Proven

Part 4

Tony Stark's funeral - five years later

For a handful of times in her life, Carol Danvers felt alone. She was among the many people whose lives were touched by Tony Stark. Now that number had been increased to the population of the universe, thanks to Tony's final sacrifice. She knew some of them here, fought with them on the battlefield, but she still felt distant from them. She hadn't always felt like an outcast. There was a time in her life when she was the life of the party. She and Maria Rambeau. The Trouble Twins, as they were dubbed in their days in the Air Force.

That life itself was distant to Carol.

Carol watched as they all consoled one another. It was strange how one death brought people closer. Tony affected people that way anyway. Her thoughts ran to her own team far away in another galaxy. They had been brought back courtesy of the first snap by Bruce Banner, along with half the population of the galaxy. If Thanos had his way this time around, he would have obliterated the entire population of the universe. Tony put a wrench in that plan. And all was right again. Or close enough. Now, Thanos himself had been whisked away out of existence.

And the universe was saved.

Yet, Carol couldn't help thinking that Tony wouldn't have needed to sacrifice himself if only she could have stopped Thanos. She had their fight on permanent replay since it happened. She counted many moves she could have made or shouldn't have made that would make the result different. Yet, no matter how many she counted, it was all too late now.

As if it was his mission to interrupt her thoughts, Nick Fury approached her. No smile. Same stoic expression. Different eye patch. She wondered why he never got that repaired.

He spoke to her. "Hey, Ms. Danvers."

"Hey, Nicholas Joseph Fury. Goose says hi, by the way." She grinned too widely.

He winced and shot back, "You know that kind of talk in front of me can get you killed."

"You can try."

His expression softened. His bluff was called. Danvers always could. "You look too deep in thought."

She looked away to the crowd inside the home. "I'm fine. Just recuperating from the battle. We didn't get to talk much at the debriefing."

"We didn't have to. Your body language alone screams out depression. Though, I don't know what you'd be depressed about since you helped save the universe."

"That was Tony Stark. And now I'm among people who were closer to him than I ever could. It's interesting that I may have learned all I needed to know about him in his final act."

Fury scoffed. "Please, that only covers New Tony. The one with a wife and daughter. Fifteen years ago, Old Tony would never have been capable of making that decision. He would have chosen an expensive Scotch and any number of attractive women first."

"Amazing how time changes people."

"Yeah, time and big ass Titan with all powerful stones that can wish away half the beings in the universe. And you know it also affects people who don't come around their home after decades and the only communication is an intergalactic pager."

Carol cracked a smile but didn't look at him. Fury's typical attempt to open up an unwanted subject. She didn't bite. She was still one of the few who didn't. She explained, "Well, the pager had been tinkered with five years ago by a certain raccoon."

"Maybe I won't need it now that you're here. Or I could call your own team now. Have you spoken to them?"

Carol moved forward to walk toward the exit of the house and Fury walked beside her. She could detect her voice almost cracking when she said, "I did speak to them. They're all back. It's been five years since I've heard their voices. They're all eager to get back to work, like nothing happened for five years. They don't remember what happened. They returned on Knowhere, the last place I saw them before they vanished." As they left the house and walked onto the lawn, she asked him, "I didn't get to ask you. Where did you return? Most returned in Wakanda or Titan."

"New York. It was strange. I remember the effects of the snap. Cars were crashing and a helicopter smashed into a building, all because there was suddenly no driver or pilot. Then Agent Hill turned to dust. Then me. But not before I could activate a certain pager. The next thing I knew, I was on the streets of New York again, but Strange was there with his sparkly portal thing saying the Avengers need help. I was on the edge of that battle and I'm glad I missed it."

"I wish I could have."

"I understand you went toe to toe with the enemy."

"I almost stopped him, Fury. He couldn't touch me. He resorted to using an Infinity Stone against me. I should have seen that coming."

Fury nodded. "Hence, your depression." She stayed silent as they stopped in a field of grass and trees nearby a lake. They were quite a distance from the funeral crowd now. Fury changed the subject again, this time less deviously.

"I assume you will be taking off and getting back to your galaxy shortly."

She paused and said, "No. I think I'll be staying longer. There's a couple here who I haven't seen in a while."

"Uh huh. And I'm guessing one of them makes a killer pot of gumbo."

She smiled at him. "You know it. Although, her best dish is her jambalaya. You know, I've been to countless planets over the years and ate many dishes on each one. But I still miss the food here."

"Food always tastes the best when you're home."

"Right on, Secret Agent Man." She paused and scowled. "You're not going to start singing, are you?"

He laughed. "No, my singing days were over years ago."

She deadpanned, "The universe is saved again."

They both allowed a space of silence pass before Fury spoke to her. "You know, Carol, you may have more friends now than you ever did. And I can guarantee that none of them blame you for Tony's death."

"I do."

"Girl, get off your damn high horse! You went out of your way into space to track down the ship with Tony and that blue android girl. You brought him back here to his team and, more importantly, to his future wife. He now has a daughter because of you. Put another way, you don't bring him back, we're doing this funeral five years earlier. And if that would have happened, then none of the disappeared come back, including your truly. Stop thinking of what could have been and focus on what is."

Carol soaked in his words. She forced a smile and said, "I...I never thought of it that way."

"Of course not. You keep thinking that everything is your responsibility. Regardless of your team in your galaxy, you're too used to doing everything alone. Now you have the Avengers, which, I may add, I named after you. See, your all mighty power is an asset but it's also your weakness. It's made your ego not believe that there are those around you that are willing to help at all costs. That is the true power."

Carol's eyes watered at realizing he was right. Instead of showing her emotion, she joked, "Being non-existent for five years has made you insightful."

Fury scoffed, "Who says I wasn't like that all along?"

Carol smiled and turned her head away from the view of birds flying out of the trees to the crowd at the funeral. She spotted in a tight group, Captain America, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Clint "Hawkeye" Barton, and Thor. All of them fought well on the battlefield. At the moment, their battle tactics were the farthest from their minds. She wondered if they believed she was the cause of Tony's death. She scanned the crowd and spotted Wanda Maximoff speaking with Pepper Potts Stark. Both of them also fought in the battle. She had met Pepper briefly five years ago when she brought back Tony from space. She had been so grateful to her. And Wanda. Carol witnessed her power on the battlefield and it was impressive to say the least. Perhaps it was equal or even stronger than her own. They both got their powers from an Infinity Stone, after all. Carol could imagine all of them dropping everything to help in a fight against the Earth or its people. And just like they all did against Thanos, they fought together. And like Tony said five years ago, they would lose together.

She spoke to Fury. "Something I wanted to talk to you about since the battle. I'd like to create a team for off world. Based around other galaxies. I've seen the way your Avengers fought and they're impressive. My team is great, but they're not military and they don't possess any kind of powers. And they lack the experience that the Avengers have. You're right. On most of our missions, I end up doing most of the work. Not that I care, as you know. I love doing it. Maybe too much. But like you said, I don't have to do it all on my own."

Fury followed her gaze to the group of original Avengers. "I doubt any of them would volunteer."

"Doesn't have to be them. I fought alongside some of the women. They protected me while trying to get the glove to the time machine. Wanda Maximoff, Valkyrie from Asgard, Okoye from Wakanda. Wanda, especially is powerful."

Fury chuckled. "I feel sorry for anyone going against you and Maximoff." Fury reflected a moment and said, "Avengers in space. That would be a force to be reckoned with. I'll feel around for recruits. Get back with you, now that we have a more reliable communicator."

She cracked a smile before a gang of three kids of various ages came running up to her. The teenage girl spoke first. "Hi, I'm Lila Barton. These are my brothers, Cooper and Nathaniel. Our dad, Clint...Hawkeye, told us about you."

"Did he?"

The smallest boy Nathaniel burst out with, "Are you the Glowing Lady?"

Carol gave Fury a sardonic look. "Told you I have too many names."

"Looks like we can add another," Fury joked.

Lila told her brother, "No, dummy, she's a Captain."

"Actually, you can call me Carol."

The older son named Cooper said, "Dad told us you took out a whole mothership with no weapons."

"That's just it, kid. I am the weapon. Cool, huh?"

"Yeah. Can we see it?" Cooper pleaded. "Your power."

"Yes, that would be awesome," said Lila.

Carol stated, "Guys, don't you think this time and place may be a bit inappropriate?"

Lila looked at the crowd. "We're far enough away. And they're not looking."

Cooper said, "And Uncle Tony would understand."

That remark hit Carol with a strange mix of remorse and anticipation of a challenge. Carol looked back at the crowd herself. None of them were paying any attention to them. Carol then looked around for a target, something further away. She found a rotting stump of a former tree near the bank of the lake. She raised her arm and fired a photon blast at it. It was destroyed within seconds. Pieces of rotten wood flew into the air and landed with several thumps. And rather loudly.

The kids were all screaming their approval and awe at the show of Captain Marvel's power. Meanwhile, the crowd at the funeral were also exclaiming startling cries of panic at hearing and seeing the blast. The group of Avengers were now heading towards her and Fury.

Fury noted, "You really know how to make an impression, Captain Marvel."

Carol ignored him and addressed the kids. "All right, guys. Demonstration's over." As the kids scurried away, Carol watched as the Avengers edged closer. She uttered, "I think I may be in trouble."

"Wouldn't be the first time," Fury quipped.

When the group stopped in front of her and Fury, Steve asked, "Danvers. Are we now taking out Evil tree stumps?"

Carol replied sheepishly, "Just using it for target practice."

Rhodey said in mock seriousness, "Tony loved that stump."

Clint was more direct. "Let me guess. Team Barton persuaded you to show off."

Carol shot back, "What? They wanted a demonstration. What was I supposed to do? Disappoint them?"

Rhodey uttered, "And lo, the spirit of Tony Stark lives on."

Thor added, "It was an impressive strike."

Clint shook his head and said, "If it's any consolation, Carol, my kids did the same thing to Wanda when they first met her."

Rhodey told him, "Maybe you should sell us short when you brag about us to your kids." Clint gave an innocent shrug.

Carol finally said, "Look, I'm sorry. I knew it would be inappropriate. But..." She trailed off.

Steve finished for her. "You saw it as a challenge to your abilities. Fittingly, that is the most Tony Stark thing you could have done. He would approve."

Clint muttered, "So would Nat. She'd be egging you on along with the kids."

Steve chuckled. "Yeah, she liked to rock the boat."

Thor said to Carol, "I believe you've proven yourself an Avenger, Captain."

Clint asked, "Does that mean she's worthy?"

Thor paused and said, "Perhaps." He glanced at Carol. "You're not touching my hammer, though."

"Won't need it," she answered. "As for the Avenger title, you guys do know it was mine before any of you decided to join." She nudged Fury. "Someone lent out my call sign out without my permission."

"Hey, you were all busy with your space duties."

She looked down and reflected sadly. "Yeah well, that name belongs to someone who doesn't exist anymore."

Steve suggested, "Maybe the Avenger name could have a different meaning now?"

After Carol shrugged, Rhodey said, "Guess I can't call you New Girl anymore. You're part of the team."

"Great," she said. "Is there a ceremony? A ritual? Please tell me there's no hazing initiation."

Thor replied, "You obliterated Thanos' ship in two strikes. And you fought him and almost won if he hadn't cheated with the Power Stone. That's your initiation."

She hesitated to mention it, but felt she had to know. "If I had defeated him, Tony would still be here today."

Steve snapped, "Don't do that, Carol. You did nothing wrong. It was Tony's choice."

Clint added, "And as it happens, it was destined. Strange said Tony's sacrifice was the one scenario out of millions where we would win."

Steve said, "So, yeah, you are officially an Avenger, Captain Marvel."

"Looking forward to it."

Rhodey injected, "Except for one thing. You need a tagline. All superheroes have at least one."

Steve gave him a sideways glance. "What are you talking about?"

Rhodey looked back at Steve and said, "What am I talking about? I can do this all day."

Clint said, "Language!"

Steve laughed. "All right, all right."

"Boom!" said Rhodey. "That's mine."

"God of thunder," Thor roared.

Rhodey said, "Funny, I thought yours was Where's the beer?"

"Not anymore." Thor paused. "Not for at least a few weeks anyway."

Clint said, "I never had a tagline."

Fury leaned into him and cried, "Please, should I remind you about Budapest?" Clint nodded.

Carol finally said, "Guess I can't take I am Iron Man."

They all fell silent before Steve said softly, "No, that one is pretty much taken."

Carol then said, "I was kidding. I'd never take that. But finding one for me is easy. Higher, further, faster!"

They all nodded and smiled in approval.

Thor cried, "I like it!"

THE END