The Final Infinity Stones: Where Are They Now?

In the epic conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the heroes managed to collect all six Infinity Stones and defeat Thanos. However, the journey wasn't without its glitches and plot holes. This article delves into what happened to the final Infinity Stones and answers some of the tough questions surrounding the finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Current Status of the Infinity Stones

After Thanos' snap, the Infinity Stones were in a fractured and unstable state. The heroes, including Captain America, worked tirelessly to return the stones to their original dimensions and locations. This process was not without challenges; the stones needed to be returned precisely to the moments they were 'stolen' during the Time Heist.

Mind Stone: Originally given to Loki, theMind Stone was returned to its scepter and stored in the custody of SHIELD. Reality Stone: The Reality Stone was brought back to the events depicted in Thor: The Dark World. Power Stone: Just like the other stones, the Power Stone was returned to its original origin, wherever Howard Stark or Guardians of the Galaxy's Quill initially found it. Soul Stone: This stone was placed back on Vormir with the Red Skull. Time Stone: Captain America also had the Time Stone, which was returned to the Ancient One during the events of Avengers: Infinity War. Tesseract/Final Reality Stone: The Tesseract, which is also known as the Final Reality Stone, was returned to SHIELD in the 1970s. This location is a tricky one, as it involves a branched timeline created during the Time Heist in 2012, when Loki managed to escape with the Tesseract.

Plot Holes and Answers

Despite the ingenious return of the Infinity Stones, certain plot holes remain unresolved. Here are some of the most significant ones:

Where Are Loki and the Mind Stone?

In Avengers: Age of Ultron and Thor: The Dark World, when Captain America and the others decided to return the stones, the Mind Stone was left in the Tesseract. Given this, the question becomes: Where did Loki and the Mind Stone end up? Since they were not part of the original timeline, a clear answer isn't provided. Some fans speculate that Loki and the stone might have been sent to a different time or place, or that they were retrieved by another character in the MCU.

The Soul Stone and Reversing Black Widow's Sacrifice

Black Widow's sacrifice to retrieve the Soul Stone is a powerful moment in the film. The soul-stone exchange was essentially a trade for a soul to retrieve the stone. When Captain America returns the Soul Stone, does Natasha return in exchange? This question remains unanswered, leaving series fans to ponder whether Tasha will make a reappearance in future MCU movies.

The 2012 Timeline Correlation

Another significant issue concerns the Snap and its aftermath. When Thanos and his minions were snapped back into existence in 2019, they were from the original timeline. However, the Time Heist in 2012 didn't restore the universe to 2012. So, how are these timeline shifts accounted for in the Avengers: Endgame storyline? This raises questions about the spatial and temporal cohesion of the MCU.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why weren't Loki and the Mind Stone included in the return? Loki and the Mind Stone were left in the Tesseract after Captain America and the others opted to return the stones. The fate of Loki and the stone remains unclear, with speculations ranging from a different time shift to being retrieved by another character. What happens when the Soul Stone is returned? Will Black Widow come back? Natasha’s sacrifice was a pivotal moment; if Captain America returns the Soul Stone, it's likely that Tasha would return to the living. However, this is speculative, as the exact outcome isn't clearly defined in the film. How do the timeline shifts impact the Snap and its aftermath? The Time Heist in 2012 didn't restore the universe to 2012, leading to the Snap and its subsequent reversals. This raises questions about the temporal cohesion of the MCU.

Conclusion

Despite some unresolved plot points, the conclusion of the Avengers: Endgame still satisfies many fans with its intricate handling of the Infinity Stones. The final destiny of Loki, the Mind Stone, and the impact of the soul-stone exchange remain intriguing questions that could be addressed in future installments of the MCU.