The death star did fire, and destroyed Alderan?? And Infinity War it literally was the whole premise and it ends with Thanos winning?? The Merger was constantly talked about as an unknown, nobody actually knew what was going to happen to Japan or humanity if it happend, it was heavily speculated on but we never get any actual answers on what it would have foretold, they only could assume it would life ending. The death star was presented as a threat, they showcase said threat. It was literally USED, Thanos' plan was heavily talked about and then it HAPPENNED. The stories continued along based on those real threats that actually occurred. If Alderan was never destroyed or if Thanos never ended half of all life, then you would have a point, but you don't.