"you gave me hope when i had none. i'll always be thankful for that."
The Vormir mountain loomed before them, dark and foreboding. Natasha paused at the base, looking back at their group.
"Whatever happens here, whatever it takes...we get the stone. Understood?"
Solemn nods answered her. They had come too far to leave without it now.
Taking a deep breath, Nat began leading the way up the steep path. Peter walked close beside her, hyper alert to any potential danger. But the mountain was eerily still and quiet.
After an interminable hike, they emerged onto a plateau shrouded in mist. Natasha narrowed her eyes, peering through the haze. A shadowy figure waited for them ahead.
"Welcome," a raspy voice intoned as they cautiously drew nearer. "Natasha, daughter of Ivan. Peter, son of Mary."
Peter startled at the figure addressing them by name. As he stepped forward, the mists parted to reveal a gaunt, red-skinned face- it was someone he recognized from history books.
"Red Skull?" he exclaimed in shock. Natasha's hand went to her weapon but she hesitated, equally startled to see the long-dead Hydra leader.
Red Skull ignored Peter, his sunken eyes fixed above them. "I know why you are here. Six Infinity Stones you possess, but one still eludes you." His gaze finally moved to Natasha. "The Soul Stone."
Bucky crossed his arms, eyeing Red Skull warily. "That's right. So why don't you tell us where to find it."
"Oh, but you have found it." Red Skull swept a skeletal hand towards the plateau's edge. "Over there lies the prize you seek."
Exchanging puzzled glances, they moved to the cliff overlooking a deep basin far below. This certainly didn't look like the location of an Infinity Stone.
"So where is it?" Scott asked in confusion. "I don't see anything."
Red Skull's lip curled in a gruesome approximation of a smile. "The stone is down there. But extracting it will not be easy." His fierce eyes bored into Natasha's. "To claim the Soul Stone, one of you must lose that which you love. A soul for a soul."
His words dropped like stones among the group. The implications were horrifyingly clear- to retrieve the final Infinity Stone, someone would have to die.
Natasha squared her shoulders, jaw set. "Then that's my sacrifice to make."
"No!" Peter protested, grabbing her arm. "You can't, Nat!" Desperate objections rose up from the others as well.
Wanda stepped forward, red light shimmering around her hands. "This is madness. We can destroy this guardian and take the stone by force."
"You cannot." Red Skull seemed unconcerned by her threat. "The stone demands a sacrifice. This was ordained long before your time."
"There has to be another way," Dr. Strange insisted, mind racing. But the resigned despair on Red Skull's face told them everything they needed to know. The terrible price was set.
Defeated, they turned to each other. How did they make this horrific choice? Who among them was prepared to give their life so the rest could walk away with the final stone?
Natasha looked at their stricken faces, her heart breaking for the pain she was about to inflict. "It's alright," she soothed. "My choice is made."
Bucky shook his head angrily. "Like hell it is. You think we're okay letting you jump? I'm not losing you again, Nat."
"We can't lose anyone," Peter pleaded desperately. "Isn't there some other sacrifice..."
"No." Natasha cupped his cheek gently, eyes shining with anguish and love. "It has to be me, Peter. I'm ready for this."
Peter clutched her hand, tears streaming down his face. "Please, Nat. You can't leave me."
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as he wept. "You're going to be okay," she whispered. Looking over his shoulder, her gaze found Bucky. "Take care of him. And Wanda, and each other. Don't let this break you apart."
Bucky pressed his fist to his mouth, struggling to contain his emotions. Scott wiped at his eyes, while Wanda turned into Dr. Strange's comforting embrace.
After a long moment, Natasha pulled back, wiping the tears from Peter's cheeks. "Be strong for me, little spider. And never doubt how much I love you, my sweet boy. My son."
Then she stepped away, moving towards the cliff's edge. Peter lunged after her with a strangled cry but suddenly found himself immobilized by crimson bands of magic.
"Wanda, stop!" He thrashed desperately against the restraints but Wanda only tightened her hold, tears streaming down her face.
Natasha gave the girl a nod of gratitude. Then she turned back towards the precipice, ready to make the leap-
-only to be slammed to the ground as a black and silver blur shot past her.
For a split second, everything froze. Then-
"BUCKY, NO!"
Natasha's anguished scream pierced the air as Bucky Barnes plunged over the edge of the cliff without hesitation. His determined eyes met Natasha's one last time before the mists swallowed him up.
The group stood paralyzed in horror. Then chaos erupted. Peter broke free of Wanda's magic and sprinted for the cliff, half blinded by tears. Scott and Dr. Strange tackled him before he could jump after Bucky.
"Let me go!" Peter thrashed violently. "We have to save him!"
"It's too late." Strange's voice broke over the words. "I'm sorry...we cannot undo this."
A guttural cry tore from Natasha's throat as she collapsed to her knees. Wanda rushed to embrace her, both women overcome with grief and guilt. Peter eventually went limp, the fight draining out of him as wretched sobs took over.
For agonizing minutes they stayed there, huddled together on that godforsaken peak mourning their friend. The sacrifice had been made, salvation purchased through Bucky's life.
Finally Scott cleared his throat raggedly. "We should go. His...his body will be at the bottom."
Numbly they began the descent, leaning on each other for support. When they reached the basin, the Soul Stone glimmered orange amidst a pool of still water. And next to it lay Bucky Barnes.
Natasha knelt by his body, tenderly brushing the hair back from his peaceful face. "We'll come back for you," she whispered brokenly. "I promise."
With trembling hands, she picked up the Soul Stone and reverently placed it in her suit's storage compartment. Then she bent and pressed a final kiss to Bucky's forehead.
The journey back down the mountain passed in a grief-stricken haze. When they prepared to return to their own timeline, Natasha stopped and looked back up at the peak now wreathed in mist.
"Bucky died a hero today," she said quietly. "We make sure the universe remembers that."
Tight nods all around. "We'll tell his story," Peter vowed, still choked with tears. "How he gave everything so we could fix this."
Natasha squeezed his shoulder, drawing strength from one another. Then they all pushed the button on their suits that would take them home, back to the present.
When they stepped out onto the platform back in their current time, the others gathered in the lab cheered at the sight of them. But their celebration quickly turned to alarm as they took in the tear-stained faces and missing member of the group.
"What happened? Where's Bucky?" Sam asked in dismay, though he could already guess the terrible truth.
Natasha straightened, sealing away the anguish threatening to overwhelm her. "The mission was a success. All six stones retrieved. But... we lost Bucky..." Her voice only wavered slightly over the words.
Solemn understanding settled around the room. Quill closed his eyes and turned away with a pained sigh. "I'm sorry."
Peter stayed close to his mother, still struggling to process everything. Mantis approached them, her eyes shadowed with loss. "His sacrifice will not be in vain. We shall ensure it."
Natasha gave a wordless nod of gratitude. Sam rested a hand on her shoulder. "What do you need, Nat? Anything, just say it."
She took a deep, steadying breath. "I need...we need to bring him home. Will you help me?" Her voice cracked slightly over the request.
"Of course." Sam and the other remaining heroes moved to offer their aid however needed. There would be time to grieve, but first they had to take care of their fallen friend.
Over the next week, funeral preparations were made amidst working with Bruce and Peter on constructing a new Infinity Gauntlet capable of harnessing the stones' power. It was decided that Bruce, with the Hulk's strength, was the only one who could conceivably survive snapping the decimated back to life.
The mood was solemn the day they gathered for Bucky's memorial. Natasha had hardly spoken the past few days, shutting herself away to wrestle with the crushing guilt and grief. Now she clutched her son's hand tightly as people began sharing stories and memories of the White Wolf.
When Sam finished speaking, Peter led Natasha gently to the front. She stood there a long moment in silence, ghosts swimming in her eyes.
"Bucky Barnes was..." Her voice faltered and she paused to collect herself. "He was one of the best men I've ever known. A good heart, a kind soul. And in the end, the strongest of us all."
Natasha's stoic facade finally cracked, tears slipping free. "He was my friend. My brother. And I'll never stop missing him." She touched the memorial wreath laid atop the empty casket. "I'm so sorry, James."
Peter's own tears flowed freely as he wrapped his mother in a fierce hug. She had lost so much, been harmed so deeply by life. And still her capacity for love and goodness endured, thanks in part to the man they honored today.
"He'd be so proud of you, Mom," Peter said softly. "And he'll be waiting for us on the other side someday."
She simply nodded, too overcome for words. Together they said their final goodbyes, carrying Bucky's legacy in their hearts.
The next day, the six Infinity Stones glittered within their new gauntlet. Bruce stood ready to attempt the snap while the others observed tensely from the adjoining room. If the radiation didn't kill him instantly, this just might work.
"Go get our family back," Natasha said simply. Bruce nodded and with a grimace of effort, slid on the gauntlet.
Blazing energy erupted, scorching through Bruce's body as he fought to contain it. This power was beyond anything they could comprehend. But finally, agonizingly, Bruce managed to align his fingers and snap-
A blinding flash-
And silence.
Everyone slowly looked around as things began to settle. Had it worked? Were their lost ones returned?
Sam's phone buzzed with an incoming phone call. He glanced down- and gasped as the contact showed Steve Rogers, confirming that Bruce's snap had worked.
"It worked," Sam breathed. He looked up with joyful tears in his eyes. "It worked!"
Shouts and cheers filled the room, the team crashing together in tearful embraces. After long months of pain and struggle, their persistence had paid off. The universe was made whole again.
Three Days Later
Natasha stood in her room in the Compound, eyes closed and head bowed with profound relief. They had succeeded. But it had come at the highest possible cost.
A comforting hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up into the kind, worn face of Clint Barton. "Hey Nat."
A wounded cry escaped her as she threw herself into the arms of her best friend. "Clint. You're back."
He held her tightly, both overjoyed and sorrowed by the reunion. When she finally pulled back, Clint gave a sad half-smile. "The kid told me about Barnes. I'm so sorry, Nat."
She shook her head, not ready to revisit that loss yet. This was a day for joy and celebration, not grief.
Just then excited shouts rang out from the doorway as Tony, Steve and the other returned heroes piled into the room. Natasha moved to embrace each of them in turn, the shadow lifting from her heart with every friend back safe.
When she pulled away from Thor's crushing bear hug, Peter was suddenly there sweeping her up in his arms. "Mom! We did it!" His face shone with exhilaration and wonder.
Natasha laughed, joy bubbling up to chase away the lingering pain. "We did it, Pete."
He set her down and she cupped his face tenderly. "I knew you could. I'm so proud of you."
Peter threw his arms around her again, holding on like he would never let go. After the agony of watching her nearly sacrifice herself on Vormir, this moment erased it all. Everyone they lost was here, alive and whole. They had won.
The celebration lasted long into the night as the universe came back to balance all around them. At long last, when the revelry finally wound down, Natasha found herself alone watching the sunrise.
Vibrant hues painted the sky, full of promise for the new day ahead. But Natasha's bittersweet smile held traces of the past. "We did good, Buck," she whispered. "I'll miss you every day. But I promise to live my life to the fullest, for both of us now."
The rising sun washed her in golden light, a new chapter dawning. She had lost much along the way. But with love and family all around her, Natasha knew the future was bright.
Natasha smiled softly, taking in the beauty of the sunrise. Despite all they had endured, life persevered. She just wished Bucky was here to see it.
A footstep sounded behind her. "Got room for one more out here?"
She turned to see Steve approaching, two mugs in hand. "Thought you could use some coffee," he said, holding one out to her.
"Thanks, Steve." Natasha gratefully accepted the mug, inhaling the rich aroma before taking a sip.
Steve settled beside her, both gazing out at the colorful horizon. "Can't believe we actually did it," he finally said. "Took a lot of sacrifice, but we won."
Natasha nodded silently. After a moment she said quietly, "Let me guess, my kid told you what happened to Bucky."
It wasn't a question. Steve sighed heavily. "Yeah. Your son gave me the full story." He shook his head. "That stubborn punk. He always was throwing himself on the grenade to save others."
"A trait you two shared," Natasha noted with a sad smile.
Steve huffed a soft laugh. "Guess you're right." He stared down into his mug, pensive. "I'm proud of him, you know. He died a true hero. But..."
"You still wish it hadn't happened," Natasha finished gently. She knew that pain all too well.
"Yeah." Steve blinked back the sheen of tears in his eyes. "I just got him back, after everything HYDRA put him through. To lose him again so soon..." He trailed off, overcome with grief.
Natasha rested a hand on his arm in wordless comfort. She and Steve had both loved Bucky dearly, two of the only people left who really knew the man behind the Winter Soldier. His absence now left a hole in both their hearts.
"He wouldn't want us to dwell on it," Nat said after a few moments. "You know how he was - always trying to lift others up, put a smile on their face."
Steve gave a watery chuckle. "Remember that time after a mission, he tried to bake us a cake as a surprise? Almost burned down the whole kitchen."
"But he was so proud of that lopsided, crunchy cake," Natasha said with a laugh. "I don't think I'd ever seen him beam brighter than when we choked down a piece to make him happy."
They shared more cherished memories, the pain easing as they honored Bucky's spirit. He would live on through them and all the lives he had touched.
Eventually their laughter faded back to reflective silence. The rising sun had shifted from pinks and oranges to golden yellow light spilling across the compound grounds. Natasha refilled their coffee mugs with the carafe Steve had brought.
After a few more minutes of quiet companionship, Steve spoke again. "You really stepped up these past months, Nat. Kept us unified, focused. Don't think any of us could've pulled it off without you."
Natasha shook her head. "It was a team effort. But..." She hesitated, then continued softly. "Having Peter with me made all the difference. He gave me hope when I had none left."
Steve smiled knowingly. "That kid does have a way of worming into your heart, doesn't he?"
"He's special," Nat agreed, her eyes distant. "I never thought I'd feel so..." She trailed off, struggling to articulate the depths of her bond with Peter.
But Steve understood. He bumped her shoulder gently. "You're not just a mentor to him anymore. You became his family. His mother."
Family. Mother. The words settled comfortably over Natasha's heart. "I suppose I did."
She had found a son in Peter, and him a mother in her. Fate worked in strange, beautiful ways sometimes.
Steve stood, taking their empty mugs. "Speaking of your kid, I should head in, let you two catch up." He smiled warmly at her. "Take care, Nat."
"You too, Steve."
As he walked inside, Natasha turned back to the sunrise. But moments later she heard the screen door creak open again behind her. Turning, she saw Peter there, shuffling through the grass still clad in pajamas.
"Peter," she said fondly, holding out a hand. "Come here."
He gladly joined her on the porch steps, leaning into her side as she stroked his hair. "Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Nat asked knowingly.
Peter shook his head with a yawn. "Too wired still, I guess. A lot to process after everything."
"I know exactly what you mean." Natasha kept gently carding her fingers through his curls. Touch centered them both, reminding their souls this was real.
They sat quietly for a time, taking solace in one another's presence. As the sun climbed higher, Natasha studied the young man who had become like a son to her. The battles had aged him, but not hardened his heart. Her little spider still brimmed with hope and light.
"How are you doing, really?" she asked softly. "Be honest with me."
Peter considered the question, gazing back at her with earnest eyes. "I'm okay, Mom," he finally said. "Sad about Bucky, of course. Worried about readjusting to normal life now. But..."
He smiled up at her. "Mostly just feeling grateful. We did something amazing together. And I got my family back." Peter bumped her shoulder playfully. "Especially my badass super spy mom who I apparently can't get rid of no matter what."
Natasha laughed even as her eyes misted over. Hearing Peter call her 'Mom' so naturally filled her heart to overflowing even after all these months of him doing so.
"Well you're stuck with me, so get used to it," she retorted, pulling him into a fierce hug.
They held each other tightly, savoring this quiet moment together. So much had changed, but this - this enduring love between them - was Natasha's constant. Her guiding light through even the darkest storms.
Eventually Peter pulled back, scrubbing at the sheen of tears in his eyes. "Anyway, enough mushy stuff. Are you doing okay? And remember your own advice - be honest." He arched his eyebrow at her in challenge.
Natasha huffed a soft laugh. "Alright, fair enough."
She looked out at the sun-drenched compound, really considering his question. "I'm sad too of course. And feeling guilty I couldn't protect Bucky."
Natasha sighed heavily. "But more than anything, I'm grateful. Grateful we succeeded, that I can hug Clint and Steve again. That I have you in my life."
She met Peter's tender gaze. "You gave me hope when I had none. I'll always be thankful for that."
Peter impulsively hugged her again. "Right back at you," he mumbled fiercely against her shoulder. "We got through it together, Mom."
"That we did, little spider." Natasha held him close, letting the quiet joy of this moment wash over them. The future suddenly seemed bright with possibility.
After a few more minutes they finally stirred, knowing the day's responsibilities awaited them both. But before parting ways, Peter met Natasha's eyes earnestly.
"I know things are gonna be different now. But whatever comes next - new challenges, adapting to normal life again - you'll always be my family, Nat. My mom."
Natasha cupped his cheek, unspeakably moved. "And you'll always be my son," she affirmed. "No matter what this new world brings, we face it together."
Peter's smile could have lit up the galaxy. Natasha pulled him in for one more hug, then watched fondly as he headed inside with a spring in his step.
Turning back to the sprawling sunrise, she let her eyes slip closed. The breeze carried hints of new beginnings - but also echoes of the past, of loved ones gone but not forgotten. Of life, ever moving forward even through the darkest night.
Natasha laid a hand over her heart, Bucky's dog tags pressed against her palm. The future called, bright with hope. But she would hold the past close as well, carry it always within her soul.
"Thank you, James," she whispered to the light. "Thank you for everything."
Then Natasha Romanoff walked steadily into that new dawn, heart full and head held high.