Nebula watched Thanos' army turn to dust.
She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Thanos was defeated. They had got everyone back.
Well, not everyone.
Her eyes burned as she remembered Gamora's other self. It wasn't her Gamora. Memories were what made a person who they were. And Gamora didn't have hers.
Nebula wandered among the survivors, not really knowing where to go. She was unable to process everything, and wanted her Gamora back.
And her brother.
Loki.
He was the one who showed her that Thanos was not invincible. Who showed her that he could be defeated.
And he was gone.
Nebula clenched her hands into fists. She still held some anger and resentment for him leaving them, but it had faded, and replaced by a longing. He shouldn't have sacrificed himself for Thor, of all people. She wanted to punch his idiot brother.
So she did.
It was remarkably satisfying. Everyone stared at her, but she couldn't find it in herself to care. He deserved it for what he had done to Loki.
She sat down, smiling smugly. If Loki were here, he would probably be scolding her and trying not to laugh.
A tap on her shoulder started her out of her thoughts, and she turned to see Gamora standing there.
For a few moments, the sisters looked at each other, then Gamora said, "That was Thor, wasn't it?"
Nebula nodded, and Gamora cracked a smile. She walked over and punched him as well, and Nebula burst out laughing. They were both protective of Loki, and had despised his idiot brother for the way he treated him.
Gamora came back and sat next to her, playing with her hands.
“Those guys...they knew me. How?”
Nebula didn’t need to ask who she was talking about. “They call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy. They...they became your family.”
Gamora’s face twisted. “And I fell in love with that idiot?”
Nebula’s lips twitched. Gamora sighed. “We have the Stones. Is it possible we could...merge the me that was killed into the me from now?”
Nebula’s heart leapt. These were the Infinity Stones. They could do almost anything. Maybe they could bring her family back.
Against all odds, it worked.
Gamora’s two selves merged into one. There had been a big, sappy reunion, after Gamora apologised a million times to Quill. He just smiled and they kissed, to wolf-whistles from Rocket.
Two thirds were together again. All they needed was one more...
But this was Loki they were talking about. He had only had his neck snapped. There was a chance he was alive. Though Nebula doubted it, it was a chance she and Gamora were willing to take.
He was alive.
Loki was alive. He was floating in space, encased in ice and in the form he hated, but he was alive and breathing and that was all Nebula cared about.
He woke up with a startled cry, but calmed down when he saw the two of them.
“Did... Did we...?” he asked, unable to form the question.
Nebula reached forwards and squeezed his hand. “You had been floating in space for five years.” Loki’s eyes flew open in shock. “And there have been many losses. But Thanos is dead.”
Loki leaned back against the bed. “Dead...” And then he threw his head back and laughed, tears running down his cheeks. It didn’t take long for Gamora and Nebula to join them.
It felt good to laugh. Thanos was gone. They were free.
And somehow, she wasn’t alone anymore.
Healing took time.
The three siblings went on a small trip together. There was a lot to discuss, a lot to heal.
But for now, Nebula leant into Loki’s chest, rested her head on Gamora’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
For once, she was happy,