Three-Stone Thanos?
Thor's expression grew a little more serious. This universe's Thanos possessed the Power, Reality, and Space Stones. It seemed he couldn't instantly kill this Thanos for the time being.
The three Infinity Stones combined were enough to briefly counter his time stop. By his estimation, the three stones were enough to give Thanos one or two seconds to react.
Against anyone else, he wouldn't have cared, but with Thanos as his opponent, he had to be cautious. Thanos was an all-rounder with maxed-out fighting skills, strength, and intelligence. Others might not be able to react in one or two seconds, but for this purple sweet potato freak, it was enough.
That fucking law-resistance mechanism. Even after mastering a complete law, he could still be weakened for no reason when facing an opponent with multiple Infinity Stones.
While Thor was complaining, Thanos slowly put on his golden helmet, picked up his signature weapon, Tyrant's Blade, in his right hand, and lowered his floating throne to the ground.
"Thor Odinson, you truly are different. Unfortunately, you chose the wrong side."
He paused and easily drove Tyrant's Blade into the sand, a hint of regret in his voice:
"Today, you and your companions will be buried here together."
"This is the greatest respect and mercy I can offer you."
Divine power surged through Thor's body. Arms folded across his chest, he glanced at Thanos, who was talking trash before the fight, and spoke with disdain.
"Thanos, I've met plenty of guys as arrogant as you. To show my respect, I sent them to meet Death, and you'll be next."
"Silver-tongued Thor, that won't delay your demise."
Thanos said no more. He gently pulled Tyrant's Blade from the ground and clenched his left fist. The law contained within the Power Stone instantly surged through his body.
The next moment, his enormous body burst forth at a speed completely at odds with its size. Like a cannonball, he charged at Thor and chopped down at his head.
Clang!
A tremendous metallic collision rang out. Thor's body was driven backward against his will, leaving two deep furrows in the sand.
The Power Stone really lives up to its name. It sure packs a punch!
Thor stopped testing him. He drew on his divine power to activate the one-third of the Law of Power he had mastered, along with the Law of Oblivion, enchanting this false Stormbreaker. Seven-colored lightning coiled around his body as he charged straight at the oncoming Thanos and slashed viciously!
The shockwaves from their clash spread for a hundred miles around. Ebony Maw could no longer spare attention for Classic Loki and the others before him. With a wave, he summoned Cull Obsidian back and placed him in front of the four of them, then cast a thick telekinetic wall to block the shockwaves that struck friend and foe alike.
Sizzle...
Classic Loki was still holding his insulated cup. He casually traced a Kamar-Taj portal and spoke to Betsy, Groot, and the others.
"Come on. Let's go find your companions."
"Loki, didn't you say before that you couldn't make one of these portals?"
Betsy felt more and more that Classic Loki was stronger than she had imagined. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked him about it.
"Oh, you mean this? I just wanted to see Thor make a fool of himself. Magic is much the same at its core. They just rely on borrowing power, while I have divine power."
Classic Loki gave a casual explanation and was the first to step through the portal, with Betsy close behind.
"Can we trust this thing, Groot?"
Peter looked at the golden, sparkling ring before him, then turned to Groot, who was lying on Rocket's head behind him.
"I am Groot!"
(That's how Thor brought me to find you!)
"All right, looks like that big oaf does have some ability."
Peter turned and motioned for Rocket and Groot to follow, then went after Betsy.
Meanwhile, beneath a towering mountain in the distance, Gamora and Nebula led Mantis and Drax into a cave.
After laying the two injured, unconscious figures flat on the ground, they walked back out of the cave.
"What? Worried about your little lover?"
Nebula had found a blade of grass somewhere and held it between her lips as she looked at Gamora, whose brow was deeply furrowed and whose face was full of worry.
"You know we were both Father's daughters. You and I know the strength of the Black Order better than anyone. Peter and Rocket can't possibly stand against them, let alone with Father there too."
"You want to go with him?!"
Nebula saw through Gamora's thoughts at once.
"Then wouldn't Groot have sacrificed himself for nothing?! Gamora, we don't have a choice anymore."
"Kill me, Nebula. I'll go be with Quill. I won't let Thanos get the Soul Stone!"
Gamora held out her dagger, closed her eyes, and waited quietly for death.
Smack!
Without mercy, Nebula slapped Gamora hard across the face. The force whipped Gamora's face to the side, leaving a clear handprint on her cheek.
"What do you mean by giving up on yourself and even trying to commit suicide now? Are you going to let Groot, Rocket, your Peter, and the others sacrifice themselves for nothing?!!"
She looked at her nominal sister in frustration. She hadn't expected the woman who had once outdone her in every field to be a complete coward!
"I... but only if I die will Thanos's plan fail..."
"Fuck you! Gamora, you're a coward! We should be thinking about how to twist his head off, not running away from the problem!"
Nebula thrust a finger hard into Gamora's chest.
"But... I..."
Munch, munch...
The sound of someone chewing food suddenly rang out, interrupting their conversation.
Gamora and Nebula turned around at the same time and saw a man in a suit drinking tea. Beside him, a woman in dark purple armor was cracking sunflower seeds.
Right next to them were Star-Lord Peter Quill, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot, whom they had mistakenly believed had sacrificed themselves. The three were sitting together on a stone block, each holding a slice of melon.
"How long have you been here?!"
Nebula looked at them expressionlessly.
"Since you mentioned being worried about her little lover."
Classic Loki screwed the lid onto his cup and spoke calmly.
"You too?!!"
"And here I was just trying to slap some sense into Gamora, only to find out none of you are dead? And you're sitting here laughing at us?!!!"
Nebula fixed her gaze on Groot and the others. The killing intent in her eyes had practically taken physical form; she wanted nothing more than to knife these spectators!
"Well... we didn't want to interrupt the mood between you two..."
Rocket Raccoon scratched his head, his voice growing quieter.
"I am Groot."
(Me too.)
Gamora's expression kept changing, but judging by the way her chest rose and fell, she was probably crying tears of joy.
She marched straight up to Star-Lord Peter, grabbed him, and drove her knee into him.
"Hey! Gamora! I know you were worried about me... oh... my god! That was even harder than the first time! Two birds with one stone this time!"
Peter clutched his third leg and curled up on the ground in pain. The pain, that exquisite agony, was all too familiar.
These guys were simply unbearable to watch. Betsy turned to Classic Loki, her face full of bewilderment.
"This is the Guardians of the Galaxy you said saved the universe?!"
Classic Loki picked up a pastry and popped it into his mouth. Watching the carefree group horsing around, he gave an affirmative reply.
"That's right. It's just as you see. They're a team of oddballs."