Viper

Chapter 4: Endings and Beginnings

Hours Later

Tony comes to get me.

"Stark?" my voice is strained as Summer is still mostly in control.

"Babe, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I will be."

"The team is in the city. It's about to light up."

"Once you get me out of the cell, I need you to knock me out."

"What?"

"Trust me?"

"Of course."

I get out and Summer starts attacking, but Tony is quick to knock me out and take me to the jet. Fury and Hill bring the helicarrier and we load up the lifeboats with civilians. Later, I protect Pietro, Clint, and a little boy named Costel. I then stop all debris from falling on anything besides water. I find any and all survivors and get them to safety. With my powers, I'm able to quickly rebuild Sokovia to be even better than it was. We return everyone to their proper homes before heading back to the US. So, my grandson goes back to his family, Tony and I finish constructing the Avengers Compound in Upstate New York, Bruce leaves with Dr. Cho before disappearing for a while, Thor prepares to go back to Asgard, and Steve and Nat get ready to train Sam, Rhodey, Vision, Wanda, and Pietro. Nat and I are watching a video of Nathaniel Pietro Barton before Fury walks up to talk to her about Steve, so I find the boys.

"The rules have changed," says my baby brother.

"We're dealing with something new," Tony replies.

"Ya know, I never did get to try holding it," I mutter.

Thor sets the hammer down upon hearing my statement, and I try to lift it. I open my eyes to see all three men staring at me in shock.

"What?"

They point, and I look at my hand to see that I am holding Mjolnir.

"Oh fuck. Well, that's that answered. Here you go," I say tossing it back.

"Oh, the Vision is artificial intelligence."

"A machine."

"So, it doesn't count?"

"No, it's not like a person lifting the hammer."

"Right, different rules for us."

"Even different for me. I still can't believe that, damnit!"

"Yeah. Nice guy. Artificial."

"Thank you."

"He can wield the hammer, he can keep the Mind Stone, and clearly Lady Adelaide can take care of all of you. In fact, here, milady."

Thor hands me a necklace with a little Mjolnir on it.

"If ever you need it—or me—"

"Same here," I say engraving a snake in his armor.

"But if you put the hammer in an elevator—"

"It would still go up."

"Elevator's not worthy."

"I'm gonna miss these little talks of ours."

"Not if you don't leave."

"I have no choice."

"He's right. The Mind Stone is the fourth of the Infinity Stones to show up in the last few years."

"It's not a coincidence. Someone has been playing an intricate game and has made pawns of us. And once all these pieces are in position—"

"Triple Yahtzee."

"Tones—"

"You think you can find out what's coming?"

"I do. Besides this one, there's nothing that can't be explained."

Thor nods at us, lifts the hammer, and disappears to Asgard.

"That man has no regard for lawn maintenance. I'm gonna miss him though, and you're gonna miss me for a bit. There's gonna be a lot of manful tears."

"I will miss you, Tony."

"I think I'll miss him more. Have fun with Sarah and David. Spend some time with Harley too, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am. Maybe I should take a page out of Barton's book."

"Soon, honey, I promise."

"The simple life," Steve comments.

"You'll have it soon, baby."

"Very true. Let's find that fiancée of mine. Bye, brother."

"Bye, Stevie. Genny."

"I love you, dear. Stay safe, and I'll join you guys next week."

"Perfect. I love you too, babe."

"Bye."

I kiss him, and he takes off. Steve and I find Nat.

"Babygirl, you wanna keep staring at the wall or do you wanna go to work? I mean, it's a pretty interesting wall," Steve gets her attention.

"I thought you and Tony were still gazing into each other's eyes."

"Oh, they were. It was starting to get weird."

"Hey, Liz."

"Hi, sis."

"How do we look, babes?"

"Well, we're not the '27 Yankees."

"We got some hitters."

"They're good. They're not a team."

"Well, Stevie, that's why I stayed—to beat them into shape."

Before us are our five new recruits.

"Avengers!" I shout."Assemble! Steve, you'll start with Sam. Nat, with Rhodes. Maximoffs and Vis,you guys are with me. Let's get started.