Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers

Warnings/Tags: Alternative Universe -Canon Divergence, Not Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (Movie) Compliant, Infinity Gems, Tony Stark Has A Heart, BAMF Tony Stark, Tony Stark Lives (but dies of old age), Steve Rogers has not been forgiven, Civil War Team Iron Man, Tony Stark Acting as Peter Parker's Parental Figure, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies except Thanos, Loki Lives.

Cross-posted on my AO3 with a collage.

Note: "complete pieces of dialogue in italics are the stones speaking to Infinity but no one else can hear them"

In the beginning, there was only one form of life. The being was lost in the black of the empty until slowly the universe formed around them; worlds took up the darkness, bright balls of gas filled the furthest corners of the universe. The biggest, brightest and hottest of them, the being called the Sun.

But, before the universe came into existence; the being was gifted a name, bestowed power and decided a gender. Infinity; that was the name that the primordial being heard whispered into non-existent ears. The soundless voice dubbed them Infinity and six stones shimmered into being. Infinity chose a male form, but he was of no race and he was one of a kind. None were like him and none would be. The rings encircled Infinity, glowing as they became a part of him; wrapped in golden barriers, the gems fit into gold rings that appeared on the pinkies, the middle fingers and the thumbs that existed yet didn't.

—LINE BREAK—

Centuries upon centuries passed and only when planets and populations grew rapidly that Time spoke up; the stone foretold future threats that headed Infinity's way. With each burst of life, the myth of Infinity and his Stones spread from creature to creature until someone mad enough would search for them. The being was unsure what to do with this information; he was not naive nor arrogant enough to believe that he was invincible. He turned to the other stones for their ideas.

"Flee to the other side of the universe where there is nothing to threaten us," was Space's suggestion as the blue stone shone brightly on his hand,

"Only cowards flee," proclaimed Power, the purple hue of the gem overshadowing Space, "we have the ability to wipe out the fools that seek us; the power to destroy planets if we so desire!"

"We could manipulate the minds of those who know of us; make them forget," murmured Mind as yellow shone in Infinity's face,

"Perhaps we could reshape the reality of our existence; like Mind's suggestion, manipulate their belief of us," Reality recommended, red hiding the yellow,

"Infinity… ignore ideas of manipulation and death. The best solution would be to separate from us; send each of us to different corners of the universe in the hopes of keeping seeker's at bay for a long time and fall, my friend. Fall and be reborn; lead countless lives," Soul sang into his mind, for the stone's did not have outgoing voices and could only speak inside his head; the orange stone glowed gently unlike the others. Time, who had not spoken a suggestion, glowed in agreement, the green gem stood out amongst the rest.

"Soul's idea is the only future I see that doesn't end the universe as we know it; I can not and will not share the fate with you, Infinity. I will not break my vow and our deal; but I can tell you that you will lead many lives on various planets. Some lives will be good, some bad, some happy and some sad; some short and some long. When we next reunite, all of us, you will be amongst others who will help you stop the maddest of beings who will seek and collect us. But, until such a time, I fear the best solution is to part ways."

—LINE BREAK—

Infinity thought it over and agreed with Soul and Time. The day they separated, they bid farewell before Infinity cast his arms out and threw the stones far into the darkness of the lively universe. He was sad, but he knew it was something he had to do. For the sake of the universe he was in love with, he would do whatever it took to save it.

Once the stones were gone, Infinity shut his eyes, a tear fell from his eyes; it shimmered and shined down his cheek leaving a line of stardust. Then it seemed to happen all too quickly; he fell backwards with his arms open wide. Plummeting further and further into the dark abyss. He felt nothing and then everything changed and he was gone, blinking out of existence; with each life he lived, he was unsure of his true identity and would never know until the time came for him to need to know.

Here's my Tumblr if you're interested, it also has the story collages: anxious- - -soul (no spaces between the dashes, this site sucks and wouldn't allow them without spaces).

Anyway,
Thank you for reading,
Hope you enjoyed this,
Please review,
No hate -don't like, don't read

Bye~