Only after hearing the Elderly Tony Stark's account did the Ancient One realize why they had come.
"So that's how it is; Thanos is actually that formidable." Fang Yuan also put on a show of surprise.
The four members of Stark's group were even more puzzled: "You know about Thanos?"
Normally, they wouldn't learn of his existence until Thanos attacked Earth in *Avengers 3*.
"Of course. New York just endured a major battle; Thanos ordered the Chitauri to invade Earth," Fang Yuan explained.
Stark was stunned—the New York he'd just seen didn't look like it had been through a war.
"Did the Chitauri only send a handful of soldiers to make a cameo?" he couldn't help asking.
Fang Yuan's reply was direct: he had Athena project the full battle footage of the Battle of New York.
That left the *Avengers 4* squad dumbfounded.
The Chitauri force was far larger than what they had faced back then, and the devastation was far more horrific.
They had assumed this Universe was simply luckier; instead, its situation had been worse.
"The footage shows New York reduced to ruins—so how come now…" Stark began, only to watch the Ancient One perform a miracle, rewinding all of New York's time.
Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man, and Dr. Green all gaped; they'd never witnessed anything like it.
"The Time Stone," Stark murmured, instantly realizing the Sorcerer Supreme was wielding its power.
"Strange is still a surgeon and won't become a sorcerer for another five years?" Stark suddenly quipped. "I thought he was hot stuff—turns out he's just a rookie compared to the real Sorcerer Supreme."
"Strange is the finest among us," the Ancient One defended her future student, though after glancing at Fang Yuan she added, "one of them."
"He merely needs time to grow."
Stark could accept they'd jumped to a different parallel World and quickly steered to the point: "Since that's the case, Strange handing over the Stone must be part of a bigger plan—so please lend us the Time Stone!"
Dr. Green Banner chimed in, "We'll return to this exact moment after we're done, so there'll be no effect on your Universe."
Hearing Stark say Strange had voluntarily surrendered the Stone, the Ancient One understood it must be part of Strange's plan and was inclined to lend it.
But… she looked toward Fang Yuan.
She knew whether the Time Stone could be loaned depended on him; if this lord was unhappy, Stark's group wouldn't leave with it.
Sure enough, Fang Yuan frowned.
"But that assumes you come back alive," he said, worry written across his face. "Did Strange tell you the success rate?"
"Uh…" Stark froze awkwardly, then answered honestly, "About zero-point-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-seven percent?"
Because the Infinity Stones concerned this Universe's safety as well, Stark chose not to hide it.
As Stark rattled off the zeros like a rap, Captain America and Banner looked equally embarrassed.
They'd focused only on Strange's one success among fourteen-million-plus attempts, subconsciously ignoring the fourteen-million failures.
Yet pride as superheroes kept them from lying.
They could only stay silent.
Certain they wouldn't get the Stones here, Stark began mentally reviewing emergency fallback plans.
Only the Ancient One, calm and composed, glanced at Fang Yuan, knowing this was his opening gambit.
Sure enough, Fang Yuan named his price.
"But you're trying to save your own Universe; we should help each other," Fang Yuan said amid the discouraged *Avengers 4* team.
All four snapped their heads up, looking at him with sudden hope.
"I'll go with you!" Fang Yuan dropped the bombshell.
"I'll bring the Infinity Stones along. If there's danger, I'll fight, and after we win I'll personally bring them back," he declared righteously. "That way the Sorcerer Supreme can rest easy, and your odds improve."
The four were elated; they'd thought the slim chance meant no hope, yet Fang Yuan was willing not only to lend the Stones but to help personally!
Though their plan was to snap the Gauntlet the moment all Stones were gathered, such a high failure rate still haunted them, so an extra ally was welcome.
At that moment, however, the Ancient One interrupted: "Sorry, this is too important; we need to discuss it."
Understanding, the Ancient One opened a mirror dimension; Fang Yuan nodded to the four Avengers and stepped inside.
"You're not ready to join a battle of that level yet," the Ancient One stated bluntly.
Fang Yuan's brows knitted; he crossed his arms at once and retorted, "What, looking down on me? If that raccoon could survive the battle there, I sure as hell can. "
Avengers 4 retired three superheroes—Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow—and only Tony Stark was actually lost in combat.
Captain America sneaked home for a date, and Black Widow traded her life for the Soul Stone.
So Fang Yuan was very confident he'd make it through the final battle.
Even if he couldn't beat Thanos, he still had the Five-Five Open Halo to pin the Titan down for three minutes—long enough for the Avengers to snatch back the Infinity Gauntlet.
And with Fang Yuan around, they'd spot the swapped Nebula early; whether 2014 Thanos could even reach them was debatable.
"I've already fought Darkseid—why worry about Thanos?" Fang Yuan thought.
But the Ancient One shook her head. "We must never underestimate time, nor any opponent. You might give them foreknowledge, but you'd also bring unknown risks."
"Unless your strength reaches a certain level, I can't hand you the Time Stone even if you're willing to go," she said, uncharacteristically stern.
Hearing this, Fang Yuan fell silent; he suddenly realized he might be getting… a bit full of himself.
In the Marvel Universe he'd reaped reward after reward, triggering several S-ranks, and had begun to look down on the World's heroes.
Only after the Ancient One's reminder did he recognize the problem.
Underestimating an enemy is always a fatal flaw.
And she was right: the final war involved time and the Infinity Stones; if anything went sideways, danger was guaranteed.
Fang Yuan's power hadn't reached the level where he could handle every threat.
"So…" Fang Yuan glanced at her. "No wonder you said I'd be busy—looks like you'd already planned this."
The Ancient One merely smiled and left the decision to him.
Still, Fang Yuan knew that if he went, he'd have to secure the Time Stone for Tony and the others himself.
That wasn't hard; the Avengers 4 team could jump timelines, and he could find a suitable branch to obtain the Time Stone.
After careful thought, however, he chose to play it safe.
He wasn't in a rush to meddle in Avengers 4; if something went wrong, the price would be too high.
Ignoring an elder's advice courts immediate loss—especially when the elder is centuries old.
So Fang Yuan rolled his eyes.
"In that case… teach me how to use the Time Stone!" he proposed decisively.
The Ancient One shook her head again.
"Not yet."
With a wave of her hand she brought them back to the real World.
The tyrant Ancient One still refused to grant General Fang Yuan Military authority; if he could beat her, he'd have cleaned house long ago.
He composed his expression and told Stark, "I'll go with you, but I need time to prepare, otherwise…"
He tilted his head toward the Ancient One. "…the Sorcerer Supreme won't give me the Time Stone."
"Tell me how you're traveling; I'll jump straight to the moment you return," he suggested.
"Uh…"
Stark exchanged glances with Captain America, Ant-Man, and Dr. Green; they all hesitated.
If Fang Yuan had sinister motives, handing him this tech would spell multiversal disaster.
Stark frowned and used his EDITH Glasses to search for Fang Yuan's profile in this World.
"Mentor of Captain America, founder of the Avengers, Chief Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj… and you even flipped Loki?" Stark exclaimed.
Hearing that long list of titles, Captain America and Banner were stunned; none had imagined the young Fang Yuan was actually this World's Superhero leader.
"Mentor of Captain America?" Steve latched onto the phrase, trusting Fang Yuan a bit more.
"Loki? That guy can be flipped?" Ant-Man Scott focused on that point.
Fang Yuan explained, "Loki isn't strictly a villain, actually."
Dr. Banner, the expert, nodded. "Much as I hate to admit it… it's true."
Ring-ring-ring!
Just then Fang Yuan's communicator rang; it was Tony calling.
He answered on speaker.
"Fang, how's the Sorcerer Supreme?" came Tony's cheerful voice.
"She's fine, resting," Fang Yuan replied.
"Then hurry to Stark Tower—Steve and I are having a drinking contest!" Tony said.
Background chatter followed.
"You invited Bucky? Rhodey! Rhodey! Come help me!"
"Dad? You're actually at Steve's place?"
Then Steve's voice: "Of course—didn't you say it yourself? We're the senior-citizen squad!"
Fang Yuan quickly hit mute; sure enough, the next second Avengers 4 Stark and Cap shouted.
"Howard?"
"Bucky?"
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