"Lady Ancient One!"
As soon as the Ancient One finished speaking, Hill immediately retorted with a blank expression.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is an independent organization under the United Nations. We will not join or affiliate with any other organization. We serve the people of the world…"
"Wait a moment!"
The Ancient One waved her hand, cutting Hill off mid-sentence. She then turned to the two children beside her, smiling as she spoke to them.
"Look closely at this aunt in front of you. Then I'll tell you something.
You can learn magic and knowledge in the temple, but don't learn this aunt's stubbornness.
Those with true strength don't need to talk much, while those who are stubborn often lack the power to back it up!"
With that, the Ancient One waved her right hand. Instantly, the temple hall where everyone had been standing vanished, and even Heisenberg found himself sitting on a sofa, dazed.
Hill and Natasha were equally bewildered. They couldn't fathom how they had suddenly been transported from the hall to a guest room!
At the same time, different cups appeared in their hands.
Natasha was stunned to find herself holding a cup she had never wanted to see again—the very cup from her memories of the Red Room.
During her training there, she had been forced to trade the life of a classmate and rival for the water provided by the instructors that day.
The cup she now held was the same one used in the Red Room!
As for Hill, her S.H.I.E.L.D.-issued coffee mug appeared in her hand.
She wrinkled her brow tightly as she smelled the coffee inside.
The aroma was identical to the one she had personally brewed.
While Natasha and Hill were still in shock, Heisenberg's attention turned to the two small sofas nearby.
He noticed the two children sitting upright on the sofas, showing great respect for the Ancient One.
Unlike typical children their age, they weren't noisy, and they didn't even seem to mind the lack of drinks.
Smiling at the two little ones, Heisenberg greeted them.
"Hi, you two. Can you introduce yourselves?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the two children turned to look at him.
The red-haired girl, feeling shy, lowered her head timidly after noticing Heisenberg's gaze.
Fortunately, the gray-haired boy was bolder.
"Hello, sir. We are the Ancient One's disciples. I'm Pietro, and this is Wanda!"
Pietro said, gently nudging Wanda's arm with his elbow.
Prompted by her brother, Wanda lifted her head, giving Heisenberg a helpless smile.
"Wanda Maximoff. It's nice to meet you, sir."
She quickly finished speaking and lowered her head again.
Seeing this, Heisenberg's smile was genuinely warm.
Girls really are the cutest when they're young!
Meanwhile, the Ancient One, seated beside Heisenberg, clapped her hands lightly.
In an instant, countless rays of light appeared out of thin air, forming an incredibly clear image of the solar system between the sofas.
"Director Hill, I wonder what you think of the future versions of Captain America and Iron Man who arrived three days ago?"
As the Ancient One spoke, she manipulated the image before her, causing it to shift continuously.
Hill, watching the image, softly replied to the Ancient One.
"The future may be dangerous, but I believe our future won't be exactly like theirs."
"Of course not, like right now!"
As the Ancient One spoke, she waved her hand, causing the image to slide forward.
In the blink of an eye, a tiny, elongated shape suddenly appeared in the solar system image.
At the same time, the solar system zoomed in, and Hill finally saw countless cosmic fleets beside Earth!
"As the Supreme Sorcerer and guardian of time, I can foresee every possible change in the future.
Indeed, because of Heisenberg's existence, our universe wasn't attacked by Loki in New York as in the original future.
But sadly, because Loki was defeated too early, he has now fully prepared and significantly scaled up his invasion!"
At this point, the Ancient One deliberately glanced at Hill and asked,
"You must have seen that Loki has brought a high-spec star-destroying fleet.
Does S.H.I.E.L.D., or the United Nations behind you, have the capability to handle such an enemy?"
"Of course not, but thankfully you've informed us!
I'll use this time to consolidate all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s forces and launch the two aerospace motherships we've already built!
At the same time, I'll report this to the United Nations, and the nations of the world will unite Earth's full strength to counter Loki's threat!
Also, I hope Mr. Heisenberg can show mercy to this planet we stand on.
There are indeed many people on Earth who annoy you, but I believe the girls all love you, just like the ones you see every day.
One last thing, Ancient One, I'd like to ask: how soon will this future you've shown us occur?
How much time do we have left?!!!"
Hill's words burst out like fireworks, directed at the Ancient One.
But she never expected that after asking her question, she would only receive two pairs of incredulous stares.
The Ancient One calmly looked at Hill and softly said,
"I can indeed see the future, but I don't recall saying these images are of the future."
As soon as she finished speaking, Heisenberg nodded in agreement.
He then smiled at Hill and pointed upward at the ceiling.
"You're really stupid. Revealing the future means losing that future. So when the Ancient One chose to inform you, it meant it had already happened!"
With that, Heisenberg looked up at the sky. His vision quickly broke through the Ancient One's protective barrier over the New York temple, until he clearly saw Loki sitting inside the Chitauri mothership near the Moon.
At the same moment, a gray-skinned female alien in a black-and-white bodysuit beside Loki furrowed her brow.
"Someone is observing us!"
"It must be those all-seeing eyes from Asgard. Pay it no mind, Supergiant!"
Loki chuckled in response, his right hand gripping the Tesseract trembling slightly.
Moments later, invisible spatial energy spread, and Heisenberg felt his vision blur.
Heimdall, who had rushed to the palace to inform Odin, experienced the same sensation.
…
In Asgard, on the Rainbow Bridge!
Heimdall ran at a speed far surpassing that of ordinary gods, even leaving Sif, a relatively strong goddess, far behind.
He burst into the palace, his brow furrowed as he reported to Odin, who was polishing Gungnir.
"Your Majesty, Thanos's Chitauri army has invaded the Nine Realms!
Their current commander is Supergiant, one of Thanos's Obsidian Five, and…"
"And Loki, my unworthy son, right?"
Odin asked softly.
Hearing Odin's words, Heimdall nodded solemnly.
"Your Majesty, Loki's actions are becoming more outrageous. Four months ago, he disturbed your sleep and brought Frost Giants into Asgard. Now he's made the grave mistake of turning his forces against the Nine Realms!
You must teach him a lesson, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, a lesson…"
Listening to Heimdall, Odin's expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat.
As a god in his prime, Odin's divine power had been steadily growing.
But having his sleep interrupted repeatedly, Odin had already missed the most crucial opportunity of his life.
Now, his divine power was constantly dissipating!
He couldn't even engage in a satisfying battle; the slightest exertion would cause his lifespan and power to plummet.
And in this state…
Odin slowly rose, gripping Gungnir and slamming it into the ground.
"Heimdall!"
Odin declared firmly.
"Prepare our warriors for battle! The Nine Realms are not for Thanos, that defeated foe, to trespass upon!"
With that, Odin strode out of the palace. He waved his right hand, and golden light erupted from his body.
As the light faded, Odin was clad in his armor, his eight-legged steed, Sleipnir, quietly kneeling before him.
Mounting Sleipnir, Odin didn't head directly to the Rainbow Bridge but rode to Frigga's palace.
When Frigga heard the familiar sound of hooves, she knew something grave had happened in the Nine Realms.
Using magic, she teleported to the palace's side entrance, her expression stern and tense as she looked at Odin.
Odin gave her a helpless smile.
"I'm sorry, my dear…"
His voice was incredibly gentle, almost unrecognizable from the once-mighty All-Father.
"I fear I need your power. With the Rainbow Bridge broken, I alone cannot bear the cost of transporting hundreds of thousands of troops!"
"The enemy is…?"
"Thanos's dark legions, the mindless Chitauri vanguard, and one of his Obsidian Five!"
"Hmm?"
Frigga's brow furrowed instantly.
"Odin!"
She asked seriously.
"The enemy is not just this. You've donned your armor yourself.
If it were only one of the Obsidian Five, Thor could lead the troops.
So there must be someone else, someone you're hiding from me!
Is it… Loki? He and Thanos…?"
"Correct."
Odin, seated on Sleipnir, nodded decisively.
At this, Frigga's pupils seemed to shatter.
"This child… he's actually very kind, just a bit mischievous.
But why has he launched such a large-scale invasion this time?
Someone must have threatened him, or tempted him!
Promise me, Odin, see who is using Loki. Don't place all the blame on him.
He will be punished, but he is our child, Thor's brother, and one of Asgard's futures!
Bring him back!!!"
"Yes!"
Odin nodded firmly, his remaining eye gazing silently at the distant stars.
Meanwhile, the Asgardian army assembled, with Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, and Sif leading their legions, instantly entering a state of war.
Over two hundred thousand Asgardian warriors gathered swiftly, the palace surrounded by countless golden-armored troops.
Odin, atop Sleipnir, surveyed the ranks.
"Thanos's army dares to invade Asgard's territory. Midgard has always been one of the Nine Realms, our domain.
Do you remember how to fight an interstellar war? If you do, board our light-powered ships!
War is upon us—this is a warrior's honor!"
"Honor!!!" the warriors roared in unison.
"And we shall triumph!"
"Triumph!!!"