Steve's POV:
I stood beside Tony in the dimly lit Sanctum Sanctorum, the air thick with an otherworldly aura. The walls were lined with ancient relics and mystical artifacts that seemed to whisper secrets from ages past. The eerie silence was finally broken by the sound of a door creaking open.
Dr. Stephen Strange stepped into the room, his flowing crimson cloak trailing behind him. His expression was grave, eyes glinting with a mixture of urgency and resolve. He gestured for us to sit, and as we complied, he took a seat across from us, folding his hands thoughtfully.
"Thank you for coming," Strange began, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space. "I wish it were under better circumstances."
"Let's cut to the chase, Doc," Tony said, leaning forward, his tone as sharp as ever. "What's the deal with these Infinity Stones?"
Strange nodded, his eyes flicking to me for a moment before settling back on Tony. "The Infinity Stones are six singularities that existed before the universe itself. When the Big Bang occurred, these singularities were forged into stones, each controlling an essential aspect of existence: Space, Reality, Power, Soul, Mind, and Time."
I listened intently, absorbing every word. I could feel the weight of the information pressing down on me, the enormity of the threat becoming clearer.
"I've seen the future," Strange continued, his gaze growing distant as if recalling the visions. "Millions of possibilities, all leading to a singular outcome if we do nothing. Thanos, the Mad Titan, is seeking the stones. If he succeeds, he will possess the power to wipe out half of all life in the universe with a snap of his fingers."
A chill ran down my spine at the gravity of Strange's words. I glanced at Tony, whose usual bravado seemed tempered by the seriousness of the situation.
"How do we stop him?" I asked, my voice steady but edged with urgency.
Strange sighed, leaning back. "Stopping him is not going to be easy. He's already obtained the Power Stone, Space Stone, and Reality Stone and he's moving fast. We need to protect the remaining stones at all costs and rally our forces. Unity is our only chance."
Tony nodded, the wheels clearly turning in his mind. "Alright, so where are the stones now?"
"The Time Stone is here, in my possession," Strange said, gesturing to the Eye of Agamotto hanging around his neck. "The Mind Stone is with Vision. The Reality Stone was being kept by the Collector but that no longer is of any consequence, and the Soul Stone... its location is unknown."
I exchanged a glance with Tony, both of us understanding the magnitude of the task ahead. "We'll need to warn Vision and the others," I said, my mind already strategizing the next steps.
"And we'll need every ally we can muster," Tony added. "This is going to be a fight like no other."
Strange nodded solemnly. "Remember, the future is not set in stone. We can still change our fate, but it will require sacrifice, determination, and trust in one another."
I stood, extending my hand to Strange. "We'll do whatever it takes."
Strange shook my hand firmly. "I know you will. The fate of the universe depends on it."
Suddenly, a tremendous crash shattered the silence, followed by a cascade of debris from the ceiling. I instinctively shielded my face as dust and rubble rained down. When the dust settled, I saw a familiar, but unexpected, figure lying in the wreckage.
"Bruce?" I exclaimed, rushing forward to help Bruce to his feet.
Bruce looked disheveled and panicked, his eyes wide with terror. "Thanos," he gasped, clutching my arm for support. "He's coming."
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Beyond Saving Bucky
Fanfiction⚠️18+ only, under 18 DNI⚠️After Tony and S.H.I.E.L.D give Bucky a pardon, he is sent to Wakanda to be deprogrammed while Olivia is stays with the Avengers. "Beyond Saving Bucky" unfolds as Bucky and Olivia's love faces an unexpected twist when a con...