Daydreams and Nightmares

All the remaining souls on Titan were not dead, but they were not the victors. Thanos was on a crash course with earth, and the Avengers and Guardians alike were left with nothing else to do than collect themselves in the fallout of their loss. Those able to walk helped those that couldn't, gathering towards each other listlessly. Tony winced as Peter helped him to his feet, cradling his gut protectively, but some part of him still trying not to look too wounded in front of the boy. Peter's was bracing him and trying to catch his eyes with his, but Tony didn't meet them.

"Something's happening." The alien-woman's spoke up, hushed and afraid. Tony began to move towards her, and then she disappeared on the wind. Tony staggered a step back, the sight dream-like. Unreal.

"Quill?" The hulking figure was reduced to ash, as if he were made of paper that someone had taken a match to. Quill could only watch his companions vanish without a trace, shock and despair twisting his face.

"Steady, Quill." Tony's attempts to comfort the man were hollow. Soon, Quill was following his friends.

"Tony." Strange's voice managed to break through his stupor. "There was no other way."

Then, he too, was gone.