Shattered
“Waaaa, Waaaaa.” A baby cried in the middle of the night.
Catra sighted softly and got out of bed.
She walked towards the crib just beside her bed. Her wife fully asleep.
The cries belong to their 4 month old daughter, Nala.
She looked at the crib to see their infant. A Magicat with a lighter fur than her’s and light brown hair and small tail. She is wearing a full body blue pijama, with a happy face on the chest. Her tiny arms and legs moving in the air as she called for her mothers.
Catra wishes she could see her eyes. But Magicat babies don’t open them for their first 17 months.
It’s one of the many concerning things they have found.
Before Nala came, they tried to learn everything about raising a Magicat, they can’t ask anyone cause....Catra is the only one. So they had to get some books. Then they learn the hard truth.
Magicat infants are more fragile than other babies. They are subjected to more health issues. Tummy problems are frequent, so are head aches, and just discomfort. She may even have some problems breathing, but they say the infant can get threw them easily. The worst part, is the one they don’t know, or can not know how to handle. Magicat babies are followed by bad luck. Some strange thing happens, and the child is suddenly out of comfort and sometimes they are in danger.
She and Adora learned it the hard way. When she was just two months, exauation had gotten the two of them and they fell to a deep sleep. When they woke up, they were horrified. Nala wasn’t in her crib, she somehow managed to escape. She was in the floor, face down, and totally soaked from her tears. The worst thing, her tiny nose has bleed a little. In the middle of the night, the baby sought come comfort, and ended up splatting in the floor. Adora rushed to pick her up, and Nala weakly grabbed her shirt and refused to let go.
That’s why they take turns. One sleeps the first half of the night, the other sleeps the second. Catra slept threw the first half. 1 AM is their switch point. The one awake usually reads a book while they wait. When it’s clear they both need the full night. Either Glimmer or Perfuma and Scorpia watched her. Somehow Glimmer and Scorpia stood all night watching her. Scorpia had no problems, while Glimmer had just a diaper change.
To make matters even more complicated, Nala is a runt. She’s smaller and weaker than average Magicat babies.
But that won’t stop them from making her first two years as happy as they can.
“Hey little one.” She said as she picked her up.
“Mu.” She cried as she sniffed that it’s Catra and not Adora. Adora is Ma, she is Mu.
“What’s wrong Nala ?”
She’s not smelly, so no need for diaper change. Catra slowly amd gently pressed her fingers around her body. When she pressed her belly, she made a face of discomfort and her mouth opened in pain.
“It’s your tummy. Its hurting you again.”
Nala just prrssed her head in her chest and continued to cry.
“Don’t worry, we can take care of that.”
Lucky for them, and old healer in Mystacor used to help raise magicats until they are two years old. After that mark is reached, their health gets stronger, and the bad luck goes away, and they can now behave like normal infants. He created some basic potions to counter this pains, and they are sadly normal.
“Just take a little sip.” She said while giving her daughter the potion. Nala tried to get it away from her mouth, but her tiny arms are as strong as noodles. She soon made a face of disgust and started to cry more.
“No no, let’s don’t wake Mama.” Catra told her as she got her bottle. The healer said she must drink after every potion.
“Mu.” She said quietly as she enjoyed her milk.
Catra then grabbed her and sat in the rocking chair with her.
“Now it’s time to sleep again little one.”
She rocked her as a small smile appeared in Nala’s face. Soon she could hear her breathing slow down, and her chest rise and fall steadily. She’s asleep again. It’s kimda hard to tell when she can’t open her eyes.
Catra looked at the clock. It’s almost sunrise. Those potions have a lasting effect. Nala should remain asleep until Adora woke up and could allow Catra to get some more shut eye.
Catra slowly placed her in her crib and put her under her green blanket. She also gave her her small stuff dolphin. A gift from Mermista that became her sleeping toy.
She really does need sleep.
Luck came for her however, in the form of the awake Melong.
“You can watch her this hour before Adora wakes up ? Great. Thanks buddy, wake me up if anything happens.”
Catra tried to fall asleep. But she couldn't. Her mind had been off for some time.
The attack on the Stark's cabin. Pepper's death, Tony and Morgan. It was...hard to believe.
Peace was supposed to be here. They had found it. And yet.....this happens. Who could have done this.
None of the sensors catched anyone. Even FRIDAY was unable to find who did it.
She and Adora had already visited them once. Glimmer will go herself soon enough. It has been strange how...deep that friendship has gotten on the past years.
"You can't sleep can't you ?"
She turned to find Adora looking at her.
"So much to think about."
"Yeah....I just can't imagine. Who would do this ?"
"A monster. That's who."
"Tony said all of the Avengers' enemies are either dead or imprisoned. All of Thanos' followers were done after the snap. So....I can't imagine who would do this."
"Well when i find them. They are gonna wish that Strange turns back time."
"Hehe, so protective. We might need to visit them again then."
"We can't. With Entrapta still missing, everyone is on high alert. Let's send some gifts with Sparkles, heard she's going soon."
"Hmmm- I wonder...."
"Adora, please don't."
"I'm just saying. They have gotten awfully close during this years. Now Tony would never have cheated on Pepper but....they both share one thing now."
"They shouldn't be sharing that."
"Yeah....I still miss Bow. So dam much. But I can't imagine Glimmer..."
"Stop it ok. Don't...talk about that. As Perfuma would say, focus on the positive."
"You really have taken after her huh."
"She's nice. That's all. Also she is Scorpia's wife so..."
"Aha. Yeah right, I have seen you go out for lunch with her...wihout Scorpia present."
"Fine we are friends ok. And we both had to deal with pregnant wifes getting us heart attacks."
"Hehe. Come now, sleep for a bit honey. You need too. We can get them some nice things and dropped them off with Glimmer."
"Yeah ok....hey Adora..I love you."
"I love you too, now let's..."
Just them, wood cracking started sounding.
“Please Don’t tell me that’s the crib.”
Before she could even rise. The crib’s two right legs snapped, and the whole crib fell to the right. Poor Nala was helplessly woken up by gravity, as she left her comfortable bed, and fell face first into the floor.
“WAAAAAAAH, WAAAAAAAH !” She brawled wildly. Kicking and hitting the floor.
“WHAT’S WRONG !” Adora woke up. “Oh man. Not again.”
Catra imediatly picked their girl and checked her. “She’s fine. Not even a scratch.”
Nala just stretched her arms, trying to grab her mother’s fur to get her comfort.
“Looks like you’re sleeping with us today.” She, cuddled as she sobbed in her chest. One of her hands desperately trying to hold her stuffed dolphin, so Catra held it for her.
“Let’s just make sure not to roll over her tail.” Adora said as she moved so the baby could be at the middle.
Nala fussed when she didn’t feel her blanket. So Catra imediatly putted it in her. Nala sobbed for a while, before finally falling as sleep.
“Just another day in motherhood.”
“Yeah and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Me too Adora, me too.”
Pepper had been buried two weeks ago.
Tony always visited her grave each morning.
He and Morgan went to the tower as soon as they got out of the burning house.
Of course, Rhodey came immediately. He hugged them both tightly for the recent loss.
"I'm so sorry Tony. I'm so sorry."
Others came in. Thor came next with his bone crushing hugs. Bruce stayed on the lab with him for sometime. May and Peter also came in.
Peter for some reason blamed himself, which Tony would never understand. There was no way the kid would have known.
He had many messages from others on Earth, such as Clint, Carol, Stephen, basically all of the other Avengers.
Adora and Catra had come from Etheria for two nights after that happened. With...quite a stack of letters and gifts from the others.
"We will find who did this my friend." Thor said. "And whoever they are, they will pay for the consequences." Thor growled.
Tony agreed, whoever killed Pepper.....is gonna pay.
They had no suspects at the moments. There were two candidates they were searching for.
The first where a group of Anti Accords, Rogers fanatics, that blamed Tony for the accords, and the downfall of their hero. They had caused some trouble around the country, but it was minor. Tony doubts it's them thought, FRIDAY would have seen them come, and taken care of them. But FRIDAY saw nothing.
The other option was a new villain. One with a grudge against Tony, or the Avengers in general.
But who could it be ? All of his enemies were either in prison or dead. Those who were alive were facing severe interrogation, but nothing has come so far.
And the dead can't return so......
However, as much as Tony could wallow himself on his grieve. He can't. He needs to be there for Morgan.
Morgan has been traumatized by the explosion that killed her mother. She can't have her father go all depressed on her.
It's hard, but for her, Tony has to be strong. It's what Pepper would like.
Tony just came from his visit to the grave. Happy and FRIDAY watching Morgan.
"Boss, you have a visitor."
"Huh, who could it be ?"
He opened the door, to find the Queen of Etheria herself there.
On their last...moments together. Pepper had been right, Tony has gotten closer to Glimmer during this past years.
When Etheria came to light, and Thanos was defeated, it became clear that Earth needed to acciónate with other planets. And Tony was chosen as the perfect candidate to do so.
As the one that predicted the coming of Thanos, and one of the key warriors that stopped him, they thought he would be the best choice to become Earth's ambassador.
And it was true, the people of space were very impressed by him. That however, meant Tony had to attend many meetings with intergalactic rulers, and that of course, included Glimmer.
It might be because they were familiar faces on the chaos of meetings. But they hit it off, becoming closer each time they met.
Tony also feel very bad for her loss of lover....ironic right now.
"Hey." She greeted.
"Hey."
"Sorry..for not coming sooner. With Entrapta going missing, everyone is in a bit of a panic."
"I understand. We are still trying to find her, and Scott."
"Yeah....oh Tony, I...I have no words. I'm so so sorry about what happened. I.."
"It's ok. I'm actually kind of tired of hearing people be sorry...it's not gonna bring her back."
"I understand. I felt that way as well. Listen, you both know you can count on me ok. I know this feeling very..very well. If you want to come to Etheria to take a breather, or just need support, I am a call away. "
"Thanks Sparkles. Really."
"And when you find who did this. Call me up, I want some peace of flesh myself."
"Heh, get in line Queenie. It's a long one."
"Oh I can imagine that. Catra has already ranted about what she is gonna do. Speaking of, she and Adora sent somethings. They would have come...but little Nala had another accident."
"Man, that kid...is really something."
"She is."
"You wanna come in, we were just gonna make lunch, and Morgan would like to see you."
"Oh, you are cooking those italian dishes, don't mind if I do stay then. Besides, I do need a break from politics."
"Ha, I know that one as well."
Meanwhile on another realm.
"YOU KNEW THIS WAS GONNA HAPPEN !"
Hela was in her throne room, when someone came running in.
"Yes, welcome yourself in Mara."
Mara growled at her.
"You knew it. The attack on the Stark household, the death of Pepper Potts. You could have stop it !"
"I couldn't."
"WHY ! You...you always say how special your merchant is to you. But you did nothing to save his wife. Now his daughter will grow motherless !"
"DO NOT, question my relationship with my Merchant. I care for him, a great deal. It pains me greatly that I could have done nothing, but it had to happen. I must make sacrifices to stop Ultron at all costs."
"How...how did Ultron even come back ?"
"I don't know that. But ever since he defied death, I have sensed it. He is stronger and more powerful. He is not the same that came online in 2015."
She looked at Mara.
"All will be well as long as we follow the plans, you understand that, don't you Mara ?"
"I...I understand. I trust you, Queen Hela."
"Good...now be ready."
"Huh ?"
"Is about time...you meet Adora, for real."