Marvel: Reborn in 20th century India

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End of February 1945

By the end of February 1945, the world was on the cusp of monumental change. On multiple fronts, the Allied forces had nearly defeated the Axis powers. In Europe, Nazi Germany was on the brink of ultimate defeat. The Allied forces, comprising American, British, Soviet, and other troops, were closing in on Berlin. The once formidable German defenses were crumbling under relentless pressure. The liberation of concentration camps revealed the horrors of the Nazi regime, further galvanizing the Allied resolve to bring the war to a swift and decisive end. The final push towards Berlin was marked by fierce battles, but the outcome was inevitable. The fall of Berlin was just a matter of time.

On the Asian front, the situation was equally dynamic. After the decisive victory in the Philippines, Bharat discreetly supported the American forces in their battle against the Japanese on Iwo Jima. The island, a strategic point for both sides, saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific War. Bharat's advanced technology and strategic insights proved invaluable in this critical battle, though Bharat maintained a very tight leash on information regarding their technologies.

Bharat's rapid advancements may have shocked and worried many, but for now, the focus was on defeating the Axis powers. The British, recognizing the necessity of unity, joined the efforts to end the war. The resources and manpower committed to the war effort were immense, and the need for rebuilding was becoming increasingly urgent. Bharat's contributions, both in terms of military support and technological advancements, were crucial in tipping the scales in favor of the Allies.

Akshaya, March 1, 1945

In the serene expanse of Akshaya, Aryan's personal dimension, the air was filled with a blend of ancient wisdom and futuristic innovation. His mansion, a magnificent structure where traditional and modern elements coexisted harmoniously, stood as a testament to his vision. Fantastical beings, born from his profound understanding of souls and human emotions, roamed freely, adding an ethereal charm to the surroundings.

Inside his mansion's personal workshop, Aryan was deeply engrossed in his latest creation—the Wisdom Cubes. These cubes were a culmination of his extensive research on aether energy, runes for energy-matter conversion, and the intricate blueprints for BNS Vikramaditya, inspired by Kiev Class aircraft carriers. The workshop was a sanctuary of knowledge, filled with ancient tomes, modern schematics, and mystical artifacts.

Athena, his trusted companion, watched him with a mix of admiration and curiosity. Her form, a perfect blend of human and homunculus, radiated an aura of wisdom and loyalty. "Master, these Wisdom Cubes… they seem to hold more than just energy," she remarked, her voice soft yet filled with intrigue.

Aryan paused, his hands gently tracing the runes etched onto the cube. "Indeed, Athena. These cubes are not just a source of energy. They embody the essence of human emotions and will, remember we delved into it through our research with the Darkhold."

Athena's eyes widened. "Oh, so this Wisdom Cube was the reason why you seemed particularly excited about the research on the Darkhold? I always thought you wanted to research it for creating souls and sentience for the dragons and other fantastical creatures, to keep them as pets for your fiancées as well as yourself." When Aryan told her about the topic of the research, her thoughts were like this but she never imagined that her Master planned to make these Wisdom Cubes, which turned out to be not just mere magi-tech artifacts but something more. Athena might possess massive processing power as well as knowledge and wisdom, but these cubes were not from this world and were from Aryan's previous life's inspiration from animes and games.

A faint smile touched Aryan's lips. "You are not entirely wrong, as that too was my intention. And don't worry, you too will get one such pet." He reassured her of her own pet because from their connection he could sense her desire for it as well as hesitance to ask something like this from him. She was slowly developing new feelings and for some reason seemed to like the idea of owning a cute pet.

"But yes, my main objective was these cubes. Since the Darkhold holds unparalleled knowledge, by understanding and harnessing it, we've been able to create something that transcends mere magical artifacts or technology. These cubes are a bridge between the physical and the metaphysical, a testament to what we can achieve when we blend science with the essence of our very being."

Athena stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the glowing cube. "And the BNS Vikramaditya? How does it fit into all this?"

Aryan's expression grew thoughtful. "The Vikramaditya is more than just a carrier. It's a symbol of our strength and resilience. By integrating these Wisdom Cubes, it will become a beacon of hope and power, capable of protecting our lands and advancing our knowledge. Of course it just a start, as I plan to make more such cubes with blueprints of more advanced battleships and eventually of our spaceships too, which we are currently developing."

The room seemed to hum with energy as Aryan continued his work, the Wisdom Cubes glowing brighter with each passing moment. Athena felt a mix of awe and pride, knowing that they were on the brink of something extraordinary.

As Aryan meticulously inscribed the final runes onto the Wisdom Cube, a sudden, sharp ping resonated through his mind. He paused, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the signal. It was the Tesseract replica he had left in Hydra's possession. The intricate web of runes and spells he had woven into the replica had been activated, indicating it had come into direct contact with the Red Skull.

Athena noticed the change in Aryan's demeanor. "Master, what is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Aryan's gaze turned distant as he accessed the information relayed by the replica. "The Tesseract replica has been triggered. It's designed to activate a spatial warping rune when it comes into direct contact with someone who wants to use its power believing it to be the real one. This means the Red Skull has touched it."

Athena's eyes widened. "Does that mean…?"

"Yes," Aryan confirmed, his voice steady. "The fight between Captain America and the Red Skull, that I mentioned to you some time ago, which will be happening in the future, is ongoing. The spatial warp will transport the Red Skull to a location with a similar energy signature to an infinity stone, possibly near the soul stone's location as that seems to be his destiny, effectively removing him from the battlefield."

He closed his eyes, focusing on the intricate network of runes and spells. The replica was not just a decoy; it was a carefully crafted tool designed to manipulate the flow of events. By transporting the Red Skull, Aryan aimed to alter the course of the battle, giving Captain America a crucial advantage and keeping the flow of the events in original timeline intact. In fact, he wanted to kill Red Skull, but was stopped by the Ancient One who told Aryan that the Red Skull had an important purpose to serve and he should not interfere in it as his purpose is intertwined with the fabric of reality and the fate of the infinity stones. Aryan too after thinking about it deemed as correct choice since the reality was already fractured as it there was no need to create further complications. The Ancient One also didn't mind Aryan keeping the real Tesseract for himself as long as the fate of certain events related to it doesn't get affected.

Athena watched him intently. "What will happen to the Red Skull?"

Aryan opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "He will be transported to a place where his destiny leads him and where he will have to fulfill his purpose in the current timeline."

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