I don't own anything except any original character and/or any original plot.

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Chapter 4: In My Head

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A/n: Early update in honor of Tom Holland's birthday! I'll stop giving spoiler warnings after this because it's a given at this point

5 Years Later

"Morgoona? Morgan H Stark?" Tony's clapping and footsteps neared the small fort, louder and louder the closer he got.
Morgan giggled, leaping out at her father with Pepper's anniversary gift on her head.

"Where're your minions?"

Peter and I poked our heads out of the fort, laughing along with Morgan. Climbing out, we both breathed out a sigh of relief. When Morgan was smaller, and when we were younger, it was a much easier fit.

"It's so hard to fit three people in there," I breathed out, "It was so cramped my knees were in my ears."

"But we all still fit!" Morgan beamed, holding up her mom's helmet.

"Did you steal this?" Tony asked with a smile, taking the mask from her, "You shouldn't have this. It's a special anniversary present for your mom I've been working on."

"She found it," I corrected, knowing full well she had been specifically searching for it in the garage.

Tony shook his head in disbelief, "All of you are unbelievable. Lunch is ready if you're done lying."

Peter and I shared a laugh. Morgan ran ahead of Tony, him following just behind. Peter and I were a bit farther back, ambling together.

"My parents want us to have brunch with them tomorrow," I informed the man, taking his hand, "They invited May too, something about 'soon to be family brunch'."

"They do know we aren't even engaged yet, right?" Peter chuckled, "As long as we make it back to the school in time to lesson plan we'll be fine."

I nodded in understanding, "And Ramonda wants us to visit Wakanda to discuss improvements with M'Bak-"

"Do you understand daughter? Why I'm doing this?"

"I do, Father. You're improving me so I don't fail."

"Good," Thanos lifted his damaged, gauntleted hand, causing the stones to glow, "You will be in pain, but your improvements will never leave."

Peter turned to me, cupping my cheek, "(Y/n)? Hey, you okay? You're here with me, Blue. Come back."

Blindly I reached out for him. I felt his warmth, his hand against my face, but he wasn't there. I was with Thanos.

"Why will they never leave Father?"

Thanos stood over me, the metal parts forever on my body forming in the air, "Because they were created from nothing by the components of the universe. The matter of the universe cannot be created nor destroyed. The same goes for this matter."

"It will be with me forever," I put the pieces together, "But you already placed the improvements around my head. You didn't use the gauntlet for those."

"They were... a preliminary trial. Something to introduce you to the concept. They are, perhaps, less permanent than the ones we're inserting now but that doesn't mean-"

Peter's hand smacked my cheek. I jerked in response, legs giving out. Peter rushed forwards, catching me before I could hit the ground. My cheek stung, but it was a nice distraction from my mental qualms.

"Sorry, sorry," Peter whispered into my hair, "I didn't know what else to do. It was worse than the other ones. I love you. I'll never hit you again. I'm sorry."

Gripping his shirt tightly, I clung to him, shaking and on the verge of tears, "I need to make another appointment with the Professor."

"We'll do it as soon as we get back to the school today," Peter smoothed down my hair, "Then we can watch Star Wars, okay?"

"I just want him out of my head forever," I whispered, knowing the hope was futile. The Professor wasn't Jean. He was incredibly powerful, but Jean held - quite literal- otherworldly power. It appeared only she could fix me and she was gone with the snap.

"Hey lovebirds, we've gotta talk to you and Tony!"

Jumping, Peter and I swore in unison as Nat came up behind us. She had popped out of nowhere, Scott Lang and Steve stood on the porch of the house with Tony. But Scott Lang was supposed to have disappeared with the snap...

Following Nat, Peter and I listened intently as Scott explained his story to us and Tony. It seemed insane, but I wasn't supposed to be alive either so, who's to say his idea was too insane?

"Now, we know what it sounds like..."

"Tony, after everything you've seen, is anything really impossible?" Steve questioned.

"Quantum fluctuation messes with the Planck scale, which then triggers the Deutsch proposition. Can we agree on that?"

The three Avengers shared confused looks.

"In Layman's terms, it means you're not coming home."

"I came back," Scott pointed out.

"No, you accidentally survived. It's a billion to one cosmic fluke. And now you wanna pull off a... What do you call it?"

Scott shifted in embarrassment, "A time heist?"

Tony rolled his eyes, "Yeah, a time heist. Of course, why didn't we think of this before? Oh, because it's laughable? Because it's a pipedream?"

"The stones are in the past. We can go back and get them."

"We can snap our own fingers. We can bring everyone back," Nat added.

Peter and I perked up at the idea. Bringing back all of our friends, Jess, the X-Men, the Avengers? They tried before and only got me, this was a second chance to fix everything.

"Or screw it up worse than he already has, right?"

Steve chuckled humorlessly, "I don't believe we would."

"Gotta say, sometimes I miss that giddy optimism. However, high hopes won't help if there's no logical, tangible way for me to safely execute said time heist. I believe the most likely outcome would be our collective demise."

"Not if we strictly follow the rules of time travel. That means no talking to our past selves, no betting on sporting events-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there, Scott. Are you seriously telling me that your plan to save the universe is based on Back to the Future?"

"No," Scott lied obviously.

I sighed, speaking up, "Logan traveled back in time years ago, to the seventies to save the world with the Professor. You remember that whole thing in DC with Magneto and Mystique? Kitty sent Logan back."

"So it's possible without the Quantum Realm?"

"Kitty disappeared in the snap, and she retired from the X-Men before that, anyway. The thing I'm trying to say is that it's not like the classic butterfly effect. It's new timelines, breakoffs. We go back in time and meet our past selves, it wouldn't completely alter the future we return to, only make a new timeline we can live in. There's still a timeline where the mutants are being killed, it's just not this one."

"Exactly, quantum physics doesn't work like the movies Scott. If we followed those rules, it'd be horse shit."

"Tony... we have to take a stand."

"We did stand. And yet, here we are. We got really lucky in the past," Tony motion to me, I shrunk under the attention, "And again with you, Scott. But that's all we'll get."

"I know you got a lot on the line. You got a wife, a daughter. But I lost someone very important to me. A lot of people did. And now, now we have a chance to bring her back. Bring everyone back. And you're telling me that won't even-"

"That's right, Scott, I won't. Leave it. Got a kid." As if on cue, Morgan sprinted outside and into her dad's arms.

"Mommy told me to come and save you."

"Good job. I'm saved," Tony turned back to the others, "I wish you'd come here to ask me something else. Anything else. Honestly, I missed you guys, it was... Oh, and the table's set for nine, it's a big table I promise."

"Tony, I get it. And I'm happy for you, I really am. But this is a second chance," Steve stated desperately.

Tony shifted Morgan onto his hip, "I got my second chance right here, Cap. I can't roll the dice again. If you don't talk shop, you can stay for lunch. Come on kids, time for food."

Tony carried Morgan inside. Peter and I hesitated, almost sharing a mental conversation before we looked to a disappointed Nat, Steve, and Scott. They were counting on Tony to help them figure out how to travel through time, and he refused. Without him, Peter and I weren't very sure how well the plan would go, but we'd contribute in any way we could.

Having matured in the last 5 years, we understood what was at stake, and how our lives could change no matter the direction the plan went. That left a lot of room for free-thought. May and my parents couldn't 'control' us anymore (AKA, give us empty threats but allow us to continue hero work), not that they were great at it in the first place.

"We want our friends back," Peter stated determinedly.

I nodded at the statement, "Give us a time and place, and we'll be there to help. We can talk to the remaining X-Men too if you want me to, they'd be happy to help."

"They'd be a lot of help, we'll text you the details," Nat smiled gratefully.

"Wait... Who are the X-Men?" Scott questioned, face contorting in confusion, "Should I know about them?"

"Nope."

"Alright then..."

Steve put a hand on our shoulders, "It would be awesome if you could convince Tony somehow. He's scared, and not wrong. But we need him."

"And if we can't convince him?"

"We'll get another big brain."

Scott motioned to the house, "Bigger than this?"

I realized who they were talking about and let out a small 'oh'. Sharing a round of good lucks, the trio left to continue their mission. Peter and I went inside to join Tony, Pepper, and Morgan at the dinner table. Tony was tense, Pepper understood exactly what that conversation was about, and Morgan was in her own little world, oblivious.

"Everybody ready then? Let's eat."

~*~

After dinner, Peter and I were helping Tony out with the dishes while Pepper was trying to calm Morgan down to get her to bed. Tony flipped a wet towel over his shoulder and it splashed water onto one of the shelves, droplets hitting two picture frames.

Tony pulled them both out under the rouse he wanted to dry them off. I understood what he was doing; he was remembering the stories behind them. The first one was of Tony, me, and Peter. Peter holding his 'Stark Internship' certificate, and me holding my 'Wakanda Internship' certificate - courtesy of Shuri. It was a good day for us, happening soon after we got back from our summer in Wakanda.

The second picture was of our old squad. Peter, me, MJ, Harry, and Ned. We sent it to Tony the night after the Wakandan homecoming. I wasn't aware he printed it out and framed it.

"I miss them," I whispered to him, making sure Peter was unaware of our conversation, "He does too. We don't do friends anymore, only students and you guys. Could never get over losing them, y'know?"

Eyes shooting from me to the photos several times, Tony sighed and put them back on the shelf behind the other decorations. I held back a smirk. That got him. He was always a sucker for me and Peter; Peter basically being his kid before Morgan was born.

After we washed the dishes, we said goodbye to Pepper and stepped into Morgan's room. She was tucked tightly into the covers, still a bundle of energy.

"Goodnight bud, we'll visit you again soon," I kissed her forehead, Peter following.

"I love you three thousand," Morgan whispered, snuggling in as we closed the door.

We waved to Tony as we stepped into the car. With me driving, we pulled out of the driveway and headed back to the school. It was our home; it had been for four years. After a year recovering with the rest of the world from the snap, and trying to piece together the memories that were still floating around my head, we moved to Xavier's. May and my parents were upset about it, obviously, but the students needed more guidance. The X-Men were struggling, and we could help. The trade was easy to pick up. Peter taught science, and I taught Wakandan as a foreign language.

"Do you really think we can get all of them back?" Peter asked, voice nearly inaudible. I turned my head to face him directly, grabbing his hand.

"I honestly don't know. All we can do is hope. But I have you, and our students, and the Avengers and X-Men. If this fails, I'll move on knowing we tried."

Peter nodded slowly, sighing shakily.
Turning back to the road, I gave his hand a squeeze. Our phones rang in unison with a text message from Steve, telling us to head to the compound the next morning.

"When we get back, I'll talk to the team about going with us. We can probably tell the older students to watch over the younger ones and give them a few days off."

Peter gave me an incredulous look, "What older ones?"

"Johnny, Amber, Chloe, and Liam, but definitely not Gretchen and Cohen."
"Gretchen and Cohen."

We said the last two names in unison, know all too well that those two were five-year-olds stuck in sixteen-year-old bodies. Peter and I made it a big point to get to know our students well, understanding and having an obvious open door policy a big part of our teaching styles. Many of them needed that after the snap. People they could talk to. Friends and family who supported mutants were difficult to find before the snap.

After a thirty-minute drive, we pulled up the long driveway of the school, a few students till enjoying the last remnants of sunlight before curfew kicked in and they had to head inside for the night.

"How was the dinner thing?" One of them asked curiously. She was younger, nearing twelve with a morphing class quirk.

"Good, thanks for asking Annie. Make sure all of you get inside before curfew hits. You don't want Peter speeding by and messing up your hair," I warned good-naturedly.

"Or Storm making it rain in your room," Peter added in.

"We will," the four answered in unison.

Trusting their integrity, Peter and I stepped inside. Students dominated the sitting room and student kitchen, chatting and laughing loudly. The teachers were likely still in their offices, shutting down for the night and preparing for the next day. Peter and I were about to put a dapper in their plans.

"Woah!" Peter shot a web at an approaching projectile, sticking it to the nearest wall, "Grant..."

"Sorry, Mr. Parker!" Grant called out over the kitchen counter, sweating profusely, "Taylor thought it would be funny to feed me a ghost pepper!"

"Taylor you know what happens when Grant sweats," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Taylor shrugged, "I wanted to see how far he could shoot his sweat when he got really sweaty."

Chuckling, I clapped my hands several times, "Alright everyone, time to get ready for bed. Classes tomorrow. So be ready to get up bright and early. Amber, Liam, Johnny, and Chloe, you four stay back."

The small student body 'oooed' as they passed their called-out classmates. The four scowled at their insulters but shrunk when they approached Peter and I. We weren't the tallest people- Peter having only grown a few inches since he was seventeen- but that didn't make us any less intimidating.

"The teachers might be going on a... A bit of a trip for a day or two. You four will be in charge while we're gone. Handle things well and don't let Gretchen or Cohen taken over."

"Where are you going?" Chloe questioned curiously.

"Back in time," I chuckled, shrugging casually, "So you need to behave and be a good example, got it?"

"We're counting on you guys."

"We got it."

"Good, now go to your rooms."

The four scurried off, laughing and nudging each other on the way. Not only were they maturest and oldest group, but they were close friends. It made me smile, reminding me of our days with our missing three. But those days could return if we played our cards right.

"Your thoughts are loud. We're waiting in the bunker."

Automatically, Peter and I headed to the hidden elevator, taking it to the X-Men's bunker. We always cleaned down there, and sometimes went down if there was a dire mission that needed our attention, but without the full team, it wasn't the same.

"They're in a fuss, curious about what you have to say," Xavier met us at the elevator, rolling beside us, "Make it good. They're hopeful but skeptical. And rightfully so."

"Understood, thank you professor," Peter turned to me, smiling nervously, "We can do this."

Stepping through the doors, we faced the remaining team and staff; Kurt, Peter, Ororo, and obviously the professor. We found out soon after Peter and I moved to the school that Wade was alive, but he came and went as he pleased. We didn't try to control him. Too much stress.

"Is there really a way to bring everyone back?" Peter asked hopefully, zipping up to us.

"We think so. The Avengers have figured out a way to time travel without Kitty. The Quantum Realm. It's iffy, and a bit dangerous, but we have some of the best minds in the world working on it," I started.

"We'd go back in time and get the stones back, creating a new gauntlet and bringing everyone back."

"What makes them so sure this time will work? They tried once before and here we are," Scott crossed his arms.

"Nothing. But we'll all be damned if we don't try. This is our last chance."

The five shared looks revealing they were holding a mental conversation via the professor. Minus the telepathy, Peter and I shared our own looks. We needed the X-Men. Their numbers were small, but their combined power was great.

"We'll do it," the professor announced abruptly, "We owe it to the fallen to try."

Sighing in relief, Peter squeezed my hand tightly. It was easier than we expected, but everyone was more than willing to give anything to get everyone back.

"Report to the compound tomorrow morning," I informed them, "We already talked to the older group about handling the school."

Peter M (Maximoff, weird coincidence) nodded, pulling his goggles over his eyes, "Rad. See you all in the morning."

Speeding off, Kurt, Ororo, and Scott followed Peter M's departure. With a kiss, I told Peter to go ahead. I had to have another session with the professor.

"Thanos has haunted you for five years," the professor rolled toward me, "I shattered the glass, but we've been left with shards to pick up."

"Broken glass is dangerous," I wrapped my arms around myself.

Moving on without another word, the professor and I stepped into the elevator and took it up. Because of his wheels, the professor was in his office when I was halfway down the hall.

"Miss (L/n)?"

I turned to the caller. Mina, one of our youngest at age 7. Furrowing my brows I hurried to her. Blanket tight within her grasp, she looked up at me with wide eyes.

"Mina it's past curfew. Why're you up?"

Mina clutched my wrist with an unnatural strength with a 7-year-old. Wincing, I tried to jerk my hand back with minimal results. Her bright eyes were dreary. Looking up at me, she tilted her head.

"Ice pierces metal to end the beginning. Dust falls but blood drips. When the blood reaches the dirt control will come two-fold. It is the one in millions. The cost is never forgotten, but given once."

Mina finally let go and skipped off, up the stairs and to her hallway. I rubbed my wrist, frowning. Mina saw into the future, but it came out randomly and like riddled prophecies. My gut clenched. Why did she-

"I pulled out some wine to relax you. Everything alright?" The professor poked his head out of his office.

"Yeah. Everything's fine," I mumbled absently, staring at the vacant ground in front of me.

The professor hummed. He knew something was off, but he was too polite to pry. For once, I wished he would. I was plagued with questions, but I had to focus on our sessions.

Why did Mina seek me out? How far into the future was her sight? But most importantly-- What did it mean?