I Am Iron-Man

Chapter 72

Tony Stark's POV

Well, seeing how four out of the Infinity Stones chose people on the one of the many New Avengers teams, maybe I should meet with Strange, Vision, and Ethan and let them know about that they bonded with one of the most powerful stones in the universe.

"They already know", the Space Stone stated. Oh, then nevermind.

"I'm guessing it was because the Soul, Time, and Mind Stones told them that?".  It would make that much sense. I remember that Vision always said that he felt a deep connection with the Mind Stone. Of course, I never knew what that meant until now.

"Exactly. In fact, Time, Mind, and Soul are explaining the bonding process and what that would mean for them right now with Dr. Strange, The Vision, and Ethan".

"Speaking of that, how come you never told me that you bonded with me? I don't mind, by the way, but it would have been nice to have a heads up"

"Well, Power and Reality explained some of the reasoning behind why I chose you, but there is some more explanation that I need to say. Just like with those two, it is kind of difficult for me to trust anyone to handle my abilities responsibly. Every time that I thought that I found someone who use my powers for the greater good, they would always betray me and use them for their own selfish and evil reasons. Then I encountered you, the moment that I met you, I felt that something was different about you. But I didn't want to get my hopes up, then Mind spoke good things about you. So, I was curious about you. I have been keeping an eye on you from the Battle of New York to the Avengers: Civil War. I liked you and admired you. But I still never wanted to bond with you because I didn't think that you would accept me. You always said that you never wanted to be anything more than a baseline human and I didn't want to take that away from you. Also, I didn't want to kill you as Power and Reality explained what would happen if you rejected me. Anyways, once you were rescued from Siberia and placed into the hospital, I relaxed since you received Extremis and I thought that it would make the process easier for you to handle, and the fact that you accepted to receive powers from all of us helped me calm down as well. I know that I should have asked from the beginning, but I really wanted to do it and found the perfect opportunity to do it"

"Wow, I'm sorry that people would betray your trust like that. No-one more than me should understand how that feels. I can admit that I was disappointed that I couldn't remain a baseline human, but if I have to gain powers in order to protect Earth, and possibly the entire universe, from destruction, then I will do that"

"And that is one of your characteristics that I admired about you, but I should warn you. Dr. Strange, The Vision, Ethan, and you are in so much danger right now, especially you and Ethan. Possibly The Vision would be in more danger than Dr. Strange"

"I know it is because of Thanos, but shouldn't Dr. Strange and Vision be more in danger than me and Ethan? They are the ones that hold the physical bodies of the Infinity Stones"

"They are in danger, but in as much danger as you two. You see when we bond with you, instead of you becoming the holder of the Infinity Stone that bonded with you, you become the living embodiment of that Infinity Stone. That is why you gain one hundred percent of our abilities. You are the living embodiment of me"

So, that is probably why the Soul Stone escaped from Vormir. He didn't need to be there anymore because Ethan was on Earth and he needed to be aware of his situation. And that is probably why Power and Reality volunteered to give themselves up, they never bonded with anyone, so they never had a living embodiment of themselves.

"Exactly, Tony"

"Wait, if I am the living embodiment of you and Ethan is the living embodiment of the Soul Stone, then... does that mean that Thanos would need to kill me and Ethan in order to receive you and the Soul Stone?"

"Yes. He wouldn't need to kill Dr. Strange to receive Time. Since Mind is in The Vision's head, he would most likely kill him, but it is not a necessity to receive Mind, unlike with you and Ethan. The physical bodies of Soul and I are connected to your life forces. If either of you two die, then your physical bodies will be transformed into the Infinity Stone that bonded with you. He would absolutely need to kill you two in order to receive us". As if the giant purple grape needs any more reasons to kill me. First, because he wants revenge for the loss of his army in the Battle of New York. Then, because he thinks that I control all of the Infinity Stones and that is the only way to receive the rest of them. Now, because he has to kill me in order to receive the Space Stone. "I'm sorry, Tony. I never should have put this on you. I never should have bonded with you"

"Hey, don't apologize. I have been prepared for this since the moment I flew into that wormhole. I have been prepared to lose my life over this. Just because my life is in more of a greater risk than before doesn't mean that I will give up and cower away. I am going to defend this universe, even if it is the last thing that I do. And I know that Strange, Vision, and Ethan will do the same thing as well"

"... Thanks. Just be prepared. Power and Reality said that Thanos is moving at a faster rate than before"

"Not surprised since the four out of the six Infinity Stones that he needs are on the same planet, in the same country, and in the same state, but we will be ready for him"

"Good luck. The universe is counting on you, but no pressure". Well, I guess that I should meet up with the other Infinity Stones' recipients and tell them to be careful and be prepared, then the rest of the other teams and tell them to bring on their A game because it is now or never from here on out.