Chapter 8
“So, just to recap here, you want me of all people to work together with Loki and Stark. To change the timeline and prevent Steve Rogers from creating this branch.”
Time nodded, “In essence, yes. However, there is still more to consider.”
“Yes, what more could you ask of me? I am at your disposal after all. Did you not take into account the fact that I may not be willing to do all this? I could fuck the timeline up more than I already have.”
“Or you could save it.”
“Yeah right.”
Time smiled knowingly. It was oddly reminiscent of the Ancient One and Stephen found himself simultaneously peeved and comforted.
“We will not just be sending you back to change the events that led to the creation of this timeline but also many of the vital experiences that shaped your reality. You, Stark and Loki are to mold that universe into its best self.”
But why? Why would the infinity stones go so far out of their way to change so many events? It was practically a suicide mission. From what Stephen had read, universes tended to try and make up for changes in their planned path. In the end there was no escape from fate.
“What you are thinking, Stephen, is true—”
This was Mind. The stone that Stephen had so often seen embedded in Vision’s head. The stone that could see all his thoughts, understand his functionsand, if necessary, manipulate his brain processes.
It was a frightening notion.
“—Usually, universes would compensate for any changes made in order to achieve a fixed end result. A nexus point, if you will. But through the combined forces of us—the branched timelines infinity stones—we may be able to change that.”
“But why me? Why us?”
Space stepped forward.
“Loki is my keeper, just as you are Time’s, and Stark—a mere human—has held us all in the palm of his hand. You are the only people we can trust for such a mission. You all understand the power of infinity.”
Well, wasn't that laughable. Stephen Strange, the epitome of arrogance and pretenses was one of the only beings that some of the most powerful sentient objects in the universe trusted.
What had the world come to?
Time took center stage once more.
“Stephen, we need you. The multiverse needs you.”
What could he say to that?
Well, there was only one correct answer.
“I won’t speak for Stark or Loki but I accept your mission.”
“Very well. I’ll see you in the next timeline over Stephen Strange.”
“I guess so. Wish me luck.”
———o0o———
Time had seen the progression of all life across the multiverse. The inevitable rise and subsequent fall. Birth. Life. Death. An endless cycle. One that had lasted for as long as the multiverse had existed and would last forevermore.
Every now and again in this infinite cycle, Time would find a special soul. A being who could understand how precious time was. How important memories of the past and knowledge of the future could be.
But Stephen Strange had been different.
He had been transcendent. He sparkled with motivation and had just understood.
It was refreshing. But like many before him his spark had burnt out before it could truly get going, before he could reach the height of his power. It was a tragedy that only Time knew. It was for that reason that he fought so hard for his human. He deserved so much more.
This second chance was not only for the timeline Steve Rogers had doomed to death.
It was also for Stephen.
His second chance.
And Time knew that he wouldn’t blow it.
———o0o———
Only a minute ago, Loki Odinson had been accosted by the infinity stones.
Now, he found himself in a rather familiar situation.
“You know, the last time I was in Germany I saw a man standing above everybody else. We ended up disagreeing. “
The good Captain. The man who doomed the timeline.
In his hand, Loki could feel the Mind stone. But there was something odd.
He couldn’t quite remember how this fight had gone down the first time around. In fact, he couldn’t remember much of the invasion. His mind during that time had been cloudy, as if something was interfering with his—
“If I might interject, if you’re going to Earth, you might want a guide. I do have a bit of experience in that arena.”
“Do you consider failure experience?”
“I consider experience, experience.”
How had he gotten Chitauri army? How did he even acquire the scepter in the first place?
And, most importantly, how did Thanos know that he failed?
There was only one clear answer.
Turning his head, Loki looked at the blue encasing that held the mind stone.
Staring back was the shocked face of The Other. His figure wispy and warped in the depths of the stone’s surface.
Stark had said his eyes were blue.
By Odin’s beard—This was not good.