Assemble the Crew
One by one, the team started to trickle in. However, two key members were still missing. Clint Barton and Thor Odinson. Natasha had chosen to go after Clint alone. His recent escapades had been leaving a massive body count in its wake. Bad guys ranging from low level street thugs to high ranking Yakuza bosses were all on his list. So Natasha knew she had to reign him in solo. The newly introduced Smart Hulk and Rocket had volunteered to go recruit Thor. But when Banner suggested Evie tag along, a knot formed in her stomach as her chest constricted with guilt.
“I dunno boys… The last time I saw Thor, I said some awful things that I’ve regretted every day since.” She casted her eyes down in shame at the memory. “I was a tequila-fueled rage monster and I’m afraid he got the brunt of my wrath.”
Rocket walked up to where she was sitting and bumped her knee. “Listen, no one expected you to be okay after everything that happened to you. Thor told me most of the story before we went to Wakanda, and well, I was there for everything after... But if what Valkyrie is saying is true, he’s gonna need someone to reach out in a way that we just can’t.”
Tony knew about the incident. After all he had been the one to pick her off the floor of her trashed house. A broken, drunken mess. “Evie, sweetheart. I think the Build-a-bear is right. Thor loves you, and there's no one better to get through to him than you.”
After reluctantly agreeing Evie was on board the Benatar, landing in New Asgard. Salty sea air was the first thing to greet her as they descended the loading ramp. Bruce seemed to sense her hesitation.
“Hey. It’s gonna be alright. I’m sure Thor is gonna be thrilled to see you.”
“That’s not really what I’m worried about. I mean, I am but…” Rocket took the words right out of her mouth.
“You’re scared of digging up painful memories by being back with your husband’s people, aren’t you?” She ducked her head, looking towards the crystal blue ocean.
“Yeah… something like that.”
The car ride into town was a quiet one as she took in the beautiful landscape. It was the very place she last saw Odin alive. Where Hela had Mjolnir broken into pieces. And where her space odyssey with Loki had started. Evie expected sadness to cause tears to spill. But instead she felt a profound melancholy descend upon her. So there she sat in silence, brooding. Soon enough there were in the middle of the quaint little fishing village with Rocket mouthing off about how it was a downgrade from the real deal.
Evie ignored him and Bruce as she wrapped her coat tightly around her frame. She wasn’t cold, but being there caused her to cling on to the warmth it provided. The memories all rushed forward without warning. Causing a rather chilling shiver to run down her spine. From behind the trio a voice rang out.
“You shouldn't have come!”
The three of them spun around to see none other than Brunnhilde, aka Valkyrie, aiding some fishermen. Bruce was the first to greet her. Instantly sprouting a smile. “Ah, Valkyrie! Great to see you, Angry Girl.” Valkyrie, noticing Bruce's change of appearance, commented, “I think I liked you better either of the other ways.” He quickly introduced Rocket to her and as she eyed the mammal curiously, she stated, “he won't see you.”
“That bad, huh?” Bruce’s face fell when Val told them that he was only spotted once a month when he’d come into town for 'supplies.' Code word for a beer run.
“That bad…”
“Yeah,” she nodded slowly. Bruce took it as his cue and added, “well it’s a good thing we brought reinforcements then.” When he stepped aside Valkyrie dropped the casting net bundled in her hands.
“Lady Stark?”
“Hey Brunnhilde,” Evie answered in a small and almost shy tone. She expected some sort of silent treatment or even the cold shoulder. But when the other woman crashed into her for a crushing embrace, her surprise subsided after the initial shock and Evie hugged her back with just as much fondness.
“Goodness, my lady! Ugh, it's been so long. How, how are you? Oh!” Val pulled back, snapping her mouth shut but kept Evie at arm’s length, regretting her last words the second they tumbled out. “Oh that was stupid, I’m sor-” Evie shook her head. “No! No, don’t apologize. There’s no harm done. I’m okay, just been keeping my head down and staying busy. Not much else I could do ya’ know…” Valkyrie pointed out the small cottage Thor and his friends were living and looped her arm around Evie’s, not letting her walk away just yet.
“Brunnhilde, what’s the matter?”
She heard a small chuckle as they walked very slowly, taking the scenic route up. “You know you’re the only one who still calls me by my actual name, right?”
“Well Brunnhilde is your name. But I call you Val too, I just like messing with you.” They shared a giggle as they came to a stop at the wooden doorway.
“Listen, I never got to properly thank you for helping us settle into this part of your world. After all, you did do all the legal stuff to allow it.” She started to dismiss her again, but Valkyrie was having none of her humbleness. “I’m serious, every single person here is eternally indebted to you. Had it not been for you, Loki, and Heimdall Asgardians would have been completely wiped off this universe. So please accept our gratitude and know you will always have friends here willing to aid in anything should you need it.”
Evie swallowed the lump in throat as she hugged her friend once more. Muttering a soft thank’s into her hair.
Valkyrie left to resume her work and Evie crept inside the seaside cottage, careful not to make too much noise. From the shadows she saw Hulk and Rocket try to persuade Thor, who had put on some considerable weight. One of the many signs that he had long stopped caring about things, but himself mostly.
“So, what's up? You just here for a hang, or what?” He said, popping the top of a beer off using StormBreaker. Bruce sauntered over to him.
“We need your help. There might be a chance we could fix everything.”
The god of thunder chuckled, “what, like the cable?” He asked before pausing briefly to belch, “cause that's been driving me bananas for weeks.”
Slowly, with his voice full of seriousness Banner said, “like Thanos.” Thor's smile slowly disappeared. He put a shaky hand on Bruce's shoulder, sticking a finger in his face. “Don't say that name.”
From the couch Korg got up removing his gaming headphones.
“Um, yeah. We don't actually say that name in here.” He uttered tentatively. Evie felt the tidal wave of fear and loathing Thor felt for the deceased titan.
“Please take your hand off me.” Banner said softly, gently brushing Thor’s hand off the lapels of his jacket. “Now, I know that... guy might scare you.” A bitter laugh fell from Thor’s lips.
“Why would I be? Why would- why would I be scared of that guy? I'm the one who killed that guy, remember? Anyone else here killed that guy? Nope. Didn't think so.”
“You may have chopped off his head, but I ripped out his heart.”
Everyone turned towards the sound, and Korg jumped back several feet after getting spooked seeing her emerge from the shadow in the corner of the room. Thor’s eyes started to well up.
“Little sister?” He spoke in a low, broken voice. Evie came to cup his cheek sweetly and Thor closed his eyes, as if a ghost had approached him and he was surrendering to the end.
“I know you're in a low place Thor, I was too… But we need you. I need you, brother…” Thor’s sorrow dissipated and a slow simmering rage took over, he grabbed her wrist taking her hands off his face. Then walked over and looked out the window to point.
“Why don't you ask the Asgardians down there, how much my help was worth.” Dropping onto the recliner he took a swing from his beer, “the ones that are left, anyway.”
Evie followed and crouched down beside him, tentatively placing her hands on his knees, looking up into his stormy heterochromic eyes. “We think we can bring them back-”
“Stop. stop, okay? I know you think I'm down here wallowing in my own self-pity, waiting to be rescued and and saved. But I'm fine, okay? We're fine, aren't we?” She ignored Korg and Miek who corroborated Thor’s story. “So, whatever it is that you're offering, we're not into it, don't care, couldn't care less. Goodbye.” He refused to keep holding the gaze with her pleading eyes.
“Thor, I need you. I can’t do this if you won’t be there too.” He shook his head trying to brush off her words.
“Thor…” She sighed deeply, unable to believe the words about to come next after exchanging a knowing look with Rocket. “There’s beer on the ship.” He fiddled the empty bottle in his hands before tossing it aside. “What kind?” He asked. His interest suddenly peeked.
Evie plastered a cheeky grin, shaking her head.
Back at the Avenger’s compound Tony and Rocket were hard at work tinkering with the glass platform that would be the base point of their space-time expedition.
Evie, Bruce, Scott, and Nebula were all working on getting their prototype suits ready for a test drive. It was similar to what Scott used to shrink and grow, but it had been retrofitted to meet their time traveling needs. Evie smirked when she overheard her dad call Thor the Lebowski as he wandered the testing chamber. As the blue robot-girl made slight adjustments with the suit, Hulk went to retrieve the little red vial of Pym Particles.
“Time travel suit? Not bad.” Evie looked up from scanning over the specs on the screen and threw her uncle a toothy grin. But Lang’s response to the big green guy handling the tiny glass tube cut her off before she could even say, ‘hi.’
“Hey, hey, hey! Easy, easy!”
“I'm being very careful.” Banner retorted as Evie went over to them.
“No, you're being very Hulky.” Scott exclaimed and she swiped the container from Bruce.
“I was being careful.”
Rolling her eyes, Evie handed Scott the Pym Particles. “Here, you big baby. Now you be careful.” Scott held it up saying, “I am! These are Pym Particles, alright? And ever since Hank Pym got snapped out of existence, this is it! This is what we have. We're not making any more.”
Rhodey, with his hands up, gently talked to him. “Scott, calm down.”
“Sorry…” Lang took a deep breath. “We've got enough for one round trip each. That's it. No do-overs. Plus two test runs.” As Evie looked over to see him inserting the vial into the suit, Lang humble it, triggering the shrink button. In the blink of an eye he went microscopic before coming back to normal. “One test run.” He corrected sheepishly.
She shook her head, running a hand over her face while Scott tried to shake off his jitters. “All right. I'm not ready for this.”
Before Evie could volunteer, Clint's voice broke through the small space. “I'm game.”
There was a split second of silence as they all turned to face him as he said, “I’ll do it.”
Evie wanted to counter, to offer herself up to go. But her gut told her Barton needed this. This was his way of seeing if there truly was a glimmer of hope for this crusade they’d all embarked on.
After he suited up Nebula went to calibrate it, as Evie obsessed over all the little details to ensure everything was in its proper place.
“Clint, now you’re gonna feel a little discombobulated from the chronoshift. Don’t worry about it.” Bruce said, going over the last of the pointers. Then Rhodey spoke up asking a theoretical question that had his niece biting back a burst of laughter.
“Wait a second. Let me ask you something. If we can do this, you know-” He gestured to Clint, “this. Go back in time… Why don’t we just find baby Thanos? You know, and…” His hand mimicked the act of strangling someone with a cord. Or as Evie would call it, giving someone a 'Colombian neck-tie.'
“First of all, that’s horrible-” Bruce quickly interjected.
“It’s Thanos.” Rhodes countered with a roll of the eyes.
“And secondly, time doesn’t work that way. Just ask Evie. Changing the past doesn’t change the future!”
“It’s true,” she muttered along with Nebula. Making the two girls share a half grin before burning their noses back in their work. The other people occupying the room descended into a comedic banter about how time travel was meant to work according to movie logic. Evie saw herself forced to be the voice of reason that would ultimately kill the debate.
“Gentlemen… yes if it hadn’t already dawned on you. Back To The Future; is indeed, a load of bullshit.” She made her way around to face Barton, they locked eyes as she pretending to help Nebula go over the suit one last time.
You sure about this? I don’t mind trading places…
He stared at her blankly. Knowing she and Natasha were the only ones who could really know how he was truly feeling deep inside. Voicelessly, his answer was transmitted back.
Yeah. I can... I got this!
She gave him a curt nod and escorted him towards the platform. The two never actually saying anything out loud to one another.
Afterwards, she left him to go alone after reaching the ramp and joined the others behind the control panel. Bruce punched in the sequence shouting out, “alright, Clint. We're going in 3... 2... 1!”
The glass panels above and the metal ones below shifted and a flash of light was seen before he ultimately disappeared. Mentally counting her head, she held her breath waiting to see him come back.
After what seemed like an eternity (but in reality was a total of a five seconds) Clint was back. He landed on all fours shouting his daughter’s name, panting and grunting. Trying to reel himself in after the space-time jump.
Natasha was the first to dart up the platform. “Hey, hey. Look at me. You okay?” She asked, easing him back to his feet. His helmet retracted and when he was steady, he tapped Widow’s shoulder with a baseball glove.
“Yeah, it worked.” He then tossed it to the older Stark, loudly projecting, “It worked!”
They all gathered in the main conference room as they talked strategy.
“Okay, so the ‘how’ works. Now we gotta figure out the ‘when and the where.’ Almost everyone in this room has had an encounter with at least one of the six Infinity Stones.” Steve started, then Tony took over adding, “or substitute the word encounter for 'damn well near been killed’ by one of the six Infinity Stones.”
Scott, being the adorable dork he was, made Evie shake her head as he blurted out, “I haven't, I don't even know what the hell you're all talking about.” She spoke up next after patting his hand. “Anyways, we only have enough Pym Particles for one round trip each, and these stones have been in a lot of different places throughout history.”
“Our history. So, not a lot of convenient spots to just drop in.” Tony added as he circled the table, pacing the room.
“Which means we have to pick our targets.” Barton said, contributing to the conversation.
“Correct.” The Starks said in unison. Steve stuck his hands in his pockets before setting the course of the chatter. “So… Let's start with the Aether. Thor, what do you know?”
Every single person then turned or swiveled their seats to look at the god of thunder. Thor however, looked completely unbothered by the talk going on as he was fully relaxed into the chair. Sporting dark shades, pajamas, a large oversized sweater, greasy unkempt hair, and a beer in one hand. With the other ungraciously tucked under the beer gut. His stained t-shirt riding up just enough for everyone to get a good look at his belly button. Evie cringed.
“Is he asleep?” Natasha asked, glancing at her.
“No, I'm pretty sure he's dead.” Rhodey said as the youngest Stark came over to kick his feet.
With Thor all caught up, Evie stood by him as he proceeded to share his knowledge on the Reality Stone.
“Where to start? Umm... The Aether, first, is not a stone, someone called it a stone before. It's more of a... an angry sludge thing, so... someones gonna need to amend that. Here's an interesting story though, many years ago... My grandfather, many years ago, had to hide the stones from the Dark Elves…” He wiggled his fingers at the group, “ooooh, scary beings. So Jane-” Evie pulled up Foster’s picture for reference and Thor said, “Oh, there she is. That's Jane... She's... an old flame of mine... S-she stuck her hand inside a rock this one time... and then the Aether stuck itself inside her... And, she became very, very sick. So I had to take her to Asgard, which is where I'm from. Oh, Evie came along too!” He blabbered, throwing a thumb over his shoulder.
“And we had to try and fix her. We were dating at the time, you see. I got to introduce her to my Mother…” He heaved a sigh, “who's dead… And um… T-then Evie fell in love with my brother Loki after my father imprisoned her on false accusations, but now he’s dead too and so is my father…”
Thor's face started to contort as if he were to burst into tears at any moment and Evie moved to take over as to not upset him but he brushed her off still rambling on. “Oh you know, Jane and I aren't even dating anymore, these things happen though you know, nothing last forever.” She started to push him back to his chair at the mention of Loki’s name gently saying, “why don’t ya come sit down.” But he shrugged her off, “I'm not done yet, the only thing permanent in life is impermanence.”
The rest of the crew were exchanging glances and Evie forced down her emotions in order to reel in her big bro. “Awesome. Want some food? How does pop tarts for breakfast sound?” She said, clapping his shoulder and putting up a cheerful mask.
“No. I'd like a Bloody Mary, thank you.” Thor said as he followed her all giddy like into the kitchen.
With everyone gathering around the table, eating, sharing a meal. Rocket imparted his knowledge of the Power Stone he had come across with the other Guardians.
“Quill said he stole the Power Stone from Morag.”
Lang once again being the likable duffus of the group wasn’t able to contain his questions. “Is that a person?”
“Morag's a planet. Quill was a person.” As he took another bite from his take-out Scott seeked clarification once more, “A planet? Like in outer space?” Evie had to slap a hand over her mouth when Rocket spoke to him in a very condescending manner.
“Oh, look. It's like a little puppy, all happy and everything.” And he then proceeded to imitate talking to an actual puppy. “Do you wanna go to space? You wanna go to space, puppy? I'll get you to space.” Petting his head and ruffling his hair as Scott very vexed, chowed down on his noodling ignoring the talking animal.
After lunch Nebula went next, while Nat took very detailed notes.
“Thanos found the Soul Stone on Vormir.” In a business-like tone, Romanoff asked, “what is Vormir?”
Although Nebula wasn’t human she wasn’t completely cybernetic either. So when the blue girl explained that Vormir was the dominion of death, at the very center of Celestial existence, Evie got a horrible feeling. Vormir very clearly wasn’t a place in which to take leisurely vacations. Nebula also told everyone it was where Thanos had murdered her sister, Gamora. A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone took in the weight of what she had said. Evie mentally appointing herself to this task. But the moment was lost after Lang absentmindedly said, “not it.”
Most of the others had gone to rest or just get some fresh air after hours of plotting and planning. Leaving Tony, Natasha, Bruce, and Evie to continue the search.
Both girls were laying on the table atop of a pile of papers, books, and other research materials. Tony was sunken into a chair while Bruce took up residence on the floor.
“That Time Stone guy…” Nat said, wondering about the lost sorcerer.
“Doctor Strange?”
“Yeah, what kind of doctor is he?”
Tony pipped up with, “ear-nose-throat meets rabbit from a hat.”
Evie mumbled, “Has a nice place in the village, though… Just a few blocks from me actually.”
“Yeah, Sullivan Street.” Tony said, but Banner corrected him saying it was Bleeker.
Nat turned to look at Evie who was spaced out.
“Wait, he lived in New York?”
Tony started to counter saying something about Strange living in Toronto, while Evie closed her eyes informing Nat that she had been to his place a few times now, but visiting Wong, not Strange. And then a light bulb went off for the girls.
“Guys, if you pick the right year,” Romanoff started. “There are three stones in New York.” Evie finished. Bruce instantly sat up, as did Tony.
Surprised by their enlightenment the green giant gasped out, “shut the front door!”
With the ‘Time Heist’ fully baked and prepared, Steve went first presenting the final plan. “All right. We have a plan. Six Stones, three teams. One shot.”
Evie brought up a holographic display of the stones in questions. All six grouped into three separate years. The Soul and Power Stones in space in 2014. The Reality Stone in Asgard, 2013. Leaving the Space, Mind, and Time Stones all in New York City, 2012.
Evie, alongside the Avengers, walked in formation towards the Quantum Time machine, wearing the Quantum suits, albeit with some minor differences for specific people. And just as a measure of good luck, Evie had tucked her wedding present from Loki under her clothing. Hoping to ensure was fortune on their side. When they gathered in the center Captain America delivered one of his signature speeches.
“Five years ago, we lost. All of us. We lost friends... We lost family... We lost a part of ourselves. Today, we have a chance to take it all back. You know your teams, you know your missions. Get the stones, get them back. One round trip each. No mistakes. No do-overs. Most of us are going somewhere we know. That doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives. And we're gonna win. Whatever it takes. Good luck.”
Tony and Steve shared a moment as his final words were heard and Evie was content knowing those two were back to being thick as thieves.
As Bruce went over the last of the procedures, Nat leaned over to Evie. “I switched us…”
She shot her a confused look nearly shrieking, “what?!”
Her former mentor and best friend shushed her but it was too late and Tony called them out. “What's going on?”
“Nat switched with me? Was I supposed to find out after popping up in the wrong place!?”
Nat mentally scolded herself for not doing this in private. While Steve and Tony then shared a slight wary glance. “Evie, I know you volunteered to go with Clint. But you really are better suited to come with us… We’re taking a huge risk going without you.” Steve said, giving her those pleading eyes she’d never been able to resist.
She angrily breathed out, “god damnit,” before glaring at her dad and Rogers. “You guys know damn well why I can’t go. It's the same reason I’m not paired with Rocket and Thor! I-I…!” Her jaw clamped shut as she tried to remain calm and collected. “He’s gonna be there… If I can’t… What if I screw it all up because I do something impulsive and reckless?”
Tony saw her eyes go glassy as he came close. “You won’t, Nat and Clint have Vormir. I need you. I need Void.” She started to shake her head no. “Yes! Yes we do, Evie. Just trust your old man to keep you in check. If anything starts to go sideways, I send you home. No hesitation. Deal?”
Evie darted to each team member, all of them giving her crooked smiles and their vote of confidence. Even Thor who coolly said, “I trust you entirely, little sister. If any of us has come a long way in learning self-control and mastering their abilities… It's you. You got this. Have faith in yourself.” After a few more seconds she conceded. Albeit, very reluctantly.
“Alright, fine! You heard the man. Stroke those keys, jolly green.”
Upon getting his cue Banner announced, “Tractors engaged.”
With nervous excitement Natasha took her hand squeezing reassuringly. “See ya in a minute.”
“See ya in a minute!”
The machine whirred and buzzed and one by one their helmets were engaged and Evie took one last look at the team as they did a all hands on deck to check their time traveling gps’ strapped to their wrists.
Her heart was thumping frantically against her ribs, the uncertainty of what lay ahead egging her anxiety.