"Madam Ancient One!"
Before the Ancient One could even finish speaking, Hill cut her off without a hint of emotion.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is an independent organization under the jurisdiction of the United Nations. We do not join or subordinate ourselves to any other body. We serve only the global…"
"Just a moment!"
The Ancient One raised a hand, interrupting Hill mid sentence. She then turned to the two children beside her and spoke with a gentle smile.
"Take a good look at the lady standing before you. Then I'll explain. You may learn magic here within the Sanctum. You may learn knowledge as well. But do not learn from this lady's stubborn tongue. Because those who possess sufficient strength have no need for excessive words. And those who rely on a sharp tongue often lack true power."
With that, the Ancient One flicked her right hand. The hall of the Sanctum where they had all been standing shifted in an instant. Even Heisenberg found himself dazedly seated upon a sofa before he knew what had happened. Hill and Natasha fared no better. They could not begin to comprehend how they had been transported from the great hall to a guest chamber in the blink of an eye.
Simultaneously, cups of varying styles materialized in their hands.
Natasha was startled to discover she was holding a cup she had desperately hoped never to see again. During her training in the Red Room, she had been forced to trade the lives of a classmate and a rival for the day's drinking water provided by their instructor. The cup in her hand now was the exact same type used in the Red Room.
As for Hill, her personal coffee mug from S.H.I.E.L.D. had appeared in her grip. She sniffed the contents and her brow furrowed deeply. The aroma was identical to the brew she prepared for herself.
While Natasha and Hill remained lost in their shock, Heisenberg turned his attention to the two small figures seated on a nearby settee. He could see that the children showed the Ancient One immense respect. They didn't fidget or chatter like most kids their age. They didn't even seem to mind that they hadn't been offered any refreshments.
Heisenberg smiled at the two youngsters and offered a greeting.
"Hey there, you two. Mind introducing yourselves?"
The children turned to look at him in unison. The girl with reddish hair seemed shy. Meeting Heisenberg's gaze, she timidly lowered her head. The boy with the grey streaked hair, however, was bolder.
"Hello, honored sir. We are disciples of Master Ancient One. I'm Pietro, and this is Wanda!"
As Pietro spoke, he nudged Wanda's arm lightly with his elbow. Prompted by her brother, Wanda forced herself to look up and gave Heisenberg a strained, awkward smile.
"Wanda Maximoff. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
She spoke quickly before dropping her gaze once more.
Seeing this, Heisenberg's smile became genuinely warm. Girls really were at their cutest when they were young!
Meanwhile, the Ancient One had seated herself beside Heisenberg and clapped her hands softly. Instantly, countless rays of light shimmered into existence, coalescing in the space between the sofas into a crystal clear projection of the solar system.
"Director Hill, what are your thoughts regarding the Captain America and Iron Man who arrived from the future three days ago?"
As the Ancient One questioned her, she manipulated the projection, causing the images to shift and change. Hill watched the display while responding in a low voice.
"The future may indeed be perilous, but I believe our future will not be identical to theirs."
"Of course it isn't. Observe the present."
The Ancient One gestured, swiping a hand across the projection. In an instant, a tiny elongated shape appeared within the image of the solar system. The view zoomed in rapidly, and Hill and Natasha finally saw the countless numbers of cosmic warships stationed right beside Earth.
"As the Sorcerer Supreme, and moreover a guardian of Time itself, I possess the ability to perceive every variation of the future. It is true, thanks to Heisenberg's presence, our universe was spared the attack on New York by Loki that occurred in the original timeline. Regrettably, however, because Loki was thwarted so prematurely, he has now prepared more thoroughly and has escalated the scale of this invasion considerably."
The Ancient One paused to look directly at Hill.
"I trust you can see it for yourself. Loki has brought a full scale planet destroyer class fleet. Does S.H.I.E.L.D., or the United Nations behind you, possess the capability to contend with such a foe?"
"Of course not. But it is fortunate you have informed us of this threat. I will use the time we have to consolidate all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources and deploy the two Helicarriers we have already completed. Furthermore, I will report this situation to the United Nations in full. The nations of the world will unite the entirety of Earth's strength to face the threat posed by Loki. Additionally, I implore you, Mr. Heisenberg, to have some mercy on the planet beneath our feet. There are indeed many annoying people on Earth, but I am certain the women adore you, just like the ones you see every day. One last thing, Madam Ancient One. May I ask exactly how long we have until this future you have foreseen comes to pass? How much time is left?"
Hill's words fired off like a string of firecrackers. She hadn't expected that her urgent questions would be met with two pairs of eyes looking at her as if she were an idiot.
The Ancient One regarded Hill calmly and spoke in a soft tone.
"I can indeed perceive the future. But I don't believe I ever stated that these images depict events yet to come."
Heisenberg nodded in agreement. He then smiled at Hill and pointed a finger toward the ceiling.
"You two really are dense. The price of revealing the future is that it ceases to be the future. The moment the Ancient One chose to inform you, it meant the event is already happening."
Heisenberg tilted his head back to look skyward. His vision shot past the protective wards of the New York Sanctum until he clearly saw Loki seated within the Chitauri mothership positioned near the moon. At that precise instant, a grey skinned female alien clad in a black and white bodysuit standing beside Loki frowned deeply.
"Someone is observing us."
"It must be that all seeing gaze from Asgard. Pay it no mind, Lady Supergiant."
Loki answered with a light chuckle, his right hand trembling slightly as he clutched the Cosmic Cube. Moments later, invisible spatial energy rippled outward, and Heisenberg found his vision growing hazy and indistinct.
Heimdall, rushing toward the throne room to inform Odin, experienced the same obscuring effect.
Back on Asgard, upon the Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall ran faster than any ordinary god. Even Sif, a goddess known for her prowess, was left far behind in his wake. He barreled into the throne room and reported to Odin, who was polishing Gungnir, his voice tight with urgency.
"My King, Thanos's Chitauri legion has trespassed into the territory of the Nine Realms. Their current commanders are Supergiant, one of the Black Order, and..."
"And Loki. My wayward son. Is that correct?"
Odin asked quietly. Heimdall nodded grimly.
"My King, Prince Loki's actions grow more egregious by the day. Four months ago, he disturbed your slumber and secretly allowed Frost Giants into Asgard. Now, he has committed the grave error of directing an invasion force against one of the Nine Realms. You must teach him a lesson, my King."
"A lesson, indeed."
Odin's face remained impassive, but his heart clenched heavily. As an Asgardian god still in his prime, Odin's divine power should have been in a phase of constant growth. But having his Odinsleep interrupted multiple times had cost him the most crucial opportunity of his existence. Now, his divine energy leaked from his body ceaselessly. He could no longer engage in a satisfying battle. Even moderate exertion would cause his lifespan and power to plummet like a crashing market. And in his current state...
Odin rose slowly to his feet and slammed the butt of Gungnir against the floor.
"Heimdall!"
Odin's voice rang out with authority.
"Prepare our warriors for battle. The Nine Realms are not a prize to be casually seized by that defeated wretch, Thanos."
Striding out of the throne room, Odin swept his right arm out. A golden light blazed around his form. When the glow subsided, he was clad in his battle armor. His eight legged steed, Sleipnir, who had served him since time immemorial, knelt quietly before him.
Odin mounted his horse, yet he did not ride directly for the Rainbow Bridge. Instead, he guided Sleipnir toward Frigga's palace. The moment Frigga heard the familiar sound of hoofbeats, she knew a crisis had befallen the Nine Realms. She teleported to the side entrance of her palace and looked at Odin with grave concern.
Odin offered her a helpless smile.
"I'm sorry, my love."
His voice was uncharacteristically gentle, bereft of its usual kingly authority.
"I'm afraid I require your strength. With the Rainbow Bridge sundered, I alone lack the power to bear the cost of transporting an army of hundreds of thousands."
"The enemy is...?"
"Thanos's Black Legion. The mindless Chitauri vanguard. And one of his Black Order."
Frigga's eyes narrowed sharply.
"Odin."
Her tone was stern.
"The enemy is far more than that. Otherwise, you would not have donned your armor personally. If it were merely one of the Black Order, Thor could lead the campaign alone. So there is another foe. One you are hiding from me. Is it Loki? Has he sided with Thanos?"
"Yes."
Odin nodded curtly from atop Sleipnir. Frigga's eyes seemed to fracture like shattered glass.
"That boy... He has a good heart. He's just prone to mischief. But why would he launch a full scale invasion? Someone must be threatening him. Or tempting him. Promise me, Odin. See clearly who is using Loki. Do not lay all the blame at his feet. He must face punishment, but he is our son. Thor's brother. One of Asgard's future. Bring him home."
"I will."
Odin nodded with firm resolve, his single eye gazing out toward the distant sea of stars.
Meanwhile, the armies of Asgard assembled with swift efficiency. Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, and Sif, along with numerous other legion commanders, stepped forward and immediately shifted into a state of war readiness. Over two hundred thousand Asgardian warriors marshaled with incredible speed, and the royal palace was soon encircled by a sea of golden armored soldiers.
Odin rode Sleipnir among the assembled ranks, inspecting his forces.
"Thanos's army has dared to trespass upon Asgard's domain. Midgard has been part of the Nine Realms since ancient times. It is our territory. Do you still remember how to wage an interstellar war? If so, then board the Lightcraft! War is upon us. This is a warrior's glory!"
"Glory!" the warriors roared in unison.
"And we shall return triumphant!"
"Triumphant!"
/-\
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