A Year Later
The alarm clock's beeping filled the room, as Friday slowly opened her eyes.
"What the.....what time is it ?"
She moved to the clock, to see the time was 8:30 AM.
"Man....I suppose this is the time to wake up."
With groggy eyes, Friday got up from her bed, and walked towards the bathroom.
"Good morning Friday." JOSCASTA said threw the coms.
"Morning JO."
"You have overslept."
"Yeah well, I should never have let Yelena convinced me of having a night out."
"She was right on that you have been working a lot lately. Even Boss is taking more breaks than you !"
Friday supposed she was right, but there is a lot to do. Even if he is still a few years away, Thanos will come soon, and they need to be prepared for him.
Still, she could not deny that it had been fun.
"Yeah, she didn't have to go that hard though....hey is father still on the tower."
"Negative. Boss actually just left with Boss Lady to a meeting with some delegates from Xandar. He didn't want to wake you up. He says' he'll be back by night."
"Oh, fine then."
"Also, you might want to head for breakfast now, Vision has just finished cooking."
"Oh, shower can wait then !"
Vision has been taking cooking classes since she arrived, and now he is a master chef.
Friday put a hoodie and sweatpants on, and walked out of her room, towards the kitchen at the tower.
In there, Rhodey was sitting on the table, drinking a coffee. Vision was on the kitchen, serving different plates. Bruce was reading the newspaper, with Valkyrie at his side, cleaning her sword. Kate was the last one there, and she looked like she wanted to go back to sleep.
Now not all of the Avengers lived at the tower. Thor stayed here a lot with Jane, but he had to go back to Asgard constantly, specially since Odin (the real one who they brought back after Loki revealed the truth) has been getting sicker as time goes by. Thor informed them that Asgard is preparing for the worst. Of course, with the death of Odin, came Hela. But so far, there has being no success on keeping the spell that keeps her trapped, meaning Asgard might be heading towards Ragnarok.
Scott and Hope still live on San Fransisco, but they come for all meetings and to do some training. Stephen (who was persuaded to become an Avenger by Tony and Friday.....and maybe Loki) lives on the sanctum.
Which means aside from the ones on the table, only Tony, the Guardians (who set up base here) and Yelena were missing.
Rhodey was the first to notice her.
"Hey there sleepy head, had a good night I guess."
"It was...chaotic. Yelena does know how to party....speaking of her, where is she ?"
"She's still asleep." Kate said with a yawn. "Lord know I would be as well, if I wasn't traveling to Clint's farm today."
Explaining Friday and everything that had happened to Clint was a fun thing to do. The archer had been completely absent for the events from her arrival, and had to be brought up to speed.
Clint had been saddened by Natasha keeping that secret, and wondering what her intentions were, made the archer question if she had truly changed. From what Friday learned, he had confronted her about it. Whatever the answer was, he clearly did not like it, as their friendship was now strained.
Anyway, Clint decided to stay on retirement, keeping his promise to Laura. But he did take Kate in as an apprentice, and eventually take the mantle of Hawkeye. It also helped Kate blended very well with the Bartons, particularly Lila.
"She did go the hardest on the party. I do wonder if she would have done the same if Mantis had been around."
Kate chuckled at that. It was quite obvious that Yelena developed a crush on the Guardian a while back, but the fearless new Black Widow was too scared to confess.
"Man, I remember what it was to be young." Rhodey said. "Good times."
"Are you calling yourself old Colonel ?" Bruce said.
"It sure feels like. With all of what happens in my life, I wonder why I don't have white hair."
"You humans do have sad little time in life." Valkyrie commented. "I guess that makes you enjoy it more though."
"Ah everyone is here." Vision said. "Good, time for breakfast. Do keep in mind to leave some for Ms. Belova when she eventually wakes up."
"Thanks Vis, its a shame Dad can't be here for this, nore Mom or the Guardians."
"Yeah well they did have to leave early. They had a meeting with an old friend of Fury's. Carol Danvers, is her name I think. The pirate said she was insanely powerful, so they are gonna try to recruit her.
Friday did not recall someone been named Carol Danvers from the past timeline. Most likely she was killed by Thanos before he came to Earth.
"From what Fury said, she is equally as powerful as Thor." Bruce said. "She will be a great help."
"Yeah and she is military, an army captain actual....and actual captain, to be specific." Rhodey commented.
At that Friday let out a chuckle. The Avengers could really use a true Captain.
"So anything on the duck today ?"
"Not really." Rhodey said. "SHIELD has Hydra and the Watchdogs covered for now, but we are awaiting if they need help. Aside from that, everything has been quiet for now."
Friday nodded, but in her mind she knew that the quiet was not gonna last.
"What of the Accords ?"
The Sokovia Accords were gonna play a part again, and Friday knows the moment they do, things will start to move.
"I got a meeting with the UN in two hours to continue talking about that. But we have the final draft almost ready." He looked at her. "Don't worry, we got eyes on Rogers, and are on constant look out for both Barnes and Zemo. We will be ready."
Friday surely hope so.
After all, it was during this time on her timeline, that Steve Rogers had....killed her dad...and that essentially doomed the world when Thanos came.
She time traveled to change the past, and she won't allow history to repeat itself.
Tony has been on many meetings on his life, he should be used to it by now.
Still, people from outside the planet can sometimes be....intimidating.
"I understand your plight Mr. Stark." Nova Prime said. "But while I agree that defeating Thanos should be our priority, you can expect us to lend our army for a planet that just entered the galactic world."
"With all due respect. At this point, what the planet is does not matter. If Thanos gets all of the stones, then it doesn't matter where you are, you will all face the consequences."
"And besides" Gamora said from his side. "We are not asking for Xandar to keep their armies on Earth. We are just asking that you send help in case Thanos comes for the Time and Mind Stones."
"And we would offer the same if he comes for the Power Stone." Tony finished.
"And Asgard has agreed to this as well ? Considering they harbor the Space Stone ?"
"The Princes have. Odin has....amidalty not been the greatest help, but from what I heard from Thor, he's health is deteriorating fast. So who knows how much longer he will be in power."
"Hmmm. We are aware the Collector possesses the Reality Stone. While we would like for it to be on a safer location, we know it will be hard for him to let it go.....Ms. Gamora, from your own testimony, you confirmed you know where the Soul Stone is."
Gamora nodded at that.
"Would you tell us where the stone is. As you are aware, the Soul Stone is the strongest of all stones. Having it, will give us an advantage over Thanos."
"I do know where the Soul Stone is, I however don't know if its wise to go get it. Considering what one has to do in order to gain it."
One of the Nova advisors wanted to speak against that, but Nova Prime stopped him.
"Gamora has already discussed the location of the Soul Stone and the price to pay it." Prime said. "I agree that we should leave the Stone where it is. No one is expected to pay the price to gain the stone." She turned to Gamora. "You know that means you in particular must have special precaution, since it is known you are the closest one Thanos considers as a loved one."
"Yes...I am."
"Very well then. If cooperation is what you desire, then I see no issue to doing so. We expect to be posted on any updates you have on the Mad Titan."
"Yes, we will keep you posted."
With that, they ended the negotiations and after some goodbyes, they left the room.
"Man that was terrifying." Tony mumbled.
"You did good. Nova Prime is not easy to convince." She told him. "And now you have secured another ally to fight Thanos."
"Here is hoping that its enough."
Before they moved on, Gamora stopped him.
"Hey, you are doing great. Thanos fears you for a reason. This is part of that. You are uniting people against him, something that has never been done."
"I just hope its enough. We can't allow what happened before to happen again."
"It won't."
She gave him a kiss, which he returned.
"We might need to hold back on this for a bit, too public."
"Agreed, but back on Earth, I want more."
"As you wish my lady !"
The two left hand in hand towards another room, where Peter, Drax, Mantis, and Nebula were talking to a blond woman.
"Captain Danvers I presume."
"Doctor Stark." She said, shaking her hands. "Though please, there is no need for titles. Carol is fine."
"Well then, then I'm Tony. I asume this three have been updating you on the situation."
"Don't worry about it man." Peter said. "I already charmed her with the good old Star Lord charm."
"Which didn't work because Carol is a lesbian, so Nebula had to talk to her in depth !" Mantis added.
"So Quill was practically useless in this." Drax said.
"Case to the point, she is helping us." Nebula said.
"Fury already gave me a brief debrief when he called me, but it was nice to have the full in depth review." Carol said. "I've heard of Thanos before. He was the one person the Supreme Intelligence never wanted to cross. The one man that they feared."
"It seems he is the one everyone fears." Tony mumbled.
"I got people I care for on Earth. I need to tight somethings up here, but I should join you in some days."
"Great, then this trip is an overall success." Tony said. "Any word on how Rocket and Groot are doing on Asgard."
"Last I heard they are helping Thor prepare Asgard for Odin's death. And also getting ready to evacuate in case his big sister shows up."
"Hopefully Loki and Strange can create a spell that keeps Hela trapped." Gamora said.
"Hopefully, and I pray those two are not distracted by the obvious sexual tension between them." Everyone looked at Tony. "What, I can't be the only one that noticed." At that, they all nodded.
"Man you are a colorful bunch." Carol commented.
"And we are even more colorful when you meet the rest. Anyway, it will be good to work with you Carol. We will see you on Earth. Also, you might be able to help Mantis realize her obvious crush on Yelena."
"I'm sorry what." Peter said.
"I don't have a crush on Yelena !" Mantis yelled.
"Of course you do. You always stare at her when she is training. You are practically drolling over her." Drax said.
"No I am not !"
"Denial is the biggest clue." Nebula said.
"Its not like she doesn't feel the same." Gamora added.
Mantis blushed at all of that.
"Im sorry. How come I, your brother, am the only one that does not know you and Yelena have a thing going on !" Peter yelled.
"I AM NOT DATING YELENA !......would be nice though."
"WHAT !"
Back on Earth, Friday sat on her desk on the lab Tony had made for her.
"How is Mark Four of the Iron Maiden suit going JO ?"
"Progress is doing well. We are also doing good work on securing the reactors on your's, Boss'. and the Colonel's suit."
Friday nodded.
With the events coming up, she needs to be sure they are prepared.
"Dad's upcoming meeting with Wakanda is still going on schedule."
"Yes, they should meet just before the ramification of the Accords. King T'Chaka is also bringing his son to the meeting, as you predicted."
Friday didn't really have opinions on the Black Panther and his people. In her timeline they had helped Rogers out of necessity for numbers, as Thanos had attacked them. She remembers King T'Challa had not been happy to learn that Rogers had lied to him. While she is a bit bitter about the man not helping his father, that was in another world, and he had not done it intentionally. He, like many others, have been tricked by Steve Rogers.
Speaking off..
"Any concerning updates on Rogers and his team."
"Aside from giving everyone on SHIELD constant headaches. No there hasn't been anything on him. So far, he and the other two are under control."
"We need to be prepared though. Once he hears about Barnes, he will come no matter what."
Attempts to find the Winter Soldier have been unsucesfull so far. They did not know when he arrives at Romania, so they have to keep an eye on him, and get to him before Rogers does.
Zemo has also banished, which has Friday greatly concerned. The man needs to be found, and fast.
As for Rogers. Well he has less numbers on his side. Scott will not join him this time, and both Clint and Sam were deeply dissapointed when they heard of his lies. The latter had quit his spot on Steve's team and was back on the VA. Pepper made sure that everyone knew Sam had nothing to do with Steve's lies.
Friday thought that maybe Sam could be useful as a therapist for Barnes, but that will come on another time.
There is another name she has to check on though.
"Anything on Peter Parker ?"
"I have been following all of Spider Man's activities. I do believe it is time for Boss to reach out to both him and his Aunt. The boy is getting more reckless."
Friday nodded. So far she had not brought Spider Man to Tony's attention, but she knew he was keeping an eye out for him.
In her timeline, the moments the two had met had been brief, but she knew a connection had been born. Friday is determined to make it happen this time.
"Who is this Parker guy. Anything I need to be concerned with."
Friday turned back to see both of her parents arrive.
"Are you talking to a guy without me Friday ? Not that I complain but he needs our approval first." Tony said, making sure he was joking. (Though part of him was not, whoever ended up getting Friday, be it a guy or girl, he will check them over)
"Oh no. I am not talking about that kind of guy." Friday said. "I'm taking about Spider Man. And for your information, he is a bit young for me. And he clearly already has a crush on a girl on his school."
"School ?" Gamora said. "We knew he was young, but he is just a kid."
"He's 15." Friday showed them the screen. "Peter Parker, student at Midtown High. After his parents went missing, he went to live with his Uncle and Aunt, Ben and May Parker. Last year though, his Uncle was killed on a shoot and run, leaving his Aunt as his sole guardian."
"Oh." Tony said, leaving all of his jokiness aside. "How long has he been Spider Man ? And how did he gets his powers ?"
"6 months. As for the why, from what I remember, he was bitten by a radioactive spider on a class trip to Oscorp, before it was shut down."
"You have been searching for this guy for a while." Gamora said. "I take that he was part of your timeline."
"Yes. Father recruited him to fight on the airport battle against Rogers. He was honestly one of the most loyal to him on that fight. Unlike others, he gave it his all on that."
"How strong is he ?"
"On a level. He is above a super soldier. He managed to catch Barnes' metal fist, like it was nothing. And he fought on par with Rogers. Sometimes even beating him."
"Does his Aunt know ? Any of his friends ?"
"His best friend is the only one that knows. Other than that, no one. You made him promise that he would tell his Aunt alongside you after the fight, but...." She did not need to finish, they all knew what happened.
"Huh.....well I will need to meet with Mr. Parker and his Aunt soon. That kid is doing great work, but he needs someone to look out for him. And his Aunt clearly deserves to know. She has to be aware of what her nephew is doing."
Friday nodded. "So how did your meeting went ?"
"The Nova agreed to help us." Gamora said. "And we have recruited Captain Danvers successfully."
"She needs some days to clear things out before she comes. I'll have Sharon be on the look for her arrival. So, are you gonna keep working, or you have time for dinner with your folks ?"
"Well, there is a lot to be done, but...and I am sure you two want some time along."
"Oh trust me." Gamora said, gently touching Tony's face. "We are gonna have some time alone later. But for now, we want to be with you."
Friday knew she could not refuse....nore did she want to, no matter how much she has to do.
"Alright then. I'll shut this off and get ready."
Her parents nodded and walked away.
Friday gave the screen one last look and shut it off.
"You won't take this from me Thanos, I won't let you.....nore will you, Steve Rogers."
Friday will not allow anything to happen to her family.
What Friday did not know, is that someone else had other plans. Plans that could put her family at risk.
From the moment she developed her magic, Agatha had had no one. Not her mother, not her fellow witches, no one.
The only person she ever had. Was the love of her life. The one person that did not fear her, that understood her.
And the she was taken away from her, by the madman she called father.
Ever since that day, Agatha went down in the darkness, hiding on the shadows, until the perfect time came.
And that time is finally coming.
Odin is finally dying. And soon her sweet Hela is gonna be free.
Agatha knows that Odin's sons and that Sorcerer in New York are trying to stop her arrival. But Agatha is making sure they constantly hit walls, as well as using her magic to make Odin's death come faster.
Once the old man is gone, and her lover returns, they will finally be able to get what they want. To make both of the worlds that abandoned them, pay.
No matter what, and no matter who tries to stop them, both of Earth and Asgard will fall under them, and they'll finally get what's theirs. Whatever it takes.