"I'm sorry, Jane, I have to go back."
While leisurely spending a happy night with Jane, Thor suddenly received a message from Heimdall, telling him to bring someone to Asgard. This made Thor very unhappy, but he had no choice because Heimdall said it was the command of Odin, the All-Father. Thor still had to listen to his father's words. Last time he was disobedient, he was exiled to Midgard. Although he was lucky enough to meet Jane, who knew where Odin would lock him up next time? To be able to live happily with Jane in the future, Thor could only obey his father.
"You're saying you want me to go to Asgard? You're not joking, are you?"
On the other side, Artoria was far more shocked than Thor. She looked at the Ancient One in disbelief. Lately, the big shot Gaea had been resting and playing with her giant egg, but now this other big shot had come out to give her a hard time. If there was one person in Marvel she least wanted to see, besides Thanos who had already become a purple potato, the other was definitely Odin. Last time she sent a clone to see if she could lift the Mjolnir, that old guy had unexpectedly destroyed one of her clones. Although it was insignificant, the petty Artoria still held a grudge against Odin and made a note of it in her little internal notebook. But just as she was planning to take revenge later, you suddenly tell me I have to go see this guy. Artoria's instinctive reaction was one of resistance.
"The Space Stone is currently in Asgard. If you want to gather all the Infinity Stones, you must make a trip to Asgard."
Looking at Artoria's childish temper, the Ancient One wasn't surprised at all. Artoria's reaction was exactly as she had predicted. When Thor first came to Earth, she had noticed immediately. How could she not have noticed Artoria's little maneuvers? If she hadn't been there, Artoria's clones would likely have been wiped out. Odin was still quite wary of the Ancient One, so when those two Ravens of Odin were forcibly expelled, Odin didn't say a word.
"If you don't go now, there may be no chance in the future."
The Ancient One didn't mention her conversation with Odin; there was no need for Artoria to know. She no longer had extra time to manage this matter. Stephen had already found her. For this somewhat stubborn man, the Ancient One needed to temporarily temper his character and leave him hanging for a few days to let him think things through. If he couldn't even handle this small matter, how could she feel at ease leaving her position to him in the future? This was the last time she would help this little girl, Artoria; time was no longer plentiful. So Artoria had to seize this moment. If she couldn't, she would completely lose this opportunity, and the Ancient One would be unable to help.
"I will definitely get the Space Stone."
After thinking it over for a long time, Artoria finally made up her mind. Compared to waiting for the Space Stone to be taken by Thanos, it was safer to have it in her own hands. Once she got the Space Stone, she would only be missing two. The seal on the Reality Stone hadn't been broken yet, and it was still in a particle state. As for the Time Stone, it was safer with the Ancient One than with her. If the plan went smoothly, five stones wouldn't be a problem. With five stones, she might even have the strength to rival the living tribunal. In this world, only with great strength can one control their own life and death. Having thought it through, Artoria decided to go to Asgard and see Odin's grumpy face.
"It's good that you have such determination."
The Ancient One's lips curled into a satisfied smile at Artoria's reply. She was right; this child would never be someone content with being ordinary. Since Artoria had agreed to go to Asgard for the Space Stone, there should be no problem on Odin's side. If it really didn't work out, she could contact Odin one more time. If she wasn't mistaken, Odin planned to open up a world of his own and move Asgard into it to avoid the infinite cycle of Ragnarok. This was indeed a good method, one she had thought of long ago, which was why she had placed the seed of the world Tree before Odin. She knew Odin wouldn't be able to refuse.
"Thor is about to arrive. Artoria, you must be careful. If anything happens, immediately inject magic into the mystic ring; it will help you return quickly."
Feeling Thor's violent power drawing closer, the Ancient One removed the mystic ring from her hand and placed it on Artoria. It carried the Ancient One's magic. Artoria had learned some Kamar-Taj magic but lacked this magical artifact, making her unable to open spatial gateways. She hadn't given it to Artoria initially for fear the child would recklessly run off to who-knows-where, which would be troublesome. Now, the Ancient One giving it to Artoria was undoubtedly to grant her the ability to protect herself; if she encountered an enemy she truly couldn't defeat, she should run! As long as there is life, there is Hope; to fight stubbornly when knowing one is outmatched isn't bravery, but stupidity. Some things must be done within one's limits.
"I will."
Feeling the Ancient One's sincere concern, Artoria suddenly felt a pang in her nose, nearly shedding tears of emotion. However, having once been a 'boy', Artoria managed to hold back her tears. She knew the Ancient One's time was running out, but this was the Ancient One's own choice. For the Ancient One to stay alive, she would have to continue absorbing Dormammu's power. Fighting against such powerful dark energy was no simple matter; it was a battle of wills, and failure meant becoming Dormammu's servant. Artoria had no better solution, and she knew she couldn't change the Ancient One's will. Thus, she could only watch helplessly as the Ancient One walked toward her self-prepared end.
"You child, why have you become so sentimental?"
Having lived for so long, the Ancient One easily observed Artoria's emotions. She spoke jokingly, though she could see the reluctance and desire for her to stay in Artoria's eyes. Could it be that this child had already realized? But it didn't matter; this was her own choice, and she blamed no one. Earth needed a powerful Guardian, not an 'Old Timer' who existed in the world by borrowing power from a dimensional demon. The Ancient One was very at peace with it.
"Could you... give me a hug?"
Artoria looked closely at the Ancient One's face. This woman had served as her elder and mentor. She didn't know how long she would be gone this time; if Odin didn't make things difficult for her, it should be quick. She didn't even know what time it was now. She hoped that when she returned, the Sorcerer Supreme would still be the Sorcerer Supreme. Thinking of this, Artoria pretended nothing was wrong and opened her arms, like a child asking a parent for a hug.
"You child."
Looking at Artoria like this, the Ancient One also smiled and opened her arms, and the two shared a warm hug. The Ancient One patted Artoria's back. If she still had children, they would likely have turned to ash long ago! Being an ancestor who outlives her descendants was nothing to be proud of; after all, in Taiwanese, having the 'white-haired' bury the 'black-haired' is a symbol of filial impiety. For the first time, the Ancient One felt like she had a family. Now, it felt like she was hugging a whole world; within this small embrace, it was warmer than holding the sun. It was truly a wonderful feeling.
"Thank you for everything you've done."
Softly whispering these words into the Ancient One's ear, Artoria couldn't help but shed hot tears. Having such a presence as both a teacher and a friend left her feeling helpless. After satisfying her emotions, Artoria left the Ancient One's side, leaving the Ancient One behind to savor the feeling from just now.
"Are you the person I'm supposed to bring to Asgard? I... You're Tony's sister, Artoria?"
When Artoria reached the roof to wait, a guy wearing a bright red cape, being pulled along by a hammer, arrived in front of her. He spoke without even looking, but then he realized—wasn't this an acquaintance? Someone who had fought alongside him in the Battle of New York, and who he had treated to a delicious meal afterward? This was the incredibly beautiful sister of that annoying Tony Stark, Artoria Stark.
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