The oppressive silence dissipated.
A hush fell over the plain as a group of rebels cautiously rose from the ground, their faces a mixture of awe and fear. None dared to speak.
Cathy surveyed the scene, recalling how her Avenger colleagues often spoke of her father with a reverent sigh when discussing his legacy. Now, she finally understood why.
Russell, unfazed, turned to the female leader of the rebels and said bluntly, "Save your gratitude. Just take me to the base of the Conqueror."
"The Conqueror?" Scott asked curiously, his eyebrows furrowed.
The female leader's face darkened with fear. "He's not from this world. No one knows where he came from, but his technological power is unmatched. He conquers our lands, enslaves our people, and remakes them. Those who resist are destroyed."
Scott shivered slightly but stole a glance at Russell. Confidence returned.
Thanos was a bigger threat. This guy? Just another mad scientist.
"Are you going alone?" the female leader asked cautiously.
She ventured further, "Perhaps we rebels can assist you?"
Russell swept his gaze over the rebels, his voice cutting like ice. "The only thing you'd achieve is distracting me."
Embarrassed, the female leader bit her lip and offered, "Forgive me. I'll guide you to the base."
The rebels' clunky machines weren't suitable for this mission. A sleeker ship from the marketplace seemed like a better idea. But Russell shook his head.
"No need. I have a faster way."
He turned to Cathy. "Shrink and sit on my shoulder. It's going to get windy."
Cathy obeyed without hesitation, shrinking down and gripping handles Russell conjured for her. Scott, however, hesitated.
"Windy?" he muttered, confused. Then, realizing what was coming, he blurted, "Wait, I need a helmet!"
Before Scott could object further, Russell used telekinesis to lift them into the air. At ten times the speed of sound, they shot across the landscape, leaving a blur in their wake.
Scott's face contorted as the wind battered him. His screams were drowned out by the rush of air. Beside him, the rebel leader held on for dear life, her muscles straining against the force.
Three hours of high-speed travel later, they arrived.
On the distant hills, a futuristic base came into view—a city of advanced technology that seemed to transcend centuries. It radiated a cold, intimidating aura.
But Russell's focus was drawn to the massive sphere near the base. The Temporal Energy Core loomed large, surrounded by glowing rings of energy. Inside, storms of unstable time energy churned violently.
"This core is creating a field of infinite possibilities," Russell muttered. "Every choice, every thought, every potential outcome—all existing at once."
He turned to Scott. "Your job is to enter that storm and plant the shrinking device at the core's center. Only then can it be stabilized."
Scott gulped. "Why me?"
"Because you can," Russell replied flatly.
With Cathy's assistance, Scott prepared for his risky mission. But before they could begin, an imposing figure descended from a time ship.
Kang the Conqueror emerged, his blue energy barrier shimmering. Janet, the original Wasp, stood frozen nearby, a captive of Kang's manipulations.
Kang sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "Time hasn't been kind to you, has it?"
He turned to Janet, his curiosity piqued. "What did you see in the future?"
Freed from her paralysis, Janet caught her breath and replied cryptically, "You were exiled to the Quantum Realm. But have you ever wondered why I'm here?"
Kang frowned. "Didn't you say you fell into the Quantum Realm while disarming a nuclear bomb?"
Janet smirked. "That's just the surface reason."
Kang's expression hardened. "Then tell me the truth!"
Janet laughed softly. "The truth is, I was guided here by someone far older and wiser—a bald woman who foresaw all of this. And she wanted me to ensure one thing: You never escape."
Kang's rage flared. "Who sent you? The Scarlet Centurion? Ramatut? The Immortus?!"
Janet remained calm. "None of them. But my mission ends here."
Suddenly, a ring of flames ignited in the air. From the fire, Russell stepped forward, his eyes locked on Kang.
Kang snarled. "Who are you? A Strange variant? Mordo? A would-be king?"
Russell tilted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Have you met Kang the Relic?"
Kang's composure shattered. His expression turned to one of pure terror.