Avengers Compound, Earth-66
Afternoon
Barry was walking down the hall, passing the armory when he heard someone moving around. Peaking inside, he saw Frank loading up a riffle with ammo.
"There are spare pistols in the weapons cabinet," Barry said and Frank looked up. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. If you're looking for weapons, there are more pistols in the weapons cabinet."
"Thanks kid, but I've got all the weapons I need," Frank said as he put the rifle down. "Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot. Not literally, of course," Barry joked but Frank didn't smile.
"You're from this Earth-1. And when you walked in here, you seemed like you knew me. There's a Frank Castle on your earth, isn't there?" Frank asked and Barry nodded.
"Yeah, there is. You actually remind me a lot of him," Barry admitted.
"So you two were friends?" Frank asked and Barry laughed.
"I wouldn't say we were friends. We took a prison back from a psychopath who let all the prisoners loose, never saw him again," Barry said and Frank nodded.
"What's his story?" Frank inquired.
"His family was murdered in gang violence, he declared war on all criminals, killed them ruthlessly and without mercy. Was caught by an organization called Argus, my earth's SHIELD, and held in a prison designed to hold the most dangerous criminals. Was pulled out for a mission, went rogue, escaped, helped out a friend of mine in a tight spot before he disappeared. Rest is all rumors," Barry said and Frank sighed.
"Guess some things are universal," Frank said sadly and Barry stared at him.
"You lost your family to?" Barry questioned and Frank nodded.
"His story is almost exactly like mine, almost exactly," Frank said before he looked up at Barry. "So this Thawne guy, what's his deal?"
"He's a psychopath who lives to torture me," Barry said bitterly. "He's from the future and he hates me because he couldn't be me. He killed my mom when I was a kid. You wanna know why? Because he couldn't kill me."
"That's rough kid," Frank said and Barry laughed humorlessly.
"Yeah, that's one word for it. But he's also the one who gave me my powers. In a lot of ways, he turned me into The Flash," Barry sighed.
"That's bullshit kid," Frank said, surprising Barry. "There was a time when, if you'd asked me, I would've told you I was like anyone else before I lost my family. That when I lost them, I became something different. That I become someone else, something else. Then one night, sitting by wife's grave, I realized…this was always who I was. And whoever you are now, it's who you always were; Thawne didn't turn you into it. Maybe you got a little angrier, a little softer or whatever shit it is. But this is always who you were, deep down."
Frank then picked up his trench coat and put it on before grabbing his rifle. He walked off, leaving Barry to muse on Frank's words for a few moments before he turned and walked off after Frank.
He and Frank joined the others in the briefing room, Steve Clint, and Fate stood at the front of the room in front of two holographic scenes. One had a three dimensional layout of Thanos' gauntlet while the other had a picture of Clint's family, probably taken before The Accords situation, given Nate looked to still be a toddler.
"Alright, we have a plan," Steve said as they all straightened, feeling the weight of what was about to happen. "Two teams, two missions, one shot."
A little later, they all stood in the training room. Steve, Tony, Thor, Fate, Caitlin, Bruce, Frank, Rhodey, Nebula, and Rocket stood in one group while Barry, Clint, Freya, Natasha, Bobbi, Mack, Matt and Scott stood together. Cassie stood in the doorway, peaking her head in despite her daddy telling her he'd be back later. Fury stood behind her, a sense of pride filling him as Steve started.
"Last time we faced Thanos, we lost. All of us. We lost friends. We lost family. We lost a part of ourselves. Now, we have a chance to take it all back and keep what we still have," Steve said, glancing over at Barry and Clint before moving his gaze around the room. "Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives and we're gonna win. Whatever it takes. Good luck."
"He's pretty good at that," Rocket said to no one in particular once Steve was finished.
"I know right?" Tony chuckled.
Then, the time for talking was over. Tony and Rhodey lowered their face plates as Scott put on his helmet. Caitlin closed her eyes as her hair turned pure white and she opened her eyes to reveal glowing blue orbs. Bruce groaned as his skin turned green and his body increased in muscle mass and height. His shirt shredded and his jeans stretched as the Hulk took over, unleashing a roar that shook the building. Finally, Barry clenched his fist, activating the ring. His suit flew out and Barry used super speed, quickly putting it on.
"Wow, who made this?" Barry asked in awe as he looked at his suit.
"Fitz. Its bullet proof, has an electrical interface that will ward off psychic attacks, plus night vision and thermal scanning," Freya listed, impressing Barry.
"Okay, enough chit chat, time to go," Clint said, pulling out an extrapolator and activating it.
A breach opened up behind them as Fate waved him hand, opening up another portal.
"See you in a minute," Natasha said with a smirk at Steve, who merely smiled before the two groups each entered their respective portals.
New Titan
The group exited Fate's portal, which closed behind them. They looked around at the planet in a little confusion.
"Are we in the right place?" Rhodey asked wearily.
"We are," Nebula confirmed grimly.
"Thanos should be just up ahead," Fate assured them. "I will not be much use in this fight. I must save my strength to create another portal."
"You've done more than enough, we'll handle it from here," Steve assured him.
"Do not kill him, only get the stones," Fate warned them.
"Let me guess, we try and kill him and we create a future that kicks off the zombie apocalypse," Tony said only half joking.
"There is only one future in which Thanos is defeated. Get the stones, bring everyone back, then face Thanos together, as you always should have," Fate ordered.
"Yeah yeah yeah, are we gonna do this or what?" Rocket asked as he notched his weapon.
"Let's get this son of a bitch," Frank said darkly.
No further words were shared as Fate lingered behind them, the others walking ahead. It wasn't long before they came upon a wooden house that didn't look very big for someone of Thanos' size. And sitting on the front porch, a double edged sword stabbed into the ground near him was Thanos, eying them calmly.
"You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me," Thanos said in greeting as he got to his feet. "I thought that by wiping out half of all life, the other half would thrive. But you've shown me that's impossible. As long as there are those who remember what was, there will always be those who are unable to accept what can be. They will resist."
"Yeah, we're all kinds of stubborn," Tony quipped.
"I'm thankful. Because now-"
"Can we skip the part where you go on your little monologue? Not in the mood to hear you go on about your master plan," Frank said, cocking his gun and Thanos smiled thinly.
"Castle," Thanos greeted him, stunning them all.
"You know me?" Frank asked.
"I do. The man who unleashes terror and death on those he deems unworthy of living and calls it heroism," Thanos noted and Frank sneered.
"You murdered trillions and you think you're better than me?" Frank asked angrily.
"No. We are the same, you and I. Both products of a universe that needs correcting. And I am the only one who can correct it. I am inevitable," Thanos said as he moved to snap his fingers.
However, his hand was suddenly in a vice like grip, the gauntlet glowing gold.
"Get the stones, I cannot hold him for long," Fate said, his hands glowing and they could hear the strain in his voice.
Needing no further prompting, The Avengers lunged for Thanos. However, Thanos was able to break free of Fate's magic and used the Power Stone, sending a powerful blast at them. Thor used Stormbreaker to cut through the beam, throwing his weapon. As the lightning charged weapon cut through the energy, Thanos dodged the weapon, Stormbreaker flying inches away from his arm.
"You keep missing," Thanos said smugly and Thor glowered at him. "And none of you can stop me."
To the horror of The Avengers, he snapped his fingers. But, to the confusion of everyone, nothing happened. Thanos looked down at his gauntlet and saw, to his shock, the Mind Stone was missing
"Looking for this?" Fate asked, holding up his hand, holding the Mind Stone. "You won't be getting it back."
Central City, Earth-1
Same time
Thawne entered the room and caused Joe, Wally, Laura and the kids to glare at him.
"Where's my granddaughter? What did you do with her?!" Joe demanded.
"I wouldn't worry about her Joe, I'd worry about yourself," Thawne said, raising his hand, the room growing deathly quiet as his hand vibrating. "You know, every time you looked at me, judged me, I wanted to shove my hand through your chest. I guess some dreams do come true."
Before Thawne cold make a move, there was a gust of wind in the room. The air suddenly shifted and Thawne started laughing maniacally. He stopped vibrating his hand and lowered it to his side, turning around. Barry stood a few feet from him, his sword in hand.
"I should have known you'd be here to stop me. I heard you'd gotten a new toy," Thawne said gleefully as he eyed Barry's sword. "How did you find out where I was holding them?"
"I have eyes and ears everywhere," Barry said vaguely.
Wally felt something crawling on him and looked down. Scott, shrunken down, was climbing up Wally's suit. Once he reached Wally's neck, he placed a finger in front of his helmet, signaling that Wally be quiet before he started trying to get the collar off.
"You really are an ego maniac Thawne. I mean, holding them at the house you lived in as Harrison Wells?" Barry asked, trying to keep Thawne's attention on him. "Speaking of-"
"Do you like my face?" Thawne asked with a smirk.
"It's the face you were wearing when I became The Flash," Barry noted.
"I thought I'd put it on again, for old times' sake. Plus, handsome," Thawne said smugly.
"Sara told me you were killed by some Speedster grim reaper. How are you still alive?" Barry demanded and Thawne chuckled in a way that sent chills down the spines of everyone else.
"Shortly after I became the Reverse Flash, I discovered the existence of another energy force. The Negative Speed Force. It's the pathway to many abilities that you would call unnatural," Thawne suddenly chuckled. "Cisco would probably hate that I used a Star Wars reference. Just like us, The Negative Speed Force is the opposite of the Speed Force. It siphons off energy from the Speed Force and uses Negative Tachyons. By harnessing its power, I'm able to escape death. Only one person can kill me, someone who has true mastery over the Speed Force. And you won't do it."
"You sure about that?" Barry asked lowly.
"Oh I know it. I created you, you are who you are because I made you," Thawne said confidently.
"That's where you're wrong Thawne. Whoever am now, it's who I always was, not who you turned me into," Barry said, remembering Frank's words from earlier.
"Man, this guy sure loves to hear himself talk," Mack muttered over the Comms.
"Scott, where are you on Wally's collar?" Natasha inquired.
"Almost there, just need a little more time," Scott said as quietly as he could, trying not to alert Thane to his presence.
"Barry, we've searched the house top to bottom and I've listened. Your daughter isn't here," Matt said and Barry frowned, displeased.
"Got it!" Scott shouted victoriously as the collar around Wally's neck came opened with a snap.
Wally gasped as he felt the Speed Force flow through him once more. Thawne whirled around as Wally, with his powers returned, vibrated his hands and hardened them, breaking the ropes around his hands as Scott enlarged himself, returning to normal size.
"You brought a friend," Thawne noted as he regarded Scott. "The odds don't seem fair."
Thawne suddenly vibrated his body, his eyes glowing red. With a roar, several more Thawnes emerged from him, surrounding the room.
"Now that feels better," Thawne said with a smirk. "You should have brought more friends Barry."
"Yeah, he's right. We should have thought of that Scott," Barry said with such calm it surprised everyone but Scott.
"Yeah, we should have," Scott played along before he seemed to 'remember' something. "Oh wait! We did!"
Silent as shadows, they entered the room. Natasha and Matt jumped down, Natasha pulling out a pistol while Matt brought out his Billy Clubs. Clint and Bobbi followed, Clint with his bow and arrow and Bobbi with her Battle Shaves, Mack following behind with his Shotgun Axe. Finally, Freya entered the room, her eyes glowing red as she glared at Thawne.
"You've brought a lot of friends it seems," Thawne noted as he eyed them all. "Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff, Bobbi Morse, Alphonso Mackenzie, Matt Murdock, Scott Lang. The only one I don't know is the girl who keeps glowing at me with those glowing eyes."
"You took everything from me," Freya snarled, her hands crackling with energy. "You and Thanos."
"I don't even know who you are," Thawne said, sounding bored.
"Shouldn't have said that douchebag," Clint said as he saw the look of pure rage, so much like her mother's, cross Freya's face.
"You will," Freya hissed before she sent a blast of energy at Thawne.
New Titan
Same time
Thor was blasted back by a beam from the Power Stone and, as he landed on the ground, Thanos turned his attention to Fate.
"You could have taken all of them, yet you only took one. Your powers are limited wizard," Thanos as he began moving towards Fate. "You made a mistake coming here."
Before he could get far, he was hit with a blast of ice. Thanos stepped back, half blind as Frost neared him, blasting him with ice.
"No, you made a mistake when you murdered our friends," Frost sneered, hitting with everything she had.
With a snarl of rage, Thanos used the Reality Stone to turn it all to water. Frost barely has time to process this before Thanos was lifting her up, squeezing her neck. She gasped for breath before Thanos was hit in the head with Steve's shield. This distracted him long enough for Nebula to rush him, striking him with her electrified staff. The shock caused Thanos to let Frost go and she dropped to the ground, gasping for breath. Steve grabbed his shield as it returned to him and rushed over to her.
"Thanks lover," Frost said breathlessly as he helped her up.
"Thank me when we win," Steve said grimly.
Snarling in rage, Thanos used the Space Stone to send them all flying. Thanos then whirled around, catching his double edged sword, which Hulk had yanked out of the ground and attempted to use on him. Thanos merely smirked as he pushed back, yanking the sword out of Hulk's hands.
"You're strong, I'll admit. But brute strength without knowledge on how to use it is worthless," Thanos said condescendingly.
Hulk suddenly smirked, confusing Thanos. Tony and Rhodey then flew in, firing missiles at Thanos. They made contact but only served to distract Thanos, which was what they were hoping for. Hulk slugged Thanos before grabbing the gauntlet, attempting to yank it off. However, Thanos used the Power Stone, sending Hulk flying back into his house. Hulk crashed into it, demolishing it.
"Well, that could have gone better," Bruce said as Hulk shook his head.
"Your idea bad!" Hulk roared as he got up.
"I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas!" Bruce snapped.
With a roar, Hulk jumped back into the fray. He landed near Thanos and, as Thanos turned to engage, Hulk clapped his hands together with all his strength. The resulting shock wave sent Thanos stumbling back and Hulk once again grabbed for the gauntlet. He tried to wrestle it off Thanos but Thanos used the Space Stone to send Hulk flying back.
"What made you think that would end any differently?" Thanos asked smugly.
Hulk smirked as he got up, holding his hand. Thanos was shocked to see the Power Stone in his palm. Thanos quickly glanced down at his gauntlet to see that he now only had four of the six stones.
"I'm impressed. To be able to hold the Power Stone is no small feat. You have my respect Hulk. But you will return that stone to me, one way or another," Thanos said confidently.
Earth-1
Same time
It was absolute chaos; there was no other word for it as Freya used her powers to cause objects in the room to fly all around, making it difficult for the Thawnes to avoid her allies. Clint fired an arrow and one of the Thawnes caught it before it went off in an explosion, sending the Thawne back. Bobbi and Mack engaged another one, Mack firing his Shotgun Axe but the Thawne dodged. However, it was hit from behind by Natasha's Widow's Bite, allowing Matt to strike him with his Billy Club. The two blows knocked the Thawne out as Natasha fired at another one. It dodged as Bobbi electrified her Staves and attempted to use them on him. The Thawne dodged her strikes and grabbed her by the throat, to Mack's horror.
"Looks like you'll be seeing Hunter a lot sooner than expected," Thawne said as he prepared to deliver the killing blow as his free hand vibrated.
However, Wally sped in and struck the Thawne in the collar bone. The Thawne let Bobbi go and Mack and Natasha fired at him. Thawne sped away and Wally sped after him. Freya used her powers to send a wave of energy down the hall, knocking Thawne's cones off their feet.
"She's definitely her mother's daughter," Clint said approvingly as he notched an arrow.
Joe and Scott stood proactively in front of Laura and the kids, knowing neither of them would be much use in this fight. Something Freya, Clint, and Natasha all noticed.
"Get them out of here Scott!" Freya shouted as the Thawne clones all got to their feet.
"Take them to the Compound and come back for us!" Clint added as he fired an arrow.
"Right, you can count on me," Scott said as he pulled out the extrapolator he had been given, turning to the group of civilians. "Anyone up for a trip to another earth?"
In another room, away from the rest of the battle, Barry and Thawne duked it out. Barry swung his sword but Thawne easily evaded. However, Barry then sent a kick to Thawne's chest, causing Thawne to stumble back a bit. Barry slammed him against the wall before putting his sword at Thawne's neck.
"Where is my daughter?!" Barry snarled.
Thawne only laughed, enjoying Barry anger. Snarling in rage, Barry slugged him before throwing him across the room. Thawne got up and they sped towards each other, the fight continuing.
New Titan
Same time
Frank unloaded his rifles on Thanos but Thanos used the Space Stone, stopping the bullets before they even reached him. Frank realized this and stopped firing. Thanos then used the Reality Stone to turn the bullets into steel spikes.
"Shit," Frank said, realizing Thanos was about to use them.
However, before he could, Stormbreaker cut through the spikes, completely destroying them. Thanos looked as Stormbreaker returned to Thor's hand, the Asgardian having a furious look on his face.
"You shall kill no more. This ends now!" Thor snarled, rushing Thanos.
"Finally, a challenge," Thanos said with a smirk, whirling his sword as he met the most powerful Avenger in battle.
Earth-1
Same time
"Where is she?!" Barry snarled as he had Thawne on his knees, a sword at his neck. "Tell me or I'll take your head off!"
"If you kill me, you'll never find out where your beloved Freya is," Thawne mocked and Barry growled in a way that would have made Oliver Queen proud.
New Titan
Same time
Thor knocked the sword out of Thanos' hands and attempted to bring Stormbreaker down on his arm, to cut off the gauntlet. However, Thanos grabbed his arm with his free hand, stopping Thor.
Earth-1
Same time
Freya held two lightning bolts in her hands, her eyes glowing red as she charged them with her magic. Everyone got out of the way as, with a cry, she stopped running and threw them at the Thawne clones. The lightning bolts hit the ground and unleashed a wave of energy so powerful it destroyed the roof. The Thawne clones cried out as they seemed to be disintegrated by the energy.
In the other room, Barry and Thawne stopped their fight as they saw the roof be destroyed. Taking advantage of Barry's distraction, Thawne elbowed Barry in the chest before breaking free of his hold and racing out of the room. Barry followed him as the others saw them race passed. Freya and Wally followed after them at high speed as a breach opened up, signaling Scott's return.
"Wow, what happened here?" Scott exclaimed as he saw the roof, or rather lack of.
"Never mind, Barry, Freya and Wally just took off after Thawne. They might need help, let's go," Natasha ordered and the group moved out of the room as fast as they could.
New Titan
Same time
Steve jumped on Thanos' back, dangling from his neck as he wrapped his arms around Thanos' throat, distracting Thanos momentarily. However, Thanos head butted Thor, making Thor let go in surprise and Thanos punched him, sending Thor stumbling back. Thanos then grabbed Steve and threw him off, knocking him into Frank. The two fell to the ground in a heap of limbs as Thanos moved towards Fate, who simply stood calmly as he faced Thanos.
"You detest me, I can feel it. Why do you hate me so?" Thanos asked curiously. "Have I wronged you in some way?"
"You have wronged many people, Thanos, son of A'Lars," Fate said vaguely, surprising Thanos that he knew the name of his father, which Thanos had never revealed to anyone.
Thanos was suddenly hit by blasts of ice as Frost gave him everything she had once more.
"Now Thor," She cried out.
With a roar, Thor rose into the air before he threw Stormbreaker. The lightning charged weapon cut through the beams of ice and into Thanos' flesh. Thor cried out in pain as his arm with the gauntlet fell to the ground.
Earth-1
Same time
Thawne stopped in front of a warehouse, Barry, Freya, and Wally stopping behind him.
"Where is my daughter?!" Barry snarled.
"She's here," Thawne said simply, gesturing to the warehouses as the realized they were in the warehouse district. "She's in one of these warehouses. But it won't be easy Barry."
"What the hell did you do?" Barry asked, seeing the sadistic look in Thawne's eyes.
"I rigged the warehouses to a bomb that will take out all of warehouses. You can't open the door without setting it off. And even without that, once you pick her up, that will set it off. Even you aren't fast enough for that Barry. I look forward to seeing how it turns out," Thawne chuckled before speeding off.
"Let him go Wally," Barry said as he saw his protégé wanted to go after Thawne. "The important thing is finding Freya…younger Freya."
"There are dozens of warehouses, how are we supposed to find her?" Wally asked frustrated.
"Dad's suit," Freya said simply, confusing Wally.
"It has thermal scanning, just have to do a quick scan…how do I do that?" Barry asked as he looked at his daughter.
"Tap your ear piece, like you would your Comms," Freya said, amused despite the situation.
Barry nodded, tapping his ear piece and activating his thermal scanners. Barry sped around for a minute, looking for his young daughter and found her quickly.
"Okay, I found her. Forth Warehouse on the right. Now we cotta figure how to get her out," Barry said, fear filling him that this was one task he would fail at.
"Dad, I have an idea…but I don't think you're gonna like it," Freya said after a moment.
New Titan
Same time
Fate used his magic to drag Thanos' gauntlet over, Tony catching it as they all retreated over to Fate, converging as he opened a portal. As they fled into the portal, Thanos, seething with rage, pulled out the dagger that had once belonged to Gamora and threw it at them.
Earth-1
Same time
"Freya, you sure about this?" Barry asked nervously as he stood in front of the warehouse.
"I'm sure dad," Freya said confidently. "I can do this."
"Okay. But, in case this goes sideways…I want to know that I'm proud of you, of who you've grown up to be. And your mom would be to," Barry said and Freya breathed in, trying to control her emotions.
"Thanks dad," Freya said thickly.
"Time to get this show on the road," Barry muttered.
Barry phased through the door of the warehouse and entered the building. It was a dark room, dimply lit. He saw his daughter in a playpen that looked like it was under a pressure plat.
"Dada!" she exclaimed as she saw her father, standing up and putting her hands on railing of the playpen.
"Hey Slugger," Barry smiled weakly as he walked over to the playpen. "Don't worry, Daddy's here. Freya, get ready."
Younger Freya held her hands out; wanting up as Barry leaned down, putting his hands under her arms.
"Okay, on the count of three. One…two…three!" Barry shouted as he quickly pulled Freya out of the playpen.
The pressure plate started lifting up as Barry sped out of the warehouse. The Warehouse district started shaking as he and Freya began speeding out. Seeing the telltale signs of an explosion, Freya used her powers to contain the would be blast. Areas around them began to explode, causing Freya to speed around, containing the blasts as best she could as father and daughter ran out. They met Wally at a safe distance and Freya let go as the blasts went off, taking out the entire district as the three speedsters watched. Young Freya cried out, frightened by the loud noises as Barry tried to sooth her.
"I'm glad you got Wanda's powers as well as mine, that would have turned out differently if you didn't," Barry said as he looked over at his grown daughter.
"I only have half her powers, I don't have her telepathy or the other mental stuff," Freya said sheepishly but it was clear she loved her father's praise.
"Well, that looks exciting," Clint said dryly as he, Natasha, Bobbi, Mack, Scott, and Matt arrived on the scene.
"Gra'pa!" Freya squealed as she saw him, reaching for him.
"Hey kid," Clint said, ruffling her hair and she laughed. "Where's Thawne?"
"He left. Whatever his plan was, it wasn't to kill me," Barry said frustrated.
"That what is it?" Matt asked and Barry sighed.
"I don't know Matt. Thawne, he's always a step ahead of me," Barry said, his voice showing his frustration as Matt remembered Fisk. "But whatever it is, he'll make sure I'll suffer and he'll be there to see it."
"Well, we got everyone back to The Compound safely. Let's go home," Scott said as he held up the Extrapolator.
Avengers Compound, Earth-66
Moments later
When they returned to the Compound, it was to a scene that they didn't quite understand. Laura, Joe and the kids were there, as were the rest of their teammates. However, they all seemed distressed. Steve was holding a bloodied dagger, looking horrified as they all stared down at something. As the group approached, they saw Fate was on the floor, a wound and huge blood stain on his abdomen.
"No!" Freya shouted, rushing to his side. "What happened?!"
"Thanos threw a dagger as Fate closed the portal. It was supposed to be me, but Fate pushed me out of the way," Steve said in shock.
"Freya," Fate said softly as she helped him sit up.
"Don't worry, we'll get you to the med bay, come on," Freya said, trying to help him up but he simply sat there.
"Freya…please, remove my helmet," Fate said to the shock of everyone.
"No, if we do that you'll die," Freya said immediately.
"Nothing can stop that now," Fate said, to Freya's devastation. "It is alright. I saw this moment the first time I put on the helmet. This was always how it was going to end. Please…let me see with my own eyes as I die. Please Freya."
For a few moments, it was completely silent. Then, with a shaky breath, Freya reached out with trembling hands and put her hands on either side of the helmet. Slowly, she removed the helmet and there was a golden flash of light. When it faded, Doctor Fate was gone, leaving an old man in regular clothes. As they saw his face for the first time, everyone could only stare in shock as Fate chuckled.
"To quote an old friend, I bet you didn't see this coming," Fate said, a weak smirk on the aged and worn face of Clint Barton.