Location: New York Sanctum Sanctorum
Time: 14 Days Before the Arrival
"Okay," Mark muttered, peering through a swirling portal as another group stepped through, "this is either the beginning of the greatest alliance Earth has ever seen… or a cosmic-level group therapy session waiting to implode."
The Sanctum's main chamber had never felt this crowded.
The Teams Arrive
From Wakanda:
T'Challa, regal and collected
Shuri, tech loaded and curious
Okoye, already assessing weak points in the ceiling
Bucky, leaning against a pillar like he belonged there
From Steve's team:
Steve Rogers, calm but focused
Natasha, scanning everyone with surgical precision
Sam, cracking knuckles like this was a pre-game huddle
From Tony's camp:
Tony Stark, very much in "Why the hell are we having a wizard meeting in a haunted house?" mode
Rhodey, mostly there to stop Tony from saying something explosive
Peter Parker, bouncing nervously while muttering something about not touching anything
From Kamar-Taj:
Doctor Strange, looking smug and chronically unamused
Wong, arms folded, deadpan as usual
Mark, host, part-time zen teacher, full-time chaos enabler
And somewhere off in a corner, Nick Fury, uninvited but somehow already present, sipping from a coffee mug labeled "I Saw This Coming".
Strange Takes Command
Doctor Strange stood at the head of the massive conjured table, Time Stone glowing faintly on his chest.
"I've seen a thousand futures," he said, gaze sweeping across the room. "Only one where we win."
Tony raised a brow. "And in that one, do I finally get an answer when I ask a question?"
"No," Strange replied without blinking. "But we do survive."
Mark leaned toward Peter. "He's usually nicer after coffee. This is his 'apocalyptic foresight' phase."
Peter whispered, "Should I have brought snacks?"
The Plan Unfolds
Strange began laying out the key threats:
Thanos was already en route.
He had two stones and would soon target the Soul Stone.
Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian would arrive first.
Wong chimed in: "They won't be polite guests. Assume explosions."
Mark added, "We'll need battle plans, artifact protection, long-range surveillance, and a backup plan for the backup plan."
Shuri raised a hand. "And perhaps a plan for when that backup fails."
Steve nodded. "We'll divide teams across Earth. But we protect the Time Stone at all costs."
Strange responded dryly, "Obviously. I live here."
Banter, Bonds, and Strategy
There were arguments (mostly Tony vs. Strange).
There were peacekeepers (mostly Steve and Mark).
There was chaos (mostly Spider-Man, when he accidentally sat on an enchanted stool and briefly floated).
But underneath it all, there was connection — the kind forged from battles past and those yet to come.
As the evening deepened, the room began to settle.
Everyone had their reasons. Everyone had lost something.
And now, they were ready to protect what remained.