Locke almost told Tony the truth.
Even if they restored the people erased by Thanos, it wouldn't truly save the original timeline. The moment they interfered with this universe's history, a brand-new branch reality would form.
The original universe would still remain unchanged.
In a sense, they would simply create a happier parallel world while the original tragedy continued to exist somewhere else.
But Locke ultimately swallowed those words.
Some truths were too cruel.
Tony could be arrogant, annoying, narcissistic, and occasionally unbearable, but beneath all of that, he genuinely cared about people.
Pepper had once described Tony perfectly.
Tony Stark had a warm heart hidden underneath layers of sarcasm and ego.
Locke sighed internally.
Really, becoming friends with this guy had been a terrible accident.
"No problem," Locke finally said.
Tony's eyes lit up instantly. "Seriously?"
Then he immediately became excited.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's do it."
Locke rolled his eyes.
"Tony, we're talking about half the life in the universe. Not rescuing two people from a burning building. Do you seriously think I can just snap my fingers and revive trillions of lives by myself?"
Tony thought for several seconds before nodding thoughtfully.
"Fair point." Then he frowned again. "So what exactly did you mean when you said it wasn't a problem?"
Locke looked helpless.
"When I said it's possible, I meant I know a method to resurrect everyone. Not that I personally have the power to do it directly."
"Okay," Tony said immediately. "Then explain the method."
Instead of answering directly, Locke asked another question.
"How did Thanos erase half the universe?"
Tony answered automatically. "Using the Infinity Stones."
Then he suddenly froze.
His eyes widened.
"Wait."
Tony stared at Locke.
"You mean we collect the Infinity Stones ourselves?"
Locke smiled faintly but still said nothing.
Tony immediately began thinking aloud.
"If we gather all six Infinity Stones, theoretically we should be able to reverse the Snap." He paused again before frowning. "But that can't be the full answer. If it were that simple, the Avengers in this universe would've already done it."
He looked at Locke suspiciously.
"Something must've gone wrong. They couldn't find Thanos?"
Locke shook his head.
"Actually, they found him only a few months after Infinity War ended."
Tony blinked. "Then why didn't they undo the Snap?"
"Because Thanos destroyed the Infinity Stones."
Silence.
Tony stared at him blankly.
Then his expression twisted.
"...You couldn't have started with that part?"
Locke laughed.
Tony had spent the last two minutes constructing theories only for the entire foundation to collapse instantly.
"Relax," Locke said. "The present Infinity Stones may be destroyed, but what about the past?"
Tony froze again.
"The past..."
His face slowly changed.
Then realization exploded across his expression.
"You're talking about time travel."
"Exactly."
Tony immediately shook his head instinctively. "That's impossible."
Locke spread his hands casually. "We're literally standing in another universe right now."
Tony opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Fair enough.
Compared to interdimensional travel, time travel suddenly didn't seem nearly as ridiculous.
After a long silence, Tony asked, "So what's the plan?"
"We find the Avengers of this world first," Locke answered. "No reason for us to do all the work while they sit around being depressed."
He pulled out Captain Jack Sparrow's compass and activated it.
The compass spun wildly before locking onto a direction.
Moments later, the two arrived near a quiet wooded area outside New York.
Tony looked around and suddenly frowned.
"Wait. I know this place."
He removed his helmet while staring at the distant cabin.
"Pepper and I talked about retiring somewhere like this someday. Away from everything."
Then a tiny figure suddenly came running through the grass.
A little girl around three years old froze after spotting Tony.
Her eyes widened.
"Dad?"
Tony froze too.
The little girl tilted her head suspiciously.
"Aren't you supposed to be washing dishes at home?"
Then she narrowed her eyes dramatically.
"If Mom finds out you escaped chores again, you're doomed."
A mischievous grin appeared on her face.
"But if you buy me ice cream, I won't tell her."
The girl immediately ran toward Tony with both arms raised.
Pure instinct took over.
Tony bent down and picked her up automatically.
He looked completely stunned.
Slowly, he turned toward Locke.
Locke merely shrugged.
Honestly, the answer was obvious.
A parallel universe version of Tony Stark's daughter.
Tony looked at the little girl in his arms with an indescribably complicated expression.
"Hey," he said softly after a moment. "What's your name, sweetheart?"
The girl puffed out her cheeks dramatically.
"My name is Morgan Stark. Dad forgot Morgan's name." She crossed her arms angrily. "Morgan is very angry now. Unless Dad buys me two ice creams, Morgan won't talk to him for three whole days."
Tony's expression melted instantly.
The tiny girl clinging to his neck looked so unbelievably adorable that even Locke felt the emotional damage.
Then another voice suddenly came from nearby.
"Morgan, time for your nap. And your dad promised to tell you the Pinocchio story today."
Locke turned toward the approaching figure.
A second Tony Stark stepped out of the cabin.
This Tony wasn't actually much older physically, maybe less than ten years older than the one standing beside Locke.
But mentally?
He looked exhausted.
Like a man carrying years of grief on his shoulders.
The moment Morgan noticed him, her eyes widened again.
"Oh my God," she gasped dramatically. "There are two dads now."
The Tony of this universe immediately stopped moving.
His gaze locked onto Locke first.
Then his expression changed sharply.
"Loki?"
Instantly, hidden weapons activated throughout the surrounding forest.
Dozens of targeting systems locked onto Locke and Tony simultaneously.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. warned calmly, "we are currently targeted by thirty-seven high-energy weapon systems. Immediate retreat is recommended."
Locke glanced sideways at his Tony with amusement.
"Well," he said lightly, "apparently you're not very welcoming in this universe."
Tony sighed helplessly before raising both hands.
"Okay, first of all, rude. Second, I'm not Loki." He pointed at his own face. "This is my real face. I'm just... from another universe."
The older Tony frowned deeply.
Parallel universes?
Clearly, he didn't fully believe it.
Compared to alternate realities, magic or advanced illusion technology sounded far more reasonable.
Still keeping Morgan behind him protectively, the older Tony spoke coldly.
"Whoever you are," he said, "put my daughter down first."
....
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