When Dragon Balls Descend Upon Marvel

Smith Dole was deeply unsettled to see a Dragon Ball in the hands of the Ancient One.

He had always avoided direct contact with the Sorcerer Supreme and the order of Kamar-Taj. Before he transmigrated, he had read countless fanfics portraying the Ancient One as terrifying—wielding the Time Stone, peering into every secret, stripping transmigrators bare with a single glance.

Which transmigrator wouldn't feel dread at the thought of such a figure knocking on their door? For twenty years he had lived in this world, never once visited by the Ancient One, never dragged into some "friendly talk." Yet now, watching a Dragon Ball resting in her possession, it would be a lie to say he wasn't worried.

Even with his present power, he didn't believe himself her match. As a Great Ape with 20,000 battle power he could shatter planets, yes, but the Ancient One with her Mirror Dimension and the Time Stone could toy with him at will.

Just as his mind turned over possible responses, he saw Baron Mordo enter her chamber. The Ancient One handed the Dragon Ball to him.

Smith exhaled in relief. The Sorcerer Supreme had passed the responsibility to Mordo, meaning she wouldn't be personally competing. If she had, there would be no contest—the tournament would end the instant it began. Not even Thor or Wenwu could rival her.

Mordo, however, was another matter. In some universes he had ascended to Sorcerer Supreme, but here, lacking the Eye of Agamotto, Smith didn't consider him a threat.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder. Did the Ancient One truly have no interest in the Dragon Balls? Did she truly have no interest in him? Unable to divine her motives, Smith chose the only path he knew: block what comes, adapt as needed. When this tournament ended, perhaps his power would be enough to stand before the Ancient One and Odin as an equal.

For now, at least, his Great Ape form was already at the level of a star-buster. In this universe, despite the abundance of "gods," few could claim such raw physical force. Even Thanos's Black Order, beaten half to death, would never manage it.

With that, he turned his gaze toward the fifth Dragon Ball.

On a small pile of stones sat the orb, glowing faintly. And sitting cross-legged beside it, clad in white, was a figure Smith recognized at once.

"Fox?" he murmured, startled.

But no—Fox should have been in New York, not in such a desolate place. Then he realized. The white gown, the stillness, the otherworldly beauty.

Thena, of the Eternals.

Smith's heart sank. He recalled the movie Eternals—ridiculous, yes, but still part of this universe's fabric.

The Eternals, created by the Celestials, guardians and midwives for the birth of a new god. Their purpose was to eliminate Deviants and protect intelligent life until the time came for the planet's Celestial seed to hatch.

Earth still housed eleven of them: Thena, Gilgamesh, Sersi, Ikaris, Ajak, Phastos, Makkari, Kingo, Sprite, Druig, and another lesser-known member. Each was formidable: healers, builders, speedsters, tanks, assassins, even master craftsmen. Some were compared to Superman or Quicksilver. None could be underestimated.

And their presence meant only one thing—somewhere deep within the Earth, a Celestial was gestating. If it awakened, the planet would shatter instantly.

The Eternals themselves could not be trusted. This wasn't precisely the Marvel Cinematic Universe, merely one close to it. In some alternate histories Smith recalled, the Eternals failed their duty. A Celestial hatched, Earth crumbled.

At least there was still time. That problem could be addressed later.

For now, Thena sat in quiet meditation. Her bouts of Mahd Wy'ry had only recently eased. She and Gilgamesh had lived in seclusion, each attack countered by his patience and sparring.

When she opened her eyes today, she found an unfamiliar orange orb before her.

"Did I… bring this back during one of my episodes?" she whispered.

Lifting it into her hand, the truth surged into her mind: the Dragon Balls, Shenron, the second tournament.

She turned the orb in her palm, thoughtful.

"On Earth, a dragon that grants wishes? A tournament for them? …Interesting."

She carried the Dragon Ball to Gilgamesh's quarters.

"Look," she said simply.

He frowned, picking it up. "Thena, I don't see anything strange. I haven't received any visions. Are you sure this isn't a trick of your condition?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Gilgamesh, aside from Mahd Wy'ry, do we have any weaknesses? We don't get sick. We don't dream."

He paused, conceding her point, though skepticism lingered.

"Still… this is extraordinary. It reminds me of that old legend from this planet—the lamp of Aladdin, with a genie that grants wishes. Except the lamp only held a sorcerer's spirit. This Shenron… can it truly be as powerful as the visions claim?"

······

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]

[Thank You For Your Support!]