"The Kree and Thanos have joined forces?"
Noah stared incredulously at the Asgardian before him.
He knew this one-Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost. In the original timeline, Heimdall had been unlucky: after Asgard's destruction, he ran into Thanos while helping Thor, and was killed by the Mad Titan after teleporting Banner away.
But that was the original timeline.
Now, Heimdall was alive, well, and respected. Thor trusted him, and his abilities and status in Asgard had made him a stable figure, even taking on some diplomatic duties.
Yet his expression was strange as he looked at Noah.
Heimdall wasn't the type to belittle Earth's magic. He understood and respected it deeply. He knew how terrifying these Mages were-even if they weren't widely known, and the Sorcerer Supreme was their face. In truth, Earth's magic users were numerous and powerful.
The previous Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, had been treated as an equal by Odin himself. And now? Their current King of Asgard was no match for Noah.
Heimdall naturally could not show contempt.
Following protocol, he had come to Earth to negotiate on behalf of Asgard regarding the Kree offensive. He had initially tried Mordo, but Mordo deferred, directing him to the Avengers base in New York.
Heimdall's first impression: these Mages weren't planning to sit this one out.
Using Kamar-Taj's teleportation array, Heimdall arrived in America, sensing an indescribable power of Light. This made him cautious. Such pure power wasn't from just anyone.
He tracked it-and was stunned.
The source: the new Sorcerer Supreme himself. Heimdall's mind spun. When had Noah returned? How did he acquire such power? What was his situation?
Heimdall's experience told him the answers. Noah's journey to another universe, aided by Odin, explained his strength. Respectfully, Heimdall relayed the entire situation to Noah.
Noah listened, raising an eyebrow by the end. This was hardly good news.
Why would the Kree ally with Thanos?
The Kree were already individually strong, technologically advanced, and now joining Thanos outside Asgard was essentially a declaration of war. Their goal was obvious: the Infinity Stones.
Whether the Kree had lost their minds was irrelevant-this had happened. Noah and his allies could only accept it.
"Yes, Sorcerer Supreme. The situation is indeed dire," Heimdall said. "Once the Kree and Thanos unite..."
"I understand. A bit troublesome," Noah replied. Only a bit. Standing above the problem, one must see all angles.
Thanos and the Kree had a clear goal. But Asgard? Not necessarily worried. Hela, now Great General at her peak, wouldn't fear them. Nor would the King Thor with the Power Stone-or Loki with the Reality Stone.
But the impact of them all moving at once? That could damage Asgard's reputation and undo Odin's efforts over millennia. The universe's perception of Thanos might shift, and Thanos could recruit even more allies.
Even if the Kree were all Thanos had brought for now, there was no telling how many more secretly waited.
Noah had no intention of refusing a united front.
"The aliens are attacking again?" Tony, observing Noah, asked. Captain America, now seeded with the Light, nodded grimly.
This was not good news.
Tony's eyes, however, sparkled. Space travel. Finally. No restrictions, no waiting. A gift delivered straight to his door.
Captain America's expression was darker. He loathed war. Thanos and the Kree's aggression endangered Earth, and he could not stand it.
"An attack is inevitable," Noah said calmly. "I hope the various Ministries of Magic don't drag their feet."
"Then we are counting on you, Sorcerer Supreme," Heimdall said, bowing. "I will deliver this message to Asgard."
"How much preparation time do we have?" Noah asked.
"You know, mobilizing Mages takes time."
"Currently, Thanos and the Kree are setting up defensive lines on the outskirts. I'd say a year or two," Heimdall answered.
Noah nodded. A year or two was enough. Even if not, he could use spatial power to strike the Kree Supreme Intelligence directly. Semi-divine mages didn't need to overcomplicate matters.
Still, Noah found this attack by Thanos... strange. What gave him such confidence? Preparation was key.
"But every time I worry," Noah thought, "misfortune is always one step behind me..."