Boom, boom, boom.
Above Sokovia, the Avengers were failing. They were completely trapped, dragged into a world of illusions by Allens' duplication. Facing these terrifying illusions, the Avengers could only be beaten passively.
Around them, Ultron robots fired indiscriminately. The Avengers had become nothing more than living targets.
Meanwhile, in New York City, the executor of a secret rescue plan, former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, appeared at the end of New York Avenue. He stopped, drew a ring from his pocket, and slid it onto the index finger of his left hand.
Fury traced a circle in the air.
A mysterious, glowing magic ring appeared on his hand. With his right hand, he drew another circle in the void. Sparks formed a ring, and within it was a majestic sanctum.
"The New York Sanctum… I haven't been here in a long time. I used to come here with Steve when I was young… and it hasn't changed all these years."
The portal, tall enough for a person to walk through, was opened using the Sling Ring. This was not because Fury had learned magic, but because of the mystical power inherent in the ring.
Stepping through, Nick Fury entered the New York Sanctum.
This sanctum was a magical node built by the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj to protect Earth. There were three such nodes in total, forming a massive protective network around the planet to guard against incursions from other dimensions.
Inside, a plump Asian man in monk robes approached Fury, his smile unreadable.
"Mr. Fury, the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, already knows your intent. Please, follow me."
This was Wong, assigned to guide Fury. Wong led him through the New York Sanctum to a portal, which transported them to Kamar-Taj itself.
Fury's face remained expressionless, but his eyes betrayed respect. He had always held Kamar-Taj and its sorcerers in high regard; silently, they guarded Earth from interdimensional threats.
Passing sorcerers practicing portal magic, Fury entered the Ancient One's chamber. Bowing slightly, Fury lowered his gaze in deference to the centuries-old protector of Earth.
"Ancient One, I request your intervention—"
Before he could finish, the Ancient One opened his eyes from meditation, revealing a depth of wisdom that seemed endless. He raised a hand, interrupting Fury.
"I have seen the battle in Sokovia. Allens is not yet fully grown, but even now, he is capable of destroying Earth."
The Ancient One's face was calm, almost indifferent. The Eye of Agamotto, normally worn on his chest, was absent.
"I beg you, Sorcerer Supreme, intervene. Stop Allens, save the world, and preserve the future."
Fury's frown deepened as he pleaded.
"No. I cannot confront Allens directly."
Fury was stunned. The Ancient One's duty was to protect Earth—yet now, with Allens threatening to annihilate it, the sorcerer refused to act.
Peng.
Without another word, the Ancient One placed his palm on Fury's chest, separating Fury's consciousness from his body. Guided by the Ancient One's will, Fury's mind traversed countless timelines, witnessing many versions of Allens.
"The future Avengers disrupted the flow of time, creating countless branching timelines. Allens, hostile to you, traveled from the main timeline to this one in 2007 via quantum travel. Under normal circumstances, he would deviate into a branch timeline and become Thanos' minion—Death Star Allens."
"But for some reason, Allens awakened early. He gained foresight and began using 2007 as a starting point to locate the main timeline on his own terms."
The Ancient One displayed a red timeline before Fury—a visual representation of the main MCU timeline, intersected by countless branches.
"This is the Super Ability Timeline. Here, Allens has grown powerful by continuously acquiring super-abilities. He has mastered numerous abilities up to this point."
Fury frowned. "Super Ability Timeline?"
The Ancient One's gaze pierced through past and future, while Fury remained puzzled beside him.
"In this timeline, Allens first targeted Inhumans. He slaughtered them, gaining many super-abilities. If I intervene now, Allens' attention will shift to magic. Even if I could defeat him, he could start anew in 2007. By then, Kamar-Taj would be annihilated by him."
A bitter smile crossed the Ancient One's face. It was not unwillingness to act—dimensional exile or other powers could easily defeat Allens—but Allens, with his vast array of super-abilities, had yet to consider Marvel's sorcery. Any action from the Ancient One would inevitably draw Allens' wrath toward Kamar-Taj.
"At that point, it would not just be Earth at risk—it would threaten the entire universe."
"Yet the current Avengers cannot defeat Allens as they are."
Fury's eyes hardened. With the power the Avengers currently possessed, victory was impossible, and even buying time seemed beyond their reach.
"Though I cannot attack directly, I can eliminate Sokovia's illusions."
After a moment's consideration, the Ancient One decided to act indirectly. She knew that if she did nothing, the Avengers' chance of winning would be zero.
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