Chapter 29: Perfect Completion of the Marvel Map
[February 2013. While the Battle of New York didn't cause catastrophic damage, half the city was still destroyed. The alien invasion raised global alarm and concern at the UN Security Council. You seized this opportunity to publicly release S.H.I.E.L.D. intel on the Skrulls and Kree, revealing that extraterrestrial attention had already turned toward Earth back in the 1960s and '70s. The UN Security Council took the matter seriously and authorized you to form a team capable of defending against alien threats. (Achievement Unlocked: Men in Black)]
[March 2013. With your help, Tony Stark upgraded his Phoenix Armor. Now equipped with an exoskeleton system and an array of high-tech weaponry, the suit even allows rapid flight without aircraft assistance. In your view, Tony Stark had carved a new path forward—strong enough to rival Batman despite not relying solely on his armor. He was now one of the Avengers' top powerhouses.]
[April 2013. At a meeting at Avengers HQ, Starlight Tower, Doctor Strange arrived unexpectedly. He claimed to have traveled back in time from two years into the future. In his timeline—2018—Thanos, the cosmic overlord, had collected all six Infinity Stones and erased half the universe, including Earth, with a snap of his fingers. After exploring over 3,000 alternate universes and simulating tens of millions of outcomes, he found that this world offered the only real chance to defeat Thanos and save the universe. That chance was possible because of your existence, though it was likely a one-time opportunity.]
[The other Avengers were skeptical of Doctor Strange's story until you had S.H.I.E.L.D. investigate and discover another Stephen Strange—currently in San Francisco working as a neurosurgeon. That convinced most of them.]
[Doctor Strange explained that the only way to save the universe was to collect all six Infinity Stones before Thanos did and use them to snap him out of existence across the entire timeline. The Ancient One appeared to confirm this plan but warned that such an act could worsen the Dark Dimension's invasion of Earth—or even cause the timeline to fracture into many parallel universes.]
[With your group's approval, Doctor Strange summoned Avengers from a parallel universe: Black Widow, Smart Hulk, Tony Stark (Iron Man), Steve Rogers (Captain America), Fat Thor, and even the Guardians of the Galaxy… Most of the team meshed well—except for Thor and his overweight alternate self, and Tony Stark with his Phoenix counterpart, who couldn't stand each other. You couldn't blame Thor—anyone would break down seeing their future self like that.]
[May 2013. At Tony Stark's suggestion, and through your coordination, you helped form the Illuminati—an elite group of Earth's smartest and wealthiest superheroes, created to address crises threatening the planet and beyond. The members included Winston, both Tony Starks, both Bruce Banners, Dr. Zola, Doctor Strange, Mister Fantastic, Black Panther, and nuclear physicist Hank Pym.]
[May to July 2013. Thanks to the Illuminati's tireless efforts, Earth's technology advanced rapidly, leaping five years ahead in just three months. They even developed spacecraft capable of interstellar travel.]
[August 2013. You traveled to Asgard via the Bifrost. With Odin's approval, you unearthed the Aether (Reality Stone) from beneath the ground. Fat Thor also had a heartfelt reunion with his late mother.]
[September 2013. You journeyed to Morag in search of the Orb (Power Stone), where you encountered Gamora, Nebula, and Ronan—sent by Thanos to retrieve it. Soon after, Thanos's warship arrived in pursuit. Despite their formidable power, Thanos's forces were overwhelmed by the combined might of two Tony Starks, two Captain Americas, two Hulks, two Thors, and Winston, whose strength rivaled even Steve Rogers. The battle was hard-fought, but you prevailed—though had you faced the full might of Thanos's army, the outcome might have been different.]
[Late September 2013. You successfully obtained the Power Stone on Morag, leaving only the most mysterious of the Infinity Stones—the Soul Stone.]
[November 2013. Your team reached the small planet Vormir, where the Soul Stone was hidden. Upon learning the stone's grim cost, Winston chose to sacrifice himself. Smiling, he told you that as a monkey, he had already gained so much from you—family, friendship—and now wished to return to nature. From 1943 to 2013, you had watched him grow from a frail monkey into a war hero and finally a superhero, faithfully accompanying you through seventy years of solitude. Even someone as familiar with loss as you couldn't help but grieve. But most importantly, with this, you had finally gathered all six Infinity Stones!]
[January 2014. You traveled to the dwarf star Nidavellir, where King Eitri forged the Infinity Gauntlet. Once all six stones were embedded, you donned the gauntlet—and snapped your fingers.]
[921,031 versions of Thanos across the multiverse turned to dust.]
[February 2014. The time-traveling Avengers returned to their respective universes. According to Doctor Strange, even the smallest butterfly's wingbeat can trigger a hurricane miles away. This time-travel and universe-hopping had already created thousands of new parallel timelines. One could only hope those alternate selves would live safely.]
[April 2014. After returning from Nidavellir, your team held a funeral for Winston. Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter then retired from S.H.I.E.L.D., bought a farm in the countryside, and began a peaceful life together.]
[June 2014. Tony Stark fell deeply in love with his secretary, Pepper Potts. He occasionally mourned Winston's passing—and sometimes vented to you.]
[March 2015. Finally freed of lingering attachments, you resigned as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director to live as an ordinary person. Aside from occasionally taking down criminals or hanging out with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, you lived like any other civilian.]
[April 2022. You awoke to find yourself once again in Brooklyn, 1941—penniless and alone. The city was bustling, with towering skyscrapers and heavy traffic all around.]
Summary: Congratulations! You've completed a brilliant and legendary life. You have successfully cleared this map! In this journey, your achievements surpassed 99.99% of all other dimension travelers. Even centuries later, your legend lives on—hailed by many. You were considered the greatest scientist, businessman, and war hero of the 20th century, and the greatest scientist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world-saving hero of the 21st. You became an icon. When schoolchildren were asked who they wanted to be when they grew up, your name became the standard answer.
Rating: S
World Exploration: 95.2%
Because your exploration exceeded 90%, you earned 10 Traversal Coins.
For your unprecedented impact on the history of science, you earned 7 Traversal Coins.
For your unparalleled influence on world history, you earned 12 Traversal Coins.
And for completing Endless War with a perfect score, you've earned the right to retain one talent in the real world.
Due to your S-rank rating and map clearance, the Legendary Vampire Template "Zhou Ning" has been upgraded to Epic Vampire "Zhou Ning"—which can now be drawn under exceptionally lucky conditions.
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