Chapter 192: Iron Man - Welcome to My Graveyard Disco!

Inside the Sanctum, Stephen Strange and Mordo stood together, gazing in a certain direction.

"They're back," Mordo said, then he and Stephen Strange ran inward together.

Inside the Sanctum, three figures could be seen. It was Kaecilius and his fanatical followers. They were engaged in some sort of ritual, with a radiant glow and twisted space forming in front of them.

"We must put an end to this," Mordo leaped down and dashed towards Kaecilius and his followers. He tackled two of the fanatics, and then he turned to Stephen Strange, shouting, "Stephen, join the fight!"

At that moment, Kaecilius raised his hand, preparing to strike down the radiant glow and twisted space before him. Though the purpose was unclear, it certainly wasn't for benevolent reasons.

Before he could execute the action, Stephen Strange intervened. He slammed his palms onto the ground, a golden light erupted and spread in all directions, instantly engulfing Kaecilius and erasing the radiant glow and twisted space from existence.

"Mirror Dimension," Stephen Strange hovered down and spoke to Kaecilius, "Here, it won't affect the real world. Let's see who gets the last laugh. You bastard!"

"It's going to be me," Kaecilius said confidently, then pushed his hands outward.

A stunning scene unfolded. The staircase in front of them split into two halves, curling towards the sides from the center. Other parts of the room began folding and reshaping as well. The architecture turned into a Rubik's Cube-like puzzle that Kaecilius could manipulate at will.

Stephen Strange lunged forward, bypassing Kaecilius, and exited the room. Mordo managed to break free from the grip of the two fanatics and followed Stephen Strange, fleeing outside.

"I've got his Sling Ring. He won't be able to escape, right?" Stephen Strange turned his head and looked behind him. The entire building seemed to be shifting and reshaping like a Rubik's Cube.

"Run!" Seeing Kaecilius emerging from the building, Mordo shouted and turned to run.

As Stephen Strange arrived at a crossroads, a loud rumbling sound echoed. The road on both ends of the street shifted horizontally, as if an invisible hand had taken a segment of the road away.

What was even more bewildering was that the road was severed, yet the vehicles were unaffected. When the vehicles reached the edge of the road and had nowhere to go, they simply turned downwards and continued on the other side of the road!

"Their connection with the Dark Dimension has enhanced their abilities in the Mirror Dimension," Mordo observed the constantly shifting and folding city around him, "They can't influence the real world, but they can still eliminate us. It's like sending us to our deaths."

At that moment, Kaecilius and his group caught up again. Mordo and Stephen Strange turned and ran once more. While running, Stephen Strange drew circles in the air, attempting to create a portal.

The portal was forming, and Stephen Strange had reached the portal's edge. But as Kaecilius closed in from behind, the city suddenly folded over as if it were a blanket being pulled.

The varying heights of the skyscrapers suddenly flipped, going from standing to lying down. The road beneath their feet, once parallel to the ground, turned vertical.

Stephen Strange and Mordo couldn't maintain their balance and fell towards the other side of the road. As a result, they missed the entrance of the portal.

Stephen Strange and Mordo leaped onto another skyscraper. Running parallel to the ground above, they attempted to draw circles again.

Newton's coffin had been shattered countless times here, and the laws of physics were utterly twisted into a joke.

Kaecilius and his fanatics also jumped onto the skyscraper and gave chase.

Boom!

Kaecilius struck the skyscraper with his fist. Though it was solid, it transformed into something liquid-like, forming a "wave" that surged upwards.

Stephen Strange had just finished drawing a golden Sling Ring, but the "wave" reached him, obliterating the portal.

Then, Kaecilius exerted a pull, causing the skyscraper to twist and fold downward like a towel being wrung. Stephen Strange and Mordo yelled as they plummeted downward.

Centered around the folded skyscraper, the entire city began folding as well. A bizarre scene unfolded—a city skyline inverted, and skyscrapers piled one upon the other.

However, strangely enough, the vehicles and pedestrians on the road remained unaffected. Even when the road was folded and there was no way forward, they simply appeared on the opposite side of the road.

"Is this what battles between sorcerers look like? It's truly mind-boggling," Scott Lang exclaimed with his mouth wide open, clearly amazed. "This is so cool!"

"It's definitely beyond imagination. I never knew battles could be conducted like this," Clint Barton couldn't maintain his composure either. "This city is like a Rubik's Cube in their hands. They can fold and twist it however they want."

"So, these are Earth's sorcerers?" Thor appeared quite composed, his expression unchanged. "Seems there's more to them than meets the eye."

"All this flashy stuff, what's the point?" Loki, on the other hand, showed disdain. "Even if you turn the city into an Asgard, you can't kill people. What's the meaning?"

"I have to admit, these sorcerers are powerful, but those tricks they just used seem a bit showy," Tony Stark's perspective surprisingly aligned with Loki's. "You flip the entire city, yet you still can't catch Stephen. If you had an assault rifle right now, wouldn't it pose more of a threat to him?"

"Give a sorcerer an assault rifle? Tony, don't you think that would look rather odd?" Natasha Romanoff quipped, "Luckily, this battle is happening in the Mirror Dimension, so it won't affect the real world. Otherwise, with the city being twisted around like a Rubik's Cube, people wouldn't stand a chance."

"Could this be why we can't detect sorcerers?" Nick Fury speculated, "Their battles take place in the Mirror Dimension, leaving no traces in the real world?"

"This..." Stephen Strange chimed in, "Exactly, in the video, I opened the Mirror Dimension. But for the likes of that 'panda-eyed' guy who clearly doesn't seem like a good person, would he really bother opening a Mirror Dimension just to kill someone?"

The video continued playing, showing a city already completely transformed. Stephen Strange ultimately couldn't escape and was caught by Kaecilius. The latter pinned him down on a piece of metal.

Kaecilius first felt around on Stephen Strange, retrieving a Sling Ring, then he raised his hand, conjured an energy blade, and thrust it towards Stephen Strange.

But just at that moment, the metal sheet Stephen Strange was lying on suddenly flew backward, causing Kaecilius's thrust to miss.

Subsequently, the surroundings began morphing and folding again, transporting several fanatics, including Kaecilius, to an unknown location.

Then, a hairless woman in yellow robes descended from the sky. With one hand behind her back and a wave of the other, the space around them folded and transformed, forming a platform where both Stephen Strange and Mordo stood.

"So, that's the Ancient One. She truly stands out," Nick Fury couldn't help but comment.

"Didn't expect her to be a woman," Phil Coulson added.

In the video, Mordo was also shocked by the appearance of the Ancient One, but his astonishment seemed different. He incredulously said, "It's true. She did draw power from the Dark Dimension."

The Ancient One glanced at Mordo but remained silent, her gaze fixed on Kaecilius.

"At that time, I was desperate, lost, helpless," Kaecilius also looked at the Ancient One, as he walked and spoke, "I trusted you, revered you as my mentor, but you deceived me with lies."

"I did it to protect you," the Ancient One responded.

"To prevent the truth from coming out?" Kaecilius retorted.

"To prevent harm from befalling you," the Ancient One clarified.

"Now I have a new mentor," Kaecilius declared.

"Dormammu is deceiving you. You haven't seen his true nature," the Ancient One earnestly explained, "His eternal life isn't paradise but hell."

"Deceiver," Kaecilius sneered, then he and several fanatics charged at the Ancient One, launching a joint assault.

At this point, the disparity in power became evident. Even with Kaecilius and his fanatics combined, they were no match for the Ancient One. Even someone unfamiliar with magic could see that the Ancient One was effortlessly in control.

However, sometimes survival isn't determined solely by strength.

As the Ancient One battled one of the fanatics, Kaecilius seized the opportunity and struck the fanatic from behind, impaling him.

However, it wasn't that Kaecilius had gone mad and turned against his own people. His actions were a calculated attempt to ambush the Ancient One.

And he succeeded.

After impaling the fanatic, the energy blade also pierced through the Ancient One, who was engaged in combat with another fanatic.

"Is that how it ends?" The people in the answer space exchanged puzzled glances. Despite it being an ambush, given the Ancient One's power, she shouldn't have been caught off guard like this!

In the previous questions, the Ancient One's name appeared alongside cosmic heavyweights like Thanos and Dormammu, giving the impression that she was an unparalleled expert. While the video didn't display power on par with Thanos or Dormammu, it was clear she was a formidable master.

Yet, a master like her met such a hasty end!

From appearing to dying, it happened in just a few lines of dialogue.

Absurd.

Bang!

Kaecilius turned back and delivered a kick to the Ancient One, sending her through a portal.

Stephen Strange and Mordo hurried over and jumped into the portal before it disappeared.

This portal connected to the real world. The Ancient One's body plummeted straight down and crashed onto the street, causing a commotion.

Stephen Strange quickly got the Ancient One to a hospital and enlisted his close friend Christine to help save her. However, before long, the Ancient One's pupils dilated, and there was no brain activity.

Stephen Strange glanced at the Ancient One, then at the nearby medical equipment, and suddenly had an idea.

The next moment, he was still standing in the hospital, but his soul had left his body. He then saw the Ancient One's soul, drifting away.

"What are you doing?" Stephen Strange's soul chased after, "Come on, you're about to die!"

The Ancient One paid no heed and continued drifting, passing through various rooms in the hospital until finally stopping on a balcony.

"You must return to your body; otherwise, you'll run out of time," Stephen Strange said as he approached the Ancient One.

"Time is relative. You haven't fully embraced your role as a sorcerer," the Ancient One calmly stated. "I've spent a lot of time observing the future, but at this particular moment, I may not have much time left."

Despite facing imminent death, the corners of the Ancient One's mouth curled into a smile. "I've prevented countless terrible things, but misfortunes keep coming. Everyone will reach this point."

"Do you think you'll just die like this?" Stephen Strange inquired.

"Do you want to know your own future?" The Ancient One didn't directly answer Stephen Strange's question.

"No," Stephen Strange denied, then changed his mind, "Yes."

"I can't see your future. I can only see possibilities," the Ancient One replied. "You're a good person by nature, outstanding not because you crave success but because you fear failure."

"I was a successful surgeon," Stephen Strange asserted.

"That's also why you aren't truly great," the Ancient One stated, "Arrogance and fear of failure have left you ignorant of the simplest yet most crucial truths."

"And what's that?" Stephen Strange asked.

"The meaning of life isn't self-centered," the Ancient One still didn't directly answer, "When you first came to me, you asked how I cured Jonathan Pangborn. But I didn't. I didn't cure him; he infused himself with the power of the Mystic Arts."

"So, he's using magic to walk?" Stephen Strange asked.

"Always has," the Ancient One affirmed. "He faced a choice—return to his own life or dedicate himself to a higher purpose."

"Can my hands be healed again?" Stephen Strange inquired, "Can I go back to my old life?"

"You can, but the world will still have its regrets." The Ancient One did provide an answer this time, "I also didn't want to draw power from the Dark Dimension, but sometimes, people must break conventions and pursue what they consider loftier ideals."

"But Mordo doesn't see it that way," Stephen Strange remarked.

"Mordo is stubborn and inflexible by nature, shaped by his upbringing," the Ancient One said. "You, on the other hand, are adaptable and can thrive even in adversity. Only through your complementary strengths can you overcome Dormammu."

"I'm not ready yet," Stephen Strange remarked.

"No one is ever truly ready; we can't control the world," the Ancient One held Stephen Strange's hand, "Death gives life meaning, makes you aware of the fleeting nature of time. I've prepared myself to face death. But in this moment, how I wish I could extend it infinitely and savor this beautiful snowscape."

Stephen Strange also looked out the window, admiring the snowy scene the Ancient One mentioned. As he gazed, he suddenly felt his hand being released. He quickly turned around, but beside him was empty space – the Ancient One had disappeared.

At the same moment, the hospitalized Ancient One ceased breathing, officially passing away.

The video concluded here.

"Why do I feel like the Ancient One chose to die?" After watching the video, Tony Stark said, "Even at that moment, her soul was still drifting outside. She refused to return to her body. If she'd returned to her body, wouldn't that have saved her?"

"I also sense that she deliberately chose this ending," Bruce Banner chimed in, "It's quite evident from her conversation with Stephen that she can foresee the future. So, wouldn't she have seen Kaecilius' ambush?"

"She must have wanted to die, for Kaecilius' surprise attack to succeed," Stephen Strange added. "Even if we don't consider her ability to foresee the future, Kaecilius wouldn't have been able to ambush her given her power."

"It's a shame, such a powerful sorceress choosing death," Tony Stark lamented. "If she hadn't died and had fought against Thanos with us, it would have been much easier."

"I don't fully grasp her choice either," Clint Barton said. "Since she can see the future, she should have been able to foresee Thanos invading Earth. Yet, she chose death. Does that mean she doesn't care about Earth being invaded by Thanos?"

"Exactly, even if there's some unknown reason for her not wanting to live, couldn't she have lived a bit longer, helped defeat Thanos, and then ended her own life?" Natasha Romanoff chimed in.

"Perhaps, it's not that she doesn't want to, but that she can't," Thor suddenly spoke up.

"What do you mean by 'can't'?" Phil Coulson asked.

"At the critical moment, the Ancient One mentioned wanting to prolong the sight of the snow indefinitely. Actually, she isn't completely detached. She still has attachments to the mortal world," Thor tried to clarify his point, "But she can't extend her life, not even by a second, because her death is destined at that specific moment."

"Thor, explain it clearly," Nick Fury looked at Thor. "Are you suggesting someone forced the Ancient One to die at that moment?"

"But the Ancient One is so powerful; who could force her?" Phil Coulson was surprised by this suggestion. "The person forcing her must be unimaginably strong."

"No, it's not a person; it's something more like fate or destiny," Thor said with a solemn tone, "My father was like that. He knew he was going to die but refused to make any changes. I told him about Thanos, about Hela, but he just told me not to worry, that it would be resolved. He said his fate was set, unchangeable."

"Fate? What is this nonsense?" Nick Fury frowned, "Are even cosmic beings like the Ancient One and Odin unable to escape its grasp?"

"It sounds like there's an unseen puppet master manipulating everything in this universe," Phil Coulson mused, feeling a shiver down his spine, "If even those powerful beings can't escape it, what about us ordinary people?"

"Fate?" Loki sneered, "If this puppet master truly exists, I'd like to see it in person!"

"Even if such a existence does exist, it's not something we can contend with. Let's not waste our breath on this," Bruce Banner reminded them.

"Speaking of glimpsing the future, Stephen, you seem quite special," Steve Rogers addressed Stephen Strange, "The Ancient One said she couldn't see your future. Why are you different?"

"I'd like to know as well," Stephen Strange shrugged.

"While this video allowed us to witness the passing of the Ancient One, it also brings some good news," Nick Fury tried to steer the conversation away from the mysterious puppet master, "Perhaps, we can find the opportunity for Stephen to become a sorcerer."

"Sir, are you referring to Jonathan Pangborn?" Phil Coulson asked.

"That's right, him," Nick Fury confirmed, "For some reason, he couldn't walk and sought out the Ancient One. She taught him sorcery, allowing him to walk through magic. If we find this person, we may find the Ancient One!"

"Great!" Stephen Strange exclaimed with a hint of excitement. "I can't wait to meet the Supreme Sorcerer."

[The fourth question begins. Please prepare.]

[Among the following characters, who appeared last at the funeral of Iron Man Tony Stark?]

[A) Captain America Steve Rogers]

[B) Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes]

[C) Nick Fury]

[D) Guardians of the Galaxy]

[Correct answer for this question: Reward - Transformers Optimus Prime. Incorrect answer: Deduct one year of life.]

As this question appeared, everyone's gaze turned to Tony Stark. Images of Tony Stark's death scene flashed through their minds.

It was this man, a mortal who sacrificed himself, turning the immensely powerful Thanos into dust, saving Earth and the universe.

Since the moment he snapped his fingers, the world had become a better place, but he himself was forever absent.

"Don't look at me like that. We already know how I died, and that ending won't happen," Tony Stark chuckled.

"Well, it's not necessarily, Tin Man," Loki spoke in a low voice from the side, "Weren't you just discussing an invisible hand manipulating everything in the universe, fate and all that? Even the Ancient One had to accept her own death. Iron Man, can you change your fate of death?"

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[END OF CHAPTER]