Thor's comrades, the three warriors of the Celestial Palace, and his fiancée Sif were displeased that Loki, taking advantage of Odin's slumber and Thor's exile, had seized the throne of Asgard.
They crossed the Bifrost to Earth, intending to find Thor and restore the balance.
Loki, sensing these rebellious individuals attempting to retrieve Thor and block his ascension to the throne of Asgard, directly deployed the Destroyer armor, which guards the Celestial Palace treasury, to Earth to hunt them down.
Thus, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s research base detected another unusual and powerful energy fluctuation—the same type of disturbance that occurs when the Bifrost activates.
Coulson immediately realized that something or someone had arrived.
He soon learned that the town had suddenly seen four individuals—three men and one woman—dressed in strange, exotic attire.
He immediately led some agents to the town, having a hunch that these four might hold the key to all answers.
"This is Mjolnir," Dan, in a state of invisibility, approached the S.H.I.E.L.D. temporary research facility and gazed at the hammer quietly standing atop a mound of soil.
"Anyone worthy of lifting this hammer can obtain the powers of Thor. But is it really true?" Dan turned to ask someone nearby.
In the mirrored space, Ancient One saw that Dan could perceive their presence and smiled slightly.
She appeared next to Dan, simultaneously using minor magic so that neither S.H.I.E.L.D. agents nor monitoring devices could detect them.
"Of course it's real. Odin, as the King of the Nine Realms, would never make an empty promise. Anyone with a pure enough heart who is worthy of lifting Mjolnir can gain the power to control lightning," Ancient One explained, her eyes flashing with brilliance.
"But if someone is worthy of lifting Mjolnir, they could become the hammer's master. If Mjolnir is taken by someone else, what happens to Thor? Odin would never allow Thor to remain a mere mortal, and Asgard cannot lose its Thunder God," Dan One said with a slight shake of his head, clearly implying there was more to it.
Ancient One smiled meaningfully: "You're right, Asgard will not lose its Thunder God. But the promises of the King of Gods will also surely be fulfilled."
Dan's eyes lit up slightly, and he chuckled softly: "I understand. Gaining the power to control lightning doesn't necessarily mean one becomes Mjolnir's master. Odin is playing a word game."
In that case, they could let Kent—Ichigo—attempt to see if he could obtain the power of lightning.
Ancient One nodded: "These two things don't conflict. Thor isn't mature enough yet; he needs Mjolnir to guide him to fully manifest his power."
"Sorcerer Supreme, it seems you are the final safeguard Odin prepared for Thor," Dan remarked.
Ancient One did not deny it: "I'm merely an observer. Under normal circumstances, there's no need for me to intervene. Everything is part of Odin's calculations."
She then shifted the topic: "But now I'm more interested in you. Who exactly is Foundation X, and what are your intentions? I've scoured all of history and still cannot find a single trace." Her gaze sharpened.
Even Dan, present before her, remained a gray blur in the past and future—nothing clear could be seen.
"That's perfect. I'm also interested in the Sorcerer Supreme. I originally planned to visit Kamar-Taj later, but since we've met here, an accidental encounter will do. We can communicate properly," Dan boldly met Ancient One's gaze.
"Oh, you're here for me? What do you need?" Ancient One asked, slightly puzzled.
"To ask the Sorcerer Supreme for a small favor."
Dan pulled out several cards and displayed them to Ancient One.
Of course, the cards were only a form of representation; they could be cards, USB drives, coins, switches, rings, locks, model cars, eyeball models, jars, dials, keys, model books, or seals—anything symbolic.
Ancient One looked at the cards, puzzled, then at Dan.
Dandao One spoke seriously: "The foundation's goal is to create countless powerful Riders and use their strength to forge a new chapter in history. Humans will gain the power, like the Kamen Riders, to create miracles. To do this, we need to collect various powerful sources of energy. That is why we need the Sorcerer Supreme's assistance now."
Ancient One regarded him with cautious trust, and using the Time Stone, she saw a future where the so-called Kamen Riders indeed matched Dan's description—they allowed humans to rewrite the future through their will.
"But this will also bring disasters, powerful monsters, and even crises that could destroy the world," Ancient One warned, looking deeply at Dan.
"Without overcoming trials, how can one grow stronger? By crossing the disasters and obstacles ahead, one becomes stronger. Humanity, from the primitive era to now, has endured countless hardships. Most importantly, humans have gained the power to create their own future through their will, haven't they?" Dan said firmly.
"What do you want?" Ancient One exhaled and asked.
After considering it, she decided to take the risk—at least the future possibilities she saw would increase, and humans could pursue them through will and belief.
"First, to borrow some of the Eye of Agamoto, the power of the Time Stone," Dan said, pressing the first card.
Ancient One nodded in agreement.
Since the decision was made, there was no hesitation.
She joined her hands at her chest, lifting the Eye of Agamoto. Magic surged, the metallic ring of the Eye rotated, revealing the Time Stone.
She warned: "But understand this. The power of time should not be trifled with. Those who toy with time will ultimately be toyed with by it."
Dan miled and acknowledged he understood.
"What next?" Ancient One asked as Dan absorbed sufficient power of time law, returned the first card, and restored the Eye of Agamoto.
"The dark power of the Dark Dimension."
Ancient One's expression changed: "No. Dormamu from the Dark Dimension has long sought to consume Earth. If the person using this power cannot resist its corruption, they will become Dormamu's slave and aid his invasion."
Dan shook his head: "The Foundation will modify the Dark Dimension's power, and Dormamu cannot fully control it. Sorcerer Supreme, you will continue absorbing the Dark Dimension's power to extend your life and suppress negative effects, until the next Sorcere Supreme appears. Isn't that right? I believe in humanity's potential; the human will can create miracles. And Dormamu will inevitably invade Earth someday—you know that too."
Ancient One regarded him deeply: "You know a lot. Alright, what should I do?"
"Press the button on the card."
Ancient One pressed it.
The card glowed with intertwined black and gold patterns.
The power of the Dark Dimension within Ancient One was triggered, and mysterious black markings appeared on her forehead.
The card, using Ancient One as a conduit, drew immense power directly from the Dark Dimension.
Domam sensed someone siphoning a massive amount of Dark Dimension energy.
"Which vile thief dares to steal my power?" Dormamu roared through the silent Dark Dimension.
"Earth! The shameless thief, Ancient One!"
"Absorbing so much Dark Dimension energy—let's see how long you can endure, Ancient One. Earth will soon be mine."
Under the control of the Kamen Rider Chronicles, the card absorbed vast Dark Dimension energy successfully.
Ancient One handed the card back to Dan, who pressed the button.
"Kuuga."
The card emitted intense black-and-gold light and transformed into a belt.
"Supreme Mage, interested in becoming a Kamen Rider?" Dan asked, holding up the Kuuga belt.
Ancient One had the willpower to control the ultimate darkness of Kuuga, allowing immediate access to the final form and then seeking to push her limits.
Ancient One shook her head: "I've lived for centuries; I just want to rest. The tasks of saving the world and resisting darkness should fall to energetic youth. But Kuuga's power is dangerous—if uncontrolled, it could bring great disaster. You must find a user with sufficient willpower."
"Of course," Dan One replied, slightly regretful.
"Anything else you're interested in?" Ancient One asked, seeing the last card in Dan's hand.
"Nothing too critical; I just want to record some particularly interesting spells," Dan said, handing her the card.
[Let's goo my GOAT Wizard]
(End of Chapter 103)