Cover My Eyes
Harley looked around the partially decimated street as they arrived in New York. A thin layer of dust covered seemingly everything. Destroyed cars and pieces of buildings littered the main street.
No wonder Payton didn't want to come here.
"Alright, we all have our assignments." Steve said going straight into business mode as their time travel outfits came undone. "Two Stones uptown. One stone down. Keep an eye on the clock."
Just as he finished Past Hulk could be seen outside the alley, destroying a car and anything else he could get his hands on, before jumping away with a roar.
Harley looked to Bruce. "You going to act like that while we're here?"
"I think it's gratuitous, but whatever." Bruce said annoyed as he tore off his shirt.
Harley couldn't hold in his laugh at Bruce's weak growls as he sluggishly punched the already destroyed car. He threw a motorcycle into a wall, wincing at the noise.
"Come on Iron Lad." A shrunken Scott said on his shoulder.
"Right." Harley said, tapping his chest piece twice before, releasing his nanobot suit. Unlike Tony's, his armor was silver where his was gold but still held red splashed throughout it. "Let's go Flik."
*******
Payton looked around the decimated world as the others got the Benatar into position.
This was horrible. She thought. What kind of world was this? What could've done this?
"Hey can we hurry it up?" Clint impatiently asked as Nebula walked out of the Benatar after it landed.
"All that is really helpful." Rhodey sarcastically said.
"We know you need a little push." Payton responded with a smug grin.
Rhodey laughed before enveloping her in a hug. "Take care, Okay?"
"You too." Payton said as they separated. She looked over at Nebula. "Especially you."
Nebula smiled weakly.
"Take that stone and come back." Rhodey called out as she and Clint walked into the Benatar. "No messing around."
"Where's the fun in that?" Payton teased turning back to look at the duo.
"You got this." Clint called out.
"You guys watch each other's six." Rhodey called out as the doors closed.
A few minutes later they took off to Vormir. Clint smiled as a vortex of colors travelled around them. Payton released a small chuckle of her own.
When she travelled on the donut ship, she was more focused on getting to Tony and helping Doctor Strange. Then the gravitas of the situation made it feel too weird to relax for a second. Plus unlike this one, there was no windows. And when she was in the Benatar with Nebula, their impending doom made it too difficult to enjoy anything.
But this. This was how space travel was supposed to be enjoyed, Payton concluded as she looked at the vortex of colors.
"This is amazing."
*******
"What's Plan B?" Rocket asked after Thor had taken off to God knows where.
"Improvise." Flash said shortly, his mind racing a hundred miles an hour.
"You there!" They turned to see a guard approach them. "Halt."
Can I eat him?
"No." Flash said stepping forward. "Look," He addressed the guard. "We just need to talk to the girl over there. Now you can turn around and pretend you've never seen us. Sound good?"
"You'll need to come with me." The guard said pointing a sword at him.
"Why do they always make this difficult?" Flash muttered. Flash felt himself grow as Venom surrounded him. Venom grabbed the guard by the mouth before he could scream, lifting him off his feet.
"You should've taken his deal." Venom hissed his long tongue flickered teasingly as the guard weakly clawed at Venom's hand. "Now no one will find your body."
No! Flash screamed as Venom opened his mouth. We need to preserve the timeline remember? That means no killing!
"But we're hungry!"
Just knock him out. And I'll give you chocolate when we get back.
"Chocolate." Venom purred as he knocked the man out.
Flash then retook control. "Thank you."
He's your size.
"You think so?" He asked looking at the guard.
Yes, he's also small.
"Shut up." Flash said as he started taking the armor.
"That was different." Rocket said with a wide grin.
"What?" Flash said now in Asgardian armor. "Never seen a costume change?"
"Yeah don't choose now to get wise kid." Rocket said looking back to the door. "You distract the broad, I'll take care of the goo."
"Right." Flash said before walking over to the door. Jane opened after a quick knock.
"Yes?"
"My lady..."
You didn't plan on what to say?
"His highness- Prince Thor- asked me... to..." Flash looked around, pausing as he spotted a vase of flowers past her. "To... Ask what kind of flowers you would like."
"Flowers?" Jane asked a raised brow as her voice dripped in skepticism.
Flowers?
"Yes flowers." Flash said as he spotted Rocket enter the room. "His highness would like you to join him for a romantic evening before your departure."
"Oh." Jane blushed slightly. "Well tell Thor I'd be glad with any kind. When will we eat?"
"I don't know. But I'm sure he'll ask for you whenever he's ready."
"Of course." Jane nodded moving to close the door. "Thank you."
"My lady." Flash said before she could close it. "Is there anything you want me to tell his grace?"
"Uh no." Jane said. "I think I'm-" Jane screamed as a wave of red travelled over her. Her eyes rolled back before she limply fell forward. Flash caught her lowering her to the ground gently.
"Not bad kid." Rocket said holding up his device as the two walked away. "And we got the goop."
"Great." Flash said as he tossed the helmet onto the unconscious guard. "Now let's-"
Run.
Flash looked up at the sound of clattering metal. Before either could move, a duo of guards appeared in front of them. An unconscious guard next to them, and an unconscious lady behind them.
"Halt!" One of them yelled as they rushed forward.
"Venom." Flash urged stepping forward.
Venom enveloped him again releasing a piercing howl. The two guards screamed as they stood petrified in fear as he tossed the unconscious into them.
"Let's go." Venom said picking up Rocket by his gruff as metal footsteps ran after them.
*******
Harley hovered in front of the tower, his hack of JARVIS easily completed. Which was disappointing, he thought Tony would have JARVIS better secured. Or maybe he's just that good. His scans showed Steve wasn't even in the elevator, even though the Past Avengers were already standing over a defeated Loki.
"Hurry it up, Cap." Harley rushed. "Things looked like they're wrapped up here."
"Got it." Steve relayed as Harley quieted landed inside, his suit going back into it's capsule. "I'm approaching elevator now."
"Alright." Past Tony said as Loki surrendered. "Get him on his feet. We can all stand around posing up a storm later. By the way feel free to clean up."
Harley quickly spotted the past Cap. "Wow Mr. Rogers. That outfit does nothing for your ass."
"No one asked you to look, Harley." Steve said annoyed.
"I think you look great, Cap" Scott said from Harley's shoulder." As far as I'm concerned, that's America's ass."
Harley suppressed a laugh as Past Natasha spoke up. "Who gets the, uh, magic wand?"
"STRIKE team's coming to secure it." Past Tony said seconds before the elevator opened revealing a group of tough looking agents in black, and one smaller man in glasses and a suit.
"We can take that off your hands." Glasses said walking to Past Natasha.
"By all means. Careful with that thing."
"Unless you want your mind erased." Past Clint bitterly said as he opened up a bottle of liquor. "And not in a fun way."
"We promise to be careful."
"Who are these guys?" Scott curiously asked.
"Hydra," Natasha finally spoke from wherever she was hiding. "At the time they were posing as SHIELD. But, we didn't know that yet."
"Really?" Harley said incredulously. "They're like two steps away from being Storm Troopers."
Past Steve marched to the elevators. "On my way down to coordinate search and rescue."
Loki transformed into Steve. "On my way down to coordinate search and rescue!" He transformed back looking to Thor. "I mean, honestly! How do you think you'll be-"
Past Thor slapped a muzzle like device on Loki's mouth as Hulk growled "Shut up."
"You ready?" Harley asked spotting the briefcase with the Tesseract.
Scott got in position. "Alright. Flick me."
Harley quickly flicked Scott towards Tony, Scott landing in Tony's beard. Harley released a soft breath, as Tony didn't do anything more than scratch his beard.
The rest of the past Avengers crowded into the elevator. Hulk following.
"Move." He growled, seemingly not registering the others startled looks as Tony sat on the briefcase.
"Whoa!" Past Thor said, Tony quickly picking up.
"Whoa, whoa. Hey! Buddy. What do you think? Maximum occupancy has been reached."
"Take the stairs." Thor said as Loki waved goodbye.
Hulk growled moving to punch them, only to be intercepted by the doors.
"Stop." Tony frantically said. "Stop!"
Hulk's punch left a dent in the door was. "Take the stairs! Hate the stairs!"
"Loki seems like fun." Harley noted mostly to himself as he tracked the Tesseract. "Cap. I got our scepter in the elevator just passing the 80th floor."
"On it." Steve answered. "Head to the lobby."
"See ya." Harley said as he pushed his container again as he let himself fall off the side of the building.
*******
Must go faster. Must go faster
"Shut up." Venom said leaping across the space to the other hall. Only for there to be more guards over there.
"Stop that monster and rabbit!" One of the guards yelled behind them
"Slow down." Rocket said as his claws dug into Venom's shoulder.
Is he hurting you?
"No." Venom said bursting through a pair of double doors. He quickly shut them, turning and spotting Thor talking to his mother.
"Thor!" Rocket exclaimed jumping off of Venom as he shrunk back down into Flash. "We got it!"
Thor's face dropped as he turned to his mother. " Ma, I have to tell you something."
"No, son." She said gently. "You don't. You're here to repair your future, not mine."
"But this is about your future."
"It's none of my business." The Queen said with a knowing smile.
"Hey. You must be Mom." Rocket said softly taking the two in. "I got the thing. Come on, we got to move."
"Give him a minute." Flash chided.
We do not have time.
"I'll give you two chocolate bars." He whispered.
Three?
"Fine."
"I wish we had more time." Thor said staring at her as if he was trying to memorize her face.
"No, this was a gift. And you're going to be the man you're meant to be."
"I love you, Mom."
"I love you. And eat a salad."
"Come on." Rocket impatiently said. "We gotta go."
"Goodbye." The Queen softly whispered, tears in her eyes.
"Three..." Rocket counted down. "Two..."
"No, wait!" Thor held out his hand, his face scrunched up slightly.
He is still wasting time?!
"Wh- what am I looking at?" Rocket asked confused, looking to the Queen.
"Oh, sometimes it takes a second."
Thor breathlessly laughed as The Hammer landed in his grasp. "I'm still worthy."
Flash thought back to the old Avengers poster he had when he was-
You still have it.
"Still awesome." Flash whispered in awe.
"Goodbye, Mom."
"Goodbye."
*******
Harley quickly entered the nearby alley, changing into the generic guard outfit. He then entered Stark Tower, quickly spotting Tony and Past Thor stopping in front of a group of men in business suits, plus guards.
"They're in position Lang." Natasha relayed.
"Bombs away." Scott said before making a disgusted noise. "Is- Oh- He's wearing Axe body spray."
"Lang. Focus."
Harley watched the intense interaction from afar. "Things are getting intense. Hurry it up."
"You promise he won't die?"
"You're only giving me a mild cardiac dysrhythmia." Harley explained.
"That doesn't sound mild."
"I need the case." The lead guy in a business suit said moving to grab the case from Tony.
"I know you got a lotta pull. I'm just saying-"
"Okay. Then give me the case."
"Do it, Lang!" Natasha hissed.
"Get your hands off!" Tony hissed as the struggle intense.
"Here goes!" Scott said seconds before Tony gasped excruciatingly, dropping the case.
Harley's muscles tensed as he forced himself to stay still. He'll be fine.
"Stark!" Past Thor exclaimed as Tony fell to the ground.
"Look, he's convulsing. Give him air! Medic!" The business man yelled.
"MEDIC!" Harley relayed, glad to have something to do. "You guys, some help!"
"Stark, you- your chest machine?" The business suit man asked in concern.
Harley watched as the case slid across the floor. He also noted that Loki seemed to be the only person to notice.
"Good job." Natasha said as a guard, presumably her, grabbed the case and walked off. "Meet me in the alley."
As Natasha walked out of the building, Hulk burst from the stair way. "No stairs!"
"You'll be fine, Stark." Past Thor said looking around frantically. "Stay with us! I'll try something, okay? I have no idea if it's gonna work." Past Thor then pushed his hammer against Tony's chest. Tony gasped again, seemingly better. "YES!"
"That worked a treat." Tony panted out. "That was so crazy!"
"I had no idea if that would work." Past Thor laughed as Tony sat up, the medics finally arriving. "I- Where's the case?"
"What?" The business suit man demanded.
"Where's the case?" As the rest of them freaked out over the missing case, he looked over to Loki staring at him. Harley merely lifted a finger up to his mouth. Loki's eyes sparkled with mischief before sending a wink. Harley exited the building.
It took a couple of minutes for Harley to arrive in the alley, one a few blocks away from the tower, not the one they arrived in.
"Are we-" Harley cut off as he took in the scene before him.
Natasha was holding a frantic looking man back as Steve lifted a chunk of a collapsed building.
Scott stood next to the man, trying to soothe him. "It's going to be alright. It'll be alright."
Steve tossed the building rubble aside, as hoarse coughing reached his ears.
"PAYTON!" The man finally pushed past Natasha to the pile of rubble, and pulled a young girl into his laps. She was sobbing between hoarse coughs, her entire body covered in gray dust, scratches on her arms and a cut on her forehead, and one of the lenses of her glasses were broken. "It's alright. You're alright. Just breath."
"Uncle Ben." The girl sobbed softly. "She's- She's-"
Harley glanced over to where the girl had been trapped in to see a blonde woman laying on the ground half buried in rubble. Her arm stretched out as she stared blankly ahead. Steve was instantly next to the woman's body, shaking his head at the unasked question.
"Hey it's alright." The man- Ben- said petting her hair gently. "It's going to be alright."
Natasha knelt in front of them. "Hey sweetie. I know that was scary, but you were really brave."
"I- I- I was?" The girl coughed again. "But I was terrified."
"You can't be brave unless you're scared." Natasha said softly, wiping some of the dust off Payton's face.
Holy shit. Harley said his eyes widening, stepping back slightly, as he stared at the dust covered girl. This was why.
"Really?" The girl hiccupped as Ben stood her up.
"Yep." Ben said. "But come on we need to-"
"If you go out this alley," Steve offered gesturing as he talked, standing from his spot near the woman, blocking Little Payton's view of the body. "And make a left you should be able to find a med team there."
"Thank you." Ben said softly before wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Come on Payton. Maybe we can stop for ice cream on our way home."
"If we're late though Aunt May will cook tonight." Payton smiled up at him.
Ben laughed as they left ear shot.
He loved her so much. Harley continued looking after them. And she adored him. Maybe I can-
"Harley." He turned slightly to see Steve staring at him. "We need-"
"It was never about you." Harley interrupted. "She just didn't want to lose anyone else."
Steve nodded in understanding.
"But maybe... I mean, while we're here - Maybe we should-"
"We can't." Natasha said gently. Almost as if she was reminding herself.
"But she needed him."
"If he didn't die who knows if she would've become Spider Girl." Natasha said remorsefully. "The world needs Payton more than needed it Ben." She sighed tiredly. "We can't risk it."
"She's right." Scott said just as solemnly. "We can't risk screwing anything up. Strict time travel rules. That's what we agreed to."
"Then why help Ben free her?"
"I had to." Steve said softly. "I didn't know who it was, but she was on the verge on an asthma attack. It was just..."
"We should go." Natasha said softly, holding up her case.
"Right." Steve then moved to the dumpster, pulling the Scepter out from where he had hidden it. "Let's get going."
*******
Payton and Clint walked out of the Benatar. She looked over the plain to where the mountain was.
"Wow." Clint said taking in the scene. "Under different circumstances, this would be totally awesome."
It didn't take them long to reach the tall mountain.
"You want me to carry you?" Payton asked as Clint started his climb.
He gave her a look. "I don't need a lift. I'm not that old. And shouldn't you be climbing?"
"This should be easy." Payton said sticking her hand to the side of the mountain, immediately starting to climb, quickly passing him up.
"This is so unfair." Payton looked down to see Clint slowly climb the mountain under her.
She laughed. "Keep up old man!" She continued her climb, pausing every fifteen or so feet to give Clint time to catch up.
"Nobody would know." He cursed her under his breath.
"Hey I offered." Payton called down from where she sat on the edge. A few minutes later, Clint finally reached the top. The two of them only walked a little further before her senses tingled. A shiver running down her spine as she grabbed Clint's arm, stopping him mid step. "We're not alone.
"Welcome." They turned around, Clint drawing his sword as Payton aimed her web shooters. Behind them was a dark wraith like creature, a red face barely discernable under his hood. "Payton, daughter of Richard. Clint, son of Edith."
"Who are you?" Clint demanded.
"Consider me a guide." The Wraith said. "To you, and to all who seek the Soul Stone."
"Good." Payton said. "You tell us where it is. Then we'll be on our way."
"Ah, liebchen– If only it were that easy." Was it her imagination or did The Wraith actually sound sorry? It lead them to the cliff, just past two large stone pillars. "What you seek lies in front of you... as does what you fear."
"The stone is down there?" Payton asked looking over the edge, careful to keep her sticky on.
"For one of you." The Wraith explained. "For the other, in order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love. An everlasting exchange. A soul, for a soul."
I had to. Thanos had said pained.
He had to. If he wanted the Soul Stone. He had to kill Gamora.
"Oh my gosh." Payton whispered as she moved away, sitting on a stone. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. He murdered his daughter. And one of them had to die now.
Clint followed her, waving at the Wraith who continued to watch them. "How's it going?" He then looked down to her. "Maybe he's making this shit up."
"I don't think so." Payton said softly.
"Why, 'cause he knows your Daddy's name?"
"Thanos left here with the stone without his daughter. It's not a coincidence." Clint sighed defeated.
"Yeah."
I will not let another little girl grow up fatherless. Payton took a deep breath, sitting up straight. Not if I can do something about it.
"Whatever it takes." Payton said softly.
She had to.
Clint nodded. He needed his family back. "Whatever it takes."
Payton stood up. "If we don't get that stone, billions of people stay dead." You're family stays dead.
"Then I guess we both know who it's gotta be."
"I guess we do." Clint held Payton's hand as they look at each other. Wait a minute. She knew that self sacrificing look.
And apparently so did he. "I'm starting to think we mean different people here, Payton."
"For the last five years I've been trying to do the right thing." Payton earnestly explained. "That's all it's been about. And now I have a chance to bring everybody back."
"Don't get all self righteous on me."
Tears pricked her eyes. "What, you think I wanna do it? I'm trying to save your life, you idiot." She grabbed his shoulder. "They need you."
"Yeah, well, I don't want you to, because I– " He took a deep breath. "Payton, you know what I've done. You know what I've become-"
"I don't judge people on their worst mistakes."
"Maybe you should."
"Natasha would argue you didn't."
Clint laughed humorlessly. "You're a pain in my ass, you know that?" He held the back of her neck gently with one hand, the other hand pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You have a life to live."
"You have children to raise."
Clint sighed defeated. "Okay. You win." He smiled at her before using the hand at the back of her neck to grab her hair, pulling it back and sweeping her legs from under her and knocking her to the ground. "Tell my family I love them."
Payton grabbed his ankle as he ran by, pulling him to the ground. "You tell them yourself." Payton bounced over him, shooting a web at him, not looking at him as she did so. She then threw her web shooters off. If she had them-
Payton screamed as an arrow pierced her left shoulder, it released some electricity bringing her to her knees as Clint ran past. She grabbed the back of his shirt with her right hand, her left arm unresponsive for the moment, tossing him back gently before running towards the edge.
Don't look back. She told herself, tears stinging her eyes. Don't look back. Don't look back.
She jumped off the cliff and for a moment, she was still. The wind blew her hair slightly as the light touched her face. The landscaped was beautiful. Like an abstract painting.
Please, let them be safe. Let them be happy.
Gravity regained control. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath- as a force knocked into her. NO!
She quickly tried spinning them so he'd be on top, maybe he could survive- He hooked something onto her belt- a line?- seconds before they jerked to a stop. The force jerked Clint off, Payton quickly grabbed onto him before he could fall. She grunted as she tried to move her left arm. Nothing.
She glared down at the older man. "Screw you!"
"Let me go." Clint said softly as he released his grip on her, she could already feel gravity trying to tear him from her grasp.
"NO!" Payton screeched her mind racing, as she clung onto him tighter. The cliff was too far out. She couldn't stick to the side of the mountain side. The line wouldn't hold forever. She could already feel it threatening to tear her belt loop. And she still couldn't move her left arm, especially not with the arrow still in it. "Just give me some time. I can figure it out!"
"Payton-"
"No!" She screeched, tears blurring her vision. "No. I won't let another little girl grow up fatherless! I needed him! She needs you!"
"Payton. Look at me." She blinked down at Clint, tears blurring her vision. "He always loved you. He didn't want to leave you. But Lila needs to live. Cooper needs to live. Nate needs to live. And Morgan needs Tony. Please I need you to do this for me. Let me go."
She fell to her knees on a lonely rooftop as Tony disappeared.
A sob tore itself from her throat. "I'm sorry."
"It's ok." He said softly as she felt the hook tore through more of her belt loop, dropping them an inch. "Now do it." Tears pooled in Clint's eyes as Payton leaned her forehead against the line best she could as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Do it!"
Payton released a small scream as she let him go, and used her right arm to grab onto the line just as her belt ripped. A louder scream tore through her throat as she heard his skull shatter like an egg shell, multiple bones cracking and breaking, seconds before his heart stopped beating. She forced herself to look down, a sob nearly sending her to the ground as she looked at his lifeless body under her, blood pooling underneath him.
A thunder like boom surrounded her- Payton sat up in a pool of water, the Soul Stone in her hand. Payton quickly leaned to the side as she began to throw up, the sound of his impact still rung in her ears louder than her throw up.
She didn't know how long she sat there before returning to the mountain. She had to grab her web shooters, her Quantum Watch was attached to it. On the ground were Clint's discarded sword and bow. She slid his bow on before grabbing his sword. His family deserved them. They deserved to know.
She looked out towards the horizon. The wind was blowing her hair slightly, the wraith nowhere to be found.
He had seemed so small down there. The same man that was more than a head taller than her when they first met. Was Lila that tall too?
Another sob racked through Payton. Pull yourself together, she told herself as she gasped trying to stop her tears. The others need-
Lila needs to live.
Payton was unable to hold back the scream that tore through her throat, sending her to her knees. Why did everyone die around her?
She wasn't sure how long she knelt there before she activated her suit, sending her through the Quantum Tunnel, and back to the Avengers Compound.
Flash, Rocket and Thor arrived safely. Rhodey and Nebula were back.
"Did we get them all?" Bruce asked hopefully. Bruce, Steve, Scott and Harley were safe. And so was Natasha...
No. She tried to say as her throat constricted.
"You're telling me this'll actually work?" Rhodey asked.
She fell to her knees, one hand shooting out to keep her from falling on her face, the other flying to her mouth, sword clattering to the platform as a sob tore itself out of her throat.
"Payton!" Harley was by her side.
"Where's Clint?" Natasha quietly asked. Payton's body shook with another sob. She squeezed her eyes shut as she shook her head. "Payton, where's Clint?!"