Chapter 9: The Sorcerer's Warning
Hearing the roar, Captain America, Iron Man, and the others instinctively turned around, their bodies tense and ready for action.
What they saw was a massive green figure descending from the sky. With one giant slap, it smashed several Chitauri soldiers into pieces. After thoroughly wreaking havoc on a nearby car, the Hulk leapt away without so much as a glance at the team.
"Uh…"
Dr. Bruce Banner, witnessing the Hulk's rampage, awkwardly covered his face with one hand.
However, Captain America, as if inspired by an idea, looked seriously at Banner and said, "Dr. Banner, maybe you should try smashing a few things yourself—get into the mood?"
Banner sighed, lowering his green hand from his face. While tearing off his shirt, he replied, "I don't think it's necessary, but… whatever."
With a low growl, Banner scanned his surroundings, searching for something to smash.
"Fsshhh!"
Just then, golden sparks erupted beside the Avengers from the future. A rotating portal began to materialize, slowly opening before their eyes.
Captain America and Ant-Man, who had never seen such a technique, assumed it was an unforeseen consequence of their time travel. They immediately raised their guard, preparing for a potential fight.
However, the experienced Tony Stark and Dr. Banner nonchalantly reassured them. Stark patted Captain America on the shoulder and said, "Relax, old-timer. No need to panic. That's probably just the magic guy looking for us."
Before Stark's words finished, a cloaked figure wearing a menacing demon mask stepped out of the portal.
"Uh… Is that the Doctor Strange you were talking about? I thought he'd be… thinner," Ant-Man, Scott Lang, whispered to Stark, eyeing the portly newcomer who weighed as much as Thor back in his beer-and-chips days.
Stark, also taken aback by the man's size, shrugged and replied casually, "Who knows? Maybe this is the phase when he still loved junk food."
As they spoke, Stark walked up to the masked man and said, "Hey, magic guy. So, is this the 'one in 14 million' chance you mentioned where we win?"
Ned, who immediately recognized the group before him, replied, "Stark, I'm not the guy you know. Also, you all seem… different."
"Huh?" Stark blinked in surprise, then asked, "Wait, you're not Strange?"
"If you're looking for Doctor Strange, you're about five years too early. Right now, he's about twenty blocks away performing surgery," Ned replied, borrowing the Ancient One's original line to Banner.
"Well." Stark, unfazed by the mistake, waved it off. "By the way, why aren't you wearing that vintage necklace? You know, the one with the gem inside? That's actually why we're here."
Stark's assumption, based on his understanding of mystic arts practitioners being able to foresee events, led him to be direct about their mission.
Ned, fully aware of what Stark was referring to, replied, "The Eye of Agamotto is always under the care of the Sorcerer Supreme. I don't have the authority to lend it to you."
"Wow! You're not the Sorcerer Supreme? That's wild. In our timeline, that annoying guy Strange already became the Sorcerer Supreme. You let a junior surpass you?" Stark quipped, raising an eyebrow. Before he could say more, Captain America interjected.
"Friend, though you're not the Sorcerer Supreme, we still hope you can help us convince him to lend us the Time Stone. The future—"
"I know."
Before Captain America could finish, Ned interrupted, "Not only do I know, but the Sorcerer Supreme knows too. However, this is something you must handle yourselves."
"This… Alright then."
Captain America nodded helplessly and motioned for Banner to proceed to the New York Sanctum according to the plan.
After Banner left, Ned spoke again. "I don't know what kind of ripple effect interfering in these events might cause, but I still need to say this: If your plan goes awry, don't hesitate to use the stones. Captain Marvel, Carol, can handle the backlash."
"Also," Ned turned his masked face to the future Tony Stark and stared intently. "Don't overthink or second-guess the tips given by a sorcerer."
Without waiting for further questions, Ned turned and disappeared back into the portal, rejoining the battlefield.
Captain America and Stark exchanged meaningful glances after hearing Ned's warning.
"Hey, what does he mean by that? What's our next move?" Scott Lang asked, breaking the silence.
"Stick to the original plan," Captain America said calmly, locking eyes with Stark. They nodded at each other in agreement.
…
On the battlefield, the current timeline's Captain America found himself struggling to protect civilians despite his best efforts against the Chitauri soldiers. Recognizing the dire situation, he leapt onto a police barricade and addressed the commanding officer.
"Send men into the nearby buildings. Civilians trying to escape will be caught in the crossfire. Guide them to basements or subways. Keep them off the streets and lock down this area to 39th Street."
The police commander, seeing this costumed man barking orders, exchanged puzzled glances with his officers and looked at him like he was insane. "Why should I listen to you?"
Just then, a missile exploded nearby, followed by several Chitauri soldiers charging at their position.
Without hesitation, Captain America tightened his grip on his shield and engaged, taking out the enemies in a matter of seconds.
"…"
After a moment of stunned silence, the police commander grabbed his radio and barked, "Send men into the nearby buildings. Get people underground. Keep them off the streets and lock down this area to 39th Street!"
…
Meanwhile, a hooded Peter Parker swung across the streets, exclaiming loudly as he jumped from place to place. Occasionally, he would shoot webs to save stranded civilians or take out a few Chitauri soldiers.
Though Peter showed impressive combat skills, his lack of coordination and haphazard fighting style frustrated his partner, Black Widow.
"Hey! Spider-Boy, we need to work as a team. Stop swinging too far ahead! Also, stay out of my line of sight—I don't want to worry about my bullets hitting you!"
"Oh! Sorry!"
Hearing her reprimand, Peter quickly swung back to her side and saluted. "Soldier Spide—Spider-Man reporting for duty!"
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