Chapter 105: You Remind Me of My Father
Originally, Fury's death should have caused a significant impact.
But now…
All that impact pales in comparison to the resurrection of half the Earth's population!
Consider this: no matter how tragic the past was, after half the people vanished, the vacancies they left were quickly filled by others.
Ordinary people, like Spider-Man, fared relatively well.
Even if schools temporarily couldn't accommodate them, they were simply happy to have an extended vacation after waking up.
But adults?
The pressure on adults was immense!
Countless workers woke up to find their livelihoods gone.
Countless white-collar workers woke up to find their prized jobs vanished.
Even worse were the wealthy…
They woke up to find their companies, assets, and shares gone—everything was gone?!
All they gained were family members crying in their arms, impoverished yet telling them, "It's okay, you're back…"
But they weren't okay…
As for the remaining soldiers and officials…
The living hoped for the dead to return.
But the dead suddenly felt that death was the greatest blessing…
…
Countless similar incidents left governments worldwide overwhelmed, with no time to worry about America losing an economic hub or a former S.H.I.E.L.D. director's death…
And who among the Americans would dare provoke a living god temporarily residing in Los Angeles?
Iron Man's quantum tunnel wasn't completed that night, but after Wanda woke up, though heartbroken, she returned to Westview alone without seeking Heisenberg's trouble.
Thus, two days passed, and Heisenberg finally received a call from the Avengers.
The call was answered by the maid of a famous American singer, and by the time it reached Heisenberg, he was still lounging by the pool with the singer.
Upon hearing the quantum tunnel was ready, Heisenberg, without hesitation, rushed into the sky in his pajamas.
The singer he left behind…
She gained another song to write.
Arriving at S.H.I.E.L.D., Heisenberg didn't linger with the others. He slipped into his travel suit over his pajamas and left swiftly.
This relieved the Avengers of a major concern.
…
In the blink of an eye…
Heisenberg looked around, as if he'd never left, reappearing in his courtyard.
Through the walls, he saw Billy playing video games in the lounge, while the maids efficiently cleaned the theater.
In the main hall, the blind Daredevil stood confidently on the podium, campaigning to the crowd.
The voters milling about below…
Most weren't genuine citizens but opportunists desperate to get closer to Heisenberg.
Sigh…
Heisenberg casually removed his travel suit, using a force field to send it floating into the cloakroom, and lay down in a cabinet.
He himself, still in the singer's pajamas, returned to his dedicated lounge chair in the courtyard.
But as soon as he lay down, a familiar circular magic appeared nearby.
The young yet equally elegant Ancient One emerged from the magic, approaching Heisenberg's chair and lying down gracefully.
"How does it feel, our future?" the Ancient One asked.
Heisenberg shook his head.
"That's not our future."
"But after you went there, it became your future."
As she spoke, the Ancient One waved her hand, sweeping out dozens of shimmering destiny lines across the courtyard. At that moment, two lines stood out from the golden threads.
They were dyed red.
Moments later, the destiny lines vanished, leaving only the Ancient One smiling softly.
Heisenberg shook his head.
"You marked the lines influenced by me in red because I killed a few people?"
"Many people, but with a different meaning."
The Ancient One extended her right hand, pointing at Heisenberg.
"Can I have it back now…?"
"Hmm."
Heisenberg pursed his lips, retrieving the Eye of Agamotto from his pocket and handing it to her.
The Ancient One donned the jewelry, nodding at Heisenberg.
"I have news: I've decided not to train Strange as the next Sorcerer Supreme!"
"Huh?"
Heisenberg was stunned, looking at her in surprise.
The Ancient One smiled mysteriously.
"Because I visited Sokovia and discovered two extraordinary futures.
They…"
"One is named Pietro, the other Wanda, both with the surname Maximoff!"
Heisenberg smiled in satisfaction, understanding her decision.
The Ancient One nodded.
"Indeed, I prefer the future with you, because Earth will be beautiful there.
War will rage beyond the solar system, and the cries of battle will never echo on Earth again. Perhaps my people will mourn, but their enemies will suffer more.
Our Earth will no longer be ravaged by industrial machinery, nor will there be cruel hunters killing dolphins, harvesting fins, or poaching rare beasts.
I love that nature, and that future, so the sorcerers will become your strength."
"Great!"
Heisenberg smiled, extending his right hand. The Ancient One placed her fingers on his palm.
Moments later, Heisenberg gently pinched her fingers, shaking them playfully.
"Welcome to the Injustice League, Ancient One!"
"It's the Justice League. We don't need to argue over a name, Your Excellency."
The Ancient One smiled, retracting her hand and correcting him softly.
Their eyes met, and they couldn't help but laugh.
Still laughing, Heisenberg grasped her wrist.
"I'm glad you've decided to live. I love the future with you, sorceress."
"Indeed, postponing my journey to Vishanti's embrace may not be right, but after experiencing countless destinies, perhaps adding a bit of fun to life is a good choice."
"It's certainly happier than being in Vishanti's arms."
Heisenberg laughed heartily. Ah, the Ancient One understood him so well.
His Justice League lacked capable fighters, so now they had the Ancient One, a Sorcerer Supreme no weaker than Ebony Maw.
And the future Scarlet Witch he'd planned to train? She would likely become Wanda, the Sorcerer Supreme under Heisenberg's command!
…
Meanwhile, in the future timeline…
After Heisenberg's departure exceeded three days, Thor, who had remained in a thunder-induced coma, finally awakened.
Groot, who had been caring for Thor, excitedly embraced his arm. The scent from Stormbreaker's handle instantly jolted Thor awake.
He shook his head, looked around, and asked Groot in surprise,
"Damn, I think I had a dream!"
As he spoke, he cautiously checked the axe on his chest.
"In that damn dream, my hammer had an extra handprint, and I was nearly killed!"
He gasped, still shaken.
"Fortunately, it was just some guy I've never seen and a long-dead Thanos. Otherwise, I'd think it was real!
Hahaha, I'm Thor, the God of Thunder. Who could beat me like that?"
"Uh, Thor, you were beaten like that!"
Before Thor could enjoy his moment, Rocket, entering the room, mocked him.
"I can't believe the mighty Thor was trampled like a toy, and on the head, no less!"
Rocket spoke, pulling Thor from the bed and heading toward the Avengers' camp.
Along the way, the stunned Thor finally recalled the events of the past few days.
And that realization robbed him of his joy.
Even upon entering the Avengers' camp, he remained silent, slumping in a chair like a lump of fat, far more subdued than before.
At this moment, Stark, taking advantage of Thor's awakening to formally convene an Avengers meeting, finally voiced his thoughts to everyone.
"Friends!"
He began.
"We must admit that in recent years, especially in the past week, we've experienced far too much!
Our loved ones, friends, countless lives vanished without a trace.
Even though we've used time to make amends, we can't rely on that to secure our future!"
Saying this, Iron Man retrieved a document and handed it to Natasha, who distributed it to all Avengers, including Black Panther and the Sorcerer Supreme.
When it reached Thor…
Rocket reluctantly took the document, glancing at Natasha.
"He's already dead. Give it to me."
"Alright."
Skipping Thor, the Avengers examined the document, but moments later, arguments erupted!
Captain America slammed the document onto the table.
"This is just a revision of the Sokovia Accords from eight years ago!
Tony, the Superhero Registration Act is not the right idea. It'll lead us into the unknown!"
"But the facts prove otherwise, Rogers. Because we didn't do that, Earth has been mercilessly attacked by aliens time and again. They won't care about our disunity!
Only by using every power in its rightful place, only by truly uniting, can we face any danger!"
"But they won't think that way—neither the UN nor the U.S. government!
When our names are laid before them, when our freedom becomes a sacrifice to their rules, we'll just be tools, Stark!"
"So, Rogers, these accords won't come from the U.S. or the UN!
They'll be issued by us, by the Avengers as a whole.
Registered superheroes won't serve any nation; the power will be controlled by every one of us here!
And we'll oversee each other, ensuring no one misuses that power!"
"Yeah, what a noble idea—we'll oversee all those who should live freely!
But who will oversee us?
When we order them to register and label them as special, we'll be no different from Hydra!"
"Rogers, if sacrificing some freedom can protect Earth from alien threats, I'm willing to do it!"
Stark stood firmly opposite Captain America, shouting.
"Because I'd rather be condemned by all than see another comrade die before me. Survival is far more important than freedom!"
"Fk, fk, fk!!!"
Before Captain America and Stark could argue further, the fat Thor nearby sat up angrily.
"What the hell are you arguing about? I'd rather we were planning to go back and kill that Heisenberg bastard!"
Thor spoke, standing up discontentedly and strolling out of the room.
Behind him, Rocket and the other Guardians of the Galaxy followed in unison.
Only Gamora, newly joined to the Guardians, paused at the door, turning to Stark and saying hesitantly,
"You just now… reminded me of my recently deceased father, Stark!"
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