Avengers Compound
Afternoon
"But what…I don't…how…" For once in his life, Clint was at a complete loss for words.
"Do we still look this good after twenty-three years?" Fate said cheekily, chuckling as he ignored the pain this caused him.
"When you said we wouldn't believe you, you weren't kidding," Joe muttered as he glanced over at the grown Freya.
"Don't blame her, I told her not to tell you," Fate said, placing a hand on Freya's shoulder. "You didn't need to know, to think about what could happen if you failed. You didn't need a living reminder of that burden."
"How did this happen? How did you become…" Natasha trailed off, unsure how to say it.
"The words you're looking for are 'Agent of Order' Nat," Fate chuckled as he looked over at her, his eyes softening. "It's good to see you again."
"Dad?" Nate said confused, looking between the two versions of his father.
"Hey buddy," Fate smiled sadly as his eyes flickered from Nate to the stunned Lili to the bewildered Cooper and finally to Laura, who looked as confused as her youngest son. "I'm glad I got to see you all one last time."
"I don't understand," Laura finally said, staring at the future version of her husband. "How did this happen to you?"
"I lost you. I lost you and the kids," Fate said, his voice raw with the pain that sentence brought him. "Where I come from, there was no one to warn us what Thawne was going to do. You, the kids, Joe and Wally all died because we weren't there to stop him. And I left. For about two years, I left to try and find some sort of meaning in my life without you guys."
"And you found the helmet," Steve said softly, staring at the object Freya still had in her hands.
"I was in Tibet, in a bar. This man sitting next to me pulled out a bag…"
Tibet, Earth-66, two years into the future
Night
Clint was staring into his glass when someone put a duffle bag in front of him. Clint almost jumped as he was startled out of his thoughts. He looked over at the man sitting next to him, an old man with a mustache wearing glasses.
"Try it on," the man said simply.
"What?" Clint said confused.
With a smile, the man unzipped the bag. Clint looked inside to see a golden helmet inside.
"You-you want me to try on a helmet?" Clint asked incredulously. "Sorry, I think I'll pass."
"One person can make a difference. 'Nuff, said," the man said randomly.
Clint turned to tell the man no, but stopped short. The man was gone, leaving only him with the bag. He had half a mind to shove the bag in a trash can but, for some reason he couldn't name, he didn't. Instead, he zipped up the bag and took it with him.
That night, in a motel, Clint was sleeping in his bed when he woke up to a bright light, shining in his room for some reason. He got out of bed, heading over to the bag, which was glowing. He opened in up, seeing the helmet was glowing. A strange feeling washed over Clint. It was almost like the helmet was calling to him, urging him to put it on. Clint reached into the bag, pulling it out and staring at the helmet. Ignoring every instinct in his body, Clint put on the helmet and, in a flash, Doctor Fate stood in the room where Clint had been.
Now
"I don't know who that man was, but he gave me the helmet for a reason, I know that," Fate said as they all listened to his story. "He was right, one person can make a difference, I see that now. I saw this moment twenty one years ago, when first I put on the helmet. Everything I've done since has been to make sure we all get here. Clint…take the helmet."
"What?" Clint asked in shock.
"Go ahead, take it," Fate said, looking over at Freya.
Freya held it out to him and, after a moment of hesitation, Clint reached out and took it from her. Clint stared down at the helmet, an unreadable expression on his face as they all stared at him.
"Clint?" Natasha asked wearily.
"You can feel it, can't you? It's calling to you, just like it called to me," Fate said as Clint looked back at him. "It's yours now Clint. Put it on and you will know what needs to be done. You will know what to do."
With every word he spoke, Fate seemed to lose strength until he looked ready to pass out.
"Grandpa," Freya said her voice cracking with emotion as Fate smiled at her.
"It's okay Freya, I knew this would happen. I'm okay," Fate said weakly as he reached over and placed a hand on the side of her face, tears running down her cheeks. "After your dad died, I did my best with you, to raise you how I thought your parents would. I'm proud of the person you've grown up to be. Brace yourself."
Before Freya could ask what he meant, he slumped forward, his head into her shoulder as his hands went limp, the Mind Stone clattering to the floor. He was gone.
New Titan
Same time
"So, you failed," Thawne said as he walked over to Thanos, seeing the mad Titan sitting on the porch of his demolished house, a solemn look on his face as his hand held the stump where his arm had once been.
"I underestimated them," Thanos admitted.
"And so you failed," Thawne said and Thanos glared at him. "Fortunately, I prepared for this."
"You knew they would get the stones," Thanos realized after a moment.
"They are Avengers; they will not stop fighting until they die. I prepared for the scenario in which they got back the stones," Thawne then pulled out the container Joe had given him which contained the tachyons.
"What is that?" Thanos asked as he eyed the container and Thawne smirked.
"This is what will allow us to defeat The Avengers once and for all and let us both get what we want," Thawne assured him.
Avengers Compound
Later in the afternoon
Freya was standing in what classified as the Compound's morgue but was basically just the basement. Fate's body had been put on a table with a sheet covering it and Freya stared at it, a hand over her mouth. Barry walked in, looking over at the body before looking back at Freya.
"Don't ask me if I'm okay," Freya said gruffly as she lowered her hand to her side.
"I wasn't, because I know you're not," Barry said as he walked over to her.
"He never told me. He told me that he knew how it would end but he never told me he would die. Why didn't he tell me?" Freya asked brokenly.
"Because he knew you'd try to save him," Barry said and she looked over at him. "I spent my entire life trying to get my family back and look what it cost me, what it cost everyone. We're not gods Freya, our actions have consequences. Fate-Clint knew that, which is why he didn't tell you. I don't know what he saw in these other futures, but it was enough for him to decide not to tell you for a reason. Trust that he knew what he was doing."
"I miss him," Freya said softly as she leaned into him, Barry wrapping his arms around her.
"I know. So let's make sure he didn't die for nothing," Barry whispered in her ear.
In the briefing room, Clint was sitting down at the table, staring at the helmet he had placed on it. Natasha and Laura entered the room, seeing he was deep in thought. Natasha gestured at him and Laura nodded, walking over as Natasha left to give them some privacy.
"How you doing Hawkeye?" Laura asked as she walked behind him, putting her hands on his shoulders.
"Just trying to think," Clint said with a sigh. "Finding out the guy who didn't tell you before now a psychopath was after your family was a future version of you…when did my life become a Sci-Fi movie?"
"New York," Laura said simply and Clint winced. "Why are you staring at the helmet?"
"I think I'm gonna put it on," Clint said after a moment and Laura tensed.
"Clint…you know I support your Aveng-ing, but from what Nat told me about the other you that wore it, that helmet drains you as you use it," Laura said carefully.
"Because he used it for over twenty years. I only need to use it once," Clint got up out as his chair, turning around and taking her hands in his. "Fate, the other me…everything he did, every choice he made, he did it to save you, save our kids. His job isn't done until Thanos is stopped. He risked everything to give this helmet to me; he bet his life on it. Have faith in me one more time."
"You know I do but…are you sure about this?" Laura asked carefully.
"No…but I have to try," Clint said resolutely.
Laura knew, regardless of what she said, he was going to do this. So, swallowing her nerves and doubts, she watched as he picked up the helmet and put it on. There was a blinding flash of golden light and, when it founded, Doctor Fate stood in the room, his entire body radiating with power.
"Clint?" Laura called out hesitantly.
"I see it," Fate said after a moment. "I see what must be done."
Everyone else, besides Joe and the kids, was in the lab, Tony and Bruce (back in normal form and changed into regular clothes), examining the completed gauntlet Fitz had made in awe. It was almost an exact copy of Thanos' gauntlet except it was black instead of gold and smaller, so it would fit them.
"You did this in five hours?" Bruce asked as he glanced over at Fitz.
"Four and a half. I had to make sure I hadn't made a mistake, the smallest thing could have disastrous results," Fitz said, impressing them.
"I see why Coulson had such faith in you kid," Fury said impressed as Barry and Freya entered the room. "He was lucky to have you as part of his team."
Fitz simply nodded, not sure what to say to that.
"So that's the thing that's gonna bring everyone back?" Frank asked, unimpressed as he looked at the gauntlet.
"If works as it should, yeah," Fitz said still a little nervous due to the pressure on this.
"It'll work kid. What you did, I couldn't have done it better myself," Tony said as he saw the doubt in Fitz's eyes. "How'd you like to come work for me?"
Fitz laughed as Steve, Rhodey, and Natasha rolled their eyes good naturedly at Tony's antics.
"As flattering as that is, I already work for SHIELD," Fitz said.
"Damn straight Turbo," Mack said as he looked at the gauntlet. "So how do we do this?"
"First, we need to get the stones in their slots, which won't be easy, since they're giving off a lot of radiation," Bruce started.
"I can put them there," Freya said and they all looked over at her. "With my powers, I can put them all where they need to go without even touching them. None of you have to do a thing."
Everyone looked over at her, uncertain as a voice spoke up.
"She is correct."
Everyone looked as Fate entered the room, followed by Laura, the kids, and Joe, who was holding a squirming Freya in his arms.
"Clint? Is that you?" Natasha asked uncertainly.
"It is," Fate confirmed as he looked over at Freya, who had gone pale at the sight of him. "Freya can do this. I have seen it."
"You sure about this?" Steve asked as he looked over at Freya.
"Yeah, I am," Freya said as she got a hold of herself, pointedly not looking at Fate as she instead looked at Steve. "I can do this, I know I can."
"Okay then, I guess it's settled," Steve said with a nod and Freya smiled.
"Before we begin, there is something you need to know," Fate said as they all looked over at him. "I must return my family to Earth-1. Mr. Lang, I believe it best that Cassandra comes with me."
"What?" Scott said sharply, the thought of sending his daughter to another earth far from thrilling.
"I understand your hesitance, but it is to protect her from is coming," Fate said and they all tensed.
"What's coming Clint?" Bobbi asked.
"Nothing you cannot handle but the children will be safe on Earth-1. I will also need Wally's help with something," Fate said as he looked over at the confused Speedster. "I have a task only you can help me with."
"Whatever you need," Wally said after moment.
"Okay," Scott allowed a sigh as he looked over at his daughter. "I don't like it, but if you think she'll be safe there…okay."
"Bye daddy," Cassie said as she walked over to him, hugging him around the waist.
"Bye Peanut. Don't worry, I'll see you soon," Scott said as he returned her hug.
"We keep saying goodbye lately," Joe joked as Barry walked over to him.
"We'll be together soon, I promise," Barry said, placing hand on Joe's shoulder before looking down at his young daughter. "All of us. Mommy and Daddy will be by soon, okay Slugger?"
Young Freya simply smiled at him as Barry stepped back. Fate opened a portal and they all entered. As it closed, their loved ones stared after them for a moment before Steve looked over at Freya.
"Let's do this," Steve ordered and Freya nodded.
Once they had recovered from the shock of Fate's identity, they had stored the six stones in a vault where Tony kept his most dangerous projects. Freya walked over to it and nodded at Tony.
"FRIDAY, open vault. Password: Potts," Tony ordered.
"Safeguard disengaged, opening vault," FRIDAY's voice entered the room before, with a few clicks, the vault opened.
Freya waved her hands, which glowed red, as the energy coated stones flew out slowly, one by one. Everyone watched with baited breath as Freya gently put the stones into their respective slots. With a snap, it all came together as Freya lowered her hands, the energy fading from her hands as well as the stones.
"Boom!" Rocket suddenly shouted and they all jumped, Rocket laughing until they all glared at him. "Sorry."
"Okay, it's ready," Bruce said after checking that everyone was alright.
"Question is who's gonna snap their freaking fingers," Rocket muttered.
"I think Hulk and I can do it," Bruce said as they all looked over at him. "The radiation from the stones is mostly Gamma. If we work together, Hulk and I can do it."
"That's a very big if Dr. Banner," Bobbi pointed out.
"It has to be me," Thor said suddenly and they all looked over at him. "I am the strongest Avenger. It has to be me."
"Thor, are you sure about this?" Steve asked wearily.
"Cap's right, this thing is channeling enough energy to light up a continent," Tony added.
"All the more reason for me to do it. I'm the one least likely to die trying," Thor said as he walked over to the gauntlet. "I understand your concerns but I have to do this. It has to be me; I can feel it in my bones."
"Are you sure about this?" Steve repeated, looking Thor in the eye.
"I am," Thor said with a nod.
"Okay. Let's do this," Steve ordered.
"Remember, you're just bringing back everyone Thanos snapped away, nothing else," Tony warned him.
Thor understood Tony and Steve's concern, given his reaction to Coulson's death. In truth, there were many people Thor would like to bring back. His father. His mother. Loki. Heimdall. So many others. A few years ago, when he was a selfish, brash price, he would not have hesitated to use the stones to bring them back, regardless of the consequences. But he was no longer that prince. He was a king now, a hero. An Avenger. He understood some things happened for a reason, because fate wanted them to happen. So he would respect fate's will, no matter how much it hurt him.
"Let's do this," Thor said and Tony nodded as Thor readied himself.
Then, they were ready. Tony, Scott, and Rhodey got in their suits as Bruce, Barry, and Freya stood in front of Mack, Fitz, Bobbi, Rocket, Matt, and Frank, those most likely to be unable to handle the radiation. Steve, Fury, Caitlin, and Natasha stood near Tony and Rhodey, just waiting.
"FRIDAY, engage Barn Door Protocol," Tony ordered.
"You got it Boss," FRIDAY said as the base was put on lockdown, the windows, walls, and everything blocked out by steel doors.
With a deep breath, Thor reached his right hand inside the gauntlet. As he lifted his arm up, the gauntlet on, he was struck by the energy. He understood why Thanos had been strained at first, it was almost more than Thor could bear. As they saw the energy covering Thor's body and heard him groan, The Avengers were concerned.
"Thor, you okay?" Rocket called out concerned.
"I am fine Rabbit," Thor grunted, lifting his fingers.
Using all his will, with a roar, Thor snapped his fingers and the stones flashed as Thor used their power.
The next thing Thor was aware of, he was in the throne room at Asgard. Which made no sense, as Asgard had been destroyed. He wasn't alone either. There was a woman there, with her back to him. As she turned to face him, Thor couldn't stop the gasp that escaped him.
"Mother?"
"Hello my son," Frigga said as she smiled warmly at him. "I've missed you."
"And I you. I wish I could speak to you every day," Thor said, his voice cracking with emotion as he stared at her. "How are we here?"
"Using the stones, it causes one to have a vision. The Soul Stone brought your mind here, as it brought Thanos when he used them. It brought you to the person you most wanted to see when you sued the stones," Frigga explained. "I am proud of you Thor, for all that you have done. Your father is proud of you to."
"I can't be like him mom. I can't rule as he did," Thor confessed, not sure why he felt compelled to say it.
"I know and so does he," Frigga said soothingly as she walked over to him, putting a hand on the side of his face. "You are different than him, but that isn't a bad thing. You can be better. A better king, a better man. Your father is proud of you and he will always be. Be who you are, not who everyone expects you to be."
Thor cried out as he fell to his knees, pain searing through his arm as he yanked the gauntlet off. It landed on the other side of the room as everyone rushed to him.
"Hey, you okay?" Natasha asked concerned as they saw the radiation burn on his arm.
"Hold still Thor," Caitlin said as her eyes flashed blue and she quickly froze her injured arm.
"Did-did it work?" Thor asked as he breathed heavily, trying to put his jumbled thoughts together.
No one had an answer as the steel doors opened. Scott looked up as he heard the sounds of birds chipping outside and Bobbi's phone rang. She pulled it out and her heart stopped as she saw Hunter's face on the screen. She stood up, staring at it as everyone looked up at her before she answered.
"H-Hunter?" Bobbi stammered as she answered, hoping this wasn't a cruel tick.
"Bobbi? Where are you?" Hunter asked as Bobbi put a hand to her mouth, sobbing. "Bob? Are you okay?"
"It worked," Scott said with a relieved grin.
There were laughs as they all looked around, feeling victorious, feeling overjoyed. Then, they heard the roar of thunder. They looked up at the glass ceiling as the biggest lightning blast any of them had ever seen crashed through the ceiling and struck the floor, causing an explosion that threw them all back.