#tallus

She grinned at him and turned to look at this new world. It looked like it was probably another Earth. They’d visited about a dozen since they’d returned to Zakuul, one with a version of her family, but never another version of her home. Never another version of her. She worried at times about what that might mean.

She’d gotten lost in her own thoughts, but Bucky was saying something behind her. It didn’t make sense and wasn’t directed at her, though. “It’s time? Time for what?”

Suddenly, the universe around her felt twisted, surreal. There was a sensation of falling. And then, she heard it. She didn’t have her old senses, but she heard this: a dull, metallic sound, like if a droid had snapped its fingers. It hurt to hear it, even though she was sure it was universes away.

She staggered, the feeling overwhelming her for a moment. She started to turn, almost against her will, knowing what she would see.

After something approaching three years, James “Bucky” Barnes, the only person she had ever met that understood her, maybe even forgave her for what she’d done, was gone, as if he’d never been.

She stared at the spot he’d been standing, trying to move, to speak, to scream, but she was paralyzed. She felt her hands clench into fists. Her whole body shook. Abandoned again. Betrayed again. No purpose, no escape. Just a bigger cage. Trapped now on a world not her own. She’d trusted him, and he’d left her here.

Everyone left her.

She fell to her knees. Her fists slammed the ground. Lightning flared outward. She knew she needed to get control, stay unnoticed. Her life could depend on it. The lives of whoever lived here could depend on it. She just couldn’t bring herself to care about either.

She looked at the concrete. It was cracked and smoke drifted from it. Her hands ached from the impact, and she focused on the pain. It took her out of herself, and she needed that. She dragged the lightning she had released back to herself, ground it out. It was dark, meaning that her outburst could be seen for miles, but she hoped no one was too close.

Of course he hadn’t left her, not of his own free will. She knew him better than that. She could be dangerous, especially alone, and he was the one that had spared her. He felt responsible for her. He wouldn’t do this.

She took several deep breaths before standing and fleeing the scene.

He was her friend. He wouldn’t leave her behind. He’d probably have been hurt that it wasn’t her first thought, but he’d understand how much progress it meant that she thought it at all.

She hadn’t noticed the tears. She wiped them from her face and continued to run, smiling slightly. She’d survive. She’d try to do whatever they had been brought here for. It was the least she could do. If possible, she’d find out what happened and escape. If not, this didn’t look like a bad world to settle on.

===========================

The transition hurt, for the first time in what they’d calculated was about five years. This wasn’t Tallus. Something else had happened. The visions still came to him, though, more intense than ever.

Vaylin, screaming in anguish. A universe crying out as its children returned, and then again as a cruel trick put everything they had won at risk. Himself, turning to dust, but now, particle by particle, being recreated.

Something told him that this agony was because he was conscious of it, because he’d been pulled out of his world. He’d have to thank the Tallus for that.

Except it wasn’t there. He had been returned home, and his traveling was done. It had become a comfortable weight on his wrist after so long. As annoying and cryptic as the thing was, he’d miss it.

He needed to return and find Vaylin after the coming fight. Somehow. She might be fine, of course, but he had to be sure. She was his friend and he wouldn’t abandon her. 

Besides, she was still dangerous after all this time. He was, too, but here he was surrounded by friends and allies. He wasn’t sure what she would do now that she was alone.

She’d probably approve that he didn’t think she was in danger so much as was a danger to others. He had to smile at that.

Right now, though, he knew there was a war to fight, that this time, Thanos would not stop with half.

He hadn’t noticed the Wakandan shuttle, or Okoye arming those who had fallen in this battle, starting with the King. She had gotten to him, now, nodded, handed him his rifle, and moved on. He had to wonder if she had ever forgiven him, but she would allow him to fight beside her, as would T’challa. That was enough.He checked his weapon, but of course it was in perfect order. He was ready to board the shuttle when it became unnecessary. A portal had appeared, massive, able to allow an army through it. A man in yellow robes stepped through and said to them, “Well? Are you coming?”