"you saved us all"
Penny Parker slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the bright orange light of the setting sun on Titan. She sat up, rubbing her head in confusion as she took in her surroundings. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was being on the alien planet with Mr. Stark, trying to stop Thanos from taking the Time Stone from Doctor Strange. Then there was a strange feeling, like her body was dissolving, and everything went black.
"What happened?" she mumbled, looking around. She saw Doctor Strange, Peter Quill, Drax and Mantis all sprawled on the ground nearby, also stirring and waking up.
"We were snapped away by Thanos," Doctor Strange said grimly as he got to his feet. "He obtained all six Infinity Stones and used them to eliminate half of all life in the universe. We've returned, but five years have passed."
"What?!" Penny gasped. Five years gone, just like that? Her head spun as she tried to process this information. One person in particular dominated her thoughts - Natasha. Her mentor, her friend...the woman who had become like a mother to her. Was she alright? Was she even still...
Penny shook her head sharply. She couldn't think like that. Nat had to be okay. She was Black Widow, one of the toughest Avengers around. There was no way some oversized grape could take her down.
"Yeah, it's been five years," Quill confirmed, punching the ground in frustration. "That asshole Thanos won. I can't believe we weren't able to stop him."
"So how are we back then?" Mantis asked softly. "Did someone undo it?"
"It would seem the remaining Avengers managed to obtain the stones and reverse the snap," Doctor Strange said. Orange sparks flew from his fingers as he conjured a portal back to Earth. "And it seems they could use our help defeating Thanos once and for all. Let's not keep them waiting."
Penny's heart pounded as she stepped through the portal with the others, returning to the Avengers compound upstate. All around them, heroes were locked in battle with Thanos' army. Captain America and Thor fought side-by-side, while Iron Man zoomed overhead raining repulsor blasts down on the enemy. The Hulk charged through the masses, roaring as he tossed Chitauri this way and that.
Penny's breath caught in her throat when she spotted two familiar figures - Clint Barton and Tony Stark. Forgetting the raging battle for a moment, she web zipped over to them.
"Mr. Stark!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Kid!" he exclaimed in surprise, hugging her tightly. "You're back! I can't believe it!"
Penny pulled away, looking up at him urgently. "Mr. Stark, where's Nat? Is she okay? Please tell me she's okay!"
Tony and Clint exchanged an anguished look. Penny's heart dropped into her stomach. No. It couldn't be true. Not Nat. Anyone but Nat...
"Penny..." Clint began gently. "Nat's gone. She sacrificed herself on Vormir to get the Soul Stone. That's how we were able to bring everyone back."
Penny staggered backwards, shaking her head in denial as tears filled her eyes. This couldn't be real. It had to be some horrible nightmare she would wake up from. Nat couldn't be gone. Not her mentor. Not the closest thing she had to a mom.
Sudden rage surged through Penny's veins, scorching away the shock and sorrow. Nat was gone because of Thanos. That monster had taken her away. Taken away the strongest, bravest, most loving person Penny had ever known.
Well not anymore. She was going to end this. Right here, right now.
Penny turned and sprinted back towards the battle, zeroing in on the Nano Gauntlet containing the stones. If she could get her hands on that, she could eliminate Thanos and his army with a snap. She could avenge Natasha.
Captain Marvel zoomed overhead, landing beside the gauntlet and scooping it up. Thanos plowed towards her, his massive blade swinging down towards her head. Penny fired a web, yanking the gauntlet from Carol's grasp. She slid it onto her hand as Thanos loomed above her.
"Give me the stones, child!" he boomed. "You cannot hope to wield them."
Carol landed beside Penny, her fists glowing with cosmic energy. "Penny, give me the gauntlet," she urged.
The teenager hesitated, the power of the six Infinity Stones surging through her veins. With these, she could reshape reality however she wanted. She could bring Nat back...
"Kid, take it off!" Tony shouted as he and Doctor Strange rushed over. "It's too dangerous!"
"Penny, removing the stones needs to be done responsibly," Strange added firmly. "Don't let emotion cloud your judgement."
But Penny barely heard them. The desire to see Nat again drowned out everything else. She had to try, no matter the cost.
Thanos reached for the gauntlet just as Penny raised her hand, defiance burning in her eyes.
"Go to hell, Grapeface," she snarled.
The snap echoed across the battlefield.
A cry tore from Penny's throat as agonizing pain shot through her body. It was like being burned alive from the inside out. She was only distantly aware of hitting the ground, her tortured screams ringing in her ears. Then everything went mercifully black.
When Penny opened her eyes again, she found herself in a shallow orange pool, the sky above her glowing with warm light. She sat up with a gasp, staring at her hand in astonishment. The Stones had melted the gauntlet to her skin, leaving her palm horrifically scarred. But she felt no pain now. Only a deep sense of peace.
"Penny."
She whirled around at the familiar voice, heart leaping into her throat. There, knee-deep in the water, stood Natasha. But instead of her usual fiery red, her hair was golden blonde. She gave Penny a soft, sad smile.
"Nat!" Penny cried, rushing forward to throw her arms around the woman. "You're here! Does that mean...did it work? Are you back?"
Nat returned the embrace, stroking Penny's hair gently. "Oh, Little Spider. I've missed you so much."
Penny clung to her tightly, tears dampening Nat's shoulder. "I missed you too, Nat. So, so much. When Mr. Stark told me what happened..." She trailed off with a choked sob.
Nat leaned back, cupping Penny's face in her hands and brushing away her tears with her thumbs. "You are so brave, Penny. So good. I'm proud of you for trying to set things right."
Penny's lower lip trembled. "But I failed. You're still gone."
"You didn't fail," Nat assured firmly. "You helped save the universe by stopping Thanos. Whatever happens now, just know that."
Penny shook her head bitterly. "Who cares about the universe? I just wanted you back. I need my m...I need you, Nat."
Nat's eyes glistened with emotion. She pulled Penny close again, cradling the back of her head. "I know, sweetie. I know." She took a shaky breath. "But it's going to be okay. You're still alive, Penny. You're going to wake up."
Penny didn't want to wake up. Not to a world without Nat in it. She wanted to stay here in this peaceful place with the woman who had become like a mother to her.
But even as she clung to Nat, she could feel herself fading. Nat's voice seemed to come from very far away.
"You're my brave little spider, Penny. I'll always be with you..."
Penny jolted awake with a pained gasp, her entire body aching. She was lying in a hospital bed, IV lines running into her arm. Her right hand and forearm were completely wrapped in bandages.
Tony sat at her bedside, his face creasing with relief as her eyes fluttered open. "Hey, kid. Welcome back. You had us all scared there for a minute."
Penny swallowed thickly, her throat raw. "Mr. Stark? What...what happened?"
Tony gently brushed her hair back from her forehead. "You used the stones to wipe out Thanos and his army. Saved the whole damn universe. Nearly killed yourself doing it too." His voice cracked with emotion. "Don't ever scare me like that again, you hear?"
Penny blinked back tears. "Did it...did it bring Nat back?" she whispered.
Tony's face fell. He shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, Penny. The stone's power has limits. Not even they can undo a soul for a soul trade."
A quiet sob escaped Penny's throat. After everything, Nat was still gone. The crushing pain and emptiness threatened to swallow her whole.
Just then, Steve Rogers appeared in the doorway. His eyes lit up when he saw Penny awake. "Hey kiddo, you're up! How are you feeling?"
Penny just shook her head mutely, not trusting herself to speak. Steve's smile faded. He walked over and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I know how much Nat meant to you," he said softly. "We all miss her terribly. But she died a hero, and she'd be so proud of you for finishing this fight."
Penny nodded, wiping at her wet eyes. "I saw her, in this orange place after I snapped. I tried to bring her back but I...I couldn't..." Her breath hitched on a sob.
Steve exchanged a glance with Tony. "You saw Natasha in the Soul Realm? Well, that explains where I found this." He reached into his pocket and pulled something out, cradling it in his palm.
Penny gasped, sitting bolt upright. It was a small vial with an orange glowing stone inside - the Soul Stone.
"But...how?" she breathed.
Steve smiled. "When I returned the stones, I found this just lying there by the cliff on Vormir. It was like Nat was given back to the living world when you used the stones."
Penny stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. It couldn't be. After so much heartbreak, she didn't dare let herself hope.
Just then, a commotion in the hallway made them all look up. The door burst open, and in ran Natasha Romanoff, looking just as Penny remembered her.
For a long moment, everyone stared in stunned silence. Then Penny let out a strangled cry.
"Nat!"
She scrambled out of bed, ignoring the pain and tug of IV lines. Nat rushed forward to meet her, enveloping Penny in her arms. Penny broke down in sobs, clutching Nat's back like she would disappear if she let go.
"Shh, I'm here Little Spider, I'm here," Nat soothed, holding her tight. She stroked Penny's hair as the girl wept into her shoulder.
"I thought I lost you!" Penny choked out. "I tried to bring you back, I really tried..."
"You did, sweetie. You brought everyone back," Nat murmured. She drew back, wiping Penny's tears away and kissing her forehead. "Our brave girl. You saved us all."
Penny just shook her head. "All I wanted was you," she whispered.
Nat's eyes shone with emotion. She cupped Penny's face in her hands. "Well I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere, I promise."
Penny hugged her again, letting Nat's familiar scent and warmth surround her, assuring herself this was real. The hole in her heart felt full once more.
The others looked on, tears in their eyes. Tony shook his head in amazement. "Red, I can't believe you found a way back to us. Penny here never gave up on you."
Clint clasped Nat's shoulder, overcome with emotion. "Tasha...you have no idea how good it is to see you."
Bruce lumbered into the room in full Hulk form, face lighting up when he saw Nat. "Nat friend! Hulk missed you!" He swept her up in a gentle but enthusiastic hug.
Nat laughed even as she struggled for breath. "Good...to see...you too...Big Guy..."
Finally Hulk set her down. Nat immediately returned to Penny's side, keeping an arm around the girl's shoulders.
Penny leaned into her, still trying to process that this was real. After so many weeks of grief and pain, Nat was here, solid and warm beside her. The relief was so powerful her knees nearly buckled.
Nat kissed the top of her head, love and pride shining in her eyes. "You did good, Little Spider. You did so good."
Penny managed a tearful smile up at her. "I love you, Mom," she whispered.
Nat's breath caught, eyes welling up. She hugged Penny fiercely. "I love you too, baby. Always."
At long last, Penny felt at peace. Her family was whole once more. As long as she had Nat - her mentor, her hero, her mom - everything would be okay.