Chapter 214: Out of Control
Thor put away the Soul Gem with a sneer. "If you dare to appear in the soul state, even if you are the Dark Lord, you will have to kneel before me!"
The orange light on the gemstone dimmed as the afternoon sun bathed it, appearing full, as if it had just consumed a substantial amount of energy.
There was no longer a ruler in the Dark Dimension.
Perhaps in many years, a new Dark Lord might rise here, but there would never be another Dormammu...
Thor turned towards the source of the disturbance, aware of another pressing issue.
"Don't come any closer!" Jean shouted, clutching her head.
Dormammu had vanished, and while the Phoenix Force tried to retract, the energy lines on Jean's face remained, and she was on the brink of collapse.
"Don't!" She screamed again as Thor approached. "I can't control it! You don't understand this feeling. When this power surges, it is beyond my control!"
"Every time this power erupts, someone gets hurt. I don't want to hurt you. Leave now!"
Jean's body began to tremble.
Thor did not stop. He knew that if he left, Jean's emotions would spiral out of control, and the situation would become dire...
"I asked you to lift the seal, and I also caused the cosmic flare. Now, when there's a problem, am I supposed to just leave you to deal with it alone? That would be dishonorable," Thor said with a gentle smile. "I promised to take you home. I won't give up on you. Trust me, we'll get through this together!"
As he spoke, Thor moved closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I don't want to..."
The Phoenix Force's flames erupted instantly, surrounding them and then hovering in the air.
At such close range, Jean's expression became increasingly fierce as she struggled to control her power. She nearly begged, "No, I can't control it... Please, go!"
The surrounding energy quivered, threatening to explode at any moment...
"I said, I'll take you home!"
In Jean Grey's desperate eyes, the Phoenix flames erupted, enveloping Thor in an instant...
When the Phoenix Force surged, Thor finally understood why Dormammu had been so terrified.
The Phoenix Force is one of the most fearsome entities across countless universes. It can reshape or even obliterate any part of the universe, burning away what needs to be eradicated.
This power is known as "Phoenix's Judgment." The Phoenix Force is often described as the embodiment of all-consuming passion...
The spark of life it brings to the universe is matched by the destructive fire that ultimately consumes it.
Thor could clearly feel his once invincible steel body beginning to dissolve.
The immense strength suppressed his superhuman recovery abilities.
This was the result of Jean's desperate attempt to control the power.
"Stop hesitating. It's too late. Quickly! Kill me!" came the pleading cry.
"Kill me!"
The Stormbreaker fell to the ground, demonstrating its resolve.
In the next moment, Thor saw a golden phoenix appear before him, almost materializing in substance...
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Wanda and Nightmare continued their confrontation.
They were among the top forces in the universe, with Chaos Force's level beyond the reach of most.
However, Wanda's control was insufficient.
Suddenly, Wanda felt a profound unease, her expression freezing instantly.
She sensed...
"Yingyingyingyingying..."
The scream was not loud, but it echoed throughout the battlefield.
Wanda's eyes turned completely blood-red. She fell to her knees, and the energy within her burst uncontrollably.
The entire world grew silent as everyone experienced a shift in their vision, turning blood-red, and they watched in shock.
Nightmare became Wanda's first target in her berserk state. The green light of Nightmare was instantly consumed by the blood-red flames, and the energy on which Nightmare relied for survival was swept away by the Chaos Force.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..." Nightmare let out a piercing scream as its body began to disintegrate.
"I will not die! As long as there are people in this world who have nightmares, I will always have a chance to return!"
"You have no chance!" Wanda's emotionless voice cut through.
Nightmare, horrified, realized that the connection with the Nightmare Dimension had been severed, as if it had never existed...
Is this—Alter Reality?
--
Chapter 215: The Power of Odin
"Is that what death feels like? Why does it seem so unchanging?"
When Thor first opened his eyes, he saw the Phoenix flames swirling around him and Jean Grey's tear-streaked face.
*Beep!* "Host's death detected. Passive skill—Death Resistance activated. Time rewinding in progress..."
*Beep!* "Target strength surpasses the limits of time. World time regression invalid. Reverting to host's personal time regression..."
"Time rewinding complete. Host's state fully restored!"
*Beep!* "Congratulations, host. Mission completed — Hatchet Ending: Killed by a lover. Reward: Character-exclusive plug-in."
The series of system prompts made Thor's ears ring. It appeared he had a passive skill he had forgotten about for over 20 years, likely acquired from a mission with Hela...
"Are you okay?"
Jean's voice, filled with relief and joy, reached him.
"For now, it seems so..."
Thor felt as if the Phoenix Force's damage had lessened slightly. Perhaps his recent "death" had further awakened Jean's potential and improved her control just a bit.
Jean shook her head, sensing his thoughts. "No, the improvement is minimal. It may take years for me to fully control it..."
Thor frowned. A few years of turmoil from loving and fighting each other wasn't a major issue, but what he lacked most right now was time. He had no idea what was happening outside...
Before he could think further, the Phoenix Force enveloped him once more...
When his consciousness returned, Thor found himself walking on a patch of green grass.
*Rustle...*
The sound of waves and distant seagulls filled the air.
"Am I in Northern Norway?" Thor wondered aloud.
He looked out at the sea and called out, "Father, you should be able to see my new island from here..."
Odin, hidden in the shadows, emerged with an embarrassed expression. "You arrived five years later than I expected. I thought you would come here during Ragnarök."
Thor rolled his eyes. "It's because I'm amazing..."
Odin:
Can't argue today!
Thor was slightly annoyed by Odin's comment.
Am I going to enter missing daddy mode? Is this how it works? This is my territory, you know?
Odin's face darkened. "In any case, you're now in a dire situation. Asgard is once again in crisis, correct?"
Thor nodded. "Surtur, the bastard, came here to cause trouble while I was preoccupied. Just wait until I free up some time; I'll teach him a lesson!"
Odin chuckled softly. "But you can't kill him. Even if I were here, I could only take away his Eternal Fire. If his crown touches the flame again, he'll be reborn immediately."
"Then how did you take away the Eternal Fire?" Thor asked.
"Beat him!"
Thor:
Seeing Odin's expression, Thor couldn't help but smile. "If you could do it, so can I, even better. Just like Ragnarök, the eternal prophecy, you will eventually crack it. Here's the proof!"
After Odin finished speaking, he slowly turned to leave.
"That's it?" Thor's eyes widened. "You haven't said anything!"
Odin turned his head and whispered, "Enough, Thor. You're better than I was!"
With that, Odin continued walking away.
"Wait!"
"What's the matter?" Odin didn't look back.
"Er..." Thor chose his words carefully. "Dad, could you give me a heads-up the next time you appear? Sometimes I'm in the middle of something, and it's inconvenient..."
Odin was taken aback for a moment before he came to his senses and muttered, "You rascal..."
For a brief moment, the events in the sea of consciousness mirrored reality.
In the dark space, with Jean sobbing, the Phoenix Force continued to ravage Thor's body.
Suddenly, Jean noticed a change. Thor's body, which should have been reduced to ashes by now, stopped deteriorating and began to heal instead.
All his wounds were healing rapidly, and Thor was recovering on his own without dying!
At the same time, the divine power surrounding Thor intensified, enveloping him in golden light and isolating him completely from the Phoenix Force.
*Boom...*
A tremendous explosion followed, turning countless planets to dust.
Jean's eyes widened in shock
---
Chapter 216: Phoenix Force
*Beep!* "The plug-in -successfully activated. Congratulations, host, for receiving the reward: The Power of Odin!"
"The Power of Odin: An power passed down through the bloodline of the Aesir royal family. It is named 'The Power of Odin' because Odin, among all known beings, is the strongest bearer of this power. Before Odin, it was called 'Bor's Power,' named after Odin's father, Bor. Prior to Bor, it was known as 'Buri's Power,' after Odin's grandfather, Buri."
Feeling the unprecedented surge of power within him, Thor whispered, "Then now, the name of this power is — Thor's power!"
Thor's eyes turned golden, and a tremendous divine energy surged forth, sweeping across the dark space and overwhelming the Phoenix Force .
The Phoenix Force, which had started to subside, seemed provoked by the sudden surge and erupted again, taking over half of the domain once more.
Jean quickly reacted, whispering, "What should I do now? I still can't control my power, and I might hurt others as soon as I return..."
This was indeed a concern. The Phoenix Force was not contained; it just couldn't harm itself anymore. It wasn't feasible to leave Jean in the dark space, waiting for his return daily.
The awakening of divine power brought not just strength but also insight.
Thor extended his hand, and Stormbreaker flew to the center.
Gently caressing the battle axe, Thor murmured, "When thunder merges with flames, light and darkness will face the final battle!"
"This is the true destiny!"
The immense divine power flowed into the battle axe, propelling it high into the sky, marking the center of the clash between Thor's power and the Phoenix Force.
"Jean, try to channel your power into the battle axe!"
Jean hesitated for a moment but then complied.
In an instant, a massive vortex appeared in the sky as the Phoenix Force swiftly converged upon Stormbreaker.
It was as if the power from the previous flare had entered Jean Grey's body!
"How... how is this possible?" Jean's mouth fell open slightly, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Stormbreaker, can you truly become a Phoenix host?"
"It's not the battle axe; it's me," Thor explained. "I chose the battle axe because it is my weapon. If I were using Mjölnir, it would have chosen Mjölnir instead. Since my body harbors another source of divine power, the Phoenix Force opted to use a weapon as a connection with me. The flames will be reborn in thunder, and the Phoenix battle axe will soon be forged!"
Jean gazed at Thor with admiration.
Thor chuckled and said, "You guessed it right. Just like you, I was also deemed the perfect host by the Phoenix Force. Even if it wasn't true before, it is now."
"Back then, among countless worlds and individuals, I chose to bring you into this world, perhaps for this very moment!"
"Hoo..." The Phoenix Force's influence waned, and the remainder returned to Jean's body.
"Your strength continues to grow..."
Feeling the situation within Jean, Thor said, "Rebirth from the ashes is indeed a remarkable power. Even when divided, it can gradually return to its full form. However, your control must keep pace with it."
Stormbreaker... No, it should now be called the Phoenix Tomahawk!
The Phoenix Tomahawk slowly flew into Thor's hand. He lifted it up, and a fierce flame ignited around him. The Phoenix Force and cosmic thunder, two vastly different yet powerful forces, converged within the same individual for the first time.
At that moment, Thor became the Phoenix King, the ruler from the flames.
Lord of Thunder, God of Fire, King of Phoenix!
This was the eruption of thunder's might, the release of fiery fury. The earth trembled continuously, and volcanoes began to erupt.
"It's time to make those who conspire against us pay the price!"
There was no response.
Looking back, Thor saw that Jean had fallen asleep against his shoulder. Her strength was far from enough to control the Phoenix Force, and she was exhausted from the day.
Thor said softly, "Rest well. I'll handle everything from here."
---
Chapter 217: The Villain Died From Talking Too Much
The fierce battle in Asgard had reached its most perilous stage.
The immortal Surtur showed no restraint; despite any efforts to contain him, he continued his relentless approach towards the ground.
In desperation, Frigga had no choice but to implement a backup plan—evacuating everyone.
In Asgard Square, Frigga asked Heimdallr, "How is it? Have the people been evacuated?"
"There's only one last group left. They should all be aboard the spaceship in a few minutes..."
Loki whispered, "Mother, are we really going to abandon Asgard?"
Frigga sighed, "Son, Asgard was never just a place. Wherever our people are, that is Asgard."
Despite her words, the sadness in the eyes of those boarding the spaceship was undeniable.
"You cannot prevent the great prophecy!"
The aerial battle finally concluded. With a mighty roar, Surtur struck heavily, hitting Hela directly. The Night-Sky Sword could not withstand the impact at such altitude.
"Boom…"
The ground was smashed into a crater, and Hela emerged from it, disheveled and breathing heavily.
In the air, Jane Foster hurled Mjölnir towards Surtur.
Mjölnir streaked through the air like a meteor, its thunderous light cutting through the surrounding flames, heading straight for Surtur.
The force was enough to shatter the land!
Surtur's response was straightforward; he grabbed Carol Danvers, who was flying nearby, and charged forward.
"Boom…"
The devastating blow struck Carol's head with such force that the Captain Marvel's defenses were overwhelmed.
Carol: "...."
Surtur did not relent; seizing the opportunity while Jane was stunned, he struck her with his palm.
"Boom"
Another crater formed on the ground of Asgard Square.
"Boom…"
Surtur's massive form crashed into the ground of Asgard, causing landslides and cracks.
At this historic moment, Surtur's chaotic mindset returned to normal. Looking at Asgard, he laughed heartily, "Ragnarök, the great prophecy, has finally come!"
Raising the Twilight Sword, flames gathered at its tip.
"Behold, this is power! And power is the only law!"
After countless years of waiting, Surtur roared in arrogance.
"I am the end of Asgard!"
The sword, infused with Surtur's greatest strength, struck the ground with unstoppable force.
On the nearby spaceship, countless Asgardians closed their eyes.
Frigga turned away, Loki looked pained, and Hela's eyes were blank...
"Boom"
A colossal collision echoed throughout the universe as the Twilight Sword halted just before touching the ground, unable to unleash any more force.
Thor held the unconscious Jean Grey with one arm and raised Stormbreaker with the other, blocking the world-destroying blow.
A portal appeared before him, leading to Thor's room. He placed Jean inside.
At his current level, Thor could ignore all constraints and open teleportation at will.
After sending Jean away, Thor looked at Surtur and said, "You talk too much. Don't you know that villains often perish because they talk too much?"
Thor pushed his hands towards a sword above.
To Surtur's horror, he realized he could no longer grip the Twilight Sword. The massive blade slipped from his hand and flew into the sky.
"No... y"
Surtur's enormous body leaped to retrieve the Twilight Sword.
As he looked down, he saw Thor flying towards him.
Thunder and flames erupted from Thor simultaneously, and Surtur felt—this flame seemed even stronger than the Eternal Fire?
There was no time to ponder as Stormbreaker was already coming towards him.
The Phoenix Force and Thor's power, the two most formidable forces in the universe, collided. Surtur had only enough time to raise the Twilight Sword in defense.
Unmatched power swept across the battlefield.
King of Asgard, Thor, returns as the true king!
In the depths of the universe, countless ancient beings opened their eyes in disbelief, murmuring, "Odin?"
Then, they shook their heads: "No, not Odin, there is another power in that being…"
"Stronger than Odin…"
--
Chapter 218: I Am Destiny
"Crack..."
A crack appeared on the Twilight Sword that had devastated Asgard, quickly spreading across the entire blade.
Surtur remained dazed, oblivious to the thunderbolt descending from the sky.
There was no thunder that shook the world, only a purple light flashing in the sky, resembling ordinary lightning, striking Surtur on the back.
"Ah..."
Surtur let out a cry of pain, more wretched than any before, as the flames at the impact site faltered and failed to reignite.
The so-called infinite recovery ability of the Eternal Flame was relative. When facing a power far beyond its own, its regeneration was suppressed.
Carol murmured, "How does this guy keep cheating? How dare he accuse me of cheating?"
Thor's voice came through, "Leave this to me. You go to Earth; the opponent's attack isn't just aimed at Asgard!"
With that, he charged towards Surtur once more.
This time, Thor intended to completely eliminate the threat.
Seeing Thor wielding Stormbreaker with flames and thunderstorming his attack, Surtur quickly raised one hand to block it...
On Earth, the Hulk had been thoroughly defeated.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang..."
Thanos' martial prowess had turned into slam mastery, pounding Hulk relentlessly...
It must be said that the Hulk was incredibly resilient.
"Boom..."
A thunderous explosion echoed across countless realms and reached Earth. Thanos, deep in thought, looked up.
Hulk was thrown aside, reverted to Bruce Banner, and rescued by the Avengers. Thanos didn't care.
He felt a familiar power. Even in his brutishly conquered universe, the young King of Asgard was one of the most formidable foes he had encountered.
The variables in this world were numerous, and the Avengers were unexpectedly powerful.
Just like the sorcerer who mended water, the witch who defeated the nightmare, and even the Hulk who had been overpowered by Thanos himself, they were all stronger than anticipated.
On the far edge of the battlefield, Captain Marvel and Jane Foster, holding Mjölnir, were advancing. Thanos could immediately discern that these two were stronger than ordinary Avengers.
And the King of Asgard, who had just awakened the power of Odin and another ancient power he had never encountered...
Although it seemed like he was gaining the upper hand, that was only because the opponent's most potent forces were occupied elsewhere.
Once all their forces converged, Thanos would have no chance of victory.
The nightmare was entirely vanquished by Wanda amid screams of resistance. Meanwhile, Thanos sensed it—Dormammu was gone, and Surtur was in jeopardy.
His only chance of winning was to use his final move!
Thanos reached into his armor and pulled out a battered glove with all six slots empty...
Many witnessed this, but they didn't understand what he was planning.
Thanos murmured to himself, "Years ago, I collected all the Infinity Gems."
"However, I found I didn't need their power to destroy the universe—my army was sufficient. So, I used the power of the infinity stone to destroy the infinity stones."
"And now, I find that I finally need to use the power of the Infinity Gems."
These words confused everyone.
You have lost all your gems—what more are you talking about?
However, the next moment, Thanos produced a full emerald gemstone and embedded it into the glove...
The Time Gem of this universe!
"Fortunately, now I have mastered time!"
As the power of time flowed, outlines of gemstones began to appear in the remaining five empty slots.
The Avengers were terrified, rushing towards Thanos desperately, but his legions resisted fiercely.
"The power of a single Time Gem is far from enough to affect five gems of the same level, but I have restored them to the moment they were destroyed. That should be enough for me to use once, and once is sufficient!"
After speaking, the outlines of the five Infinity Gems solidified, then trembled violently, as if they might shatter at any moment...
A red figure fought off the enemies around him and charged forward, intending to seize the gem.
"…"
Thanos kicked him away.
"Mr. Stark, I know you could develop a device to harness the power of the gems, but I won't give you the chance."
With a sneer, Thanos raised his hands high, replicating the iconic scene from the movies.
"I am destiny!"
"Clang!"
--
Chapter 219: Alter Reality!
"Boom..." After releasing their power, the five Infinity Gems exploded.
But the light from the Time Gem dimmed instantly. Its power had been drained and would take some time to recover.
This was already disheartening enough.
This Thanos was not the original Thanos who merely sought balance but a true destroyer!
His goal was not only to decimate half of the universe's population but to completely eradicate all life!
With the sound of a snap, everyone present was stunned. They felt a mysterious force enveloping them, and many sensed they were about to vanish!
Everyone was at a loss, unsure of what actions to take...
Except Wanda.
Wanda's thoughts drifted back to the past, recalling Thor's words.
"Your power is one of the oldest and most potent forces in the universe. It's more than just firing a few red energy blasts."
"The most powerful aspect of your Chaos magic is Alter Reality!"
"Your potential surpasses mine. When your ability is fully unleashed, every word you utter will become reality. Just like if you declare the Earth as the center, the entire universe will revolve around it."
"No, it's not merely the ability to alter reality; it's the power to play God!"
"I believe in you!"
She closed her eyes, feeling the power surging within her.
The recent outburst had allowed her to independently defeat a being as formidable as the Nightmare.
Now, she needed to unleash that power once more...
"Everyone, don't disappear!"
Chaos energy surged, but soon she felt a wave of dizziness, a backlash from Alter Reality.
Had she failed?
"Wanda, with your current power, you can't alter too large a cause and effect."
Strange's voice came through: "The power of the six Infinity Gems affects the entire universe's fate. You cannot bear such a burden!"
As he spoke, his feet began to slowly disintegrate.
"You must reverse all this without significantly altering the intent behind the snap!"
Wanda: "???"
Reversing the disappearance of cosmic beings without interfering with Thanos' objective?
But isn't Thanos' goal to annihilate all life?
No, Thanos' ambition was to destroy the universe with his own power; only when that was insufficient would he resort to the gems!
There is a distinction!
Thanos and his dark army had halted their actions.
In the final moments, everyone was on the brink of disappearing, and the universe would fall into utter silence.
At that moment, a cold female voice echoed in the ears of all beings in the universe.
"At this moment, there is no one with superpowers in the world!"
A miracle occurred.
Countless individuals who were on the verge of turning to ashes began to slowly recover...
No one understood why, but the effects of the snap had vanished.
Only the Avengers knew that Wanda had used a different form of sacrifice instead of a snap.
Like a fairy tale, where a benevolent witch sleeps for a century to lift a death curse...
The Valkyries began to falter, losing their ability to maintain flight.
Fortunately, their mounts were winged Pegasi, which safely guided them to the ground.
Then there were Carol, Jane Foster, and other superpowered beings who fell from the sky, having lost their flight abilities and become mortal...
The Marauder ship picked them up.
Little Spider-Man Peter Parker, half of him turned to ashes, had returned to normal. He stared at his hands in disbelief, attempting to shoot webs, but there was no response.
Bruce Banner called out, "Hulk? Hulk?"
No response.
Wanda's strength was exhausted, and she had fainted. Whether she was still the Scarlet Witch was unknown...
Stark's eyes widened. The scene before him was identical to what he had seen in his vision!
Thanos was momentarily disoriented.
He had not anticipated that this witch could single-handedly reverse the fate of the entire universe and thwart the snap that harnessed the power of the six gems...
No, she hadn't changed anything!
Because he and his army were not from this world!
And when he snapped his fingers, he hadn't included his own side from the beginning!
In a universe devoid of superpowers, what else could prevent its own destruction?
Thanos laughed maniacally.
--
Chapter 220: Stark's Last Card
In Asgard, Surtur was reflecting on recent events, but now he was being battered mercilessly.
"No... I will definitely return..."
"Boom..."
The flames surged, turning the sky and earth pale. Surtur's massive form cracked and transformed into a crown of flames.
"Is it over?" Loki asked in confusion.
Surtur, the harbinger of the prophesied Ragnarök, who had seemed invincible moments ago, now appeared so vulnerable?
"Not so simple."
Thor shook his head. "Its power comes from the Eternal Fire. As long as the Eternal Fire remains unextinguished, it can resurrect indefinitely."
As if to confirm Thor's words, a mass of flames ignited above the crown, and a massive silhouette slowly rose.
"How the hell do you handle this?"
Frigga sighed beside him. "Your father faced this same situation. Ultimately, he had to take away the Eternal Fire. Even then, it didn't stop Surtur's rebirth..."
"He has weaknesses."
Thor continued, "Absolute immortality doesn't exist. Even the so-called infinite resources have limits."
Despite appearing immortal, Surtur could be defeated with each resurrection. If the energy of the Eternal Fire was consumed faster than it could be replenished, Surtur could be completely eradicated.
"Well..."
Loki was speechless. Defeating this giant was already extremely difficult and dangerous, and hearing this didn't help.
"Roar..."
Surtur was revived once again.
"..."
The tomahawk struck his newly formed head.
"Crack, crack..."
The sound of the body being torn apart echoed as Surtur was split in half from head to toe.
Surtur was dead again...
A cold voice suddenly rang out:
"At this moment, there is no one with super abilities in the world!"
These words caused many faces to change.
Asgardians are a race where every citizen is a warrior. Even the most ordinary Asgardian has physical capabilities far beyond those of regular people.
It's not an exaggeration to say that all Asgardians possess super abilities.
At this moment, the ordinary citizens are affected.
And the Asgardian sorcerers, who feel the loss of their magic more acutely...
Was that Wanda's voice?
But why would Wanda do this? What is happening?
Thor believed Wanda was not corrupted and her actions must have had a significant purpose...
Surtur had transformed back into the Fire Crown, and Thor used the moment to think. Among those present, only he and Surtur were unaffected.
Surtur was unaffected because he was an ally of Thanos and thus not subject to the curse. Thor was unaffected because his power had exceeded the range that the Infinity Gems could influence.
"Brother, this is bad! My power is gone!"
Loki lamented loudly, realizing his magic had vanished. For a god, what could be more terrifying than this?
Thor didn't even glance his way. "It's fine. Your power was already negligible..."
Thor's comment was blunt.
Loki: **[…]**
Loki felt that life had lost its meaning and he almost wished for death to end his misery.
But he was genuinely afraid of dying, so he continued, "But, brother, aren't you worried? I just saw that everyone in Asgard has become mortal. It's probably the same on Earth."
Aren't you concerned?"
Thor was silent for a moment, looked at the resurrected Surtur, and said softly, "You'll never understand. As an Avenger, the most important thing is to trust your teammates!"
Loki rolled his eyes.
They're your teammates, not mine. Your teammates beat me up every time they see me. How am I supposed to trust them?
---
On the battlefield on Earth, the situation was not as dire as feared.
Thanos' army had suffered significant losses, and most of the Avengers were not superpowered beings.
The Marauders in the air, the Nova Corps, and other troops could still fight normally. The Wakandan soldiers, the largest ground force, were also highly advanced technologically.
Among the Avengers, most relied on technology.
Even the young Spider-Man, who had lost his superpowers, could still fight with his armored suit, and Black Panther was similarly equipped...
What was missing was the top-level strength...
Stark was silent for a moment before whispering, "Friday, call Mark 86!"
--
Chapter 221: Battle of the Gods
"Boss, the Mark 86 hasn't passed the test yet and isn't battle-ready," Friday reminded.
"Nobody was ready from the start," Stark replied without hesitation. "Activate it!"
Unlike other recent armors, the latest Mark 86 isn't made from nano-elements; it's still in the lab...
"Boom..."
From the Stark Tower in the distance, several beams of light pierced through the roof and flew toward the battlefield.
The Black Dwarf charged at Stark, clearing the way for his leader. Even without much intelligence, he knew that the current Avengers were centered around Stark.
"Boom..."
A streak of light quickly descended upon Stark, enveloping him completely.
Facing the Black Dwarf, Stark launched his attack.
The Black Dwarf raised his enormous axe, but the powerful blow from Stark's new armor struck it directly.
"Boom..."
The explosion was immense, sending the Black Dwarf flying backward, his body scorched black.
If not for his formidable resilience, he would have been destroyed in one hit.
"Is this really happening?" Many exclaimed, observing the new armor with awe.
Unlike Hope's red and gold armor, this one was primarily black with dark blue stripes. The armor's material didn't resemble metal and was unlike anything from Earth...
"Is this... material from body of a celestial?"
Thanos immediately recognized the essence of the armor and his face also showed interest. "Quite interesting. You truly are a person cursed with knowledge. You're more fascinating than the Iron Man from my world. I find your head more intriguing by the minute!"
"You can try!" came Stark's voice from within the armor.
He raised his wrist, and two dark blue energy beams shot towards Thanos.
Thanos smirked. "Bring it on!"
"Boom"
Thanos was immediately blasted backward and fell to the ground.
Stark leaped into the air and delivered a powerful punch.
This was his ultimate weapon, his strongest asset.
If this armor had existed five years ago, the war might have been over long ago.
"Five years ago, Stark came to me with a massive corpse. He said he wanted to develop the strongest armor to truly protect Earth and needed my assistance," Bruce Banner explained to those who had retreated momentarily. "Stark told me that Earth's materials are limited.
Even the toughest Vibranium can be torn apart by Thanos.
He needed stronger materials.
So, he brought me the body of a Celestial, reportedly recovered from the Kree ..."
Carol nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The Kree did preserve the corpse of a Celestial. Ronan the Accuser, who once intended to invade Earth, bathed in the blood of the Celestial... I never imagined someone would be so reckless as to use a god's body as material..."
Though the Celestial Armor is named Mark 86, its power far surpasses that of the conventional Mark series. Its strength exceeds what ordinary people can achieve, with the power to alter the very fabric of reality with each move.
"Boom"
A punch to Thanos' head, and Thanos grabbed it.
"Boom..."
A heavy cannon exploded in Thanos' palm. He was blasted away instantly, and Stark seized Thanos, soared high, and smashed him into a boulder.
"Boom..."
In this scene, Stark nearly overpowered Thanos.
"Can you win?" someone asked.
Bruce Banner sighed. "If this were Thanos from the past, Stark might have had a real chance. But the current Thanos is far beyond our imagination. Even Hulk, who is a hundred times stronger than his regular form, is no match..."
He and Hulk share the same consciousness and memories. He knows better than anyone how powerful Thanos has become.
"The only current advantage is the armor's attributes. After all, the armor of the gods has another name—the anti-Thanos armor!"
As Asgard and Surtur continue their cycle of infinite death, the mind that has finally recovered is about to be wiped out...
"Man of Asgard, you have committed a heinous crime..."
The resurrected Surtur roared angrily, feeling the sting of becoming a mere joke.
Surtur, sustained by the Eternal Fire, loses some strength with each resurrection due to energy depletion, while Thor grows stronger with each encounter...
--
Chapter 222: Thor Returns
With the eruption of thunderous power and the release of fiery wrath, the Earth trembled and the volcano began to erupt.
Surtur's body was at the center of the storm, constantly being torn apart and reborn over and over.
Unlike Odin's approach of containing the Eternal Flame, Thor chose to eliminate the problem completely to prevent future problems.
As Surtur's strength continually diminished, Thor's power grew stronger, and the cycle of life and death accelerated, with Surtur experiencing rebirth and destruction almost every second. Each resurrection left Surtur's body smaller than before.
True immortality does not exist in this world.
Equipped with the Celestial Armor, Stark was even stronger than Hulk. The armor seemed designed specifically to counter Thanos.
A punch knocked Thanos over, followed by a powerful beam shooting toward him.
Thanos fought back, delivering a strong punch to Stark's side.
However, he momentarily forgot that for this armor, many so-called vital points were no longer weaknesses but traps deliberately set by the opponent.
"Boom..."
With a powerful strike, a muffled sound echoed.
As a result, Thanos soon found himself unable to retract his fist.
Stark grabbed Thanos with a backhand motion. Rockets fired from beneath his feet, propelling him to an altitude of tens of thousands of meters before hurling Thanos high into the air.
As a ground-based fighter, Thanos was at a disadvantage. No matter how strong he was, he could only rage impotently in midair.
"Boom... Boom... Boom..."
Laser cannons and missiles relentlessly pounded Thanos as if they were being fired without concern for cost.
The Mad Titan, suspended in the air, couldn't even dodge and became a living target...
The Black Dwarf, who had risen, raised his giant axe to assist Thanos.
"No need, let him handle it," Ebony Maw waved a hand, stopping him.
This strange armor could indeed trouble Thanos, but it was not enough to defeat him.
No one understood Thanos's strength better than this canine-headed strategist.
Stark's design was only suited to the Thanos of five years ago, not the omnipotent ruler before him!
"Boom..."
Thanos crashed heavily to the ground, leaving a massive human-shaped crater.
The scene fell into silence.
Suddenly, a thick arm emerged from the pit, and a palm slapped the edge as Thanos shot out.
The disheveled Thanos appeared grim, and though he didn't speak, his anger was palpable.
A moment's carelessness had led him to be pummeled by a mere mortal.
He yanked the tattered helmet from his head and stormed toward Stark.
...
A missile, trailing thick black smoke, flew toward him. Thanos caught it and slammed it against his chest.
"Boom..."
Flames spread in all directions as the specially-made missile, as powerful as a small nuclear bomb, was absorbed by Thanos...
Was this the strength of Thanos in a state of extreme fury?
Stark ascended into the air, using gravity to enhance his punch.
The thrusters beneath his feet, on his back, and behind his arms activated simultaneously, propelling his punch toward Thanos.
Thanos's feral grin widened. Just as the iron fist was about to connect with his face, his right arm shot out like lightning...
A thunderous crash echoed, and Stark stared in shock at the cracks on his arm armor.
Before he could react, a massive fist grew larger in his view. He quickly raised his hands to shield his face.
This hasty defense sent him flying backward like a kite with a broken string. As he hit the ground, Thanos's relentless pursuit continued.
The battle was fierce, with explosions roaring and metal tearing incessantly. Stark fought alone against a being who once destroyed the entire universe.
A mortal facing a god!
"Boom"
Thanos clapped his hands together, seizing the reactor from his chest.
"It's over. Delays are useless!" came a chilling voice.
"Click…"
The reactor shattered, and the light from the Celestial Armor extinguished.
With the reactor destroyed, Stark was trapped inside the armor and unable to move.
Thanos ripped the armor off, revealing Stark's head.
The expected look of despair was absent. Stark spat out, "Fool!"
Thanos, cold and victorious, declared, "I have conquered, ruled, and slaughtered for years without mixing personal emotions. But now I want you to understand how I will treat stubborn, boring ants like you on this planet. I will savor this process—immensely!"
"Oh?"
A voice suddenly spoke from behind.
"Everything you say might come to pass. The only condition is—without me!"
--
Chapter 223: This Time I Am Aiming at the Head
Thanos turned slowly, gazing at the king of Asgard who had so deeply impressed him.
With his battle-axe in one hand, Thor held a flaming crown in the other and let it drop to the ground.
*Clang...*
The crown shattered into pieces.
"This time, don't even think about coming back."
The sky suddenly darkened, and the Avengers looked up to see a large number of spaceships descending from various directions, reinforcements arriving from everywhere.
In the sky, a figure in a devilish two-horned helmet appeared and shouted passionately to the ground, "Your savior is here!"
Loki declared, "I am a showman, born for both grand and small scenes!"
Thanos ignored Loki's grandstanding. He took a deep breath and spoke in a deep voice to Ebony Maw, "Dormammu, Surtur, are they all dead?"
"What do you think?"
Thor sneered, "I underestimated you, the mighty World Destroyer, who has played so many tricks and set so many traps."
Thanos displayed an inscrutable smile, "Likewise. Unfortunately, I also underestimated you—or rather, underestimated your role in this world. My plan was to treat you as I did Odin..."
"Then what else do you have to say?"
Thanos shook his head, "I might not lose. If you want my head, it will depend on how many lives you are willing to exchange for it!"
With a grim expression, he waved his hand and commanded, "Deploy the entire army and inflict the maximum damage at all costs!"
"Kill..."
In an instant, the Dark Legion charged at all visible enemies with frenzied desperation.
Facing such relentless fighting, without a super-powered leader, the Avengers suffered severe losses in mere moments...
Clearly, seeing the situation slipping away, Thanos was making a last-ditch effort, determined not to let his opponents gain any satisfaction.
However, Thor intervened.
"You have no chance!" Thor shouted. The combined power of Odin and the Phoenix Force swept across the battlefield, filling the sky with flames and thunder.
"Boom... Boom..."
Violent explosions echoed through the sky, affecting the Chitauri soldiers. Regardless of whether they were vanguards or guards, they were like firecrackers igniting—flying into the air with a bang and bursting into blood mist moments later.
The sky was filled with thunder, and the Chitauri Air Force and Leviathans were engulfed in lightning storms, turning to ash before they could even scream.
The explosive onslaught lasted less than half a minute, and the entire battlefield seemed perpetually engulfed in chaos. Within sight, no trace of the dark army remained.
Only the Black Order remained, stunned around Thanos—so many had vanished, just like that?
Thanos hadn't yet made a move, nor did he have the opportunity to.
Thor had not even shifted his stance while destroying the armies; he simply released the energy within him.
"Now it's your turn!"
The Phoenix Force gathered on Thor's battle-axe, which he swung through the air. A beam of axe edge, hundreds of meters wide, streaked across the sky, its sound reaching instantly.
"Not good!" Thanos's heart raced as he tried to dodge.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead as he realized that no matter how he moved, the beam would strike him accurately at the waist, cleaving him in two!
*Click...*
At the crucial moment, the Black Order stood in front of him, with Ebony Maw even dragging the Black Dwarf forward.
"Ugh..."
With a single move, the endless dark army was obliterated!
With another, the formidable Black Order was destroyed!
Everyone stared in awe. As a mortal, it was hard to comprehend this level of divine power. Now Thor had surpassed Odin and was truly the strongest in the universe.
Thanos's face stiffened. Thor had appeared for less than a minute and had completely reversed the battle's momentum, making Thanos's dominance seem illusory...
In this world, there were too many unforeseen events.
The Hulk had transformed a second time, Iron Man was equipped with Celestial Armor, the mysterious figure who had eliminated Dormammu, the solo killer Nightmare, the witch who altered the Infinity Gauntlet's snap, and Thor—following an entirely different path!
All these variables were surrounding him!
Thanos sighed, acknowledging that he was no match and had no chance of turning the tide. Yet, he wouldn't surrender without a fight.
Because he was Thanos! The Thanos who had destroyed the entire universe!
"If you want to kill me, then come on, hahahahaha…"
Thanos laughed wildly and charged forward, raising his iron fists high and preparing to strike Thor fiercely.
Thor lifted his battle-axe, and as their weapons crossed, his voice suddenly rang out, "The reason I lost in another world must be because I didn't behead you?"
Thanos froze, feeling a sharp pain in his neck before he could react.
In his fading consciousness, he heard a final voice...
"This time, I'm aiming for the head."
*Boom...*
The headless corpse of Thanos fell to the ground.
--
Chapter 224: After the War
The Phoenix Force blazed from Thor's axe, incinerating Thanos into ashes, ensuring that he was completely dead.
Thor watched as Thanos' body burned, but he felt little joy in the victory.
The nightmare that had once tormented him, Thanos—the enemy of his life—had finally become history.
After more than twenty years of struggle, Thor had finally changed his destiny.
The armor on Stark's body slowly opened, allowing him to step out.
Approaching Thor, Stark murmured, "Is this difficult war finally over? I've lost all my fortunes. The drones are malfunctioning, the Iron Legion is faltering, Mark 85 is incapacitated, and now even the last armor from the Celestial is gone... Oh, this is truly disheartening. I was going to use this to challenge you, but I didn't expect it to be dismantled by... hands..."
The more Stark spoke, the more animated he became, until Thor gave him a big bear hug.
"Yes, it's all over!"
Yes, it's over. After this battle, the entire Nine Realms would become a forbidden zone in the universe.
The true power hidden within Earth is among the greatest in the universe, which is why it has enjoyed peace for so many years.
The continuous disasters here are due to the passing of the Ancient One and Odin, the loss of the two major Guardians. And now, Thor's presence has filled that gap.
He would be the new uncrowned king of the universe!
"This is truly the best news I've heard today!"
A strange voice interrupted, and they turned to see a small man, less than 1.6 meters tall, with a somewhat familiar face.
The most notable feature was the half-star shield he tightly held in his hand.
"Uh... are you Steve's son? No, I don't recall hearing that Captain America had a son... No, no, this guy actually let a minor go to the battlefield?"
Stark's sharp tongue—well, despite his heroic deeds as Iron Man, Stark could be quite irritating...
Thor, however, displayed a nostalgic smile, "I suddenly find you more agreeable with this look, Steve."
Captain America, injected with the Super Soldier Serum, is also considered a super-powered individual.
Steve smiled warmly, "Maybe it's because the world no longer needs an old man like me to fight!"
Falcon Sam landed beside him, folding his wings. He looked Steve up and down and said, "Congratulations, Steve, you can finally retire. The only thing that saddens me is that in my world, there's no Captain America anymore."
Steve gave a faint smile, "Everyone can be a captain!"
"Hey, little guy from Brooklyn, how are you?"
Bucky, with his Vibranium arm, came running up...
Thor, unable to tolerate their display, turned away and glanced at Strange, who stood not far off. Even without his magical powers, Strange still looked somewhat flamboyant in his cloak.
Thor whispered, "Is this the ending you foresaw?"
Strange nodded, "Yes, if it was foretold, it wouldn't have happened."
Thor understood. If Doctor Strange had informed him in advance or taken other measures to prevent it, the outcome would have been different. For instance, Dormammu would likely not have arrived...
However, if Strange had dealt with Mordo in advance, stopping both Dormammu and Surtur simultaneously, it might have helped the battle, but it would also have made the war against Thanos even more difficult.
It's simple: without the enhancement from the dark dimension, without the combined power of Odin and the Phoenix Force, even if Thor could defeat Thanos, it wouldn't have been easy. After all, this isn't Blademaster 2014; it's Thanos the Emperor from the end of time.
This isn't a video game where following the strategy guarantees success. Even if you know a better ending, you might not dare to take the risk. Most would still prefer to play it safe and face gradual defeat...
Thor no longer concerned himself with Strange, as dealing with the sorcerer could lead to more complications.
As he turned to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back with a smile, "I just realized—I seem to have resolved two major problems for you, right? As far as I know, Dormammu and Nightmare should have been handled by Kamar-Taj?"
Strange shrugged, "It's wasn't done by you."
"What my lover has done is no different from what I have done. Shouldn't I get some reward?"
"An Infinity Gem?"
--
Chapter 226: Infinite Reversal
The Time Gem that he swore to protect was given away without hesitation.
When did Doctor Strange become so generous?
No, it's not that he's generous. In fact, Strange is quite cunning. With no magic power left, even if he held the Time Gem, he couldn't use it or protect it. In Thor's hands, the gem could be used for much more.
Moreover, this Time Gem is now in Thor's possession as a trophy for defeating Thanos...
Strange is certain that once something valuable is in Thor's hands, it's unlikely to return, especially not the Infinity Gems.
Thor isn't like the stubborn and foolish Thanos who destroyed the infinity stone simply because he couldn't use it.
Even if it's used to create diamond rings for the women around him, that would be fine!
In truth, even if it were the Mind Gem, Thor had no intention of returning it...
"The essence of Vision is a blend of several complex elements—J.A.R.V.I.S, Ultron, Stark and the infinity stone... all of these interact with each other," Strange explained.
"You mean, Vision isn't just the infinity stone?" Stark asked skeptically.
"I mean, if we figured out how to remove the infinity stone and just revive Vision, he would still be himself, maybe even better. I've heard Vision often suffers from headaches because he can't control the power of the infinity stone."
"Then... what should we do?"
Though Stark suspected Strange was planning to steal the Mind Gem, he had to admit the truth in what Strange said. Stark wanted to resurrect Vision because he considered him family, not for the infinity stone, even if it was one of the Infinity Gems.
"No need to do anything."
As Thor spoke, he casually drew in the air, and a portal appeared. Vision's headless body floated out of it.
The Time Gem emitted a faint green light, affecting Vision. His body turned red again, and the head that had been twisted by Thanos reappeared, including the green head.
The only difference was that the stone was missing from his forehead.
"Vision, how are you?" Stark asked as he lifted him, worry etched on his face.
"I feel good!"
Two Valkyries were tending to a comatose Wanda.
Thor approached.
"Your Majesty..."
The Valkyries saluted him respectfully, their eyes showing concern.
As the most powerful force in Asgard, the Valkyries had served as guardians of New Asgard. But now, they had lost their divine power and were no longer suited for the job. If their services were no longer needed...
Thor saw their concern, smiled slightly, and patted one of the Valkyries on the shoulder. "Hildr, do you know that besides fighting, Valkyries have another duty?"
Another duty?
The two Valkyries looked puzzled at first, but when they saw Thor's knowing smile, they quickly understood and became somewhat embarrassed.
The two looked at each other and then said in unison, "You are the king; it is your decision!"
Thor waved them off to let them step back, then picked up Wanda and checked her condition.
Wanda was severely depleted and no longer as vigorous as before; she resembled a weak ordinary person.
However, no one could treat her as just an ordinary person. This was the Scarlet Witch who single-handedly defeated Nightmare and nearly reversed Thanos's snap of the fingers with the Infinity Gems.
Thor levitated the Mind Gem beside her to store it away.
Most people would hesitate to handle the Mind Gem due to its effects, just like Loki once did.
But Thor had no such concerns.
Wanda sensed something, slowly opened her eyes, saw Thor, and managed a faint smile.
"Did I... mess everything up?"
"No, you did great."
Thor gently rubbed her head and comforted her softly.
Wanda's face relaxed into a relieved smile. She leaned against Thor, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep...
"Congratulations to the host for completing the task—the Witch's Growth Plan! Reward: Skill—Reversal Infinity."
"Reversal Infinity: Active skill that counters all Alter Reality-related abilities. When reality is altered by abnormal forces, it can be restored to its original state within one hour using Reversal Infinity."
"Well, wouldn't a world without superpowers be too dull?"
---
Chapter 226: Endgame
At the end of 2022, in Nidavellir.
A golden gauntlet was placed before Thor.
Eitri, the dwarf king, gazed at the newly forged Infinity Gauntlet with a look of nostalgia. "Many years ago, your father, the former king Odin, commissioned me to create a pair of gloves that could harness the power of the six Infinity Gems.
But later, he discovered that it was nearly impossible to complete the set.
Moreover, if two Infinity Stones were too close to each other, it would cause a disaster, so they were shelved.
And the unfinished gauntlet was stored in the treasury of Asgard."
"Now, time has passed, Odin has passed away, and the Infinity Gems finally belong to Asgard. This must be fate's arrangement!" Eitri concluded.
Thor shook his head slightly. "No, it's not fate, but my own arrangement."
He put on the gauntlet and attached the six Infinity Gems to it. The powerful energy spread throughout his body.
However, soon, the energy seemed to encounter a terrifying presence and instantly rewound.
Eitri's expression was complex. "When the six Infinity Stones are gathered in the Infinity Gauntlet, a single snap of your fingers could destroy the entire universe. I hope you use this power wisely."
"I will," Thor nodded.
....
"Welcome back, Thor!"
In the castle of New Asgard, the voice of the Red Queen echoed.
Thor looked at her still somewhat youthful hologram and couldn't help asking, "Do you want to become human?"
"???"
The Red Queen paused, then shook her head. "Forget it. No matter how precious the material, a body made from it will always have flaws. I don't want to end up like Vision."
"Vision is still the strongest synthetic being in the world. Why is he so unpopular?" Thor asked.
But Thor hadn't planned for it.
"Phoenix Force. From the original universe, born at the beginning of all things, when Chaos was immortal, eternal yet impermanent. It is the embodiment of life and spiritual power in the original universe, symbolizing life and emotion."
"And what you lack now is life and emotion!"
The Red Queen said with excitement - "Really? But can you control this power? It seems like you use it mainly for attacking."
"It wasn't possible before, but now it is!" Thor raised his gloved right hand. "From now on, I am destiny!"
"Oh, wait…" The Red Queen suddenly remembered something and hurriedly stopped him.
Thor snapped his fingers, and continued, "Well, when you become a real person in the future, you will no longer be just an artificial intelligence. The abilities you had as an AI will still be with you, but you'll be human."
The new Asgard's Steward.
You can't be called a queen anymore. Natalia and the others might have misconceptions, so let's call you Alice... eh?"
The Red Queen's slender form slowly solidified, and she stared at Thor in surprise.
"Where are my clothes?"
Thor was blasted out of the hall and sat helplessly on the ground.
Natalia came and sat down next to him, chuckling lightly. "You had it coming!"
Thor rolled his eyes. "Can you blame me? Stark didn't prepare clothes when he made Vision!"
Natalia glared at him. Vision's prototype J.A.R.V.I.S was an old man, while the Red Queen... no, Alice, was still a young girl. Is this even comparable?
"Why are you here at this time? Aren't you training those new recruits?" Thor changed the subject.
Natalia shook her head. "I graduated a long time ago and can go on missions. You, the island owner, are not responsible..."
"Missions? Thanos is dead. Who could possibly be causing trouble now?" Thor wondered.
"Who knows? Anyway, as long as there are people with desires in this world, chaos will never end.
Recently, Stark Industries faced trouble. An actor named Quentin Beck tried to seize power, and as a result, ten groups of people were crushed to death by Stark..."
Thor snorted.
A mysterio is really drifting away. Stark seems intent on making trouble before he dies...
Is anyone really as easy to deceive as Spider-Man?
As the sun set, Thor stood at the highest point of the castle, with Jean Grey quietly watching the sunset beside him.
"I once said that when I was strong enough, I could open channels between different planes and allow you to return to your own world."
Thor suddenly said, "In this way, you could see your relatives."
Jean was stunned for a moment. After a long silence, she spoke softly, "But do I still have family? My father, perhaps it's best not to disturb him. As for the professor, he only took me in because I am a mutant, and I was very unstable."
Thor looked at her closely and smiled. "So what is your plan?"
"Returning is definitely something I want to do. But, I want you to accompany me!" Jean said firmly.
"Ha ha..." Thor laughed. "With the Infinity Gems, anytime!"
He reached out and held Jean's hand. The dazzling light on the Infinity Gauntlet flashed, and the surrounding environment changed instantly...
A new journey was about to begin!