The group gradually dispersed, and it wasn't until the next morning that key figures like Captain America and Thor returned. However, other heroes who weren't as closely tied to the Avengers didn't show up.
"Hey, kid, here's your toy."
Tony casually tossed the vibranium smartphone, which he had spent the night building, to Ned. He said, "This thing is fully functional—there's nothing you can imagine that it can't do. I've even installed an AI system similar to Friday in it. If you have any questions, just ask her."
"Thank you."
Ned carefully took the phone and tucked it into the waistband of his sorcerer's robe. Then, he asked, "So, who's going to return the stones next?"
"Of course, it'll be me and Thor."
Tony pointed to Mjolnir, placed near Thor's feet, and said, "No one else can lift that thing."
"No, Tony."
At that moment, Captain America spoke up, "Although the battle is over, time travel still carries many uncertainties. Pepper and Morgan are waiting for you. Let me handle this."
"Oh?"
Tony raised his eyebrows as if he had realized something and said, "We both know this technology is already quite mature."
"Yes, but nothing in this world is ever 100% certain."
Cap held firm to his perspective.
"Well."
Seeing this, Tony didn't argue further. He watched as Ned, Cap, and Thor put on their quantum suits and stepped onto the time machine.
"Quick and safe return," he said before activating the machine. In a flash of white light, the three disappeared.
"Hey, Rogers took extra Pym Particles with him, right?"
After sending the three off, Tony turned to Rocket Raccoon, who was standing nearby.
Since Rocket was also a first-rate scientist, everyone had unanimously decided to have him assist here to handle any potential emergencies that Tony might not be able to manage alone.
"Hmm... yeah, I think so. Why?"
Rocket nodded in response to Tony's question.
Hearing this, Tony smiled knowingly and said, "Nothing, just perfect."
Inside the time tunnel, Captain America was the first to vanish. Since the Power Stone and the Soul Stone were from closely related timelines, he arrived at his destination earlier.
Thor was next. But for some reason, as Thor disappeared, Ned couldn't shake an ominous feeling.
"Mother! Mother!"
After arriving in Asgard, Thor didn't immediately return the Reality Stone. Instead, he sprinted straight to Frigga's chambers, calling out for her.
"Oh, Thor, you just left."
Frigga came out to greet him and said, "You've lost a lot of weight—it suits you much better this way. But of course, my son is handsome no matter what."
"Judging by your demeanor, it seems you succeeded?" Frigga said with a smile.
"Of course! I am Thor, Thor Odinson."
Thor proudly patted his chest.
"Buzz!!"
At that moment, Mjolnir, which Thor was holding, suddenly began vibrating violently, emitting an immense energy as if trying to break free from his grasp.
"It seems a warrior is looking for his weapon," Frigga said with a soft smile. "Finish what you need to do and return to your world."
Frigga was referring to letting go of Mjolnir and re-infusing the Reality Stone into Jane Foster's body.
"No, I have more to do than just that."
Thor said this but still released Mjolnir because he knew all too well his attachment to it.
If he didn't let go now, the Thor of this world would undoubtedly go find Loki to fight.
After all, any unexpected event must surely be one of Loki's tricks.
"Oh, listen to me, child. You cannot interfere with my future," Frigga said firmly, realizing Thor's intentions. "You cannot and have no right to."
As a great sorceress, Frigga had a premonition that if Thor truly meddled with her future, something bad would undoubtedly happen.
"Mother, your child has grown up," Thor said with a smile.
The implication was clear—he had his own ideas now and would no longer blindly obey Frigga.
"Thor, you…"
Before Frigga could finish, a commotion interrupted her.
"There's trouble in the dungeons."
Thor said without surprise, "Next, Loki will guide that Dark Elf monster up the left staircase. He thinks he's sending it to find me, but in reality, it will find you instead."
"Because at that time, you were taking care of Jane in my chambers, and they were targeting her—or rather, this."
Thor lifted the transparent container holding the Reality Stone.
"We can go to my room now. You can knock Jane unconscious, then wait for that monster to arrive. I'll decapitate both him and Malekith in one swing."
"No, Thor. Trust your father—he can handle everything. As for you, it's time to return to your world," Frigga urged.
"Mother, trust me. Right now, the only thing I want to do is save you from the Dark Elves and then fly into space to slice that purple bastard in half."
Leaving those words, Thor turned and walked toward his chambers. Even without Frigga's cooperation, he was determined to carry out his plan.
"Thor!"
Frigga hurried after him.
Upon reaching Thor's room, they found Malekith already there, staring at Jane in confusion because he could sense that the Aether was no longer inside her body.
"Malekith!!"
Thor roared as he hurled Stormbreaker at Malekith.
Frigga quickly used magic to render Jane unconscious.
"Boom!!"
Malekith wasn't particularly strong in battle. Even the Thor of this timeline could defeat him, let alone Thor wielding Stormbreaker and awakened to his godly powers.
Just as Malekith was about to be beheaded, a cursed warrior suddenly appeared, using his body to shield Malekith from the blow. However, the cursed warrior was killed instantly as a result.
"Boom!!"
The impact sent Malekith flying, crashing into several objects before collapsing onto the ground.
"You're Odin's son? This... this is impossible. How could you—"
Splat!
Before Malekith could finish, Thor swiftly decapitated him, blood spraying from his neck and splattering everywhere.
"Uh... sorry. Ever since that incident, I've developed this habit," Thor said unapologetically.
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T/N:
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