Just as Old Tony was lost in thought, Axel approached the group with a reluctant Wanda following behind him.
"All done?"
Axel muttered the words before leaning forward to glance at Thanos, who lay dead with his eyes still open. A grin spread across his face.
"What a shame. Thanos was a good man too.
"You people of this universe may have eliminated him in this era, but you never experienced the suffering that came in the future. Then again, there's a good chance you'll suffer even more later on. Haha."
Laughing, Axel reached out and pulled out six crystal-clear gems.
"Well, you probably don't understand what I'm talking about right now, but it doesn't matter. You'll understand once you experience it.
"And don't look at me like I'm your enemy. As long as you don't provoke me, I won't do anything to you.
"As for these six toys, hehe, I'm not interested in keeping them. You can figure out how to store them yourselves. I don't want to take these broken things home."
With that, Axel casually tossed the six gems into the air.
The gems scattered in different directions before beginning to descend toward the ground.
Everyone's expressions stiffened.
Strange immediately used magic to retrieve the Time Stone. As he manipulated the Eye of Agamotto's frame to secure it, he nervously warned everyone.
"Don't touch it directly with your hands. Absolutely not!"
"I know, Midgard's sorcerer!"
Thor responded with a mournful expression while violently swinging Stormbreaker.
The next moment, Stormbreaker flew back toward Thanos's corpse and severed the Mad Titan's gloved right hand.
Thor quickly removed the Infinity Gauntlet and used it to contain the remaining five gems.
The gauntlet was too large, making it difficult for Thor to wear, but he still forcibly shoved his hand inside.
Watching Thor put on the Infinity Gauntlet again, Strange's brow furrowed.
Before anyone else could react, lightning suddenly erupted from Thor's eyes as his divine power instinctively clashed with the power of the Infinity Stones.
During the confrontation, the Infinity Gauntlet on Thor's hand mysteriously shrank until it became a normal size, fitting perfectly around his palm.
Thor had used the power of the Infinity Stones to alter the size of the gauntlet itself.
At the same time, Strange noticed how Thor was utilizing the Infinity Stones.
His expression immediately turned grim.
Although Thor had yet to say anything, Strange had an inexplicable feeling that something was about to happen.
As Strange remained vigilant, Thor, wearing the Infinity Gauntlet, took a deep breath. He suppressed the divine power surging within him and spoke quietly.
"Axel... is that right? Thank you for helping me save my universe.
"However, since you're a guest from another world, I won't disturb your journey back to your own universe.
"As for these Infinity Stones... Asgard has the ability to protect them.
"Everyone, trust me. I am Thor, the God of Thunder, and I possess that ability."
As his voice fell, Thor's expression darkened as he looked toward the Avengers surrounding him.
Meeting Thor's gaze, Old Tony pondered for a moment before frowning.
"But, Thor, Asgard is gone.
"It's not that I don't trust you. It's just safer to keep something this dangerous separated.
"Their existence already attracted Thanos from across the universe. Besides Thanos, are there really no others out there who would covet them?"
"I know!"
Thor suddenly became agitated.
He struggled to suppress his emotions before continuing.
"Although Asgard has suffered a catastrophe, the Celestial Palace of the Nine Realms has not completely disappeared.
"Once everything is settled, Valkyrie and I will send the scattered gems to other worthy beings throughout the universe for safekeeping.
"Just as we once entrusted gems to the Collector.
"Of course, this time I will find more suitable guardians. That way, we can keep the gems separated while preventing ambitious individuals like Thanos from exploiting them again.
"Asgard has never relied on the Infinity Stones to establish its glory.
"Compared to us, I'm more concerned about the gem remaining on Midgard!"
At that point, Thor suddenly glanced at the Time Stone hanging around Strange's neck.
Feeling Thor's gaze, Strange paused before taking a deep breath and sighing.
"Thor, you know I can see many things, don't you?
"So you already know what I'm going to tell you, right?
"Believe me. Don't do this. We may not be able to bear the consequences if you do."
"We..."
"Shut up!"
Thor's eyes became fierce as he interrupted Strange.
He then looked toward Axel with a hint of apprehension.
"Axel, do you need me to treat you to some mead? If not, then... could you give us some space to discuss this?"
"Uh-huh. You're really heartless. I understand what you're saying."
Axel grinned before lightly clapping his hands.
"My good buddies, did you hear that? The locals of this universe aren't very polite. They're already trying to kick us out.
"But they're right. We don't really need to get involved in their mess, do we?"
As his voice fell, Axel waved his hand.
The Eye of Agamotto hanging around Strange's neck suddenly became empty.
Strange's expression changed.
Axel casually seized the Time Stone before throwing it toward Thor, who immediately brightened.
As the gem flew through the air, Axel grinned.
"Although I should probably leave, I still want to watch the show. So I'll use this as my ticket. How about it?"
"No problem! My universe will always welcome your arrival, and Asgard will forever be grateful for the help you've given us, my good friend!"
Thor roared his response before reaching for the Infinity Stone.
At the same time, Strange abruptly released a magical thread from his hand, connecting it to the Time Stone.
In an instant, Thor and Strange became locked in an invisible struggle.
Just as the two fought over the gem, Old Tony, who had already realized what was happening, nervously shouted at Thor.
"Wait, Thor! Thanos just showed us the suffering caused by greed and desire, and now you're immediately setting your sights on the six gems?
"Don't do this, old buddy. Absolutely don't!
"If you won't listen to me, I'll wake that bastard Steve from his coma and make him talk some sense into you, okay?"
As his voice fell, Old Tony quickly fired a palm repulsor blast toward Steve's unconscious position.
Thud!
The vibration, combined with dirt striking his face, finally woke Steve.
As soon as he stood up, he looked toward Axel with uncontrollable anger.
Before he could say anything, Old Tony interrupted him.
"Steve, forget about that for now. There are more important things happening!
"Look carefully. Thanos is dead, but the trouble isn't over, damn it!
"Thor has set his sights on the Infinity Stones!"
"What?"
Steve was completely stunned.
He quickly looked toward Thor.
When he saw that Thor was indeed fighting Strange for the final gem, his heart lurched.
"Why?"
Steve looked at Thor in disbelief.
"Don't tell me you can't see that those things aren't safe, Thor. The power of the Infinity Stones should never be wielded by a single person. Never!
"We're comrades, old buddy. Can you let go?"
"Never!"
Thor gritted his teeth and answered with absolute determination.
Every hair on Steve's body seemed to stand on end.
Having just experienced the disaster brought about by Thanos, Steve had no desire to fight another battle over those colorful gems.
Only then did everyone around them fully understand what was happening.
They nervously turned their attention toward Thor.
Rocket Raccoon instinctively raised his large gun toward him.
"Thor, what's wrong with you? Don't tell me you want to become the second Thanos. I don't like that answer!"
"I am Groot!"
The little tree man immediately moved beside Rocket and shouted at Thor.
Thor looked at the two saviors and took a deep breath.
"Believe me. I am not Thanos, and I never will be.
"But I am the Prince of Asgard, and there are things I must do."
"There is nothing that absolutely requires the power of the Infinity Stones!
"Thor, be rational. The Infinity Stones are dangerous weapons. They're not some magical wishing machine. They're far more dangerous than that!"
Steve's words made Thor frown.
"I said, trust me, Steve!
"I only want to use the power of the Infinity Stones to save my people and Asgard. That's all!
"You Midgardians don't understand how powerful the Infinity Stones are. I can use them to rebuild Asgard, resurrect my father and mother, my brother, Heimdall, and every single one of my people!
"The Infinity Stones can do all of this. And apart from the damage it might cause to me, there won't be any other consequences!
"If you are truly my friends, then you should understand me!
"I have lost too much. Far too much!
"I just want to get those things back!"
A roar suddenly erupted from Thor.
He violently exerted force with his hand, using the power of the other five gems to brutally shatter Strange's magical bindings.
Strange stumbled backward.
Thor endured the pain, seized the Time Stone, and began placing it into the empty slot on the Infinity Gauntlet.
But just as he was about to finish...
Old Tony's final missiles were unleashed.
Dozens of missiles rained down on Thor, forcing him to raise his right hand and shield himself from the explosions and flames.
As Thor blocked the barrage, Old Tony's Bleeding Edge armor had already rushed directly toward him.
Tony grabbed Thor's gem-covered gauntlet, his eyes filled with determination.
He absolutely would not allow the six Infinity Stones to be reunited on Earth again.
Even if he understood Thor's personality.
Even if he believed that Thor genuinely had no intention of using the Infinity Stones for evil.
No matter what, Tony could never hand the power to destroy the world over to another person.
He also could not entrust the safety of the entire universe and the people of Earth, especially his wife and daughter, to anyone other than himself.
At the same time, seeing Tony attack him, flames of plasma reignited within Thor's eyes.
He stared directly at Tony and asked, each word filled with restrained fury.
"Are you sure you want to stop me from saving my family?"
"That's not salvation. That's deception and manipulation of fate!
"I've lost a father too. I understand your pain, but the dead are dead.
"Your actions aren't saving them. You're disturbing their peace in the realm of Death!"
Tony's roar caused Thor to tremble.
Thor slammed his fist into Tony's armor, sending him crashing more than ten meters into the earth.
"You are not them! You are not!
"So why do you get to say that they're at peace?
"I know my family better than you!
"Perhaps my parents could accept their deaths, but my brother would never want this kind of ending. Never!
"Peace?
"The peace of Death?
"Bullshit! That's absolute bullshit!
"We had already escaped. Even as refugees, we could have continued living throughout the universe!
"Would such a violent death be peaceful?
"How could it be?
"If my people and my brother knew that I had the chance to resurrect them but chose not to, they would curse me again and again in the realm of Death!
"They would!"
Thor roared at everyone before forcefully embedding the Time Stone into the gauntlet.
Ding!
With a crisp sound, the Time Stone settled into its original position without resistance.
The moment all six gems were reunited on the gauntlet, Thor's body began trembling violently as unimaginable pain surged through him.
Yet he immediately moved the fingers of his right hand, desperately trying to complete the snap.
Just as his fingers were about to close...
Whoosh!
Precise web-lines shot onto each of Thor's fingers.
Several heroes, including Steve, grabbed the web-lines and pulled with all their strength, preventing Thor from closing his hand.
Little Spider, while straining against his web-line, spoke hesitantly.
"Uh, I don't know what's happening, but I trust Mr. Stark.
"You'd better listen to him, buddy. It might really cause something terrible if you snap your fingers."
"So you can trust him, but you can't trust me?!
"Do you think I would use the power of the Infinity Stones to harm anyone?
"When I joined the Avengers, you were still in school, kid!
"And when I fought across the Nine Realms to bring peace, your ancestors hadn't even been born!"
Faced with Spider-Man's advice, Thor became utterly enraged.
He wasn't trying to use the Infinity Stones to destroy the world.
He only wanted to resurrect the people and friends who had died violently.
That was all.
Why, even for such a simple wish, were they still standing in his way?
Was it simply because they couldn't trust him?
After everything he had done for Midgard, did they still refuse to believe in him?
Why?
=≠=
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