Chapter 3

Thanos also found himself in a field. He had walked a distance to discover a Star Gate standing alone on a platform. He went to the dial home device and looked upon the symbols. "Hmm…" he pondered. "The Ancient Ones…I thought all the Gates had been destroyed…" he then realized, "The Stones sent me here. I'm in another universe." A smile crept across his face, "I can make anew."

Star Gate Command

Tony had studied up on every star chart, Gate address and race and Goa'uld baddie in the new universe. His IQ test score rivaled Sam's and even beat one Rodney McKay. He was given access to the files on the Star Gate Teams to familiarize himself with the new enemy. In classic Tony Stark style he submerged himself in the new reality and his new life. But studying old reports and files was not enough. He was a man of action. He wanted to get off world and get a taste of what the SG teams did and found himself standing before Hammond's office and rapping on the door.

George looked up from his work, "Mr. Stark." He wondered just what brought Tony to see him as he had access to the entire base.

Tony stepped inside, "General…I read all the files you authorized for me to read…I did all my homework…" he started.

Hammond gasped, "You already all those files?"

He paused and slightly cocked his head, "Yes sir."

George mentioned, "That was enough work to keep you busy for months."

"I'm a fast learner." he insisted. "Anyways…Can I get on a team?" He was direct and to the point.

"A team?" he asked sitting back in his chair. He figured it was only a matter of time before the new arrival asked to be assigned.

Tony was bullish, "Come on! I was an Avenger. I'm bored out of my mind here. I sit back and watch Sam go off world with her team and I want to be on it." Tony was not a man to hold back his thoughts and feelings and George liked that aspect.

Hammond replied, "I'll assign you to SG-1."

Tony assumed his request would be denied and had a million reasons memorized as to why he should be assigned. He began, "Come on, give me a team. I'm letting you guys keep my suit…" he pinched his lips and then asked, "Did you say I get SG-1?"

"You know Thanos better than anyone here. We're getting intel from the Free Jaffa. Thanos has made an alliance with the Goa'uld. We will need you off world to help counter this threat, Mr. Stark." he informed.

"Oh!" he perked up. "I get SG-1. That's great. That's like your version of the Avengers here…well, not as flashy…" he found himself sounding silly as he listened to his words. "Thank you…Sir."

Hammond suggested, "Have a seat Mr. Stark."

Tony took a seat across from George at the desk. He asked, "What's up?"

"I have the results for the names you gave us. There once was a Howard Stark but he died during World War Two in an accident. He was a weapons manufacturer and there was an accident at the plant. His business went under after his death." He informed Tony of what happened to his father in the new reality.

"So that's why I was never born." he figured.

"It happened before you were born." he agreed. "I found a Steven Rogers, died during World War Two. He drowned trying to storm a beach. Apparently, he was rejected for being underweight. They let him in eventually but he didn't last long." He continued, "Natasha Romanoff does exist here and escaped the Soviet Union with her parents as a small child. She's a first year cadet in the Air Force Academy. There is no SHIELD here. Clint Barton also exist here. He too is Air Force…a pilot. Noted for winning archery competitions. Not married, no kids. I found a Doctor David Bruce Banner. He works for the CDC. Married, fresh out of college. Nick Fury…Marine drill instructor. Career military man. He trained the drill instructors…Pepper Potts…" he paused and took a breath.

"Pepper?" he gulped fearing bad news.

"Died in a plane crash with her father two years ago." he informed. "She was just out of school."

His heart sank. He sucked back the tears and explained, "Even if she was alive I couldn't see her. I would be a total stranger and just some old guy to her."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stark." he offered his condolences.

"Thanks," he responded pulling himself together. He tried to find some good news, "Least we got Thor and the Asgard."

"That we do." the General agreed.

Meanwhile - Avenger's Reality.

Steve Rogers led Peggy and Thor into the museum. It was after hours and the building was closed. They had snuck in through the back door with relative ease. Steve donned his old suit once more and carried the shield while Thor still wore his denim jeans and jacket. Peggy was dressed in black battle dress as she saw the task to be a mission for SHIELD.

They made their way inside the museum and to the display with the mirror. Most to their surprise they found Loki was already ahead of them and at the mirror as well. Loki donned a security guard's uniform and looked curiously at the mirror. He glanced over upon hearing footsteps.

"Ah, brother…" he gave a condescending smirk, "I see you finally figured out that whole 'snap thing' was a bit of a exaggeration."

"Thanos was moved to another universe." Thor stated. "That mirror is a doorway to wherever he went. We have to find that other universe and warn them. Tony would also be there." He stood before Loki, "You are not here to help are you, brother."

He smiled most wickedly, "Has it occurred to you brother, that in that other universe, there would be a whole other set of Infinity Stones?"

"You're not serious." he gasped.

"I found where the snap took Thanos and Stark." he declared. "I'm sure if you and I brother had figured out the true power of the stones than so has Thanos. He would be looking for them as well. Now, once he gets those stones he can come back here and well…after that last little episode…not even I am all that enthused about that idea."

"So why haven't you gone to the other reality, brother?" he asked him.

He motioned towards the image in the mirror, "I think it's guarded. It's in some kind of warehouse." He assured, "Not even I am insane enough to go up against Thanos alone, brother. The stones can do far more than just snap things out of existence…"

Thor countered, "Moves things, brother."

"Whatever," he waved it off. "The stones can move things, create entire solar systems, a new planet, bring back the dead." He mentioned, "Think about it. We can bring our mother back, bring Asgard back."

"Our father?" he asked curiously.

"Let's leave ole dad dead." he suggested. Loki obviously had some lingering issues with his adopted father.

"You will need my help to get the stones." Thor figured.

Loki confessed, "Obviously! It's in another universe and we have no idea what is there. It can be exactly like ours of very different."

Thor stated, "Then there is only one way to find out. Activate the mirror, brother."

"Mind you," he countered. "We may have to fight our way past the guards."

"I am aware." Thor huffed.

"Very well," Loki replied happy to have Thor's help. He activated the mirror and the next thing they knew they were standing in a warehouse.

An alarm sounded and suddenly guards descended on the mirror. Military Police surrounded them with rifles drawn.

Steven realized they were Americans. He held up his hands, "We came through the mirror. We mean no harm."

Loki rolled his eyes, "It would have been so much more fun if you had put up a fight."

Steve snorted, "They are Americans."

Loki agreed, "I know."

Meanwhile

Tony Stark had suited up in battle dress and field gear for his first off world mission with SG-1. They were to meet Thor at a rendezvous point to debrief about Thanos, the stones and the other reality. Tony was excited to see Thor again, though he understood this version of Thor would be drastically different from his Thor.

Sam grinned at Tony as they stood waiting for Walter to dial out. She asked him, "Excited?"

He nodded, "Actually…I am." He found the more time he spent with Sam the more he liked her. She was single and as far as he knew, she had no love interest in her life. She was as smart as he, kind, caring, very pretty and blonde too boot. He liked blondes and she was his type. He wished he had his billions in the new world for he would take Sam out to every party in town. Buy her expensive gifts and lavish her in a world of ultra wealth. But he also knew Sam would not like such a life for she was carrier military and was driven by her desires to explore new worlds. In a way he was grateful he was broke and a nobody in the brave new world for it gave him a chance to be around everyday people and blend in without getting the privileges of the wealthy class.

Tony looked over his teammates. He liked and trusted each. He found Daniel to be the morale compass and reminded him of Steve. He liked the man, his wit and how him and Jack seemed to banter back and forth much like brothers. He admired Jack for he had much in common with the man and the Colonel was rather laid back was yet a tactical genius and Tony found it difficult to beat the man at chess. Jack invited him to the cabin and he looked forward to going for some down time. He glanced at Teal'c who was steady as ever. A true warrior at heart and a man he admired. He found each member of SG-1 brought a unique aspect to the team and yet, no one knew who they were. There was no public knowledge to the program. SG-1 were the silent heroes that no one knew about.

The Avengers were celebrities in his world. Him and his team were famous, celebrated and well known. Here, he got to leave that aspect behind and found friends would rather not be famous or well known. He admired that quality in his new team. The unsung hero aspect of SG-1 and the SGC was most appealing to him.

Tony watched as the chevrons locked and the event horizon established before them. He watched it many times before but up close and personal was a different experience.

Jack asked, "You ready Stark?"

"Ready!" he agreed with a nod as a grin crept across his face. He started up the ramp with his new friends.

Jack chatted, "So…In your…reality…you were this CEO of a weapons company and you invented new weapon systems."

"My father started it. Stark Industries." he confirmed.

He cocked an eyebrow, "You were rich?"

He shrugged the question off, "Not until I lost everything." He found his life was only fulfilled after his daughter was born.

Jack paused and looked at him, "Huh." He wasn't expecting such a reply. He asked, "How rich were you?"

He changed the subject, "I'm looking forward to meeting your Thor. What do you think are the chances of finding a talking raccoon?"

"A talking what?" he asked bewildered.

"Minimal," Tony declared and walked up and through the event horizon after Teal'c and Sam.

Daniel stood with Jack before the mouth of the Gate. He looked disapprovingly at him. "You actually asked him if he was rich."

"Don't you wonder how much money the guy had?" he asked.

"I do but I'm not about to ask him that." he shook his head. "He just lost everything."

Jack smirked, "You ever wonder how the wealthy live? Cars, boats, planes…toys…"

He rolled his head back, "No Jack! I actually don't." He then added, "Unless some rich guy has his own private Gate some place, I really don't care." He stepped through the event horizon amused by Jack's wandering mind.

Jack mentioned, "That would be cool if I had my own private Gate." He then stepped through himself and the event horizon dissipated.