After the discussion between Tony and Strange, they headed together to where Thanos was, and the entire population erupted in panic. From the footage that had been revealed, everyone had already gained a basic understanding of Thanos' personality and abilities. He was courageous, calculating, and a true master of using the Infinity Stones. He was definitely not an opponent who would be easy to deal with.
And yet, just two people, plus a Spider-Man who was already in danger, wanted to charge straight at him. They were even carrying the Time Stone with them.
The nerves of viewers were stretched to their limits. At this moment, many people realized something. If Thanos truly obtained all six Infinity Stones and snapped his fingers, it might even affect the current state of Terra. The idea of wiping out half of all life in the universe no longer sounded like a joke. Thanos' actions were obvious and unwavering. His goal was to gather the Stones as quickly as possible, then complete his ultimate objective.
That unpredictable future, along with the threat of a single snap, hung like a sharp sword over the heads of Terra's citizens, ready to fall at any moment. So when Tony insisted on going directly to confront Thanos, very few people felt optimistic.
Inside the Administration.
As the spacecraft continued along its predetermined course, the experts all fell silent. The Director, who had just labeled the location of the original Time Stone, paused, and he erased those words once again.
"The original Time Stone... I'm afraid it won't be coming back this time." Xiaotian sneered. "Tony is far too arrogant. Even at a time like this, he still wants to take the initiative? Has he never considered what will happen if he can't defeat Thanos? This is nothing more than a suicide mission."
Johan frowned and spoke, "Tony's reasoning isn't entirely without merit. If the battle takes place on Earth, it will certainly result in enormous casualties."
After a brief pause, Johan continued, "Don't forget, Thanos isn't fighting alone. He commands a powerful army. The Chitauri we saw before were only one part of it. There may be even more armies, and even stronger ones. If those forces descend upon Earth, they'll inflict unimaginable and irreversible damage."
Tonio smiled bitterly. "But even so... That doesn't mean he should bring Strange directly to Thanos' location. Isn't it absurd for just a handful of people to storm the enemy's headquarters?"
He hadn't agreed with Xiaotian's arguments before, but this time, he felt Feng Xiaotian was right. Tony was simply too confident, and he never seemed to consider the possibility of defeat.
Darwin sighed. "I actually agree with Tony's decision. The more enemies they can eliminate in advance, the better. And every casualty they can prevent on Earth is worth it. To put it bluntly, even if Thanos really snaps his fingers and half of all life disappears, there's still a chance humanity on Earth will survive. But if the battlefield itself is on Earth, how many people could survive that double catastrophe?"
Darwin's remarks stunned everyone. Immediately, everyone's expressions became grim. That was the only way they could comfort themselves.
Hawking suddenly spoke. "Snapping his fingers to erase half the life in the universe... How? Or rather... by what mechanism?"
The crowd shook their heads.
"The Infinity Stones are both powerful and mysterious. It's like the Reality Stone, which can directly rewrite reality itself. If the powers of the various Infinity Stones are combined, eliminating half of all life may not be difficult."
A lingering sense of dread settled over everyone.
The recorded footage suddenly darkened.
In the vast emptiness of space, the circular spacecraft rapidly approached its destination. Meanwhile, aboard another massive spaceship, Gamora sat on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees, staring blankly into space.
When footsteps echoed behind her, Gamora stood and turned around. It was Thanos, approaching with a bowl of food, and he held it out to her. "I thought you might be hungry."
Gamora accepted the bowl, looked at Thanos, then hurled it forcefully against his throne, and the sound echoed harshly through the empty ship.
Gamora glared at the throne. "I always hated that chair."
All around them were dark stone walls.
Thanos replied calmly, "So I've been told. Even so, I'd hoped you'd sit in it one day.
Gamora shook her head. "I hated this room. This ship. I hated my life."
The more she spoke, the more emotional she became. Finally, she glared at Thanos with burning hatred, but Thanos remained completely indifferent. "You told me that too. Every day. For almost 20 years."
Gamora walked to the edge of the platform, looking down into the endless void. "I was a child when you took me."
Thanos remained seated on the steps. "I saved you."
Gamora turned around. "No. We were happy on my home planet."
Thanos asked calmly, "Going to bed hungry... scrounging for scraps. Your planet was on the brink of collapse. I'm the one who stopped that. Do you know what's happened since then?"
Thanos looked upward. "The children born... have known nothing but full bellies and clear skies. It's a paradise."
Hatred filled Gamora's eyes as she said, "Because you murdered half the planet."
Thanos slowly shook his head, never believing his actions had been wrong. "A small price to pay for salvation."
Gamora stared at him in disbelief. "You're insane."
Thanos smiled faintly. "Little one, it's a simple calculus. This universe is finite, its resources finite. If life is left unchecked, life will cease to exist. It needs correction."
Gamora shouted angrily, "You don't know that!"
Thanos remained unmoved. "I'm the only one who knows that. At least, I'm the only one with the will to act on it."
Gamora refused to accept his reasoning, but Thanos slowly rose to his feet. "For a time... you had that same will... as you fought by my side. Daughter."
Gamora lowered her head, staring at the floor. "I'm not your daughter. Everything I hate about myself you taught me."
Thanos replied calmly, "And, in doing so, made you the fiercest woman in the galaxy. That's why I trusted you to find the Soul Stone."
Gamora looked him in the eye. "I'm sorry I disappointed you."
Thanos nodded slightly. "I am disappointed. But not because you didn't find it."
He gently brushed Gamora's hair aside, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "But because you did. And you lied."
The dialogue between Thanos and Gamora echoed through the scene while the audience was stunned. Then, the comments exploded with frantic texts.
"Why do I suddenly feel that what Thanos said makes sense?!"
"Yeah, resources aren't unlimited. If they're used without restraint, everything will eventually collapse."
"For the sake of the entire universe, would killing half of all life really solve the problem?"
"The Mad Titan actually loves his daughter."
"Thanos really feels like a good father. He's doing this for the whole universe."
"I kind of admire Thanos."
"Thanos actually wants Gamora to succeed him!"
"I feel like Thanos may not be wrong. It's just a matter of perspective."
"Is this... his way of creating better conditions for future generations?"
"Am I the only one who thinks what Thanos said makes sense?"
"??? I can't stop laughing. Are there really so many fools here? You're actually taking him seriously?"
"Thanos' theory about limited resources isn't entirely wrong, but his method is completely wrong!"
"Exactly! Why does he get to decide who lives and who dies?"
"Stop lying to yourselves! Why not protect planets instead? Why kill people? Every time the population grows, are you just going to wipe out half again?"
"I'm dying of laughter. I thought moral superiority was already the highest point, but I didn't expect someone to reach the level of cosmic superiority!"
"Those idiots have exposed themselves."
"If you really think Thanos is right, then go sacrifice yourself first. Don't waste resources here."
"Calling anti-human ideology justice? What a joke."
"Hiding insanity beneath a noble excuse."
"Extremism should never exist."
The comments split into two opposing camps, and the argument became increasingly heated. Not only that, across the entire Terra Federation, opinions about Thanos were equally divided.
However, when the discussion reached his plan to eliminate half of all life, very few people actually supported it, especially the idea of arbitrarily deciding the fate of others. Even those who partially agreed with his philosophy found it impossible to accept.
Inside the High Council.
Evonne leaned back in her chair, and her hands were folded together. Her gaze passed through her fingers before settling on everyone present. "I believe all of you already know the planet's current condition, don't you?"
Gladwin and the others sighed before nodding.
"We all know the latest survey results indicate that Terra has entered a state of gradual environmental decline. Natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent. This year alone, seven regions that had never experienced earthquakes before were struck by moderate quakes."
Although no one could accept Thanos' solution of wiping out half of all life, no one could deny that resources were finite.
Evonne's eyes flashed, and a dangerous thought seemed to surface before she suppressed it. "I've been thinking about something."
She looked at everyone. "The Network allows us to awaken memories from our past lives. So what is its true purpose? To uncover history? To awaken abilities?"
Evonne shook her head. "After hearing what Thanos said... I believe there's a high probability that it's meant as a warning. It uses the history of past civilizations to warn us about Terra's present. So that we won't repeat history's mistakes. For example... Thanos' ultimate goal is to bring balance to the universe. If we look at it from another perspective, perhaps the destruction of Earth's civilization was ultimately caused by that imbalance."
Evonne stopped speaking. It was an unsettling conclusion, one that differed greatly from what most people believed. Perhaps the universe's eventual collapse wasn't caused by Thanos. Rather... Thanos believed the universe would eventually perish because balance had already been lost.
Gladwin and the others immediately understood what Evonne meant but that only made the conclusion even harder to accept.
Hyeon frowned. "I remember Mr. Darwin once proposed a theory about natural extinction. It's quite similar to what Councilor Bidong just said."
The accumulated information from previous awakenings was proving increasingly valuable.
Another Councilor said, "It's a possibility. And if it's true, it's something we can prepare for in advance."
Evonne nodded. "We should begin implementing strategies for the controlled and sustainable use of Terra's resources."
None of the other Councilors objected.
Gladwin continued, "Of course, the most immediate danger is still right before us. Judging by the current situation... Thanos is almost finished collecting the Infinity Stones."
Silence filled the room as everyone fixed their eyes on the screen.
After finishing his conversation with Gamora, Thanos opened the massive door behind him. The mechanical gears slowly rotated while Gamora stared in disbelief. Behind the door and suspended in the center of the chamber, a cybernetic figure floated helplessly within a beam of energy.
Gamora rushed forward, and her voice trembled. "Nebula."
She reached out, but Nebula's mechanical body had been forcibly pulled apart. Because every limb was restrained, she couldn't move at all.
Gamora pleaded bitterly, "Don't do this."
Thanos replied calmly, "Some time ago, your sister snuck aboard this ship to kill me.
Gamora looked at Nebula's body being stretched apart, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Please don't do this."
Ignoring her plea, Thanos continued, "And very nearly succeeded. So I brought her here. To talk."
Thanos casually activated an Infinity Stone, and Nebula's body was pulled apart even farther.
"AAAHHHH!" A heart-wrenching scream echoed throughout the chamber.
Gamora shut her eyes in agony as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't bear to watch. Nebula... Her sister... The person closest to her... Was being tortured before her very eyes.
She cried desperately, "Stop. Stop it."
Gamora rushed toward Thanos and grabbed his arm. Sobbing, she said, "I swear to you on my life. I never found the Soul Stone."
Thanos merely smiled, then he gestured toward one of his guards, and the guard immediately activated a memory projection device. A scene from Nebula's memories appeared before everyone. It showed her previous conversation with Gamora.
In the projection, Nebula said anxiously, "Accessing memory files. You know what he's about to do. He's finally ready, and he's going for the stones. All of them."
Gamora replied, "He can never get them all."
Nebula shook her head. "He will!"
Gamora answered, "He can't, Nebula. Because I found the map to the Soul Stone... and I burned it to ash. I burned it."
Seeing the memory, Gamora slowly closed her eyes. Pain. Helplessness. Regret.
Thanos said calmly, "You're strong. Me. You're generous. Me."
He slowly walked behind Gamora. "But I never taught you to lie. That's why you're so bad at it."
Thanos stared directly at her, then the Infinity Gauntlet slowly clenched and golden energy enveloped Gamora. He asked deliberately, "Where is the Soul Stone?"
Nebula desperately shook her head at Gamora, as she didn't want her sister to answer. Thanos activated the Infinity Stone once more, and Nebula screamed in unbearable agony.
Gamora was overwhelmed with despair. She circled helplessly around the two of them, desperately trying to stop Thanos, but Nebula's screams only became louder. More desperate. More agonizing. She was on the verge of completely breaking down.
The comments fluttered with a solemn silence.
"She can't say."
"Say your persistence is completely worthless."
"But that's someone close to her. Who can stand being tortured in front of her?"
"The fallacy of Thanos sounds like that."
"Don't say it."
"Don't ever say..."
"Would you say it if it were you? I might not have been able to hold on."
"Yes, people are not saints!"
"It's over, I can see that she is about to break."
"This... the fourth rough stone is gone."
"Hey..."
The viewer sighed.
On the screen.
Tears welled up in Gamora's eyes as Nebula's shrill screams were like sharp blades piercing her heart. Thanos made it clear that if she didn't reveal the location, he would continue torturing Nebula.
After a brief stalemate, Gamora collapsed. "Vormir!"
She finally revealed the location of the Soul Stone.
The audience felt as though they had been struck by lightning. The footsteps of death seemed to be drawing closer to everyone once again.
In the Administration.
The Director standing before the blackboard wore a grim expression. He erased the writing behind the words "Soul Stone." Then added: "Only two left. One of them is already heading toward Thanos."
Sighs echoed throughout the meeting room. Thanos was steadily collecting the Infinity Stones. It seemed impossible to stop him.
Thanos released his grip, and the pulling force acting on Nebula disappeared. Her scattered mechanical parts gradually returned to their original positions. The screams also stopped.
Gamora was in pain. She slowly walked over to Nebula and gently stroked the exposed mechanical face on Nebula. "The stone is on Vormir."
The corner of Thanos' mouth curved into a smile, and he said, "Show me."
The screen shook and returned once again to the vastness of space.
The audience stared blankly at the screen, and everyone's heart was restless.
"Haa, the Soul Stone is basically gone. I was still hoping for a miracle."
"What exactly is Nebula? A robot? How can she replay previous memories?"
"Damn, Gamora too. Why tell a robot something like that? Why not tell Quill instead?"
"Dog head saves lives!"
"Huh? Is this... Thor's spaceship?"
"I almost forgot! Thor said he was going to forge a weapon capable of killing Thanos!"
"No problem! This should be the part where they forge the weapon!"
"Hope! There's still hope!"
"Will it still be Thor's hammer?"
The audience became excited. Sweeping away the despair from before, they remembered the determined words Thor had spoken. Their confidence shifted to the new weapon. What would Thor's new weapon look like?
Inside the spaceship, Groot sat in the pilot's seat while muttering softly, "I am Groot."
Rocket focused on piloting the ship. "Tinkle in the cup. We're not looking. What's there to see? What's a twig? Everybody's seen a twig before."
Groot sounded anxious. "I am Groot!"
Thor looked out the window at the stars, then he turned his head and said, "Tree, pour what's in the cup out into space and go in the cup again."
Rocket turned around. "You speak Groot?"
Thor replied, "Yes, they taught it on Asgard. It was an elective."
Groot muttered quietly, "I am Groot."
Thor smiled. "You'll know when we're close. Nidavellir's forge harnesses the blazing power of a neutron star."
Thor sat down. Sighing, he said, "It's the birthplace of my hammer. It's truly awesome."
Rocket glanced back at the lonely Thor. Helplessly, he muttered, "Okay, time to be the captain."
When he unbuckled his seat belt, Rocket walked over to Thor. "So, dead brother, huh? Yeah, that could be annoying."
Thor nodded gently. "Well, he's been dead before. But, no, this time I think it really might be true."
Rocket continued, "And you said your sister and your dad?"
Thor shook his head. "Both dead."
Rocket tried comforting him. "But still got a mom, though?"
Thor replied, "Killed by a dark elf."
"A best friend?"
"Stabbed through the heart."
Rocket froze.
The audience fell silent.
"Thor really is cursed with loneliness."
"This captain really knows how to reopen old wounds."
"So heartbreaking. Brother has nothing left."
Rocket looked at the broken Thor and asked, "You sure you're up to this particular murder mission?"
Thor looked up and forced a smile. "Absolutely. Rage and vengeance, anger, loss, regret... they're all tremendous motivators. They really clear the mind. So I'm good to go."
Rocket nodded. "Yeah, but this Thanos we're talkin' about... he's the toughest there is."
Thor laughed loudly. "Well, he's never fought me."
Rocket replied, "Yeah, he has."
Thor answered, "He's never fought me twice. And I'm getting a new hammer, don't forget."
Rocket shrugged. "It better be some hammer."
Thor smiled, but his laughter was filled with sorrow. "You know, I'm 1,500 years old. I've killed twice as many enemies as that. And every one of them would've rather killed me, but none succeeded. I'm only alive because fate wants me alive."
Thor looked into the distance, then said. "Thanos is just the latest in a long line of bastards... and he'll be the latest to feel my vengeance. Fate wills it so."
"Mmm-hmm." Rocket quietly asked, "And what if you're wrong?"
Tears streamed down Thor's face. "If I'm wrong, then... what more could I lose?"
He wiped away his tears, turned his head, and remained silent. The meaning was obvious.
Rocket also looked lonely while watching Thor walk away. He whispered softly, "I could lose a lot. Me, personally, I could lose a lot."
As he spoke, he pulled an eyeball from his pocket. Walking over, he handed it to Thor. "Okay. If fate does want you to kill that crapsack... you're gonna need more than one stupid eyeball."
Thor accepted the eyeball. "What's this?"
Rocket grinned. "What's it look like? Some jerk lost a bet with me on Contraxia."
Thor frowned. "He gave you his eye?"
Rocket shook his head. "No, he gave me 100 credits. I snuck into his room later that night and stole his eye."
Thor laughed while examining it. "Thank you, sweet rabbit."
He removed his eyepatch, revealing the empty eye socket. Then carefully inserted the artificial eye.
Groot curiously leaned over to watch while Rocket made a disgusted face and looked away. "Hmm. Huh? Oh."
The audience watching the scene frowned.
Rocket reminded him, "I would've washed that. The only way I could sneak it off Contraxia was up my..."
Before he could finish, the ship's alarm suddenly blared. "Hey, we're here!"
Thor rubbed his temple, and the eyeball rolled inside its socket. "I don't think this thing works. Everything seemed dark."
Rocket looked ahead, and his expression turned serious. "It ain't the eye."
The spaceship narrowly avoided a massive asteroid, then the entire planet came into view. But the planet before them was filled with death and decay. There wasn't the slightest trace of life or light.
The audience gasped, looking disappointed at the dim world displayed on the screen. Everyone had pinned their hopes on Thor's new weapon, yet the place Thor firmly believed could forge a weapon capable of killing Thanos... Looked like nothing more than a dead, abandoned world. Where could such a weapon possibly be forged? Without a powerful weapon... How could they ever defeat Thanos?