"Of course!"
Kang clapped his hands lightly.
"I am the Time-Keeper. Every decision I make affects the entire universe."
"So 'saying things casually' is not something I do."
"My words are decisions."
Alex didn't bother commenting.
If the TVA dared come after him again, he would flatten the entire organization without hesitation.
As for Kang?
This time, Alex spared him only because:
1. Killing Kang would destabilize the multiverse,
2. Kang hadn't targeted him personally—only enforced the Sacred Timeline,
3. There was no real malice involved.
Given that, Alex negotiated.
But if the TVA ever tried something again?
He would crush Kang's skull without blinking.
---
"So, Homelander… may we consider the matter settled?"
Kang asked, locking eyes with him.
"You still have something to say?"
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Well… this may sound abrupt, but—
would you like to become a Time-Keeper?"
Alex paused.
"You want me to be the Time-Keeper?"
To be honest, even Alex was surprised.
In the series, Kang favored Loki—
two Lokis, actually—
and had spent ages evaluating them.
Why suddenly choose him?
Kang saw Alex's confusion and continued:
"You're surprised—yes.
To be honest, I am surprised too."
He folded his hands behind his back and explained:
"Before you, I had indeed been evaluating potential successors."
"Loki. I know," Alex cut in casually.
Kang froze.
How…
How did Homelander know that?
No one in the TVA knew.
Only Kang himself.
For the first time in ages, the man who claimed to know everything—
had nothing.
Meanwhile, Alex seemed to see straight through him.
It was a deeply unsettling first for Kang.
But he quickly composed himself.
"I now see that you are the better choice."
"Why?"
Alex asked.
Indeed—
the show never truly explained why Kang wanted Loki.
What made him suitable for a role that governed an infinite multiverse?
Kang did not hesitate:
"Because… if I cannot see through you, neither can any other Kang."
"And because… if you can crush me like an ant, you can also crush them."
"In other words—
my other variants… my time-selves scattered across the multiverse…"
He sighed.
"They are like dormant bombs.
I never know which one will explode next."
"Unlike me, they prefer conquest."
"But with you in that seat, they would never succeed."
Ah.
So that was the reason.
With someone as unpredictable—and overwhelmingly strong—as Alex holding the reins, every other Kang would be permanently checkmated.
The Sacred Timeline would be stable.
---
"Sorry. That kind of boring, thankless job?
Find Loki."
Alex refused immediately.
Sure, being Time-Keeper sounded glamorous.
But the burden was absurd—
responsibility for the entire multiverse?
Every decision reshaping universes?
That wasn't a role Alex wanted thrust onto his shoulders.
And most importantly:
The Time-Keeper decides who gets to live a "main character" life and who gets erased as a "branch."
Who gives anyone the right to make such decisions lightly?
Alex had no interest in that sort of godhood.
And frankly—
Becoming the Time-Keeper would mean becoming the enemy of countless Kangs.
Alex wasn't bored enough to paint a giant target on himself.
"You refuse? Are you sure?"
Kang tried again.
"The Time-Keeper is, in a sense… a god.
Do you truly not want to be a god?"
Alex laughed.
"If being god is so great, why are you retiring?"
Kang went speechless.
Yes—he wanted out.
The power was unmatched.
But the responsibility, the endless vigilance, the cosmic weight—
crushed even him.
"Alright, Kang. That's enough."
Alex stood up, ending the discussion.
"A pity."
Kang sighed.
"I understand.
If you ever change your mind, my offer is always open."
"It won't change." Alex replied.
"Go train your Loki."
Seeing Alex's attitude unmoving, Kang stopped persuading.
He activated a device and opened a portal—
leading straight back to Krakoa.
Worth noting:
The TVA's portal devices did not work in Kang's Citadel.
Anywhere else? Yes.
Here? Impossible.
Alex stepped in—
—and returned to Krakoa.
This trip to the TVA had been more than worth it.
He had eliminated a colossal threat sweeping toward his future.
Upon returning, Alex immediately ordered all the captured TVA agents released and sent back.
Their equipment, however?
Alex kept every piece.
They had invaded Krakoa.
There had to be a price.
Even the TVA was no exception.
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