Chapter 84: The Sacred Timeline Has Gone Astray
Bruce Banner contacted Strange, and Wong immediately opened a portal to transport Banner to Kamar-Taj.
In the ancient, incense-filled sanctuary, Strange and Banner sat opposite each other drinking tea.
Banner asked with concern, "How's your arm?"
Strange shook his head. "Unless I had the Time Stone or used forbidden magic, this is permanent." He shifted his shoulder where his arm had been severed.
Ryan's blade had been fast and devastating. Strange blamed himself for not mastering the Sword of Vishanti properly—otherwise he wouldn't have been disarmed so easily, literally losing his arm in the process.
After finishing a cup of tea, Strange took the initiative. "You contacted me about Wanda, correct?"
Banner nodded.
Strange replied, "I haven't found Wanda yet. The Mirror Dimension operates differently from our reality. To us, time passes normally, but to Wanda trapped there, it might feel like only moments have passed. Finding her at the exact right temporal intersection is extremely difficult."
In terms of raw power, Wanda was arguably stronger than Strange, but he'd taken advantage of the chaos during the Battle of New York, temporarily trapping her in the Mirror Dimension.
He'd only managed to escape himself thanks to help from the Sorcerer Supreme of a parallel universe—otherwise, he would have been trapped alongside Wanda.
After exchanging pleasantries, Bruce Banner asked the question that had been weighing on his mind.
"Doctor Strange, is it possible to travel back in time and retrieve the Infinity Stones, then use their power to defeat Ryan?"
This was the simplest and most efficient method Bruce Banner could conceive, and the Avengers had experience with time travel.
Ryan's strength seemed to increase daily. The Avengers encountered a stronger Ryan with every confrontation. If this continued, who knew how powerful he would become?
Upon hearing this question, Strange shook his head without hesitation.
He explained, "That's impossible. Let's not even discuss whether we could acquire the Infinity Stones as easily as before. Even if we did, we couldn't bring them back to our present."
"Why not?" Banner was confused. They'd succeeded before—why not now?
Strange waved his hand, and a beam of light appeared between them.
Dr. Banner recognized this visualization—the timeline. The Ancient One had explained it to him back in 2012.
Strange flicked his finger, and a branch split off from the main timeline.
"We originally all existed on this sacred timeline, but Ryan's appearance fundamentally altered the course of history, creating a nexus event that spawned a branch timeline."
"We're currently on this divergent branch. As you suggested, if we travel back to retrieve the Infinity Stones, we'd return to the sacred timeline, but the Infinity Stones no longer belong to our branch reality."
"If we brought the Infinity Stones forward through time, we'd arrive in the future of the sacred timeline. But here's the problem—Ryan doesn't exist in that timeline's future. Do you understand?"
Bruce Banner nodded slowly. "So we and the original sacred timeline have become two parallel universes?"
"Precisely. Unless we could cross between parallel universes—something that requires technology we don't possess—we can't return with the Infinity Stones. Even if we managed it, removing the Stones would create catastrophic events in that timeline, so the Sorcerer Supreme there would never permit it."
Temporal mechanics were complex, like boarding the wrong train. Two trains don't share the same destination, and passengers on one can't simply appear on the other.
Without the Infinity Stones, dealing with Ryan required direct confrontation.
Bruce Banner sighed heavily.
Then he posed another question. "Doctor Strange, did you foresee the Skrull invasion?"
Strange shook his head. "Predicting the future is only possible when it doesn't alter the timeline's natural progression, like when we defeated Thanos. But circumstances are different now."
"What's different? Is it because of Ryan?"
Bruce Banner now understood why Strange called Ryan the Destroyer of Worlds.
Strange whispered gravely, "Ryan doesn't belong to our universe. He appeared from nowhere, outside causality, and therefore disrupts the natural flow of history. He's an anomaly."
"What happens if we can't eliminate this... Destroyer?" Bruce Banner asked with trepidation.
"Destruction. The entire timeline will be pruned—erased as if it never existed."
Bruce Banner and Strange talked for an extended period, discussing everything from temporal mechanics to Ryan's nature, from divergent timelines to the impossibility of predicting the future.
Afterward, Wong opened a portal and sent Dr. Banner back to New Asgard.
Strange stood and walked outside, gazing at the distant snow-capped mountains for a long time, his mind troubled.
Wong approached and said quietly, "If possible, I still hope you can restore your arm."
Strange was silent before responding. "The Darkhold cannot be touched. Dark magic brings only corruption and destruction to this world." He turned to face Wong. "Our reality is already fragile. The slightest disturbance could trigger catastrophe."
New Asgard, Norway
Bruce Banner sensed something was wrong the moment he returned to New Asgard.
Everyone had gathered in the street, staring toward the distant hillside where a steel column of military vehicles stretched across the landscape.
Bruce Banner pushed through the crowd to the front, standing beside Valkyrie and Maria Hill. "What's happening?"
"Federal overseas military forces," Maria Hill explained grimly. "They're citing a United Nations Security Council resolution, accusing us of violating the Sokovia Accords. The government wants all S.H.I.E.L.D. members brought back to stand trial."
This was genuinely problematic. Neither the Avengers nor S.H.I.E.L.D. could take action against civilians or the military.
A conflict between the two sides would confirm accusations that the Avengers were colluding with Skrulls to stage a rebellion against Earth.
Several minutes later, a military Humvee slowly drove into New Asgard. A colonel and a high-ranking federal official emerged.
The officer adjusted his uniform and approached the group. "Ms. Seraph and I represent the United States government. We're here for one purpose: to bring back all S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel. You have one hour to comply."
Maria Hill, not wanting to endanger the others, was about to respond when Valkyrie spoke first.
"They're free individuals. Since they've come to New Asgard, they're our guests, and I must ensure their safety. This is the Asgardian way. If threatened, we Asgardians don't fear war."
Valkyrie delivered what amounted to a veiled threat.
Despite the loss of their homeworld, Asgardians still harbored a natural sense of superiority—even Valkyrie, who'd spent centuries away from Asgard. She wouldn't be easily intimidated.
The disdain on the Asgardians' faces was evident.
Seraph, the senior official, stepped forward. "So we're not friends, then? Remember, you Asgardians are refugees. Earth provides you with this home out of generosity."
This statement instantly enraged the Asgardians. Some shouted curses, others drew weapons, eager for battle.
Valkyrie raised her hand, and the clamor immediately ceased.
"Friends don't arrive with troops and ultimatums."
Senior Official Seraph sneered. "It seems we can't reach an agreement. You have one hour to reconsider. Any longer, and our forces will reduce New Asgard to rubble." She looked directly at Valkyrie. "Never underestimate humanity's resolve."
With this harsh ultimatum, the colonel and Seraph returned to their Humvee and departed New Asgard.
Valkyrie turned and clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone, disperse."
After calming the crowd, Valkyrie took Maria Hill and Bruce Banner to her office—what the settlement jokingly called the "Mayor's Office."
Once seated, Valkyrie stated bluntly, "Hill, you should stay here. New Asgard will protect you."
Maria Hill shook her head. "I can't let S.H.I.E.L.D. trigger a war between New Asgard and the federal military. More importantly, we need to continue investigating the Skrull infiltration."
Dr. Banner added his concern. "Hill, the federal leadership has aligned with Ryan. Going back would be extremely dangerous."
Staying would likely lead to armed conflict, and the media would report that S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers were harboring alien invaders.
Leaving would mean S.H.I.E.L.D.'s effective dissolution, and Maria Hill would likely face imprisonment.
Furthermore, demanding S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surrender was only the beginning—the government might next demand the Avengers themselves. They were testing boundaries.
Either option was disadvantageous for both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers.
Maria Hill was silent for several moments before speaking. "I'll go back alone. Keep the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents here under your protection. If I get the opportunity, I'll investigate the federal leadership's true intentions."
"If it's the Skrulls, we can track them down. If it's Ryan manipulating the government... then I'm afraid we'll need to prepare for full-scale war."
Maria Hill intended to sacrifice herself to resolve this crisis. Additionally, she had contacts and undercover operatives within the federal government—this presented the perfect opportunity to investigate from within.
Valkyrie considered this carefully. "I respect your decision. I can guarantee the absolute safety of your people here."
Now was certainly not the ideal time to start a war, whether with the Skrulls or with Celestial Island.
"Thank you," Maria Hill said, then stood and left the office. After gathering her belongings, she departed New Asgard.
Driving to the military encampment outside the settlement, Maria Hill exited her vehicle and approached the colonel and Seraph.
"Where are the others? We demanded all S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel," Seraph said, frowning.
Maria Hill smiled calmly. "They're not coming. Besides, they're just field agents who don't know much."
Seraph's frown deepened. "Do you not understand what I said?"
Maria Hill chuckled and raised her arms. "You can take me back and report to your superiors, or you can start your war right now. The choice is yours."
Seraph considered for a long moment, then waved dismissively. "Take her."
Following the order, two soldiers approached and handcuffed Maria Hill's wrists, then escorted her into a military transport vehicle.
The military departed with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s former Deputy Director, ending this tense standoff—for now.
End of Chapter 84
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