The screen showing Thanos snapping his fingers and obliterating the Universe disappeared.
In its place appeared timelines, extending and branching like the roots of a colossal tree.
"The TVA can observe changes in all timelines," B15 explained. She pointed to the display. "Every timeline, from its inception to its branching and eventual end, is visible here. Timelines are constantly diverging, and when a certain timeline is destined to be destroyed, it no longer produces tributaries."
She continued, "This happened in some Universes where Celestial seeds triggered a God-manifestation on Earth, eliminating the anchor point."
Malrick's presence had made a noticeable difference. B15's expression softened. "Thanks to you, the Celestials have begun relocating the seeds they left on Earth. That's one fewer reason for future universal destruction. Previously, attempts to communicate with the Celestials failed—until Arishem the Judge intervened. Because of you, they finally acknowledged their mistake."
"They really came looking for me?" Malrick asked.
"They sometimes only follow their own logic," B15 replied, nodding.
She shifted to a different display. "Now, the Thanos Council—the Multiverse Thanos team—the timeline they occupy is marked for destruction."
On the screen, a sprawling timeline appeared. At numerous nodes, hundreds of new temporal branches sprouted. Subsequent nodes created even more tributaries, forming a wild, uncontrollable bush of possibilities.
B15 pointed. "See these branches? They span from the first Thanos who traveled across Universes to the timeline where Iron Man snapped his fingers. More than twenty timelines originally had further branches, but those branches have collapsed. That Thanos group chose to destroy their respective Universes, directly steering the timeline toward annihilation."
Tony rubbed his chin. "Wait. If Thanos decides to destroy a Universe, shouldn't he create a new branching timeline instead, without affecting the main timeline?"
B15 shook her head. "He's using the Infinity Stones, Tony. The Time Stone is among them. Using them to destroy a Universe doesn't create branches; it directly annihilates it."
Tony frowned. "These Stones truly are invincible."
Wanda, still tense from watching the Universe collapse, asked, "So the twenty-plus timelines are already destroyed. Our goal is to stop Thanos from continuing, right?"
B15 shook her head. "No. Observing a timeline's start and end doesn't mean it's finished. The TVA can travel freely to any node along these timelines. But even killing Thanos in the past would only create new branches. What we must do is intervene at the moment he snaps his fingers to destroy the Universe and stop him entirely."
She folded her hands behind her back, watching for reactions.
"Excellent!" Tony exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "So we can tackle Thanos one by one, like clearing levels in a game!"
"Tony, you play too many video games," Malrick muttered. "And it's not 'we.' You can't handle Thanos. I'll go."
B15 hesitated, then added, "We do have reinforcements arriving, including Deadpool and Gold…"
"No! Absolutely not!" Holland-Spider clutched his chest. "We agreed, B15! No Deadpool! If you call me, you can't call him!"
B15 sighed. "I summoned everyone at once. He just arrived late."
A temporal portal opened, and Deadpool popped his head out, holding Dog Deadpool. He sauntered in, licking the dog's back and talking nonstop.
"Oh, Peter! My dear Peter! How could you—let me kiss your donut—"
Holland-Spider screamed, panicking. Instinctively, a white web shot out, sealing Deadpool's mouth. He kicked Deadpool back into the portal, snatching the temporal pad from his hands before closing it.
The command room fell silent, save for Holland-Spider's heavy breathing. Seconds later, B15 began clapping, followed by Malrick and Tony.
"Proficient," B15 said. "You endured Deadpool for three years, Peter."
Malrick patted Holland-Spider on the shoulder. "That must have been rough."
Holland-Spider exhaled. "Still as difficult now."
"Please," he added, addressing B15, "don't call Deadpool again. No Universe needs him saving it. If anyone knew Deadpool was the hero, they'd prefer to die."
B15 nodded. "Understood. The main force this time is Superman. He will lead the operation… if he agrees."
Malrick met her gaze. "No problem. I'll join this mission. Part of this Thanos escalation is due to me, after all."
_____
The rate at which I get little to no power stones, lol💀
Well, if you want to at least read ahead (60+ to 90+) chapters in advance.
Become a patron to gain access.
Patreon.com/Zphyr_