"This isn't funny, Bruce!" Tony shouts in her new shrill voice. "Why would you make a decision like this?!"
"Tony, listen." The Hulk says, still in his hermaphroditic form. The gauntlet is now smoking on the nearest table. It's beat up, but still looks usable. "I know you're confused..."
"Confused?" Tony shouts. "Of course I'm confused, but not as confused as you, it seems!"
"I'm not confused..." Hulk responds.
"Why would you change only Tony?" Scott Lang asks. She seems rather heart broken because she is clearly still female.
"I didn't just change Tony." Hulk responds, looking at Scott somewhat confused also.
"Oh, you didn't?" Tony asks as she angrily looks Hulk up and down. "You could have fooled me."
"I don't know what happened, Tony." Hulk says.
"Did you choke?" Scott asks.
"What?" Hulk asks, somewhat confused. "No."
"Then What happened, Bruce?" Tony demands.
"Tony, just listen." Bruce starts to say. "I really thought this through..."
"You thought this through?" Tony asks. "Well that's reassuring."
"No, listen Tony." Hulk says with both hands up defensively. "I know this is going to sound crazy, but..." The Hulk looks at Scott then back to Tony. "I think Thanos was right ab..."
"You did not just say that!" Tony Stark, despite being much smaller than before, points a finger in Hulk's face and for a brief moment it feels like she is towering over the Hulk.
"You wanted to kill half the universe?" Scott asks, getting emotional.
"No!" Hulk responds. "I'm talking about his other wish."
"Other wish?" Scott asks.
Hulk turns back toward Tony and is surprised at how intimidating her glare is. "You weren't there Scott, but back when this all started, we were talking to Nebula, Thanos' daughter, and she said his original wish wasn't to change half of all genders..."
"I wouldn't think so." Scott replies. "I just assumed someone else interfered with his wish."
"No." Hulk looks back towards Scott. "He wanted to snap away half of all life across the universe, but Nebula said he had also considered changing all genders across the universe. We think he somehow got wires crossed when Thor attacked him"
"So he wanted to change all genders?" Scott asks. "Why? That doesn't make sense? How do you go from genocide to gendercide?"
Tony stops glaring at Hulk for a moment to give Scott a dumbfounded look.
"Was that not the right word?" Scott asks.
Tony looks back toward the Hulk. "So you're saying that you changed everyone on the planet this time?" She asks.
Hulk looks down, somewhat embarrassed. "Maybe, not just the planet..."
Tony moves in closer, forcing eye contact. "Are you telling me you did this to the whole damn universe? Again?" She angrily tries to push the Hulk, but makes no impact.
"I'm sorry Tony." Hulk responds.
"Do you realize how much havoc this caused the last time? How many injuries? How many deaths?" Tony demands to know.
"I made sure to include that no one dies or gets hurt this time." Hulk answers.
"You can't just make a decision like this, Bruce!" Tony is pointing in Hulk's face once more. "Change us back!" She points to the gauntlet.
The Hulk looks toward the gauntlet, then back towards Stark. "I'm sorry Tony, I can't do that..." Neither of the two notices a glowing ring of sparks appear near it.
"Uhm guys..." Scott tries to get their attention.
"You can't do it, or you won't?" Tony demands to know.
"You might want to..." Scott mumbles. They still don't notice her.
"I won't, Tony." The Hulk stands up straight and debates crossing his arms, but chooses not to.
Tony continues to glare angrily, contemplating what to say next. "Fine!" he decides. "If you won't do it, I will." She turns to the gauntlet and takes a single step before stopping. "Where is it?" she asks, confused. Hulk turns, also surprised. They both look toward Scott.
"I was trying to tell you..." Scott says before pointing to the opposite end of the room.
"You know," a clearly male Dr. Steven Strange starts to say, "I was really clinging to the hope that this recent turn of events wasn't you." He is locking seemingly patient eyes with Tony, but somehow everyone knows he is livid.
Dr. Strange raises his right hand and the infinity gauntlet floats above it at eye level. "I have no idea how you managed to get your hands on this," He raises his left hand and points it at the gauntlet, "Let alone my time stone." The time stone starts to glow and flies off the gauntlet. He palms the stone and begins to open the eye of Agamotto with hand gestures.
"We need that!" Scott starts to say.
"Silence!" Dr. Strange states in a thunderous tone. It has the desired effect.
"Doctor..." Hulk calls out. Steven Strange diverts his glare to him. Hulk points at the eye of Agamotto.
When Dr. Strange looks down, he sees his own time stone sitting safely in its cradle. He looks up, bewildered. "How?"
Almost as if to answer his question, the two time stones begin to attract each other. Dr. Strange's stone leaves the Eye of Agamotto and they both begin to revolve around each other. His eyes go wide with shock. Using a gesture the two time stones move closer to the gauntlet.
Indistinguishable voices begin to resonate from it, and the air around it seems to crack and warp like broken glass. As the stones move closer to the gauntlet a piece of the glass-like air appears to break away and Thanos' voice can be lightly heard saying, "I am inevitable."
With an almost panic-like gesture, Dr. Strange immediately separates the two green stones. He looks at Tony, Scott, and the Hulk then says, "This reeks of time displacement. How is this possible?"
All three look at Dr. Strange in silence for a long moment before Tony Speaks up.
"Do you really expect us to tell you?" She asks challengingly.
Dr. Strange glares at her then looks up toward Scott, who can't resist glancing toward the quantum tunnel. He turns to follow her glance. A flash of one of the futures that could have been pops into his head, and he wonders how they could have made this so quickly. "Please tell me that's not what I think it is." He says before turning back toward them. "Do you have any idea exactly how dangerous something like that is?" He is doing his best to not sound guilty about everything, but he realizes he should have known this would happen.
"Please Mr. Strange." Scott begins to plead. "We just want to change everyone back. We were going to return them afterwards."
Dr. Strange notices that Scott is still a woman and begins to wonder why. He looks her up and down with suspicion.
"Can we have that back now?" Tony Stark grumbles, eyeing the gauntlet.
Strange looks at the gauntlet then back towards Tony. "You know I can't allow that." He answers.
"Okay, that's fine." Tony answers almost a little too quickly. "Then we'll have to just take it." She raises her right hand pointing a repulsor toward Dr. Strange. It begins to charge and light up, but suddenly stops.
"Unauthorized user!" The suits AI responds.
Dr. Strange tilts his head hardly confused by Tony's reaction.
"FRIDAY, what's going on?" Tony asks.
"Unauthorized user." The suit responds. "Weapons and enhancements are disabled."
"FRIDAY, it's me, Tony." She responds.
"Unauthorized user." She repeats.
"Guys get the stones!" Tony says to Hulk and Scott.
Both heroes hesitate, which is long enough for Dr. Strange to go on guard. Scott raises her helmet, shrinks and jumps toward the Sorcerer Supreme. Hulk begins to charge.
Expecting their resistance, Dr. Strange first gestures toward Scott Lang. He casts a spell that forces her to grow rapidly, rather than shrink.
"Whoa!" Scott shouts as she grows bigger than the Hulk and slams into the roof before falling down hard.
The Hulk gets within arms reach of Dr. Strange, but is not fast enough. The Sorcerer Supreme turns toward him and slams his hand into the Hulk's chest. Bruce Banner feels a similar sensation to when Dr. Strange jumped into his head. He feels his spirit exiting his body and sees the Hulk collapse in front of his opponent. To his shock, Hulk's body begins to change shape. It maintains the long hair but the waist becomes thinner and breasts become more feminine looking. She falls forward onto her cheek revealing clear soft skin.
Bruce looks on in utter shock. "The Hulk is the girl now?" He says before realizing his spirit is now the male version of himself. "This is incredible." He can't resist feeling excited. Even Dr. Strange seems a little fascinated by the results.
Dr. Strange sees Tony coming at him from the corner of his eye and turns his hand toward her. Ribbons, similar to the ones that restrained Thanos, come flying up and wrap around her. He waves his hand through the air and more ribbons wrap around Scott Lang.
"Oww, my head." Scott protests.
Dr. Strange studies all his subdued opponents. Feeling satisfied he turns once more to the gauntlet.
"Steven, please..." Bruce pleads as his spirit seems to float closer. "You can't do this."
Dr. Strange gestures toward his time stone and it floats back into its casing. "None of you understand the full ramifications of what you may have done." He begins making new gestures that cause the second time-stone to return to its former seat in the glove. "I only hope it's not too late."
"Not too late?" Bruce asks. "What are you going to do?"
"I have to return the gauntlet to where you got it." Dr. Strange says, as green energy begins to surround the artifact.
"You can't do that!" Tony tries protesting.
"You are in no position to question anything!" Dr. Strange shows anger for the first time. "Your choices today could make Thanos' original plan seem like child's play."
"Please," Scott calls out. "You have to let us fix this."
"It's too dangerous to fix now." Steven Strange responds. "You will have to reap what you have sown."
Dr. Strange begins to concentrate on the stones and using his magic he creates a bright green bubble around the gauntlet. The air begins to crack like glass once more. Clearer voices can be heard this time.
"Good work you guys. Now let's get out of here." A random voice says.
"Thor, nice meeting you." Another voice chimes in.
The bubble booms loudly without breaking. Wind seems to fly out of it.
"That was for Tony!" A deep voice says. "See you Thor, and thanks."
There is a final loud boom then the magical bubble, gauntlet, and cracked air suddenly vanish out of existence. Dr. Strange seems to stumble lightly as he no longer has to concentrate. He is covered in sweat and looks tired now.
Dr. Strange takes a few deep breaths before turning towards the quantum tunnel. He raises his hand and it begins to creak.
"No Mr. Strange!" Scott protests. "My boss is going to kill me!"
Dr. Strange looks at her somewhat confused, then turns toward the other two. Bruce is looking downward, almost as if embarrassed, but Tony is watching silently and angrily. Dr. Strange doesn't take his eyes off Tony while he uses his magic to start crushing the quantum tunnel. Tony's face does not change in the slightest. The Sorcerer Supreme frowns when he realizes why Tony does not seem to care. After he is done, a smoking pile of metal sits on the floor.
Dr. Strange turns and looks away, seemingly lost in thought.
"There, it's done!" Tony finally breaks the silence. "Are you happy now?" She asks. "Can you let us go?"
Strange closes his eyes, still thinking for a moment before opening them and turning back to the three heroes. "No," He tells them, "I am not done." He begins to approach Tony. "We still have the matter of you three." He risks a quick glance at the other two, but then looks back toward Tony. "I realize, I can't stop you," He gestures toward the destroyed machine, "From fixing that, or just building another."
Tony locks eyes defiantly. "You're right." She says. "You can't stop us from making another..."
"But I can stop you," Strange interrupts her, "from time traveling." He lets his words settle for a moment before continuing. "I bind you, Tony Stark. I bind you from tampering with time, and traveling to any instance that is not your own." The room begins to take on a hazy glow as Dr. Strange turns toward Bruce and the Hulk. "I bind you Bruce Banner, and I bind the Hulk, from tampering with time, and traveling to any instance that is not your own."
"Don't do this..." Bruce tries to protest.
"I bind you, Scott Lang." Dr. Strange turns toward Ant-Man, completely ignoring Bruce. "I bind you from tampering with time, and traveling to any instance that is not your own." He looks back towards Tony. "I bind all of you from every manipulating time again. Should you try, I will know..."
Dr. Strange suddenly releases all three from their restraints and Bruce flies back towards the Hulk. When they merge, the Hulk takes on the hermaphroditic image again. Scott Lang begins to return to her original size. Tony starts rubbing his wrists while still staring angrily. The Hulk and Scott both slowly start to get back up.
"Should you try," Dr. Strange announces loudly, "I will know, and you will die."
"What?!" Scott cries out.
"If any of you so much as set's your watch off, in the slightest," Strange declares, "I will know. If you try to manipulate time again, you will be erased from existence!"
"What if I'm late for work?" Scott Lang asks.
Dr. Strange looks at her angrily, wondering how serious she's really being. After a second of contemplation he turns to her and says, "I will know!"
"Will I die?" Scott asks.
Dr. Strange looks at her in annoyance before turning away without a word.
"Wait!" Scott calls trying to follow him. "Where are you going? Why didn't I change back?"
"Dr. Strange turns back, looking towards the three. "I have to clean up the mess you've made!" He grumbles. "And Ms. Lang, I strongly recommend seeing an obstetrician."
"Obste.. What?" she asks.
"Farewell," Dr. Strange says out of habit. He looks toward Tony. "I hope to never see any of you, ever again." He opens a portal to the Sanctum Sanctorum.
There is a confused asian looking woman waiting for him. She bows briefly. "Sorcerer Supreme, we have been looking everywhere for you!"
"Not now," He tells her, "we have work to do." The portal closes.
The three heroes stand there watching the now empty space.
"He can't be serious guys," Scott tells the other two, "can he?" she sounds legitimately concerned. "He wouldn't really kill us? He has to have been lying..." She looks at both of them. "Bruce... Tony?"
The Hulk looks at Scott sadly and shrugs her shoulders, unsure.
"So, what are we going to do next?" Scott asks, scared and confused.
"I really don't know." The Hulk responds. "What are you thinking, Tony?" When she turns back toward Stark she is surprised to see Tony is glaring furiously.
"Nothing!" Tony declares. She never takes her eyes away from Hulk. "We do nothing." The Hulk makes a confused face. "More specifically, you're doing nothing!"
"Tony, you can't mean..." The Hulk starts to protest.
"No!" She snaps at her loudly. "You no longer get any say in the matter! If you hadn't been so selfish...!" Tony stops talking and grabs her chest. She begins breathing heavily. "If you hadn't been so selfish..." She shuts her eyes very tightly.
"Tony..." Hulk calls out. "Are you alright?"
Tony wipes her face and realizes she is crying. "No..." She says. "Don't talk to me! Just get out of here!" she snaps.
"Tony..." Hulk pleads.
"I said, GET OUT!" She shouts. "I don't ever want to see you again!"
All three stand there somewhat shocked by the turn of events. Scott Lang walks forward. "Tony," She calls, "it's going to be okay."
Tony continues to glare at Hulk angrily, before turning away. "You know what?" She says, "I'll go!" She does her best not to wipe away fresh tears. She grabs a blazer sitting nearby and pushes past the two. "I expect you to be gone by the time I get back... and don't follow me!"
"Tony..." Hulk softly tries to call out. Scott looks up at her and sees the hurt in her eyes.
"It's ok, Bruce." Scott says, placing a hand on her arm.
Tony reaches the nearest door and presses something on the control panel.
"Access denied!" It shouts at him. "Unauthorized user."
Tony growls angrily. "FRIDAY, grant administrative access to current user. Authorization code 17232X72337."
"Access granted." The system replies.
While Tony fights with the system, Scott turns toward Hulk, still looking confused. "Why am I still a girl though?"
Hulk starts to shrug, but Tony interrupts before she can answer. "It's because you're pregnant, you dim-witt." Tony grumbles as she leaves the room, trying to control her anger.
"What?" Scott asks, going wide eyed. "No!" She says turning toward the Hulk. "I can't be!" She looks back toward the door Tony just used. "That's impossible..." She looks back toward the Hulk and asks, "Am I pregnant?"
"Systems show elevated heart rate and blood pressure." FRIDAY responds from Scott's suit. She suddenly realizes she is wearing the time suit Tony designed for her. "Subtle swelling of your chest and legs would imply that it is possible." FRIDAY continues. "You are also showing elevated production of progesterone. Congratulations are likely in order." Scott's eyes go wide at hearing the news.
*** Across the state, at the Sanctum Sanctorum ***
"How did they do it?" Wong asks Dr. Strange. Her face is flush as she is still getting used to her new body.
"They created a device that lets them slip between the flow of time." He responds.
"Can they actually do that?" Wong asks.
"Apparently so." Dr. Strange grumbles.
"How're we going to stop them from doing it again?" She asks.
"I might have discouraged them for now, but it could only be a matter of time before they find out I was lying." Dr. Strange tells her.
"Then what do we do?" Wong asks.
"You know the rules of time manipulation, my friend." Dr. Strange tells her. "If we don't step in, someone else will, and that's the last thing we want."
"I understand." Wong responds. "We can only hope their actions haven't caught the TVA's attention."
"Let's hope." Dr. Strange adds.
"Dr. Strange!" an oddly familiar voice calls out to him. The Sorcerer Supreme turns around to see several people dressed in padded armor, a blond man in a business suit, and a very familiar looking god in an odd looking coat.
"Loki Odinson," Dr. Strange addresses the person who called his name "when I asked you to leave this planet, I meant for good." The Sorcerer Supreme begins to cast a spell. Wong raises both fists and creates magical shields around her wrists. "It is pretty bold of you to think you can directly attack the Sanctum Sanctorum."
Loki smirks at Dr. Strange as other sorcerers begin to enter the room, preparing to defend their home. He raises his right hand and points in the air, everyone and everything seems to freeze.
Dr. Strange looks at Wong, then his colleagues. Not even their magic is moving. He looks back towards Loki and his allies who are having no trouble moving. "I see you've learned a few tricks, since last we met." Dr. Strange can't help but feel nervous now.
"Oh, we've never met." Loki responds. "At least not you and I. Maybe another version of me."
Dr. Strange lowers his guard suspecting this Loki is not a threat. "I'm sorry, but you're going to have to fill me in on some details."
"You see, Mr. Sorcerer Supreme of Midgar, I'm not the Loki you know." Loki says with casual confidence. "Think of me more like your new boss." Dr. Strange frowns in confusion. "I'm in charge of the Time Variance Authority now." Loki smiles confidently.
Dr. Strange feels another pang of worry now. "If that is so, I assume you are here about the recent use of the infinity gauntlet?" He asks.
"Oh, don't concern yourself with that little tidbit." Loki responds. "We have a much much bigger problem on our hands." Loki seems to savor his words.
"Bigger than the sacred timeline?" Strange asks.
"Infinitely bigger." Loki says with delight. Dr. Strange looks Loki up and down, trying to gauge how serious he's really being. "Tell me, oh great Sorcerer Supreme," Loki continues, "Would you happen to know where I can find a certain Peter Parker?"
Dr. Strange can't help but tilt his head in confusion as to why the TVA would be looking for Spider-Man.