Although even the Sorcerer Supreme couldn't actually do anything to stop him even if she wanted to—not with the Phoenix Force now integrated into his being—still, if she chose to intervene, it would be troublesome, Elric thought as he settled onto the cushion. Might lead to unexpected events, complications he'd rather avoid.
But more than strategic concerns, there was something else. She was one of the few people he genuinely respected in this entire universe. Protecting Earth, fighting dimensional demons for thousands of years without any expectation of reward, without seeking glory or recognition. She could be directly compared to Superman from the other comic universe—a true boy scout, in the best possible sense of that term.
While pouring tea with practiced, meditative movements, the Ancient One began to speak.
"Elric—I can call you that, yes?" Her voice was calm, measured, carrying the weight of centuries.
"Of course, Supreme Mage," Elric replied.
"I really don't care if you want to take over the world," she said simply, as if discussing the weather. "Or even if you wanted to destroy it. It is all up to you, ultimately."
"Oh?" Elric was genuinely surprised by this response. He'd expected... well, not quite this.
"Destroying the world?" The Ancient One continued, pouring tea into two delicate cups. "Maybe I would try to stop you. Or maybe not. I'm not entirely sure myself, to be honest."
She set down the teapot and met his eyes directly. "As long as it's not done by outsiders, by external forces seeking to harm or conquer Earth, I really don't care very much about internal political arrangements."
"You were born on this planet," she explained, her tone taking on something almost philosophical. "Your will is equally important as the trillions of other living beings on the planet. Not more, not less. Equal weight in the cosmic balance."
"If the planet was destroyed by people who belong here, by those native to it, that is just nature taking its course," the Ancient One said calmly. "Evolution. Change. Nothing can or should be done to prevent natural development, however tragic it might seem."
"So what you want to do—take over the planet as its ruler, reshape its political structures, unite it under your banner—it is up to you," she concluded. "I don't have the right to stop you, nor do I particularly want to stop you. You're part of Earth's story."
"What a unique view," Elric mused aloud, genuinely appreciating the perspective. "Not what I expected from Earth's mystical defender."
"You know, evolution is a very wonderful thing," the Ancient One said, a slight smile playing at her lips. "However bizarre it may seem, creatures will develop the perfect mechanisms for their survival. Adaptation is inevitable."
"The human mind is built to live for perhaps 150 years at best," she continued, sipping her tea. "Our neural pathways, our emotional frameworks, our sense of time—all calibrated for that span. But when you stretch that lifespan to thousands of years, when you experience centuries upon centuries, your mind changes naturally. Has to change, to avoid breaking."
"One thing I've found out over my very long life," the Ancient One said quietly, her ancient eyes reflecting depths of experience Elric couldn't quite fathom, "is that boredom is a very terrifying thing. More dangerous than most demons, in some ways."
"So I hope that you can take this into account for your future life," she added. "When you live long enough, when you've conquered and ruled and achieved everything you set out to do—what comes after? What keeps you engaged with existence itself?"
She set down her cup. "Anyway, the answer you were looking for: it is 'no.'"
"I will not interfere with what you are doing," the Ancient One stated clearly. "Earth's political future is not my concern, as long as the mystical barriers hold and dimensional threats are kept at bay."
"But I also hope that if future troubles come from outside you can take care of it," she said.
"Obviously," Elric replied with confidence bordering on arrogance. "The whole Earth will belong to me in the future. How could I let anyone come here, shit all over my territory, and leave? How could I tolerate such disrespect?"
"So don't worry about it," he assured her. "I'll handle any external threats. They'll regret coming to my planet."
"Excellent," the Ancient One said, and then smiled mischievously. "Also—say cheese!"
FLASH!
Elric was suddenly blinded by a sudden burst of light, bright and disorienting.
"What the fuck?!"
After the spots cleared from his vision, he looked in disbelief at the modern camera now in the Sorcerer Supreme's hands. An actual digital camera, completely incongruous with her ancient mystical aesthetic.
"You can come read magic books here anytime you like," she said pleasantly while examining the newly taken image on the camera's display screen. A small, satisfied smile hung on her face. "I'll send these pictures to wang, he is the libaryan.
After Leaving the Sanctum
After coming out of the Sanctum Sanctorum, stepping back onto the normal streets of New York, Elric's clone finally let out a breath of relief.
He could beat the Sorcerer Supreme in direct combat, Elric thought, assessing the encounter. That was true for the current Ancient One, operating under her normal restrictions and rules.
But not the version of her that might appear if she truly wanted to stop him specifically. If she decided to abandon the rules entirely.
If she chose not to follow the natural order and instead directly took the path of that alternate Dr. Strange from the "What If" scenarios—directly devouring countless dimensional demons to gain infinite power, consuming entities from the Dark Dimension—that would be huge trouble. Potentially insurmountable trouble.
Anyway, he could start his plan now. The last major mystical obstacle had given him the green light.
Three Months Later - SHIELD Underground Base
Three months had already passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. And with that passage of time came the moment for SHIELD's operation.
In one of SHIELD's secret underground facilities—a base so classified even most agents didn't know it existed—the final preparations were underway.
"It's already complete," one of the technicians reported, gesturing to the massive device that dominated the center of the facility.
But looking at the large weapon system—a modified Kree energy cannon capable of targeting spacecraft—Fury's mind wasn't focused on the technology at all.
Several questions had been running through his mind constantly for the past three months, gnawing at him, refusing to let him rest.
How did the Skrulls get such detailed information about Asgard's ship movements? Nick thought, his eye scanning the preparations without really seeing them. The logistics, the timing, the routes—that's insider information. Military intelligence from someone with access to Asgardian operational planning.
And even if the Skrulls somehow managed to acquire that information through espionage, why wouldn't Asgard—who is directly involved?
And if Asgard did not knows about the planned attack, isn't it better to just give them the information directly through diplomatic channels instead of taking aggressive action? Warn them, establish communication, build trust?
But now, everything could only be described as too late. Nothing could be done to reverse the momentum. He had to swallow his doubts and move forward with the operation, regardless of the warning signs screaming in his gut.
"Coulson," Fury called out, his voice carrying across the facility. "Is everything ready? We take action tomorrow."
His best agent stepped forward, tablet in hand, professional as always. "Yes, sir. All teams are in position. The weapon system is fully operational. Strike teams are briefed. We're ready to intercept the Asgardian vessel on your command."
"Good," Fury said
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