Friends Out of Nowhere

"Sometimes, people have to break the rules to accomplish great things."

Oaks took a light sip of tea.

"So, you broke the rules. You drew power from the Dark Dimension, extended your lifespan by several centuries, and intimidated the universe in the name of the Sorcerer Supreme, until…"

His gaze met Ancient One’s eyes.

"That surgeon?"

"My fate ends when he truly understands his mission."

Ancient One smiled.

"He will be the finest among us."

Then the look she gave Oaks became strange.

"But strangely enough, ever since I discovered your existence, I have seen a fate in which Strange does not become the Sorcerer Supreme—

That should have been impossible. But if you truly treat him, then it becomes possible.

So I had no choice but to make a deal with you.

But after that, not only could I no longer see your fate, even my ability to glimpse my own fate stopped at the moment our deal ended."

"In other words, Sorcerer Supreme, your fate has also changed from certain to uncertain?"

Oaks seemed to understand.

"Every choice creates a different future. If you had not chosen to draw upon Dark Magic to extend your life back then, this timeline could not exist.

And you made a choice outside your destined fate—you made a deal with me. That would inevitably affect your own fate."

He looked seriously at Ancient One.

"Then perhaps this time will be different from the countless times before. Perhaps it will not merely be different paths leading to the same destination. Perhaps even the ending will differ."

"There is one year left before the original fate…"

Ancient One set down her teacup, then picked up the teapot again and refilled it.

"I will hold fast until that moment. And if my successor fails to comprehend his mission…"

She paused, her gaze seeming to pierce through Oaks’s thoughts.

"Then it will prove that your appearance has replaced the importance of the Sorcerer Supreme.

If Earth no longer needs the Sorcerer Supreme’s protection, that may be a better ending."

"Heh, professionals should leave professional matters to professionals. You overestimate me, Sorcerer Supreme."

Oaks shook his head repeatedly. Taking on that burden rashly would get a great many people killed.

"I hope you can find your successor, Sorcerer Supreme… But Dark Magic has always been an enormous hidden danger—

My inheritance also contains some incomplete records concerning the Dark Dimension and its lord, Dormammu. That one… is not easy to deal with."

Looking into Ancient One’s eyes, he seriously listed what he knew.

"A Dimension Lord possesses complete control over the power of their Dimensional Space, just as Mephisto does over his own realm, and Nightmare over the Dream Dimension.

And in Dormammu’s Dark Dimension, its Dark Magic corrodes the user’s will and ultimately turns them into a follower of Dormammu.

Sorcerer Supreme, you can suppress the corruption of Dark Magic with your profound magical attainment. But if your more extreme disciples discover what you have done, their faith will collapse.

That would bring Dormammu powerful followers, destroy the image the line of Sorcerer Supremes has maintained for centuries, and might even seriously affect the role mages play in protecting the world."

"…"

Ancient One frowned slightly. Everything Oaks had said had indeed happened during the countless times she had previously glimpsed her own fate.

Although she knew it was part of fate, she still could not let go of her disciples’ destinies.

So Ancient One spoke slowly.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Sorcerer Supreme, the key is actually to extend your life until the moment you wish to arrive, allowing for a seamless transition of the Sorcerer Supreme.

The universe and the other dimensions must understand that Earth will always be guarded by the Sorcerer Supreme."

Oaks narrowed his eyes slightly.

"It was simply that you had no other choice at the time. There was no other magical power capable of extending your lifespan…

But now, you have a choice."

A cluster of emerald-green light rose from his hand, reflecting in Ancient One’s green pupils.

"The miracles created by Nature Magic are far more suitable for life than dark magic.

If the Sorcerer Supreme can suppress Dark Magic’s corruption for centuries, then suppressing minor side effects such as becoming plant-like should be no problem at all, right?"

"…Oaks, you have always upheld the principle of never breaking the laws of nature."

The corners of Ancient One’s lips curved faintly.

"At most, you allow ordinary people to live to the limits of their natural lifespan. A lifespan of several centuries cannot be explained by human physiology."

"Sorcerer Supreme, Druids are an ancient magical profession, with a history stretching back even four thousand years."

Oaks wore a thoroughly serious expression.

"The Celtic ancestors drew magical power from nature and the universe. When it comes to the study of life, I believe no school of mages can surpass us."

He pointed at himself.

"Sorcerer Supreme, you are only a few centuries old. My current magical attainments are insignificant compared to yours, but with this unique magical inheritance, living a thousand years or so is no problem at all."

Well, perhaps even several thousand years would be fine.

"As for breaking the laws of nature, I will not do that."

A meaningful smile appeared on Oaks’s face.

"But Sorcerer Supreme, you… are a Celtic."

Ancient One’s eyes widened.

"Six hundred years ago, the Last Celtic Druid fought dimensional invaders alongside her good friend, Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One. To protect the world, she infused Ancient One with her power and died in battle…

Mage Ancient One promised to guard Earth in place of her friend and seek out her successor…"

Oaks rubbed his chin, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"What do you think of this version of the story?"

"…"

Ancient One opened her mouth with a complicated expression.

"This… is that making friends out of thin air?"

"You know about Avalon, Sorcerer Supreme. You were the one who advised me to find it."

Oaks waved his hand, and a portal to Avalon appeared beside him and Ancient One.

"Come to think of it, I have never invited the Sorcerer Supreme to visit Avalon… How discourteous of me.

Ancient Druid Heir Oaks Lin found the sacred land of Avalon under the guidance of Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One. Only after obtaining his inheritance did he understand his connection to the line of Sorcerer Supremes, and then he accidentally let it slip while visiting Kamar-Taj…"

He winked at Ancient One, whose lips were twitching.

"At last, the ‘Master’s Immortality Mystery’ that had hung over the disciples’ hearts has been solved. Everyone sighed over having made such a dangerous friend… No, that is not it."

Oaks coughed twice. Ancient One’s expression had already gone numb.

"It is that the friendship between mages and Druids runs deep, and in this age, they must also stand shoulder to shoulder against outside threats and unite to protect Earth…

Ah, what a moving story."

Oaks instinctively wiped at the corner of his eye.

"Malorne, write three dossiers in different styles based on this main outline. Remember to age them a little—give them six hundred years of history."

"Understood, brother."

"…"

Ancient One silently glanced at the entrance to Avalon. After a long while, she suddenly smiled helplessly.

"Oaks, you just said your personality was not as rigid as Mordo’s, but now it seems you are downright slippery…"

"Still, I seem unable to refuse your kindness. Then let us do as you say."

A trace of apology flashed across her face. It was not for Oaks, but for her own disciples.

"I am sorry… What cannot be spoken of shall remain a secret forever… Perhaps that will be a good thing for you."

"This is not being slippery. This is being adaptable."

Oaks shrugged.

"I am a man of principles, but I am not inflexible. If doing this benefits the world while hurting as few others as possible, why would I not choose it?

Besides, I have not broken my own rules or violated the laws of nature."

"Oh?"

Ancient One grew curious. She also knew what Oaks had done for Carter and the others.

"Then how do you intend to extend my lifespan? You should know that if I completely purge the Dark Magic, more than six centuries of time may turn me directly into ashes. That is not something a mere change in appearance can solve."

"Because in Avalon, I am the law of nature."

Oaks rose to his feet, walked to the Avalon portal, and gestured for Ancient One to proceed.

"Here, anything I do, so long as it does not exceed Avalon’s limits, does not count as violating the laws of nature."

"…"

Ancient One sighed. If her disciples had possessed this way of thinking, would she have needed to worry herself sick for centuries?

Perhaps several Sorcerer Supremes would already have emerged to take over for her.

In the end, the Mystic Arts Mage lineage was simply like this: the more outstanding they were, the more extreme their thinking became. Put simply, they had studied themselves stupid. The better their grades, the more rigidly they clung to their books—

Only those with flexible minds who knew how to adapt could ascend to the pinnacle and attain the position of Sorcerer Supreme!

Thus, Ancient One stood as well. She looked around once more, then strode into the portal.

Although they had devised the plan, truly purging the Dark Magic that had been entangled with her for over six hundred years would not be easy.

Fortunately, Oaks had Avalon.

"Fate is already changing…"

Upstate New York, Avengers Alliance training base.

"Mr. Stark, abnormal atmospheric energy readings detected. Suspected Bifrost."

Jarvis’s voice sounded in Tony’s laboratory. Tony frowned slightly and set down his work.

"The Bifrost? Thor is here?"

He instinctively looked toward the Mind Stone, which was still resting in the scanner.

"All right… Perhaps we are about to lose this little darling.

Jarvis, notify Oaks and Bruce. Also grant Thor access and bring him here."

"Yes, sir."

On the lawn outside the training grounds, the pillar of Bifrost light descended, and Thor stepped out of it.

He looked at the sprawling buildings before him, which he had never seen before, and scratched his head.

"…If not for Heimdall, I would not have known they had moved. Still, this place looks much more spacious."

"Whoosh—"

Thor looked up and saw a strange-looking robot flying toward him.

"Lord Thor, welcome back to the Avengers Alliance New Headquarters and training base. I will take you to see Mr. Stark."