Chapter 26: Eliminating Future Threats

"Kamar-Taj is an organization that safeguards the mystical side of Earth. I believe Hao Yun has told you that he once had a prophetic dream about the future... In fact, that dream was created by me; I used magic to send visions of the future into his mind, to warn humanity. The items and abilities he possesses are things I gathered from traversing the multiverse, all to strengthen Earth's defenses."

Hao Yun looked at the Ancient One in astonishment. He hadn't expected that the Supreme Sorcerer would take responsibility for his items and his visions of the future. The Ancient One nodded at him, much like a caring elder. Hao Yun understood—she must have been worried that his ever-increasing powers and tools would arouse suspicion and investigation from others, so she helped him find a reasonable explanation.

He had to admit, the Ancient One treated him almost too well.

"So, what brings you here today?" Stark asked, a touch of confusion in his voice.

According to Hao Yun's account, this time it was only the Chitauri. With their current strength, which far surpassed the original timeline, quelling the invasion should be an easy task.

"The future has changed. Soon, countless demon gods will invade. Kamar-Taj cannot spare enough hands, so I've come to provide you with more detailed intelligence." The Ancient One spoke, and with a casual wave of her hand, four armored aliens appeared before them.

"Thanos has always had a goal—to collect the six Infinity Stones and use their power to destroy half the life in the universe. The Chitauri invasion is his ploy to seize two stones on Earth: the Space Stone and the Time Stone.

"Leaving aside the army, first, we must deal with the Black Order under Thanos." The Ancient One drew her right hand, and the image of Ebony Maw in robes filled the screen. "Ebony Maw, a master of telekinesis. If given enough time to prepare, he could even wipe out Earth. But his weakness is obvious—a sudden attack can take him out easily. My suggestion: let Hao Yun strike with full force as soon as he arrives, leaving him no chance to survive!"

Hao Yun considered this. In Infinity War, even Doctor Strange managed to injure Ebony Maw using portal tactics; with his own railgun's speed, he should be able to blast the Maw's head apart.

"No problem, leave it to me!" Hao Yun declared confidently. Ambush tactics? Too easy for him!

"Next are Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight. Their abilities lie in their weapons, which can absorb souls and fire ranged beams. Their combat skills are average. Iron Man, War Machine, the two of you should be able to handle them easily."

Tony and Rhodey exchanged smiles. Weapons, eh? The only question was whether their armor could withstand their attacks.

"The most formidable among them is Black Dwarf. He lacks intelligence but possesses immense strength, a heavy warrior. Dr. Banner, only Hulk can take him on. After this battle, I will help you merge with Hulk's soul."

Banner grinned from ear to ear. From Tony and Hao Yun's reactions, he could tell the Ancient One was a true heavyweight. Fighting aliens was his duty, and now he could merge souls—what could be better?

"Leave it to me. Hulk's been itching for a proper rampage!"

"As for the Chitauri army..." The Ancient One glanced at the group. "You're well prepared, so I won't elaborate. One personal piece of advice: never trust S.H.I.E.L.D."

With that, the Ancient One nodded to Hao Yun, left him with the address of the New York Sanctum in a whisper, and departed, walking on air.

Once the Supreme Sorcerer had left, Banner, Rhodey, and the others couldn't wait to ask Hao Yun about the Ancient One. Hao Yun retold the future he had previously described.

This time, he didn't need to explain much—after all, a big shot was there to take the blame. No worries!

"Alright, meeting's over. We all know who the enemy is and how strong their forces are. Head back and prepare, and wait for the call to assemble," Tony clapped his hands, ushering everyone out of the conference room and pulling Hao Yun into his lab.

"Little Uncle? Aren't you working on armor? Why bring me here?"

"I've been prepping that stuff for two years—nothing left to research." Tony waved off Hao Yun's confusion. "This concerns your aunt; she wants to join the fight."

"Uh..." Hao Yun's face fell instantly, "Not just my aunt—my mom too."

After receiving the fully equipped armor for Big White, Angel became restless. Not only did she take Big White flying all over the countryside, she badgered Hao Yun daily to let her join the battle.

She argued that in 2023 (Endgame), Pepper could pilot the Rescue armor, so why couldn't she? She claimed her Big White was just as advanced! She even gave herself the code name "White Nightmare," forced her way into the Illuminati using her sister-in-law status, and now had even brought Pepper along.

"Think of something—maybe send them away early?"

"Hah, send them away?" Hao Yun sneered. "Do you believe that when they return, you'll be kneeling on durian until you drop dead? Little Uncle, the Potts women are notoriously stubborn. Rather than trying to make them leave, you'd better add extra protection to their armor. Besides, don't forget—we're not frontline fighters this time; we're the rescue team."

Hao Yun reminded him again: they had already decided not to join the Avengers, so don't foolishly carry a nuclear missile straight into space like in the original plot.

They were just a civilian organization—not S.H.I.E.L.D., much less the Avengers!

"The rescue team, huh..." Tony fell silent. Perhaps, for him, if not for so many constraints, he would have preferred to be the frontline superhero, just like in the original story.

...

At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Nick Fury, barely escaped from disaster, picked up his radio to contact Coulson.

"Coulson, return to base immediately and issue a Level Seven alert. Given the current situation, the war has already begun!"

...

The next day, Hao Yun was still asleep when suddenly the base alarm blared throughout the facility!

He patted his chest—his Heaven-Shattering armor formed instantly—and he crashed through the window, landing at the base entrance... There, a jeep barreled through the gates, heading straight for the building!

"Stop immediately! This is private property—no trespassers allowed!" Hao Yun hovered above the jeep in his armor, firing a laser cannon. The car drifted to a stop beside the hole made by the blast.

The door opened, and three familiar figures stepped out.

One was the same agent with a notably high hairline, and the other two... a beautiful woman and Egghead!

"Tsk, tsk, let's see who we've got here? Thunder Knight—tsk, a real hero!" Egghead, Nick Fury, pointed at Hao Yun and mocked, his expression begging for a punch.

"Are you trying to kill a senior official appointed by the United Nations? Come on, tell me—hero! Thunder Knight!"