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Universe 199999-A — a timeline parallel to the MCU, identical in development except for Nolan's interference.
The team re-emerged from the Quantum Tunnel. Banner, still in his time-travel suit, carried the Time Stone. But the silence in the chamber told the story before anyone spoke.
From Clint's expression, they understood: Natasha Romanoff hadn't returned. She had sacrificed herself on Vormir.
"She gave her life for the Soul Stone," Clint said quietly, placing the glowing gem in Banner's hand.
Banner's voice was heavy. "Her sacrifice… was noble." He opened his palm, revealing the Time Stone.
Rocket extended his claw, producing the shimmering orange Reality Stone. Rhodey unclipped the Power Stone.
But the platform behind them remained empty.
"Where's Tony?" Clint asked. "They should've been back by now."
"They were retrieving two Stones," Banner replied, though his brows furrowed. "It'll take longer."
Light flared across the platform four silhouettes materialized. Banner's eyes narrowed instantly.
"Wait. There were only supposed to be three." His skin flushed green as he stepped forward.
Weapons were raised. Thor's Stormbreaker spun into his hand, Clint's bowstring drew taut.
"Easy," Tony's voice cut through.
The fourth figure stepped forward a man none of them knew.
"Who the hell is that?" Clint demanded.
"Another universe's Sorcerer Supreme," Tony said grimly.
Banner's jaw tightened. "Why the hell did you bring him here?"
"Because," Tony said, "he already had two Stones. The Space Stone and the Mind Stone."
Nolan stepped forward, eyes falling briefly on Nebula. In his world, she'd still been Thanos' pawn. His fingers twitched with anticipation.
"Let's begin."
Two jewels rose into the air brilliant blue and yellow floating from Nolan's hand into the team's grasp. The Avengers hesitated, but six Stones together meant only one thing: resurrection was finally within reach.
Tony's face paled as he heard the news of Natasha. Steve Rogers lowered his head. "Why… why did it have to be her?"
---
By the lakeside, grief weighed heavy.
Thor, desperate to shatter the silence, forced a hollow smile. "We have the Stones. We'll bring her back. That's what they're for."
Nolan's arms crossed. His voice was calm, but it cut like glass. "No. Sacrifices for the Soul Stone are absolute. No resurrection. Honor her by not wasting what she gave you."
Thor bristled. "You don't understand—"
"I understand more than you think." Nolan's eyes glinted. "Your father would never question my grasp of the arcane. And as for family… I already subdued your sister. In my world, you live happily with your brother in Asgard."
Thor froze, speechless.
Steve stepped forward. "Enough. He's right. Natasha gave us this chance we can't waste it."
Banner roared in frustration, hurling a chair into the lake. The ripples spread across the water, heavy as the silence.
---
Back inside, they locked the six Stones into the gauntlet. Sparks cascaded as the mechanical arm sealed around it.
"It fits," Rocket whispered.
"Now comes the hard part," Rhodey said. "Who snaps?"
"I will," Thor stepped forward, but Banner blocked him.
"Too dangerous," Banner said firmly. "This is gamma radiation. It's like I was made for this."
Thor hesitated, then relented.
"I could do it," Nolan remarked lightly. The Stones' energies whirled in his gaze, a tapestry of laws woven together. Even he felt the echo of creation pressing at his soul.
"This is our universe," Banner said, voice hard. "Our fight. Our responsibility."
He slid the gauntlet onto his massive arm. Pain ripped through him instantly, a searing scream escaping his throat.
The Avengers shouted, trying to steady him, but Banner forced his fingers to close.
SNAP.
A flash brighter than the sun exploded across the compound. The gauntlet clattered to the ground, smoke pouring from Banner's charred arm as fire extinguishers hissed to life.
But Nolan's attention wasn't on Banner. His eyes tracked the power itself pure, unfiltered energy of the cosmic singularity. For a heartbeat, he glimpsed it: the scope of a universe inside a soul.
The Stonewave rippled outward, faster than light. Across the world, life returned. In an instant, five years of loss were undone.
But chaos followed. People reappeared in homes built over their graves, in cars now filled with strangers, in lakes and rivers that hadn't been there before.
The Avengers hadn't thought this through. Resurrection wasn't neat. It was messy.
Nolan's lips thinned. "Success… at a cost."
Clint's phone buzzed. His hand shook as he lifted it. The name glowing on the screen brought tears to his eyes.
It was his wife.
But his heart broke anew. Natasha would never answer her phone again.
The others were still reeling in relief when Nolan lifted his head. His voice dropped low, almost to himself.
"They're here."
Above them, the sky rumbled.
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