What If Gamora Went to Nidavellir with Thor: A New Take on Thanos' Downhearted Fate

The question inevitably arises: what could have been done to convince Gamora to join Thor on his journey to Nidavellir? Unfortunately, her sole impetus to accompany him resided in her belief that she absolutely must kill Thanos. This belief was rooted in her conviction that she alone was capable of completing this mission. Therefore, the compelling factor would have been knowing for certain that Thanos was in Nidavellir.

If Gamora had accompanied Thor, it's quite probable she would have felt either futile or sought a new weapon to ensure his destruction. However, such actions would merely have prolonged the inevitable—namely, Thanos acquiring the Soul Stone. Recall that it was Gamora who insisted the Guardians head to Knowhere to thwart Thanos from obtaining the Aether and her motivation stemmed from her conviction that she must eliminate him.

Analysis of the Outcome

Should they have arrived at Nidavellir before Thanos, the entire narrative of Avengers: Endgame might have unfolded differently.

The Gauntlet is Incomplete, and Thanos Dies. Hurrah!

Earth and Nidavellir Perspectives

From an Earth and Nidavellir vantage point, when Eitri the Dwarven blacksmith confronts Thor, it would take Thor longer to recognize Eitri as the King of Asgard. The Guardians would have already attacked Eitri, making the confrontation slower to develop. Eventually, Thor would plead with them to stop the fight.

Before proceeding with their plan, it's probable that Peter Quill would ask Eitri if his body would crumble and succumb to madness if he attempts to wield the weapon being crafted.

The subsequent phases would unfold similar to the original movie. Thor and Eitri successfully assemble Stormbreaker, with the handle still composed of Groot's arm. Together, they journey to Wakanda to save the Accords Fugitives and the Wakandans. The battle against the Outriders is swiftly concluded as Hugh Hecuba, Drax the Destroyer, and Vision dispatch Cull Obsidian and Corvus Glaive. With the assistance of the Guardians, this occurs efficiently and smoothly.

At the end of the conflict, the Avengers and Wakandans ensure Shuri can safely extract the Mind Stone from Vision's body. Subsequently, they formulate a plan and discreetly await Thanos's arrival to orchestrate his demise.

Titan Squad Perspective

The events unfold much as they do in the film, albeit with a few differences. Doctor Strange and Tony Stark infiltrate Maw's ship to rescue Strange, with Tony invoking Peter Quill's assistance to save Strange's "magical ass".

A disagreement arises between Strange and Tony regarding whether they should alter the ship's course. Tony's argument prevails, and they head for Titan.

Unlike in the film, Drax the Destroyer, Mantis, and Nebula do not attack the team. Strange uses the Time Stone to visualize 14 million possible futures and concludes that only one results in success. He decides to give the Time Stone to Thanos without arousing suspicion, planning for Thanos to take it to Wakanda and subsequently perish there.

When Thanos arrives, he and the team engage in a battle. Due to the absence of Groot, the Gauntlet cannot be removed. Thanos prevails, and in an exchange, he spares Tony Stark in return for the Time Stone. Thanos then heads to Knowhere with a smug expression, believing he has secured the necessary components for his plan. However, unbeknownst to him, he is being observed and his fate has been predetermined.

Thanos' Fateful Journey

While Thanos successfully acquires the Reality Stone from Knowhere, he does not linger to trap the Guardians before proceeding to meet Ebony Maw. Upon arriving on Titan, he discovers an Earthling in a comical red cape rather than his anticipated powerful ally. Thanos quickly surmises that Strange and Tony have outwitted him by using the Time Stone.

The Titan Squad attacks Thanos, but without Mantis, they cannot remove the Gauntlet. Thanos triumphs over them, sparing Tony in exchange for the Time Stone and then proceeding to Knowhere in search of the Mind Stone.

Final Confrontation in Wakanda

Utilizing the Space Stone to teleport himself to Wakanda, Thanos, harboring a confident smile, encounters the Guardians, Avengers, and Wakandans. Fiercely engaging them, Thanos witnesses the battle tactics employed by Iron Man, who fires lightning at him as in the original movie. However, thanos swiftly recovers and counters with a powerful energy beam generated by the stones.

Stormbreaker effortlessly overpowers the energy beam and drives through Thanos's chest. A triumphant Thor boasts to Thanos before killing him, ultimately negating any guilt he might have experienced in Avengers: Endgame.

Consequences and Reflections

Had this scenario transpired, several pivotal events would have been altered:

The "Blip" would not have occurred. The most epic battle in all epic superhero movies would not have transpired. Tony Stark might not have discovered the intricacies of time travel. Scott would not have been trapped in the Quantum Realm, and Ant-Man would have required less screen time for character development. Eva would have remained unwell. Rodger Rhode's final battle and his magnificent suit would not have been seen. The Russo Brothers would have made less money from Avengers: Endgame. Avengers: Endgame would not have broken the box office record. Fans would be left feeling sad and disappointed.

Conclusion:

Everyone can now appreciate the necessity of the Guardians not joining Thor on his journey to Nidavellir. The considerations involved in Thanos's defeat highlight the critical importance of the characters' decisions and the consequences they entail.