When the Avengers heard Strange's answer, their first reaction was disbelief.
"How is that possible? You're already so powerful—what danger could you possibly face?"
"Alex Ray defeated Thanos. What kind of threat would make someone like him feel urgency?"
"I didn't expect the Stephen from another universe to crack jokes. He's a lot funnier than ours."
"Yeah, quit it. That's not even a good joke. I honestly can't imagine anything more dangerous than Thanos."
"If I had Alex's strength, I wouldn't bother training anymore. As the most powerful being in the universe, why not just travel and enjoy life?"
They couldn't fathom that someone as formidable as Alex Ray would still feel the need to grow stronger.
A few, however, didn't mock Strange.
One of them was Steve Rogers. In his eyes, only someone with unrelenting self-discipline could reach Alex's level.
Steve could easily imagine Alex training every single day, living like a monk in pursuit of perfection.
If Alex were there, he'd probably laugh and say, "I don't train. I eat well, sleep well, and coast on my cheat codes. Only an idiot lives like an ascetic."
Tony remained quiet, not because he doubted Strange—but because deep down, he knew it made sense. As his own power grew, the enemies he faced became more dangerous.
He started out dealing with ordinary humans, then enhanced ones with tech, then aliens... and finally Thanos.
If that progression was true for him, then what kind of monsters would someone like Alex attract?
And if they did someday face a threat greater than Thanos, who would stand against it?
After all, without Alex Ray, the Avengers might not have survived this war.
Tony had already been planning retirement. He wanted more time with his children. But Strange's words had stirred something deep inside. A renewed desire for strength. Power to protect.
His eyes turned toward the Infinity Stones—the quickest path to raw power.
He'd already used the Stones once to create an artificial intelligence dreamscape.
But now? He was thinking beyond simulations. About physically enhancing himself or building a suit capable of wielding multiple Infinity Stones at once.
Doctor Strange remained silent as well. He knew better than most that cosmic threats were real. He had faced Dormammu. He knew the multiverse was filled with monstrous entities—dimensional demons that dwarfed even Thanos.
He sighed. "Looks like I need to go back and study harder…"
. . . .
On the battlefield, Thanos looked furious.
His attacks were useless. Alex Ray dodged every single one with effortless skill. No matter how bold or direct his strikes were, they never connected.
It was infuriating.
Alex was the kind of opponent Thanos hated most—fluid, unpredictable, always one step ahead. Every time he struck, Alex had already slipped away.
"You're just like those mages from Kamar-Taj," Thanos growled. "All tricks and illusions. Cowards hiding in the shadows. Rats of the dimension. You'll never face a real fight."
Alex simply smiled. "You think I'm one of them? You really believe you can use the Infinity Stones but I can't?"
Thanos scowled. "Those flashy moves remind me of someone I hate. He's always pulling stunts like this. Don't tell me he summoned you."
Seeing that his taunts had no effect, Thanos dropped the psychological games.
Alex shrugged. "Call it flashy all you want, but let's be honest—you're wasting the Stones. You're not even using them properly. It's honestly a shame."
He wasn't wrong.
Thanos currently held the Reality Stone, the Soul Stone, and the Power Stone—but the only one he could truly harness was the Power Stone. The others were like toys in the hands of a brute.
And thanks to Alex's command of the Space Stone, even the Power Stone couldn't land a blow.
Thanos grunted and dismissed the insult. At their level, words meant nothing.
Then, Alex drew a blade once more—whispering something under his breath. In a flash, the weapon vanished from sight.
Thanos narrowed his eyes. "More magic tricks…"
Purple energy flared around him, stronger than before. He had no intention of holding back anymore.
He activated the Soul Stone.
In an instant, a wave of spiritual force engulfed the entire battlefield.
Alex felt it immediately. His consciousness trembled, as though a hook had latched onto his very soul. His vision blurred.
Then—Thanos vanished.
When he reappeared, he was right in front of Alex.
Alex's eyes snapped back into focus, but he remained calm.
As Thanos' fist thundered forward, Alex's body shimmered—and vanished like a ghost.
The punch hit nothing but air.
Thanos blinked, stunned.
Then, behind him—Alex appeared again.
The Sword of Victory flashed in his hand. Without hesitation, he drove the blade straight at Thanos' back.
The Avengers gasped. They thought the strike had landed.
But at the last moment, Thanos' figure shimmered—then shattered like broken glass.
It had been an illusion.
The real Thanos was already behind Alex.
"You really think I'd fall for the same trick twice?" Thanos growled.
Before Alex could react, Thanos' fist smashed into his ribs.
The ground cracked beneath him as Alex was driven down like a meteor.
Thanos didn't stop. He pummeled Alex again and again, each blow backed by the force of the Power Stone.
The illusion earlier? Just a ploy, a decoy created using the Reality Stone.
Now with Alex pinned, Thanos began searching him for the remaining two Infinity Stones.
But he couldn't find them. He searched everywhere. Nothing.
Just as his frustration peaked, a familiar—and very annoying—voice rang out from behind.
"When did you start hallucinating about hitting me?"
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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