Judgment of the Endless (MarvelxDC)

Maw, growing increasingly frustrated, teleported across the field, aiming for a weak point in the Hulkbuster's defenses. Tony caught his movement just in time and unleashed a powerful sonic blast, disorienting Maw as the sound waves rippled across the street.

With Maw temporarily stunned, Tony charged forward, fists at the ready.

Just as he was about to deliver the knockout blow, Supergiant reappeared, sending a massive telekinetic blast his way. Tony stumbled back, his HUD flickering as the power in his suit recalibrated.

"Jarvis, I need more power!" he yelled.

"Diverting reserves, sir," Jarvis replied, and Tony felt the surge as his energy levels spiked.

He blasted forward, colliding with Supergiant in a fiery clash that lit up the entire street. She clawed at the Hulkbuster, her energy searing through some of the outer armour, but Tony retaliated with an energy surge from his chest arc reactor, sending her skidding backward.

As the dust settled, the Hulkbuster stood firm, smoke rising from its frame but otherwise intact.

"Alright, I'm done playing games," Tony growled, locking onto both aliens with his targeting systems.

In a synchronized move, Maw and Supergiant launched a combined assault, their powers intertwining into a deadly barrage. But Tony's confidence didn't falter. He fired off micro-missiles from the Hulkbuster's shoulders, each missile tracing a zig-zag path to avoid their countermeasures before exploding around them, forcing them back.

Supergiant staggered, and Ebony Maw glanced at her, momentarily distracted by his concern. Tony seized the opportunity, jetting forward with immense speed and delivering a bone-rattling punch that sent Maw crashing to the ground, his telekinesis sputtering out momentarily.

The crowd of civilians nearby cheered wildly, even as more police officers tried to herd them away from the scene.

Supergiant, regaining her footing, looked at her partner with a scowl before turning to Tony, rage boiling in her eyes. She released a final, desperate burst of psychic energy that cracked the pavement beneath her. Tony braced himself, absorbing the brunt of the attack with the Hulkbuster's shields.

"That all you got?" Tony taunted, firing another repulsor blast directly into her path.

Supergiant staggered, and Tony moved in with a barrage of heavy punches, each hit delivering the full might of the Hulkbuster's power. She finally crumbled to the ground, barely able to hold herself up as her psychic energy wavered and dissipated.

Nearby, Ebony Maw attempted to crawl away, weakened and disoriented. Tony took a step forward, aiming his repulsors at the fallen alien duo.

"Stay down, or the next one goes right through you," Tony warned, his voice unwavering.

With one final look of defiance, Maw and Supergiant glared at him, but it was clear that they had been beaten. Tony stood tall in the Hulkbuster suit, glancing around at the wreckage and the relieved faces of the crowd watching.

As he lowered his arms, he looked over at the streets, civilians emerging from their hiding spots to survey the aftermath. It had been a brutal fight, but once again, Iron Man had emerged victorious.

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However, [A/N: Lovin this]

Just as Tony lowered his arms, a blinding light descended from the sky—a powerful, humming beam of energy that struck with such force it sent him hurtling through the air, smashing into a nearby building.

The blast rattled the entire block, and the city went silent in shock. The beam pulled Ebony Maw and Supergiant into its embrace, whisking them up through the clouds in a flash of light.

Then, as the dust settled, another light flickered in the sky, growing larger until it became a colossal, transparent projection hovering above the city. It was Thanos, larger than life, his face looming over the skyscrapers, his gaze cold and unfeeling.

The citizens of New York froze, craning their necks upward, their expressions a mix of terror and awe.

Thanos's voice boomed across the city, deep and resounding like the growl of a distant storm.

"People of Earth," he began, his voice carrying a chilling calm, "I am Thanos, and I come with a promise. Your planet, fragile and insignificant as it may be, holds something I seek."

A ripple of unease spread through the crowd, many civilians whispering in fear, some clutching their loved ones. Others just stared, too stunned to react.

"For too long," Thanos continued, his words dripping with contempt, "you have basked in the protection of heroes, clinging to the hope that they will shield you from the darkness lurking beyond your sky. But hope is the lie you have told yourselves."

His eyes narrowed, and the city felt as though it had been plunged into shadow despite the sunlight.

"I have conquered worlds, torn civilisations asunder, all to bring balance to the universe. And now, your Earth stands in my way."

People began backing up, some fleeing down the streets in terror. Police officers and first responders, who had only moments ago been coordinating evacuations, now stood frozen, unsure of how to proceed against an enemy as cosmic and fearsome as Thanos.

The Mad Titan raised a hand, his fingers curling slowly into a fist. "I declare war on this planet. And to its heroes—your time is over. No weapon, no resistance, no plea will stop me from taking what I desire."

He let that settle in, his gaze piercing, unforgiving. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air.

"But know this: I am merciful… to those who surrender. For those who resist, there will be no sanctuary, no peace. I will take what is mine, and I will leave nothing but dust and ruin in my wake."

Thanos's gaze swept over the city, his lips twisting into a merciless smile. "Defy me, and Earth shall suffer as all who defy me have suffered."

With that final, bone-chilling statement, the projection vanished, leaving the city in stunned silence.

Some bystanders stood trembling, others screamed in panic, while a few brave souls tried to rally the crowd, urging people to move to safety. Fear had gripped the city, and the whispers of terror spread like wildfire.

Phones recorded the aftermath, capturing the raw fear on faces, the murmurs of disbelief, and the scattered calls for heroes to save them.

Tony, finally regaining his composure, shook his head and pushed himself off the ground. His suit's diagnostics flashed warnings, but there was no time to waste. Ignoring the dents and damage, he shot up into the sky, his sights set on finding Peter.

"Jarvis, locate Spider-Man," he commanded, urgency colouring his tone.

"Already on it, sir," Jarvis replied smoothly, as Tony rocketed across the city, leaving the shaken crowds below.

He knew that with Thanos now declaring war, they would need every bit of strength and every ally if Earth was to stand any chance against the impending threat.

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[Elsewhere]

Darius reclined on a sun-drenched beach chair, the sound of gentle waves lapping at the shore harmonising with the soft breaths of Verity, asleep on his chest.

Diana sat beside him, her eyes closed as she soaked in the warmth, while Ororo leaned back, her fingers trailing lazily through the sand.

The calm was almost surreal, a perfect contrast to the chaos unfolding light-years away.

A smirk tugged at Darius's lips as he watched the distant galaxy through half-lidded eyes. "Ah, finally," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "A worthy candidate… ripe for judgement."

He chuckled low, a dark, amused sound slipping out before he caught himself. Verity stirred, her eyes fluttering open, still hazy with sleep. She looked up at him with a curious frown.

"What's so funny?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Darius's gaze softened, and he brushed a stray lock from her face, offering a disarming grin. "Nothing, little one. Just… a stray thought."

Verity blinked up at him, unconvinced, but sleep tugged at her eyes again, and she soon settled back down with a small huff.

As she drifted off once more, Darius's eyes shifted, narrowing in focus. His gaze reached beyond the beach, beyond Earth, stretching into the cosmos where a clash of titanic powers brewed.

He could see it all—Thanos, Darkseid, mortals and cosmic beings scrambling, unaware that each move was exposed under his watchful gaze.

Satisfied, he leaned back, letting the sounds of the sea wash over him, one hand resting protectively on Verity as his mind drifted between worlds, already judging the balance and preparing for what was to come.

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