"You aren't the Thor of this universe, are you?"
In another sector of the battlefield, Fat Thor hovered in mid-air, facing a Thanos. At a certain level, flight becomes standard. Compared to this, the Thanos Noah had encountered before was lacking.
Thanos gave a strange smile as he looked at the Thor before him. He could tell this Thor was very similar to the other, except this one was significantly fatter.
Yet Thanos also sensed immediately that this Thor was far more formidable. Beneath that stout body was power that even left him slightly stunned.
"That's right. I'm not." Fat Thor gripped Stormbreaker, staring at Thanos. "Our judgment was correct-you're from a parallel universe as well."
"Yes, I am." Thanos smiled. "In that case, I don't think we need to fight. You don't belong to this universe either, do you?"
Indeed, this Thanos was not of this universe. Of the nine Thanoses present, eight were from parallel universes.
They had come not only to understand what each of them had achieved in different timelines but also to prevent certain disastrous outcomes. They had learned this universe had veered into an unimaginable, unpredictable path, and no one wanted their own universe to follow suit.
All these visiting Thanoses had experienced much, but shared one trait: none had completed the Snap.
Most had obtained Infinity Stones-several had two or three, one had even obtained four. But they had been invited by this universe's Thanos to correct what shouldn't have happened and prepare for their own futures.
The Thanos speaking with Fat Thor held three Infinity Stones. He had decimated Xandar's Nova Corps for the Power Stone, killed Loki and half of Asgard for the Space Stone, and robbed the Collector for the Reality Stone.
As he was about to get the Soul Stone via Gamora, the Thanos of this universe appeared. After learning how to obtain it and receiving certain promises, he chose to help.
They also learned that the chaos in this universe was caused by a character who shouldn't exist-a Black Dragon in human form, a mage named Noah Fenrir. Every visiting Thanos remembered the name. No one wanted such a being to appear in their own universe, even if this one was likely stronger and contained more variables.
"How many stones do you have?" Fat Thor asked, interrupting Thanos's thoughts.
"Sorry, I don't want to say," Thanos replied. "But I'll answer if you ask directly. I have a question first: what stage has your universe reached?"
"My universe?" Fat Thor said calmly, as if reminiscing. "In my universe, you were annihilated. Noah did it. I'm disappointed-I should have taken your head. You killed my brother and slaughtered half my people, so I want your head. And you? How many stones do you have?"
"Sorry to disappoint," Thanos said, lifting his weapon with a mix of regret and determination. "I have three Infinity Stones-from Xandar, Knowhere, and... Asgard."
"As I thought. Seems this battle is unavoidable."
No sooner had he spoken than Thanos struck. Unbelievable power tore through the air, shattering space into countless fragments. A Thanos with three Infinity Stones was terrifying-he could destroy countless planets alone.
But Fat Thor didn't flinch. Stormbreaker moved as naturally as his own arm, silver lightning crackling across his body. Divine power surged through the surrounding space. Thanos suddenly felt an irresistible force erupt around him.
Thanos's face soured. In his universe, Thor possessed lightning, but that Thor was fragile-a toy. Why was this one terrifying?
Fat Thor gave him no time. He swung Stormbreaker again, releasing lightning so bright it could probably be seen from Earth.
Thanos felt mortal danger. The power of three Infinity Stones surged through him, yet he had to defend.
Purple lightning struck him again and again, weaving into a brilliant web that engulfed his figure. No outside help was involved-Fat Thor alone demonstrated what a true God of Thunder could do.
The deafening roar of thunder made mages, Asgardians, human soldiers, and Kree invaders instinctively cover their ears. Ordinary soldiers felt dizzy and unwell.
"Is this the true God of Thunder?" many onlookers muttered in disbelief. "Why is he so fat? And what about the other one?"
The soldiers had no clue why there were nine identical Thanoses. They realized mythological figures were no joke. Looking at this Thor, they knew he could be worshipped as a god if he appeared on Earth.
Fat Thor's berserker assault lasted a full minute. Lightning pillars struck from all angles, leaving Thanos no chance to dodge or counterattack.
As the energy dissipated, dust swirled with purple sparks. Fat Thor hovered in mid-air, black armor shimmering, red cape snapping in the wind.
Thanos emerged battered. His golden armor, made of special materials, had been turned to scrap. Without it, his injuries would have been far worse.
He was utterly confused. This Thor was nothing like the one he had left for dead in space, one-eyed and powerless.
"Who... who are you?" Thanos coughed blood. "How... how could you be this strong?"
"Do you know?" Fat Thor sighed, flying slowly toward him, Stormbreaker in hand. "In our universe, you invaded Earth, and I almost killed you. It was a close call, but you managed to snap your finger."
"You almost killed me... with six stones?" Thanos struggled to believe it. "What happened after?"
"Afterwards..." Fat Thor shook his head. "You succeeded. I eventually found you in your garden and took your head, but it was too late. Another from a different universe found us, but Noah killed him. This time, I won't give anyone else a chance."
"Is that so... what a shame. I didn't expect to fail."
"As long as I'm around, you will always fail. This time, I will take my revenge personally. Farewell, Thanos."