Avengers: Zero to Infinity

Chapter 11

• Stephen Strange

"So what is the plan, Thor?" Brunnhilde asked him.

"Well, for one, we are planning to go to the governnment office." Thor said. "I set up a meeting, which is going to take place in thirty minutes from now. We just have to wait."

"Oh, that's a great idea!" Hope complimented Thor. "You sure are good at this!"

"Hehehe, don't underestimate the king of Asgard!" Thor responded to her with a joyful look.

"Thor, you do realize that they can arrest you for this, right?" questioned Rhodey. "Ross isn't the type of guy who'd hesitate. He'd do anything to get what he wants."

"Then I'll have to declare war on him." Thor added. "I'm sure he doesn't want that, does he? We Asgardians can easily and effortlessly overpower him and his stupid tools."

I was stunned. Ross wasn't the only one willing to go through extra lengths to get his hands on what he wants, but Thor was, too. The only difference was that Thor refuses to manipulate people and brainwash them to get them to do what he wants. Could it be possible that Thor would be able to change destiny again? ...I doubt it.

"Strange, are you going to come with us?" I heard Thor's deep, brooding voice. "You've been acting really sulky lately."

When I looked up, it turned out Thor and the others were looking at me as if waiting for the answer that I was going to give to them. I couldn't believe their determination. It was a lot stronger than mine, which was for sure.

"What would change if I came?" I asked them. "Like always, it's going to end in misery."

"What are you talking about?" Bruce asked me seriously. "You haven't even tried it yet."

"You do not know what I've been through." I said to him. "Unlike you, I have been living knowing how things are going to go. I know how efforts can be thrown into a trash can like they're nothing."

"Oh dear, here we go again." Thor sighed, almost groaning. "How many times should I tell you that we can change destiny? You've seen me change it before. Why do you doubt that it could be changed now?"

"This world is going to end soon anyway." I mumbled.

"You need to stop saying "anyway"." Carol said. "That's like saying there's nothing we can do."

"He's losing hope in them." Rocket added. "So much for friends. He thinks that they can't be set free from their terrible destiny."

Rocket's fuel was swelling with disappointment, seeing how hopeless and spiritless I was acting like. It's as if his interpretation of me was one of those friends who pretend to be kind and friendly but are actually fake. I thought that all of my emotions were thrown down the drain when Steve and the others were captured by Ross, but my chest was pounding in remorse when I watched him stare at his unfortunate "friend".

I was surprised how my own optimism could be washed away in just one day. Just a few moments ago, I was positive that this world was going to be the best one yet. The world where we would finally win for once. But now here I was, giving up on everything and losing my strength to keep on moving forward. I think Rocket has a valid reason to be disappointed. If I didn't go through multiple time loops, I'd probably have the same reaction as him if I had a friend who gave up so quickly.

"Okay, you know what? Fine." I shrugged my shoulders and began walking towards them. "I'll be joining you in your little mission."

"Ahahaha!" Thor chuckled. "That's great! You could be of really great help and support, Strange!"