It was nearly time. Strange knew that the precise moment was coming, though he had to keep it to himself for this last fight to end successfully. He held up the swirling vortex of water with the Winds of Watoomb with one hand, looking over to see Tony nearly stepping up to Thanos when he punched Carol out using the power stone. Their eyes met, and they both froze. Strange said nothing. He pursed his lips, only raising his index finger to indicate that this was the single outcome. No words. Both knew very well that this would be the triumphant end of Thanos’ reign, but the cost would be Stark’s own life. There truly was no other way. However, Tony would go down in history as Earth’s best defender.
Strange continued to watch on before Tony could go after Thanos one more time, pulling the gauntlet back and forth. This was it. Stephen held his breath, watching Thanos raise his fingers.
“I am . . . inevitable.”Thanos snapped. Nothing. Much to the titan’s dismay, he turned his hand to check on the stones. Gone. The Infinity Stones were now upon Tony’s right hand through the nanotech transferring the stones from the gauntlet to his own hand.
“And I . . . am . . . Iron Man.”SNAP.
It was done. Thanos’ army faded. Thanos himself faded. Stephen saw Tony collapse, the right half of his body was burnt to a crisp. He watched on as Rhodey, Peter, and Pepper said their goodbyes to the man they loved very much. He pursed his lips, knowing that while the Avengers won the war, they still lost one of their greatest warriors. Tony Stark died a hero. A husband. A father. An Avenger. He lowered his head in respect to the fallen comrade.
Time had passed. Stephen and Wong were invited to Tony’s funeral. The sorcerers watched on, standing in the grass as Pepper and Morgan said goodbye one last time to Tony. He dreaded this moment when he knew of it five years ago as he looked into the fourteen million outcomes. Despite all the sarcasm, the snide remarks, the arrogance and stubbornness, despite everything, Tony was one of the bravest and most honorable men he had ever met in his life.
Everyone had said their goodbyes. Then, it was his turn. Stepping up the small dock, he looked out at the water of the floating wreath Pepper had made. He sighed gently, then took in a deep breath before he spoke.
“Tony. You were a rock star out there. Thank you for trusting me. Even though you were disappointed that I gave up the stone and we vanished before you. I’m sorry, Tony. I’m sorry that you had to leave us. Your sacrifice and your heroism will go down in history. Word will spread through the multiverse of Thanos’ defeat. All by a single snap of your fingers. I gave up the time stone to save your life knowing that you’d give your life for the world. Thank you, Tony Stark. It was a pleasure working with you, and an honor fighting by your side. Don’t worry. We will all help make sure Morgan and Pepper will be taken care of. Maybe someday, I’ll see you in the Astral Plane. I hope you get to see your parents, now. You won’t be alone. Goodbye, Tony. Thank you.”
Raising his right hand, Stephen conjured up a glass red rose with golden trim along the petals, turning on his feet to look for little Morgan. Wong stayed behind on the dock to pay respects to Tony as Stephen went to find the little girl. Stepping into the house, he smiled warmly at the small girl sitting on the couch before kneeling down to meet at her eye level and offered the rose.
“Hiya, kiddo . . . here. A gift for you. My name is Doctor Stephen Strange, I worked with your dad.”
Morgan perked up a bit, recognizing the name from her father’s stories. She reached out her small hand, taking the glass rose from the sorcerer’s scarred hand.
“The wizard?”
Stephen couldn’t help but chuckle, nodding his head.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“So you do you do magic tricks and spells? Like in Harry Potter? Do you go to a magic school?”
He gave another nod, laughing softly at the child’s interest and curiosity.
“Similar. Maybe someday, you can come take classes and I’ll be your teacher. And listen, sprout. Everything is going to be okay. We’re gonna do everything we can for you and mommy. I promise.”
The child’s face fell, saddened by the loss of her father. Stephen understood, opening his arms to pull Morgan close and hugged her tightly.
