Marvel Shuttling the Heavens - Chapter 245

At this moment, Thanos watched helplessly as Ebony Maw, who had fought alongside him for years, turned to ash and disappeared before his eyes. An unfamiliar feeling surged within him.

“How does it feel now? Watching others disintegrate in front of you, powerless to stop it?” Li Yue parted the crowd around him and slowly approached Thanos, speaking to him.

“What, are you here to mock me?” Thanos’s expression remained mostly unchanged. He no longer focused on his subordinates turning to ash one after another. Instead, he looked at Li Yue with tired eyes and asked calmly.

“Of course not. I do not need to mock you. On the contrary, I admire what you’ve done. After all, it takes courage to stand against the entire universe. Your courage is commendable,” Li Yue said. “But your methods were far too extreme. You didn’t consider the consequences. Even someone as emotionally detached as you feel something when seeing familiar faces turn to ash before your eyes. What about those who are driven by emotions?”

“For example, humanity. Complex emotions like familial love, romantic love, and friendship are all intertwined, creating our intricate society. When you forcibly erase half of that, people will naturally fight tooth and nail to protect their loved ones,” Li Yue continued. “That’s why you were destined to fail.”

Thanos listened as Li Yue spoke earnestly, feeling a sense of realisation. “Maybe you’re right. But I don’t regret what I’ve done. Someone had to stand up,” he said. “It’s just a pity I couldn’t achieve my goal.”

…

As Thanos finished speaking, his body slowly turned to ash and scattered with the wind. His double-edged sword fell to the ground with a crisp clang, breaking the heavy silence.

“Did we… win?” A hesitant voice broke the silence, filled with disbelief.

“Yes, we did. We successfully protected our universe,” Captain America said, his face smiling brightly. This marked the end of a battle that determined the entire universe’s fate.

“We won!” Cheers erupted, loud enough to pierce the darkened sky. Like the dawn, the brilliant sunlight shone through the clouds, illuminating the faces of the smiling victors.

Doctor Strange, amidst the crowd, also breathed a sigh of relief. Though the process had been rocky, the result hadn’t changed. It was even better, as Tony Stark hadn’t sacrificed his life by snapping his fingers. Their losses were minimal.

…

“Thank you, Mr. Li Yue!” After the initial excitement, Captain America led everyone to express their heartfelt gratitude to Li Yue, whose efforts had been crucial.

“You’re welcome. I told you, I came here to help. But this prize is mine,” Li Yue said, pointing to the floating Sanctuary II in the sky.

Thanos and his subordinates might have disappeared, but the ship remained intact. Unlike in the movie, where Captain Marvel had destroyed it, Li Yue’s intervention prevented that. Now, with no one to control it, the ship was ownerless.

“Of course, it’s yours. You deserve it,” Tony said, smiling.

…

Tony and the others weren’t concerned about who owned Thanos’s ship. If Li Yue wanted it, they would happily give it to him. They were already content with what they had won—the chance to continue living in a complete universe.

As for Thanos’s warship, it held little use for them. They didn’t need to wander the cosmos. However, it was a different story for Li Yue, who saw the ship as a treasure trove. Thanos’s collection, accumulated over years of conquest, was likely vast and stored aboard.

The warship, one of the most advanced in the universe, was a valuable asset, especially for those who roamed the cosmos. Seeing it, some among the Ravagers couldn’t help but covet it. Yet, seeing Li Yue wearing the Infinity Gauntlet, they suppressed their desires. They knew they couldn’t take it from someone who had survived using the Gauntlet.

…

“However, I’ll need your help to modify the ship. I can’t fly it by myself,” Li Yue said. He wanted to ensure the ship wasn’t just a trophy and usable asset. “Adding an AI pilot would be a good start.”

“Hey, if you can’t fly it, why not give it to the Guardians of the Galaxy?” Star-Lord’s eyes gleamed as he eyed the ship. It seemed wasteful to him that Li Yue, who couldn’t fly, would get the boat.

“Who’s this guy?” Li Yue asked, feigning ignorance as he looked at the awkwardly walking Star-Lord.

“Don’t mind him; he’s just a goofball,” Tony quipped.

“I think he’s an idiot,” Rhodey added.

…

And so, amidst laughter and relief, the curtain fell on a battle that would be remembered for ages. The heroes celebrated their victory, their universe safe once more, as the New Year dawned with hope and unity.

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