What If... the other 50% were snapped?

Chapter 17: The Last Battle

Field in Wakanda...

"Traitor," 2014 Nebula hisses at Nebula.

"You know you're not happy working for father," Nebula retorts. "You don't believe in his fight. I'm no traitor, I'm your destiny. I'm what you dream you could be."

"TRAITOR!" 2014 Nebula shrieks. 2014 Nebula points her gun at Nebula. 2014 Gamora raises her gun to point at Nebula as well.

"Don't do this," Nebula begs. 2014 Gamora cocks her gun, turns her hand, and pulls the trigger; shooting 2014 Nebula in the side. Nebula gasps as 2014 Nebula crumples to the ground, bleeding out, breath ragged. Nebula points her gun at 2014 Nebula's head and shoots. 2014 Nebula dies and Nebula looks up to meet 2014 Gamora's eyes.

"You could not live with your own failure. And where did that bring you? Back to me. I thought by eliminating half of life, the other half would thrive. But you've shown me that's impossible. And as long as there are those that remember what was, there will always be those that are unable to accept what can be. They will resist," 2014 Thanos proclaims.

"Yep. We're all kinds of stubborn," Tony quips.

"I'm thankful. Because now, I know what I must do. I will shred this universe down to its last atom. And then– With the stones you've collected for me, create a new one. Teeming with life, but knows not what it has lost but only what it has been given. A grateful universe," 2014 Thanos dreams aloud.

"Born out of blood," Steve retorts.

"They'll never know it. Because you won't be alive to tell them," 2014 Thanos replies.

Valkyrie, surrounded by aliens trying to take the Gauntlet from her, throws the Gauntlet to Peter as he swings past on a web attached to giant Scott.

"Oh no, oh my!" Peter squeals as he fights off Thanos' army with the help of Hope. Peter hands the Gauntlet to Hope who runs away from the horde of aliens surrounding Peter, clutching the Gauntlet tight to her chest. The aliens chase Hope as she runs as fast as she can. Rhodey lands next to her and takes the Gauntlet, zooming up into the sky, out of reach of the aliens. 2014 Ebony Maw rises into the air; going after Rhodey.

"Any super powerful magic person available for carrying a Gauntlet?" Rhodey says into his earpiece.

"Over here," Wong replies from the ground below. Rhodey dives down and lands next to Wong. Wong takes the Gauntlet from Rhodey and Rhodey zooms away as 2014 Ebony Maw lands on the ground across from Wong. Wong and 2014 Ebony Maw begin to engage in a battle of magic for the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet rises up above Wong and 2014 Ebony Maw's heads. The air around the Gauntlet shimmers and quivers with magic as the sorcerers struggle to gain control of where the Gauntlet is. Wong's face gnarls in concentration as he focuses all his energy on the Gauntlet. 2014 Proxima Midnight takes advantage of Wong's tunnel vision for the Gauntlet and she leaps toward him from behind; knocking him to the ground. That split second of surprise is enough for Wong's magic grip on the Gauntlet to weaken and the Gauntlet zooms into 2014 Ebony Maw's hands. Wong sends 2014 Proxima Midnight flying away from him and he stands to face 2014 Ebony Maw again. But 2014 Ebony Maw is already flying away towards Thanos; Gauntlet in hand.

The original six Avengers look up in slow motion as 2014 Ebony Maw flies towards them and 2014 Thanos, clutching the Gauntlet. Thor's mouth opens in a roar and he shoots upwards; holding Stormbreaker out with his right hand. Thor brings a crackling lightning covered Stormbreaker down on 2014 Ebony Maw's arms and they fall; detached from his body along with the Gauntlet. Steve jumps into the air; pushing off of Tony's shoulder with his hand for momentum. Steve reaches for the Gauntlet as it falls; but 2014 Ebony Maw; mouth open in pain; makes Steve fall back to the ground as the Gauntlet lands in Thanos' outstretched hand. Return to normal speed. The Avengers rush at Thanos as he puts the Gauntlet on. The power of the stones courses through Thanos and he roars; eyes rolling back. The Avengers attack Thanos from all sides and he uses the stones to fight back. Tony falls down on his back and as he gets up; he makes eye contact with Dr. Strange who's ten feet away sending magic at members of Thanos' army. Dr. Strange wordlessly holds up one finger and Tony nods solemnly. Tony runs at Thanos as Thanos uses the power stone to send Steve, Thor, Bruce, Clint and Natasha flying away from him. Tony jumps at Thanos, tackling him and grabbing his hands. Thanos fights Tony off and grabs him by the arm, throwing Tony away from him. Tony lands on his knees and looks up to meet Thanos' eyes.

Thanos raises his Gauntlet hand; sneering and never breaking eye contact with Tony. Tony is panting heavily.

"I am... Inevitable," Thanos says in a deadly whisper as he snaps his fingers. Nothing happens. Thanos looks at Tony; rage filling his eyes and confusion written all over his face. Tony lifts his own hand to show that the stones are in his own Gauntlet. Thanos opens his mouth in shock as Tony opens his own in pain. The stones send crackling lines of glowing energy up Tony's arm and neck and Tony breathes heavily; shaking a little with the hurt.

"And I... am... Iron Man."