IV
Thanos was seated on his throne with Nebula standing slightly to his side. Tony was standing below the throne, closest to the viewing portal Thanos created to view his next target.
In Vanaheim, the people lived like nomads, building tents and hunting for food in the wild. There were cities in a few areas and generally the people were considered to be backwards as compared to Earth. It was like Asgard, driven by honour and protected by warriors.
Thanos had send his army of Chitauri to the planet. The creatures were charging relentlessly at the villages and will soon invade the cities. It was hard for Tony to watch and he had tried to turn away but was backhanded by the titan.
“You will watch, unless you want me to put you under again.” The first time Thanos had used the mind-stone to control him, Tony’s conscious had surfaced three days later, completely on-edge and feared that he would be put under again. Tony hated the control, it forced him to take a backseat as his body took over and obeyed Thanos’ every single command. He could only spectate from within the body, feeling trapped and helpless.
No, not the mind. Not again.
Tony steeled himself and silently endured as he watched the innocent women and children cried out. He flinched every time a blade or claw found their targets and lifeless bodies were dropped onto the ground.
When the Chitauri had the central city surrounded, Thanos had stood up from his throne and walked towards the portal.
“Come, little one. There is a lesson to be learned.”
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The king was seated on his throne when the titan and his army barged into the room. The servants had scrambled further into the room while the guards had stood up to fight the invader.
With a simple close of his fists, the guards were all sent flying to the ground, dead.
Nebula and Tony attacked the royal guards flanking the monarch. Nebula swiftly decapitated the one on the left while Tony, armed with just a spear easily disarmed the guards albeit a little slower than his sister.
As he firmly placed his boots on the back and pressed the blade of the spear on the neck of the guards, he stopped. His face and actions betrayed the hesitation and war within himself.
“Kill him. Sparing him is not mercy. He had failed his duty, there is no honour in his life anymore. Killing him will end his disgrace.” Thanos spoke like a father would to a child.
Tony tensed, limbs shaking slightly.
“Focus, you can do it.”
When Tony didn’t deliver, he grunted and used the power stone to break the poor guard’s neck.
Tony knew he was in so much trouble. He stared at the corpse and took a few deep breaths to compose himself.
Thanos made his way across the room and came to the king. He lifted the crown and scrunched it like a piece of paper in his hand.
“You have failed your people, and yet you call yourself king. How pathetic.”
“Just do it. I do not fear you.” The king replied, steady and strong.
“Not yet.” Right at that moment, the doors to the throne room opened, revealing two Chitauri Warriors dragging a young man who was fighting against their grip. They came to a halt before the throne and forced the man onto his knees.
The king visibly tensed as his son was reduced to such a humiliating and vulnerable state.
“You are worthless, but perhaps I can teach my son a lesson. Anthony.”
“Yes, father.” Tony bowed his head from where he stood beside the kneeling man.
“Kill the prince of Vanaheim.”
It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck his body and Tony froze.
I can’t kill him.
Thanos took out the dagger that he once gave to Gamora from his pocket.
“Take this, my child and kill him.” Thanos presented the dual blade to Tony who was now coated in cold sweat.
Nebula watched the exchanged from the other side of the prince and silently willed Tony to just do as he was told to.
“I can do it.” She interjected.
“Silence Nebula. He has to learn.”
“I… I can’t.” Tony stuttered.
“Do it, or I will destroy the whole planet. Is it better to slaughter half of the population or extinction, Anthony?”
Tony dragged his heavy limbs towards Thanos and grabbed the dagger. He could not look into the young man’s eyes.
I’m a genius, I can find a way to get out of this. I can stab myself instead?
I know guys with none of that worth ten of you. Steve’s voice rang in his head.
If I kill one man, I can save everyone else.
Tony lifted the dagger and sliced through the young man’s throat before letting the dagger slip onto the ground.
The body dropped lifelessly to the ground, face up, almost like staring into Tony’s soul.
Murderer.
He was so shocked that he failed to hear the sounds of blasters going off around him, killing every single person on Vanaheim.
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Nebula eyed the man writhing in agony below the throne. His tear stained face, his broken left hand, and the way his body curled up into a ball. Along with the constant screams and painful moans, turned her legs into jelly as she tried to remain emotionless.
“He can’t take anymore!”
The screaming stopped and in its place were heavy breaths.
Thanos eyed her carefully, emotions did not betray whatever that was going on in his head.
“Very well.” He motioned for the guards to take Tony away, clearly towards the infirmary.
“He has to learn, daughter.” He said as his eyes were back on her.
“He has learned enough. He was a superhero, a person was used to saving people, not killing. He needs time.”
“Have I been strict with you, daughter? Have I given you enough time?”
“This is not about me, Thanos. She scoffed.
“Answer me, Nebula.” He was still calm but the change in reference caught Nebula’s attention.
“I was a child, with a mind so young that was easy to mould. I didn’t need time.” Nebula recalled the first time when she was brought on board this ship and she hated it.
She lived off the streets on the Planet of Luphom since she could remember. She never had parents, never had a home. All she had was her tiny little box-house under a bridge and leftover food. So when Thanos had found her, and showed her kindness by giving her a fruit, she had took his hand without hesitation.
How she grew to regret it.
“It is the same with Anthony.” Thanos provided, nodding.
“How? He is a grown man. He has seen a lot and has his own point in viewing everything.”
“His mind is a mess, he is lost but most important of all, he is broken.”