The Weight of the Universe | Avengers

6. Space Visitors

N E W Y O R K

"At the dawn of the universe, there was nothing. Then, boom. The Big Bang sends six elemental crystals, hurdling across the virgin Universe. These Infinity Stones each control an essential aspect of existence." As everyone, apart from Pepper, has gathered together in the Sanctum Sanctorum, Wong explains the birth of the Infinity Stones and the beginning of the world.

While Tony sits on the bench, his hand covering his chin as he absorbs every piece of information, Eve stands next to Stephen with an odd feeling in her stomach. Although she's glad that she finally seems to understand the true meaning behind the powerful stones now and is truly fascinated by Wong's colorful illusions, Eve has a bad feeling about this. Her old-fashioned mind tells her that no one should even be considering wielding one of the stones, excluding Vision.

"Space. Reality. Power. Soul. Mind." As Doctor Strange lists every Infinity Stone, they each light up and he turns to Tony, revealing what's inside of the Eye of Agamotto. "And Time."

Eve has only seen it once when she asked him how it's possible to be able to do what he does and it honestly worried her that this kind of power is easily accessible. Tony can read her thoughts, used to her attitude but he focuses back to the threat. "Tell me his name again."

"Thanos. He's a plague, Tony." Bruce walks towards him and pure concern is written on the scientist's face. "He invades planets. He takes what he wants. He wipes out half the population. He sent Loki. The attack on New York. That's him."

"Wait, what?" Eve breaks her own silence and she stares at Bruce with disbelief while Tony raises a brow at her sudden interest. "The attack on New York was him, not Loki?"

"Technically, yes. According to Aurora, Loki was used, but this is not important right now." Bruce waves it off but Eve shakes her head.

"It is, Bruce. It's important to me to get the right guy for the crime." She implies to Bucky's past, how everyone used to think that the Winter Soldier was only an enemy, not a broken toy of Hydra that was tortured to do the bloody work. The whole time, Eve has despised Thor's brother and couldn't believe that they were family.

"This is it. What's our timeline?" Tony walks around, his thinking process beginning.

"No telling. He has the Power and Space Stones, that already makes him the strongest
creature in the whole Universe. If he gets his hands on all six Stones, Tony..." Bruce guesses with urgency and Eve swallows.

"We have to stop him before he's able to. This isn't just about a city or even Earth, it's about the whole universe. A completely different game." Eve's suggestion of being a team makes Tony look at her gravely and she shoots him a desperate glance. His brown eyes reveal how upset he is but also that he wouldn't oppose a make up although their relation is broken.

"He can destroy life on a scale hither to undreamt of." Stephen concludes and the worry starts growing.

"Did you seriously just say 'hither to undreamt of'?" Tony leans casually on an ancient vase and a glare is formed in Stephen Strange's eyes.

"Are you seriously leaning on the Cauldron of the Cosmos?"

The Cloak of Levitation smacks Tony's arm away and Tony stares in disbelief at the moving cloak and then to its owner. "I'm... going to allow that. If Thanos needs all six, why don't we just stick this one down the garbage disposal?"

"No can do." Strange shakes his head and Wong agrees with his partner.

"We swore an oath to protect the Time Stone with our lives."