Shadows of the Past

"Boss, we've found the Blue Sister."

Friday's voice suddenly emerged, and a holographic projection was displayed in front of everyone. In the projection, Nebula was seen moving swiftly and purposefully, her expression calm and collected, like a seasoned, battle-hardened agent who had been lying in wait for a long time.

The moment the Avengers saw this, they instantly realized that something was wrong with this Nebula. Considering that she was the daughter of Thanos, who knew what might have happened to her during time travel? For all they knew, Thanos himself could show up at any moment.

With this thought, the superheroes all tightened their grips on their weapons, preparing for battle.

"Friday, analyze her target," Tony Stark said grimly, staring at the hologram.

This world's Nebula had spent considerable time drifting through space with him, even saving his life during that period. To him, she was someone he trusted deeply. He never imagined that she would malfunction at such a critical moment!

If not for Ned's warning, which prompted him to be extra cautious, the consequences would've been unthinkable.

"Boss, her target is the time machine!"

As Friday's voice delivered this news, a map of Nebula's route was also projected.

"I'll go stop her!"

Tony, seeing this, wasted no time. His nano-suit instantly enveloped him, and he dashed out of the room toward Nebula.

"I'm going too!"

Rocket Raccoon's teammates had all perished from Thanos' snap. For him, Nebula was likely the only close connection he had left.

Seeing Nebula acting out, with the possibility of being killed by Iron Man on the spot, Rocket couldn't just stand by. At the very least, he had to figure out why she was betraying them.

"I'll take you there!"

Thor, who had forged Stormbreaker with Rocket, couldn't rest easy seeing him heading out alone. Without hesitation, he grabbed Rocket and charged toward Nebula's location shown on the hologram.

The remaining Avengers exchanged glances. With both Thor and Iron Man on the move, they figured Nebula couldn't cause much trouble alone. However, since they knew little about Nebula, they all turned to Captain America, who seemed to have some unique intel.

Seeing everyone's gaze on him, Steve Rogers thought for a moment before saying, "We don't have a choice. No matter what, the snap to save everyone cannot be delayed."

As he spoke, Steve scanned the group, identifying Bruce Banner as the one with the strongest physique among them.

When Bruce noticed Steve looking his way, he stepped forward. "The energy from these stones is primarily gamma radiation. It's almost like… this is my purpose."

As he spoke, Bruce recalled the words the Ancient One had told him earlier: "It's up to you, Bruce. Everything depends on you."

Strengthened by her encouragement, he approached the gauntlet with determination. Under everyone's anxious gaze, Bruce picked up the gauntlet and slid it onto his hand. As it approached, the gauntlet expanded to fit his size.

The moment it made contact, a surge of multicolored energy erupted from the gauntlet, flowing rapidly into Bruce's right arm. The overwhelming power instantly caused his arm to smolder, and the energy, bright and dazzling, began to scorch his body. Before long, his arm started to char.

"AHHHHHHH!"

Amid his agonized screams, Bruce raised his arm high and, finally—snap—a metallic clang echoed as he performed the snap that carried everyone's hope.

After the sound of the snap, Bruce's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the floor, the gauntlet slipping off his charred hand.

"Bruce!"

The Avengers rushed to his side. Hawkeye, quick to act, kicked the gauntlet aside to prevent any further accidents.

Meanwhile, Nebula had reached the time machine and was unwrapping the bandages around her hand, preparing to insert it into the machine.

"Blue Sister!"

Tony Stark arrived just in time to see this scene. Instinctively, he raised his palm, preparing to fire a repulsor blast to knock her away. However, considering their past, he hesitated and instead shouted, "Stop!"

The alternate Nebula, unaffected by Stark's command, pressed on. She inserted her cybernetic fingers into the time machine, activating it immediately.

With a surge of quantum energy, a massive spaceship emerged from the portal, tearing a gaping hole in the Avengers compound's ceiling before hovering ominously in the air.

"Shit!"

Inside his suit, Tony Stark cursed under his breath, realizing he had underestimated how quickly Nebula could activate the machine. He also felt a strange unease, as if something had momentarily influenced him, causing him to hesitate earlier.

"Stark! What's going on?"

Thor and Rocket Raccoon arrived shortly after, staring at the massive hole above them with grim expressions.

Nebula, now unconcerned, removed her disguise and glared at the three of them with murderous intent.

"You… you're not Nebula!" Rocket suddenly exclaimed, "No, you're the old Nebula!"

From the moment he arrived, Rocket had been observing Nebula closely. Based on what he knew of her, she shouldn't still be loyal to Thanos. But now, seeing her discard her disguise and radiate her old hostility, Rocket was instantly reminded of the Nebula who had once opposed them.

"The old Nebula?"

Tony Stark quickly pieced things together upon hearing Rocket's words. Without further hesitation, his chest-mounted unibeam fired, blasting a gaping hole through Nebula's torso, killing her instantly.

"Everyone," Stark said over the comms, "get ready for battle. It's coming!"

BOOM!

Before Stark's words could fully register, Thanos' ship began its assault, unleashing a barrage of firepower that reduced the Avengers compound to rubble.

Amidst the destruction, the first to emerge from the debris were the three core Avengers and Rocket, standing together and staring at the looming figure of Thanos seated nearby.

"So, in the end, we still have to face him?" Tony Stark murmured, gazing at the purple figure that had haunted his nightmares.

"It's just one more swing of Stormbreaker," Thor replied coldly, his demeanor devoid of the previous defeatism.

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