❝ THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ❞
( KEEPERS OF THE STONES )
vii. meeting the ex-avengers
chapter seven

◌ ◌ ◌

XANDAR, FOUR YEARS AGO

Helena had been chasing the Power Stone for as long as she could remember, so when she finally found her opportunity after weeks of tracking it, she can't help but be a little bit excited. Being this close to it was exhilarating and also irritating, as she's had to watch Peter Quill's grimy hands hold the orb the Stone laid in for days.

Now, it was her time. She had been thinking quite hard about how to go about obtaining the Stone, but when she watched, from afar, a green-skinned woman she would later know as Gamora, played the seduction card in order to catch Quill off guard, she was glad that the thought never crossed her mind.

She lurked close behind as Gamora snatched the Orb, taking off into a sprint, through the middle of Xandar's shopping center, Quill following close after her. Helena strayed towards the crowd of people as they ran through them, Quill throwing a small ball that turned into bright orange restraints as soon as it came into contact with Gamora's ankles.

Quill all but leaped at Gamora, but she was already a step ahead of him, bringing her leg up to kick him right in the gut. He doubled over right beside her, falling to the ground. While the two fought on the floor, Helena spotted the Orb from her place in the crowd nearby. The two were so distracted by their fighting that they had completely abandoned the one thing they were fighting about.

Helena took her chance and pushed through the crowding people, their multi-colored skin starting to give her a headache from their vibrancy. She ducked down right at Quill's feet, picking the Orb up and fast walking away, hoping to not raise any suspicion.

She glanced over her shoulder as she gained some distance, seeing what seemed like a really tall, living piece of roots and a very short, walking, talking raccoon take down Gamora, holding a big bag above her head; she could hear the raccoon yelling at the tree, but what, surprisingly, caught her attention, was Quill, out of the corner of her eye, running right at her.

She let out a grunt of frustration as he tackled her to the ground, pining her arms down with his knees, holding his blaster in her face. Helena fought the urge to spit in his so-spittable face, but focused on keeping a death grip on the orb.

" Why the hell is everyone after my Orb? " He questioned, more to himself than her, but she was still glad to answer as she used her strength to force one of her forearms up, slapping the blaster from his hands.

" The Stone belongs to me! " She shouted, raising her knee upwards, kicking right into the place no man wants to be kicked, and shoving him off her in result.

Helena clambered to her feet, and began running again, not worrying about drawing the others' attention anymore as she saw Gamora running after her, leaping over Quill's pained self.

The Asgardian tried to turn a sharp corner, but was too focused on the green woman that she didn't see the literal tree standing in front of her, ramming right into it. It looked down at her, and spoke three simple words that made absolutely no sense to Helena.

" I am Groot. "

" Shut up, you dumb oaf, just hold her still, alright? " The raccoon ordered, walking up to Helena just as Groot grumbled, latching a hand around the brunette's hand, the one that held the Orb, forcing it downward until she was kneeling at Rocket's height, practically holding the Orb out to him.

" Hey, princess, the mean grimace isn't a good look for ya, try smiling once in a while, yeah? " Rocket mocked, plucking the Orb from her hand, which was starting to hurt under Groot's pressure.

" I will kill you both and use the tree as firewood to cook you for dinner. " She spat, and, as Rocket was pretty uncultured in all things Asgardian, he didn't really get their cryptic threats, and just whistled.

" Well, sounds like you're a crazy one-oh, but not as crazy as this chick- " Rocket said, hiding the Orb behind his back as Gamora approached, a heated look on her face.

She shoved Rocket aside and pulled out her sword, slicing off Groot's arms, therefore releasing Helena. Once the Asgardian was free, the brunette rubbed her burning wrist and was pulled to her feet not a second later, face to face with Gamora.

" Give me the Orb. " She seethed, and that was all she said, no added threat or incentive, just the tightening of her grip around Helena's ripped collar.

" The animal has it. " Helena replied cooly, and both women's eyes snapped over to Rocket, who began backing up slowly, laughing nervously as he started rambling on about something, only for Quill to come in again and swipe the Orb from behind Rocket's back.

" Oh, come on! " Rocket exclaimed, Gamora releasing Helena and running after Quill, only for him to turn around and shoot her with his blaster, a ball of electric attaching to her and coursing through her body, making her collapse to the ground.

Helena then followed in her footsteps, knowing that the same outcome would not happen to her.

Her bright blue eyes easily spotted a wheelbarrow leading up to a tall vendor cart, selling some sort of candy, and she took off for it. Running up the wheelbarrow and onto the top of the vendor shop, she was now caught up with Quill and leaped off of the roof, crashing into the half-human. Now, their roles were reversed, as she sat atop him, stealing his own blaster from his belt, holding it down at his face.

" I'll be taking that, " She said, all but ripping the Orb out of his hand, a small smirk on her face as she began to stand, shoving the Orb deep into her pocket and using her free hand to pull at his worn out shirt, lifting him with her.

" Why are you helping me? " He asked, obviously confused by her sudden lack of violence; Helena only have him a mischievous smile as she turned him around to see Rocket standing from afar, rickety looking gun pointed at the two of them.

" I'm not. I'm robbing you. " She insisted, and as soon as she spoke, Rocket pulled the trigger, sending an electric detachment their way, to which Helena easily dodged behind Quill, who got the most of the hit.

Again, Helena moved quietly and quickly towards the crowd, attempting to blend in as she lifted her hood, walking away from the scene just as the police stopped Groot and Rocket. She did turn around to see Quill's twitching, unconscious body, and then kept on walking, heading towards her spaceship, a triumphant smile on her face.

Finally, the thief's one true possession was returned.

◌ ◌ ◌

SPACE, PRESENT DAY

" Knowhere. " Thor declared, earning a silly look from Mantis, who shook her head before insisting, " He must be going somewhere. "

The Asgardian God had drifted throughout the remains of his people and rubble from the now nonexistent planet for who-knows-how-long when the self-proclaimed Guardians of the Galaxy came across him rather abruptly, answering a distress call. They had spent a long while discussing what to do about him, but once Mantis woke him up, they learned that Thanos has finally begun his true plan and was well on his way to succeeding.

" No, no, Knowhere? It's a place, we've been there. It sucks. " Peter Quill stated, watching the Asgardian god as he walked across the ship, opening the Guardians' fridge, digging around inside, " Excuse me, that's our food. "

" Not anymore. " He muttered, but the only one too concerned with the god taking a few of their several packaged meals was Quill, whereas Gamora was watching the one-eyed man cautiously.

" Thor, why would Thanos go to Knowhere? " The green skinned woman inquired, and Thor turned back around to face the Guardians.

" Because, for years, the Reality Stone's been safely stored there with a man named the Collector. " He explained briefly before going to pull out another silver package of processed foods; there was a crackling noise coming from the front of the ship, near the control panel, but the only one to acknowledge it was Rocket, who eyed it suspiciously.

" If it's with the Collector then it's not safe. Only an idiot would give that man a Stone. " Quill insisted, and Thor tilted his head slightly as he shot back, " Or a genius. "

" How do you know he's not going for one of the other Stones? " Gamora asked, and just as Thor opened his mouth to speak, the static sound got louder, making Rocket's head snap over to it.

As he walked closer to the communication system, he could hear muffled words through the white noise. He gripped a knob in between his clawed fingers, trying to get a clearer connection before settling on a decent one.

" Rocket, what are you- " Drax was cut off by the aforementioned creature, who shushed him wildly, waving a hand obnoxiously as the others all fell silent, listening to the radio as well.

All they could hear was quiet, broken phrases, not full sentences, at least, nothing they could make out. However, with a raised palm from Rocket as a signal to wait a bit longer, they were able to hear a woman's voice past the static.

" This is Helena Eerikadottir, also known as the greatest thief in the universe, sending a distress call to the Guardians of the Galaxy, do you copy? Over. " Was what the woman had said, making the others all glance at each other with slightly surprised looks.

" Hey, isn't that the chick that stole the Power Stone from Quill? " Said man shot Rocket a glare, and, in response, he added, " And us? "

" And Nova Corp. " Gamora added.

" Helena. . . " Thor whispered under his breath, having forgotten about the woman that had been blasted far from Xandar when he was left to float aimlessly in space.

" Hey, wait, you know that rotten thief? " Quill questioned, and Thor narrowed his eyes at the captain of the Guardians instantly.

" Yes, and if you refer to her as that again, me taking this mushy food will be the last of your worries." The short-haired god warned, making Quill throw his palms up and roll his eyes.

" Yes, we copy. " Gamora finally answered, holding down the response button on the comm system, " What is your emergency, Helena? "

" Actually, the distress signal isn't exactly for me. " They all noticed the hesitation in her voice before she continued, " I've been trying to contact you for the last ten minutes to tell you about Thanos, but after hearing Thor, I have something different to add. "

" You were eavesdropping? " Drax accused, and, listening intently, the group could hear her scoff.

" I thought we were connected for around ten minutes, and was talking to myself that entire time. So, technically, I wasn't eavesdropping. And you all made me look ridiculous, speaking to myself. " Helena explained; Drax and Quill couldn't help but laugh out loud when they met each other's eyes, seeing that they were both attempting to stifle their chuckles; " I know that annoying laugh when I hear it, Quill, and I'd shut your damn mouth unless you want to have a repeat of our last run in. "

" What do you need to tell us, Helena? " Thor pressed on, just as Gamora's hard glare snapped to Drax and Quill, snapping her finger across her mouth, telling them silently to shut up.

" Thor is right, Thanos has to be going to Knowhere. " Thor smiled triumphantly at her confirmation, but Gamora didn't look convinced.

" What makes you so certain? " She inquired again, and Helena, back on Earth, was rolling her eyes at their need for detail; why couldn't they just accept what she said and go?

" He already has the Power and Space Stones, stolen from yours truly, and the late Loki Laufeyson. " Helena stated, pausing for a moment, remembering that Thor was still listening, she added, " Sorry, Thor. "

" It does not matter, now. All we can do is avenge him and make sure that his sacrifice was not for nothing. " He assured, a solemn look of guilt on his face; the same guilt that Mantis had felt coursing through his mind before he woke. " Continue, Helena."

" Okay, " She complied, " the Reality Stone is on Knowhere, last seen to be with the Collector. Other than that, the others are all on Earth. "

Gamora seemed taken back by this, shaking her head in denial before challenging, " The Soul Stone can't be on Earth, no-no one's ever even seen it before. "

Quill could tell she was hiding something, since Gamora almost never stuttered because she always knew she was right. Helena, however, didn't notice, and just brushed it off as ignorance.

" Well, I saw it, attached to a girl that can- what did you say? oh, that's right- " The second part of the conversation, she seemed to have been talking to someone with her, because it was almost too messy to hear. " A girl that can kill people with a touch. "

" And, the Mind Stone is down here, somewhere in a guy named Vision's head. The Time Stone is currently flying in a giant ring in. . . well, space. " Helena declared, her words concerning the Guardians and Thor, " Thanos' Children are already here, dealt with a couple of them earlier. Thanos wouldn't send his lapdogs to fight a battle he knows he'd win. Which means. . "

With a heavy sigh, Quill finished, " He's going to Knowhere. "

" Ten points to Quill! " She exclaimed, then, as their was hushed speaking on the other end, her connection started getting choppy. " It seems that I'm losing you, Guardians. . . and Thor. "

" We will get to Knowhere, Helena, " Gamora promised, using what may be there last few seconds of communication to assure her, " you just protect those Stones on Earth, okay? "

" Can do, ma'am. " Helena spoke confidently, but truly, she wasn't so sure; she had lost her Stone, and she had let Thanos take the Space Stone right before her very eyes, how could she trust herself to be any better with the others, when she didn't even know where any of them currently were? " Over and out. "

Back on Earth, in New York, Helena had been using the walkie talkie she'd stolen from a small vender on Xandar, long before it had been decimated. Since the thing was actually different technology, more advanced than those on Earth, she had no doubt it would be able to work. The fact that it had survived being fallen on during her crash did shock her a bit.

Bruce Banner had been left behind when Tony and company flew up into the ring several minutes ago, and Wong had opted to stay at the Sanctum, stating that without Strange, Lucina, or the Time Stone, the place of worship and wisdom could be very vulnerable without someone to watch over it.

" Who was that? " The older man questioned, and Helena glanced over at him quickly, cold, calculating, icy blue eyes feeling as though they were staring into his soul.

" Old friends. And Thor, he's alive. " She informed him, her heart swelling the slightest when she saw Bruce's relieved face as she said that last part; it looked exactly like how she felt, but she wasn't sure how to show it, so she didn't try.

" Well, uh, what did he say? " Bruce asked, folding his hands together in front of him, looking rather nervous about his friend's whereabouts.

" Not much, honestly. " Helena said, shrugging lightly, " He's okay, though. He's with the Guardians of the Galaxy, they're going to go to Knowhere and hopefully find the Reality Stone before Thanos. "

Bruce nodded, but Helena couldn't tell if he really understood what she meant. She didn't press on, though, and neither did he, so she assumed he either got it, or didn't care enough to ask further. He began turning around, fiddling with his fingers and mumbling to himself, as if he was trying to figure out what to do. It was then, watching his antics, that Helena recalled seeing him walk halfway through the park before pulling out a small cell phone.

" What were you doing, earlier? " Helena asked, and, initially, Bruce was confused, but then the Asgardian pointed to the phone clutched in one of his anxious hands before looking back at him, " You were making a call, I assume. "

" Oh, yeah, " He responded, tapping a finger against the old phone, an uncertain expression on his face; he was unsure whether he should tell her who he had called or not, but decided that the world could very well end if they didn't save it, so there wasn't much left to lose anyways. " I've got old friends, too. Some that I used to work with. "

" Not to offend you, Dr. Banner, but I don't care for the sentiments, are they going to help us or not? " Helena interrupted, raising an eyebrow; the dried war paint and old blood on her face was cracking along the small wrinkles in her skin, giving her a tired, worn out look.

" I sure hope so. " Bruce replied thoughtfully.

" If you don't mind me asking, who? "

Bruce swallowed thickly at this, still not sure how much to tell her; she was friends with Thor, and was obviously on their side, but he didn't know her well enough to ensure that she wouldn't use the information sometime later to bite them in the butt.

" Someone that knows where the Mind Stone is. " He persisted, and Helena's expression of disinterest turned to one of seriousness.

" Do you know where he is now? " She questioned, and, upon seeing Bruce battling in his head whether or not to further continue this conversation, she pointed out, " I'm a Keeper, it's my duty to protect the Infinity Stones. Can't do that if I don't know where they are. "

With that, Bruce told her exactly where she could find Vision, and also where one Steve Rogers would eventually be.

◌ ◌ ◌

SCOTLAND, PRESENT DAY

" Look at that, " Helena commented, appearing through a sudden portal in the middle of a dark, mostly empty street; it was mostly empty because the only pedestrians were Wanda Maximoff, Vision, and two of Thanos' Children. " Right on time. "

The Asgardian drew her newly found sword (she'd obtained it while in the Sanctum, having gone to ask Wong to create her the portal that got her here. She didn't tell him she'd be taking the Sword of Serenity, but she hoped he didn't notice or mind, given the circumstances), and saw both Obsidian Cull and Proxima Midnight, the woman that had stole her Stone, leering over top of Vision, her scepter digging into his head, right around the warm golden glow of the Mind Stone.

Helena ran up to them quickly, hoping to go rather unnoticed before she practically tackled Cull away from Vision, just as Wanda blasted Proxima several yards back. The brunette threw her head up, climbing off of the alien's body and glanced over at the infamous Scarlet Witch with a strong look in her eyes.

" Get him out of here, now! " She ordered, referring to Vision; Wanda didn't miss a beat, the deep red aura of her magic wrapping around Vision and sending him into the air, along with herself; their figures quickly disappeared along the dark night sky, and Helena turned back around to face Cull.

" Still not dead, thief? " Cull questioned, his voice stern and his leering height intimidating, Helena only grinned humorlessly in response.

" Not yet. " She insisted, raising the Sword of Serenity in front of herself, challenging Cull.

He took the bait, and ran towards the Asgardian, bringing his own weapon down at her. Helena easily held against it with the sword, the steel gleaming from the moonlight. The two released their hold on each other, and then it was almost like a duel. Helena remember fighting like this when she was younger, of course, losing didn't matter as much back then, when the children of Asgard would train together. Now, it was life or death.

As their weapons clashed again, Helena began to hear a small whispering in her ear, prodding, " His ankles, go for the ankles! "

The woman almost bugged out right there, but quickly regained composure when Cull tried another stab at her. The voice didn't need a response, it could tell that she was confused, and it tried to make itself clear without getting her killed.

" It's me, the Sword of Serenity. Wong refers to me as Seren. I'm trying to help you. "

If Helena had a moment to spare, she'd have called herself crazy. There was no way that the weapon in her hands was speaking to her, that was a ridiculous thought. However, it's gentle voice advised " ankles! " again, and this time, she listened, bending quickly at the knee to swipe the sword at his feet.

It proved effective, slicing Cull's ankles and causing enough pain for him to back away, hissing in response. Helena clutched the sword in her hands, staring down at it in what could be seen as either amazement or utter confusion. She could only wish that she had read a manual or asked Wong before taking the Sword of Serenity.

Either way, the moment of relaxation didn't last, as when Helena's focus on the weapon broke, she turned right into the spear of Proxima Midnight, who had taken a good moment to recover from Wanda's blow. The electric-filled shot to the stomach was powerful enough to cut through Helena's clothes, but also incredulously strong enough to send her flying in the air, following Wanda and Vision's path.

The woman's body flew all the way across the street, through the pillars, right into a crouching Wanda and a resting Vision. They didn't have time to apologize or even greet each other because as soon as they began to move to their feet, Obsidian Cull ran over quickly, Vision pushing the two females out of the way before being tackled several yards away, into the air once more.

" Vis! " Wanda called in concern, helping Helena to her feet as the two were found by Proxima; she swung her spear at them, the blue electricity coursing through it lighting up the area around them.

Wanda deflected a hit with her own power, and as she held her own against Proxima, Helena felt conflicted over whether to help the woman or go after Vision and the Stone. Thankfully, she didn't have to make the choice.

" Go! Help Vision! " Wanda shouted, letting out an anger filled cry as she threw Proxima backwards.

Helena wasn't going to disagree, and found herself taking off into a sprint as she watched Vision and Cull battle overhead. The two of them were almost invisible in the darkness, but the golden Mind Stone gleaming made it easy for her to see them bouncing from building to building. Vision finally took the upper hand, though, and ran Cull into a tall building beside Helena.

She hurried over to the fire escape, feet quick and steps rapid as she rushed her way up the lengthy staircase. She quickly reached the top of the rickety fire escape, nearly out of breath and panting, when she pulled herself onto the roof. Just as she did, Vision tossed Cull across to the other side before blasting him with the Mind Stone's power. Helena could only watch as Cull blocked the brightly colored beam of pure energy, holding against it for a moment, before he, with a wide smirk on his face, sent the energy right back at Vision.

Cull seemed to have not noticed Helena as he stomped over to a now limp Vision, placing a heavy foot on his chest and raising his spear to the Mind Stone once again. Helena took this as her opportunity and ran up to him, not attempting to attack him yet, standing just a few feet behind him.

" Not so fast. " She stated, causing Cull to be surprised, whirling around instantly; Helena took his initial shock and used it, kicking him right in the chest forcefully, throwing him off and away from Vision.

Helena made a split decision upon seeing Cull take a slow moment to regain himself, and, instead of attacking him again, she kneeled beside Vision, throwing his cherry colored arm over her shoulder, lifting him with her as she stood.

" Why. . . are you helping me? " He asked, his voice low and exhausted; Helena spared a glance down at his face, mostly towards the Mind Stone, then, looking back up and turning them around, she insisted,

" He stole the Power Stone from me. No one steals from the greatest thief in this universe. "

Not a second after the words left her mouth, she could hear Cull running up behind them, planning to jump her in hopes of being silent. Just as Helena was struggling to turn with Vision's weight on her, a blast of faint red energy knocked into Cull, sending him backwards again.

" Hands off. " Wanda spoke, her accent coming through strongly, and Helena turned back around towards her, a certain look in her eye; she raised her scarred palm in a sign of alliance.

" I am not your enemy right now. " She staged firmly, then, after glancing back at a seemingly unaware Cull, added, " We must get away from here, now. "

Wanda nodded solemnly, waving her energy through her fingers, willing it to carry the trio into the air; the feeling of floating through the air rather than hurtling through it was short lived as Proxima blasted them out of the sky quickly, sending them flailing towards an open loading warehouse, just beside the train tracks.

They crashed through the glass roof, each of them taking a hard hit as they fell to the concrete floor. Helena let out a groan as she slowly rose to her feet, noticing the wound in her leg pulsating with pain as she did. Wanda and Vision were just a few feet beside her, the lather leaned against a few boxes, the witch trying to convince him to stand.

" You need to- please, leave. " Vision pleaded, and Helena said nothing, only watched from afar as Wanda, kneeling beside him, shook her head lightly.

" You asked me to stay. " She reminded him, bringing up their conversation that had happened just before the attack. " I'm staying. "

Helena's heart felt warm after seeing the interaction, and it only made her think of how nice it would be to see Thor, her closest friend nowadays, again. Hopefully- Certainly, she would live to see him one last time.

" I do believe we do not know each other. " Helena spoke up, gaining the couple's attention briefly, recalling her earlier conversation with Vero and Sloane. " And, as a wise woman once said, I'd like to know your name before we kick some alien ass together. "

Vision grinned weakly as Wanda gave the woman a peculiar look, like she was, perhaps, one of the strangest people she'd ever met. Still, she held out a pale hand that could hold so much power.

" Wanda. " She obliged, and the brunette opposite her gripped her hand as well, before answering, " Helena. "

As soon as their brief introduction was over, both Proxima and Cull dropped in, standing just a few feet away from them, activating their weapons, their menacing figures leering at the trio. Wanda and Helena exchanged a look of understanding, one that said 'they cannot have him'. However, as the two newly found allies readied themselves for the battle to come, Proxima became distracted by the sudden sound of a passing train.

Wanda and Helena, both confused by her sudden curiosity, turned to glance back at the train. As it flew past, Helena could see short glimpses of a shadowy figure standing on the other side. Finally, the train passed completely, and the figure was a little more clear. Proxima let out a growl, not wanting to deal with any other super-powered humans that decided they wanted to be heroes. She threw her spear at the figure, Wanda and Helena both watching as it flew in between them, and right into the stranger's skillful hand.

The shadow became a person as he took several steps forward, revealing possibly one of the most famed people on Earth, Steve Rogers. Wanda and Vision held relieved expressions, and Helena could care less who it had been, she simply was glad to have some backup.

At the sudden appearance of Captain America, there was a loud crashing noise as another hero literally swooped in to save the day. A dark skinned man wearing red goggles and long, mechanical wings attached to his arm flew in, shooting at the half of the Black Order. Then, Steve hurled Proxima's spear back through, into another woman's hand. The short-haired Russian caught the weapon in her hand and sprinted right up to Cull, stabbing him right in the chest.

The fight began again, the three new heroes battling against Proxima like seasoned veterans in a game of paintball, and Helena noticed Cull had pulled himself back, away from the fight, a hand covering his wound. The brunette left Wanda's side, creeping over to him, and held out the Sword of Serenity, praying that it didn't try to convince her to cease her action. It didn't, and as soon as Cull spotted Helena, she slammed the sharpened steel into his wound, through his hand, as a sort of vengeance for her own hand

Proxima yelled out at the sight of this, having been defeated, skidding to her knees beside Cull as Helena pulled out her sword. Sam Wilson stood in front of them both, guns raised in both hands. Steve and Natasha Romanoff found their way beside him. Steve glanced over at Helena, then shared a look with the shorter woman at his side, and gave Helena a nod, deeming her a friend, not a foe.

" Get up. " Proxima demanded, lifting Cull's head with her forearm, but the latter only shook his head, claiming that he couldn't do that.

" We don't want to kill you, but we will. " Natasha threatened, and Proxima only glared up at them, pressing a button on Cull's spear.

" You'll never get the chance again. " She promised, and, just as quickly, a wide, electric blue beam appeared around them, transporting them up into their ship; Proxima's spear, which hand been in Steve's hand, went with them.

The group seemed a bit unfazed; Sam and Natasha walked over to Vision and Wanda, while Steve took a few steps toward Helena, an eyebrow slightly raised on his face.

" I'm Steve Rogers, and, by the looks of it, you helped our friends. I appreciate that. " He insisted, and Helena broke her silence, looking up at the blond, bearded man, a small smile breaking out onto her still-bloodied face.

" I am Helena Eerikadottir, and, I must say, when Thor told stories of his Midgardian friends, he did not mention you having a beard. " She pointed out, and a slight laugh came from Steve as he held out a hand for her to shake.

Midgardians certainly like hand shakes, Helena thought to herself as she clasped hers around his.

" Truly, thank you for your help. " Steve said, and Helena nodded in response before adding, " I cannot stand by while another Stone is stolen. "

Steve looked a bit confused at her reasoning, unaware of the Keepers, but his unspoken questions remained unsaid as Sam interrupted them, " Hey, yeah, I think we have a lot to talk about. Bruce mentioned that she would be here. "

When Sam said 'she', he nodded towards Helena, Vision currently leaning on her for support, Wanda and Natasha on either side of him. Steve glanced back at Helena, who seemed surprisingly calm for the circumstances, and then back at the others.

" Well then, let's get you all to the jet. "

◌ ◌ ◌

note.
ahhh finally! I don't have much to say this chapter other then the fact that I love the Guardians and I love Helena a little more after this chapter.

Thank you all for the reads, comments, and votes, and I just want to encourage you all to comment because not only do they make me want to write more, it let's me know you guys are intrigued! I'd just like to point out that this book has reached 5.5K views, 600+ votes, and 300+ comments! Thank you all for encouraging me to continue this book with your adoration and comments!

I'll just save you some time and ask the same old questions we all know and love!

If you have any feedback about this chapter, I'd love to hear it! What'd you like about it, what'd you dislike about it? A specific character, relationship, or scene caught your eye? Brotps? Otps? Do you have any different opinions on Helena now? Or her relationship with the Guardians or even Thor? Also, we've finally introduced Steve and the others, yay!

Any predictions or worries for the future chapters? Anything else you'd like to mention? I'm all ears!

until next time,