Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“This is the Asgardian refugee vessel Statesman. We are under assault. I repeat, we are under assault. The engines are dead, life support failing. Requesting aid from any vessel within range. We are 22 jump points out of Asgard. Our crew is made up of Asgardian families. We have very few soldiers here. This is not a warcraft. I repeat this is not a warcraft–”

The ship's interior was destroyed, flames and smoke filling every corner while it drifted aimlessly in space. Heimdall winced in agony, his hand tightly gripping his injured side as he fought through the pain. Suddenly, his attention was caught by the arrival of a new figure, striding confidently through the chaos. 

“Hear me and rejoice. You have had the privilege of being saved by the Great Titan.” 

The mysterious figure stepped over the bodies of fallen women, men, and children, not glancing at them for a second. 

“You may think this is suffering. No. It is salvation. Universal scales tip toward balance because of your sacrifice. Smile. For even in death, you have become Children of Thanos.” 

Ebony Maw's voice cut through the chaos, resonating with authority. He was the right-hand man of the Mad Titan Thanos, who stood with his back turned, gazing out at the endless expanse of stars. Loki, the god of mischief and brother of Thor, stood before him, his face inscrutable as Ebony Maw paced around him. The tension in the air was palpable, and all eyes were on the Mad Titan. 

“I know what it’s like to lose.” Thanos started. “To feel so desperately that you’re right… Yet to fail, nonetheless.” 

The large titan leaned down and grabbed the bloody and weak Thor by his chest plate, dragging him with him as he walked toward Loki. “It’s frightening. Turns the legs to jelly. But I ask you, to what end? Dread it, run from it… Destiny arrives all the same. And now, it’s here. Or should I say…” 

With a wicked smirk, Thanos raised his fist, displaying his gauntlet that contained the glowing purple Power Stone. He then lifted Thor's head so that he was looking at his brother with one eye, gasping for air and coughing up blood. “I am.”

“... You talk too much…” The god rasped, causing Loki to glance at him before meeting Thanos’ eyes again. 

“The Tesseract.” The Mad Titan ordered. “Or your brother’s head. I assume you have a preference.” 

“Oh, I do.” The god of mischief replied. “... Kill away.” 

Thanos’ eyes slightly widened but remained stoic. He then pressed the purple stone to Thor’s head, causing him to let out pained groans and yells as a burning sensation filled his veins and took over his brain. And even though his brother was in immense pain, Loki remained still, almost unbothered by what he was seeing. It was only when his brother’s cries got weaker that he finally yelled out; “All right, stop!” 

Thanos did so, leaving Thor a gasping, shaking mess. “We… Don’t have the Tesseract.” He weakly explained. “It was destroyed on Asgard.” 

Loki winced in pain, his eyes quickly darting towards the ground before nervously glancing up at Thor and Thanos. His hand trembled as he raised it as if he was holding an invisible object, before suddenly revealing a bright blue glowing cube that materialized out of thin air. The moment Thanos caught sight of it, a wicked grin spread across his face, revealing his sinister intentions. 

“You really are the worst brother.” Thor panted as he glared at the god of mischief. 

“I assure you, brother…” Lok started walking towards Thanos. “The sun will shine on us again.”

Thanos deeply chuckled at that.

“Your optimism is misplaced, Asgardian.” 

“Well, for one thing, I’m not Asgardian. And for another…” 

The Mad Titan tilted his head, waiting for Loki to finish. 

“... We have a Hulk.” 

The sound of a deafening roar filled the air as a massive green figure charged toward Thanos, colliding with him like a freight train. The impact sent Thanos hurtling away from Thor and Loki, causing the Tesseract to clatter onto the ground. Regaining his balance, Thanos was met with the sight of the Hulk bellowing out another ear-splitting roar as he lunged towards him. Blow after blow rained down upon the Mad Titan as the Hulk relentlessly pummeled him before finally grabbing him by the throat and pinning him against the wall.   

One of his minions went to try and help him, but Maw held his hand up to stop him. “Let him have his fun.”     

The Mad Titan, Thanos, swiftly grabbed Hulk's wrists with his massive hands, using his strength to push the green behemoth away from him. In a blur of motion, Thanos launched a jab at Hulk's neck, then followed up with a series of lightning-fast punches. Hulk's attacks were met with effortless blocks from the purple-skinned villain. Finally, Thanos drove his knee into Hulk's face with a sickening crunch, before sending the raging hero crashing to the ground like a lifeless ragdoll. Blood streamed from Hulk's battered and bruised face, as Thanos stood tall, victorious.

Before the Mad Titan could even lay another finger on the green being, Thor ran up to him and hit him with a large pipe, which broke with ease. This caused Thanos to kick him away while Maw used his powers to use the broken metal pieces to encase the god. 

Heimdall glanced up weakly at Thor, who locked eyes with him, they had a plan. 

“Allfathers…” Heimdall rasped. “Let the dark magic flow through me one last… Time.” 

Heimdall's extraordinary powers were put to use as he summoned a blinding fastball of light to send the Hulk back to Earth. Thanos, seething with anger, was handed a spear by one of his henchmen as he advanced towards Heimdall. “That was a mistake.” 

And with that, he got a spear through the heart. 

“NO!” Thor screamed in anger and agony as watched his friend die by the hands of the Mad Titan. “You’re… Going to die for that!” 

Hearing enough out of the god, Maw put a metal bar over Thor’s mouth as a gag. He then held up the bright cube for Thanos to take as he bowed to the ground while Thanos took his helmet and armor off. “My humble personage… Bows before your grandeur. No other being has ever had the might, nay, the nobility, to wield not one, but two Infinity Stones.” 

Thanos gently took the cube, eyeing it before crushing it to pieces, revealing the true Infinity Stone. The Space Stone. 

“The universe lies within your grasp.” 

The Mad Titan, with a sinister grin on his face, confidently placed the glittering stone in the gauntlet. The moment he did so, the air crackled with energy, and a blinding shockwave of blue light erupted from the gauntlet, illuminating the entire room. Thor, despite being bound, glared at him with fierce determination, his eye fixed on Thanos as he yearned to break free and put an end to him. Oblivious to Thor's hatred, Thanos remained fixated on his gauntlet, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he admired the power it now held.  

“There are two more stones on Earth.” He started. “Find them, my children, and bring them to me on Titan.” 

“Father, we will not fail you.” 

“If I might interject.” 

Everyone glanced at the new voice, seeing that it was Loki, who strode up to the group with nothing but confidence and a smile. “If you’re going to Earth, you might want a guide. I do have a bit of experience in that arena.” 

“If you consider failure experience,” Thanos said with a smirk. 

“I consider experience experience. Almighty Thanos… I, Loki, prince of Asgard… Odinson…” 

Loki paused to look at his brother, who just stared back a him with pain in his eyes. 

“... The rightful king of Jotunheim… God of mischief.” 

Thor’s eye caught Loki’s true plan as he watched him materialize a blade in his hand, making sure it was still hidden from the titan’s view, which caused his heart to spike. 

“Do hereby pledge to you… My undying fidelity.”

Loki's swift strike was aimed upward toward Thanos' throat with his sharp blade. However, Thanos effortlessly stopped his attack using the Space Stone. With a confident smirk, Thanos looked straight at Loki, who stood motionless and gaping in surprise.

“Undying?” Thanos questioned before grabbing his wrist. “You should choose your words more carefully.” 

With a swift move, he forced Loki to relinquish the blade and caught him by the neck, lifting him off the ground. Loki struggled and kicked to break free from his captor's hold, gasping for breath. Thanos grinned at him, then turned to Thor, who stood nearby, glaring with a mix of anger and despair. 

“You…” Loki wheezed. “Will never be… A god.”

As Thor struggled against his bonds, the Mad Titan's lips twisted into a sinister grin. He tilted his head, relishing in the power he held over the two Asgardian brothers. With a sickening crunch, he finished the job, leaving Loki lifeless on the ground as he dropped him. Thor let out a heart-wrenching scream, desperate to break free and hold his beloved brother. But it was too late. Loki lay there, motionless and cold.

“No resurrections this time,” Thanos said before escaping with the rest of his crew, leaving the ship in a firey flame of purple. Once they left, Thor’s bonds were released, and he crawled over to his brother, softly whispering his name as blood poured out of his mouth. 

He held his brother close, weeping into his chest as the ship exploded in purple.

“Seriously? You don’t have any money?” 

“How does that even happen?” 

“Attachment to the material is detachment from the spiritual,” Wong informed the couple as they descended to the first floor of the New York Sanctum. Strange had his left hand in his jeans pocket while holding his boyfriend, Everett Ross’ hand, in his right. 

“I’ll tell the guys at the deli. Maybe they’ll make you a metaphysical ham on rye.” Stephen scoffed, leaving his boyfriend to smirk at his words.  

“Oh. Wait, wait, wait. I think I have 200.” Wong said, digging through his pockets. This caused the two to stop and look at him with raised eyebrows. “Dollars?” 

“Rupees.” 

“... Which is?” Ross questioned.

“... Uh, buck and a half.” 

“Of course.” The CIA agent rolled his eyes at that, scoffing as Strange shook his head, the three continuing down the stairs. 

“What do you want?” The doctor questioned, causing Wong to smile and rub his hands together and answer; “I wouldn’t say no to a tuna melt.” 

“Hmm… What about you, hon?” 

“BLT is fine for me.” Everett smiled, leaving Strange to smile back and place a kiss on the back of his hand that he was holding. 

Just as he did that, something crashed through the roof and into the stairs where they had just been. Using his quick reflexes, Strange moved to shield Ross. He managed to protect his boyfriend from the flying debris as Everett reached for the handgun tucked into the back of his jeans. The three of them were momentarily stunned as the light faded, leaving behind a gaping hole in the ceiling. 

Without wasting any time, Strange motioned for Cloak to rest on his shoulders as his clothing shifted into his sorcerer's attire, while Wong activated his magic and Ross readied his gun, pointing it at the hole in the ceiling. Peering through the splintered gap, they saw Bruce Banner emerge from his Hulk form, looking pained and scared.

“Thanos is coming…” He weakly informed. “He’s coming.”

The three exchanged glances at that.

“... Who?” Doctor Strange asked with a confused look, tilting his head.

Avengers: Infinity War

Chapter Text

“Slow down, slow down. I’ll spell it out for you.” 

“You’re totally rambling.” 

“No, I’m not.” 

“You’ve lost me.” 

The sun shone bright and warm in the clear blue sky, casting a golden glow over Central Park in New York. The verdant landscape was bustling with families enjoying their day out, strolling, picnicking, and creating cherished memories. Some fitness enthusiasts were taking a brisk jog, including Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, who were running side by side, relishing each other's company amidst the vibrant surroundings. As they slowed down to catch their breath, Tony turned to his fiancé, his lungs heaving with exhaustion. “Look, you know how you’re having a dream, and in the dream you gotta pee.” 

“Yeah.” 

“Okay. And then you’re like, ‘Oh my god. There’s no bathrooms. What am I gonna do? Oh, someone’s watching’.” 

“Right. And then you wake up and in real life you actually have to pee.” 

“Yes.” 

“Yeah.” 

“Okay.” 

“Everybody has that,” Pepper told him. 

“Right, that’s the point I’m trying to make. Apropos of that, last night I dreamt we had a kid.” 

That made Pepper stop, looking at Tony as he continued; “It was so real. We named him after your eccentric uncle. Uh, what was his name? Morgan! Morgan.” 

“So you woke up–” 

“Naturally.” 

“... And thought that we were…” 

“Expecting.” Tony shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, causing his fiancé to nod with an amused smile, causing his heart to quicken. “Yes?” He asked.

“No.”

“I had a dream about it. It was so real.”

“If you wanted to have a kid…” She began to carefully untie the jacket that was wrapped around Tony's shoulders, revealing the shining Arc Reactor that rested firmly on his chest. Its radiant light blue glow illuminating. With a gentle tap of her pointer finger, she couldn't help but smile. “... You wouldn’t have done that.”  

“... I’m glad you brought this up, ‘cause it’s nothing.” 

“It’s just a housing unit for nanoparticles.” 

“You’re not helping your case, okay?” Pepper told him, shaking her head. 

“No, this is detachable. It’s not a–”

“You don’t need that.”

“I know, I had the surgery. I’m just trying to protect us… And future usses and that’s it. Just in case there’s a monster in the closet. Instead of, you know…” 

“... Shirts…” 

“You know me so well.” 

Pepper couldn’t hide her smile at her fiancé’s words, lightly sighing as she shook her head as Tony continued; “You finish all my sentences.” 

“... You should have shirts in your closet.” 

“Yeah. You know what there should be? No more surprises. We’re gonna have a nice dinner tonight. Show off this Harry Winston. Right? And we should have no more surprises. Ever. I should promise you.” 

“Yes.” Pepper giggled. 

“I will.” 

Tony and Pepper's lips met, setting off a spark of passion that surged through their bodies. Tony poured every drop of love and affection he had into the kiss, savoring the way Pepper's lips responded to his touch. The world around them faded away, and they were left alone in their own bubble of love. They would have stayed like that forever if they could, but the moment was fleeting, and reality came crashing back all too soon.

“Tony Stark.”  

As the couple stepped back, they were stunned to see the arrival of a man who appeared out of nowhere. It was Stephen Strange, who had just opened a portal from the New York Sanctum. His face betrayed no emotion as he strode forward, leaving the portal open behind him, which shimmered with a strange energy. The air around them seemed to crackle with magic as he approached. “I’m Doctor Stephen Strange. I need you to come with me.” 

There was an awkward pause, leaving Stephen to realize that he was interrupting something. 

“... Oh, uh, congratulations on the wedding, by the way.” 

“I’m sorry, you giving out tickets to something?” Tony asked with a glare.

“We need your help. It’s not overselling it to say that the fate of the universe is at stake.” 

“And who’s we? ”

As the portal continued to hum to life, another figure emerged, stepping out with a quiet determination. His short, grey hair was neatly slicked back, and his steel-blue eyes scanned the area with a sharp focus. He was dressed in the same outfit he had worn earlier that day, with jeans, a navy blue long-sleeve shirt rolled up at the sleeves, and sturdy boots. As he caught sight of Tony, a small nod of acknowledgment passed between them, Tony's eyes squinting in recognition.

“Agent Ross?” 

“Nice to see you’ve been keeping out of trouble, Stark.” He replied. 

And with that, another person walked out on the other side of Strange, which caused the man’s eyes to widen in shock this time as the person greeted him. “Hey, Tony.” 

“Bruce…” 

“Pepper…” 

“Hi…” She greeted softly as Bruce walked up to Tony, a scared look on his face, shaking his head as he hugged him, leaving Stark to become worried. 

Tony Stark sat on one of the plush couches situated on the first floor of the New York Sanctum, his hand draped lazily over his mouth as he attempted to process the information being relayed to him by Doctor Strange, Ross, Bruce, and Wong. The workout jacket that he had been wearing earlier was now back on his body. 

“At the dawn of the universe, there was nothing. Then…” 

There was a burst of light, Wong using his magic skills to create an image of what he was explaining; “The Big Bang sent six elemental crystals hurtling across the virgin universe. These Infinity Stones each control an essential aspect of existence.” 

“Space. Reality. Power. Soul. Mind.” Strange listed them, before looking down at the Eye of Agamotto that he wore around his neck. “And Time.” 

With a deft touch, he pressed two small buttons located on the necklace, a clear indication that he was no stranger to its secrets. As he began to channel his magical powers, those present in the room watched in awe as the necklace slowly yielded, revealing the bright, green, glowing Infinity Stone within. Tony, along with everyone else, couldn't take his eyes off the magnificent gem as his gaze shifted back and forth between the stone and Bruce. “Tell me his name again.”

“Thanos. He’s a plague, Tony. He invades planets. He takes what he wants. He wipes out half the population. He sent Loki. The attack on New York, that’s him.”

“This is it,” Tony whispered to himself, nodding. “What’s our timeline?”

“No telling. Apparently, he has the Power and Space Stones.” Everett replied from his position next to Strange, shrugging. “That already makes him the strongest creature in the whole universe. If he gets his hands on all six stones, Stark…”

“He could destroy life on a scale hitherto undreamt of.” The group stood by as Strange finished for his boyfriend. Tony leaned on an ancient artifact, stretching his legs in preparation for the impending battle. The doctor's words were met with a scoff from Tony, who seemed unimpressed. “Did you seriously just say ‘hitherto undreamt of’ ? 

“Are you seriously leaning on the Cauldron of the Cosmos?” Stephen snapped back, letting Cloak swat his hand off of it, Tony looked down at his hand before looking at the doctor, who looked deadly serious. 

“... I’m going to allow that.” Stark started before gesturing to the Time Stone. “If Thanos needs all six, why don’t we just stick this one down a garbage disposal?” 

“No can do.” Ross shook his head. 

“We swore an oath to protect the Time Stone with our lives,” Wong informed.

“And I swore off dairy, but then Ben & Jerry’s named a flavor after me.” 

“Stark Raving Hazelnuts.” Doctor Strange said, making Tony nod and say; “Not bad.”

“A bit chalky,” Stephen replied, a smirk on his face, leaving Stark to lightly glare at the sorcerer. 

“A Hunk of Hulk of Burning Fudge is our favorite,” Wong said, leaving Bruce to look confused at him. “That’s a thing?”  

“Whatever. Point is, things change.” 

“Our oath to protect the Time Stone cannot change. And this stone may be the best chance we have against Thanos.” Strange growled, leaving Tony to glare back. “Yeah, so conversely, it may also be his best chance against us.” 

“Well if we don’t do our jobs.”

“What is your job exactly? Besides making balloon animals?” 

“Watch it, Stark,” As Everett took a step forward, his tone held a warning that made Strange quickly react by blocking his path. The CIA agent paused in his tracks. Strange looked back at Ross and gave him a comforting smile, silently reassuring him that everything was under control, and he should let it go. Tony noticed a sudden realization dawn on his face. He realized that the two men before him were not just colleagues but were in a romantic relationship. Indeed, Agent Ross and Doctor Stephen Strange were an item. 

“You two… Really?”

“You want to know what his job is?” Ross questioned, his steel blue eyes locking on Tony’s brown ones. “Protecting your reality, douchebag.”

“Okay, guys. Could we table this discussion right now?” Bruce asked. “The fact is we have this stone. We know where it is. Vision is out there somewhere with the Mind Stone, and we have to find him now.”  

“... Yeah, that’s the thing,” Tony mumbled, crossing his arms. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Two weeks ago, Vision turned off his transponder. He’s offline.” 

“What?!” Bruce asked with a shocked look, watching as Stark paced around. “Tony, you lost another super-bot?”

“I didn’t lose him. He’s more than that. He’s evolving.” 

“Who could find Vision then?” Stephen asked, turning towards Ross. “Could your division…?” 

“I’ll call and ask.” Everett agreed with the suggestion and quickly took out his phone. He made his way towards the doors and stepped out of the sanctum. He felt a rush of warm air as he dialed the CIA on his phone, hoping to gather any information about Vision's whereabouts. 

While the agent did that, Tony continued to pace, around before realizing who could help with a silent swear word. “... Steve Rogers… He would probably know.” 

“Oh, great.” The doctor mumbled. 

“Call him.” Banner almost begged, leaving Tony to bite the inside of his cheek lightly. “It’s not that easy.” 

Bruce was confused. 

“God, we haven’t caught up in a spell, have we? The Avengers broke up. We’re toast.” 

“Broke up? Like a band? Like… Like the Beatles?” 

“Cap and I fell out hard. We’re not on speaking terms.” 

“Tony, listen to me. Thor’s gone. Thanos is coming. It doesn’t matter who you’re talking to or not.” 

Tony Stark stood in contemplation as he absorbed Bruce's words, his thoughts racing as he weighed his options. With a heavy sigh, he finally came to a decision and moved away from the trio, retrieving the outdated flip phone that Steve had left for him with a shake of his head. But before he could make the call, a low rumbling sound echoed in the distance, causing nearby objects to tremble and shake.  

The peaceful silence was shattered by the sound of people screaming and running for their lives, causing everyone to turn their attention towards the doors. Doctor Strange's heart raced with fear, knowing that his beloved had just left and might be in grave danger. He was about to spring into action to protect him, but his attention was quickly diverted when Everett appeared at the door and opened it, his expression grave and serious and his hands covered in blood. “You got to get out here, now!” 

The four looked at each other before doing so, slightly nervous about what was awaiting them outside.

Chapter Text

Tony walked through the heavy doors of the building, stepping out onto the manic street below. The wind howled like a banshee, sending debris and litter tumbling across the pavement. Traffic was at a standstill, and frustrated drivers abandoned their cars and fled on foot, desperate to escape the chaos. 

Suddenly, a woman stumbled and fell at Tony's feet, and he reached out to help her up, concern etched on his face. Just as he did, a screech of metal on metal filled the air, and a car careened out of control, smashing into a nearby lamp post with a loud crash. Tony spun around, his hand outstretched to gesture toward the now-wrecked vehicle. “Help him!” 

“Banner!” Wong said, causing Bruce to help him ensure the person was alright. 

“Stephen!” 

The doctor and Tony rushed to where Everett was, who was holding a woman’s bloody neck as her 8-year-old daughter with blonde hair wailed next to her, wet, scared tears rolling down her face. Stephen quickly put two fingers on the woman’s wrist as he looked to his boyfriend to explain.

“They got hit by a car, the father was protecting their daughter, he’s gone. I’m trying to make sure she doesn’t go along with him.” 

“And the kid?” 

“Seems okay, just scared.”

“Please…” The woman rasped out to the men, her own eyes teary. “Please get her to safety…” 

“Ma’am, we will, just stay with us, okay?” Everett reassured, but the woman paid no mind to him, grabbing her daughter’s hand and making her look into her eyes as she talked to her; “Liana… I need you to be strong, okay? For me and your Papa…” 

“Mama… I’m scared…” The little girl, Liana sobbed, causing the woman to hush her cries and wipe her tears with her shaky hand, a weak smile crossing her features. 

“You don’t need to be… We love you…” 

And with that, the mother’s hand dropped, causing the girl to sob even more. It broke the agent's heart after hearing the final words slipping out of the woman’s lips. Steel-blue eyes glanced over to his boyfriend, Strange. Who just shook his head. It was confirmed. She was gone. 

“What do we do?” Tony questioned, looking between the two. 

“Everett, take the kid somewhere safe, I’ll go with Tony to figure out what the issue is.”

The agent gave a slight nod as he gently lifted the distraught little girl into his strong arms. The girl instinctively clung to Everett's neck, her small body wracked with sobs. He rubbed her back in a soothing manner, trying his best to calm her down as he gazed intently at Stephen. “Promise you’ll be careful.” 

“I promise… Trust me. I’ll be home before dinner.” The doctor turned around with a wink to his boyfriend as they parted ways; Everett took off with the girl in his arms, sprinting down the street while Strange walked alongside Tony Stark, who put on his signature glasses as they headed towards the source of danger.

“Friday, what am I looking at?” 

“Not sure. I’m working on it.”

“Hey! You might wanna put that Time Stone in your back pocket, Doc!” Tony told Stephen, who activated his magic by slamming his hands together, pulling up his fists, ready for a fight; “Might wanna use it.” 

As the pair rounded the corner of the large building, they were met with the sight of a large spaceship, kicking up dust and smog, so it was almost impossible to see who they were dealing with, but they could take a good guess.

Peter Parker's body tensed up, sending a shiver down his spine, as his spidey sense kicked in. He felt the fine hair on his arms stand up as he looked down at his arm, trying to make sense of the warning that was ringing in his head. Suddenly, his gaze darted towards the school bus window, where he saw a massive circular spaceship slowly descending on the city. 

The sight of the enormous craft hovering above New York made his heart skip a beat, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him. Frantically, he turned to his friend Ned, who was sitting in front of him, and started tapping his shoulder, trying to get his attention; “Ned, hey. I need you to cause a distraction.” 

“Holy shit,” Ned said with a smile before getting out of his seat. “We’re all gonna die! There’s a spaceship!” 

All the kids followed him to the back, causing Peter to slap on his web-shooters and climb out of the emergency exit window of the bus while the elderly bus driver with an excellent mustache and the name tag ‘Stan’ , growled. “What’s the matter with you kids? You never seen a spaceship before?” 

As soon as he put on his mask, the teenager underwent a remarkable transformation into Spider-Man, his muscles tensing in anticipation. He leaped off the bus that was moving on the bridge and swung into action amid the mayhem, his web-slinging abilities making it seem like he was flying through the air.

“Friday, evac anyone south of 43rd Street. Notify first responders.” Tony yelled, causing his AI to respond just as quickly. “Will do.”

In a swift motion of his hands, Doctor Strange cast a powerful spell that sent all the debris and smoke flying backward into the air, bringing an abrupt end to the chaotic wind and revealing the villain’s true identity. Stark turned around, a look of confusion etched on his face, prompting Stephen to smirk and wink at him. Tony, rolling his eyes in annoyance, slammed the door of a parked car and walked towards the looming ship in the distance. 

Turns out the people who were behind this were the same people who started the chaos on the ship Thor and Bruce were on. Maw smirked at the humans evilly; “Hear me and rejoice. You are about to die at the hands of the Children of Thanos. Be thankful that your meaningless lives are now contributing–” 

“I’m sorry, Earth is closed today. You better back it up and get outta here.” Stark said, interrupting the alien with a hard glare. 

“Stonekeeper?” 

Doctor Strange furrowed his brows in confusion. 

“Does this chattering animal speak for you?” 

“Certainly not. I speak for myself.” Strange slammed his fist on an open palm, then flexed his fingers before raising his fists, causing his magic to flare up and glow orange disks over his hands, a dangerous glare on his face; “You’re trespassing in this city and on this planet.” 

Wong followed his lead just as Tony yelled out; “He means get lost, Squidward.” 

“He exhausts me,” Maw told his fellow alien who was much larger than him, holding a dangerous-looking scythe. “Bring me the stone.” 

“Banner, you want a piece?” The inventor asked Bruce, who adjusted his shirt while looking at Stark with uncertainty. “Mmm, no, not really. But when do I ever get what I want?” 

“That’s right.” 

“Okay. Push!” Bruce gritted his teeth and concentrated with all his might, his muscles bulging as he attempted to summon the Hulk within him. His skin began to shift, taking on a sickly green hue, and he let out a primal growl, but despite his efforts, the Hulk remained dormant, unresponsive to his call. 

“Where’s your guy?” Tony asked, bewildered. 

“I don’t know. We’ve sorta been having a thing.” 

“It’s no time for a thing. That’s the thing right there. Let’s go.”

Banner's muscles strained as the colossal, menacing alien loomed closer. He exerted all his might, grunting and pushing with everything he had to make Hulk heed his call and join the fight. His desperation grew as he resorted to shouting, catching Strange's attention and earning a strange look from the sorcerer. 

“Dude,” Stark said. “You’re embarrassing me in front of the wizard.”

“Tony, I’m sorry. E-Either I can’t or he won’t.” 

“It’s okay. Hey, stand down. Keep an eye on him.” Stark told Wong, who nodded. “Thank you.” 

The alien accelerated from a jog to a sprint, prompting Stark to swiftly adjust his jacket and activate the Arch Reactor. In the blink of an eye, his attire transformed into the iconic Iron Man suit, complete with a helmet that enclosed his face. The quick-thinking superhero utilized a shield to deflect the scythe attack and then countered with a decisive punch. In a matter of seconds, Tony summoned a battery of cannons from the back of his suit, unleashing a barrage of projectiles that hurled the alien backward and caused a pile-up of cars in its wake.

“Where’d that come from?!” Bruce asked with wide eyes, causing Iron Man to look back at him. “It’s nanotech. You like it? A little something I–” 

He never got to finish his sentence as Maw launched him upwards into the sky before launching trees at the other three. Wong quickly used his magic to form a shield as Doctor Strange turned to Bruce. “Doctor Banner, if the rest of your green friend won’t be joining us.” 

Doctor Strange acted quickly to protect Bruce. He created a portal beneath Bruce's feet and transported him to a safer location in the park. With Bruce out of harm's way, Strange summoned a projectile, preparing for an attack. However, before he could use it, Iron Man rushed past him and hurled a car at Maw. Who without flinching, sliced the car in half with a single wave of his hand, displaying his incredible power and unwavering confidence.

“Gotta get that stone outta here, now.” Iron Man told Strange who glared back. “It stays with me.” 

“Exactly. Bye.” 

Tony sprang into action, his body moving with a fluid grace as he evaded each of Maw's vicious attacks. With lightning-fast reflexes, Tony darted across the battlefield, his eyes locked on his opponent. But as the bigger alien got back up and hurled his deadly scythe at Tony, the weapon transformed into a razor-sharp claw that lashed out with incredible force, sending Tony hurtling through the air. 

He crashed through a nearby building, the sound of shattering glass ringing in his ears, before finally coming to a stop in a nearby park. The force of the impact sent him skidding across the grass, kicking up dirt and debris, before he collided with a sturdy tree.

“Mommy… Daddy…” The little girl sobbed, her entire body shaking as Everett continued to hush her cries, trying to find a good and safe place to put her so he could go back and help his boyfriend in battle. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Just keep breathing. You’re doing so well.”

As Ross was rushing down the street, his eyes caught sight of a small cafe. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the owner was in the process of barricading the premises for safety. Without a moment's hesitation, he dashed towards the door and prevented the woman from closing and locking it with his foot. The sudden interruption caused the owner to gasp in surprise, her face reflecting a mix of fear and confusion. 

“Please, can you just please watch her and make sure she’s safe? Just until I get back?” 

The lady gave a hesitant nod. 

“Thank you.” He sighed with relief before passing the 8-year-old to the woman, but he soon placed a gentle hand on the girl’s face, smiling at her. “I will be back, everything will be okay. You’re safe here. Just listen to this nice lady as best as you can.”

The lady closed the door of the cafe with a decisive click and slid the lock into place, ensuring that no one else would enter. The CIA agent, his face set with determination and concern, hurried down the street, his mind racing with thoughts of his boyfriend and the dangerous situation that he might be facing. He prayed silently that his partner was unharmed and that he could handle whatever was happening right now.

“Tony, you okay?” Bruce asked as he ran up to Iron Man, a worried look on his face. “How we doing? Good? Bad?” 

“Really, really good. Really good.” He replied sarcastically, still lying on the ground. “Do you plan on helping out?” 

“I’m trying. He won’t come out.” 

With a deafening roar, the massive alien forcefully burst through the concrete walls of the building, sending debris flying in all directions. Its weapon spun around in its hand as it locked its gaze on Bruce, who was completely unaware of the imminent danger. The hammer was hurtling towards Bruce at a lightning-fast pace, threatening to strike him with devastating force.

“Hammer.” Iron Man warned as he swiftly swooped in. Without a second to lose, he shoved Banner aside, sending him tumbling onto the grass. Meanwhile, Tony took on the alien, unleashing a barrage of laser beams to take down the formidable foe. However, the alien proved to be a formidable opponent as it effortlessly blocked the attack with its menacing weapon. The lasers ricocheted off the weapon, causing trees to be chopped and crashed to the ground.

Bruce had to roll away to avoid being crushed by one, crawling out of the green foliage. “Come on, Hulk! What are you doing to me?” 

He then began slapping himself. 

“Come out! Come out! Come out!” 

He then felt half of his face contort, turning green as the Hulk finally replied to his call, only if for a split second. “NO!”

Then he was gone, leaving Banner to be confused. 

“What do you mean, ‘no’?!”

Iron Man relentlessly circled the towering extraterrestrial, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts in an attempt to evade its ferocious onslaught. Despite his agile maneuvers, the armored hero was dealt a blow that sent him hurtling toward the ground, his body colliding with the grassy terrain as he slid across the ground. As the monstrous creature raised its hammer to deliver the final blow, an unknown savior intervened, stopping the deadly weapon in its tracks and peering curiously around it.

It was Spider-Man.

“Hey, man.” The teen greeted the alien before turning to Tony. “What’s up, Mr. Stark?” 

“Kid, where’d you come from?” 

“A field trip to MoMA–!” Spider-Man couldn’t finish his sentence when the massive alien suddenly and forcefully grabbed the teen by the waist, flinging him aside. The impact caused Spider-Man to let out a grunt as he tumbled on the hard concrete near the fountain of Central Park. Iron Man, witnessing the attack, was not pleased and quickly retaliated by firing a laser blast at the creature. This time, his attack was successful as it hit the target. As Spider-Man regained his footing, he swung back into the battle, ready to face the alien head-on once again. “Uh, what is this guy’s problem, Mr. Stark?” 

“Uh, he’s from space. He came here to steal a necklace from a wizard.” 

The teenager leaped into the air, his fist poised to land a punch, but as he descended, the hammer he was wielding morphed into a claw that clamped down on him with a crushing force. He let out a pained wheeze as he was flung away like a ragdoll. Meanwhile, Iron Man unleashed a barrage of lasers at the alien, but the extraterrestrial foe deflected the attack with ease. Undeterred, the alien picked up the crushed half of a taxi and hurled it at the armored superhero, who narrowly avoided the projectile. Spider-Man sprang back into action, firing webs at the battered taxi and using its momentum in the air before launching it back at the alien. This time, the taxi hit its mark with a thunderous impact, sending the alien reeling into the grass.

Maw lifted his hands with a smirk, and effortlessly, a large collection of loose bricks rose up and crumbled into sharp spikes. In response, Strange and Wong quickly opened portals and sent the spikes back toward Maw, who held up a car to block them. Just as they were engaged in this intense battle, a loud pop echoed through the air, and a bullet whizzed past Strange and Wong, grazing Maw's head. He let out a groan and dropped the car, snarling behind the pair. Startled, they turned around to see Everett, standing with a determined look, his pistol raised. His steel blue eyes shifted towards Strange, filled with concern for his boyfriend's safety. 

“You alright?”

“I thought I told you to stay with the girl.” 

“You did, I just didn’t listen.” 

As the three were distracted, Maw made his next move. He reached out to the fire hydrant and with a swift motion, shot the water towards Wong. The impact of the water was so strong that it propelled Wong back, causing him to collide with a nearby car with a loud grunt.

Ross growled and raised his gun once more. He fired a series of shots toward the alien, hoping to take him down. Meanwhile, Strange sprang into action and conjured a whip made of energy. He used it to wrap around Maw's body, planning to pull him in for a powerful punch.

However, things didn't go as planned. As Maw was propelled forward, he tackled Strange with immense force. The impact sent Strange flying toward a nearby building, where he collided while Maw held him down with a couple of bricks.

The CIA agent watching the scene unfold before him was filled with fear. “STEPHEN!” 

“Your powers are quaint,” Maw told the doctor with a smirk. “You must be popular with the children.” 

As the alien made a move to grab hold of the necklace that held the Time Stone, a sudden whizzing sound filled the air. A bullet had been fired and it narrowly missed the alien's outstretched hand, leaving behind a deep and bloody gash on the back of it. The creature hissed in anger and turned its attention to the source of the attack. Everett, who had fired the shot, remained focused on Maw. He swiftly removed the now-empty magazine from his pistol and loaded in a fresh one, making it clear that if anyone dared to harm his partner, there would be dire consequences to face.

“How adorable. He seems to care a great deal about you.” He hissed, turning back to Stephen with a glare. “Too bad it’s all for not.” 

Suddenly, a part of the road Ross was standing on lifted up, causing him to lose his balance. He tried to grab onto something, but it was too late. Ross and the rubble were flung towards a nearby building. The impact was brutal as he crashed through a window of the building, leaving him with a sharp pain in his body. Glass pierced his skin, and he felt a deep ache all over. Stephen watched in horror and anger, but he was unable to move. 

“Now then, where were we?” Maw questioned as he finally grabbed the necklace, but quickly pulled away as the amulet burned his skin. 

“It’s a simple spell but quite unbreakable,” Stephen replied. 

“Then I’ll take it off your corpse!” 

Dr. Strange's eyes widened in shock and horror as he was abruptly ripped from the brick bonds that held him captive and hurled towards the unforgiving ground below. With a sickening thud, he collided with a delivery truck before rolling onto the asphalt street. 

Dazed and disoriented, he quickly regained his footing and activated the Time Stone's powers, fully intending to use them. But before he could make a move, two powerful roots emerged from the ground and ensnared his arms, rendering him helpless once again. The roots then coiled tightly around his body, cutting off his movement and his ability to breathe. 

Despite the overwhelming sense of suffocation and helplessness, Dr. Strange's fiery determination never faltered as he continued to glare at Maw with pure hatred in his eyes. “You’ll find removing a dead man’s spell troublesome.” 

“You’ll only wish you were dead.” 

As Stephen struggled to breathe, his eyes gradually slid shut, succumbing to unconsciousness due to the lack of oxygen. He collapsed to the ground, still tightly wrapped up in his restraints. Maw, the menacing henchman, swiftly lifted the motionless body onto a piece of broken asphalt, intending to take him back to the ship. But Cloak sensed the imminent danger and quickly sprang into action. He deftly slipped Stephen out of his bonds and levitated him away from harm's way. Maw growled in frustration. “No!”

Iron Man swiftly moved to defend himself from the large alien's attack. As he raised his arm, his nanotech formed a shield that absorbed the impact of the blow. Stephen's unconscious body flew past him and Spider-Man, indicating that something had gone wrong. “Kid, that’s the wizard. Get on it.” 

“On it!” Spider-Man dashed forward, his heart racing as he pursued the unconscious sorcerer and Maw. He soared through the city using his webs, weaving in and out of buildings, and picking up speed with each passing moment. Just as he was about to catch up to them, Maw flicked his wrist, and a large sign came hurtling towards the young hero with a sickening crunch. Spider-Man let out a sharp cry of pain as he tumbled down to the ground. Shaking his head, he got back up and gave chase once more. “Not cool.” 

As the trio soared down the bustling street, Maw used his powers and expertly twisted the nearby street lamps, closing in on Stephen and Cloak. Despite the latter's best efforts, he found himself ensnared in one of the metal structures, leaving Strange's limp body hurtling towards the unforgiving concrete below. In a split second, Spider-Man sprang into action, deploying a well-timed web that miraculously caught the tumbling sorcerer, eliciting a sigh of relief from the web-slinger behind his mask. “Gotcha!” 

As he was about to swing away from the scene, Strange found himself unexpectedly ensnared by a tractor beam, heading directly toward Maw’s ship. Not wanting to leave his master alone, Cloak soared towards the beam as well. The young hero's eyes widened in horror as he tried to resist the beam's pull by grabbing hold of a nearby light pole. With all his might, he fought against the powerful force, but Maw was too strong. The villainous creature effortlessly disconnected the pole from the concrete below, causing Peter to be dragged up into the tractor beam as well.

Everett winced in pain as he stumbled out of the massive hole where the shattered window once stood, a trail of blood running down the side of his face from a large cut. His steel-blue eyes looked up to see Stephen being carried away, causing his heart to sink and his eyes to widen with fear. He quickly gathered himself and began to sprint towards the departing ship with all his might. The thought of losing his beloved sorcerer sent shivers down his spine. He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to Stephen. “No… No, no, no, NO, NO, NO!!!” 

He stopped to see Tony land right in front of him, rising up and looking at Everett through his suit’s mask. “Get in touch with your folks. I’ll take it from here.” 

“Stark–!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring him back to you. Promise.” Iron Man took off toward the ship, his mind set on rescuing Strange and Spider-Man. As he soared through the air, Everett watched with fear in his blue eyes, his brow furrowing as he replayed Tony's words in his mind. The weight of the situation weighed heavily on Everett's heart. 

“You better…” He whispered.

Chapter Text

Spider-Man pressed on, his fingers gripping the cold, metallic surface of the colossal spaceship as it trembled ominously against the vastness of space. With each upward movement, he fought the disconcerting pull of gravity that toyed with his senses, making it hard to ignore the alarming realization that they were spiraling out of orbit. Heart pounding in his chest, he concentrated solely on the task at hand: finding an entry point into the massive vessel. The sleek, angular hull glistened under the dim light of distant stars, its formidable structure a daunting challenge. He scanned for weaknesses in the ship's armor, every muscle in his body coiling with purpose as he climbed higher, determined to breach its defenses and uncover the secrets lurking within.

"Pete, you gotta let go. I'm gonna catch you." He heard Tony's voice ring in his mask, causing his head to drop and shake. Why couldn't he feel like he was getting enough air?

Oh, right.

Going out of orbit.

That wasn't going to stop him, as he turned and shouted downwards, as if he could even see Iron Man. "But you said save the wizard!"

He turned his gaze straight ahead, veins throbbing in his temples as he struggled to draw in a breath that felt impossibly elusive. A low, desperate growl escaped his lips, echoing with a mix of frustration and helplessness. With trembling fingers, he grabbed his mask, peeling it away from his face as he gasped for air, his lungs screaming for relief. Each inhalation was a futile attempt, as he found himself confronted with the suffocating reality that the oxygen he craved remained just out of reach.

"I can't breathe…" He quietly admitted to himself.

"We're too high up," Tony told him. "You're running out of air."

"Yeah," He panted, his soft brown eyes unfocusing. "That makes sense."

Peter clenched his jaw, straining with all his might to maintain his grip, but the suffocating haze in his mind clouded every thought and drained his strength. The cold, unyielding metal slipped through his fingers, the weight of it suddenly too much to bear. As he fell, his heart pounded in his chest, a frantic rhythm that echoed his desperate struggle for breath. He felt heavy, as though the very air was pressing down upon him, stifling his senses.

But then, he felt an odd sensation, like a warm, electric current latching onto his back. Something began to coalesce around his tattered suit, each segment melding seamlessly to forge a new protective layer. As the helmet encased his head with a soft hiss, he could sense an intricate network of technology activating around him. The glossy surface of his eyes shimmered with renewed clarity, and, most importantly, he felt the rush of breathable air filling his lungs once more.

He collided with the edge of the spacecraft, the impact jarring him slightly as he tumbled, weightless yet disoriented. After a moment's struggle, he managed to regain his grip, feet anchoring against the metal surface. Rising to his full height, he took a deep, steadying breath and scanned his surroundings.

"Mr. Stark, it smells like a new car in here!"

He soon looked up to see Iron Man floating up above him, relief filling in his veins. "Happy trails, kid."

'Happy Trails?'

"Friday, send him home."

"Yup."

Spider-Man then felt something open up on his back, and he barely had time to register that it was a parachute before he was blown off of the spaceship, yelling out a very annoyed tone; "Oh, come on!"

With the reassuring knowledge that Peter was safe, Iron Man soared upward, his sleek armor glinting against the vastness of space. He approached the metallic facade of the enemy spaceship, activating his nanotech to form a secure grip on its surface. As he positioned himself, a precision laser beam fired from his arm, slicing effortlessly through the thick hull of the craft. In that split second, a jagged shard of metal shot toward him with alarming speed, its edges glinting ominously in the dim light. Iron Man deftly evaded the projectile and propelled himself swiftly into the opening he had just created.

"Boss," Friday alerted him. "Incoming call from Miss Potts."

"Tony? Oh my god," Her voice whizzed in and out. "Are you alright? What's going on?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just think we might have to push our 8:30 res."

"Why?"

"Just 'cause I'll probably not make it back for a while." He said, looking around to see that he was in some kind of engine room of the spaceship, he undid his mask, looking around with confused brown eyes.

"Tell me you're not on that ship."

With a small sigh, he answered, "Yeah."

"God, no, please tell me you're not on that ship."

"Honey, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I don't know what to say."

"Come back here, Tony. I swear to God." Her voice was cutting out, which caused his brows to furrow in worry.

"Pep."

"Come back here right now. Come back."

"Boss, we're losing her." Friday's voice crackled. "I'm going too."

Tony clenched his jaw, his brows furrowed.

This mission just got a whole lot harder.

Bruce slowly reached into the jagged rubble, his fingers brushing against the coarse debris until they closed around a small, dusty, cracked flip phone. He stared at the device, furrowing his brow in confusion and concern. Behind him, Everett deftly loaded his pistol, the metallic clicks echoing sharply in the silence of the street. The atmosphere was thick with tension as both men listened intently to the whizzing noises that suddenly pierced the air. They turned in unison, eyes widening in surprise as Wong opened a shimmering portal to the Inner Sanctum, the edges swirling with iridescent energy. Without hesitation, he stepped through, leaving Bruce and Everett to exchange bewildered glances.

"Where you going?" Bruce asked.

"Time stone's been taken," Wong informed.

"Yeah, no shit, that's why we need you here," Everett said.

"The Sanctum remains ungarded. It needs me."

Everett just let out a silent sigh, his frustration creeping up, but a wave of understanding also filled his veins.

"What will you two do?" Wong asked.

Bruce hesitated and held up the phone. "Gonna make a call."

With a resigned nod, Wong shut the shimmering portal behind him, leaving Everett and Bruce alone in the desolate, debris-strewn street. Both men turned their attention to the flip phone that Bruce had just pried open with a determined flick of his wrist. He blew gently on the device, expelling a cloud of dust that had settled on its surface, revealing its once-bright display. As he scanned the screen, a sense of unease washed over him—there was only a solitary contact listed.

Steve Rogers

He hesitated before hitting the call button and held it up partially to his ear. Everett stepped in beside him so he could also listen in.

Energizing melodies filled the cabin of the Bentar as Peter Quill expertly navigated the ship through the vastness of space, his hands deftly adjusting the controls with practiced ease. The iconic tune "Rubberband Man" by The Spinners pulsed through the ship’s sound system, its upbeat rhythm echoing off the metallic walls. Peter, channeling his inner rock star, belted out the lyrics dramatically, swaying to the music as he embraced the thrill of piloting the ship. Bright starlight streamed past the windows, illuminating his joyful face as he lost himself in the music, each note boosting his spirit amidst the endless cosmos.

"Sing it, Drax!" He called out to The Destroyer, but he did not respond, as he was asleep in his chair.

Gamora settled comfortably into her seat, her vibrant green skin a striking contrast against the plush interior. With a serene expression, she immersed herself in the rhythm of the music, expertly lip-syncing to the lyrics while her gaze remained fixed on the expansive windshield ahead, the universe unfolding before them.

Meanwhile, Rocket Raccoon let out a lengthy, exaggerated yawn, his eyes barely staying open as he propped his chin atop his paw. He glanced at the flickering screen in front of him with a look of disinterest, the colorful lights and action sequences failing to capture his attention. "Why are we doing this again?"

"It's a distress signal, Rocket," Gamora reminded the raccoon, waking up Drax in the process. "Someone could be dying."

He scratched his neck. "I get that, but why are we doing it?"

"Because we're nice," Peter shrugged beside him. "And maybe whoever it is will give us a little cheddar cheese for our effort."

"Which isn't the point."

"Which isn't the point!" Peter pointed to Gamora, repeating her with a nod. "I mean, if he doesn't pony up…"

"We take his ship."

"Exactly!" Rocket cheered.

"B-B-B-B-B-Bingo!"

"All right!"

Gamora lifted her gaze to meet the half-Terran's eyes, her expression a mix of sternness and concern. The weight of unspoken fears hung between them like a thick fog. But Peter, sensing her anxiety, shook his head gently, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He offered a reassuring nod, silently conveying that they were not about to pursue such a reckless course of action. Her tension slowly ebbed away, and with a deep breath, she turned her focus back to the task at hand.

"We are arriving," Mantis said, slowly looking up from her screen to the windsheild.

"Alright, Guardians," Peter commanded. "Don't forget this might be dangerous… so let's put on our mean faces."

As he stood there, Mantis concentrated on perfecting her rendition of a fierce expression, scrunching her brows and narrowing her eyes in a determined effort to master the look she believed would impress Peter. Nearby, Groot lounged comfortably in his chair, seemingly oblivious to the world around him; his focus was entirely consumed by the bright screen of his handheld gaming device. The rhythmic beeping and electronic sounds from the tablet punctuated the quiet atmosphere, creating a playful contrast to Peter’s sidelong glance at his distracted friend. Despite the disapproval etched across Peter's face, Groot remained engrossed, tapping the screen with deliberate precision, entirely absorbed in his virtual adventure.

"Groot, put that thing away, now. I don't wanna tell you again."

The Flora Colossus ignored him.

"Groot." Peter turned to him.

"I am Groot."

"WHOA!" Peter gaped at him, his brows furrowed.

"Language!" Rocket barked.

"Hey!" Gamora called out.

"You got some acorns on you, kid." Peter glared at Groot as Rocket turned and also glared at him.

"Ever since you got a little sap, you're a total d-hole."

Groot smirked at that, almost unbothered by it.

"Now, keep it up, and I'm gonna smash that thing to pieces." The raccoon snarled, pointing at the game before sitting back down, facing forward.

The Bentar surged through the cosmos, its engines humming with a determined energy as it approached the source of the distress signal. As the ship broke through the final veil of light, a grim tableau unfolded before the Guardians of the Galaxy. They were met with a haunting battlefield, a vast expanse littered with the remnants of devastation. Fragments of shattered ships drifted aimlessly, their once-proud forms now reduced to twisted metal and charred debris.

Amidst this desolate scene, the lifeless bodies of fallen warriors floated eerily, their expressions frozen in a final moment of terror. The air was thick with silence, broken only by the silence of space itself, a stark reminder of the fierce battle that had raged here.

"What happened…?" Mantis whispered.

"Oh, my god…" Peter winced at the sight.

Drax scanned the chaotic surroundings with a look of disbelief etched across his face, his eyes wide as he struggled to comprehend the devastation before him. Meanwhile, Gamora, her expression one of intense concentration, activated her scanner, the low hum of the device filling the air. Her brows furrowed deeply as she meticulously searched for any signs of life amidst the destruction, each moment weighing heavily on her heart as she hoped to find survivors against the odds.

"Looks like we're not getting paid," Rocket smirked knowingly at Peter, before redirecting his attention to the expansive windshield before him. Suddenly, with a deafening thud, a massive body collided against the glass, prompting gasps of horror and disbelief from the Guardians, who instinctively leaned forward to get a better look at what had just occurred.

"Wipers! Wipers!" The raccoon glanced away, waving a paw. "Get it off!"

As if the situation couldn’t spiral further into chaos, the body that had been believed to be lifeless suddenly opened one eye, its gaze piercing through the glass. The Guardians froze in a collective gasp; their expressions mirrored a blend of disbelief and terror as a chill swept through the air, electrifying the atmosphere around them.

And who was the body…?

Thor. God of Thunder.