A few minutes later:
Avengers Compound, New York:
The trip from space to the Avengers Compound took only a few minutes, though I should have warned the others below ahead of time when we flew through the clouds and came down on the front lawn with a harsh crash.
"Hey! No one's going to pay for that!" Tony shouted from the front door, looking both excited by the ship and exasperated by my wide smile as I walked through the hatch doors.
"Told you I could do it!" I spoke with a grin aimed at Natasha, who rolled her eyes as Steve smiled amusedly. The Super Soldier then looked to my right, staring at Thor who waved excitedly.
"Friends! I have returned victoriously from battle!"
"Thor, a sight for sore eyes, or eye, should I say?"
"Ah, nothing much. It was simply my older sister that carved out my eye," The way he so nonchalantly spoke about it made me stifle my smirk, especially when it caught Steve off-guard.
"Uh, sure. And who is everyone on the ship?"
"Asgardians. We lost our planet after Surtur destroy it."
"And you thought Earth was a good place to bring them?" Tony asked and Thor just nodded with a smile. "Sure, why not? We already got so many illegals on the planet. What's a couple hundred more?"
"Wonderful! However, I must say that your compound is a bit too small," Thor spoke with an actual concerned look, one that drew a groan from Tony as Steve patted his shoulder.
"Well, I'll leave you businessmen to talk! Hulk, buddy! Over here!" I shouted, gesturing for the green behemoth to follow as we walked over to Natasha.
The woman in question looked less happier now as she stared at Hulk, a bit wary when the large monster gave her a longing stare.
"Where's Bruc-"
"Ah, I'm gonna stop you there. You've known him for longer, but I've learned that he utterly hates the person going by B.B," I replied, rubbing Hulk's back to calm him down.
It didn't work and I instead was forced to duck under a backhand, levelling a flat stare at Hulk who frowned.
"Feels like mosquito. Irritates Hulk."
"Okay, that makes more sense than it should," I nodded before Natasha cleared her throat. I turned to her and was confused as her eyes flicked to Hulk before my eyes widened and I palmed my face.
Right, her and Banner had this weird potential thing before he left, and I'm going to be the third wheel here."
"Well, I just realized what's going on here. I'm just gonna-"
"You are not dipping or you're not getting that date."
"You date mosquito?"
"The name's Pietro, you know?" I replied with a groan, though Hulk just ignored me as he looked at Natasha. She in turn stared back at him for a long while before she sighed and nodded.
"It's more of a friends thing, but yeah. Besides, it's not like Bruce is even home right now."
"Banner hide. Hulk stay," Hulk replied with a grunt, plopping down onto the ground as I awkwardly stood there with my hands in my pockets.
"...Are we still on?"
"Yes, Pietro. However, I do not believe you'll be able to find a place where authorities won't try to arrest me."
"Oh, don't you worry. You just make sure to dress warm. Try and get the thickest coats you can."
"If we're going to the Antarctic, I'm punching you in the balls."
"No, I'm not that stupid," I replied, taking a glance to the side and immediately letting out a sigh as Tony's Mark XLVII stood with its repulsor beams aimed at a smirking Loki.
"Oh, great. He's up to his antics again."
"It would have been better for everyone if you had left him to die."
"Ms. Romanoff," I spoke with an aghast look, but it quickly fell away and was replaced by a smirk as she gave an unashamed shrug.
"He is an annoyance and wanted to destroy the Earth. Also, he took my friend hostage."
"Wait, then why go on the date with me given that I, or at least a variant of me, tried to kill you guys?"
"Because, as I said, it's simply a time between friends," she replied and I paused, mulling it over before shrugging.
"Eh, there's still more time to woo you."
"You trying to get into my pants?"
"Yes," I gave a blunt reply and she rolled her eyes, but I just turned and began making my way over to where Thor and Steve were trying to ensure Tony didn't blast Loki through a wall.
"I'm simply saying that just because I once tried to take over your planet does not mean that I'll do so again."
"And I'm telling you that not a single word out of your mouth is trustworthy. Don't you have some kind of prison in there to put him away in?"
"I am not locking away my brother!" Thor looked affronted at Tony's request, to which the Stark just rolled his eyes before Valkyrie chimed in.
"It's not a bad idea. He has stabbed most of us in the back more times than we could count. Quite literally too for Thor, if Hulk is to be believed."
"Well, that happened quite a long time ago and I am a changed man."
"Do you think we're foolish enough to believe you?"
"I was hoping you were naive enough, yes," Loki replied unashamedly, making me sigh as I rubbed the bridge of my nose.
"Loki, lying is kind of your thing. Can you at least do that right?"
"But if I lie, you all will get mad."
"And if you tell the truth, we're not going to trust a word you say."
"See? No matter what I do, you all won't trust you so I might as well be honest," was his response, to which we all paused before I gave an unsure smile and shrugged.
"Well, he's kind of not wrong."
"That is true, but I still need a guarantee. Loki, swear in our father and mother's names that you will not betray us."
"That is a new low, brother, even for you."
"I know, but one has to go to the extreme when it comes to you, brother," Thor replied and I decided to not chime in like usual when the two godly beings stared each other down.
Everyone else decided to stay out of it as well, all of us watching as Loki held Thor's gaze for almost five minutes before he let out a soft groan, "Ugh. If I must, I will promise not to betray you."
"You, as in all of us, or you as in just Thor?" I asked, drawing raised eyebrows from everyone and a sigh from Thor as Loki gave me a thin smirk.
"When you die, know that I will relish every single moment of it."
"Sure, but you haven't answered."
"Fine! I won't betray any of you. There, is that better?"
"Much, my dear trickster. Now, if you would just be so kind as to stop trying to steal the Space Stone from Thor," he just rolled his eyes as his form faded away. His original body appeared behind Thor and he rolled his eyes as he pulled his hand back.
"Are you perhaps immune to his illusions?" Sif asked with a hopeful look, one that settled back into disappointment as I shook my head with a chuckle.
"No, I can simply perceive the vibrations made by his body and the energy he exudes."
"Well. As long as Pietro can keep a close eye on him, I'm more than happy to leave him with him," Steve replied with a nod, turning to Tony who glanced at me. He seemed to realize what I was thinking as he let out a sigh and nodded, drawing a relieved smile from Thor who patted Loki's shoulder.
"Wonderful! Now, we should probably figure out where to put the Asgardians."
"I know a few spots in Norway that you guys can join or that are empty land to be purchased."
"Good! Loki and I will go and inform everyone then!"
"We will?"
"You wished to be a charismatic speaker, brother. Now's your chance," With a hard pat on his back that sent Loki stumbling forward, Thor continued walking as his brother sighed and following after him.
"You're still going to try and make plans for him, aren't you?"
"Without a doubt," Stark replied with a snort, drawing a chuckle from me as the man walked away. I just watched him leave before turning to the rest of the group, noticing Nat's stare at Hulk when the behemoth walked away with Valkyrie and Sif following after him.
"You sure you don't want to talk to him?" I asked, making her turn her attention to me as I smiled. "I'm sure Banner's listening in and even if it's Hulk, the big guy would sit quietly and listen if you want to talk."
"No, Bruce and I had our chance, and we blew it. Life is all about moving along and I'm ready for it. Now then, you owe me a date."
"And Tony did say we could use his card."
"You could just steal it," she suggested, smirking as I scratched the back of my head.
"Well, I could, but I'm still going to ask. Besides, I'm sure with my charm, I could persuade him to let me spend some of his money."
"He throws away millions for art. I think he'll let you spend some of the money."
"Exactly. Now, you go and prepare yourself for an hour while I go and ask Tony for his money."
"Fine, but I swear if we're just going to see an aurora or something like that, I'm going to be pissed."
"Hey, I'm more creative than that," I replied with a roll of my eyes, watching as the blonde left before turning and heading into the compound.
Vibrating my body and walking through the walls helped me easily find the Stark, who was already staring at a blue holographic projection of the Statesman before I entered.
"Yo, Tones. So, I know Nat and I said that we'd used your card, but I didn't want to just use it. So, I was wondering if-"
"Before you keep talking, here you go," he cut me off while tossing something towards me, which I caught with ease before blinking in confusion as I stared at the iPhone I held in hand.
"Uh, what is this?"
"While you were away, I had F.R.I.D.A.Y. alter your legal documents and re-open your bank accounts. I also made sure to pay you the total amount of the salaries you've 'acquired' over the time that you've been gone."
"Really?" I asked with a surprised look, opening the banking app the phone had only to choke on my spit as I stared at the amount.
"W-Wait, this is what I made?"
"With interest as well as some investments I made with the money," he responded with a shrug. "I was going to give it to your sister and Vision as a wedding gift when they do inevitably get married, but I figured the two accounts I've already made for them was enough."
"Can I hug you? I feel like I should hug you."
"You'll get one hu-" I already crossed the distance and hugged the man with a grunt, to which he just stopped talking and rolled his eyes.
"And you've already hugged me. Great, can you let go now?"
"-and one. You've ruined the moment," I sighed as I let go, though my smile didn't fade as I looked back down and stared at the $28 million on the screen.
That was more than enough for me for a starter point, but before that, let's see if I can get this date to go well.
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The Sanctuary, Andromeda Right Edge:
A few minutes earlier:
The Sanctuary II was alit with activity as they drifted through the western edges of the Andromeda Galaxy, having just left the forces of Xandar in shambles with their invasion.
The Sakaaran crew aboard helped keep things moving as they made up most of the crew of the ship, though most were still riding on the high that was having helped procure an Infinity Stone for their master.
Further up the ranks of the forces were one of those closest to Thanos, Proxima Midnight standing with her arms crossed her beloved and 'brother' Corvus Glaive.
Standing behind them was another of their 'brothers' Cull Obsidian and knelt in front of their 'father's' throne was the eldest and most loyal of their 'siblings' Ebony Maw.
Seated on the throne was their father himself, the violet hue of the Power Stone emitting from the back of the golden gauntlet he wore on his left hand.
"My Children," his voice resonated through the massive chamber, drawing the attention of his 'Children'. "The first step is complete. Xandar has fallen and the universe has taken one step closer to salvation. Now, we turn our sights to the Space Stone atop the Asgardian vessel."
"Sire," Ebony Maw began as he lifted his head, pleased as his father met his gaze, "the vanguard has been tracking the vessel's trajectory through the Odin-Share sector. They are exactly where you predicted them to be."
"Good. Adjust our flight path to intercept them at the empty space between Andromeda and the Milky Way. We shall take the stone there and take one step closer."
"At once, Father," Corvus Glaive spoke with a deep bow, Proxima Midnight walking towards the central control console in the throne room to issue the command.
However, she narrowed her eyes as the holographic console appeared only to show off a message from the tracking unit.
"What is it, daughter?" the ruler asked, all turning to the woman as she finished reading and cursed under her breath.
"The signature we've been using to track the Space Stone...it's missing. It vanished from the quadrant."
"An Infinity Stone does not simply vanish, sister."
"Be more kind with your words, Maw. The fault does not like with her."
"Do not let your attachments to our 'sister' blind your judgement, Glaive," Ebony Maw replied in kind, rising to levitate in front of Corvus Glaive as the man held his namesake in hand.
"Enough," Thanos' voice cut right through both of theirs, making both bow their heads as he turned to his daughter. "What does the last record say?"
"It shows a massive and instantaneous surge of cosmic energy and then...nothing."
"The stone was used," Thanos spoke with grim realization, which dawned on the others as the tyrant looked to be in thought. "Daughter, use our scanners in Terran Space to scan Coordinate Section C-53."
The woman did as asked, all waiting patiently as her fingers worked across the keyboard before Thanos' eyes lit up with amusement as he saw the signature of the Space Stone illuminating the planet.
It was not the only one as several others hovered around the planet, drawing wide eyes from his children as Thanos rose and chuckled.
"So, the Terrans have made the first move?"
"They dare to take what belongs rightfully to you, Sire?"
"No, Maw. They merely did the work of gathering the stones for me. Issue a command to all forces throughout the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies. They are to all converge upon the planet of Terra."
"As you command, Father," Proxima Midnight spoke with a nod before she turned, sending out the missives as Thanos clenched his fist and let the energy of the Power Stone course through his body.
"The Terrans may have thrown the first blow, but with time and preparation, we shall take the stones from them and together, we shall bring peace and prosperity to the universe."
"As it is written!" His children declared, all doing a fist salute to their chest as the Titan nodded.
As it is written.
A/N: And it ends here!! A bit of a late one, but Thanos is preparing for war while Pietro is preparing for a date.
Next chapter: Helping a Widow with her emotions.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!!