Nolan could not be certain when Dormammu would launch his invasion.
Things were no longer unfolding the way they had before.
Even with the Ancient One gone, Dormammu would not act recklessly. He needed absolute confirmation.
That hesitation bought Earth precious time.
Because the moment Dormammu moved, it would mean full-scale war between the Dark Dimension and the real world.
Many forces were watching, waiting for a chance to claim this reality.
From another perspective, the fact that Earth remained untouched proved just how formidable it still was.
If the Ancient One's death turned out to be false…
Dormammu would not simply retreat after a failed invasion.
He would face retaliation.
And the Ancient One would respond without hesitation, striking back at the Dark Dimension with everything she had.
Not because she wanted to.
Because she had to.
If she did not, other dimensions would follow, descending on Earth like vultures.
Dormammu was no fool. He would never take such a reckless gamble.
Meanwhile, Locke Technology had already begun to move.
Orders spread rapidly through every department.
More than a third of civilian production lines were converted into weapons manufacturing.
Every facility ran at full capacity.
Anyone paying attention could tell something major was happening.
At the White House, unease spread quickly.
Even though Sharon Carter had already warned them, no one could be sure whether her information was reliable.
She was no longer the same S.H.I.E.L.D. agent she once was.
Yes, she still maintained limited contact with them, but only for routine intelligence exchanges.
Maria Hill stood before a room full of politicians, her expression tense.
Over the past year, she had officially taken over as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., gradually consolidating control with Nick Fury's backing.
And the more she learned, the more she understood just how capable Fury truly was.
"Director Hill, can you determine Nolan Locke's objective?" someone asked.
Maria Hill shook her head.
"It's difficult."
"Nolan Locke disappeared for over a year. Now that he's suddenly returned, he immediately initiates actions like this."
"It's hard to believe his current behavior has nothing to do with what he's been doing all this time."
"The problem is… during that entire year, he left no trace. It's as if he vanished from the planet."
The President sighed.
A year ago, Nolan Locke had forced Nick Fury out of power.
Fury had overstepped. That much was clear.
But there was another truth they could not ignore.
Nolan had grown too powerful.
So had Locke Technology.
And together, they were becoming something far beyond what anyone felt comfortable controlling.
"Investigate as quickly as possible," the President said.
Then he turned to the others in the room.
The highest-ranking generals from the Army, Navy, and Air Force were all present.
This was the pinnacle of military authority.
"I want you prepared. If a crisis emerges, we cannot afford to be blind."
Everyone nodded.
The entire government machine began to mobilize.
After leaving the White House, Maria Hill hesitated before driving to a quiet address.
She knocked on the door, her posture respectful.
Moments later, the door opened.
Nick Fury stood there.
Though no longer director, his sharp gaze had not dulled in the slightest.
"Hill. What's going on?"
"Nolan Locke is back," she said.
"And the first thing he did was accelerate weapons production."
Fury's expression turned serious.
He ushered her inside, and they sat across from each other.
"I knew it," Fury muttered.
"Nolan Locke was never going to stay quiet."
His eyes flickered with calculation.
Just like Nolan, he had no intention of fading into obscurity.
"Director Fury, what do you think we should do?" Hill asked.
Fury rested his chin on his hands, thinking for a moment before answering.
"Nothing."
"Just have people observe him quietly."
"No matter what he's planning, he won't make a move yet."
His tone was calm, confident.
"He's too visible right now."
Hill nodded slowly.
His words eased some of her concerns.
After a pause, she added,
"Director Fury… now that I'm in this position, I finally understand how difficult it is."
Fury gave a faint smile.
"That's because you're carrying the weight of humanity."
He wanted his position back.
But he also knew it would not be easy.
Still… an opportunity was forming.
Nolan, for his part, had no interest in any of this.
Two days later, Tony Stark showed up.
"Alright, what the hell are you doing, Nolan?" Tony demanded the moment he walked in.
"You just activated full weapons production. That's wartime protocol."
Nolan smiled, unfazed.
There were few people in the world who could speak to him like that without consequence.
Tony Stark was one of them.
For a brief moment, Nolan thought of another Tony from another world.
Different face.
Same personality.
"Tony," Nolan said, "you're lucky."
"Excuse me?" Tony blinked.
Nolan did not explain.
"You already said it yourself. This is wartime."
Tony stiffened.
"War?"
"Are those Death Eaters planning something?"
"No," Nolan replied, shaking his head.
"This is bigger than that."
"It involves… dimensions."
"Dimensions?" Tony frowned.
He was familiar with the concept, at least from a scientific standpoint.
But it remained largely theoretical.
"What exactly do you mean?"
"You already know magic exists," Nolan said.
"But you may not understand what sorcerers actually do."
"For centuries, Earth has faced countless crises. Most of them were resolved quietly by the magical world."
Tony cut him off.
"Funny. Because when the Chitauri invaded, I didn't see any of them show up."
Nolan chuckled.
He understood the skepticism.
Without context, it did sound unbelievable.
But the truth was more complicated.
"Do you remember the Ancient One?" Nolan asked.
"I told you before. The Sorcerer Supreme's duty is to protect Earth."
"Just not in ways you can see."
"What they guard against… are threats from other dimensions."
He paused.
"And now… the Ancient One is dead."
Tony's expression changed.
"The Sorcerer Supreme… dead?"
Nolan nodded.
"A disciple of Kamar-Taj betrayed them. Aligned with a force from another dimension."
"When the Ancient One tried to stop him, she was killed."
"With her gone, enemies from beyond are already preparing to invade."
Tony went silent.
Then he took a deep breath.
"So that's why you're building weapons."
"To fight alongside the sorcerers."
His expression hardened.
"Well, there's no way you're doing that without Iron Man."
"Stark Industries is restarting its weapons division."
"You're not leaving me out of this."
Nolan did not refuse.
"Fine. But most of these enemies rely on magic."
"That makes this dangerous for you."
Tony scoffed.
"Dangerous?"
"Who do you think I am?"
With that, he turned and left.
He had preparations to make.
The consequences of all this no longer mattered.
And as expected, the White House convened another emergency meeting.
Nick Fury, who had been calculating his next move, finally decided to act.
He drove straight to Locke Technology.
Whatever their past conflicts, he needed answers.
He walked straight in, bypassing reception, heading for the top floor.
His confidence drew no attention.
He pushed the door open.
"Nolan Locke! What exactly are you planning?"
Nolan looked up, clearly annoyed.
"Nick Fury?"
"If I remember correctly, you're no longer Director."
"And you should also know… you're not welcome here."
"So tell me. Did you come here to die?"
Fury's jaw tightened.
This bastard.
Still, he held back his anger.
"Do you realize what you've done?" Fury said.
"The entire government is mobilizing because of you."
Nolan let out a cold laugh.
"And what does that have to do with you?"
"You're just a civilian now."
"My advice? Turn around and leave."
"And next time, knock."
Fury's anger surged.
"I…"
Before he could finish, Nolan's expression darkened.
"Nick Fury, don't push your luck."
"I've had enough of you."
The warning was clear.
Fury fell silent.
Inside, he seethed.
This was not over.
Soon, he would return.
S.H.I.E.L.D. belonged to him.
It always had.
Nolan, however, could not care less.
Production continued at full capacity.
Locke Technology's arsenal had surpassed all previous records.
Even so, it still did not feel like enough.
And time was running out.
One week later…
A portal opened in front of Nolan.
Stephen Strange stepped through.
He looked exhausted.
"I just spoke with Dormammu," he said.
"The negotiations failed."
"They're coming."
He rubbed his temples.
Dormammu had hesitated at first, verifying the Ancient One's death.
Now, with no sign of her return, he had made his decision.
Nolan nodded.
"In that case… we prepare for war."
Deep within the cracks between dimensions, in the Dark Dimension itself…
Dormammu sat upon his throne, a faint smile on his face.
"So… the Ancient One is truly gone."
"And her successor… just a child."
"It seems the real world… is finally mine."
Below him stretched an endless army.
Forces gathered from countless conquered dimensions.
Now, they would march.
Dormammu rose.
"Prepare yourselves."
"We take the real world."
"No mistakes."
"Advance!"
The dimensional rift tore open.
Dormammu stepped forward, his power spilling into reality.
But just as it reached Earth…
A figure stood in his path.
Stephen Strange.
And beside him…
A towering mech.
The war had begun.