CHAPTER TWO; INFINITY WAR

❝ life has a funny way of derailing your plans ❞

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ bleeker street, new york city ❞

"THE TIME STONE HAS BEEN TAKEN. The Sanctum remains unguarded. What will you do," Wong asked Bruce while standing in his open portal.

Holding Rogers' cell phone that Tony had dropped in the chaos he answered, "I'm gonna make a call." Wong nodded in understanding and closed the portal, not to be seen again.

Coming up behind him removing his mask but not his hood Connor asked, "And what about Alina and Peter? Do we just let them fly off into literal space?"

"We don't have much of a choice," Bruce reminded the young boy before he asked, "And who are you?"

Hurt but understanding why he wasn't known the young boy mused, "Connor. So who are you trying to find?"

Before Bruce could answer, a loud bang and wind pulling them revealed a sapphire and white portal edge as Alina walked through. "Whoever it is petty sure I can find him faster," she said fighting every impulse she had to return to Peter.

In an instant as the portal shut behind her Connor had his arms around her for just a brief moment before pulling back. "Where's Peter," he realized the Parker boy was nowhere in sight.

Regretfully she replied, "He's with Tony, and we have to go. We don't have much time."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ france, paris ❞

"Always thought coming to Paris would be a little more exciting than this,"Connor said breaking the silence as he and Alina waited in plain clothes for Steve. He told her he'd find her, but it would easiest if they were already out of the country. One portal, and clothes change later and they were there. They weren't particularly sure where exactly in Paris they were, but Alina could hear their dialect when people spoke. Plus, she had opened the portal with Paris in mind.

Leaning against a walkable bridge Alina looked down at the city saying, "It's actually a pretty nice city, fun nightlife and good food. You'd like it." Connor could tell her mind was light years away with Peter.

"He'll be okay," he suddenly said making her turn towards him confused, "Peter. He will be okay, he wouldn't leave you behind."

Sadly but truthfully she reminded, "And what if he doesn't have a choice?"

Connor shook his head telling her, "And what if he does?" Alina nervously bit on her finger, she was never known for being hopeful only cynically realistic. "What do you think is going to happen," he wondered curiously.

Instantly those same images that found her that morning found her again. She examined Connor, he was using every ounce of confidence to hide how confused and scared he was. Reaching for his hand that was rested on the bridge she encouraged, "I don't know, I think something really bad is coming. Now is your chance to go."

The blonde boy appeared taken back by her words, "Go? Go where," he questioned his hand slipping away from hers.

"Back to Gwen, to protect her. You've never dealt with anything like this, and you can make sure she's okay," offered the brunette but she could see in Connors eyes, that wasn't an option.

Firm in his answer and choice he replied, "I am not leaving you." His words, undoubtedly filled her with relief. She wanted to shield him from hurt, but she was grateful to have a friend with her. "I can protect my sister by protecting you and the rest of this planet."

Alina offered a small smile leaning forward onto the bridge again, "Well, don't say I never warned you."

Connor chuckled nudging her arm playfully, "Promise." There was a moment of pause before he added trying to lighten the mood, "One hell of a way to spend your birthday, huh?"

The brunette laughed gesturing to the people and shops around them, "Well, at least I'm in Paris."

Correcting her he raised his finger point out, "And fighting off an alien invasion, what could be better?"

"How about anything other than this," a voice questioned making the two of them turn around. Their guards were up until Alina saw the unmistakable image of Steve Rogers, only with longer hair and a beard. In an instant she'd stopped her guard and ran into his arms. "Been a long time kid," he said embracing her for the first time since the airport in Germany.

"Too long," said Alina as he put her down and noticed the boy still standing behind them. He appeared both frozen still and like a child who had seen his favorite toy for the first time ever.

"Who is this," Steve asked moving towards the bridge trying to keep them all out of sight and unnoticeable.

Holding out his hand Connor nervously rambled ( in a way that was much different than his usual confident demeanor) to the soldier, "Alina's...."

Suddenly he wasn't sure what to call himself, they had only just made up. They didn't really have a chance to discuss what stage they were starting at. Swiftly Alina filled in the answer for him as Steve shook his hand, "He's my friend, Connor, and he's got skills that can't hurt to help us."

Steve looked the boy up and down, Connor swallowed hard. He knew Alina had to tell him about what he'd done, but he had not a clue as to how he felt about it all. A idea Connor had never thought about before, Alina was scary enough. Steve and his eerily nice and calm demeanor was just unsettling. "Connor," Steve repeated, "I heard about you."

"And now let's get on the Jet," rushed out Alina clapping her hands together. Steve finally let go of Connors hand and the boy slightly stepped behind Alina. "You have what I asked for," she confirmed.

Finally tearing his eyes from Connor, Steve happily answered, "Yes, Wanda's leather jacket. You sure you'll be able to find her with just that?" The young Dranganov raised a questioning brow. "I'll take that as a yes, let's go," he said leading the two teens off the public streets.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ quinjet ❞

Steve didn't need Alina's powers or Natasha's nudge to see that the young Dranganov was burdened. Just the way she sat in front of the window clutching her pendant was a screaming example. With the jet on autopilot, he got up from his chair joining her on the ground. "How you feeling," he asked allowing her to take the conversation wherever her mind went.

Letting her pendant slip form her hands she said, "Worried about Peter. He went out there with Tony and what if—"

Cutting off her worries Steve assured, "Tony will protect him." Alina sucked in a heavy breath before releasing it, she didn't trust that. The image of him screaming out for her was too imprinted on her. "You look like you need a distraction," said the older man getting up. Alina watched as he made his way over to the compartments against the wall. He showed it to Nat further down the ship who nodded for him to continue.

When she could finally see his hands, she noticed a small chest he was carrying back. It was no bigger than a larger shoe box. "Happy early birthday. I was going to mail it but, since you're here," he said before swiftly adding, "Natasha helped me pick it out."

Alina excitedly opened the brown chest to see heavenly made paint brushes. She dragged the bristles against her skin feeling just how soft they were. Underneath the pack she saw a sketch book and pictures she had left at the compound. Not only them but books, a series it looked like. She lifted the book and instantly grinned from ear to ear. It was Tolkien's series, Lord of the Rings. One of the first movie series Alina had made Steve finish, mainly because it was a story he already knew.

"You gave me the movie version you had so I figured you deserved the book version I had," he explained.

The brunette gratefully told him, "It's perfect, thank you."  Alina hugged the man who had saved her all those years ago and wished nothing more than it was under different circumstances. As she pulled back she began to wonder, "Where's Bucky? Is he okay?"

Alina had not seen Bucky since he was taken to heal in Wakanda. For her last years of captivity she was always with him, ironically given what she knew of her mother now. Steve nodded assuring her, "He's getting better. He can't wait to see you."

She thought back to all those times, even when he was robbed of being himself, Bucky fought harder for her than most. "Did he ever mention someone other than me watching over him," questioned the young girl.

Steve looked at her regretfully, "Yes, h-he did," he admitted. He knew of the story Alina had been told about her mother because of Natasha. Seeing her waiting eyes he went on, "He was blurry on mostly everything that wasn't his missions, but he said one woman made an impression because she was the only kindness he knew. Until he met you. I don't know for sure if it's your mother, but it wouldn't hurt to confirm with him."

Alina felt a little relief, "That's her, I know it is. He knew my mom," she assured.

As their conversation progressed, Connor periodically glanced over at them. Something Natasha couldn't miss at all. Seeing Sam was still by the pilot controls, Natasha made her way to sit down next to Connor. Instantly the boy sat up as she asked, "So, why didn't you stay with your sister?"

"Huh," Connor returned taken back that the Black Widow was even speaking to him. He felt as if he should lay out a red carpet everywhere she went.

And Natasha knew it. Once more she repeated, "Why didn't you stay with your sister in New York?"

The Stacy boy paused before he forced the words from his throat, "Because I can do more to help her from here." His eyes fell to Alina as he added, "Plus, I didn't want her to do this alone."

Natasha stayed silent a moment, a moment that stretched to forever for Connor. At least until she ended it by saying, "Good. Because, I would hate to find out she was better off doing it alone. I don't want that for her, so do ever make her feel like it should be that way." The blonde boy nodded swallowing hard hearing the underlining warning. Natasha grinned her wicked eyes knowing she'd been heard. Standing she said, "No get ready, we're almost there."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ edinburgh, scotland ❞

Wanda, swift as she could, put her arm around Vision pulling them up toward the sky trying to fly away. Below, her female attacker, had recovered and caught glimpse of her moving shadows. Aiming her staff steadily she shot a bolt, causing them to fall from the air. Feeling their rapid descent, Vison shielded Wanda's head pulling her into his chest as she used her powers to protect their bodies as they crashed down through the roof of a train station beneath them.

Wasting no time Wanda crawled over to Vision telling him, "Come on. Come on. Come on, you gotta get up. You gotta get up." Doing her best to move him while his density shifted from his wounds Wanda sat him against the fence behind him. "Come on. Hey. Hey. We have to go," she urged knowing they didn't have much time before their attackers caught up.

Vision place his hands on either side of her face and pleaded with her, "Please. Please leave."

But she wouldn't, calling back to his question just before the attack she said, "You asked me to stay... I'm staying."

Light and desperate as he kept her hand upping her face he repeated, "Please."

Wanda refused, firmly she ordered him, "Get up."

Before he could even try, the glass above them shattered as their attackers landed on the ground. Knowing she was his only defense now, Wanda raised her hands creating her spheres of magic in her hands. A train passed behind her which seemed to grab the alien woman's attention.

It was as if all paused as if aware of another's presence. As the last train car passes, there was a silhouette against the back wall standing watching them. Without second thought, the woman with horns threw her weapon, but it is quickly caught just before the figure steps from the shadows. Wanda smirked knowing she was no longer on her own. While they are distracted, Sam swooped in and kicks woman into the next room.

While her companion was taken off guard a choice came down upon them, "This guy is even uglier than the one in New York!" Before the alien could gather himself, Connors knife sliced his face and across his chest using his grappling hooks to get out of the way.

Which was perfectly in time for Steve to throw the spear at the creature but it missed him by a mile. It smirk was short lived as behind him, Natasha caught the sphere and used it to slice the back of his legs. The alien turned swinging down its blade only for it to be caught by glowing blue hands. The alien screamed in her face which only made Alina's fangs come out as she roared back. In the moment of distraction, she took her dagger jamming it into the creatures gut.

"Have a nice flight," she told hind before using all her strength to fling him backwards. Natasha raced behind the young girl about to finish off the man, when the spear was ripped out form her hands.

She turned around to see the woman, had now recovered, and had summoned her weapon back to her hand. Seeing the attack coming, Captain America slid across the ground grabbing the second attackers staff using it to catch block the woman's blow. She grunted trying to push down but Captain America pushed it upwards and away from himself.  Seeing Alina coming toward her, the woman took a knife from her belt throwing it into Alina's gut. "ALINA," shouted Connor rushing to her aid as the fight now was made of the woman, Black Widow, and Captain America. 

The brunette stumbled back just in time for Connor to catch her. "Are you okay," he asked moving her behind the bus depot for cover.

"Pull it out," she demanded of him.

"What? That might kill you no," he snapped seeing the knife sticking out of her.

Her eyes flashing between gold and sapphire she shouted, "I can't heal until it's out! Pull it out!" In an instant Connor yanked the blade from her. Alina let out a shrieking groan from the spikes on the blade took a chunk of her skin with it.

Looking up, Connor saw Falcon fly in and again kick the woman alien backwards where she crouched down beside her partner. "Get up," she ordered him.

"I can't," he returned.

"We don't wanna kill you. But we will," warned Natasha as she and the other adults stood above them.

Coming to her feet Alina argued, "Speak for yourself."

The woman looked hatefully at Natasha and Alina warning, "You'll never get the chance again." Seeing her reach for a controller, Connor immediately fired the technology. But it was too late, she'd already hit the button and was being pulled up by a beam of energy already.

Looking at the young boy who picked up what had been dropped Steve asked him, "What did you do?"

"Fried it," he answered holding up the clunky box with writings not even Alina understood on it.

Natasha raised a brow, "How?"

With an almost boyish joy he replied, "Technology and metal are totally my things."

As both Steve and Natasha eyes fell to her for not having said something about his specific abilities Alina shrugged, "Surprise....!"

Steve shook his head before they all moved to help Wanda and vision. Holding out his hand, Sam asked
Vision, "Can you stand?"

Vision nodded as Wanda and Sam allowed him to lean on him. Once he saw his old friend, Vision said, "Thank you, Captain."

Steve nodded as he looked to Alina who was already examine the wounds on Vision. "Can you heal that," he asked her. 

Alina shared a glance with a hopeful Wanda admitting, "Ive never tried on anyone inorganic I can try but...it take longer. We should get him in the jet for me to work."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ quinjet ❞

The second they were on the ship, Natasha closed the the doors behind them, while addressing Wanda, "I thought we had a deal. Stay close, check in. Don't take any chances."

Holding Visions hands as Alina tried to heal his wound she replied, "I'm sorry. We just wanted time."

Sam at the front of the ship asked, "Where to, Cap?"

"Home," said Steve.

Connor, who was standing by Alina watching her work confirmed, "Home? As in the Avengers compound that home?"

Despite the circumstances Alina giggled at his excitement answering, "Yes. You're gonna love it."