast, be each other's pillars. There will be times that some may reach a breaking point but it is there that the hand of friendship, compassion and love must be ready and outstretched. Those like the Sith, like Ultron only achieve victory through the division of their enemies. You must not allow this to happen again. Stand united. Or be divided and fall."

With the warning hovering over their heads, the android and sorcerer left the one planet in order to begin preparations.

-Scene Cut-

Within a certain office at Hell's Kitchen, a small group of friends were having lunch.

It was a whole host of mostly unhealthy but feel-good and satisfying junk food actually cooked in the traditional sense over the processed fast food methods.

"I needed this." The blind lawyer Matt Murdock, munching on what was his fifth burger.

"Jesus, Matt, slow it down there." His best friend Foggy Nelson commented with a laugh. "Would've thought you'd have some of that over there."

"Somewhat have, but it doesn't beat the real thing."

"Could've fooled us." Jennifer Walters, in her She-Hulk form said, a wide grin in place. "After everything you told us, I thought you would've gotten a taste for the finer things in that galaxy."

"I'm still trying to wrap my mind around everything you've been up to." Karen Paige spoke up, running a hand through her hair.

"Same here, even after seeing it all. I thought things were crazy down here," Jen remarked with a look of wonder in her eyes. "Now we've got a whole galaxy as a playground."

"I wouldn't say a whole galaxy." Matt said, wiping off crumbs from his lips. "Remember, there's still a whole bunch of that place that remains uncharted. We only just met Thrawn's people."

"Oh yeah, those guys." Walters mused aloud.

"Uh, guys?" Foggy deadpanned slightly. "Care to give context to the uninformed?"

"Long story short, Thrawn is a blue man group alien who's part of a whole race of them that's been isolated for thousands of years and they only now just met the Republic."

"That explained so little." Karen retorted, an amused smile in place.

"Yeah, well, it's a long story." She-Hulk fired back. "Like a loooong one. And I'm not the one you should be asking these questions."

All heads turned to Matt who was nonplussed by the attention.

"It is a long story." Murdock casually said. "And one that I will tell in small sequences and parts… over a long period of time."

She-Hulk guffawed whilst Karen and Foggy threw their hands up in faux-annoyance.

"Of course he'd say that." The former "angrily" said, puffing her cheeks out.

"Unlucky for us and lucky for you, Matt, we would have had somewhat of time if we didn't have cases to work on."

"Be you ever so faithful to our profession." Daredevil said, a wry smile worming its way onto his face. "But I think I can help speed things along."

"It's the least you could do after your year-long sabbatical, Avenger." Foggy rebuked, pretending to fume. He then paused in dramatic fashion, slowly raising a hand to point at Matt. "There is… one thing I oughta know."

Matt raised an inquisitive brow at his best friend who thumbed over to Jen.

"What's this about a fair-haired warrior maiden Walters here mentioned?"

At that, Daredevil threw his head back with an overexaggerated groan whilst Jen laughed.

"Even after all these years, you're still the worst gossip in the universe."

"Who is she?" Karen asked, scooting closer.

"She's a real firespitter, for starters." She-Hulk said, not allowing Matt to speak. "The kind that Matt always attracted."

"What, like you?" Foggy dryly asked, making Jen gape.

"It was one time!"

"Thrice." Matt idly said.

"UGH, MATT!" Walters cried out indignantly.

Their lunch devolved into name-calling and story-telling that lasted for several hours. They covered a broad spectrum, primarily Matt's time in space and his many battles and "adventures" along with the friends he made out there such as Baze and Chirrut.

Foggy released a long sigh, leaning back into his chair as he soaked in the tale of Ultron's defeat.

"God damn," Nelson quietly said. "You guys really have been through it."

"Him more than me." She-Hulk "corrected", patting Matt's shoulder. "A few things here and there here on Earth but Matt and the others have been at it for a year and a half on a weekly basis. Getting swept up in that insanity was almost too much for me, honestly."

"Don't sell yourself short, Jen." Matt "chided". "You're an Avenger, just like me. We all came out of this on the other side alive and well."

"God, things really have changed." Karen spoke up. "A year ago, you were against being an Avenger and now you sit here proud to be one."

Matt shrugged. "Well, not hard to after everything we've endured." He then frowned, a stray thought floating through his mind, leaning forward on the table.

"Since I'm back and one issue is taken care of, I gotta ask about something."

"Being what?"

"Has there been any activity with Wilson Fisk?"

Foggy and Karen share a look.

"Last we know, he's still in prison." The former answered.

"Why ask about him?" The latter queried.

Jen and Matt seemingly share a look, though it was hard to tell with the latter. "No reason."

"Okay, now I gotta know what that's about."

"It's another long story."

"...How many are there?"

Matt released a disgruntled, bemused sigh. "You know, I think it's best we make a schedule to list out which stories to tell and when. We'd be here for a while if we went through all of them."

-Scene Cut-

Over in Los Angeles, two other Avengers were having a friends and family reunion of their own.

Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne were back home in Hank Pym's old house.

And they weren't alone.

Hank, obviously, would be here with them as was Cassie who was sitting on her dad's lap.

Scott's ex-wife Maggie along with her new husband Jim Paxton were present as well.

And to round out the whole group…

"Oh man, Scotty, outer space? That's wild."

Scott shook his head, a wide smile at his best friend Luis' comments.

"That shit is wild." His other friend Dave remarked, shaking his head.

"Soviets always dreamed of space." Kurt Goreshter commented in open wonder. "Should we call you space-ant now?"

These were Scott's friends, the Wombats, as Hank had "affectionately" coined the term in the most loosest, least insulting way possible.

"Well, the Soviets have gotten a dog in the great beyond." Hope spoke up. "So, you guys have that."

Luis laughed slightly in an exaggerated fashion only to see that, while the insect-themed Avengers were smiling, their eyes told a different story.

"Wait, are you for real?" Luis asked in disbelief.

Scott pulled out the specially made phone that all Avengers have thanks to Tony Stark and with a quick flick of his wrist, a holo-image of a labrador in a cosmonaut suit appeared.

Cassie gasped, making an awe sound whilst Hank, Maggie and Jim all blinked at once.

"So you guys-" Maggie began…

"Met a space dog?" Jim Paxton finished for her, both trying to wrap their minds around Cosmo.

"So us going to space was dandy and whatever but a space dog is crazy?" Scott asked in amusement.

"You being in space is wild to begin with." Dave pointed out.

"But how did a soviet dog get all the way out there?"

"Cosmo the astronaut dog has been in space for like, what, a few decades?" Scott said, turning to his girlfriend who shrugged.

"Not sure. Didn't get a chance to talk to her. All I know is she's Russian and is currently a Guardian of the Galaxy."

"Guardian of what?"

"A group of assholes." Scott winced. "Sorry Cassie. Long story with them."

"It's ok dad. Grandpa Hank says a lot when he gets frustrated."

Hope turned to her father with a flat look in her eyes. "Dad."

"What? Science is hard."

"Science… is hard." Hope parroted, shaking her head. "And here I thought you were a genius."

"You try having to figure out the intricacies of the Infinity Gate, stabilize it and try to reverse engineer it for other projects for these past months."

"That is great scientific achievement, Mr. Pym." Kurt spoke up. "But we have bigger problem."

Hank looked at the hacker in bewilderment, seeing that the Wombats turned their attention on their friend Scott. The Avenger was giving them quizzical expressions, a silent query of what was wrong when Dave spoke first.

"You sent a message to Hank, your ex and your daughter, but not to us?" The man said in an affronted manner, gesturing to him and the Wombats.

Whatever awkward tension there was broke with Hank snorting whilst Maggie and Jim laughed aloud.

"We were worried sick of you, man." Luis tacked on.

"Dude, cold." Kurt said in his accent.

Scott tried to come up with a counterargument, but just kept his mouth shut, giving them a rueful smile.

Hope shook her head, a wide smile of her own, placing a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.

"On behalf of the both of us, we're sorry." Hope said. The Wombats appeared somewhat satisfied yet they could tell there was a measure of humor in her tone. "If it makes you feel any better, he had to deal with Chezo."

"Who?" They all said at once.

Scott shivered with a cold chill going down his spine. "Someone we need a restraining order on."

"...Again, who?" Jim now said.

"Think of her as a crazy space witch who got oddly obsessed with Scott. And I'm being quite literal on the space witch bit."

Goreshter dropped his jaw and whispered in fear. "Baba Yaga."

Scott gave him a look. "Didn't you call Wanda that?"

"He's only seen her on TV a few times, but never met so…" Dave gave him a shrug.

"Space witch? Really?" Maggie said in bewilderment.

"She is called the Scarlet Witch so-"

"Not Wanda, Chezo." Hope interrupted.

The former cybercriminal, in the midst of this conversation, was rocking back and forth, eyes wide and whispering loudly to himself. "Baba Yaga, come at night. Little children sleep in tig-"

Dave rolled his eyes. "Great, now you got Kurt going."

"We worked with space monks." Ant-Man elaborated. "In Chezo's case, it fits given she's a Dark Acolyte."

"Did she try hypnotizing you?" Cassie asked in slight fear for what may have happened to her father.

"No, more along the lines of things that you're not meant to hear about for at least another ten years." Scott assured, stroking his daughter's hair.

"Baba Yaga is real." Kurt said to himself, now drawing everyone's stares. "Stealer of children and men."

He then resumed muttering an old prayer in Russian, receiving only further bland expressions from the others.

"Hopefully he doesn't act that way with the Dathomirians." Wasp quietly said.

"Why?" Scott only got a bland look from Hope, soon coming to realize the implication. "Oh right, gotcha, yeah."

"Dathomirians?"

Hank was very tempted to say a response that would give him quite some humor when Luis spoke up. "So your whole war on Ultron is over. You guys are back from the other galaxy far, far away. You guys gonna take back your shrink tech from that army?"

Scott and Hope opened their mouths only to close them a moment later.

"Huh… Good question." The former muttered. "We haven't really thought about that."

"That'll be difficult for numerous reasons."

"Something I greatly dreaded with what SHIELD tried to do years ago. Same with Darren. And you two up and give it away for free."

"Come on dad, you know why we had to do so." Hope wryly said, making him hold up his hands.

"I know, I know, just busting your chops is all." Hank crossed his arms. "But I just wanna make sure you guys are aware of what you're doing."

"At least we're trying to restrict it-"

"Good luck with that. At least Stark is doing a better job in not having his specs copied over there."

"Dad." Hope now said with a more serious tone that made him look at her. "We're not stupid. We know what we're doing. We only let them use the shrinking tech in battle or directly under our supervision. We know how many people want to study it. The rest of the team has been helping keep tabs on making sure nobody gets their hands on the particle."

"And even if they did, they wouldn't know how to handle it." Scott chimed in, tapping the side of his head. "They'd go all loco like Darren did."

"That's comforting." Hank sarcastically remarked, not at all amused at the prospect of another Yellowjacket situation. "I just dread to think on how the results may turn out."

"We'll handle it." Scott promised, this time devoid of any humor. "We promise."

Hank stared at his protege then his daughter and sighed, throwing up a hand in defeat and acceptance.

"So, when can we go?" Luis spoke up.

"Go where?"

"Where else dawg, space!" Luis excitedly said.

"Oi, oi, hang on a sec." Jim now said. "You guys still have to finish your contract with us."

"Contract? What contract?" Scott said in bewilderment.

Dave shrugged. "While you were gone, we've been trying to go legitimate."

Hope gave a bemused expression in his direction. "And how's that turning out?"

"Hey, we know criminals." Luis said with a large smile.

"We were criminals." Kurt added on.

"So we thought, now that we out, let's use what we know to help out Jimbo and get the police up to snuff." Dave finished off.

"Now the po-po won't fail like before." Cassie brightly said.

Her mother and Hope guffawed at her vernacular whilst her father and stepfather gave her a look.

"Where'd you learn that word?" Scott asked.

"And when have we failed?" Jim inquired.

The room soon devolved into small, joking arguments, conversations and primarily, Scott and Hope regaling everyone with their tales in the other galaxy.

They of course played up their heroics in their own humorous manner but Hank saw the more serious undertones they tried to downplay.

Primarily, their war against Ultron.

Not that he could blame them with Cassie being present along with Scott's ex, her new husband and the Wombats.

He had been the only one to be up to date and get the real version of just how bad things got on their end, the many battles lost and injuries sustained in their time out in space. Pym correctly deduced that the last thing Ant-Man and Wasp needed to do was to make their friends worry more than they'd already had for the past year plus of time.

Eventually, Hank made his way downstairs to his lab, leaving them to their own devices.

Upon entering the room, it lit up with several enlarged ants the size of dogs walking about, moving items and such whilst maintaining the room.

"Antwon, careful with that." Hank said without looking over at a bullet ant at the other end of the room. "You don't want a repeat of last time."

The bullet ant made a chirping noise, setting down whatever it was it held in its jaw on a nearby table and going over to work on something else.

Hank walked over to a set of screens, casually sifting through some of the data and research he was conducting when the sound of footsteps going down the stairs was heard.

He briefly glanced back to see that it was his daughter who was giving him a small frown.

"The others were wondering where you were at."

"I doubt they would've noticed me sticking around."

"You know that's not true." Hope countered. "Hard to miss you just up and walking away."

Pym hummed to himself. "Sorry, just-"

"A lot on your mind." Hope stated rather than questioned.

Her father 'hmphed' to himself, shaking his head with a far-off, reminiscent gaze. "You know me so well."

"You never stop working." Hope whimsically said, bumping her shoulder against his. "So spill it. What's your next big project?"

The first Ant-Man said nothing at first, instead walking over to a table with his daughter following him.

"I've been studying the gate for well over a year now, Hope." Hank slowly said.

"Mhmmm." She said, waiting for her dad to continue.

"And what I found or at least, what I believe can be accomplished is something I've been trying to do for decades."

Hank's table lit up and two holo-displays appeared.

One of the Infinity Gate. And the other of a gate of a similar design but the data showed that it held a different purpose.

Hope recognized the readings and more specifically, the type of energy that was being shown.

"This… this is-"

"I call it a Quantum Tunnel." Hank cut in, expanding on the new blueprint. "Shrinking down is one matter but with this? I believe in time, we shall have a fully stable, easy-to-access means of entering the Quantum realm. I have several blueprints already prepared, one of which is kind of like a slingshot for shrinking into the Quantum realm but that's beside the point. What matters is-"

"You think this can be a chance to find mom."

Hank only nodded.

"I… I know that it may be a falsehood, desperation, really." The father said with a tired look. "But after what Scott did against Darren and coming back…"

Hope didn't respond for a few moments, her eyes on the blueprints and then on her father.

"Do you really think this is possible?" She quietly asked.

Hank grunted, clenching his jaw, leaning on the table with an intense focus in his eyes.

"We won't know unless we try." He declared in determination, turning to his daughter. "Hope-"

She let out a withering sigh followed by a loving smile. "Yeah, I know. Let's do this together."

-Scene Cut-

This was a moment he had been waiting to do for a long time now. It was this feeling he had in the back of his mind but it was always dormant as he had always had his time preoccupied with more pressing matters.

Yet now, after being over a year away from home, it was high time he breathed the air of his native home.

Standing side by side with his beloved sister, T'Challa, the prince and future King of Wakanda glanced back to the large collection of overgrown walking carpets. In front of them stood a woman with red hair, red eyes, wearing a form-fitting corset that… emphasized her womanly figure with a hood/cape combo.

They all resided within a specially made ship meant to hold all of them since their group was so large. Their number was near fifty though there were far more back on Kashyyyk that would soon be brought here as well.

The ramp soon opened to reveal an astonishing city of futuristic technology that appeared ancient in design to reflect the traditions of the past.

T'Challa walked forward with Shuri whilst the other occupants of the ships stayed back, soaking in the sight.

"Welcome, my friends, to Wakanda."

The Wookie tribe sworn to him looked on in awe at the sight of the city that has stood for thousands of years now.

Slowly, they all walked out of the ship and their wonder grew.

"You certainly know how to make an impression." The hooded woman teased.

"We have a lot to show off, Lai." Shuri smugly said.

Ros Lai shook her head in amusement at the princess, turning to the prince of Wakanda.

"So, that's one promise fulfilled." She stated with T'Challa smirking at her. "I guess it'll soon be my turn to return the favor."

"Son."

Both brother and sister turned to see several familiar faces that made the siblings smile widely.

"Father." T'Challa greeted warmly and T'Chaka walked up to his son, the pair embracing tightly.

Right next to them, Ramonda, the wife and queen quickly moved to hug her daughter.

"You two," She muttered to herself, slight tears in her eyes. "You enjoy giving this mother grief, don't you?"

"It's not like we do it intentionally, mother." Shuri said good-naturedly. "The world and galaxy aren't going to save themselves."

Queen Ramonda jokingly scoffed, pulling away from her daughter to face her eldest and tears now openly trailed down her cheeks.

"My boy." She tearfully said.

T'Challa said nothing, simply wrapping his arms around her whilst his mother clung to him, whispering in Wakandan the relief and love she held for him.

"Must you give this aging mother such concerns?" She said with a tearful laugh.

"I would never do so intentionally, mother." T'Challa replied, getting a faux-scoff of irritation from his mother.

"Try not to make it a habit, my prince."

"And miss the chance to make you fret, general?" The Prince remarked, shooting a mocking grin at Okoye who rolled her eyes at the heir yet smiled all the same.

The smile faltered at the sight of the Wookies who now moved to stand behind the Black Panther.

"Oh my." Ramonda said in surprise.

"Bast above, you've been busy, my son." T'Chaka remarked.

"More than you would realize, your highness." Ros Lai spoke up, gaining the attention of the King and Queen.

Both gave her an inquisitive and intrigued look.

To them, despite just meeting a Wookie tribe, she appeared the most out of place.

Their son was quick to stand by her, hand on her shoulder.

"Baba, this is Ros Lai." T'Challa said, gesturing to her. "One of the clan leaders of the planet Dathomir. Ros Lai, this is my father, King T'Chaka. And this is my mother, Queen Ramonda."

"A pleasure to meet you both." Ros Lai greeted with a serene smile, bowing forward. "I have heard much about you from your children. It is an honor to finally meet you after they had been talking you both up for so long."

"The honor is ours." T'Chaka graciously greeted. "Apologies for being unprepared for a clan leader from another planet."

"Pleasantries are unnecessary in that matter." Lai generously said. "I am here to take in the splendor of Wakanda that Shuri and T'Challa had been boasting about for so long."

"Then I hope we live up to the expectations set by our children." Ramonda kindly said.

Their attention shifted back to the Wookies who were patiently waiting.

"And this," T'Challa now beheld a wide grin. "Is the Wookie tribe known as the-" He made a sound that was a rough comparison to how a Wookie would sound, much to his parent's bewilderment, "Otherwise known as the tree singers of Kashyyyk. They have pledged themselves to me and the Golden tribe of Wakanda."

"Truly?" T'Chaka said in surprise. "I knew of visitors but you didn't mention this."

"Call it a surprise." The prince cheekily said. "Rafwarren and his tribe gave me refuge and a place to call home for a short time and taught me their ways and the ways of the galaxy. I have earned their trust and I seek to return the favor. Chieftain Tarful would have come had he not had his own responsibilities on Kashyyyk."

"Well then," T'Chaka raised his head, straightening himself out with his wife doing the same as the pair stood in front of the lead Wookie. "On behalf of the people of this nation, I, King T'Chaka with my queen welcome you, new friends of Wakanda to our home."

Rafwarren let out a jovial growl, pulling T'Chaka and Ramonda into a tight hug, getting yelps of surprise followed by laughter.

Okoye gave a bemused look at this interaction, unable to withhold the snort as the Wookie lifted the king and queen and spun them around as if they were children.

"So… a new tribe, my prince?" The leader of the Dora-Milaje questioned with a raised brow.

"I had to do something as the future king if I wish to make my mark on history." T'Challa casually said.

"I'm fairly certain you and the Princess have done so already." She dryly said, Shuri puffing her chest out in pride.

"Well, when you've saved not only the world but an entire galaxy-"

"You need to learn to keep your ego in check." Okoye quickly cut her off. "You can save a planet but a kitchen appears to be your downfall."

"Ah come on, Okoye, let me have this." Shuri whined. "Clint always does the same."

"All the more power to him."

"I haven't even burned anything in the kitchen."

"Yes, explosions seem to have replaced raging fires."

Shuri raged at this from the side whilst Okoye observed the Wookies who were speaking with the King and Queen. To Okoye, she could only hear warbles, roars, whines and grunts yet to T'Challa, he could understand them clearly and concisely.

"How do they understand what they are saying?" Okoye questioned, turning to the prince. "Do you?"

"The kimoyo beads that my parents wear have a frequency akin to the ones the Wookies have with them, creating a natural translation application between them." Shuri quickly chimed in. "Some of the technology from the other galaxy is what helped in this advancement. I just have to apply it to the rest of Wakanda. But T'Challa doesn't need it."

Okoye now appeared even more surprised. "So you can understand them without needing a translator?"

"It took some time but," T'Challa held a pondering expression. "I am unsure as to the when and how but I started to learn the way they speak, how they convey things. It just became so clear to me and I find myself asking how that came to be."

"Sometimes, people can just pick up on the language." Spoke a familiar voice, the trio turned to see Ros Lai standing by them now.

"Hello," The Dathomiri witch pleasantly greeted the Dora-Milaje leader. "You must be Okoye. T'Challa and Shuri have spoken a great deal about you already."

Okoye gave a stoic nod, making T'Challa roll his eyes.

"You're supposed to say, a pleasure to meet you too." Shuri dryly added on. "She is a guest here. And one who is here to help."

"Help?" Okoye suspiciously said. "With what?"

"Connecting more with our roots." Shuri cheekily said.

Okoye had an unamused look in response when she heard a warbling laugh, turning back to see the King chuckling at something one of the Wookies said.

"And how is he -let alone us- able to understand them?"

"Translators, remember?" Shuri gestured to the kimoyo beads on her wrist. "Over time, it takes a while to know their way of speaking."

Okoye frowned in thought as one of the Wookies, the one called Rafwarren pulled out an intricate blade and held it out for T'Chaka to take.

The King graciously accepted and in turn, a nearby servant was quick to appear by the monarch's side with a beautifully woven robe that T'Chaka gave to him in return. Upon unfurling it, the Wookie inspects it before folding it up and giving the Wakandan a curt bow.

"They are known as the tree people, back in their home world of Kashyyyk." Lai explained to Okoye, the woman slightly jolting at her words.

"I… didn't ask anything." She awkwardly said.

"No, but I can sense you were thinking it." The Dathomiri said with a shrug. "It's written all over your face."

The Wookies were soon surrounded by the citizens of Wakanda, all looking and speaking with them in open wonder.

To think their lost prince would return with an alien tribe from another galaxy as the newest clan to join the people of their kingdom was certainly not what they were expecting. The Princess joining the Avengers was already one that caused a commotion, this was a literal history-making moment for their nation.

"WIth their cultural disposition, they will surely give M'Baku and his people a run for their money." Shuri stated.

"Which they'll enjoy full-heartedly," T'Challa stated. "Maybe then they'll come down from their mountains."

Okoye scoffed at that. "Like that is possible."

T'Challa held a more pensive expression. "Anything is possible." He then snorted. "Of course, we need to be sure to tell our people to be careful around them when it comes to games."

The Dora-Milaje leader glanced at him inquisitively. "Why?"

Lai was quick to realize what he was referring to. "Ah yes, Wookies, if believing their opponent is cheating, they tend to rip off the limbs of non-Wookies."

"...You must be joking."

"I have seen it once or twice." T'Challa said with a slight grimace. "It is… not pretty."

Their conversation came to an end when T'Chaka and Ramonda came over to them with Rafwarren.

"You aren't even King and already, the people of Wakanda shall remember your name for generations to come, my son." The King said, a look of pride on his face. "Some might be opposed to our newest tribe but I know you wouldn't just accept any to join our people. The Wookies of Kashyyyk shall be a welcomed addition to our people."

"I thank you father." T'Challa said with a bow.

Soon, the large group moved into the main "palace" of the city being its tallest building where festivities were being prepared for the returning Prince and Princess. Sure, the latter came and went from Wakanda but since they had both returned after an apparent momentous battle in the stars, a proper celebration was in order.

All the tribes, their leaders and practically all of Wakanda had joined in the festivities, the addition of the Wookies becoming a highlight as they showed off their cultures, stunning strength and athleticism, their technological brilliance, language, customs, all of it and in return, the walking carpets were taking their first steps of integration into their new home.

Ros Lai interacted here and there but opted to either remain close to T'Challa and Shuri or keep to herself and watch the celebration, taking in the sights to herself.

Observing all this was the royal family, a wide smile on the face of the King.

"Ah, my children." T'Chaka mused, shaking his head at them both. "When Bast foretold me of the great changes you two would bring about, I would never have anticipated this."

Shuri only held up her head with a smug smile, one that was quickly removed when her mother pulled her by her chin to show some modesty.

"Mother." Shuri complained, rubbing her chin.

The Queen only gave her a half-reprimanding and half-amused glare. "Why can't you be more like your brother?"

"Because I'm not going to be king, duh." Shuri retorted, getting a flick to her forehead for good measure. "You know it's true."

T'Chaka and T'Challa chuckled at this, the former shaking his head before humming contentedly.

"Ah, to be reunited as a family once more." The King said with clear happiness in his tone and heart. "You two have been so busy saving another galaxy, I feared the worst and thought we would never have something like this again."

The crown prince's smile lessens slightly. Stray, uncomfortable thoughts began surfacing.

'Family.' He mentally thought. 'Family…'

"Baba, we need to talk." T'Challa says lowly, gaining his father's attention. "Privately."

The king frowned at his son's words but noting the seriousness his eyes conveyed he was quick to stand.

T'Challa gave an apologetic look to his mother followed by a piercing, knowing look at his sister.

Shuri realized just what her brother was about to speak of with her father, her face conveying trepidation, anxiousness and acceptance.

Her expression morphed into a pained one, nodding for her brother to go on with their father whilst she kept her mother company.

Ramonda appeared to sense this silent conversation, looking between her two children just as her husband and son walked away. Out of earshot, T'Challa heard his mother ask what was wrong and his sister's uncomfortable response that they would explain it all in due time.

T'Challa soon took the lead, guiding his father into an isolated hallway. The Black Panther utilized his enhanced senses, making sure no one was around them and when he sensed none, he turned to his father.

"Son," T'Chaka spoke first, a slightly concerned tone for him to hear. "What is it? Is there something wrong?"

The crown Prince said nothing, instead, first looking around at the hallway, one of many he grew up running through, pretending to be what would eventually be the mantle he now carries today. He took that moment to himself before addressing his father.

"You know that when I was away, I was blessed with the presence of Bast in a place called Mortis." T'Chaka nodded, remembering such a tale and being astonished that their Goddess would be able to reach out to his son in a completely different galaxy and plane of existence. "But what I didn't tell you was in that time, I met someone else upon her insistence. Someone I never knew but only heard stories of. Not many but enough to get an idea of him, at least."

His father appeared confused but remained silent as he waited for his son to further expand upon just what or rather who he was talking about.

T'Challa slowly turned to meet his father's eyes, a pained look with a glossy layer.

"I met Uncle N'Jobu."

Upon hearing the name of his deceased brother, the King of Wakanda inhaled sharply, eyes widening with his mouth opening slightly.

"You-"

"Mortis is a special place." T'Challa interrupted him. "A nexus in the universe where a manner of planes, realities and possibilities can all simultaneously converge upon, distinct to each person who goes there."

The King's expression fell, his heart feeling the pain of old scars begin to open up.

In his eyes, memories began to flash before them of that night.

That night.

Though his fingers were armored, he felt a phantom feeling of a warm liquid upon them and he clenched his right hand tightly.

"What did…" T'Chaka was unable to finish that question as in his heart, he already knew that more than likely, his brother spoke to his son about everything.

"We spoke of many things." T'Challa's tone was distant. "But… there are many regrets he shared with me. His ideals and beliefs that got him killed. Yet… yet I can't help but agree with him. Not in his methods but the ideals." He now glanced at his father. "Wakanda has been closed off for far too long. We have turned our backs on the world and prided ourselves on our advancements whilst war after war, conflict, famine, plagues and more tore apart civilizations. I have always known that one day, I would be king but if I am to follow the footsteps of the past rulers, would I be making the same mistakes as they did?"

"Son…"

"I have found a purpose with my friends, with the Avengers." The Black Panther resolutely said. "And I shall continue to be a part of them until I can no longer do so."

It was then that he fully turned to face his father.

"I have one question which Shuri wishes to know as well." T'Challa says with a pleading look, seeing the slight jolt in his father's posture at the unspoken message of Shuri knowing this as well. "Why did you not bring our cousin home?"

His father said nothing, a palpable and tense silence permeating between the two as the King turned away from his son.

-Scene Cut-

-Several Days later-

"We've been trying to keep the ceasefire going and we've been successful so far. But you guys should know that both sides have those who are ready to take up arms again."

"It appears that now that there is no unifying force, old hostilities are quick to resume." Obi-Wan Kenobi commented with a deep frown.

"Anything we can do, Padme?" Anakin asked his secret wife with her giving him a regretful look.

"If only." The Naboo Senator stated. "Old wounds still exist and aren't so easily patched up."

"Well, this is all political jargon so why not bribery and blackmail?" Tony Stark suggested. "That always works."

"Or a good show of force." Thor tacked on, lightning crackling around Mjolnir.

"Guys, seriously?" Steve remarked with a withering look.

"They're not wrong, Steve." Natasha commented, Clint giving a neutral shrug for his stance.

"Not helping."

"It appears that the political side of things is at a standstill." The deep, baritone voice of Plo-Koon. "Perhaps we can discuss something where we have some good news at least."

"Indeed." Luminara softly concurred, turning to the two Sorcerers in attendance at this makeshift meeting. "Master Strange, Master Mordo, I believe you told us that you have made some discoveries of the Infinity Gates."

"So I don't count then?" Tony rhetorically said.

"Jane is the one who did more work than you." Thor casually bragged, wrapping an arm around his now bashful girlfriend who had also been dragged into this meeting.

"Indeed she has." Stephen Strange spoke up, gesturing his hand to her. "Doctor Foster, if you would."

Now feeling a bit put on the spot, Jane quickly cleared her throat as she stepped forward. Pulling out a specially made techpad, a holo-image of the Infinity Gate was soon brought up.

"We've been making some breakthroughs with the gates." The astrophysicist began, quickly bringing up additional data and details. "We've managed to isolate several possible energy fluctuations that can be replicated in allowing us to build more of these and reactivate old ones."

"Tython holds a whole host of knowledge that can help us get a better grasp of those gateways in more ways than one." Mordo stated with the Jedi in the room all nodding.

"Any signs of where others are located?" Aayla Secura asked.

"With the scans we recorded from the one on Earth, we have knowledge of a number of them." Strange answered. "We just need to know their whereabouts on the planets' surfaces. After that, we must get a proper assessment of their conditions."

"After which, we can determine how much repairs need to be done while being transported to new locations of whatever you may desire." Jane stated with a more excited grin.

"And how soon we can begin to replicate them." Tony finished off.

Grandmaster Yoda released a loud, satisfied hum, tapping his cane on the ground with approval.

"Good, very good." The aged Grandmaster complimented. "Much thanks, give you, we must. "Indellible debt, we now have."

"Oh? Debt you say?" Stark's eyes glimmered. "Well then, how's about you start off with a good section of your templ-"

"Tony." Rhodey, Steve and Natasha all said in unison, cutting off the billionaire.

"What? He gave me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"We're not here to play Godfather, Tony." Rhodey curtly told his best friend.

Tony put on an aghast face, gesturing to his closest friend. "Look at how they massacred my boy. Back then, he would have jumped at these chances."

"No I wouldn't have." Rhodey dryly retorted.

"What have you found in regards to the Infinity Gate locations." Plo Koon spoke up, ignoring the ramblings of the armored Avenger.

"Celeste told us that the likely places to start are locations where the Force is strong." Mordo said, recalling that earlier conversation. "So we have a list of places to check."

"Ossus, Kashyyyk, Ryloth, several others that we can investigate with the Jedi Order." Stephen stated. "A combined effort will make the process easier."

"And I believe Shuri and Hank mentioned replication of the gates can soon be done." Karl said with a pleased expression. "We shall need locations that best fit new gates once built."

"We're also studying on how to downsize it and make it portable." Jane tacked on with an excited glimmer in her eyes.

"Downsize it?" Anakin, Obi-Wan and Aayla all said in unison, surprise evident on her face.

"How?" Plo asked on behalf of all those curious.

"Not being the size of a large wall, for starters." Tony said, thumbing to the closest wall he stood next to.

"It's a mixture of things." Jane stated. "A few years back, there was the Convergence -long story- and that was the first time I ever tampered with something like instantaneous transportation. Then there's Strange and Mordo with their sling rings and Doctor Pym's understanding of the Quantum realm and technology, we can have a working miniaturized version of the Infinity Gate that can slide right on just like a sling ring."

"Goodness," Obi-Wan murmured in clear astonishment, a sentiment shared by the other Jedi.

"You truly are something special, Doctor Foster." Luminara complimented with an admiring smile.

"Oh stop it," Jane waved off, blushing at the praise, making her boyfriend smile at her. "It's a team effort."

"That's right," Tony casually said. "Adoration and compliments have to be divided up properly."

"You'll get the twelve percent this time." War Machine chimed in before his best friend could say anything else.

Captain America smirked in amusement at all this, turning to the Jedi Grandmaster.

"What of your Order, Master Yoda?" Steve inquired. "I know that you guys have been busy after finding Tython."

"Yes, yes, much there is still to do." Yoda said in his sage voice. "Much to learn, to rediscover, to reconnect. Speak with Celeste, more to discuss there is. Jedi cannot remain stagnant, no."

"There's still that Sith guy who's in hiding." Clint brought up.

"Plus the removal of the control chips from the clones." Natasha added on.

At the mention of the chips, Plo and Yoda, who had been recently informed of this development, shifted in place with a clear discomfort evident to see. The fact that the men who have so loyally followed the Jedi into battle and died by the millions could have their brains switched off and mindlessly obey any order to the letter was startling, troubling and disturbing.

They, like those who were aware of these chips, vowed to see how they could help get these inhibitor chips out of the heads of their troopers.

"A lot that we still have to do." Anakin grimaced, arms crossed.

"Come now, Anakin," Obi-Wan chided in a humorous manner. "You should remember that I taught you that the work of a Jedi is never over."

"And forgetting it will never leave me."

Padme smiled at her husband's behavior, amused by it before turning back to the group.

"I'll continue to do what I can with the other Senators from both sides and Satine and the neutral parties aligned with the Mandalorians. See if we can turn this ceasefire into a proper peace."

"Shouldn't finding this Sith guy be a top priority." Tony voiced his belief. "I mean, not for nothin but we had our Sith moment being an insider with HYDRA back on Earth and Cap and Nat had that handled. This is a galaxy, so… stakes are bigger, aren't they?"

"One step at a time." Obi-wan advised. "I understand there is a great deal of trepidation and anxiety but the galaxy just survived Ultron."

"This hidden Sith Lord must be found but not at the expense of forgetting our duty to the rest of the galaxy." Luminara quietly said, tone brokering no argument.

"Divided responsibilities, will be." Yoda hummed, tapping his cane on the ground again. "To find this Dark Lord, our responsibility is."

The Grandmaster then glanced up at Captain America, locking eyes with him.

"Much done, your team has." The Jedi slowly said. "Know this isn't your problem-"

"It is." Steve instantly cut him off, shaking his head. "Ultron was our responsibility. Our fault. We failed to take him out the last time and he came here, wreaking havoc on innocent lives. Your entire Order, the clones, the people of this galaxy suffered because of our failure to put him down the last time. You helped us. Therefore, we're gonna help you whenever you come calling."

Yoda studied the good Captain's face, eyes drifting over to the other Avengers present, seeing their resolute expressions and he smiled.

"Then thank you, I do, Captain Rogers. All of you."

The makeshift meeting didn't last for much longer, a few topics touched on here and there before the group began splitting off into small groups for themselves.

Of them were Clint and Natasha, returning to the HQ on Coruscant where they went to the latters room.

In said room was a bed and by that bed was a crib where an awake Mara Jade was standing in, awaiting the return of her mother.

"Hey munchkin," Romanoff cooed happily, scooping up the child into her hands, the baby laughing in delight. "Did you miss me?"

"Mmmma." Was her adopted daughter's responses, taking strands of Nat's bright red hair into her tiny hands.

"She always knows when you're coming." Clint noted, going up to gently rub the baby's cheek, tickling little Mara. "Is this that Force thing?"

"I dunno." Nat admitted, swaying as she held her daughter close. "We're devoid of the Force so… maybe it's something else."

"Or maybe she's adapting." Barton contemplated aloud. "The other Jedi talk about you guys being devoid and all but Mara's a kid who spends every day around people like us. Would explain why she's always waiting and ready for you even if she's sleepy."

"So she's already adapting." The Black Widow stated more than asked.

Mara giggled at her mom, Natasha giving her a loving smile in return when the toddler's eyes began to droop.

"Speaking of sleepy." The Avenger quietly says.

Adjusting her hold, the red-haired Avenger placed Mara entirely against her, hand behind the child's head. Gently, she began to rock around, singing an old Russian song meant for kids before they go to sleep.

Mara Jade dozed off in her mother's arms and Nat released a shaky sigh.

Clint frowned in concern at his friend's change in demeanor.

"Nat?" He softly said, hand raised, hovering over her free shoulder.

Wordlessly, she looked at her best friend with a tear in her eye, one that conveyed both pain and joy.

"You know, even after what they did to me, I always thought about it." Natasha spoke in a hushed tone, holding the sleeping Mara Jade with all the love and gentleness she had. "About having," She tenderly kissed her daughter's temple. "This. I knew it was a pipe dream but…"

Her lip trembled, leaning her head against her adopted child.

"Coming here," She shook, tears now freely streaming down her face. "Finding Mara…"

Clint said nothing, instead moving to wrap his arms around her and Mara, rubbing her back and telling her that everything was gonna be ok.

"The universe can sometimes grant you these things." Barton quietly said. "A different way to get a chance that was taken from you."

Natasha sniffled, shooting her friend an appreciative smile.

"Thanks, Clint." She slightly croaked, yet the warmth in her voice was felt all the same by her closest friend.

Hawkeye smiled at her, a pondering look now appearing. "Ya know~ my farm's got a lot of land to spare. Ever thought about setting up a small place for yourself there with you and Mara? Would be nice for the kids that their auntie Nat will be around more often with their new cousin."

Natasha had a shaky grin at that proposition. "I may just take you up on that offer."

Elsewhere, at the same time, another pair of individuals were having a post-meeting of sorts.

At a newly established workshop, Tony was personally doing some fine-tuning on one of his Iron Man suits. Friday was giving him some assistance on the digital front, but he prefers doing adjustments and maintenance by hand on occasion.

He wasn't alone in all this as he had an unexpected guest.

"Something you need, Skyguy?"

There was a grunt heard in response. "That name's exclusive to my padawan."

"Sure it is." Says Tony, still not turning his attention fully to the Jedi Knight. "You still didn't answer my question."

Anakin shrugged. "Call me curious. I've been hearing a lot about you for a long time. Seen how you are, yeah, but I'm more of a one-on-one type of guy when it comes to people like you."

Tony narrowed his eyes in faux-suspicion. "People like me?"

There was a beat of silence when Anakin moved to reveal his mechanical arm.

"I know a fellow tinkerer when I see one." Skywalker stated, a wide smirk in place.

Tony's eyes widened and his expression brightened.

"Oh~ a tinkerer you say? The others never mentioned that." Tony stated.

"Wouldn't have had time to, I imagine. What with the genocidal droid trying to kill us all and such."

"Yeah, that would be a time-killer." Stark mused to himself, getting a snort out of the Jedi. "So, you say you're a tinkerer like me."

The Jedi Knight nodded. "The other Avengers told me all about you but Scott and Peter hyped you up the most being similar bedfellows."

Stark 'hmphed', a wry grin in place now. "And I would be insulted if they didn't."

"Easy to assume since they talked up your self-made armor." Anakin remarked, pacing around Tony's workstation to glance at the numerous armor pieces strewn about. "So you built this all in a cave, eh?"

"My prototype, yes." Tony casually said. "And what about you, supposed fellow tinkerer?"

"Droids mostly and other gadgets but you should have seen the pod racer I built when I was a kid." Anakin reminiscently said.

"You built your own pod racer as a kid?"

"Yup."

"And~~ what is a pod racer?"

"In the name. Pod racer. A Repulsorlift vehicle retrofitted and designed for racing in the roughest of terrains."

"I take it these… Pod races can get heated."

"In more ways than one. If a ship doesn't crash or blow up, it won't be as entertaining." Anakin dryly said.

"Ah, deathrace in space, got it." Tony shot Anakin a peculiar look. "You wouldn't have a space Statham, would you?"

"I don't even know who you're referring to. Another Earth person?"

"So his clone has yet to be found, got it." Tony said, more to himself than Anakin. "Still time to find more."

Had it been two years ago, Anakin would have brushed off the comment and such a notion. Now though, after seeing what he's seen and the doppelgangers that exist… He's learned to keep a mind far more open than most Jedi have been trained to have.

Anakin leaned against a nearby table, arms crossed with a cocky, challenging look.

"Alright Mr. Genius philanthropist." He saw Stark quirk his eyebrow. "What did you build when you were still waddling around?"

"I built my first circuit board when I was four. At six, my first engine."

"Aw~~ ain't that cute." Anakin jokingly mocked.

"You say cute, given how advanced things were on your end. On mine, it was impressive back then. Besides, your tech… is easy as hell to figure out."

"Oh is it now?"

"Hey, have you created a new element in the universe?" Tony challenged with a puff of his chest. "No, no, I don't think so. Just a glowstick for a rave and a few zoom zoom cars that crash and burn at the end of it all."

Anakin glared at the billionaire with Stark returning the favor when they both snorted, devolving into a small laughing fit.

"So what are ya working on right now?" Anakin inquired, glancing at all the armor pieces, schematics and all. "Some upgrades?"

"Just maintenance." Tony replied, holding up an armpiece, nodding in satisfaction. "Got some bigger projects in mind."

Anakin dwelled on this statement, a lightbulb flickering on in his head. "Yeah, Peter talked about it recently with me. Something about an Astro Carrier, right?"

"That's right." Tony glanced at him again. "More curiosities?"

The Chosen One now held a more cocky attitude. "Well I am considered the best pilot in the galaxy."

"Does that involve a lot of crashing?" The billionaire wryly retorted. "Cuz, guys like that have a crash-flight ratio leaning more on the former."

"Oh please, like you haven't had that happen to you."

Tony pointed his welding torch at him. "Point. Still, you got a lot of knowledge on ships, I take it."

Anakin shrugged, picking up a few gadgets and began fiddling with them, taking them apart and remodeling them into something else. "I dabble in ship designs every so often when I'm not focused on the war or my life as a Jedi."

"Your little mind drainage, huh." Stark states. "Any particular reason why?"

The Jedi Knight hummed, adjusting several pieces to come together. "None that comes to mind. Just to pass the time."

"Ever consider ship designing as a part-time job?" Tony threw out there, Anakin making a face with one eye closed.

"Job market wouldn't be great."

"So you say. Pretty sure a war means that a lot of ships need repairs."

Skywalker bobbed his head to the side. "Point. But I'm a Jedi, so I already have my hands full."

Tony hummed at that. "So…"

"So what?"

Stark gave him an expectant look. "You in or out?"

"Out of what?"

Iron Man rolled his eyes. "Are you gonna help with the Astro Carrier or what? You're a ship expert, right? Can't exactly build a ship like that on my own. Well, technically, I can. Iron Legion and all but where's the fun in that?"

"You really can't help but ramble, can't you?" Anakin deadpanned.

"Of course, I have to." Tony gestured to his head. "Got a verbalize all that's in hear otherwise my brain will explode."

"Maybe some Jedi Meditation is in order." Anakin said, a smirk of irony at him of all people offering such advice.

Meditation was never his forte despite his usage of it.

And it seemed this detail was not missed on one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

"Yeah right," Stark snorted. "You don't even believe in that nonsense."

The brown-haired let out a small 'hmph' and grinned. "It has its uses."

As he said this, he set down a newly created miniature starfighter from the gadgets and gizmos he been tinkering with.

"Alright then," Anakin clapped his hands together in anticipation. "Let's talk about this Astro Carrier you've been cooking up."

Tony grinned and brought up multiple schematics, blueprints and layouts of the ship, the pair diving right into it.

-Several hours later-

Steve Rogers stood on the balcony of his own room on Coruscant, night having descended upon the planet.

He wore nothing save for a pair of light, white pants, standing barefoot and without a shirt on, leaning on the railing of the balcony to take in a deep breath.

The scenery wasn't ideal. Coruscant was still recovering from Ultron's original onslaught on top of his last one and it'll be some time until it returns to normal. Even then, Steve would prefer seeing something else in a situation such as this. Something more calming and relaxing.

There was a solemn air to the good captain broken by the sound of soft footsteps coming from behind. He didn't need to turn back to see who it was as a pair of slender blue arms wrapped themselves around his muscular chest and he felt soft lips on the back of his shoulder.

"Still awake, I see." Aayla Secura whispered, wearing one of his shirts that did well in covering her entire body.

In an instant, that desire for calm and wanting to feel relaxed came over him as soon as he felt Aayla's body against his.

His hand moved up to grasp both of hers, holding them softly.

"Just… a lot on my mind." He replied in a low voice.

His Twi'lek lover moved around to duck underneath his arms to stand in front of him, leaning back into his broad chest and taking his arms and placing them around her.

She snuggled into him and he gently moved his arms, almost engulfing her though she appeared to bask in the gesture. He kissed the top of her head, between her lekku, sending a satisfying shiver of pleasure down her spine.

"What's on your mind?" Aayla asked, rubbing her forehead against one of his biceps affectionately.

"Like I said, a lot." He said with a long sigh. "That meeting we had earlier with everyone… frankly all the meetings that've been taking place lately. Feels like that's all we've been doing. Just talking and not doing enough."

"What can we be doing?" Aayla inquired in genuine curiosity.

"I dunno," Steve admitted. "Clean up more, helps with repairs, just… something."

Secura hummed, tilting her head up to kiss his chin. "You're getting anxious."

"Yeah, I guess I am." Steve said without a second of hesitation. "We've done so much but still, there's a lot left that we need to handle." He let out a dry chuckle. "Always told the Howling Commandos that reprieves are a godsend and all and now look at me. All jittery and antsy."

"You don't feel antsy."

Steve felt corny with what he was about to say but hey, he's an old-fashioned type of guy.

"Not when you're with me."

Those words made Aayla's body tremble, heat swelling from within whilst her toes and lekku curled, the Twi'lek biting her lip.

"Steve~~" She playfully whined. "You go saying stuff like that and I know I won't stop myself."

"Maybe that's the plan." Rogers huskily said, enjoying the reaction he was getting out of her.

"I came out here to see if you were alright." Aayla faux-complained petulantly. "Now you're driving me crazy."

Steve laughed, pulling her close and nuzzling her cheek. "Was never really a womanizer like Bucky but I picked up a trick or two. Glad to see it working."

"Womanizer, eh? So am I just a conquest that you've long worked at?"

Steve put on a deadly serious face. "Unfortunately so."

Aayla laughed at the expression, the Brooklyn-born super soldier breaking his facade a moment later.

She turned in his arms, facing him entirely, keeping his arms around her as she enjoyed the warmth they gave off.

"Come now, Steve." Her voice was soft and kind. "What's troubling you?"

He gave her a look. "I already told you."

"That was just a broad matter." Aayla said, shaking her head. "Is there something specific bothering you?"

He wasn't sure if he could find an answer when he recalled a peculiar sensation he had recently experienced a few times since the end of Ultron.

"Home." He abruptly said, his lover tilting her head to the side, a silent expression of 'what do you mean?'.

"Been back to Earth a few times and… it feels so strange." Steve showed a clearly troubled face. "There's a part of me that always calls Earth home. But a few years ago, the Earth I knew was not the one I remembered when I went into the ice."

Aayla frowned, momentarily thrown off by this… sudden foreign yet familiar feeling. She didn't dwell on it as her attention was solely focused on her lover.

Steve released a hollow laugh. "I tried to throw myself into it, thinking I could still find my place in it and for a while, I did. The Avengers. In so many ways, they still are. They've become my new family, my friends and they give me purpose."

"But now?"

"They still do. Always do."

"Yet your mind is on Earth?" Aayla said, wanting to be sure.

"It's complicated." Rogers said, sighing with a tinge of frustration. "Earth is home and in so many ways now, it isn't. Even more so now."

Aayla moved her hand, placing it over his chest, feeling the strong rhythmic heartbeat of the man she fell in love with and closed her eyes.

"Close your eyes Steve," She quietly instructed. "And just… focus."

He gazed at her quizzically for a few seconds but obliged.

Feeling that he followed her instructions, Secura placed her other hand on the side of his cheek.

"Let all your memories, all your thoughts flow freely through you, Steve. Think of it as a river, going with the current. Let it take you where you need it, my love. You will find answers along the way."

Steve did as she told, recalling multiple memories, trying to figure out how to do it like a "river" as Aayla said. It was a jumbled mess for a few moments until… slowly… he felt… a series of "images" beginning to flow… freely through his perspective.

It all started back when he was still in his time period, spending time with Bucky, going into art school before the war started. It shifted into the war, his time leading the commandos, losing Buck, that one and only kiss he had with Peggy when he went into the ice, awakening to a brand new world.

Then came all the events leading up to the formation of the Avengers, followed by the dissolvement of SHIELD, making the Avengers the foremost protectors of Earth.

Their battles against a resurgent HYDRA, the first Age of Ultron, the reshuffling of the team and then arriving here.

The war they threw themselves into, the second Age of Ultron and…

And her.

He slowly opened his eyes, staring intently into the Jedi Knight in his arms.

"Home." Steve said. "I guess, no, I want a place to call home. I lost what I once knew and I tried to tell myself the guy who wanted that sort of thing went into the ice. But…"

"It's still there," Aayla murmured sympathetically, now cupping his face with both her hands. "Oh, Steve. You carry a burden upon you few should do so."

Rogers released a strained chuckle as he collected his thoughts.

"It's been a long time. For the longest, I just… couldn't let go." He admitted to himself. "I had my heart set in one place. A place that the world had moved on from. A distant memory. But then I met you."

At that, that damned warm feeling bloomed in Aayla's chest as she smiled lovingly at him.

"There you go again." She teased. "Making a woman's heart flutter and her knees all wobbly."

"My deepest of apologies." Steve laid on the gentlemanly hamminess. "Whatever shall I do to endeavor your pardon, my fair lady."

Aayla giggled at his words and without warning, jumped up.

It was thanks to Steve's reflexes that he caught her in a bridal carry, the Twi'lek wrapping her arms around him.

"I've wanted to do this since I've seen this so many times in all those shows and films you've all shown me."

"Glad I can oblige." He said, holding her close.

She giggled once more and pulled him in for a deep, loving kiss, one which he gladly reciprocated. They pulled away after a few moments, foreheads leaning against each other.

"I don't know what's to come in the future, my love," Secura murmured. "And I know that we're still new to all this but… we'll figure everything out together. Who knows, maybe we can make a home for ourselves eventually. One on Earth, here, Tython, we have a whole galaxy of real estate to choose from."

"Sounds like quite the adventure." Steve remarked. "Count me in."

"Good, now," She pointed over his shoulder. "Onwards to our resting place."

"Yes ma'am."

The couple soon were back on Steve's bed, the super soldier pulling the blanket over them both with Aayla practically laying her entire body atop his. Not that he minded.

By this point, whenever Aayla had the chance to sleep over with Steve without arousing suspicions from the Jedi Temple, she always slept like this. It didn't both Steve as he felt her body fitted well against his and preferred it this way. Most optimal way to hold her close other than from the side.

"I love you, Aayla Secura. And I'll fight to be with you until the end." He drowsily said, sleep slowly coming over him.

Upon hearing those words, Aayla Secura felt them in her heart, body and soul.

This sensation had been growing for some time but it had grown exponentially since the Jedi re-discovered Tython. She didn't know how to explain it but this feeling, this intense emotion she felt whenever she was with Steve or even thought of him… it reminded her greatly of the Force-Bond she has with her old Masters Vos, Tholme and Saa.

Only this one was far more intense, more deep-seated and as though it had ingrained itself into her very being.

Was it… could it be… it couldn't… could it?

She shook her head, placing a tender kiss upon Steve one last time before she too began drifting off. She'll ask her old masters later on.

"And I love you, Steve Rogers. May the Force guide us together through our coming trials and tribulations."

AN

And there we go, another chapter completed.

This was exclusively character-focused and frankly, these are my favorite types of chapters to write outside of the crazy action set pieces and the big-time scenes I've been dying to do for ages.

Honestly, that's gonna be a lot of the coming arcs for this season, heavy character focus. Yeah, plot progression is still gonna happen but the predominant focus will be on character progression. We've had a lot of that interspersed throughout the story arcs and such but a lot will be concentrated on the reflection, development, future and relationships of the characters. Focusing on established dynamics while setting up many, many new ones.

It's honestly something I am really excited for because character pieces are engaging challenges that really test our abilities as writers on top of the many interactions, scenes and concepts the three of us have been developing finally starting to take root.

Now if only Fanfiction can stop being a fucking brain-dead, headless chicken and fix its notifications without other problems happening, maybe things would be a tad bit better.

But other than that, thanks again for reading folks. Till next time.

Rate Read and Review and As Always Have Nice Day.

And to all you wrestling fans out there, Cody Rhodes finished his story. Fuck yeah.