"So you're saying my brain, my knowledge, my learning speed, are also special abilities, not normal?" Tony Stark asked.
He suddenly thought of Lin Feng's saying, The Poor Rely on Mutation, the Rich on Technology.
How could he also be relying on mutation now? This didn't make sense!
"Yes, we were too used to your genius, just treating you as an ordinary genius. But now, thinking carefully, what kind of genius could achieve what you have? In the process, you also helped Spider-Man with his suit, researched other things, managed the company, developed artificial intelligence, and so on. Do you think, according to the technological progress rate estimated by scientists in the last century, which of your products could be solved within this century?" Nick Fury nodded, answering.
Everyone thought about it, and it was true. Whether it was artificial intelligence, the arc reactor, this miniaturized technology of cold nuclear fusion, or the various technologies of the armor, or even nanobots, each one belonged to the science fiction level on the current Earth, without even a clue for research.
How could he develop them so quickly, as if there was nothing he couldn't do.
Everyone had taken it for granted before, because Tony Stark himself was too heaven-defying, or rather, they were used to him always being able to achieve this level.
But now, after Thanos said this, everyone realized that it might not be simple.
Nick Fury continued, "In other words, it's very likely that your super brain might be hiding other secrets, possibly a superpower, similar to the Hulk's. But unlike the Hulk's outward superpower, yours is more internalized, less easily known. However, this might not be an ability of ordinary people. That's why Thanos knows about you; he probably knows what's going on with this so-called 'cursed by knowledge.' Similar things might exist in the universe."
Tony Stark thought about it. It did seem possible. If that were the case, then his superpower wasn't just, as Lin Feng joked, "The Poor Rely on Mutation, the Rich on Technology."
He was essentially relying on mutation as well.
It was because of the mutation that he possessed such an intelligent brain, allowing him to create so many technological products at an extraordinary speed.
In fact, even in 2008, the Mark II Armor Tony Stark created was so technologically advanced that it would take decades for other countries on Earth to be able to popularize it.
At once, Tony Stark's mood was complex. He had thought his superpower was the power of money, but it turned out to be a mutated brain.
But thinking this way, many of his previous anomalies seemed to be explained. This included why he learned so fast from a young age, mastering things quickly once he learned them, and then quickly converting that knowledge.
He hadn't thought much of it before. After all, people aren't born equal, not just in terms of wealth, but also in physical health, appearance, and intelligence.
He excelled in every way, except for his height, so he was used to being different and the resulting disparity.
His dad was a genius, so he was a genius too, what was the problem?
None!
Like father, like son.
While everyone outside the screen was joking about Tony Stark relying on mutation, the battle on screen had reached a more intense stage. Tony Stark had launched a new attack, but it was completely useless against Thanos. Even a strike with all his might, capable of cleaving through metal, only managed to slightly graze Thanos' skin.
"Is that all you've got?"
Thanos sneered contemptuously.
He wasn't wearing any protective gear, but Tony Stark's attacks only caused minor scratches.
Thanos's formidable defensive capabilities were evident.
However, he immediately knocked Tony Stark to the ground and began to pummel his head.
Punch after punch, shattering Tony Stark's helmet.
The disparity in their strength was obvious.
It was exactly as Lin Feng had said; Thanos was beating him up.
Facing Thanos, who was closing in step by step, Tony Stark didn't have any good options. He used his Nanobots to create a longsword and tried to stab Thanos, but Thanos dodged. He then snatched the sword and impaled Tony Stark with it.
This attack couldn't hurt Thanos, but Thanos could easily injure Tony Stark.
He was, after all, just an ordinary person, and faced with such a fatal wound, there was no hope.
And Thanos came before Tony Stark, grabbing his head and saying condescendingly, "I admire you, Stark. After my success, half of humanity will still survive!"
"I hope they remember you!"
Clearly, Thanos didn't want to leave any future troubles. He might have had some compassion for his daughters Nebula and Gamora, but he wouldn't have any for Tony Stark.
Suddenly, just as he was about to finish off Tony Stark, Doctor Strange's voice came from the side.
"Stop!"
Doctor Strange said, "Spare his life, and I'll give you the Time Stone!"
As soon as Doctor Strange spoke, everyone outside the scene fell into a deathly silence, because no one had expected him to make such a decision.
Because he had made it very clear before that if it was between protecting Tony Stark and Spider-Man Peter Parker or protecting the Time Stone, he would choose to protect the Time Stone.
Because this was the vow he made after becoming the Sorcerer Supreme, to protect the Time Stone, the Eye of Agamotto, with his life.
But now, just like that, he handed it over?
Even Tony Stark was suspicious. Could their relationship really be that good?
So, were all those threats before just tough words?
Was that guy actually a nice person?
"It's part of the plan!" Nick Fury thought for a moment, then spoke. "This is the only possibility. You are very important in the upcoming resistance against Thanos, Tony!"
Everyone suddenly understood, and they immediately understood why Doctor Strange would do this.
Why, when he would rather die than hand over the Time Stone to Ebony Maw before, did he now easily hand over the Time Stone? Only this could explain it.
Out of fourteen million possible futures, this was the only one in which they could win.
Handing over the Time Stone was also part of it!
"Don't play any tricks!" Thanos looked coldly at Doctor Strange, then spoke.
"No!" Seeing this, Iron Man Tony Stark could only try his best to spit out this word, but it was useless. Doctor Strange had already made up his mind.
He directly conjured the Time Stone. He had hidden this Time Stone in his Mirror Dimension from the very beginning. He had already seen the final outcome; how could he not be careful and prepared?
With this Infinity Stone falling into Thanos's hands, his power increased further.
At this moment, he had obtained five of the six Infinity Stones. Except for the last Mind Stone, all the other stones were in Thanos's possession.
It was only at this moment that Star-Lord finally rushed over, but it was already too late.
Thanos didn't even have the time to continue entangling with them; he needed to go to Earth to obtain the last Infinity Stone. Then, his grand plan to bring harmony and order to the universe would succeed.
He was already eager to retire and didn't want to waste any time.
"Where is he?" Star-Lord fell flat on his face and then asked.
At this moment, everyone looked like they had survived a disaster and no one wanted to answer him, especially Tony Stark. After barely stopping the bleeding from his wound, he fell into deep thought.
"Did we lose?" Star-Lord asked, shocked, staring at everything.
His expression was utterly innocent, but everyone knew they'd lost this battle because of him.
"Why did you do that?" Tony Stark, having barely patched up his wounds, asked Doctor Strange.
He didn't understand. He didn't have a god's-eye view, nor could he see the final outcome across multiple timelines, so he didn't understand why Doctor Strange had done what he did.
"We've reached the final moment!" Doctor Strange replied.
The screen went dark at that point, ending the scene.
The scene ended, and the Avengers had been beaten. Although no one had died in the end, it was even more difficult for everyone to accept.
This battle not only reconfirmed Thanos's nearly invincible combat power, but more importantly, it had given them great hope, only to shatter it.
Even they were told not to resist, because if they did, they wouldn't achieve the final victorious outcome everyone wanted. Any attempt to change things would only bring about more terrifying consequences.
Almost every stage had to conform to the so-called winning process.
Not to mention being unable to defeat Thanos, even if they could, they had to pretend they couldn't. Only then would it fit the so-called correct process, only then would it meet the requirements of the so-called sacred timeline.
What the hell kind of requirement is that?
Just thinking about it was enough to make them feel suffocated.
"Then is our effort still meaningful?" Hawkeye Barton shrugged and said.
"Maybe, if we don't try, how can we know our efforts are useless!"
Black Widow Natasha quipped.
But everyone couldn't laugh, it was too despairing, and their mood was extremely heavy.
"Maybe, it's not actually that despairing!" Bruce Banner suddenly spoke.
-----------------------
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