WHAT IF Thanos wanted to restore his race (Part 2)

Natasha was asleep in her cell, if one could call it sleep those brief and restless moments when her mind would shut down, but never completely. Her body was exhausted, but her mind kept running in circles about what Thanos had said to him. The offer to restore her fertility, to give her a purpose in his plan, had been disturbing, although she didn't want to admit it. In the midst of a war where she and her companions were fighting to save the universe, she now found herself wondering if perhaps, just perhaps, there was another way. 

The uncomfortable and heavy thoughts kept her restless even while she slept. The images of past missions, of the difficult decisions she had made, of the moment she decided to let everything go for a greater good, haunted her.

The sound of the door opening violently pulled her out of that restless dream. She sat up abruptly, ready to fight, but the heavy chains on her wrists reminded her that she was trapped. Thanos's guards entered, their faces cold and inhuman, and one of them signaled for him to stand up.

"Come with us." One of them growled, without giving any more details.

Natasha didn't ask anything. She knew this wasn't a choice. Reluctantly, she got up, her muscles sore from the constant tension, and followed the guards. As she walked through the cold, metallic corridors of the ship, she couldn't help but think that this could be the end, the culmination of all her mistakes and decisions. But she also knew that she couldn't let herself be defeated yet. Not when there was still a war to fight.

Thanos waited in the command room, standing in front of the large window that displayed the vastness of outer space. The distant echoes of the ship's engines and the murmurs of its soldiers filled the air, but their attention was completely on their plan. When the doors opened, her figure did not move. Natasha was brought before him, her hands still chained, her gaze fixed on the ground at first, until she finally lifted her eyes to meet the Mad Titan.

"Natasha Romanoff," said Thanos, his deep voice seeming to resonate throughout the room. I hope your time in reflection has been productive.

She didn't respond immediately. Her mind was still trying to compose itself, but her eyes hardened. "You haven't given me much more than a cell and chains to reflect on."

Thanos slowly turned towards her, a half-smile on his face. "Sometimes, the biggest prison is in our own mind." He raised the gauntlet and let the red energy of the Reality Stone begin to glow faintly. "But I have come to free you from that."

Natasha tensed, her eyes watching the gauntlet. She had already heard about the power of the Infinity Stones, but seeing them up close made her realize how dangerous they were. She couldn't deny the fear she felt, but she wasn't going to show it to Thanos either.

"And what do you want from me now?" She asked, with a mix of defiance and exhaustion in her voice.

"What I want hasn't changed," Thanos replied. He took a step towards her, bringing the gauntlet close enough for Natasha to feel the heat emanating from the Stone. "I want you to be part of a new order, a new universe." A balanced one, where everything that was broken can be restored.

"And what does that have to do with me?" Natasha replied, her distrust evident. I am nothing more than a criminal wanted by my own government. My place is in the fight, not in your... delusions of grandeur."

Thanos looked at her calmly. What you call 'delusions,' I call reality. And with this Stone, as I mentioned before, I can change reality as you know it. He extended his hand, and the power of the Reality Stone began to unfold before Natasha's eyes.

The room around them suddenly changed. The metal walls faded away, and in an instant, they found themselves in a vast green field under a clear sky. Natasha looked around, confused and alarmed. She was outdoors, the wind gently blowing on her skin. And then she saw it. In the distance, a family was playing in a meadow. A man, a woman... and a girl. The girl was laughing, her red hair waving in the wind as she ran towards her mother.

Natasha held her breath upon seeing the scene. It wasn't just any family. It was her. A version of herself, alongside a daughter she never had.

"No... this isn't real." She murmured, trying to look away.

"Isn't it?" Thanos walked beside him, observing the same scene. This could be your reality. With the Reality Stone, I can give back to you what was taken from you. I can restore your life, your ability to have a family, to be a mother." His voice was soft, persuasive. "And I will... if you join me."

Natasha felt her heart racing. She had long accepted that the possibility of having her own family was beyond her reach, sacrificed by the work she had done in the past, by the decisions she had made. But now, Thanos was offering her that life again. All she had to do was accept.

"With this Stone," Thanos continued, "I can reverse what was done. Not just to you, but to the entire universe. Imagine a world where unnecessary suffering does not exist. Where balance reigns. And you... would be by my side."

Thanos's words hung in the air as the scene before her eyes continued to unfold. The girl's laughter echoed in her mind, and for a brief moment, Natasha allowed desire to slip into her heart. But she knew that all of this was a construction, a mirage created by the power of the Stone.

"Even if you can keep your word, what makes you think I would accept that?" She asked, although now her voice lacked the same harshness as before.

Thanos looked at her again, his dark eyes fixed on hers. "Because I know what you have lost. And because I know that, deep down inside you, you wish to be more than a warrior without a cause."

Natasha remained silent, caught between the reality she knew and the possibility Thanos offered her. And if she accepted? What would it cost her? She knew that joining Thanos went against everything she had fought to protect. But the desire to have something more, to be something more, was beginning to erode her convictions.

Thanos took a step back, allowing the images around them to slowly fade away. They were back on the ship, but the seed had been planted. "Think about it a little more, Natasha. You don't have to decide yet. But time is running out."

And with those words, Thanos left her again in her cell with the Space Stone, and then withdrew, leaving the spy engulfed in her doubts. 

Once Thanos teleported back to the command room, he felt satisfied with the conversation he had had with Natasha. The Titan knew that, sooner or later, the spy would see the truth in his words and join him. Despite her apparent resistance, he had glimpsed a spark of doubt in her eyes, a crack in the emotional armor that had protected her for so long. But now, he had more urgent concerns to attend to.

"Father," said Proxima Midnight as she approached him, her voice firm and respectful. She knelt before him, bowing her head, waiting to be acknowledged. "Our soldiers from the Q Ship, the ones we sent to Earth for the Time Stone, were attacked by Earthlings and are stranded on Titan, or so it seems."

Thanos did not respond immediately. His face remained impassive, but his eyes revealed that his mind was working quickly, contemplating the complications that report brought with it. With his hands crossed behind his back, he began to walk slowly through the command room, his massive and menacing silhouette casting a long shadow on the cold metal floor. Each step echoed like the reverberation of decisions that could change the course of events to come.

As he walked, his mind processed the possibilities. The Avengers were becoming more troublesome than expected. He had anticipated that they would try to resist, but something about their ability to interfere with his plans was beginning to annoy him. However, he knew that the mission was still achievable. His plan was inevitable.

Finally, Thanos stopped dead in his tracks, his serene expression breaking into a small smile. The Titan had come to a conclusion.

"Proxima." He said, without turning around. 

"Yes, my lord." She replied, still kneeling, her gaze lowered in a sign of respect.

"Tell the crew to set course for Titan," ordered Thanos, his voice calm but laden with the absolute authority that emanated from him.

"Right away, my lord." Proxima nodded, getting up to carry out the order. However, before he could leave, Thanos suddenly turned around, an expression of interest crossing his face. His smile widened slightly, giving it an almost sinister touch.

"And bring the human here," he added, his eyes shining with a mix of interest and calculation. I have to talk to her again, alone.

(In the penitentiary corner…)

Natasha was awakened by the sound of the guards opening the door to her cell. Her body, still drowsy from the little rest she had managed, tensed instantly. The images of her conversations with Thanos still swirled in her mind, and that feeling of uncertainty had taken deep root. Had she really considered his words?

"Come with us," ordered one of the guards, his voice harsh and relentless.

With no other option, Natasha got up from her makeshift bed and was led through the dark and cold corridors of Thanos's ship. She had learned to maintain a neutral expression, but inside, her thoughts were a whirlwind. What did he want now? Why had he called her again? The fact that he was watching her so closely made her deeply uncomfortable. 

Finally, she arrived at the command room. The doors opened with a mechanical whisper, revealing the imposing figure of Thanos. He stood in the center of the room, his gauntlet faintly glowing with the Stones he had collected, each one charged with immense power. His gaze fell on Natasha as soon as she entered, and with a gesture of his hand, he dismissed the guards.

Once they were alone, the silence stretched for a few seconds that felt eternal. Natasha maintained her firm stance, her eyes fixed on the Titan, although the weight of his presence seemed to increase with every passing second.

"Why did you call me this time?" she asked, breaking the silence with a controlled voice.

Thanos looked at her intently, as if he were evaluating every little detail of her posture and expression. "I have thought about everything I told you." He said finally, his tone soft but loaded with intention. "And I have come to the conclusion that you don't have much time to decide."

"Decide what?" replied Natasha, although she knew what he was referring to. Her mind was still in conflict over what he had shown her, over the promises he had made. The image of the life Thanos had shown her with the Reality Stone still haunted her, like a possibility she had never believed to be real, but now felt like a tangible temptation.

Thanos moved a little closer to her, his enormous figure casting an intimidating shadow over Natasha's small form. "Soon, the universe will change. The Earth, the Avengers, everything you know will change. And you have to decide which side you will be on when that happens."

Natasha frowned. "Are you still on this? Do you still want me to follow you? Will you let me join you in your plan of destruction?"

"Destruction is not the right word," Thanos corrected, his voice like a deafening whisper. "It's restoration. The universe is unbalanced. Too much life, too much greed. I have seen worlds consumed by hunger, by war. I have seen civilizations fall due to their own greed. What I offer is a rebirth. A universe where unnecessary suffering does not exist. Where my race can flourish again without the danger of falling into devastation once more."

Natasha narrowed her eyes, without taking her gaze off him. "What you offer is genocide."

"It's inevitable," replied Thanos, almost with a philosophical calmness. "The universe will destroy itself if I don't balance it. What I offer is mercy. And I offer you a place in that new order."

There was a pause. Natasha didn't know what to say. She didn't want to admit it, but a small part of her was considering everything Thanos was saying. She didn't accept it, but she couldn't completely deny it either. The vision he had shown her with the Reality Stone had deeply disturbed her, and she knew that Thanos was aware of it. His ability to manipulate not only reality but also the minds of those around him was dangerous.

"And what do you want from me?" she finally asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Thanos watched Natasha with a calculating expression while remaining silent, his thoughts clearly focused on something he had not yet revealed. The spy, with her steely gaze, barely moved a muscle, waiting for her next move, but without fully trusting her surroundings. I was trapped in a situation I could never have imagined.

The Titan slowly raised the Infinity Gauntlet, allowing the dim light of the command room to illuminate the Gems he already possessed. The power contained in each of them was unimaginable, and Natasha knew it. Just by looking at the glow they emitted, I could feel their vibrant and dangerous energy. The Reality Stone, in particular, shimmered with a special intensity, as if Thanos were about to use it for something greater.

"I have offered you a vision of what you could have, of what you could reclaim," said Thanos, his voice deep and resonant in the almost empty room. "But sometimes, to fully understand the value of an offer, it is necessary to remember where you come from."

Natasha didn't fully understand what he meant, but something in his tone indicated that he was about to do something more. Before she could ask, Thanos closed his hand around the Reality Stone, and instantly, the room seemed to change, to warp. The air felt denser, as if reality itself were twisting under the power of the Gem.

Natasha took a step back, surprised by the sensation. She couldn't see what was happening, but she could feel it. The environment around her remained the same, but something inside her was changing. Her hands, her body... everything was beginning to feel different, as if an invisible veil were enveloping her, transforming her.

In a matter of seconds, her appearance had completely changed. Natasha's reddish hair, fell loose over her shoulders. His dark combat suit, with which she had fought in countless battles, was now different. She was wearing the same outfit she had used during the Battle of New York, when the Avengers first united against Loki and the Chitauri. Even the weight of her gun belt felt familiar to her. Natasha's body, younger, with the marks of the years less visible, made her blink in astonishment. It felt like she had gone back to 2012.

"What... what have you done?" murmured Natasha, unable to hide her astonishment as she looked at herself. Her hands traveled through her hair, her suit, and finally stopped at her own face. She knew she was different, that she looked exactly as she did back then, before the weight of the world and the losses had shaped her appearance and her soul.

"I have altered your reality," Thanos explained in a deep voice. "I have returned your appearance to the time when you still believed in something greater, when you fought with a clear purpose, even though you knew the world would see you as a criminal." This is the version of you that faced impossible challenges, but still had the opportunity to choose who you wanted to be."

Natasha looked up, still adjusting to the feeling of seeing herself as the woman she had been in the Battle of New York. She remembered that time. It had been difficult, yes, but there was also something more. A certainty, a clarity of purpose that now, after everything that had happened, seemed distant to her.

"Why?" She asked, her voice low but filled with an underlying tension. It was a straightforward question, but loaded with all the implications of the moment. Why make her relive this memory? Why this version of herself?

"Because I want you to remember what motivated you back then, and to understand that those same desires can be fulfilled if you accept what I have been offering." Thanos replied, slowly approaching her, but without losing the imposing calm that characterized him. "The version of you that fought in New York still believed it could protect humanity, save what mattered. But, Natasha, what I'm proposing goes beyond that. It's not about saving just one city, one planet. It's about saving everything that exists."

The Titan paused, his gaze fixed on her. The glow of the Reality Stone reflected the vastness of the power Thanos had at his disposal. "You could be that same woman again. You could fight to protect something that truly matters. And I... could give you what you desire most."

Natasha felt the proposal echoing in her mind once again. The possibility of reclaiming what she had lost in the Red Room, what had been taken from her without choice. And now, Thanos was once again offering to give that back to her, but in exchange for betraying everything she had fought to preserve. It was an impossible dilemma.

"It's not that simple." Natasha murmured, more to herself than to him. She knew she couldn't just accept it without more. She couldn't afford to let herself be manipulated, but also... the weight of what she could gain, having something she never thought possible, made her doubt again.

Thanos tilted his head slightly, as if he could read each of her thoughts. "Nothing worth having is easy, Natasha. But the reality I offer is not an unattainable dream. It's here, before you. You just have to accept it."

The room remained silent for a long time, as Natasha contemplated her options, her gaze fluctuating between the version of herself she had been and the Titan who had the power to change everything.

Thanos watched her with a slight smile, aware of the internal battle raging in her mind. "You have to choose, Natasha. Time is running out. Either you join me, or you will perish along with the others."

Natasha felt her heart racing. The offer was more tempting than she was willing to admit, but the implications terrified her. She knew that accepting meant betraying everything she had fought for. But the possibility of reclaiming a life she had lost... was hard to resist. 

"Let's see what I can do." She said, finally. It wasn't a definitive answer, but Thanos smiled, knowing that the doubt he had planted in her had borne fruit.

"That will do for me, for now."

(Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Universe...)

On Titan, the alien atmosphere was dense and suffocating. The orange dust clouds floated over the barren landscape as Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spiderman gazed at the remains of the downed ship. The distant roar of the debris was still falling to the ground, but his attention was on a much more imminent threat: Thanos.

They knew he was coming. They felt it. The Mad Titan would not let his defeat aboard the ship go unnoticed, and now, it was only a matter of time before he arrived to claim the Infinity Stones.

Iron Man, with his armor covered in dust and small fragments of debris, paced back and forth, his mind working at full speed to find a solution. They had an advantage. Thanos was coming towards them, not the other way around. It was something they could take advantage of, but even so, the situation was precarious.

"We have an advantage." Finally said Tony, stopping abruptly and turning his gaze towards Strange and Peter. "He's coming towards us. We can use it to our advantage."

Strange, still recovering after being freed from Ebony Maw's ship, nodded slowly. His cloak floated gently by his side, but his expression was serious and focused.

"And what's your plan, Stark?" Asked Strange, crossing his arms as his gaze swept across the sky, anticipating Thanos's arrival.

"It's not complicated, really." We attract it, immobilize it, and take what we need. explained Tony with determination. He struck one of his hands against his fist, as if everything depended on the execution of a simple movement. "Definitely, we don't want to fight with this guy more than necessary. We only need the gauntlet."

Peter, who had been listening attentively, intervened while hanging from a nearby structure, his youthful face full of energy but with a hint of nervousness.

"Of course! Sounds... easy, right?" He said, trying to keep his spirits up. "We just need to take it out of their hands. Simple thing when you're, you know, a guy who could wipe out half the universe with a snap."

Tony shot him a warning glance.

"I know it sounds simple, but if we execute this well, it won't need to be more complicated." The fact that Thanos is coming here voluntarily gives us a unique opportunity. He won't be expecting an ambush.

Doctor Strange remained silent, his mind working alongside Tony, evaluating the possibilities. Finally, he spoke:

"We can use the power of my magic. I will create portals to move faster than him, to confuse him. Speed will be key. We can't afford mistakes. If he realize what we're trying to do ahead of time, we won't have a chance."

Tony nodded.

"Good. You have to distract him with that. Keep him disoriented. I will try to keep him on the ground for as long as possible while Peter uses his webs to make sure he can't move."

Peter nodded enthusiastically, although his hands trembled slightly. He knew what was at stake.

"Hey, I have a doubt again, I'm good at catching people, but what if... you know, he see me before it's time?"

Tony stopped and looked him directly in the eyes. He knew Peter was nervous, and he couldn't blame him. Thanos was no ordinary opponent.

"Listen kid, we're all going to have to play our cards right. This is not an easy fight, and I know it. But I trust you, okay? We don't need to defeat him completely. We just need to take the gauntlet from him."

Peter swallowed hard and nodded, although there was still a shadow of doubt on his face.

"Yes, sir. I understand."

Tony took a deep breath before continuing with the plan. There was no room for mistakes. Thanos was too strong and, above all, too smart to fall for an obvious trap. They needed to be smart, quick, and precise.

"Once we have him immobilized, Strange, it will be your job to open a portal large enough to send him away. Far from Earth, far from any other Infinity Stone. We sent him to a corner of the universe where he can't do any harm until we can destroy that gauntlet."

Strange raised an eyebrow, evaluating the proposal.

"It's an... interesting plan, but there's a complication. If he has most of the Stones he has already obtained, he could counteract the portals he opens. He could manipulate reality itself to escape."

"I know." Tony responded quickly. "That's why it's vital that we don't give him even a second to think about what we're doing. Every second counts. If he senses what we're planning, we're finished."

Peter, still hanging from the structure, dropped agilely to the ground and walked towards Tony and Strange.

"And what do we do if everything goes wrong?" He asked in a lower voice, the insecurity evident in his tone.

Tony stared at him for a moment before speaking.

"It's not going to go wrong. We can't allow it."

The weight of those words fell on the three of them. They knew that the fate of the universe hung by a thread. Failing was not an option, but they also couldn't ignore the immense pressure of what they were facing. It was the greatest fight of their lives, and the threat was more apocalyptic than they had ever imagined.

Strange spoke again, his voice calmer but no less serious:

"In fact, there is an option if everything goes wrong."

That made the other two heroes look at him with intrigued expressions, wondering what the sorcerer meant, who, seeing that he had their attention, told them his plan.

(Meanwhile on Thanos' Ship...)

Thanos was looking out the window of the command cabin, where he observed the view of his home planet from space with a somewhat nostalgic look until something interrupted him.

"Sir, we have arrived, the ship is descending through the atmosphere and we have already located the Earthlings." Said Proxima as she knelt again in respect to her father. "Should I mobilize the troops?"

"No." The Titan responded, surprising the warrior. "With my presence, it will be enough to take care of them, however, call the human, she will come with me."

"Father, with all due respect, I don't think it's advisable..." "Do it, Proxima." Thanos said in a forceful tone, which immediately silenced the warrior and made her retreat to inform Black Widow. 

Meanwhile, Thanos just stood watching the view as the ship descended into the atmosphere of his home.

(5 minutes later)

The Ship was already on the planet's surface, and Thanos knew that the Avengers were hiding somewhere in the ruins where the Sanctuary-II had landed.

As the ship gently touched down on the desolate ruins of Titan, Thanos continued to observe the devastated landscape of his home planet. The scars of destruction were present, but for him, they did not represent pain or remorse. They were a reminder of the necessity of their actions. The sacrifice was essential, and he, as the bearer of that destiny, had to continue his mission.

The sound of soft footsteps behind him momentarily distracted him. Proxima Midnight had returned, and with her, Natasha Romanoff. Thanos didn't turn around immediately. He kept his gaze fixed on the ruins, as if what he was observing were more important than the presence of his companions.

"It is here, father," announced Proxima, kneeling once again with reverence. Natasha, for her part, remained firm, although a mix of tension and confusion was evident on her face.

Thanos finally turned on his heels, fixing his eyes on Black Widow. His expression was severe, but there was an unsettling calmness in his voice when he spoke.

"Natasha, today will be the day you show which side you are really on."

She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms in a defiant stance, but Thanos could see the doubt and conflict within her. For days, he had studied her, talked to her, trying to make her understand the importance of his plan. 

However, until now, he had not made a final decision. Today he would change that.

"What do you mean?" she asked, a feigned coldness in her tone.

Thanos slowly advanced towards her, each heavy step echoing through the cabin. "Your former partner Stark is here, along with 2 Avengers hiding among the ruins. They are here to stop me. They want to prevent me from carrying out my destiny, from saving the universe from itself."

Natasha frowned, her thoughts and emotions churning. The thought of betraying Tony again made her stomach turn, but something in Thanos' words had begun to resonate in his mind. He had seen firsthand the chaos and destruction that reckless human actions could cause. And now, before her, stood a creature who claimed to have a plan to bring order, a plan to save what was left.

"And what do you expect from me?" he asked, his voice now more neutral, his emotional defenses up.

Thanos smiled, a small and barely perceptible gesture. "Today you will fight, Natasha. But it won't be a battle like the ones you've faced before. Today, you will face your own kind, the one you considered family."

To which Natasha looked at him somewhat astonished, however, the Titan continued speaking without paying any attention to it.

"You already know, if you join me, you will have the power to restore what you lost. This is the future I offer, Natasha." He said calmly. "A different life in a reborn Universe that will be grateful. One where my race can prosper again. You can be my queen, and together, we will bring that balance. But first, you must choose. Are you with them, or are you with me?"

Natasha felt the weight of his words. She looked towards the ruins beyond the window, where she knew her old friend was hiding, waiting for Thanos, preparing a plan to stop him. Her friend, her family... But at the same time, she felt the enormous responsibility of everything she had lived through so far, everything shw had sacrificed. Which side was she really on? Was it worth continuing to fight against someone who seemed to have the answers to the problems of the universe?

Thanos didn't push any further. He turned slowly and opened a portal with the Space Stone through which he began to enter. "When the time comes, you will know what to do."

Natasha knew that this was the moment to decide, the portal would close a few seconds later and if she didn't enter, it would close and with it the last opportunity to have what she desired most. She thought about everything that had happened in her life up to that moment, her parents, her sister, Shield, Clint, the Avengers, everything she had fought to protect would be in vain, however, all that struggle had left her with nothing but misfortune and loneliness, she couldn't remember the last time she had truly been happy. And if that was her last chance? Would she waste it? In another Universe, perhaps Natasha would have waited longer or decided not to cross in the end, losing the opportunity to regain what she had lost; however, this Universe was not one of those.

At that moment, Natasha simply closed her eyes and began to run towards the portal, which she miraculously crossed before it disappeared, standing face to face with the Mad Titan, who, upon seeing her, had a satisfied expression on his face.

"I knew that sooner or later you would come to your senses." He simply said before starting to move in a specific direction, which Natasha followed.

While Natasha followed Thanos, her mind remained clouded with doubts. She had crossed the portal, made a decision that would change everything, but she still wasn't sure if she had done the right thing. Each step took her further away from the Avengers, from those she had considered her family. Could he really face them? Was she prepared for the betrayal that it implied?

Thanos walked in silence, his imposing figure advancing confidently through the ruins of his home planet. The destruction of Titan was a constant reminder of what he had sacrificed, of the difficult decisions he had made in the name of balance. For him, this was just another battle in a much larger war. But for Natasha, it was an existential crisis, the breaking point between who she had been and who she could become.

Finally, Thanos stopped in what seemed to be the center of the ruins, where the remnants of ancient buildings formed a circle around a large shattered plaza. The calmness of the place only made the tension inside him grow even more. Thanos slowly turned towards her, looking at her with that expression that Natasha had learned to interpret as pride.

"This is the beginning of your new life, Natasha. Today, you will prove your true worth." Said Thanos, his deep voice resonating in the heavy air. "You will face Stark and his Avengers friends. It will be painful, but it is necessary. Only then will you be able to free yourself from what has kept you chained."

Natasha remained silent, not daring to answer. Her eyes scanned the ruins of Titan, but her mind was elsewhere, remembering Clint, Steve, Tony... all those she had left behind. She felt the pressure of her words and the temptation of her offer: to restore what she had lost. To become a mother again, to have a family, to fill that void I had felt for so long.

"And what if I can't do it?" She finally asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Thanos took a step towards her, his gaze fixed and determined. "You will. You have no other choice. I have given you the power to achieve everything you have always wanted. With the Reality Stone, there are no limits to what we can achieve together."

Natasha couldn't help but lower her gaze, feeling the weight of her decision. It was true, she had crossed the portal, she had accepted Thanos' offer. But, what did that really mean? How far was she willing to go?

Suddenly, a flash of energy was felt in the air. Natasha looked up just in time to see Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man materialize a few meters away. They seemed ready for battle, their gazes determined, their stances prepared to face Thanos.

Tony was the first to speak, his tone laden with disbelief and concern upon seeing Natasha next to the Mad Titan. "Nat... what are you doing here? Why are you with him?"

Natasha felt a knot in her stomach. That was the moment. Thanos had brought her here to choose. So that he could show where his loyalty lay. And now, I had to do it.

"Tony... there's no other way." She murmured, though she wasn't sure if she was saying it to him or to herself.

Spider-Man, confused and with a voice full of anguish, stepped forward a little. "You... are you the Black Widow? What are you doing with him?"

Natasha clenched her fists. She knew this was going to be difficult, but facing Tony's gaze, whom she had considered almost like a brother, was tearing her apart inside.

However, another voice inside her reminded her why she was doing this. 

She briefly turned towards Thanos, who was simply watching, expectant, as if he were enjoying this moment of indecision.

"Today, you will prove your loyalty, Natasha." He said simply in a low voice, almost like an order.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind in her mind. She knew there was no turning back. She had made her choice when she crossed that portal, and now she had to face the consequences.

With a look full of resignation, Natasha stepped forward, positioning herself next to Thanos. Tony's eyes filled with a mix of anger and disappointment. Strange, always observant, seemed to be assessing the situation, looking for any sign that the Widow might still switch sides.

"So that's how it is. You betray me again..." Tony murmured, activating his armor in a gesture that sounded more like pain than determination.

Thanos raised a hand, stopping any immediate movement. "She has made her decision, Stark." Today, he will fight to restore the balance he longs for so much.

Natasha felt her blood boiling. She couldn't stand that uncertainty any longer. The impending struggle was not just physical, but internal, a conflict that would mark their destiny forever.

"Natasha..." started Tony, but he couldn't finish the sentence.

She interrupted him, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry."

And so, the battle began.

The tension was palpable as the air in the ruins of Titan was charged with the imminent battle. Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man were ready, each with their own plan in mind. But what weighed the most at that moment was the figure of Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, now on Thanos's side.

Tony Stark activated his armor, his face rigid as he tried to process what was happening. Not only was he facing Thanos, but also someone he had considered a friend and an ally. "Natasha, you don't have to do this," he tried to say once more, but she just gave him a cold look.

Without further words, Thanos moved forward first. The Mad Titan extended his arm, and with a simple gesture of the Power Gem, unleashed a wave of energy that sent the heroes crashing to the ground. Tony was the first to rise, firing a barrage of missiles directly at Thanos, but the Titan deflected the projectiles with a casual wave of his hand, while his eyes remained fixed on his target: the Time Stone.

Spider-Man, quick and agile, swung through the ruins, shooting webs in an attempt to immobilize Thanos. "This is crazy!" "Are we really going to face this guy?!" Peter shouted in panic as he moved across the battlefield. Although he didn't know Natasha, he couldn't help but feel betrayed seeing her next to Thanos.

Natasha, who had remained motionless until that moment, took advantage of the distraction from the fight to pounce on Tony. Her agility was unmatched, and before Iron Man could react, she had snatched a blaster from him and was aiming it directly at his armor.

"Nat! What the hell are you doing?" exclaimed Tony as he tried to push her away with a repulsor, but Natasha, trained in hand-to-hand combat, easily dodged it.

"You don't understand, Tony." She replied, her voice trembling but determined. "This is for something bigger. Something you can't stop."

The fight was intensifying. Doctor Strange floated in the air, conjuring shields and casting spells, while Spider-Man tried to prevent Thanos from catching him. But the Titan was unstoppable. With each movement of his gloved hand, he destroyed magical barriers and hurled the heroes towards the ruins of Titan.

Strange knew that the situation was becoming desperate. Despite their best efforts, the spells couldn't hold Thanos for long. The Titan was getting closer and closer, his gaze fixed on the Time Stone that hung from the Eye of Agamotto.

Tony finally managed to break free from Natasha, propelling himself into the sky. "Strange, we need more time!" He shouted while shooting lasers at Thanos, even though he knew they wouldn't last long.

"There's no time!" Strange responded urgently, already understanding what he had to do. His eyes turned to the Eye of Agamotto, aware that Thanos could not obtain that gem. If I did it, everything would be lost.

Meanwhile, Natasha moved closer to Tony, both of them looking at each other with a mix of fury and desolation. She raised the blaster she had taken from her armor, aiming it directly at him. "I'm sorry, Tony." He said, his voice full of remorse. There's no other way.

Before he could shoot, a burst of energy from Thanos shattered the ground between them. The battle between the Titan and Strange had reached a critical point. With a brutal motion, Thanos grabbed Strange by the neck, lifting him off the ground.

"You have been a worthy adversary, sorcerer." But it's useless to resist. Said Thanos as he extended his hand towards the Eye of Agamotto that the Master of the Mystic Arts possessed.

Strange, still hanging in the air, whispered something in an ancient language, and the Eye began to shine with an intense green light. A magical wind began to swirl around them, and Strange's eyes lit up with deadly determination.

"Christine... I'm sorry." Gasped Strange, his voice trembling as he used his last bit of energy. I knew what I had to do. The only option left.

Tony, who had tried to approach, stopped upon seeing the green light enveloping Strange. "No, Strange, wait!"

But it was already too late. With one final gesture, Strange unleashed a spell of total destruction. The Time Gem began to shine with blinding intensity, and a green shockwave started to form around it.

"NOOO!" roared Thanos, reaching out his hand desperately, but the magical explosion enveloped Strange and the Gem before he could reach it.

In a final sacrifice, Doctor Strange had destroyed the Time Stone along with his own life, preventing Thanos from claiming it. The green light extinguished, and Strange's body faded into dust, leaving only silence.

Tony fell to his knees, unable to process what had just happened. "No..." he murmured, as the ruins of Titan were enveloped by the echo of Strange's sacrifice. However, before he could react, he was shot by the power gem, which inflicted great damage, irreparably damaging his armor.

Thanos, furious but restrained, turned towards Natasha. "Today you have seen the price of resistance. They won't be able to stop me. And now, you must fulfill your promise."

Natasha, still shocked by what she had just witnessed, nodded slowly. She knew there was no turning back. Today she had made her decision, and now she would have to live with it.

Thanos observed the battlefield with absolute calm, savoring his imminent victory. Doctor Strange had sacrificed himself, destroying the Time Stone in a final desperate attempt to stop him. However, the Mad Titan knew that the true challenge was not yet over. His gaze fell on Tony Stark, weakened and powerless, and on Peter Parker, barely conscious after the brutal battle.

Natasha was by his side, her face somber, burdened with the weight of betrayal. She had crossed the portal with Thanos, and now the ultimate test of his loyalty was about to arrive. The Titan turned his head towards her, his eyes penetrating and imposing.

"Natasha." Said Thanos in a low but authoritative tone. "It's time to prove your loyalty. Take Stark's life and eliminate the other Avenger."

Natasha clenched her fists as she felt the pressure of the moment. He looked at Tony, who lay on his knees among the rubble, struggling to stay conscious. She had seen him in his best and worst moments, had fought by his side, and now had to decide his fate. However, before he could move, his eyes drifted towards Peter.

The young hero was wounded but conscious. Her eyes, filled with fear and desperation, fell on Natasha. He didn't know her, at least not in person, but at that moment he understood the difficult situation she was in.

"Please... don't do it," Peter murmured, his voice weak, as he tried to get up. Natasha felt a knot in her stomach. He was just a boy, a teenager caught in a war much bigger than anyone could imagine.

She took a step towards him, her heart divided between loyalty to the Avengers and Thanos's offer of a new life, a second chance to remake everything she had lost. Her mind was spinning with a thousand thoughts when, suddenly, she spoke.

"Thanos, he's just a child," said Natasha, briefly looking at the Titan. Let him live. It's not a threat to you.

Thanos watched her in silence, his gaze calculating. For a moment, he seemed to weigh Natasha's words, considering his options. Then, a slight nod marked his decision.

"A child... but a potentially useful warrior," Thanos said quietly. I will take him as a prisoner. Maybe, over time, what is weakness today will become strength.

Peter tried to get up, but his wounds were too severe. Natasha looked at him with a small relief inside her, knowing that at least she had saved his life. But the sense of respite was fleeting, as Thanos redirected his attention back to Tony.

"Stark." said Thanos in an imposing tone. "You, however, will not be so lucky. Natasha, fulfill your part of the deal. Kill him."

Natasha took a deep breath, looking at Tony, who could barely stand. His eyes, tired and desperate, fixed on her, and for a few seconds, time seemed to stand still.

"Nat... don't do it...", Tony murmured, his voice choked.

She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering everything they had been through together. But when she opened them again, the weight of the situation crushed her. I couldn't go back. He had already crossed the line.

She took out the repulsor she had stolen from Tony in their fight and walked slowly towards him. "I'm sorry." She murmured almost inaudibly, more to herself than to him. Tony tried to move, but exhaustion and his wounds prevented him from defending himself.

With a quick and precise movement, Natasha shot the repulsor into Tony's abdomen, opening a hole in it and killing him instantly. Stark gasped, his face contorting in pain on the ground, as his hand reached out towards Natasha, as if he still wanted to believe she wouldn't do this.

"Natasha...", he whispered with his last breath, his gaze clouding as life slipped from his eyes.

"NOOOO, Mr. Stark." He cried inconsolably, the only hero still standing, tears forming in his eyes. Until his crying was suddenly silenced by Thanos, who with a single blow knocked the teenager unconscious.

She stepped back, not daring to look directly at him, while Thanos watched with satisfaction. "Well done." Said the Titan.

"Today you have demonstrated your loyalty, and for that, I will fulfill my promise."

Thanos raised his hand, and Tony Stark's body was lifted by the energy of the Power Stone, suspended in the air as his body slowly disintegrated from the cosmic energy. "But it's not over yet," said the Titan, pulling out his communicator and turning to Peter, who had been left at the mercy of the situation. "We're done here, take the Earthling to the ship." I have plans for him.

Thanos' troops moved to capture Peter, who could barely resist. Natasha watched them take the young hero away, feeling the weight of guilt take hold of her. She had killed one of his closest companions and allowed a child to fall into the hands of a monster.

When the ship's doors closed behind them, Thanos walked slowly towards Natasha. "You have chosen well." He said, placing a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Soon, everything will be restored, and you will have what you have always desired."

But while Thanos was speaking, Natasha wasn't listening, her gaze lost in thought about the actions she had taken today. She knew she had crossed a threshold from which she could not return, and the darkness of her actions was beginning to sink her deeper into an abyss from which she feared she would never escape.