Rogue Replacement: A Marvel Story

Chapter 96

Arc 7 - Ch 13: Return to the Sanctum

Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2011.

Location: 177A Bleecker St., Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York

As Tyson approached the Sanctum and knocked on the door, it swung open with an ominous creak. The sight that greeted him was not what he expected. Instead of just the Ancient One, four powerful sorcerers stood inside. Master Drumm, Wong, and Mordo flanked the Ancient One, their eyes warily fixed on Tyson and their postures ready for battle.

"I don't know if I brought enough for everyone. Unless you have a mixer," he quipped lightly as he held up a paper bag. Inside was a trio of good wine bottles and a high-proof alcohol nestled between cardboard slices to keep them from clinking too loudly.

"Tyson Smith, you come to the sanctum wielding one of the most powerful magical weapons on the planet, wearing the helmet of your defeated enemy. Perhaps you could have called first if you wanted to get drunk." The Ancient One scolded.

Tyson's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Looking over the force arrayed against him, he asked incredulously, "You thought I was going to attack you?"

The Ancient One's gaze remained steady. "Your girlfriend, whom we failed to prevent from turning into a vampire, was killed in front of the whole world, and you, in turn, killed the man who did so. Can you blame us? This would not be the first time you approached the sanctum in anger."

Tyson couldn't fault her logic. The memory of his last encounter with Illyana flashed through his mind; his anger then had driven him to threaten the Ancient One when his emotions were running high and unchecked. But now, things were different. He was different.

Back then, his illusions would have barely fazed someone of her magical power. But now, with immense power over metal and electromagnetism and having Muse at his side, he could pose a serious threat that not even the Ancient One could dismiss lightly. Armed with his new abilities, he could lay waste to the sanctum if he chose to.

But that was far from his purpose here today.

With a sigh, Tyson placed the bag with the alcohol on the ground. He reached for Muse, and immediately, the sorcerers readied glowing spellforms, causing him to pause.

He instead raised his hands, showing he wasn't planning to attack. He flexed his finger, and one adamantium claw slid out.

"I'm not sure how all this magic works yet, but I understand intent is important," Tyson said. He sliced his palm, letting a thin line of blood well up. "I do not intend to attack the Sorcerer Supreme, Sorcerers, or Sanctum today. I've come to talk. Maybe have some tea, probably a few drinks, nothing more."

The Ancient One inclined her head slightly, acknowledging his words. The other sorcerers, however, remained on edge. "Very well," she said, her voice softening slightly. She turned to the others. "Master Drumm, please prepare the sitting room. Master Mordo and Master Wong, you may return to your duties."

Finally, the tension in the air began to dissipate. Master Drumm moved deeper into the Sanctum while Mordo and Wong exchanged glances before reluctantly stepping back. Tyson watched as they retreated, feeling the weight of their gazes even as they left. He turned back to the Ancient One, who stood alone before him. The silence stretched between them, heavy with lingering suspicion.

"I don't have your phone number. How could I have called ahead? Unless you claimed the Sanctum as your business on Google and listed the number," Tyson joked as he retrieved the paper bag from the ground.

The Ancient One's lips quirked up. "Wine and spirits are not typically how we conduct business here."

Tyson shrugged, a hint of his usual charm returning. "I find they tend to make difficult discussions a bit easier. And I feel this conversation won't be a walk in the park."

"No," she agreed softly, "I don't believe it will be."

She stepped aside, gesturing for Tyson to enter. As he crossed the threshold, he felt the tingle of magic washing over him. The Sanctum's defenses, no doubt.

"Your magical signature has changed," the Ancient One observed as they walked. "It's... more complex now."

"A lot has changed," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of recent events.

They entered the sitting room, where Master Drumm had prepared a small table with cushioned chairs. The room was warm and inviting, with shelves of tomes lining the walls.

"Please, sit," the Ancient One said, taking a seat herself. Tyson lowered himself into the chair, which was her opposite.

His gaze drifted towards Master Drumm, who lingered just outside the doorway. "The matters I've come to discuss are of a sensitive nature. I would prefer they remain between us for now."

After a moment, she gave a slight nod. "Master Drumm, our guest has sworn not to bring harm here. You may return to your duties."

Master Drumm hesitated, his eyes flicking between Tyson and the Ancient One. Though his expression remained impassive, Tyson could practically feel the weight of his reluctance. Still, the sorcerer bowed in acquiescence before withdrawing from the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

The Ancient One inclined her head. "Speak your mind freely here, Tyson Smith. Nothing leaves these walls without my consent."

Reaching for the paper bag, he extracted the bottles of wine and liquor. He generously poured wine into a glass for the Ancient One and filled his own with the stronger spirits. Sliding the wine across the table, he took a sip, savoring the burn.

The Ancient One raised an eyebrow. "It's not noon yet."

Tyson's lips quirked into a half-smile. "For one such as yourself, does time matter?"

A hint of amusement flickered across the Ancient One's face as she accepted the glass. She swirled the wine, inhaling its bouquet before taking a small sip.

"With Natasha Romanoff, I once played a game called Truth or Strip," Tyson began, his tone casual. "The way it worked was one of us asked the other a question. We could answer, or if we didn't want to, we could take off a piece of clothing."

The Ancient One's eyes widened slightly. "My, you are quite bold."

Tyson snorted and held up a hand. "I was just providing some context. The alcohol helps loosen some inhibitions, but I'm not trying to get into your... robes." He paused, taking another sip. "I am trying to facilitate the exchange of information."

His expression grew more serious. "Since I first visited this place, I feel like you've been manipulating me. And when I say feel like, I mean, I'm certain you've been manipulating me. I accused you of not being able to see the entire picture. When I reflect on our interactions, I'm not sure if you see me as an ally or an enemy. And it seems like you're just trying to steer me, like a dangerous adversary, towards a path that keeps me from causing too much destruction. You're treating me how I'd treat the Hulk."

"And perhaps some of that is my fault with the way I've acted. But the more I think about it, the more I don't think it needs to be this way."

He leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. "So I propose an alternate version of Truth or Strip. Let's call it Truth for Truth. We can ask the other a question and if you choose, you can answer it. If you don't want to answer it, you can give another piece of information you consider of equal value."

The Ancient One studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "Are you certain that you didn't absorb a demon while you were in Limbo? Some of them have deals or games quite similar."

Tyson shot back, "Is that your first question?"

"Sure," the Ancient One replied, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "Why not?"

Tyson nodded, gathering his thoughts. "For context and clarity, when I touch someone, I temporarily gain a copy of their psyche within me. If they die from my absorbing touch, then they're in here permanently." He tapped his temple. "I found out, with the help of Amora, the Asgardian Sorceress, that despite what I thought initially, there are copies of everyone I've touched deeper in my psyche where I can't access them."

He took another sip of his drink before continuing. "So, to answer your question completely, yes, there are demons from Limbo that I've absorbed and are locked away deep within my mind."

The Ancient One leaned forward, her interest visibly piqued. "That's quite the thorough answer. I do think this game is going to be revealing."

"That's the idea. Now, it's my turn."

"When we first met, you seemed to know a lot about me. More than you should have, given that we'd never met before. How much do you actually know about me and my… past?"

The Ancient One's fingers traced the rim of her wine glass as she contemplated her response. "I know more than most, Tyson Smith, but perhaps less than you might think. I have glimpsed fragments of your potential futures, seen the ripples your actions could create across the fabric of reality. But the details of your past... that remains largely a mystery to me."

"Don't mistake. I can see your past, your creation, your egress to Canada, and everything that's happened since. However, what I can't see is how you know what you know. But I know that this story you tell about your 'vision' of the future is a falsehood. Looking back, when you arrived at that bar in Canada, there was a stark shift in your actions and demeanor. You recognized Logan in that bar, and it guided your actions. That was before you ever made contact with any psychics. What I do know is that you are a nexus of possibility, a wild card in the grand tapestry of fate. Your choices have the potential to alter the course of events on a scale few others can match."

Tyson absorbed her words, his brow furrowing slightly. "So, you've been trying to guide me based on these potential futures you've seen?"

The Ancient One shook her head. "That's another question."

"You're right. Your turn then."

"You mentioned Amora the Enchantress. What is the nature of your relationship with her?"

Tyson chuckled. "That's... complicated. Amora and I first met when she was tasked with overseeing Thor's exile to Earth. We fought but reached a truce." He paused, trying to find the right words to describe their relationship. "She's helped me a few times since then, usually when it aligns with her own interests. But more recently I believe we've come to an understanding."

"But make no mistake, she's dangerous, powerful, and yet, she's also been invaluable."

Tyson leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the Ancient One. "Why did you think I was going to attack you? If you have the Time Stone, how did you not know what was going to happen? It seems like you don't know what I'm going to do, which doesn't make sense for someone who can see the future or possible futures."

The Ancient One sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of the question. "That is the crux of what makes you such a conundrum, Tyson Smith." She set her wine glass down. "With the Time Stone, I can see possibilities."

She waved her hand, and a shimmering projection appeared above the table between them. It showed a line, with branches sprouting from it like an intricate tree. "Every decision one makes creates a branch," she explained, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. "Sometimes, these branches lead back to, let's call it a limb, with the trunk being the most likely possibility."

Tyson watched, fascinated, as the branches shifted and merged, forming a complex web of potential futures.

"Events that are immutable, that are certain to happen, are deemed absolute points in time," the Ancient One continued. "Absolute points in time are easy to see, where the trunk narrows into a thread."

She paused, her eyes meeting Tyson's. There was a hint of uncertainty in her gaze, something he had never seen before in the usually composed Sorcerer Supreme.

With another wave of her hand, the branches disappeared, as did the limbs. The line representing the trunk remained, but now it had gaps in it, like the lanes of a highway stretching into the distance.

"When it comes to you, and your actions, and your future, there are simply no branches," she explained, her voice tinged with frustration. "For reasons beyond my understanding, I cannot see what you will do before you decide to do it."

Tyson's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had expected many things, but this wasn't one of them.

The Ancient One pointed to the trunk, her finger hovering over the solid sections. "The only moments I can predict your actions are at these points. This is how I knew you would be at the Battle of New York and that I could not allow you entry to Kamar Taj. You were right when you said I was only seeing part of the script."

She leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Tyson's face. "When I try to look into the futures of those close to you, I can catch glimpses of you, but everything quickly becomes obscured."

"To answer your question more succinctly. I did not know you would arrive at the Sanctum until you decided this was your destination. And I could only foresee your arrival, not your actions afterward."

Tyson sat in stunned silence for a moment, processing this information. He took a long drink from his glass, the burn of the alcohol grounding him in the present.

"I'm... immune to the Time Stone," he mumbled in disbelief.

"Not immune, no. More like... a Blank. Your existence seems to defy the rules governing the flow of time and possibility."

Tyson leaned back in his chair. "Well, that explains a lot," he muttered. "All this time, I thought you were three steps ahead of me, playing some cosmic chess game."

"In a way, I was. But it was a game where one of the pieces kept changing."

Tyson couldn't help but chuckle at the analogy. "So, when you thought I might attack... it wasn't because you saw it in a vision. It was because you couldn't see anything at all."

The Ancient One nodded. "Precisely. I knew you would come, but not when or why or with what intentions. Given recent events and your... history of emotional responses, we had to prepare for the worst."

Tyson winced slightly at the reminder of his past behavior. "I suppose that's fair," he admitted. "But you have to understand, from my perspective, it felt like you were always manipulating me, always one step ahead."

"So now that that's out of the way and I've revealed my big secret, it's your turn. Why do you know things that you shouldn't? Why do you know the future as well as I do, The Sorcerer Supreme, when using an Infinity Stone?"

Tyson took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around his glass. He had known this moment would come, but that didn't make it any easier. "I don't have the answer for sure, as I wasn't given a guidebook. But you pinpointed it pretty closely. The moment I woke up and stepped from the truck in Canada was the first moment I remember of this world."

He paused, taking a long sip of his drink, steeling himself for what he was about to reveal. "Before that, all my memories come from a life lived on another Earth. An Earth where this world and its events are confined to comic books, movies, and television. There are no superheroes, aliens, or magic. At least none that are known publically."

The Ancient One's expression remained impassive, but Tyson could see the subtle shift in her posture, the slight widening of her eyes that betrayed her surprise.

"I watched the events of this world play out through media," Tyson continued. "I knew about Dr. Strange and your death because it was the plot of a movie. I knew Tony Stark would become Iron Man because it happened in the movie. I'm not exactly lying when I say I 'saw' what would happen because I literally saw it in the theatres."

The room fell silent as Tyson, for the first time, revealed the true source of his metaknowledge. The Ancient One's mind worked to process this extraordinary revelation.

"That... explains a great deal," she finally said. "It also raises countless questions."

"You're telling me. I've been grappling with this since I got here. Trying to figure out how much I should change, how much I should let play out as I remember it." The Ancient One leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled beneath her chin, letting Tyson speak. "Sometimes I intervene, sometimes I don't. I try to weigh the consequences, but it's not easy. Every change I make has ripple effects I can't predict. Even sometimes before I've even intervened."

"Indeed," the Ancient One murmured. "And yet, you've taken it upon yourself to be the arbiter of these changes."

Tyson's jaw tightened. "What choice do I have? I can't just sit back and watch bad things happen when I know I could prevent them."

The Ancient One's gaze softened slightly. "No, I suppose you can't. It's a heavy burden you carry, Tyson Smith. One that I understand. And one that few would be equipped to handle."

Tyson let out a bitter laugh. "Equipped or not, it's mine to bear. And now you know why I've pushed back against your guidance. From my perspective, I know more than you do."

"And perhaps you do. But knowledge of events doesn't always equate to knowing the best way to navigate them."

Tyson leaned forward, his eyes locking onto the Ancient One's. The weight of his next question hung heavy in the air between them.

"Now that our secrets are out in the open. I need to ask you the real question behind why I came here today."

"Was Jubilee my cost?"

There was a flicker of sadness in her eyes as Tyson pressed on, his words tumbling out. "If you couldn't see my future, how could you know it would happen that way? Was the whole 'Cost' and 'Quest' concept a lie?"

"Jubilation Lee's death was almost certainly your cost."

Tyson felt as if he'd been punched in the gut. He opened his mouth to speak, but the Ancient One held up a hand. "However, you misunderstand the concept of cost. Which may be my fault as I spoke of it so directly in our first candid discussion."

"It is not a matter of me collecting payment from you in exchange for teaching you magic. It is the universe itself that collects a cost."

Tyson's hurt expression showed his confusion. She tried to explain. "Sometimes it is not so physical and more metaphorical, but nearly everyone who learns magic pays a cost."

"It is up to us to determine what that is, and often it is not known until after it is collected." She paused, allowing Tyson a moment to reconcile this new information with his understanding of what had happened. "Learning the arcane arts allows one to learn how to bend the universe to their will in a limited fashion. The thought that such power comes for free is childish. There is always a cost, whether we recognize it or not."

Tyson took a long drink from his glass, the burn of the alcohol doing little to dull the ache in his chest. "So, you're saying that Jubilee's death wasn't something you orchestrated or had a hand in? It was just... the universe balancing the scales?"

The Ancient One nodded solemnly. "Precisely. The cost is not a punishment, Tyson. It's a natural consequence of wielding power beyond the ordinary scope of human ability."

"But why her? Why Jubilee?"

"The universe doesn't necessarily choose based on our preferences or attachments," the Ancient One replied gently. "Often, the cost is extracted from what we hold most dear. It's a cruel irony that reminds us of the weight of our actions and the power we wield."

Silence fell between them as Tyson grappled with this new perspective. The grief of losing Jubilee was still raw, but now it was tinged with a new understanding… and guilt.

The Ancient One gave him a minute to process before asking her next question.

"Why did you not prevent the destruction of the Rainbow Bridge?" she asked, her voice calm but probing. "I told you that it could not be prevented because that was what the Time Stone showed me. But by returning to Earth under your own power, I can only assume that you would have been able to prevent its destruction. Yet you did not, and never chose to."

"That's an easy one. You know the Battle of New York will happen. It needs to happen because Loki brings the Mind Stone to Earth within the scepter. I need the Mind Stone on Earth." Tyson continued, "If I stopped the destruction of the Rainbow Bridge… if I stopped Loki on Asgard, he'd never obtain the scepter." He took a sip of his drink before responding, savoring the burn as it slid down his throat. "The real question would be, which came first, the chicken or the egg. When you told me that nothing I did would prevent the destruction of the rainbow bridge, I initially fought against the idea. But when I was presented with the situation, I remembered what you said, and it allowed me to realize why I would take those actions. We'll never know if I would've acted the same way had you never told me. Or, since it was an absolute point in time, perhaps no matter what, I would have."

"So you allowed a catastrophic event to unfold, knowing the destruction and loss of life it would cause, all for the sake of bringing the Mind Stone to Earth?"

Tyson nodded, his expression grave. "It wasn't an easy decision," he admitted. "But sometimes, to prevent greater calamities, we have to allow smaller ones to occur."

The Ancient One's gaze intensified, searching Tyson's face for any sign of doubt or deception. "You speak as if you're certain that the presence of the Mind Stone on Earth is worth the destruction of the Bifrost."

Tyson didn't hesitate. "Absolutely," he said firmly. "The Mind Stone is crucial for what's coming."

The room fell silent, this time with the Ancient One contemplating Tyson's words. His fingers tightened around his glass as he considered the weight of his next question.

"Can you use the Time Stone to bring Jubilee back?"

"I can," she answered, but her tone was tinged with a hint of warning. The Ancient One's fingers traced the rim of her wine glass as she continued. "There are many ways I could do so. I could go back to that moment and interfere, shielding Jubilation from Magneto's attack." The Ancient One's voice remained measured. "Or I could transfer your consciousness back to the beginning of the Battle in Times Square. With what you know now, I'm sure you could adjust your actions to ensure Jubilation Lee's survival."

Tyson's hands trembled slightly as he reached for his glass, taking a long drink to steady himself. The alcohol burned down his throat, but he barely noticed it, too occupied with the chance to undo his greatest failure. The Ancient One's expression remained neutral, but her eyes held a depth of understanding that made Tyson uncomfortable. "I am merely stating what is possible," she said carefully. "The question of whether we should is another matter entirely."

Tyson set his glass down with more force than necessary, the sound echoing in the quiet room. "How is that even a question? If we can save her, we should."

The Ancient One's voice took on a teaching tone. "You, who understand the delicate nature of time and consequence better than most, ask this? And what of the cost? The universe demanded payment for your power. If we undo that payment, what new price might be extracted? Who else might pay in her place?"

"I'll pay it. Whatever it is, I'll pay it myself."

"That's not how it works," she replied softly. "You know this. The universe chooses its price, not us. And sometimes, what we consider a tragedy serves a greater purpose than we can see."

"Greater purpose?" Tyson's voice cracked with disbelief. "What greater purpose could her death possibly serve?"

The Ancient One took a sip of her wine before responding. "That remains to be seen. But consider this. Would you be sitting here now, having this conversation, if she had lived? Would you have told me of your true origins? Would you have made the same choices that led you to this moment? Even more pointedly, who would face the consequences of your choices if not Jubilation?"

"What then will happen? Will another close to you die? Perhaps your friend Gwen would not have survived her fall. Perhaps Spider-Man or Spider-Woman would've sacrificed themselves to save her."

Tyson's fingers tightened around his glass, knuckles whitening.

"Perhaps you could have saved Jubilation, only for your friend ____ to die in her place, or for Logan to be killed by Magneto. Or in saving Jubilation, you never save the mutants underground, and they're all slaughtered."

The glass in Tyson's hand creaked under the pressure of his grip. The Ancient One continued, undeterred. "Are you willing to trade one you love for another? Maybe it would be Felicia who was killed instead." She paused for a moment, her eyes never leaving his face. "Or Doom could befall Illyana."

Tyson snarled, crushing the glass in his hand and rising halfway from his chair. The metal fixtures in the room groaned and vibrated in response to his anger. "You dare-"

The Ancient One held up her hands, her expression softening. "Poor phrasing, but I don't speak to threaten. I speak so that you may understand."

Tyson slowly sank back into his chair, though tension still radiated from his body. "You talk about these people like they're just pieces on a board," he said through gritted teeth. "These are real lives we're discussing."

"Yes, they are," the Ancient One agreed. "Real lives, real consequences, real pain. That's precisely my point. Every change creates ripples, and those ripples affect real people. You know this better than most."

She stood and reached for the wine bottle, refilling her glass and retrieving a new one along with a towel for Tyson before retaking her seat. "When you chose to let certain events unfold unchanged, you did so understanding the consequences. You allowed the Rainbow Bridge to be destroyed, knowing lives would be lost because you believed the alternative would be worse." The Ancient One pushed Tyson's replacement glass toward him. "Now you face a similar choice, but this one cuts closer to your heart. The pain makes it harder to see clearly, but the principle remains the same. We cannot simply undo what the universe has decreed without inviting potentially worse consequences."

The anger slowly drained from his posture, replaced by a bone-deep weariness. He used the towel to clean up the small amount of alcohol left from shattering his glass. But focused particularly on ensuring that he cleaned up any traces of his blood. He remembered what Agatha had warned him about yesterday. God, it felt like that was so long ago. Once satisfied, he held on to the towel and asked, "So I'm just supposed to accept it? Accept that she died because the universe decided it was my 'cost'?"

The Ancient One pressed on, her voice growing more intense. "And what of Magneto and your very public fight? And those now under your care? Jubilation's death changed you. You are not the same as you were before yesterday, and the world is not the same. If we change that, who knows what would happen."

Tyson clenched his jaw. The ripple effects of changing such a pivotal moment seemed to stretch out before him. He tried running through the possibilities in his head but realized it was an endless sea of unpredictable consequences.

"Then I won't come to Kamar-Taj," he countered. "If Jubilee's life or the life of someone else close to me is the cost for me to learn magic, then I won't."

The Ancient One waved her hand. The projection of the timeline's trunk reappeared between them. She tapped one of the visible sections, and a scene sprang to life above the table.

Tyson saw himself, soaring through the skies of Manhattan. His form was silhouetted against a backdrop of buildings aflame, smoke billowing into the air. Above and behind him, a massive portal yawned open, a dark maw in the sky leading to outer space. The image was so vivid, so real, that Tyson could hear the screams of civilians.

"The Battle of New York," Tyson said.

The Ancient One dismissed the scene with a flick of her wrist. Without pausing, she moved to the next point on the trunk, tapping it to reveal another scene.

This time, Tyson saw himself standing in the New York Sanctum. He and Illyana stood hand in hand, facing a swirling portal of golden sparks. He watched as his future self stepped through with her to Kamar-Taj.

As the scene faded, Tyson found himself cursing under his breath.

"But why? What makes it so important that the universe itself seems determined to make it happen? I get the destruction of the Rainbow Bridge and the Battle of New York. But why this? No matter what I do, no matter how I try to change things, I'll end up at Kamar-Taj?" he asked.

"It appears so. The path may change, the circumstances may differ, but that destination seems constant."

"I don't suppose you can tell me why it's so important?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Maybe, but I do feel like I've answered several of your questions and that it's now my turn."

"You claimed to know what happens after my death. You believe that the Mind Stone being on Earth is essential… Why?"

Tyson leaned forward and grabbed the bottle of wine. He intended to share this story today, and it was why he brought the alcohol. He refilled the Ancient One's cup to the top. He also poured himself a generous amount of liquor, musing that he should've brought more.

"This is a story. More than that, I'd go so far as to call it the Infinity Saga." Tyson reached for his helmet. "Mind if I use a projection?"

The Ancient One gestured for him to continue. Tyson took off Magneto's helmet and began casting an illusion as he narrated the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"The Mind Stone was given to Loki by Thanos," Tyson explained, his illusion showing a massive purple figure and his minion handing a scepter to a slim, dark-haired man. "Having the infinity stone on Earth kept it out of Thanos's grasp." As Tyson spoke, the illusion shifted, showing scenes from a future the Ancient One couldn't see. "After your death, Strange becomes the Sorcerer Supreme," he said, the image changing to show a man in a red cloak, his hands moving in intricate patterns as he wielded mystical energies.

The Ancient One watched intently as Tyson continued his tale. "The Power Stone was on Xandar," he said, the illusion now showing a vibrant planet. "Thanos attacked and took it. The Space Stone was on Asgard," Tyson continued. The illusion now showed a golden city. "Then came the events of Ragnarok." The city erupted into flames, crumbling as a massive being of fire rose from its depths. "Thanos collected the Stone from the refugees. Loki, in particular, had grabbed the stone before Asgard was destroyed."

The illusion changed again, showing a strange, otherworldly location. "The Reality Stone was with the Collector on Knowher. Thanos destroyed the mining outpost to acquire it."

As Tyson's tale unfolded, the Ancient One's expression remained impassive, but her eyes never left the illusion. "Strange gives Thanos the Time Stone," Tyson said, his voice heavy with the weight of the revelation. The illusion showed the man in the red cloak reluctantly handing over a glowing green stone to Thanos.

"And then," Tyson continued, his voice dropping to almost a whisper, "he rips the Mind Stone from Vision's head." The illusion showed a red-skinned being with a yellow stone embedded in his forehead. Thanos's massive hand reached out, tearing the stone away in a brutal display of power.

Realizing the Ancient One might not be familiar with Vision, Tyson quickly explained, "Vision is an android created using the Mind Stone. I'm not sure how his creation lines up with the time of your death, but he ends up being the final piece."

The illusion now showed Thanos, adorned with a gauntlet bearing all six Infinity Stones. "Thanos uses the stones to erase half of all life." The illusion showed people across the universe turning to dust, fading away into nothingness.

Throughout Tyson's explanation, the Ancient One listened patiently. However, when Tyson mentioned Strange giving up the Time Stone, she squinted, her brow furrowing in confusion and concern.

"Why did Strange give up the Time Stone?" she asked, her voice strained but tinged with curiosity.

Tyson's lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. "That's another question," he said cheekily, mirroring what she'd said earlier.

The Ancient One's eyebrows raised slightly, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes at Tyson's playful response. She sipped her wine, considering the vast amount of information Tyson had just shared.

"It's a lot to take in, I know," Tyson said, reaching for his glass. "But now you understand why certain events need to unfold as they do. Why the Mind Stone must be on Earth, why the Battle of New York can't be prevented." Tyson took a long drink, the alcohol burning a path down his throat. "And now you see why I've taken certain actions, made certain choices."

"For simplicity, I'll answer your second question and finish the story in exchange for two questions."

Tyson continued, his illusion shifting to depict the events of Endgame. "Strange used the Time Stone to look into possible futures," he explained, the image showing the sorcerer supreme, his form blurring as he used the infinity stone. "He said there was only one where they'd beat Thanos."

The illusion changed, showing Thanos nearly killing Tony Stark. "When Thanos almost killed Tony, Strange gave up the Time Stone to save his life. In that future Strange saw, Tony was the linchpin to victory."

Tyson's narrative flowed smoothly as he described Thanos's initial victory and the destruction of the stones. The illusion depicted Tony figuring out time travel and the Avengers' plan to collect the stones from the past.

"Ironically, they went back to the Battle of New York." The image showed the Ancient One herself, handing over the Time Stone. "You gave up the Time Stone under the stipulation that it would be returned, along with the other Infinity Stones, at the moment they were taken, so as not to disrupt the timeline."

The illusion continued, showing the Hulk's snap bringing back those Thanos had killed, the final battle against the Mad Titan, and Tony Stark's ultimate sacrifice.

"Then Captain America returns the infinity stones to where they were taken from," Tyson concluded, the illusion fading away. "The End."

The Ancient One smiled and clapped lightly. "Wonderful story," she said, "I see now. Though I'm somewhat unhappy with Strange's actions, it was a satisfying conclusion."

Tyson mumbled under his breath, "If you only knew..." He straightened up, a determined look in his eyes. "We might get to that, but it's my turn."

She gestured for Tyson to continue.

"Why is it so important for me to go to Kamar-Taj?"

The Ancient One's lips curved into an enigmatic smile. "Some things, Tyson, we must discover for ourselves. It is in the journey, not just the destination, that we find our true purpose. This time, I will not answer your question, but per the rules of our 'game', I will tell you a truth of equivalent interest."

Tyson's eyebrows raised, his interest piqued. "Alright, color me curious."

The Ancient One raised her hands, and golden sparks spilled from her fingertips as she gestured with her magic. The Eye of Agamotto at her chest responded, its intricate metal workings turning and shifting like the gears of a clock. The pendant opened, revealing the Time Stone nestled within. The glowing green gem drew Tyson's gaze despite his best efforts.

"The future that you explained to me will not and cannot happen," the Ancient One said, causing Tyson to frown. He stared at the Time Stone, part of him wanting to reach out and grab it, but he held back, knowing the consequences of such an impulsive action.

"The concept of Infinity is difficult to grasp," she explained. "You know this is the Time Stone. It grants the user absolute control over time within this reality, should they know how to use it properly… It is time made manifest."

With a graceful gesture, she formed the illusion of the branches on the timeline tree. The ethereal image hung between them, representing the complexities they were discussing.

"When a reality is separate enough from ours to be considered its own, it has its own Infinity Stones, exactly as ours does," she continued. "This is what you showed me in what you described as the 'Time Heist.' But when an Infinity Stone leaves its reality, or time, it ceases to exist."

"Infinity Stones are the aspect of that reality made manifest. It cannot control the aspect of a reality that is not its own."

Tyson worked to grasp the enormity of what she was saying, but the Ancient One wasn't finished; she delivered another revelation. "An Infinity Stone cannot be destroyed. It is the embodiment of its aspect, in this case," she said, indicating the Time Stone, "time. If this stone were destroyed, Time would cease to exist within this universe."

"So," he said in an uncertain, thoughtful tone, "returning the stones to the moment they were removed prevented their aspects from being destroyed. Space still existed, et cetera. But you're saying that if Thanos destroyed the Stones, this universe would cease to exist, and even if it hadn't, the Stones from another universe wouldn't have worked at all when brought to this reality."

"Correct," the Ancient One confirmed, approving of Tyson's quick understanding. But she added hesitantly, "The Reality Stone is an exception. As it governs reality, it can also move between realities."

Tyson fell silent. The story he had known, the future he had been preparing for, suddenly seemed to be built on a foundation of sand. He took a deep breath, trying to reconcile this new information with everything he thought he knew.

"Is it possible that the stones can vary between different universes?" he proposed cautiously.

The Ancient One's lips curved into a small smile. "Quite possible," she acknowledged. "But the chances of them finding the right universe or universes where those stones would function with ours, like a master key, would be exceptionally low."

Tyson's brow furrowed as he considered this. He thought back to the story he had shared earlier, to a crucial detail that now seemed in line with this new information. "But," he pointed out, "Dr. Strange had said that within the 14 million possibilities he saw, there was only one where they were victorious."

The Ancient One countered, "The odds of winning the lottery are less than one in 300 million..."

She left her point hanging, forcing Tyson to see the odds. The silence stretched as he tried to reconcile the discrepancies between what he thought he knew and what the Ancient One was telling him. The foundations of his understanding, the very basis of his plans and actions, were being shaken to their core.

"And the sacred timeline, the TVA…" He said leadingly.

The Ancient One's face was neutral as she responded, "I'm not sure what you're talking about."

He reached for his glass, taking a long sip of the amber liquid as he tried to gather his thoughts. He couldn't tell if her response was flippant, seeking to avoid the topic, or if she genuinely had no idea what he was talking about. He hoped that meant he didn't need to worry about the Time Variance Authority, but time would tell...

"So," he said slowly, setting his glass back down on the table, "if what you're saying is true, then the future I described... it's not just unlikely, it's impossible?"

The Ancient One nodded, her expression grave. "The universe you described, the events you detailed, they cannot come to pass in this reality. At least, not in the way you've described them."

"So where does this leave us?" he asked uncertainly. "If the future I thought I knew isn't going to happen, what am I supposed to do now?"

"You will do what you have always done, Tyson. This knowledge changes nothing." The Ancient One's eyes gleamed with a mixture of wisdom and mischief as she continued her explanation. "Consider this. With this stone, I can manipulate time in ways that defy conventional understanding. I can travel through it, see through its veils, stop its flow, or bend it to my will. I can age objects or restore them to their prime. The stone's potential is vast, limited only by my ability to access its power through my sorcery."

"And yet," she said, her tone shifting slightly, "I cannot see your actions beyond the points where you have already decided them or at the points where your presence is certain. So, in effect, the things that I believe I know may not be true at all."

Tyson blinked as her words washed away the certainty of moments before. He snorted. "So you just said all that, made me reconsider everything I know, and yet it might all be for naught?"

The Ancient One's lips curved into a small, enigmatic smile. "Now you understand the frustration you cause me. And that is the burden of knowledge, Tyson. The more you know, the more you realize that you don't know."

Tyson leaned back in his chair, trying to wrap his mind around the concept. The certainty he had felt about his future, about the events he had been preparing for, now seemed as insubstantial as smoke. He picked up his glass, swirling the amber liquid inside as he contemplated the Ancient One's words. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on him, but there was also a strange sense of freedom. If the future wasn't set in stone, if his actions could truly shape what was to come, then perhaps there was more hope than he had initially believed.

The Ancient One watched him for a moment, seeming to sense the turmoil of thoughts swirling in his mind. Then, with a slight tilt of her head, she spoke again, her voice taking on a lighter tone.

"So, since I have told you nothing, I shall share an interesting tidbit."

The Ancient One took a deep breath, her eyes focusing on a point somewhere beyond Tyson. "Before your arrival, I foresaw an event in the mid-west in 2014. An entity begins consuming a forested area and spreads. This entity stems from a seed of Ego, the living planet." She looked back at Tyson. "I believe you are familiar with this event."

Tyson nodded, recalling the scene from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

She continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Ego seeded himself and also created children across the cosmos, seeking one who shared his Celestial power, but none did."

"Until Peter Quill," Tyson interjected.

The Ancient One nodded. "Correct, but why? Why Peter Quill?"

Tyson narrowed his eyes. After a moment, he shook his head. "I don't know," he admitted.

The Ancient One's smile broadened, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Peter Quill's father was Ego, and his mother was Meredith Quill. It's Meredith Quill's father who was the key. And a man who you're acquainted with."

The way she said it had Tyson running through his memories, trying to connect the dots. His mind raced through the various characters he'd encountered, searching for a possible connection. "Damn," he muttered under his breath. "Was it Sabertooth or Magneto?"

The Ancient One's smile only grew wider, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Peter was able to use the celestial power because he came from a… perfect genetic lineage. In 1943, on the USO tour, Steve Rogers lost his virginity."

Tyson had just taken a sip of his drink, and he nearly choked on it. His eyes widened in disbelief as the implications of her words sank in. "Get the fuck out," he sputtered, setting his glass down with a thud. "Captain America is Star-Lord's grandfather?"

The Ancient One seemed pleased with his reaction, her smile never wavering. She nodded slowly, confirming his incredulous outburst.

Tyson burst out laughing. The absurdity of the revelation hit him in waves, each one bringing a fresh bout of laughter. "That's so ridiculous," he managed to say between gasps for air.

As his laughter subsided, Tyson wiped tears from his eyes, still chuckling. "Oh man, that's... that's something else. Steve Rogers, the paragon of virtue, knocking up a girl on tour like some kind of rockstar. And his grandson ends up being a space pirate with godlike powers." He chuckled again. "The universe has a sense of humor, doesn't it?"

The Ancient One's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Indeed it does." She smiled, clearly enjoying Tyson's reaction. "The universe is full of surprises. Even for those of us who can glimpse its secrets."

"For my second question," he said, "It's about Stephen Strange."

The Ancient One's eyebrows raised slightly, her interest piqued. "Go on," she encouraged.

"Stephen Strange causes an incursion. Between that and him giving up the Time Stone, I'm not inclined to allow him to become the Sorcerer Supreme."

The Ancient One's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she regained her composure. It was clear that this revelation had caught her off guard.

Before she could respond, Tyson reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, ornate vial. He placed it gently on the table between them.

"A Potion of Eternal Youth. Made by Amora the Enchantress. You don't need to draw on the Dark Dimension. We can avoid the whole problem with Dormammu, and the Earth will be stronger for it."

The Ancient One's eyes flickered between Tyson and the vial, her expression unreadable. Tyson leaned in, his gaze intense. "Will you take it?"

For a long moment, silence hung between them. Then, with a calm certainty that seemed to fill the room, the Ancient One spoke. "I will not."

Tyson's lips puckered in disappointment, but before he could argue further, the Ancient One waved her hand. The shimmering trunk of the timeline reappeared between them, its branches stretching out into the future.

"This," she said, pointing to a specific point on the trunk, "is when you go to Kamar-Taj." Her finger traced along the timeline, moving further into the future. As she progressed, the sections of the trunk became sparser, with long blank sections interrupting the flow of events.

Finally, she reached what appeared to be the last part of the trunk. With a gentle touch, she opened up the scene hidden within.

Tyson's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the moment unfolding before him. A lightning bolt moved slowly through the sky, its electric blue light illuminating the face of the Ancient One in her astral form. It was the moment of her death, a scene etched into his memory from the movie Doctor Strange.

"Fuck," Tyson muttered under his breath. "It's going to happen."

As he took in the scene, however, something felt off. His eyes darted around, searching for the familiar figure of Stephen Strange, but the sorcerer was nowhere to be seen. Tyson was sure that it was supposed to be the Ancient One and Strange, both, together overlooking this scene. Instead, the edges were hazy and distorted, as if something, or someone, was being deliberately obscured from view.

Tyson squinted, suspicion growing in his mind. The Ancient One waved her hand, dispersing the scene before he could investigate further.

"I have something to do with it," he said with certainty. "Why else would it be so vague?"

The Ancient One regarded him with a knowing look. "I specifically asked that you not interfere with the events surrounding Stephen Strange. Yet, it seems that you do not heed my wishes," she said, her tone neutral. "But regardless of your intervention, one thing that doesn't change is my death."

"I understand," he said, his voice heavy with resignation.

Tyson grasped the vial of Eternal Youth and began to return it to his pocket. As he did so, his fingers brushed against another vial.

The one containing Jubilee's blood.

A sudden spark of inspiration flashed through his mind. It was as if the pieces of a puzzle suddenly fell into place. The vial of Jubilee's blood, combined with the knowledge he now possessed about the Ancient One's inevitable fate, opened up a new avenue of action. It was as if the universe itself had handed him the solution.

He kept his face neutral, not wanting to betray his realization. The Ancient One was still watching him closely, her piercing gaze seeming to search for any hint of his thoughts.

"What do you intend to do about Jubilation Lee?" the Ancient One asked.

"Since the Time Stone is out, I'm uncertain," he admitted. "Amora is convinced Jubilee went to Valhalla, but she also claimed that the only way to know for sure would be to ask Odin. Which I may be able to do in the future. But knowing she's in Valhalla wouldn't let me see her, or get her back." His brow furrowed as he delved deeper into his thoughts. "If I remember correctly, sling rings don't have a distance limitation. Also, I remember them being used in the Mirror Dimension, so I assume that means they don't have a dimensional limitation either."

The Ancient One listened intently but didn't answer or interrupt as Tyson continued his train of thought.

"In that case, maybe that's why my going to Kamar-Taj is inevitable. So that I can receive a sling ring to get Jubilee back." He shook his head slightly. "But that's a stretch. Another reason could be so that I could become the Sorcerer Supreme. If I did, then I could use the Time Stone myself." Tyson's voice trailed off for a moment, his eyes distant as he considered other possibilities. "Barring that... there are other ways to bring her back, besides the Time Stone. The Soul Stone and maybe the Reality Stone could as well."

The Ancient One set down her drink, her expression turning serious. "I would warn you against trying to collect the Infinity Stones, Tyson Smith," she said, her voice carrying a note of caution. "While Thor's decision to leave the Reality Stone with Taneleer Tivan may be questionable, he had the right idea that no more than one Infinity Stone should be in the vicinity of another. Consider this… If Asgard did not think it wise to hold two stones with their might, what makes you think that you could?"

Tyson had to admit she wasn't wrong. But then he realized what she was inferring. "So you're saying if I acquire the Mind Stone during the Battle of New York, I cannot bring it to Kamar-Taj because that's where the Time Stone will be." The Ancient One nodded, and Tyson cursed under his breath. "If I need to learn sorcery, but I can't bring the stone with me, how am I supposed to keep it safe from Thanos, Hydra, or whoever the hell else shows up?"

"Such things are beyond my sight. But like an unruly child, you don't listen to me anyway." Despite the seriousness of her words, she smiled as if Tyson's struggles and future problems were entertaining.

Tyson mumbled, "You can't just make this easy."

The Ancient One's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "If the Path was easy, more would walk it," she said, her voice taking on a faux-sage tone.

Tyson shook his head, snorting a laugh despite his frustration. "You know, I took you much more seriously before this conversation."

The Ancient One chuckled softly, the sound filling the room with a warmth that seemed to ease some of the tension. "Perhaps that was my intention all along," she mused. "To show you that even those who guard the greatest secrets of the universe are not without humor or fallibility."

Tyson snorted but still complained. "I can't use the Time Stone. I'm apparently destined to end up at Kamar-Taj regardless of what I do, and while I'm there, I can't hold onto the Mind Stone."

The Ancient One regarded him thoughtfully. "You still have choices, Tyson. Perhaps not the ones you wanted, but choices nonetheless. The future is not set in stone, even if certain events are inevitable. It's how you approach these events, how you prepare for them, that can make all the difference."

Her expression softened as she warned, "And… Death… is not always the end, Tyson. But tampering with the natural order often comes at a great cost. I'm sure you're tired of hearing it, but before you seek to bring back the dead, you must ask yourself if you're prepared to pay that price and if Jubilee would want you to."

Tyson fell silent, contemplating her words. The weight of his decisions and the potential consequences of his actions seemed to press down on him. After a long moment, he looked up at the Ancient One, his eyes filled with determination.

"I can't just give up on her. There has to be a way, and I'm going to find it."

"Admirable. But be careful that your quest to save one life doesn't lead you to actions that could endanger many more. Death is not so easy to deny."

Tyson's next question came as he recalled a previous conversation with the Ancient One. "Months ago, when I came to you, I mentioned my friend Spider-Man, and you said 'a Spider-Man'," he said. "At the time, I thought you meant Cindy Moon, but that wasn't right. There was another Spider-Man. Did you know about the three of them?"

The Ancient One tilted her head, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "It's ironic you say three Spider-Men," she replied cryptically.

Her response gave Tyson pause and forced him to think about it.

There weren't three Spider-Men. There was Peter, Jessica, and Kaine... and Cindy, and Gwen. That made five. So why would she say three was ironic, unless...

Tyson's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "There are three Spider-Women, not Spider-Men… Unless there was another. Are there three Spider-Men? As in actual men," he murmured. "Another clone?" He furrowed his brow, mind racing as he tried to deduce the Ancient One's meaning. "or, wait… Miles." he whispered under his breath.

She smiled enigmatically, neither confirming nor denying Tyson's speculation.

The Ancient One prefaced her next question by saying, "I ask this question for your own good."

"Why do you wear the helmet of your defeated enemy?" she probed. Tyson felt as if the ground beneath him had suddenly shifted, leaving him off-balance and uncertain. "Is it for the protection it offers, as a trophy and reminder to those who would challenge you, or… because his psyche is influencing you?"

Tyson's mind reeled as he considered her words. He hadn't given much thought to why he'd been wearing Magneto's helmet almost constantly since acquiring it. It had become such a natural part of his attire that he barely noticed its presence anymore. He looked down at the helmet and frowned, his brow furrowing as he delved deeper into his motivations. Was it for protection? That didn't seem quite right. While the helmet did offer defense against psychic intrusion, he wasn't constantly under threat from telepaths. Xavier shouldn't have had the ability to affect him so significantly unless he was nearby or within Cerebro.

The idea of wearing it as a trophy felt even less accurate. Tyson had never been one for such ostentatious displays of power or victory. It wasn't his style to flaunt his conquests in such a manner.

Which left the third option.

Was he being influenced by Magneto's psyche?

He'd been so focused on dealing with the immediate threats and challenges that he hadn't stopped to consider the subtle ways in which Magneto's personality might be seeping into his own. The master of magnetism's influence had slipped past his defenses, subtle and insidious, without him even realizing it.

Tyson's mind raced back to when he first absorbed Sabertooth's powers. There had been moments when the feral mutant's instincts had bled through, unbidden and unwanted. But those instances had been easy to identify because Sabertooth's nature was so primal and distinct from his own.

Magneto, on the other hand, was a far more complex individual. It would be all too easy for Magneto's influence to blend seamlessly with Tyson's thoughts, unnoticed and unchecked.

As he reflected on his actions since absorbing Magneto's powers, Tyson found himself unable to clearly distinguish which decisions had been purely his own and which might have been colored by the mutant leader's psyche. Not attacking Xavier, taking in the Morlocks, freeing Mystique. The line between his thoughts and Magneto's had blurred, and that realization sent a wave of unease through him.

His frown deepened as he recalled his struggles with Sabertooth's personality. He hadn't gained full control over those feral outbursts until he'd returned to the White Room of his mindscape and subdued the mutant's essence.

But he'd been locked out of his subconscious since then…

The path forward suddenly became clear. He would need to dive back into his mind and confront Magneto's psyche directly. Only by facing and subduing this internal version of his defeated enemy could he hope to regain full control over his own thoughts and actions.

Tyson looked at the Ancient One with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you for helping me recognize that," he said.

The Ancient One inclined her head. "Sometimes, the most important battles we face are not against external enemies, but against the parts of ourselves we've unknowingly allowed to take root."

Tyson nodded, absorbing her words. He realized that this conversation had led to perhaps the most significant revelation of their entire exchange. It wasn't just about the helmet or the powers he'd gained.

It was about maintaining his sense of self.

"I've been so focused on the external threats, on trying to change the future and save lives," Tyson mused, almost to himself. "I hadn't stopped to consider how these powers might be changing me from within."

The Ancient One's eyes sparkled with approval. "Self-awareness is the first step towards true mastery, Tyson. By recognizing this influence, you've already begun the process of reclaiming control."

"I can't thank you enough for this insight," Tyson said sincerely. "I came here seeking answers about the future, about how to change things, but you've helped me see that I need to look inward first."

"The greatest changes often begin within ourselves, Tyson. Afterward, you may find that your path forward becomes clearer."

Tyson stood to leave. As he pushed his chair back, the Ancient One's voice stopped him. "One last question, Tyson."

"Who would you choose to be my successor?"

Tyson paused, carefully considering her question. Then he turned to face her, his expression thoughtful. "Well, you did throw my name in the mix, so I'm a little biased," he began. "But I can tell you who can't be Sorcerer Supreme."

"Kaecilius is out for obvious reasons," Tyson continued, ticking off names on his fingers. "After you die, Mordo goes around absorbing people's magic, so he's destined to go off the deep end. He's out, too. Fucking Victor Von Doom shouldn't even be an option. And Stephen Strange gives up the Time Stone and causes an incursion."

"I would caution you, Tyson Smith. Again, you mention Stephen Strange causing an incursion. Be wary, for it is you who meddle in events ceaselessly. I would not be surprised if you are the cause of an incursion one day." Despite the Ancient One's words, she observed, "It seems like you've thought about this."

Tyson shrugged. "Of course I have." His energy was palpable as he delved deeper into his analysis. "So that leaves me, Wong, and Illyana." He stopped, turning to face the Ancient One once more. "Wong eventually becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, and for his trial, he defeats the Abomination. Not for nothing, I beat the Abomination months ago, and I was weaker then than I am now. If power is one of the criteria, I'll be a better candidate than him." The Ancient One listened intently as he reasoned. "So that leaves me and Illyana," Tyson continued. "Honestly, it's probably her. I have below-basic knowledge of magic. She's more than a year ahead of me in training. And there's nothing special about me regarding magic beyond that I can bleed a lot. I don't have Stephen Strange's intellect or perfect memory."

He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "But Illyana has her inherent connection to Limbo to draw on, making her powerful. Plus, her teleportation does wonky things with time if she tries going too far. Having the Time Stone might fix that or interact with it in a way that could be beneficial." Tyson shrugged, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. "I don't know enough about magic, how her mutant ability works, or how the Time Stone works to say anything with certainty. But it seems, to me, like an unusually convenient coincidence and something worth investigating."

The Ancient One's expression turned pensive as she considered Tyson's analysis. Her eyes were distant in thought. The silence lingered between them for a long moment before she finally spoke. "Thank you for being so forthright with your perspective," she said, inclining her head slightly. "And for the wine. It was most thoughtful." She hummed softly. After another pause, she met his mismatched eyes once more.

"Now that I think on it, you have come bearing gifts each time you've visited the Sanctum," she observed. "The wine today, the tea previously. It seems only right that I send a gift to House of M."

The Ancient One nodded to herself and smiled so wide it made Tyson nervous. "I will be sending something to you in the next few days. Good luck."

"Thanks," he replied. "Suppose I'll be seeing you soon." With that, he turned and headed out of the Sanctum.

His mind drifted to Illyana. The Ancient One hadn't confirmed or denied his suggestion about her as the future Sorcerer Supreme, but he had been honest and thought his reasoning was sound. As he walked, his thoughts began to coalesce into the beginnings of plans. He couldn't use the Time Stone, at least not yet, but there were other avenues to explore. He thought about the vial of Jubilee's blood in his pocket, about the possibilities it might represent.

The conversation with the Ancient One had left him with more questions than answers. And though he might not have all the answers yet, he had a direction, a path to follow. Tyson found himself at a crossroads, literally and figuratively, as he stood at the intersection, waiting for the light to change. He knew a few stops along his journey.

The Battle of New York.

Kamar-Taj.

The hospital at the moment of the Ancient One's death.

As the light turned green and Tyson stepped off the curb, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He didn't have all the answers, but he had a starting point. He had knowledge of the future, he had resources, and he had allies.

The conversation with the Ancient One might not have given him the solution he'd hoped for, but it had given him something perhaps even more valuable.

Perspective.

With that perspective came the seeds of new ideas, new strategies to explore, and new problems.

The biggest of which was Hydra.

In a matter of months, the Mind Stone would return to Earth, brought by the invading Chitauri army through the portal they would open over New York. If his destiny truly lay in Kamar-Taj, he could not take the Infinity Stone with him. He would need to find a way to secure it, to prevent it from falling into Hydra's hands.

Having already met Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, the twins had their powers without being exposed to the Mind Stone. Tyson didn't want to find out how Hydra might use the stone if they claimed it. Perhaps thinking so far ahead about the Mind Stone was premature, but Tyson already understood the Chitauri's critical weakness. Defeating their invasion was essential, but securing the Infinity Stone was the greater priority.

As he walked on through the New York afternoon, he searched for the first steps of a solution. The beginnings of a plan to safeguard the Mind Stone started forming within his mind, one where it would be secure without being able to watch over it himself. The stone represented immense power and immense danger should it be misused. Tyson needed to remove it from play while keeping it within his reach and safe from Thanos and Hydra.

It would not be an easy puzzle to solve.