"I have no objections," Doctor Strange said immediately.
But from the b2 Universe side, Iron Man shouted angrily, "I refuse! Even if the Stones are in your hands, we should still have a say, right?"
"I refuse to let that kid use the Infinity Gauntlet!"
"He's a playboy! Who knows — one snap and he might destroy the Earth!"
Tony shook his head in disbelief. "Excuse me, old man, aren't you also a playboy?"
"Do you know that in the original timeline you would've snapped your fingers and sacrificed yourself? I'm suffering now because of you!"
Suddenly the two Tonys began arguing animatedly. Their debate spiraled quickly, shifting from who was more reliable, to whose armor was more advanced.
Finally, Iron Man stood defeated as Tony declared, "I can fix your armor instantly with magic."
The Avengers from the s-Universe and the b2 Universe watched the bickering in stunned exasperation.
Banner's astral soul muttered, "Why is Tony arguing with another version of himself?"
Hulk stomped, shrugged, and said innocently, "Hulk doesn't know."
Doctor Strange, shaking his head, sighed: "Then we must find someone else worthy to wield the Gauntlet. Perhaps… who is that coming?"
He looked upward suddenly.
In unison, Diana and Kara turned to follow his gaze.
"Someone's approaching," Kara said. "She's wearing red and blue, with a five-pointed star emblem on her chest. Colored energy surrounds her body."
"It's Captain Marvel!" Little Spider exclaimed.
"I remember — in Endgame she returned just in time and demolished Thanos's fleet. It must be her!"
Kara nodded. "So she must be from this Universe too, right?"
In the blink of an eye, Captain Marvel descended from outside the atmosphere to stand before them, glowing with photon energy. Her hair floated like underwater, her face strong and determined.
"What's going on here?" she demanded, sweeping her gaze across the Main Universe heroes. "Are you Skrulls? Why do you all look… altered?"
"Carol, they are from another Universe. They stole the Infinity Stones! Stop them now!" the b2 Universe's Captain America yelled.
Captain Marvel's eyes narrowed. She immediately locked onto the red Iron Gauntlet held by Diana.
"So you're the thieves," she said coldly. "Hand over the Stones now. Or I'll take them myself."
Carol hovered in the air, palm outstretched, exuding a calm but dangerous confidence. "Just a friendly reminder — you might want to reserve hospital beds in advance."
At her words, heroes from the s-Universe-side exchanged glances. They knew how formidable Captain Marvel was. She might well be the strongest hero on Earth.
Everyone prepared for combat. Weapons were drawn, magic shields summoned. The air thickened with tension.
But Captain Marvel remained composed.
"Resistance is a bad idea," she said, flicking her wrist. "Don't test me."
Then she surged forward, her photon energy blazing like a missile launch. The air around her distorted, clouds raged as she plunged toward her target.
Instantly Diana moved. She burst through the Seraphim Shield with a deafening sonic boom and delivered a powerful kick to Captain Marvel's abdomen.
Bang!
The shockwave cracked the air. The light went white for a moment. And Captain Marvel was sent flying backward, blindsided.
The blonde woman who struck her hovered midair, unruffled. "You two can sort this out," she said calmly. Then she soared after Carol.
Kara launched from the ground, meeting Captain Marvel in the sky with a blast of air. Their battle erupted with clashing shockwaves, each strike echoing like thunder. Heat vision slashed through clouds. Photon energy raked the sky. It was a battle between titanic powers — like gods clashing above the Earth.
Ant Man's voice broke the tension. "Wait — didn't her uniform just now look like Superman's? Are comic-book fans this powerful now?"
The remark cracked the ice.
Members of the Main Universe exhaled deep breaths of relief.
"Unbelievable, we really have someone this powerful on our side," Ms. Marvel and Abomination muttered.
"I thought Carol would tear us apart," someone said. "She's my hero — how could I raise a hand against her?"
Seizing the moment, Doctor Strange spoke up: "Now's our chance. Let's return to the other Earth before Carol can stop us."
Diana shook her head firmly. "No need. I trust Kara."
She lifted the Gauntlet, preparing to wear it. "And since none of you have shown you're suitable…"
"I will do it," she declared.
Just then, Little Spider — Holland-Spider — raised a firm hand, holding up an orange tablet. "Wait! I have a better candidate."
Everyone turned. Holland-Spiderman's face showed resolve.
"There's someone else. He's from another world, neutral, and has incredible regenerative ability."
He hesitated under their stare, then nodded firmly.
"I'll go find him. No one is more suited to use the Infinity Stones than him."
Without waiting, he opened a swirling time-space portal and stepped through.
Diana turned back to Tony. "Regenerative ability matches well. Who is he talking about?"
Tony frowned, thinking back. "Could be one of his TVA colleagues... but Peter's expression just now… No way."
He paused, voice low. "If it were me, I'd rather go straight to hell than let that guy near the Stones."