Alternate Reality: Doctor Strange Fights Thanos Without the Time Stone

In the official Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Doctor Strange had the difficult task of deciding to sacrifice the Time Stone to save Tony Stark's life. But what if he chose a different path? What if Doctor Strange fought Thanos with the Time Stone?

Outcome with the Time Stone

If Doctor Strange had fought Thanos, the outcome would have been very different. Thanos, with his four other Infinity Stones, would have been virtually unstoppable. Even with Doctor Strange's advanced magic, he faced an insurmountable foe. Here’s how the scenario might have played out:

1. Doctor Strange's Attempt to Withstand: Doctor Strange would have hidden the Time Stone in a location difficult for Thanos to find, but that was his only option. With the other four Stones, Thanos could have easily located the Time Stone.

2. The Battle's Outcome: In the battle, Doctor Strange was equally unable to harm Thanos. If Thanos had obtained the Time Stone, Earth and the rest of the universe would have been in grave danger. Thanos would have used it to track down the remaining Stones, and with Tony Stark dead, time travel wasn't an option. The universe would have been devastated, with half of the heroes remaining dead.

Outcome if Doctor Strange Refused to Give the Time Stone

However, what if Doctor Strange decided not to give the Time Stone to Thanos? The resulting narrative would be vastly different. Indeed, Iron Man would have died, but in a much different way and with a different consequence:

1. The Avengers on Wakanda: If the Time Stone was not given to Thanos, Doctor Strange would have teleported the crew on Titan to the Sanctum Santorum. Then, realizing they were still on Wakanda, Strange could have transported them to the safety of Wakanda itself. At this point, they would have informed the Avengers on Wakanda about Tony Stark's death, spurring them to fight with increased determination.

2. Young Nebula's Support: With the help of Strange, Nebula, Peter Star-Lord, and Mantis, the scene where Thanos was attempting to obtain Vision would have lasted longer. This would have given Wanda time to destroy the Mind Stone, turning the tide of the battle. Thor could have come to assist Strange and together, they might have managed to stalemate Thanos.

3. Wanda's Role in the Battle: After realizing this, Wanda would no longer have taken the path of killing Vision. Instead, she would have joined Strange and Thor in the fight, reversing the outcome. The Avengers, along with the heroes who had already defeated Thanos on their way to Vision, would have gathered together to defeat him. They would have taken the Infinity Gauntlet, teleported it to Wong, and then Captain America, Peter Quill, and Chris Pratt would have taken down Thanos, completing the task.

4. The Long-Term Impact on the MCU: While the main narrative of the Avengers would have been significantly altered, the impact on the broader MCU landscape would have been different but not entirely changed. Key plots like WandaVision, Loki, and Black Widow would have remained the same. However, certain events would have been slightly altered, such as the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the Eternals, Shang-Chi, and Hawkeye.

Conclusion: A Guess at What Could Have Been

While it's a fun thought experiment, the reality of the Avengers giving up the Time Stone to save Tony would have had dire consequences. The alternative scenario, where Doctor Strange fought Thanos, would have resulted in a different plot structure, but not necessarily a better one. In the end, the MCU version, while challenging, ultimately provided a compelling narrative arc.

Key Takeaways:

The power of the Infinity Stones cannot be underestimated in a fight against Thanos. Doctor Strange's decision to give up the Time Stone saved both Tony and the broader plot of the MCU. Strategic decisions in an MCU battle can have far-reaching consequences. Despite the potential for a different storyline, the original version showcases the depth of character and the complexity of heroic choices.