Танос

Did you do it?

Yes.

What did it cost?

Everything.

I told you you'd die for that.

You should have gone for the head.

You really are the worst brother!

I assure you, brother, the sun will shine on us again.

Your optimism is misplaced, Asgardian.

Well, for one thing, I'm not Asgardian. And for another... we have a Hulk.

Because you murdered half the planet.

A small price to pay for salvation.

You're insane.

Little one, it's a simple calculus. This universe is finite, its resources, finite. If life is left unchecked, life will cease to exist. It needs correcting.

You don't know that!

I'm the only one who knows that. At least, I'm the only one with the will to act on it.

If you're going to Earth, you might want a guide. I do have a bit of experience in that arena.

Well, if you consider failure experience.

I consider experience experience.

Fun isn't something one considers when balancing the universe. But this... does put a smile on my face.

You have my respect, Stark. When I'm done, half of humanity will still be alive. I hope they remember you.

I know what it's like to lose. To feel so desperately that you're right, yet to fail nonetheless. It's frightening, turns the legs to jelly. I ask you to what end? Dread it. Run from it. Destiny arrives all the same. And now it's here. Or should I say, I am.

You throw another moon at me and I'm gonna lose it!

Stark.

You know me?

I do. You're not the only cursed with knowledge.

My only curse is you.

Titan was like most planets. Too many mouths, not enough to go around. And when we faced extinction, I offered a solution.

Genocide.

At random. Dispassionate, fair to rich and poor alike. They called me a mad man. And what I predicted came to pass.

Congratulations, you're a prophet.

I'm a survivor.

Who wants to murder trillions!

With all the six stones, I could simply snap my fingers, and they would all cease to exist. I call that... mercy.

And then what?

I finally rest, and watch the sunrise on an grateful universe. The hardest choices require the strongest wills.

I think you'll find our will equal to yours.

Our?

The hardest choices require the strongest wills.

No resurrections this time.

How is it you know this place so well?

A lifetime ago, I too sought the stones. I even held one in my hand. But it cast me out, banished me here, guiding others to a treasure I cannot possess.

Today I lost more than you could know, but now is no time to mourn. Now, is no time at all.

What you seek lies in front of you. As does what you fear.

[on the edge of a cliff] What's this?

The price. The Soul Stone holds a special place among the Infinity Stones. You might say, it is a certain wisdom.

Tell me what it needs.

To ensure that whoever possesses it understands its power, the stone demands a sacrifice.

Of what?

In order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love. A soul for a soul.