Back at Stark Tower, the atmosphere was tense. The team gathered around the central table, the artifact Tony had retrieved glowing softly in its containment unit. Though they had won the battle against the dark Stark, the multiversal threat still loomed over them. Doctor Strange stood at the head of the group, his expression grim as he recounted his conversation with the primordial entity.
"The multiverse is unraveling," Strange began, his voice low. "The energy imbalances are becoming too great to contain. We've managed to delay the collapse, but unless we restore the balance, all realities will collapse into one another. There's only one way to stop it—a sacrifice."
The room fell silent as the weight of Strange's words settled over the group. Tony leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice are we talking about?"
Strange's gaze swept over the team, lingering on each of them in turn. "The primordial entity told me that one of the Nexus holders must give up their life force to stabilize the multiverse. A single being with enough power and connection to the multiversal balance can act as an anchor, restoring order to the collapsing realities."
Peter Parker, sitting at the edge of the table, glanced nervously between the others. "Wait, so one of us has to… die? There's got to be another way, right?"
Reed Richards, who had been deep in thought, spoke up. "Unfortunately, the mathematics of the situation support what Strange is saying. The Nexus points in the multiverse have been destabilized, and unless we can provide a stable center, everything will continue to fall apart. This isn't something we can solve with technology alone."
Sue Storm placed a hand on Reed's shoulder, her expression filled with concern. "But how do we even decide who...?"
Wolverine cut in, his voice gruff but calm. "We don't need to draw straws. If a sacrifice is what it takes, then I'll do it." His tone was resolute, but there was an edge of finality in his voice, as if he'd already made peace with the decision.
"Logan, wait," Tony interrupted, shaking his head. "This isn't a suicide mission. We're not giving up anyone. There has to be a workaround. We're not throwing lives away here."
Strange's face remained stoic, but his voice softened. "I understand how you feel, Tony, but the multiverse is fragile. If we don't act soon, there won't be a reality left to save. The entity was clear—this is the only way."
Johnny Storm, leaning against the wall, crossed his arms and looked down. "Is this really the only option? We've faced down cosmic gods before, but this feels... different."
Strange sighed, knowing how much this decision weighed on them all. "It's not just about raw power this time. It's about balance. Whoever takes on this role must be willing to become a permanent part of the multiverse's structure—a living anchor, binding the fractured realities together."
Tony rubbed his temples, his mind racing through countless scenarios. There had to be another way. "We've got an artifact here that can manipulate energy across dimensions," he said, pointing to the orb they had retrieved. "Can't we use that to redistribute the energy, stabilize things without someone having to die?"
Reed shook his head. "The artifact can help, but it's not enough on its own. It's a tool, not a solution. We'd still need a Nexus point—something, or someone, to act as the stabilizing force."
As the room fell into a heavy silence, Peter stood up suddenly, his eyes wide with determination. "I'll do it."
Everyone turned toward him, shocked by the sudden declaration.
"Kid, no," Tony said, shaking his head. "You're not making that kind of sacrifice."
Peter took a deep breath, his hands clenched into fists. "I've spent my whole life trying to live up to the idea that 'with great power comes great responsibility.' I've been given more power than I ever asked for, and if it means saving the multiverse, then... I'm willing to do it."
Wolverine scoffed. "You're too young to throw your life away for this."
"Exactly," Sue added. "There's got to be another way."
Peter looked around the room, his face set in a mix of fear and resolve. "There isn't. I don't want anyone else to do it, and I know what I'm saying. If one of us has to become the anchor, then I'm ready."
Before anyone could argue further, Doctor Strange raised a hand. "The decision cannot be made in haste. Peter's willingness is noble, but we must consider all options before acting. The choice will affect all of existence."
Tony glanced at Peter, admiration mixed with frustration in his eyes. "This isn't on you, kid. We're a team, and we'll figure it out together."
Strange closed his eyes briefly, as if in deep thought. "There is another possibility," he said, his voice hesitant. "I could attempt to modify the spell. Instead of a permanent sacrifice, I could spread the burden across multiple Nexus beings. It would be risky and untested, but it might save lives."
Reed rubbed his chin, intrigued. "You're talking about distributing the life force across multiple points of the multiverse? It could work, theoretically... but the strain could still be fatal."
Wolverine grunted. "So we all get a piece of the pain, but we stay alive. Sounds like a better deal to me."
Tony stood up, eyes locked on Strange. "If there's a chance to save everyone without anyone dying, we take it. No hesitation. Let's get to work on modifying that spell."
Strange nodded solemnly. "I'll need time. The ritual must be precise, and we'll need to coordinate with all the Nexus beings we've gathered. Each of them will need to willingly take on part of the burden."
"I'll get them on board," Tony said, his resolve hardening. "We've got allies in this fight, and they're not going to back down."
As Strange left to begin preparations for the ritual, the rest of the team dispersed, each member lost in their own thoughts. Tony lingered in the lab, staring at the glowing artifact and wondering if he could truly save everyone.
Peter approached him, standing silently for a moment before speaking. "Tony... if this doesn't work, I still want to help. I meant what I said earlier."
Tony looked down at Peter, feeling the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. "I know, kid. But if I can help it, none of us are going down with this ship. We're going to fix it. Together."
————————
*Far Away in the Multiverse*
In a distant corner of the multiverse, in a universe on the edge of collapse, a mysterious figure stood among the ruins of a world that had already fallen. Cloaked in shadows, they gazed up at the swirling chaos in the skies above—fractures in reality, shimmering with violent energy.
The figure raised a hand, and with a single gesture, the chaos seemed to pause, as though recognizing its master. The figure's voice was low and chilling, carrying across the void.
*"Soon, all will be mine. The multiverse will bend, and none shall stand in my way."*
As the cracks in reality pulsed and grew, the figure disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind only echoes of their presence.
The storm was coming, and even the strongest heroes might not be able to stop it.