Chapter 15 : Vision

"Honey? I'm home," Clint announced as we all stepped into his home. The familiar warmth of a lived-in space greeted us—a stark contrast to the environments we were used to. Laura appeared in the doorway, her smile soft but surprised. "Sorry I didn't call ahead." He walked over to her, and they shared a brief kiss, a small moment of normalcy.

Tony, ever the skeptic, couldn't help but comment, "This is an agent of some kind," his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to piece together this unknown part of Clint's life.

"Gentlemen, this is Laura," Clint introduced with a wave of his hand.

Laura, ever the gracious host, offered a warm smile. "I know all of your names," she said, her tone welcoming. Little feet suddenly pattered into the room, and Clint scooped up a little girl with ease, the tension in the air softening instantly.

"These are the smaller agents," Tony quipped.

The little girl's eyes lit up as she looked around, searching for someone. "Did you bring Auntie Nat?" she asked, her voice full of innocent excitement.

"Why don't you hug her and find out?" The girl squealed with delight and ran to Natasha, wrapping her arms around her legs.

Steve, always the gentleman, offered an apology. "Sorry for barging in on you like this."

"Yeah, we would have called ahead, but we were busy having no idea you existed," Tony added, still processing.

Clint's expression turned serious for a moment. "Fury helped me set this up. Kept it off SHIELD's files, and I'd like to keep it that way." His tone made it clear that this was a sanctuary for him, a place untouched by the battles they fought......

I found Loki standing alone on the porch, staring out into the distance. There was a stillness about him, a quiet tension that spoke of battles fought and fears left unspoken. I walked up to him, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest.

"Loki?" I called softly, reaching out to run my hand over his shoulder. He didn't turn, but I could see the tightness in his posture. "You okay?" I asked, gently turning him to face me.

He offered a small, tight-lipped smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine," he said, though his voice was strained, and I could feel the lie behind his words.

I wasn't about to let him shut me out. "No, you're not," I said firmly, searching his eyes for the truth. "What did you see?"

He hesitated, his gaze dropping to the ground before he finally whispered, "Thanos."

My heart sank. Of course, it was Thanos. That name alone carried so much weight, so much terror. "You'll never not be afraid of him," I said softly, brushing my thumb across his cheek, feeling the tension beneath his skin. "But you need to realize that right now, you're safe." I cupped his face, forcing him to look at me. "You're not alone, Loki. You're part of our little Avenger group," I added with a small giggle, trying to lighten the mood.

His smile returned, warmer this time. "I know," he replied, his voice softening as he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "It's nice being a part of something." His gesture was tender, and for a moment, the weight of the universe seemed to lift from our shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. "You were out longer than the rest of us."

I laughed, trying to shake off the lingering unease. "Well, she made me run a lot in my dream. I must have been more tired than I thought." I could see the worry in his eyes, but I didn't want him to dwell on it. "I'm okay," I assured him, leaning into his touch......

Later, I found a quiet corner to sit and process everything that had happened. The world was moving so fast around me, and I felt like I was just barely keeping up. That's when Fury found me.

"Hey, Fury," I greeted, trying to muster a smile.

"I guess you knew I was coming," he said, sitting down beside me with a sigh. "You okay?"

"Yep," I replied, though my voice lacked conviction. "Just in a bit of a depressed state, but I'll be fine. The others have it worse than me." I tried to shrug it off, but Fury wasn't buying it.

He studied me for a moment before asking, "Want to talk about it?"

"Eh, not really," I admitted. "I've come to terms with it. It's like being told your dog died when you already knew it was gone. Still a little shaken, but I'll be okay." I forced a smile, hoping to convince both of us. "Have you talked to Stark yet?" I asked, changing the subject.

Fury shook his head. "No, but it sounds like he might need a therapist more than you do."

I chuckled softly. "Stark needing a therapist. No way."

There was a pause, a heavy silence that seemed to hang between us. I knew I had to tell him, but the words felt like they were stuck in my throat.

"Fury," I began, my voice hesitant.

He looked at me, his expression shifting to one of concern. "I don't like that voice. Did your dog actually die?"

I laughed, though it was tinged with sadness. "I don't have a dog," I replied, the weight of what I needed to say pressing down on me. "But I do need to tell you something. I'll tell the team after this mess is over."

Fury's expression turned serious. "Is the world going to explode next? Because I really don't like your voice."

"No, the world isn't going to explode," I sighed, trying to find the right words. "Remember I said I was from the future?" He nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened. "Well, when I said that, I meant my consciousness, not this body."

Fury's brows furrowed in confusion. "I figured something like that, especially since you've been friends with Thor for so long."

I nodded, grateful he was following. "In the future, I got into an accident. At the same time, this girl—Meredith—also got into an accident, and we both ended up in comas. Somehow, our minds swapped bodies, and I'm guessing I woke up first because I was in Asgard, where they had better medical knowledge."

Fury's tone grew more serious. "Get to the point, Miranda."

"When Ultron first appeared, I fainted and got a glimpse of the hospital room where my real body is. I asked a sorceress I know, and she told me that Meredith is waking up. When she does, our minds will correct themselves and switch back," I explained, watching as Fury's expression shifted from concern to alarm.

"So what? At any moment, you could just leave?" he asked, his voice tight.

I nodded, feeling the weight of those words settle over me. "The universe corrects itself. I don't know when it will happen, but if she's waking from her coma, it'll be soon."

"Can you come back? There has to be a way back," he insisted, his voice rising in intensity.

I shook my head, feeling a pang of guilt. "I can't come back here. That's impossible," I said with a sad laugh. "You just have to accept it."

"No," Fury said, his voice laced with frustration. "I don't bring people into my life easily. You can't just... disappear."

"Fury, stop," I said softly, but he wasn't having it. "I have helped all I can," I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'll tell you what's to come in the future in case I leave before then. But there is absolutely no way I can stay. This isn't even my life."

"But it's our life. You've rooted yourself with us. This team. Me. Phil," he said, his voice getting more intense.

"No, stop making this harder than it is," I replied, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. "It's not like I want to leave. I have no choice."

Fury stared at me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hope. "Are you positive?" I nodded, and he sighed, the fight leaving him. "I will miss you. You are a very strange and headstrong girl," he said with a sad smile.

I returned the smile, though it was bittersweet. "Maybe I'll see you again. How far into the future are you?"

I laughed, though it felt hollow. "Far enough that they've made movies of all the major events I've warned you about."

Fury's eyes widened in surprise. "Movies? About the Avengers?"

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, my future visions are based on documentaries.".....

"This framework is not compatible," Tony muttered, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he tried to force the program to work. I watched from the side, waiting for the inevitable moment when everything would go wrong.

"Genetic coding is at 97%. You've got to upload the schematic in the next three minutes," Banner said, checking the connections to Vision's case.

"I'm going to say this once," Cap announced, walking in with the twins at his side.

"How about nunce?" Tony quipped, not even looking up.

"Shut it down!" Cap ordered, his voice stern.

"Nope, not going to happen," Tony replied, his tone defiant.

"You don't know what you're doing," Cap insisted, stepping closer.

"And you do? She's not in your head?" Banner pointed to Wanda, his voice edged with frustration.

"I know you're angry," Wanda said, stepping out from behind Cap, her voice calm but firm.

"Oh, we're way past angry. I could choke the life out of you and never change a shade," Banner snapped.

The tension in the room was thick, each word a spark threatening to ignite the powder keg. After some more heated exchanges, Pietro sped over and unplugged the machines, causing a power failure. The room erupted into chaos. Cap attacked Tony with his shield, and Banner tried to hold back Wanda, but it was no use. Tony hit Steve with a blast and then suited up in his Iron Man armor. The room was a blur of motion and noise as Thor stormed in, gathering lightning to power the machine himself.

Then, it happened. Vision burst out of the containment unit, his eyes wide as he took in his surroundings. For a moment, everyone froze, the tension at its peak.

Vision looked at himself, then at Thor, before lunging forward. Thor, quick to react, threw Vision toward the window, where he paused, staring out at the world below. Slowly, he turned around, a look of realization crossing his face. "I'm sorry, that was... odd," Vision said, his voice soft as he looked at Thor. "Thank you." Then, with a thought, Vision created a cape, a nod to Thor's influence.

"Thor, you helped create this?" Cap asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

"I've had a vision," Thor replied, his voice grave. "A whirlpool that sucks in all hope of life, and in the center is that." He pointed to the Mind Stone embedded in Vision's forehead. "The Mind Stone—one of the six Infinity Stones, the greatest power in the universe, unparalleled in destructive capabilities."

Cap tried to ask another question, but Thor cut him off. "Stark's right," he said, his voice firm.

Suddenly, a familiar ringing filled my ears, and I knew what was coming. "Pietro," I called, my voice trembling. In an instant, he was beside me, a gust of wind signaling his arrival. "Get me out of here," I whispered urgently, the ringing growing louder. Pietro picked me up, moving us away from the chaos with lightning speed. He set me down in a chair, his lips moving, but I couldn't hear him over the noise in my head. "Wear a vest," I managed to say, my vision blurring. "Promise you'll wear a vest."

The sound of a heart monitor beeped in my ears, and suddenly, I could smell the sterile scent of a hospital. No. I didn't want to be here. I wanted to go back.

"Hey? You have to wake up. Cars are piling up, and I lost my best worker," a voice called, distant but familiar. No, I wanted to go back.

"Boss, do you think she can hear us?" another voice asked. Mat. It was Mat.

"It looks like her eyes are moving," someone said, and I felt my eyelid being lifted. Through the haze, I saw my boss staring down at me.

"Boss, you can't just open her eyes," Mat scolded, moving Boss's hand away.

"Don't you think we should tell someone her eye was moving?" Boss asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Maybe. I'm not a medic; I'm a mecha—" Mat's voice trailed off as I felt myself being pulled back.

Suddenly, I was back in my room, Loki standing beside me.

"Hey," I said, my voice weak as I looked up at him. He turned to me, his expression a mix of relief and worry. "When did you get here?"

"Whenever I saw you zoom out of the room with Pietro," he replied, his tone soft but questioning. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you?"

"Later," I said, not ready to dive into the truth just yet. "It's not a big thing. Something small. Where is everyone?"

"Getting ready to go to Sokovia," he answered, his voice edged with concern. I sat up, my resolve hardening. "No. You are staying here. You were unconscious for an hour," Loki said, his voice firm.

"Which means I am well rested," I countered, standing up and heading to my closet. "I am going, and you will not stop me." I grabbed my gear, trying to project confidence even though I felt anything but. "I'll be fine, Loki. As long as you don't get hurt," I added with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

"Why do you have to be so headstrong and so calm in the face of battle?" he asked, his voice filled with exasperation as he walked over and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Are you even real?"

I gently pushed him away, chuckling. "You're trying to stall so I miss the jet, and I don't appreciate it, Loki," I teased, though I could see the worry etched on his face. "Now get out so I can change."

Loki rolled his eyes, but there was a soft smile on his lips. "Fine," he relented, leaning in to kiss me before heading out the door.

As I prepared for the battle ahead, I couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. But I knew one thing for sure—I wasn't going to back down. Not now, not ever.

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