𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄 — earth is closed today

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 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐖𝐀𝐒 the one to wrench the door open. He tossed a hesitant stare over his shoulder, meeting Emilia's eyes as the woman followed swiftly behind him. It was her own movements that appeared to spur the others to advance.

 Stephen immediately picked up his feet, cloak billowing behind him as he hastened forth, Wong hot on his tail... Bruce, however, hesitated for a beat. His body trembled as anxiety crawled over his skin like a swarm of incessant bugs. The mere thought of seeing Thanos again had him frozen on the spot. But he knew he had to move; he'd watched the Asgardians get slaughtered, he couldn't watch it again.

 When the door was pulled open, its hinges creaking, the sound of screaming overtook Emilia's senses. Car horns split the air, the clanging of metal and brick flying through the sky and colliding with buildings rattled their skulls.

 The pavement was littered with trash that had been blown astray. Dust and debris coated the roads and obscured car windows. People were sprinting wildly, raw and guttural screams splitting the skin of their throats; it reminded Emilia of the very scene that had played out in Hong Kong. It seemed like a lifetime ago now.

 The second Emilia strolled away from the safety of the sanctum, her eyes squinted. Dust was curling in the air, creating a haze before them; despite the thudding of the heart inside her chest growing faster with every passing second, Emilia swallowed back the fear that glistened in her eyes and stepped further. She overtook Tony as she kept her eyes peeled for people that might have needed her help.

 Emilia took cautious steps as she followed the path, as she followed the feeling in her gut. She glanced back, catching Stephen's eyes as he trailed behind Tony with his hands more than ready to conjure a weapon or shield if needed. His head teetered in a determined nod, filling her with a dose of courage.

 Stephen and Wong had been unrelenting in their belief in her; if not for them, she was certain she'd have fallen into the very pit she had been pulled from by the Ancient One, those few years ago.

 People continued to push past them, shoulders bumping, hands smacking at the air, and just as a woman passed by Emilia in her rush to escape whatever had invaded her home, she stumbled and fell.

 Tony instantly surged forward, dropping to a crouch as he helped the woman stand, "You okay?" He questioned her, almost blinded by the sheer terror in her eyes. She said nothing, a mere murmur of a thank you as she continued forwards, pushing by Stephen, Wong and Bruce.

 As Emilia turned her head away from Tony and the swiftly disappearing woman, her hands shot out. A car had been speeding across the road, and in an attempt to avoid the scurrying crowd of terrified people, the driver had swerved and was heading straight for a lamppost that lined the edge of the pavement.

 Without much thought, Emilia willed her ability to grasp a hold of the car wheels, avoiding the metal just in case she applied a little too much pressure and harmed those inside. The wheels became encased in a rippling wave of cobalt blue; it stuttered and faded from sight before swiftly reappearing here and there. The wheels were effectively stilled and the car jolted to a sharp pause.

 The couple inside stared with wide eyes, in a state of astonishment as Emilia offered her best attempts at a reassuring smile... Though it was more akin to a grimace.

 "Help them! Wong, Doc!" Tony yelled out behind him without taking a moment to look back. He, like the couple, had stilled upon the sight of Emilia stopping a car with whatever powers she held in her palms. Would have been nice if they had been mentioned, he couldn't help but think before he briskly shook his head and patted Emilia's shoulder as he passed her by, "Nice job."

 Bruce, despite trailing far behind, had watched the scene with bated breath. The last he'd seen of his former lab partner, well, she was almost a completely different person now. Fear had moved in where curiosity had once dwelled, but now she had a new part of herself that Bruce had never witnessed. He stammered for a beat before Wong delivered a light smack to his arm to bring his attention back to the matter at hand.

 Stephen reached Emilia's side and though everything around them had fallen into chaos, he still offered that warm smile of his, the one so filled with fondness that managed to quell the simmering anxiety that bubbled in her blood.

 "F.R.I.D.A.Y., what am I looking at?" Tony spoke aloud as he slipped his familiar, trademark sunglasses onto his face.

 A light Irish voice responded to him, "Not sure, I'm working on it."

 Tony blew out a breath, tightening his left hand into a fist as he brushed away the lack of answers he received. He knew nothing and could do nothing. So, in the usual Tony Stark style, he turned his attention to something else to distract him.

 As he approached the end of the path, he pressed his back against the brickwork of the building that peered over the corner of the street. He couldn't see a damn thing unless he were to peer around and show himself to whatever the hell had arrived on their planet. Tony steeled his face as he threw his hand out, pointing to the dangling Eye on Stephen's chest, "You might wanna put that Stone in your back pocket!"

 Stephen frowned as his gaze fell to the artefact, and with a roll of his eyes, he sent a pointed stare back to the billionaire, "I might wanna use it." His fists bumped together before he pulled them back, a familiar motion that alighted his wrists in glowing emerald cuffs; a clear sign that the Time Stone was now under his command.

 Emilia's chest heaved as she pushed forward — doing her best to move out of the way for those retreating — and without too much trouble, she planted herself beside Tony, wide eyes peering at him as he quickly craned his neck to peek around the corner.

 His arm flashed out, blindly smacking against Emilia's bicep, "Em!" He called with urgency as he pulled his head back.

 Emilia's head darted up, eyes finding the cause of Tony's mild assault on her arm. A slab of metal flew past them at breakneck speed. A cluster of people with sweat on their brows and fear in their eyes stood in its path, and before they could so much as gurgle out a scream, Emilia had thrown her hands forth as her teeth gritted together.

 The metal paused in the air, rustling slightly as the familiar blue cloud swarmed it; it was dangerously close to a woman's neck, perhaps a mere couple of inches from slicing directly through her and the people crowded behind her.

 Even from where they stood, Emilia and her companions could hear the sharp intake of breath the woman had sucked in as her eyes landed upon the metal held close to her flesh. The woman stumbled back, into the awaiting arms of a man that gently soothed her before throwing a grateful look to Emilia.

 Emilia flicked her hands and the metal crashed to the ground without a single drop of blood marring its surface. She looked at her fingertips that were still hovering in the air, they were shaking relentlessly. If she'd hesitated for even a moment, countless people would have died.

 "You are very handy. Keep those hands up." Tony breathed as he once again patted her arm and scurried along.

 A hand found her cheek, briefly spreading warmth through her skin as a finger gently swiped her cheekbone. Stephen. It was a fleeting touch; he'd let go just as swiftly as he'd held her, but the action was enough for Emilia to understand how proud and thankful he was.

 "F.R.I.D.A.Y., evac anyone south of forty-third Street, notify first responders." Stark yelled above the sound of gushing wind. Mumbling to himself when his A.I responded with utmost diligence.

 Tony was the first to finally slip away from their cover. His fingers quickly rose to his eyes, adjusting those garish glasses that always seemed to be perched on the bridge of his nose. Emilia, side by side with Stephen, were close behind; mere steps away from the Avenger who gripped onto the door of an abandoned silver car that had certainly seen better days. The bumper was dented, a window smashed, and the silver paint was scuffed along one side.

 Emilia wanted to fill her lungs with a deep breath of fresh air, but the dust that tangled in the wind was enough for her lips to clamp shut, enough for her eyes to flutter in an attempt to clear her vision and finally allow some insight as to what they were dealing with.

 A giant, circular... Ship? It was hovering above the city and the swirling dust and debris that was coating the paving conglomerated around it, being blown about by whatever engines were keeping it afloat. It was unlike anything Emilia had ever seen; not even Starks flashy suits of metal, or his inventive technology rivalled it.

 Stephen, finally noting the way his cloak billowed behind him and the way his companions were squinting against the forceful breeze, rose his hands into the sky. His shaking fingers swirled in a complex pattern as orange cuffs spiralled around his wrists. A stern look slipped onto his features as he threw his hands forth and towards the whirring ship. The dust, stray trash and debris that flitted around them was pushed back in a single burst.

 The sky was clear, and all eyes could finally cease their strain.

 Emilia, from her position beside a disgruntled Tony Stark, hummed with a small smile as Stephen turned to them. His cerulean eyes landed upon the pair and — in true Stephen fashion — a playful and somewhat smug wink was directed their way.

 Emilia scoffed in amusement as she rolled her eyes, grinning at the sight of Stephens upturned lips as he slowly turned away. Tony had narrowed his gaze, crossed his arms and teetered his head towards Emilia, "Was that for you or me? Because I don't think Pep would approve."

 Emilia pursed her lips, effectively quashing the laugh that had bubbled in her throat before shrugging a single shoulder as she waved his question off with a slight brush of the hand, "It was probably for both of us," She spun on her heel, mirth in her eyes that sufficiently kept the fear hidden away, "Welcome to the relationship, I hope you like petty squabbles."

 "Oh, yay, my favourite." Stark responded, his mind once again replaying the copious 'petty squabbles' he and Pepper had on the daily.

 Emilia shook her head, humour pulling her lips up like a puppet on a string. She was almost unwilling to let the short bout of humour fade, for the moment she would turn to the ship and its odd inhabitants, all humour would soon vanish.

 Though Emilia wished to walk forth and pull Stephen back, retreat back to the Sanctum — their home... she couldn't. The feeling in her stomach was too hard to ignore. The echoing screams that still sounded out from civilians running for their lives still scratched at her senses like nails on a chalkboard.

 So, with trepidation settling into her skin and bones, Emilia willed herself further, glad that Stark was by her side, and that Bruce and Wong were dutifully behind them.

 A blinding light shot from the ship, a cloudy mixture of rippling white and electric blue. The moment it made contact with the ground, two silhouettes were standing beneath its light and as it faded, their obscure forms came to view.

 Emilia stopped beside Stephen whilst Tony stood a single pace ahead of them, front and centre with arms folded across his chest. The figures were unlike anything Emilia had ever seen; the biggest looked as though it would rival the Hulk. It was taller than his companion — by far — and considerably more built with armour covering parts of its body.

 Its companion was slim — almost lanky — with some form of robe covering its grey skin. Its hands were held before it, fingers touching like a prayer as it held its head high.

 "Hear me, and rejoice!" The slim figure spouted like the usual preacher one would find in Times square, "You are about to die at the hands of the Children of Thanos. Be thankful, that your meaningless lives are now contributing to —"

 "— I'm sorry, Earth is closed today." Tony interrupted the alien with a semblance of finality in his tone. "You better pack it up and get outta here."

 The creature narrowed its beaded eyes as its mouth fell to a displeased frown. Its gaze bypassed Tony, landing on Emilia for a mere second before he addressed Stephen, eyes zoning in on the artefact resting on his chest, "Stone keeper... Does this chattering animal speak for you?"

 Stephen almost scoffed at the mere thought of Stark speaking for him. His feet moved on their own accord and lined themselves with Tony, "Certainly not, I speak for myself." Stephen slammed his fists together, the familiar sound of his Tao Mandala's coming to life echoed out. They surrounded his wrists, a golden glimmer and amber sparks illuminating his form, "You're trespassing in this city, and on this planet."

 Emilia heaved a silent breath and steadied her features. All fear was promptly pushed to the side as her brows narrowed together, as her lips thinned into a line. She stepped forwards, one foot in front of the other as she scanned their surroundings for the more useful, accessible items and damaged buildings she could manipulate in their inevitable fight. Flashes of blue emanated around her scarred hands, twitching like static as they rested rigidly by her side.

 Wong followed his companion's actions. The maroon robe that twisted around him jostled as he too steadied his stance. His feet were planted in the ground and his hands swiftly rose before him, Tao Mandalas igniting around his palms. Bruce, however, swallowed a breath, thumbs twiddling together as he stole a glance at Emilia's hands. He truly had missed a lot.

 "He means get lost, Squidward!" Tony supplied once more, clearly delighting in his abrasive tactics of pissing off their outer space enemies.

 Even from the distance between the rag-tag group of 'heroes' and the peace-threatening aliens, Emilia still caught the eye roll of the smaller creature. Ebony Maw narrowed his gaze once more as he considered Stark, "He exhausts me." The being muttered to his own ally, "Bring me the Stone."

 Maws companion — Cull Obsidian —merely growled as he hoisted his chain hammer into both hands; a crushing grip clutched around the handle.

 "Banner, you want a piece?" Tony bounced from the balls to the heels of his feet, casting a sideward glance at the man who had been missing for well over two years. He was their best bet, to Tony's present knowledge, that is; similar in stature, insurmountable strength, and that mindless, endless rage.

 Emilia tossed her sights to Bruce, watching with pity as her old friend cringed and rolled his shoulders. After everything he'd been through, tossed from fight to fight, only to arrive home after years and immediately be thrown into yet another life or death situation. She almost wanted to send him back to the Sanctum, reprimand him like a stern mother and tell him to rest.

 Bruce sniffed, swiping at his nose with the cuff of his dust-ridden jacket. No. No, he really did not want a piece. "No, not really, but when do I ever get what I want?"

 "That's right," Tony spoke with an air of nonchalance, though his eyes never strayed from the imposing beast that was steadily moving towards them. He cleared his throat as Bruce seemingly struggled to force his enormous, green, rage monster to take charge. His friend grunted and pushed with all of his might, yet the Hulk failed to make his presence known, "It's been a while. Good to have you, buddy."

 Emilia, despite having only seen the Hulk in action a few times, most of which from the news, knew that the Hulk had never been one to shy away from a fight. He was the opposite of Bruce; Bruce Banner the man who would prefer to sit back and hide away from a fight whilst mixing away within some lab, compared to the Hulk, a fighter, a being of absolute rage. So... In the face of a brawl, why wasn't he willing to pop out?

 Bruce grunted again, hands balled to fists as he clenched every, single muscle in his body, doing anything and everything he possibly could to force his little friend to take the wheel... Yet the only indicator of the Hulk even residing within Banner was the slightest trail of green that had enclosed around Bruce's neck, though that had steadily disappeared too.

 Emilia, with utter confusion swimming in her eyes, turned to Stephen. His own expression wasn't dissimilar to her own; bewilderment, and a spark of disappointment.

 "Uh..." Tony began, watching as Bruce continued to struggle. His eyes finally strayed from the creature that was walking forth as he turned to Bruce, "Where's your guy?"

 "I don't — I don't know." Bruce almost heaved, his chest rising and falling rapidly as his lungs demanded oxygen. A hopeless sigh slipped from him as he stared at his very pink hands, "We've sorta been having a thing."

 "There's no time for a thing."

 "I know."

 "That's the thing right there." Tony concluded, a swift, but light smack being delivered to Bruce's chest. The man wobbled despite the assault being nothing more than a weak means of grasping attention. Tony ignored him in favour of pointing a finger towards Cull whose menacing steps shook the very ground they stood upon, "Let's go."

 Bruce blew a breath, his cheeks puffing as he did. His head bobbed as his eyes clamped shut. He released a guttural yell, willing with every inch of his being for the Hulk to finally jump out. Even so, his skin remained pink and covered with dirt and sweat, not a single shade of green in sight.

 Tony dragged his gaze from Bruce, eyes slowly settling on Stephen and Emilia. Whist the latter looked on with concern, her delightful companion shook his head with what appeared to be a mixture of annoyance and a look of hurry the fuck up, please.

 Tony tore his attention from them, "Dude, you're embarrassing me in front of the wizards,"

 Emilia, had the timing and situation been even somewhat appropriate, might have laughed at the desperate words that fell from Stark's lips, yet as her body trembled from the mere force of the aliens imposing footsteps, she really couldn't bring herself to.

 Bruce had mentioned what had happened prior to his unexpected arrival at the sanctum; the bloodshed and death of the Asgardians... He'd looked... Guilty? As though he believed he'd have been capable of preventing everything from happening. Whilst the Doctor spoke of The Hulk as a separate being, they were housed in the same body. They, to some extent, shared a mind, a connection. Perhaps even the Hulk was feeling such guilt? Or... Or even shame? He had never truly lost a fight before.

 "I can't... He won't..." Bruce panted, eyes wide with nothing but utter desperation.

 The very same emotion was swimming in Tony's gut, he'd been chanting in his head, come on, come on, come on, almost begging that the Hulk would suddenly appear and solve all of their problems, then he could return to Pepper without a scratch and get another glimpse of the ring that had fit so perfectly on her finger. "It's okay." He finally reassured, taking in the sorrow that deepened the lines burrowed upon Bruce's forehead.

 Tony let out a short cough, cutting the tension as he clapped his friend on the shoulder, "Stand down." He looked to Wong, Tao Mandalas still swirling around the man's wrists as he stood attentive to their threat; dependable. If the worst came to be, having the Master of the Mystic Arts — as the wizard had to arrogantly worded it — as well as his rather... convenient other half by his side during the fight, well, it might just be their best bet. "Keep an eye on him."

 Wong nodded without a hint of hesitation, "I have him."

 Emilia glanced at Wong, catching his eyes. It had been so long since she'd seen Bruce; the one person from her past that was still alive, the one person from her past that she hadn't killed. Seeing him was more than a comfort. She could easily recall their days of working together, and whilst Emilia would never give up her time with Stephen or Wong, whilst she'd never wish for her days with... The Ancient One or Karl Mordo to vanish, there was a feeling of longing for what had already come to pass.

 The longing for mindless chatter whilst eyes peered through microscopes. The poorly-timed laughter that would ring out upon a beaker shattering or a glass overflowing with a bubbling concoction. The longing of an old friend and simpler times... Or at least, somewhat simpler.

 Wong, knowing that the look he received meant nothing less than please keep him safe, squared his shoulders. He offered a sharp, concise nod that promised he'd do nothing less, that he'd keep this small snippet of her simpler life — this one friend, safe. He recalled the look on her face upon seeing Bruce Banner trembling on... Or rather, in, their staircase; relief and hope. Such looks had been rare, more common now that she and Stephen paraded around hand in hand, but rare nonetheless.

 Emilia breathed out in relief, and as though the exchange had never happened, she turned her head back to the scene they'd been preparing for.

 Cull had broken into a run; each heavy step of his was indented in the ground, leaving footsteps behind in the road. Every piece of rubble that surrounded them jostled and rattled with each slam of his feet. The beast growled as Tony stepped forwards.

 The billionaire took a single step, his thumbs hooking through two of the drawstrings of his jacket; the material that had once been breathable and loose around his torso tightened and was pulled flush against him.

 Emilia watched on with awe as the man simply tapped the arc reactor that stood proudly on the centre of his chest; a beat passed. A further step forward. Then, as if from nowhere, silver crawled from the glowing device. It blanketed his arms and dribbled to his hands, his legs soon followed and as it spread further, the famous red and gold that his suits always sported began to bleed out.

 Stark — though the others didn't know — pulled the glasses from his face for a little dramatic flair, his lip quirking just slightly as the sunglasses faded from his hands and joined with his suit as though they had never been separate. It took minor seconds for his entire body to be cocooned in metal, and for the final touch, the nanoparticles trickled over his face and formed a mask; eyes and arc reactor glowing in sync.

 What perfect timing the man had, for Cull Obsidian rose his axe high above his head the moment Tony's suit had finished preparing itself.

 And then the alien swung.

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17-01-2022

i hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the beginnings of emilia and tony's brotp as well as a couple of little demonstrations on emilia's growth surrounding her abilities!

don't forget to let me know what you think; and remember that i now require a particular number of comments and feedback before i consider releasing the next part (this is just to ensure people remain engaged and supportive, as well as allowing me to see what you all enjoyed most!)