The Missing Infinity Stones: A Multiverse Mystery

The Legacy of the Infinity Stones

The Infinity Stones, crucial to several stories in the Infinity Saga, have been curiously missing from the main continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the events of 2019's Avengers: Endgame. Despite their absence, these powerful artifacts have left an indelible mark on the MCU, shaping the narrative of the Infinity Saga and beyond.

Rocket with the empty Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers Endgame

The MCU's Infinity Stones, representing different aspects of the universe, have played pivotal roles in the franchise. From the Tesseract to the Soul Stone, each stone has been at the core of significant events, culminating in Thanos' devastating use of their combined power in Avengers: Infinity War. However, their absence in the Multiverse Saga raises questions about their significance and potential future appearances.

Hulk using the Infinity Stones in Avengers Endgame

The Fate of the Infinity Stones

Avengers: Infinity War brought the six Infinity Stones together, detailing Thanos' quest to obtain them all and his destructive use of their power. The aftermath of this cataclysmic event led to widespread devastation, as trillions of lives were lost and the universe plunged into turmoil. The Avengers' subsequent efforts to reverse this catastrophe were thwarted when they discovered that Thanos had destroyed the Infinity Stones.

Tony Stark holding the Infinity Stones in Avengers Endgame

Although Thanos claimed to have obliterated the stones, the true extent of their destruction remains a mystery. The introduction of the MCU multiverse and the potential existence of alternate reality iterations of the Infinity Stones add further complexity to their fate, leaving fans speculating about their enduring impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Thanos with the Infinity Stones at the end of Avengers Infinity War

The Multiversal Significance of the Infinity Stones

While the main timeline iterations of the Infinity Stones are absent, their presence in alternate realities across the MCU's Multiverse has been noteworthy. The Avengers' Time Heist in Avengers: Endgame revealed the existence of the stones in various alternate realities, indicating their enduring significance beyond the main continuity.

Infinity Ultron in Marvel Studios' What If

Marvel Studios' What If...? further explored the role of the Infinity Stones in alternate storylines, showcasing their impact on pivotal events and characters. The introduction of the MCU multiverse has expanded the potential for diverse narratives involving the Infinity Stones, offering new possibilities for their exploration in future MCU releases.

Ultron with the Infinity Stones in What If...? season 1