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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟔
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐆𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐓

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A day had passed since they had returned from collecting the Stones. Despite wanting to get started right away, they all needed time to mourn the loss of Natasha Romanoff. They needed time to grieve for their lost friend and family member. Some more than others. But they also knew they didn't have much time to waste. So the following morning, the geniuses got to work.

Primrose went with Rocket, Tony, and Bruce to work on the Nano Gauntlet. The Quill woman guided the billionaire on where each Stone should be placed. She was surprised when she remembered after barely seeing Thanos' Gauntlet, but she wasn't going to let that information go to waste. Despite the nerves running throughout every inch of Primrose's body, she couldn't fight the amazement she was feeling. The technology Tony was using to put the Nano Gauntlet together was nothing like she had ever seen before. It was as if he was swiping his fingers across a screen, but every movement he made controlled the robotic arms on the other side. The Quill woman desperately wanted to know how it worked, but she knew now wasn't the time.

Once Primrose finished explaining the placement of each Stone, she stood back and watched Tony work. The robotic arms brought the Stones closer and closer to the Nano Gauntlet. Silence filled every inch of the room as the four of them watched in anticipation, all hoping that their invention wouldn't blow up in their faces. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they watched the Stones make contact with the Nano Gauntlet. No one said a word as they watched the objects fuse together. A wave of relief washed over Primrose as soon as she realized everything went according to plan. She silently hoped that the next part of their plan would be just as successful.

"Boom!" Rocket shouted, breaking the silence and causing Primrose, Tony, and Bruce to jump out of their skin.

The three of them glared at the raccoon, who was laughing at their reactions. While Bruce and Tony rolled their eyes at Rocket, Primrose couldn't help but hit her friend in the arm. That earned her a glare from the raccoon that she purposefully ignored.

Once they checked over the Nano Gauntlet one last time to make sure everything was in order, the four of them brought it into the part of the lab attached to a small living space. Charlie just watched them from her place between her father and Pietro on the couch, uncertain of what to make of the contraption. But after watching Trina and Clint get up to get a closer view, Charlie and Pietro soon followed. Their allies instantly crowded around the device to see what the geniuses came up with. They were all pleasantly surprised by what they were seeing.

"Alright, the glove's ready," Rocket announced before looking around at the heroes surrounding him, "question is, who's gonna snap their fingers?"

"I'll do it," Thor announced while approaching the Nano Gauntlet, only for Freyr to block his path.

"Slow down," the Njördson man said in the calmest tone he could muster despite his anxiousness, "Thor, just wait."

"We haven't decided who's gonna put that on yet," Steve announced after protectively placing himself between the Asgardians and the Nano Gauntlet.

"I'm sorry. What, we're all just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?" the Odinson man retaliated, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"Let's not be rash. This is an important decision that we must discuss," Freyr declared, grateful for Primrose's sudden appearance beside him to calm his nerves.

"Look, sitting here staring at the thing is not gonna bring everyone back," Thor retaliated while gesturing toward the Nano Gauntlet. A shaky breath soon passed over his lips before the God of Thunder continued speaking. "I'm the strongest Avenger, okay? So, this responsibility falls upon me. It's my duty."

"Normally, you're right," Tony said, only for Thor to continue to argue with him, "it's not about that."

"Stop it! Just let me!" the Odinson man exclaimed, silencing all the heroes surrounding him. Tears began forming in his eyes as he stared at the Stark man. "Just let me do it. Just let me do something good. Something right."

The billionaire just stared at the man in front of him for a long moment before letting out another long sigh. "Look, it's not just the fact that that glove is channeling enough energy to light up a continent. I'm telling you. You're in no condition."

"What do you think is coursing through my veins right now?" Thor questioned, earning an eye roll from Freyr that he chose to ignore.

"Cheez Whiz?" Rhodey suggested, causing Pietro to chuckle while the Odinson man glared at them.

It wasn't long after that when the God of Thunder turned his attention back to the heroes in front of him. "Lightning."

"Lightning won't help you, pal. It's gotta be me," Bruce spoke for the first time since entering the room. It wasn't long after that when he let out a long sigh and approached the Nano Gauntlet. "You saw what those Stones did to Thanos. They almost killed him. None of you could survive."

"How do we know you will?" Trina questioned without thinking while keeping her eyes glued to the Banner man.

Bruce just stared at the Nano Gauntlet for a moment, taking in every inch of it. What felt like an eternity of silence passed before he finally responded. "We don't. But the radiation's mostly gamma. It's like...I was made for this."

Everyone watched in silence as Bruce carefully picked up the Nano Gauntlet. He just studied it, as if taking in every aspect of it. It wasn't long after that when everyone cleared out the center of the room, wanting to give the Hulk as much space as possible. While they did that, the Banner man kept his eyes glued to the Nano Gauntlet. Charlie couldn't help but look at him with a hint of pity in her eyes. She knew he was feeling many emotions right now and she definitely wouldn't want to be in his position. She just wished there was something she could do to help him, but she knew she was powerless in this situation.

It wasn't long before a big enough space was cleared, causing everyone to circle Bruce. No one said a word for a moment, letting him take some more time for himself. That was until Tony broke the silence, knowing they didn't have time to waste. "Good to go, yeah?"

Bruce just stared at the Nano Gaultent for what felt like an eternity before looking over at the Stark man. "Let's do it."

"Okay, remember, everyone Thanos snapped away five years ago, you're just bringing them back to now, today," the billionaire explained with a hint of desperation in his voice before letting out a sigh, "don't change anything from the last five years."

After watching the Hulk nod in response, everyone prepared for what came next. Charlie and Pietro stood behind Steve, who held his shield out in front of them. Scott and Rhodey activated their masks, using their suits to protect themselves. Freyr placed himself in front of Primrose, unsure if being half Asgardian would be enough to keep her safe. Beside them, Thor and Trina did the same to Rocket. And finally, Tony activated his suit, covering his entire body with a protective layer. Clint was quick to get behind him before the Stark man activated a holographic shield.

"Friday, do me a favor and activate Barn Door Protocol, will ya?" Tony said, earning a quick reply from the A.I. before metal doors enclosed them in the lab.

"Everybody comes home," Bruce muttered under his breath as he put the Nano Gauntlet on his hand.

The next thing anyone knew, the Stones began brightly shining before what looked like lighting ran up his arm. Bruce instantly shouted in pain and collapsed to the ground. And the brighter the Stones shined, the more pain he was in.

"Take it off! Take it off!" Thor shouted in a panic, not liking seeing his friend in so much pain.

"No, wait," Steve said after gesturing for the God of Thunder to quiet down, "Bruce, are you okay?"

"Talk to me, Banner," Tony added when the Hulk wasn't responding to any of them.

After letting out another painful shout, Bruce let out a shaky breath and forced himself to respond. "I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay."

Everyone seemed to be holding their breath as they watched the Banner man breathing heavily. He took in another breath before screaming at the top of his lungs while bringing his gloved arm into the air. The Stones began to glow brighter than ever before Bruce managed to snap his fingers. Everyone had to look away as a bright light filled the room. When the light finally faded, they found the Hulk lying on the floor with the Nano Gauntlet right beside him.

No one hesitated to rush to Bruce's side, all concerned about their friend's condition. While Clint kicked the Nano Gauntlet away from them, Tony held his hand over the Banner man's injured arm. The next thing anyone knew, a mist emitted from his fingertips and onto the Hulk, healing his injury as much as possible. Bruce grabbed onto Steve's arm as if looking for some sort of comfort. His eyes bounced around his allies before he finally dared to ask the question bouncing around in his head. "Did it work?"

"We're not sure. It's okay," Thor told him as the steel doors began to open.

Because their attention was on Bruce, everyone failed to notice Scott walking into the living room. Well, almost everyone. Primrose was watching the Lang man with curiosity in her eyes, unsure as to what caught his attention. That was until she saw movement right outside the window. Birds were flying around in circles, almost as if they were celebrating something amazing. But before the Quill woman could comprehend what was happening, a faint buzzing sound cut through the air.

Out of the corner of her eye, Charlie caught her father's attention shift. She didn't hesitate to look up at him, only to find him blankly staring at something on the other side of the room. Her gaze stayed glued to him as he slowly walked toward the table and picked up his phone. The Barton woman couldn't help but get to her feet and move to join him. Her breath got caught in her throat when she saw Laura's contact picture on the screen. Clint shared a quick look with his daughter before answering the call. Charlie moved closer to her father, wanting to hear every bit of the conversation without having to put it on speaker.

"Honey?" the Barton man barely managed to say through all the emotions he was feeling.

"Clint? What happened? Where are you? Is Charlie with you?"

All Charlie could feel at that moment was endless joy, knowing not only her family was back, but Alex and Peter too. She just needed to find them. But her happiness soon faded when the room unexpectedly grew dark. Confusion soon flowed through the Barton woman's veins as she looked out the skylight, just for her to instantly regret it. Above them, hovering just above the Compound, was one of the largest ships Charlie had ever seen. And despite desperately wanting it to be one of their allies returning, she knew that wasn't the case.

The next thing anyone knew, the world around them began to shake before everything fell into darkness.

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