Chapter 38: I Will Bring War and Destruction!
"RAAAHHH!"
Ryan moved with superhuman velocity, appearing before the Ancient One in an instant.
The Ancient One formed intricate hand gestures, conjuring a glowing mandala shield.
CRACK!
The runic barrier shattered the moment Ryan's fist connected, shocking the Sorcerer Supreme. She had witnessed Ryan's terrifying future self, but hadn't anticipated his current strength reaching these levels.
Ryan's fingers extended into claws, striking directly toward the Eye of Agamotto on the Ancient One's chest.
The Ancient One reacted with centuries of combat experience, manifesting an orange eldritch whip in her right hand and lashing out at Ryan.
SNAP!
Ryan staggered momentarily, regained his balance, and immediately resumed his assault.
But the Ancient One could levitate!
She floated backward toward a rooftop platform dozens of meters away.
Furiously, Ryan sprinted to the edge and launched himself like a human missile toward the retreating Sorcerer Supreme.
The Ancient One instantly opened a sling ring portal and stepped through.
BOOM!
Ryan's impact demolished the entire building where the Ancient One had been hovering, following her through the portal just before it closed.
"Stop running!"
The Ancient One's power rivaled that of a Skyfather-level entity, enhanced further by forbidden Dark Dimension energy.
But Ryan wasn't defenseless either—his combat capabilities registered at least cosmic-level threat assessment. While Ryan's Thanos-derived genetics didn't grant complete magic immunity, basic conjuration spells couldn't affect him significantly.
In reality, neither combatant was using their maximum potential.
The Ancient One could deploy more devastating mystical attacks, but her goal was relocating Ryan, not eliminating him—which might destabilize her own timeline.
Ryan deliberately held back, hoping to catch both the Ancient One and the approaching Strange off-guard.
CRASH!
Ryan demolished another structure, sending fractured masonry floating through the Mirror Dimension. He kicked the debris fragments, then launched himself directly at the Ancient One.
WHOOSH! The Ancient One sliced through the projectiles with eldritch energy. "Ryan, surrender! This is destiny!"
"Screw your destiny! I make my own fate!"
Throughout his battle with the Ancient One, Ryan gradually adapted to his enhanced physiology, fighting with increasing efficiency.
Ryan's apparent restraint stemmed from his inability to escape the Ancient One's Mirror Dimension trap. He required an alternative strategy.
Thus, a cunning plan slowly crystallized in Ryan's mind.
He shattered another mandala shield, and just as his fist approached the Ancient One's face, eldritch bindings suddenly wrapped around Ryan's arm.
It wasn't the Ancient One. Turning, he saw Strange wearing the Cloak of Levitation.
A purple interdimensional rift had materialized overhead. Doctor Strange must have emerged from this portal.
Facing two generations of Sorcerer Supremes simultaneously, Ryan's victory chances plummeted.
"Ancient One, I swear you'll regret this decision!" Ryan, his arm entangled, glared intensely at the first Sorcerer Supreme.
The Ancient One remained silent. Strange, floating closer, declared, "Ryan, you don't belong in this reality. I'm here to return you to your proper timeline."
Ryan's eyes gleamed with concealed excitement watching Strange's sudden appearance.
This was indeed a branch timeline, no longer the future he remembered—and Ryan desperately wanted to return to his original sacred timeline.
Predicting future events was Ryan's greatest tactical advantage.
Ryan's original strategy involved eliminating S.H.I.E.L.D. and Steve first, then locating Hank Pym to acquire Pym Particles. Using his time travel device, he could return to 2023 and settle accounts with the original Steve Rogers.
Previously, Ryan lacked sufficient power and feared Avengers retaliation. Now, with three genetic enhancements completed, Ryan's capabilities had skyrocketed along with his confidence.
Without revenge, Ryan's desperate efforts to increase his strength would prove meaningless.
Doctor Strange's intention to return him to the sacred timeline perfectly aligned with Ryan's objectives.
Of course, the Sorcerer Supreme wasn't easily deceived, so theatrical performance was necessary.
"Hmph, spare me the pretense! You Sorcerer Supremes are all the same—cosmic puppeteers using your power to dictate others' fates. Unfortunately, your foundation is rotten despite the impressive facade. It'll all collapse eventually."
Strange gestured, and eldritch bindings wrapped around Ryan, constricting immediately. "Save your breath. No amount of rhetoric will change our assessment of you."
Strange nodded to the Ancient One, then lifted Ryan and flew toward the purple dimensional rift.
Ryan turned back: "Ancient One, return my lab mouse!"
The Ancient One paused for two seconds, then opened a small portal. On the other side, the white mouse was busy eating a cookie.
"Squeak!"
The lab mouse peered through the portal and immediately spotted Ryan, bound like a package.
"Squeak! Squeak!"
Its tiny legs scrambled frantically as it leaped onto Ryan's shoulder.
Strange glanced at the small creature, then dragged Ryan into the purple dimensional rift.
One second after passing through the portal, Ryan and Strange materialized in the basement of the New York Sanctum Sanctorum in 2023.
WHOOSH! Another portal opened as Strange dragged Ryan back to the Sanctum's main hall.
"Thank God, Doctor Strange, you made it!" Steve rose happily from his chair, then addressed Ryan directly. "Ryan, didn't expect we'd meet again, did you?"
"Oh, I absolutely expected it—but I was planning to bring you a very special gift next time," Ryan's lips curved slightly.
"There's no point arguing now. Let's discuss how to handle this situation," said Sam Wilson, the Falcon.
Inside the New York Sanctum, besides Doctor Strange and Captain America, were also Falcon, Winter Soldier, and War Machine.
Strange declared, "To prevent this man from destroying entire timelines, I will imprison him permanently in the Sanctum's containment cells. He'll remain here for life."
"Isn't there a more direct solution? Like..." Bucky drew his thumb across his throat, suggesting immediate execution.
"No. He's only a potential threat. We can't take action before he actually commits crimes."
Such hypocrisy.
The assembled heroes debated Ryan's fate while completely ignoring his input.
"Haha. Haha. HAHAHAHA!"
Just as the discussion intensified, Ryan suddenly erupted in maniacal laughter.
"What's he laughing about?"
"How should I know?"
"Maybe he's lost his mind!"
The laughter stopped abruptly. Ryan looked directly at Strange and whispered, "Pity you lost the Time Stone. Without it, the Sorcerer Supreme is just another magician."
Strange's expression darkened.
Ryan continued: "You don't seriously think these pathetic bindings can hold me, do you?"
"What are you implying?"
"Simple. The Ancient One possessed the Time Stone—I couldn't overpower her. Fighting two Sorcerer Supremes simultaneously exceeded my capabilities, so..." Ryan's grin widened as he spoke.
Strange's face went pale. "No! Restrain him!"
Too late.
Without the Ancient One and Time Stone to constrain him, Ryan unleashed his full power, instantly tearing through the eldritch bindings and launching the nearest Winter Soldier through the air with a single punch.
Bucky crashed through the Sanctum's entrance doors and tumbled onto the street, startling pedestrians.
This had been Ryan's plan from the moment he entered the Ancient One's Mirror Dimension.
After the final battle with Thanos, the Avengers had dispersed—and Ryan had successfully returned to his original sacred timeline.
Without the Time Stone and that troublesome Ancient One, Doctor Strange posed no significant threat.
WHOOSH!
New eldritch bindings manifested, but Ryan grasped them firmly.
"Come here!"
Ryan yanked hard, pulling Strange within striking range and delivering a devastating backhand.
CRACK!
Strange smashed into the wall and collapsed in the hallway.
Captain America and Falcon reacted simultaneously, rushing toward Ryan.
Steve without his shield and Sam with only a sidearm were pathetically outmatched!
SNAP! One hand seized Sam's throat while the other blocked Steve's incoming punch, then kicked Steve in the ribs, sending him flying out of the Sanctum.
End of Chapter 38
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