Chapter 26: A Battle Against Fate
Titan – The Desperate Stand
The ruined remains of Titan stood silent, a graveyard of a once-thriving world. Now, it was nothing more than dust and broken structures, the stage for one of the most crucial battles in the universe.
Tony Stark, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and the Guardians of the Galaxy stood in formation, their gazes locked on the towering figure before them.
Thanos.
The Mad Titan, wielding the Power, Space, Reality, and Soul Stones, stood unfazed, his golden armor reflecting the dim light of Titan's sky. His deep, rumbling voice carried an eerie calmness.
"You're all standing in my way."
Star-Lord scoffed. "Yeah, that's kinda the point, big guy."
As the battle began, Tony dodged a massive energy blast, his nanotech armor shifting to counter Thanos' every move. Strange opened portals to redirect the Titan's attacks, while Spider-Man zipped around, pulling Thanos' gauntlet with webbing.
Despite their coordination, Thanos fought as if he was toying with them. With a single swipe, he sent Drax flying. Nebula lunged, only to be slammed into the ground. Mantis barely managed to get onto his shoulders, using her powers to weaken his mind.
For a moment, it seemed like they had a chance.
Then, Peter Quill learned the truth.
The Moment of Regret
Thanos' hardened gaze softened ever so slightly as he muttered, "I had to."
Quill's heart pounded. "What did you just say?"
Nebula, her voice trembling, confirmed his worst fear. "He… He killed Gamora."
The air turned heavy. Star-Lord's expression twisted into rage.
"You piece of—"
Ignoring Tony's desperate shout to stop, Quill punched Thanos. Again. And again. The Mad Titan's mind snapped back into focus, and with a roar, he broke free of Mantis' hold.
In seconds, everything fell apart.
Spider-Man was swatted away. Strange's spell was shattered. Tony's armor cracked.
The gauntlet was back in Thanos' grip.
The Future That Shouldn't Exist
As Tony staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his forehead, a thought crossed his mind.
If Alex were here, this fight would be easy…
He had seen Alex's power firsthand. The young man had the ability to warp reality itself with his control over nature. He could have sealed Thanos in an unbreakable cage of wind, could have torn the gauntlet from his hand before this battle even started.
But Alex wasn't here.
Doctor Strange stood frozen, his eyes glowing as he sifted through millions of possible futures. His breath grew unsteady.
In every reality where Alex existed—Thanos lost.
But in the few timelines where Alex wasn't born…
They lost.
Tony saw Strange's face and knew something was wrong. "Hey, Doc, what's going on?"
The Sorcerer Supreme slowly exhaled, his expression unreadable.
"We proceed."
Tony Stark's Last Stand
With a surge of desperation, Tony unleashed everything he had. His nanotech armor morphed into massive blades, launching rapid strikes at Thanos. He dodged, weaved, and landed a blow on the Titan's face, drawing blood.
Thanos smirked. "Impressive."
Then, he stabbed Tony through the chest.
Tony gasped, his body trembling. The world seemed to slow as the pain set in. His legs gave out, but before he collapsed, a glowing green light filled the air.
Doctor Strange stepped forward.
Holding the Time Stone.
A Choice and a Sacrifice
Tony coughed. "Why…?"
Strange closed his eyes.
"This is the only way."
With reluctance, he handed the Time Stone to Thanos. The Titan grasped it, his gauntlet glowing with newfound power. He smiled.
"One to go."
With a snap of his fingers, he vanished.
The Unspoken Truth
As Spider-Man rushed to Tony's side, trying to stabilize him, Strange remained silent.
He had seen the truth.
Alex had won every battle..
But fate had denied them that future.
Next: The Final Battle Begins.