Although Iron Man had largely disappeared from the public eye in recent years, it was not because there was nothing for him to do. Over the past few years, Tony Stark had been quietly working on a global UAV system—one that looked remarkably similar to the earlier Insight project, but with a critical difference.
Unlike the Insight program, which judged individuals based on their potential for future crimes, this new system would not preemptively label anyone as guilty. It was designed to be a global reinforcement force, available at a moment's notice, to protect the Earth without the same moral quandaries of its predecessor.
Steve, now serving as the president, had given Tony his approval on the condition that the system remained under Stark's control. "If you want to master this power, I'll approve it. But you must promise that you'll never hand it over to anyone else."
Tony agreed without hesitation.
The UAV system had been instrumental in maintaining the peace on Earth in the years following the battle against Thanos. It dealt with smaller, emerging threats that might have otherwise escalated. Many believed Tony had retired, living a secluded life with his daughter, Morgan.
He had indeed settled into a quieter existence, enjoying time with Morgan on a farm—something he had jokingly mentioned to Hawkeye years ago. Pepper had helped make his dream of a peaceful life a reality, despite Tony's eternal restlessness.
Still, Tony couldn't entirely step away. The need for the protection of Earth—and the two missing Infinity Stones—kept his mind occupied. While he was content in his semi-retirement, Tony was always ready for another crisis.
Meanwhile, another couple in the Avengers had entered a phase of deep scientific collaboration: Bruce Banner and Princess Shuri of Wakanda. As the first foreign prince of Wakanda, Bruce had taken on a new life in the technologically advanced nation, a far cry from his previous life as an outsider.
Both Bruce and Shuri were notorious workaholics, constantly lost in their research and discoveries. Unlike Tony, who maintained a clear separation between work and personal life, Bruce and Shuri blurred those lines, often working long hours at the expense of everything else.
Despite their intense focus on science, their efforts were a driving force in Earth's advancement, and their collaborations with Tony on various projects only strengthened the planet's defenses.
Thor stood in the Holy Place in New York, listening to Doctor Strange's latest cryptic remarks. "Thor, this is the end."
Thor frowned. "End? The world's fine now. Who in their right mind would want to go back to the past and stir up trouble?"
Strange smiled enigmatically, saying nothing more.
Thor narrowed his eyes. This was a typical Strange move—half intentional, half enigmatic. He couldn't help but think that Strange's personality hadn't improved much since his time as a doctor.
After a long pause, Strange finally spoke. "Maybe someone?"
"Someone?" Thor repeated, trying to make sense of it. "You mean... this won't end for another six months?"
"At most," Strange said softly. "But that's just a guess."
Thor, however, was surprisingly unfazed. "So, we're looking at maybe ten more Avengers gatherings before the real challenge hits."
He wasn't worried. With the Avengers' current strength, they were prepared for anything. The team had grown significantly in the last five years, and their collective power far exceeded what it was back in 2022. They wouldn't be caught off guard as they were during the Infinity War.
The reason Tony had to sacrifice himself in the original timeline was due to a combination of factors: Thor's hesitation, Wanda being interrupted, Doctor Strange's tactical mistakes, and Captain Marvel arriving too late. In this timeline, those issues wouldn't arise.
Furthermore, the Thanos they would face now would be vastly weaker. The Thanos of 2017 had already fallen to the combined might of the Avengers, and the version from 2014—who was far less formidable—would be even easier to defeat.
As the King of Asgard, Thor's powers had grown steadily. His strength now rivaled that of Hela, and only he knew just how powerful he had become. No one, not even the other Avengers, could predict the full extent of his abilities.
Leaving Kamar-Taj, Thor walked through the portal and headed home. While the universe was at peace for now, there were still things that needed his attention. He wasn't taking things too seriously, but some matters—particularly those involving Asgard and Earth—required careful planning.
Five years of rebuilding had restored Asgard to its former glory. The infrastructure of the Asgardian people was as advanced as Earth's, and Thor had ensured that his kingdom was prepared for any future challenges.
But Thor didn't mean Asgard when he said "home." His true home was an island in northern Norway.