Chapter 95: When You Need Me
Hearing Captain Marvel's question, Tony, who had just arrived nearby, bit his lip.
"During our mission to collect the Stones, Nebula's memories were linked with her past self.
That's how Thanos from 2014 learned everything and came after us!"
"Wow, that's incredible! I can't believe I missed it!"
Captain Marvel sighed in disappointment.
She then strolled over to Thanos' body, unable to resist examining his injuries.
And Heisenberg…
He wasn't even on her radar!
Though completely ignored by Captain Marvel, Heisenberg didn't feel offended.
You think you're on a different level than me, Carol? Well, Heisenberg agrees.
Heisenberg casually handed the gauntlet to Iron Man.
"Yeah, make sure you return the Stones when you're done."
As soon as he spoke, Tony's expression darkened.
"Uh, apologies, Lord Heisenberg.
Thanos destroyed one of our quantum tunnels, and the backup was damaged during your fight with him…
Anyway, we need time to rebuild the tunnel and recalibrate the timeline, so…
I'm afraid you'll have to rest in our era for a while!" Tony said helplessly.
Heisenberg nodded noncommittally.
"No problem. Today's fight was exhilarating—I even tore my clothes. I'll find a place to rest soon. You guys carry on!"
Without waiting for Tony's response, Heisenberg turned and soared into the sky, breaking through the clouds.
As Heisenberg took flight, Carol finally realized something was off.
She snapped her gaze toward his disappearing figure, muttering,
"So fast!"
Then, turning to Iron Man, she asked,
"Who was that? I've never seen him before, but he feels incredibly powerful!"
"Heh… That's Heisenberg. He's Superman!"
"Wait, what? Who did you say he is?!"
Carol couldn't hide her shock. Superman had been her idol since childhood, just like Captain America!
Seeing Carol's astonishment, Tony shrugged, relieved.
"When we returned to the past, we found that things had changed slightly, and Heisenberg was at the core of it all.
He repelled and banished Loki during the 2008 Battle of New York, earning the Mind Stone.
That's why I invited him to bring the Stone to our universe and help us.
As I've said, the best decision of my life was bringing Heisenberg to our timeline!"
"I see. Temporal anomalies make sense.
But I have one more question!"
Carol pointed at Thanos' corpse.
"Who did this? You, or him?"
"You're right. Thanos' injuries were almost entirely Heisenberg's doing. Even during their fight…
Heisenberg completely dominated!"
"Figures!"
Carol nodded, then sighed.
"For someone with Thanos' physique to be reduced to near collapse…
Over 700 broken bones, muscles shredded to near pulp!
That kind of power is at least on my level!
This guy's incredible!"
She smiled, relaxing.
"Good. Once word spreads that he defeated Thanos, the universe will know you handled Thanos without my help.
No one will dare mess with Earth!"
"Ha, perfect!"
Tony grinned, satisfied. His life's wish was to keep his planet safe from war.
"Hearing your explanation, I feel much better, Danvers. Thanks.
But we must part ways. I need to deal with the remaining Thanos forces and rebuild the quantum tunnel."
He raised the Infinity Gauntlet.
"After all, this needs to be returned to its original owner!"
As Iron Man spoke, Carol's smile widened.
"True. With Thanos gone, it's time to restore the universe to its original state!"
She extended her hand to Tony, saying bluntly,
"I'll snap. Your bodies can't handle the Stones' backlash."
"Hahaha!"
Tony laughed at Carol's words, walking toward the final battlefield.
"What are you thinking? The snap's already been done. Don't you see how damaged the gauntlet is?"
Tony never expected his words to make Carol's face instantly serious!
She grabbed Tony, shouting,
"What? The snap's already done?!"
Her voice drew everyone's attention!
Noticing Carol's distress, Captain America flew over with his shield.
Banner leaped beside them.
Most Avengers, except those still fighting, gathered around Captain Marvel and Captain America.
Except…
Rocket, Groot, and Drax were hauling a massive rock slab.
With Drax's help, Groot followed the scent on his arm and found Thor's Stormbreaker, lost in the chaos!
Groot excitedly picked up the axe and ran to the bleeding Thor in the ruins.
His clear eyes filled with concern as he placed Stormbreaker in Thor's hands.
Thunder roared, and Thor's body crackled with electricity, his wounds healing rapidly.
Amid the storm-like atmosphere, Carol grit her teeth, demanding of Rogers,
"Are you sure the snap's already done?!"
"Uh, I don't know why you're upset, but the snap's done. You saw everyone return!"
Rogers gestured, and the surrounding Avengers nodded.
Only Spider-Man asked, bewildered,
"Wait, I actually died?
I turned to ash!
I thought it was a hallucination, that I just passed out!
God, I've been dead once!
That's so cool!
Like Jesus—died and came back. That's awesome…"
"Peter!!!"
Iron Man's stern rebuke silenced Spider-Man.
"OK, OK, my bad. I'll stay quiet!"
As he fell silent, Carol's unease boiled over.
She snatched the gauntlet, instantly noticing two Stones missing!
"Who the hell snapped?!"
Slam!
She threw the gauntlet to the ground.
"Tell me who snapped and what they did with it!"
"Danvers, what's going on?!"
Rogers asked loudly. His idol's words calmed Carol slightly.
She picked up the gauntlet, gritting her teeth.
"I learned from the Kree that Thanos was revived and attacked Earth!
By then, you were all back, but the Kree's lost population hadn't returned!"
She held up the gauntlet, demanding,
"What did you do? Where are the missing Time and Mind Stones? I must snap again—that bastard left out everyone except Earth and Asgard!"
She glared at the Avengers.
All the recently revived Avengers turned to Iron Man, Captain America, and Banner—the original Avengers who'd survived.
Tony frowned deeply, a bad feeling creeping in.
As he thought, the straightforward Captain America answered,
"Oh God, Lord Heisenberg forgot the rest of the universe?
It's not his fault. He didn't know what Thanos' snap did, so he probably only thought of us!"
Hearing this, Carol nodded, annoyed.
"He snapped? Bold of you to trust an outsider with this!
I won't blame him—he brought you back. Let's forget it!"
She raised the gauntlet.
"Now answer this: Where are the Time and Mind Stones?
We need them to restore the universe!
Don't worry, I'll snap. You won't bear the burden!"
Her words instantly sparked outrage.
Her tone was a blatant insult to these heroes.
"Hey, who's this lady?
And why should she snap? How do we know she's not an outsider?
I've never seen her!"
Spider-Man grumbled, earning a nod from Wanda nearby.
"Right. We've never seen her. Where did she come from?"
"True. She appeared out of nowhere!
Tony, can you confirm her identity?"
Valkyrie asked.
Meanwhile, Black Panther, leader of Wakanda, Earth's strongest warriors, spoke bluntly,
"They're right. Lady, explain yourself!"
Carol felt like she was being accused by everyone.
Captain America quickly defended her,
"No need for this. She's Carol Danvers, an Avenger and Fury's old friend. She helped us during those years we were gone!"
But his words weren't accepted. Wanda retorted,
"Old friend? Where was she when Vision died?
Where was she when Thanos snapped?
Especially during this battle?
She's always late, isn't she?"