I
Infinity.
Gone.
Everyone is gone.
The kid, Doc, Quill and his crew. All gone.
Tony Stark still crouched where Peter disappeared into ash, thought running while he stared. No tears. Not anymore when he already lost so much. This is the worst of them all and he found himself beyond the stage of crying. Just empty, hollow and guilt.
Sounds of footsteps became louder as they closed in behind him, but he didn’t care.
The blue machine or lady was standing right behind him, unsure of what to do as they both grieved. Her hand extended but paused as it almost touched his shoulder. She sighed and looked at the horizon.
They stayed in the same position for quite a while, before a simmering sound nearby snapped them both into reality.
Nebula was the first to spring into action as she spun around to come face-to-face with the mad titan himself.
“Rrraaagh!” She picked up the blade that stabbed Tony and dashed towards Thanos, aiming for the neck.
It was a futile attempt as Thanos simply flicked his wrists and she was sent crashing through the debris.
“Still fighting I see. How about you Stark?” Thanos paced towards the tiny crouching figure.
Tony did not acknowledge the question and was lifted by the titan by his neck and was forced to look him in the eyes.
Instinctively, Tony lifted his only blaster left, to try and shoot his handler in the face but his arm was grabbed and crushed before he succeeded.
Tony grunted in pain.
“I said that you have earned my respect, Stark. You, a mortal have managed to get a drop of blood on my face.”
“What did you do?”
“I wiped off half of the Universe, little one. Like I said I will.”
“Why?” Tony choked as he held off a sob.
Thanos merely chuckled at the man. He closed his eyes and looked up before composing himself again.
“You remind me so much of her.” He smiled as he used the mind stone to knock Tony unconscious.
-PAGE BREAK-
Pain.
Numb.
As Tony groggily awoke he noticed that the wound on his side was no longer bleeding. A mild throbbing hum was still there but it was manageable as he sat up and surveyed his surroundings.
He was on a metal table? More like a bed he decided as it was too low to be a table. He saw railings on two sides of his cubicle cell. One separating him from the hallway and the other from the cell next to his.
“You are awake, human.” The blue alien spoke up from the cell next to his.
“Where, where am I?”
“We’re on Thanos’ ship. Though I’m not sure as to why he would bring you along.”
I don’t know either. Hopefully to end it all.
“Hey, I believe we haven’t formally met. I’m Tony.”
“I’m Nebula.”
Tony lifted his shirt to examine his wound. A layer of substance was covering his wound, over the nanotech he used to temporarily seal the cut. He gently touched the surface only to find a skin-like texture on it. The remnants of his suit and his chest piece were gone.
“What did he do to me?”
“He healed you. Like how he always does. Spare parts to replace the broken.”
They were interrupted by heavy footsteps which were no doubt from the titan.
Tony snapped up and backed himself closer to the wall.
“Ah my little merchant of death, I see you are awake.” Thanos announced as he stopped outside the cell.
“What are you planning to do?”
“I am showing you mercy, mortal.”
“You call this mercy? Being captive on this ship is mercy?”
Thanos chuckled as he eyed Tony with awe.
“I lost my daughter, and you lost a sister.” He looked at Nebula who glared.
“I loved her. Truly. But it was a price I had to pay.” He closed his eyes, processing his emotions.
“But today, I will grief no more because now, I have you, Anthony.” He smiled wickedly at Tony who felt his stomach dropped.
“Nebula my daughter, meet your new brother, Anthony son of Stark.”
“No! I won’t help you in your quest! I would rather die with pride than be your servant!”
“You and I, we are both burdened by knowledge. I will show you so much more and you will stand by my side, Anthony.”