"i am so proud of the hero you've become."
The mood in the conference room was somber as Natasha, Peter, Bucky, and Wanda waited for the Guardians to arrive. Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, had called earlier saying they had urgent news to share. Considering the Guardian's mission had been tracking down Thanos, they all feared what this "news" entailed.
Before long, Peter Quill, Drax, Mantis, and Groot filed silently into the room. Their downcast faces told the story - the mission had not gone well.
"What happened out there?" Natasha asked without preamble.
Quill sighed heavily. "We found him. Thanos was laid up on some remote garden planet. Only..." The man shook his head angrily. "He used the stones again. To destroy the stones this time."
Stunned silence met this announcement. Destroy the Infinity Stones? Was that even possible?
"Wait, ALL of the stones are just...gone?" Peter asked in disbelief.
Mantis nodded grimly. "Thanos believed it was the only way to prevent anyone from ever undoing what he had done. The stones are atoms now."
"Then we killed him." Drax said bluntly, as Mantis elbowed him in the side.
"That son of a..." Bucky slammed his fist down on the table. They had been desperately scouring the universe for any trace of the stones, hoping to somehow reverse the decimation. And now even that faint hope had been cruelly ripped away.
Wanda had tears shimmering in her eyes. "So there's nothing left...no way to bring them back now."
The heroes exchanged hopeless looks, reeling from this devastating setback. After a few moments, Natasha straightened in her chair.
"No. I refuse to accept that." She looked at each of them intently. "There has to be a way. The stones embodied the fundamental forces of existence. That kind of power doesn't just disappear."
"But how?" Peter asked. "If the stones are gone in this reality..."
"What about the multiverse?"
They all turned in surprise to see Dr. Strange stepping into the room, having overheard their conversation. Behind him was Scott Lang, who gave an awkward little wave.
"Sorry to intrude," Scott said. "We just got back and heard what happened."
Dr. Strange moved to stand at the head of the table. "The Infinity Stones are unique in our universe. But the multiverse theory suggests that there are infinite alternate realities that coexist with our own. Other universes where the stones still exist."
Hope kindled in Natasha's eyes. "And if we could somehow access one of those other universes..."
"We could get the stones we need to bring everyone back," Bucky finished with growing excitement.
"Whoa, hold up." Quill held up a hand. "You're talking about messing around with the multiverse now? Do you have any idea how dangerous that could be?"
"Do we have another choice?" Wanda replied. "Without the stones here, it may be our only chance."
They looked to Dr. Strange to see if he agreed this was even feasible. The former Sorcerer Supreme slowly nodded. "The ancient texts describe rituals for peering beyond our reality. With the right magic, it may be possible."
"See, it's not just magic and mysticism," Scott spoke up eagerly. "I've been studying a lot of quantum physics lately, and many experts believe alternate timelines can be accessed through some kind of...controlled time travel."
Natasha quirked an eyebrow. "Time travel? That's quite the claim, Scott."
"I know it sounds crazy," he admitted. "But Hank Pym kept notes on experiments he was doing in the quantum realm before he disappeared. I really think he was onto something."
"So we have two potential options it seems," Nat mused. She looked to Dr. Strange and Scott in turn. "Suppose we wanted to pursue this. How would we start?"
The two men shared a look, both surprised and excited that Natasha was taking this seriously.
"I, well, I'd need access to Pym's old lab," Scott said. "And someone smart to help me make sense of his research. Someone like, uh..."
"Bruce," Natasha finished for him. "If we can pull him out of his funk, he'd be perfect."
Dr. Strange stroked his goatee thoughtfully. "I'll need to consult the ancient texts at Kamar-Taj for the spells to pierce the veil between realities. And possibly someone skilled in the mystic arts, if any former masters survived."
"Make it happen," Natasha said decisively. She looked back at the others. "I know this seems like a long shot, but we have to pursue every possible angle to get the stones back. If we come at this from both a scientific and mystical approach, maybe just maybe we can pull it off. Are you all with me?"
Everyone voiced their support. The despair from moments before had vanished, replaced by tentative hope and determination. This was a chance, however slim, to undo the decimation. They had to take it.
Plans were quickly made to follow up on these new leads. Peter couldn't help grinning as the meeting ended. "This is amazing! Do you really think we can discover time travel and open up the multiverse?"
Natasha laughed at his enthusiasm. "I don't know, Pete. But we're sure as hell going to try."
Over the next several weeks, they poured all their resources into exploring these radical new concepts. Dr. Strange departed to Nepal, hoping other masters of the mystic arts had survived there. Scott pestered Bruce day and night in the lab, slowly coaxing the reluctant scientist to reengage.
Peter split his time between helping them and joining Natasha on intelligence gathering missions, trying to turn up any other information related to the stones. He was amazed at how quickly she had pulled herself together and resumed leading their efforts after such devastating losses. But as she had told him, she would never stop fighting to get their family back.
Late one night after returning from a mission, Natasha found Peter asleep at the desk in his quarters, head pillowed on a quantum physics book. She gently shook his shoulder.
"Pete. Wake up."
He sat up blearily, blinking at her. "Mom? What time is it?"
"Nearly 3 AM. What are you still doing up?"
Peter yawned and stretched his stiff muscles. "I was just reading up on some of the concepts Scott and Bruce have been testing out. Wanted to make sure I understand it in case I can help."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Help with theoretical quantum physics?"
"Hey, I'm pretty smart!" Peter said indignantly.
Her expression softened. "You are, baby. But you should get some rest. Saving the universe requires sleep, you know."
She ruffled his hair affectionately and Peter ducked away, laughing. "Alright, message received. I'll go crash now."
He started moving stacks of books and papers to clear a path to his bed. Natasha watched him fondly for a moment before crossing to help. She picked up one of the open books and skimmed the page it was open to.
"Multiverse theory, huh? You know, I took a physics class back in college that touched on this stuff."
"No way, really?" Peter asked curiously. He still knew so little about her past.
Natasha nodded, a faraway look in her eyes. "It was just a general education elective, but I found it fascinating. The idea of all these infinite alternate realities existing alongside ours."
She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I remember wondering - if there are infinite universes, are there versions of me out there living completely different lives? Ones where I was never taken as a child to be trained as an assassin? Where I got to have a normal upbringing, a real childhood?"
Natasha stared down at the book, lost in memory. When she looked back up at Peter, her eyes glistened faintly. "Sorry, I don't know why I'm getting so sentimental. It's late."
"No, that's really interesting," Peter said gently. "I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for you. You deserved so much better than what you went through, Mom."
Impulsively, he stepped forward and hugged her. After a brief hesitation, Natasha wrapped her arms around him too.
"Thank you, baby," she said softly. "That means a lot to hear."
They stood like that for a long moment, finding comfort in each other's presence. So much loss and pain bonded them together, but also hope.
Finally Natasha pulled back and squeezed his shoulder. "Get some sleep now. We've got a lot of work ahead of us still."
Peter nodded. "We'll figure it out. There has to be a way."
"I know," she said with a small smile. "Good night, Pete."
"Night, Mom."
She left and Peter quickly prepared for bed, brain still buzzing. He wondered what his life might have been like in another reality. One where he had never been bitten by that spider. Where Ben had never died. Where Tony was still...
He cut that thought off sharply. There was no point going down that road. This was the only reality they had. And somehow, they would make it right again.
Two Months Later
"Alright, gloves and glasses on, people," Bruce announced in the lab one afternoon. "We're about to test this bad boy."
The team gathered around eagerly as Bruce and Scott prepared their makeshift time travel device. Thanks to Scott's insights and Bruce's engineering know-how, they had cobbled together a platform that could theoretically send someone into the quantum realm.
"Remember, this is just a trial run," Bruce cautioned. "We're not even going to attempt to access alternate timelines yet."
"I'll just pop down to the quantum realm and then snap right back," Scott confirmed. "Easy peasy."
He stepped onto the platform suited up in his specialized Ant-Man gear. Everyone held their breath as Bruce initiated the countdown sequence.
"And...going quantum in 3...2...1!"
Scott vanished in a blinding flash of light and a rush of particles. A tense silence followed, all eyes glued to the platform.
After almost a minute, Natasha leaned towards Bruce worriedly. "Shouldn't he be back by n-"
Another flash suddenly filled the lab as Scott reappeared, stumbling slightly.
"Whoa..." he gasped, clutching his head. "That was..."
"Scott!" Hope rushed forward and hugged him in relief. "Are you okay?"
He grinned dazedly. "I'm fantastic! That was amazing! It worked - I was in the quantum realm!"
They all broke into excited exclamations, crowding around to check on Scott. Bruce, ever the eager one, rapidly fired questions at him about the experience.
Peter hung back as the others celebrated, watching Natasha. She had a huge smile on her face that he hadn't seen in ages. This success meant they were one step closer to bringing everyone back.
Feeling his gaze, she turned and beckoned him over. "Come on, Spider-Boy. Group hug time."
Peter gladly joined the chaotic hug, getting squeezed between Nat and Bucky. For the first time in months, it felt like they had a real shot at this. The momentum was shifting in their favor.
Late that night, long after the triumphant lab demonstration, Natasha knocked softly on Peter's door before peeking in. "Hey. You got a minute?"
Peter swiveled around in his desk chair. "For you? Always."
Nat smiled as she came in. "I know it's late, but I was hoping we could talk."
"Of course, Mom." Peter patted the bed, inviting her to sit. She settled cross-legged across from him, taking a steadying breath.
"So with this time travel breakthrough, it feels like we're getting close to the endgame now. To getting them back." She met his eyes intently. "But there's a lot that could still go wrong. So in case anything happens..."
Natasha paused, gathering herself. "I need to make sure you understand how much you've come to mean to me, Peter. Losing you...that would hurt more than anything else."
Peter's chest tightened with emotion. "Nat..."
"Let me finish." Her voice was soft but firm. "You know I don't open up easily. But I've let you in, shared parts of myself I usually keep locked away. And that's because of the truly wonderful person you are."
She squeezed his hand. "Your heart, your spirit, your goodness...it inspires me every day, kid. And I am so proud of the hero you've become."
Peter had tears shining in his eyes now. He tried to lighten the mood. "Did you hit your head during that lab test today?"
Nat laughed and swatted his shoulder. "Stop it, I'm being serious!"
Her expression turned solemn again. "I need you to know that you're family to me now, Peter. Whatever happens with this endgame, I will be there for you to lean on. And I know you'll be there for me too. You're like a son to me, baby."
Peter surged forward to wrap her in a fierce hug. "Of course I will be," he choked out. "I love you, Mom."
Her breath caught at those words. Love was still something she struggled to accept, to feel worthy of. But with Peter, it came naturally.
"I love you too, маленький паук," she whispered, using the Russian term of endearment she had taken to calling him.
They held onto each other tightly, drawing strength from this unbreakable bond between mentor and protégé, mother figure and adopted son, friends closer than family. No matter what trials still awaited, they would face them together.
One Week Later
"Do we really need to keep these on?" Bucky complained, fiddling with the brand new time travel suits they were all wearing. "I can barely move in this thing!"
"Quit your whining, Barnes." Bruce said. "You'll thank me when your body doesn't implode from the quantum pressure."
Their makeshift time travel platform had been replaced by a cutting edge quantum tunnel specially designed by the resident geniuses of Bruce and Peter. Today was the day they would attempt jumping to alternate timelines to gather the stones.
Natasha finished strapping on her wrist devices and looked over her assembled team: Scott, Peter, Bucky, Wanda, Dr. Strange, and herself. It was a small but mighty group.
"Remember, this is strictly a retrieval op," she reminded them. "Get in, get the stones, get out. Avoid interacting with anyone unless absolutely necessary."
"And try not to die horribly," Quill added helpfully. "Not only would it be tragic, but then we'd be down a suit."
Nat shot him a look before continuing. "Stay on guard. We have no idea what these alternate realities will be like." She met each of their eyes. "But no matter what happens, you get those stones home."
Resolute nods answered her. They had been preparing for this moment for months. Failure was not an option.
Natasha stepped onto the platform with Peter and Bucky flanking her. Dr. Strange opened a glowing portal in front of them while Bruce initiated the time travel sequence.
"See you guys soon," Peter said, trying to keep his voice steady. Natasha slipped her hand into his and gave an encouraging squeeze.
"5...4...3...2...1!"
Everything vanished in a dizzying kaleidoscope of light and motion. Peter felt like he was being turned inside out, then just as suddenly snapped back into place. Gasping, he blinked to clear the spots from his vision.
They were standing in a massive ruined temple, evening sunlight slanting through shattered columns. Dr. Strange nodded in satisfaction. "Just as I foresaw. We're in the correct timeline."
Peter tried to stop reeling long enough to take in their surroundings. "What is this place? It looks ancient."
"Kamar-Taj," Dr. Strange replied. "Or at least, what remains of it."
Natasha tapped her wrist computer. "I'm tracking the energy signature of the Time Stone. It should be in that direction."
They cautiously picked their way through the rubble towards the sanctuary where the mystical relics were kept. Peter fought back a swell of grief when he spotted a dusty crimson cloak lying partially buried - the Cloak of Levitation that had belonged to Dr. Strange in their own timeline.
Strange himself showed no reaction, focused solely on their mission. But his hands were clenched tightly behind his back.
Before long, they found themselves in a circular chamber beneath a glass dome. At the far end sat a familiar green stone ensconced in a pendant.
"There it is," Nat breathed. Strange swiftly retrieved the Time Stone with a mystic spell while the others kept watch. As he secured it in his suit's storage unit, Peter let out a relieved laugh.
"Wow, that was way easier than I expected!"
"Don't get cocky yet, kid," Bucky warned. "We've still got five more to go."
Their next stop was Asgard, which to their relief had not yet been destroyed by Hela in this timeline. While Bucky and Natasha slipped into Odin's vault, Peter and Wanda covertly tracked down Jane Foster who still possessed the Aether. With Wanda's mind manipulation powers, they managed to painlessly remove the Reality Stone from Jane before returning her safely to her lab with no memory of the encounter.
"Nicely done," Nat praised as they reconvened and prepared to quantum jump again. She hated resorting to such methods, but the need was dire.
The Mind and Space stones proved more straightforward to retrieve from Loki's Scepter in 2012 New York and in 1970 New Jersey. Next was 2014, where they ambushed guerrilla-style an unsuspecting Peter Quill on Morag to steal the Power Stone before he ever had a chance to hand it off.
Finally, only the Soul Stone remained. They arrived on Vormir to find the planet barren and lifeless, as if scarred by some past tragedy. Warily, they began the trek up the mountain.
One more stone, and they could bring everyone they lost back.