The Quantum Puzzle: How Thanos Reclaimed the Space Stone

After Loki obtained the Space Stone and television monitoring agencies (TVA) took it to their headquarters, the question remains: How did Thanos retrieve the infinity stone, given that it is outside of their timeline from the moment Loki took it?

Understanding Quantum Branches and Timeline Manipulation

Take a seat and get comfortable, because this story involves a deep dive into the complex realms of quantum physics and multiverse theory. Based on what we are told in Endgame by Tony Stark, Captain America, and the Ancient One, when the Avengers traveled back in time to create the situation in which Loki stole the Space Stone (originally housed in the Tesseract from The Avengers movie), it did not alter their own timeline. Instead, it created an alternate timeline. Quantum physics teaches us that time traveling and removing the infinity stones does not change the timeline itself but creates new branches of reality. Each decision creates a branch reality that sits within a sacred timeline.

The Role of the TVA and Alternate Timelines

In the first chapter of Loki, we learn of the TVA (Time Variance Authority), whose mission is to maintain the integrity of the sacred timeline. If the TVA was able to erase Loki’s alternate timeline, this logically suggests that any changes that occurred in that timeline could be corrected. According to the TVA, every branch reality with any deviation from the ideal timeline is identified and deleted, typically by sending an agent back in time to delete the entire branch timeline and detain the individual responsible for the deviation.

Fixing the Disrupted Timeline

Considering the need to maintain the integrity of the sacred timeline, the TVA would need to act swiftly and decisively to fix any disruptions caused by the stolen Space Stone. It would be highly improbable that the TVA would struggle to open a portal and place the stone back precisely in place. Instead, they would likely use their advanced technology to restore the timeline. This could be done by sending an agent with the required device back to the point in time where Loki obtained the stone and placing it back into the Tesseract with precise accuracy, ensuring that the sacred timeline remains intact.

From the End of Time Backwards

To truly understand the implications of the TVA's actions, it is crucial to look at the show from the end of time backwards. We must presume that the end of time, where the TVA currently exists, is a foregone conclusion in all scenarios. The TVA agents ensure that all historic events are maintained so that the bad guy, in this case, comes to power as expected. Whether the bad guy is Kang the Conqueror or another variant of Loki, the TVA ensures their victory to maintain their control.

The TVA agents are immune to changes in the timeline until they step into it. This gives them ample time and resources to fix any events that disrupt the flow of events, ensuring the final outcome remains unchanged. The TVA can use their portal technology to place the Space Stone back in the Tesseract and seal the timeline, maintaining the control and the ultimate victory of the bad guy.

So, when Thanos came into possession of the Space Stone, the TVA would have feasibly taken action to ensure that the timeline continued as intended. The Space Stone was returned to the Tesseract, and the TVA agents ensured that the sacred timeline's continuity was never compromised, allowing Thanos' victory to remain the foregone conclusion.