Ronan's sudden move snapped everyone back to reality.
Steve Rogers kicked Thanos' severed hand with the Infinity Gauntlet off to the side, as if putting even a small distance between them gave him a sense of safety.
Thor, on the other hand, hurriedly wiped his face, afraid that his comrades might see the two tears that had escaped. After all, he was supposed to be the "strongest Avenger."
Compared to them, Tony Stark appeared far more composed. In fact, he even remembered Ronan's earlier mockery.
"Has anyone ever told you..."
"... that your words are really unpleasant?"
Tony opened his faceplate, his expression full of questions as he looked at Ronan.
Though his words seemed like an inquiry, their true meaning was obvious.
"I've heard that before," Ronan replied with a bright, sunny smile. "But those people quietly turned into babies afterward. Do you think they were right?"
Tony's lips twitched, and recalling what Ronan had just done, he wisely closed his mouth.
In a verbal duel, Tony might hold his own for a few rounds. And in a physical fight, he could also compete.
But after witnessing that transformation...
Just imagining himself turning into a baby made Tony give Ronan a thumbs-up in reluctant admiration.
Meanwhile, Strange, who had just finished his "water management," floated down to join them.
Finally, he arrived—after the battle was already over.
This raid freeloader didn't even manage to deal 2,200 points of damage.
"What did you mean by holding up those two fingers earlier?" Strange clearly remembered Ronan making a peace sign at him during the fight.
Ronan shrugged and glanced over at Tony Stark, then raised his eyebrows toward Strange.
Though Ronan didn't say a word, Strange instantly understood.
As for Tony, who was left out of their exchange, he had no clue what was going on.
Before Tony could ask, Captain Marvel interrupted.
"Boys, the discussion can wait. We need to figure out what to do with him."
By "him," Captain Marvel was referring to Thanos, who was still lying unconscious on the ground. Though barely clinging to life, he had only a few minutes left before he would die.
No one protested Captain Marvel calling them "boys," except for Cap and Thor. After all, she seemed to be around 30 or 40 years old—technically younger than Tony Stark.
But truthfully, in terms of actual age, only Steve Rogers was older than her, considering how time worked for them both.
"I'll personally send him to hell. Hopefully, he'll repent for his sins there."
Ronan was eager to finish off Thanos himself. After all, Thanos was a major villain—the experience points would be massive!
But to Ronan's utter surprise, in a flash of light and a gust of wind, it happened.
There was a slicing sound, and then...
Thanos' head flew high into the air, with blood spraying out like a fountain before everyone's eyes.
"Sorry, I took your kill," came a calm voice. "But I had to end the mistake I made back then myself."
It was Thor, emerging from behind them, looking quite heroic.
Whether it was his actions or his tone, Thor looked as cool as ever. Especially when he reached out to recall Stormbreaker, he almost resembled the mighty God of Thunder once more.
Ronan, however, stood there wide-eyed in disbelief.
He had watched as the giant bundle of experience points that was Thanos had been taken from him!
"Thor!!!" Ronan screamed. "I'll kill you!!!"
No one really knew what happened that day.
Just when everyone thought it was a happy ending, Ronan seemed to snap and vowed to fight Thor to the death.
If it hadn't been for a certain traitor opening a portal for Thor to escape, Ronan might've actually used the Time Stone to revert Thor back to his fetal state.
But only Ronan knew the weight of his loss.
He had meticulously planned everything—swapping out the Time Stone, manipulating Ebony Maw into betraying Thanos, and even suffering mental strain. All for what?
All for Thanos' head!
Otherwise, why go through all that trouble?
Even though his intervention caused the giant space whale to die in the wrong place, knocking Tony Stark unconscious in the process...
There were still other Avengers who could defend the universe!
But then, out of nowhere, Thor's sudden swing had ruined all of Ronan's plans.
And so, while waiting for the time machine to be repaired, Thor sneakily boarded the Guardians of the Galaxy's ship and fled Earth entirely.
Of course, there was another reason Ronan eventually gave up chasing Thor.
The system still rewarded him.
[Thanos has been slain, calculating contribution...]
[Experience +6,273]
[Skill points +2]
[Tyrant Slayer obtained]
[You reversed time with the Time Stone. You have gained a slight understanding of the power of time. Explore further on your own.]
Despite the rewards, Ronan's anger didn't subside. If he had personally beheaded Thanos, the rewards might have been even greater!
The more Ronan thought about it, the angrier he got, wishing he could fly into space to finish off Thor.
But that was just a fleeting thought.
The battle had ended somewhat abruptly, but the outcome was still a good one.
Everyone returned to their ordinary lives. It was almost as if nothing had changed in the past five years... yet everything had changed.
Peter Parker went back to his old school, though many of his classmates had moved on.
Tony Stark returned to his family, continuing his life as a devoted father.
Steve Rogers, in his heart, was probably already thinking about going back in time to dance with the love of his life for the rest of his days.
As for Strange...
He resumed his role as Sorcerer Supreme, though he still had a long way to go before becoming a truly qualified one.
At the same time, Strange extended an invitation to Ronan.
He invited him to visit Kamar-Taj.
In Strange's mind, as Sorcerer Supreme, it was his duty to ensure Earth wouldn't be invaded by outsiders.
Since Ronan could cross parallel universes to reach their world, it stood to reason that new enemies might be able to do the same.
Ronan, having already visited once before, thought about it and eventually agreed.
Before coming, the Ancient One had advised him to have a chat with Strange.
Although Ronan didn't fully understand the Ancient One's deeper intentions, he figured there was no harm in having a conversation.
And, of course, there was one more important reason.
Ronan had some questions of his own that he needed Strange's help to answer.
It concerned his own safety, so Ronan had no choice but to make the trip.