The Second Snap, and Russell Remained

The next instant, Thanos moved at blinding speed. He clenched the Tesseract in his left hand and held the Time Stone in his right, pouring all the energy in his body into them to unleash the supreme power of both Infinity Stones at once.

He meant to tear space apart with the Space Stone and turn back time with the Time Stone, combining their powers to kill Russell instantly.

But something strange happened.

No matter how much energy Thanos poured into them, the two Infinity Stones in his hands remained inert. No light burst forth, space did not stir, and time did not ripple.

They lay heavy and still in his hands. Apart from their natural sheen, they were no different from ordinary rocks picked up by the roadside.

He could not draw out the slightest trace of power. Both Infinity Stones had failed completely.

The wild joy on Thanos's face froze. Exhilaration turned to shock, then suspicion, before his expression went cold.

Refusing to believe it, he drew on his energy again and again, trying to travel through space, stop time, and turn it back. Nothing happened.

Two Infinity Stones, treasures beyond price, had become useless rocks in his hands.

"How is this possible?!" Thanos growled, his eyes blazing with disbelief and frustrated rage.

The Infinity Stones were crystallized fragments of the universe's essence, the most powerful treasures in existence. How could they fail?

He jerked his head up and glared at Russell, who stood before him smiling. Fury surged through him.

Russell was toying with him. He had been from the start.

First, he had frozen Thanos and held his life in his hands. Then he had tossed him the Stones to kindle hope, only to make him watch those treasures fail. He had trampled on his pride