Tony Stark from the future was skeptical of Solomon, and his companions felt the same, their suspicious gazes fixed on the mage seated on horseback. Only Bruce Banner, from the same future timeline, kindly reminded the others to stay in areas the cameras couldn't capture, ensuring their presence wouldn't be discovered. Future Captain Rogers initially wanted Banner to take on a mission, but Solomon intervened. "The current Strange is still performing surgeries," the mage explained. "At this point, he's just a narcissist who hasn't learned any manners—annoying, just like you, Stark. I truly don't understand how people like you survive into adulthood. Nature works in mysterious ways."
Captain Rogers nodded in agreement.
"You seem to know a lot," Stark, older and more experienced, ignored Solomon's sarcasm. In the past, he might have snapped back immediately, but now he held his tongue, likely because of the importance of their current mission. Just a glance at the symbols and lines on the scroll made his head spin. Stark quickly moved the parchment aside. It might be some sort of code, but he had no time to decipher it now.
Stark looked up at the mage. "Are all magicians as cryptic as Strange? I'd like an explanation... but make it quick. Keep it short."
"I offered a deal," Solomon said, exhaling a puff of breath as he wiggled his fingers. "You want to borrow the Infinity Stones. However, removing them will destabilize this universe, and my mentor would never agree to such a thing. For the record, the current Sorcerer Supreme is not Strange. And in this universe's future, Strange might not even become the Sorcerer Supreme. Such are the differences across the multiverse."
"We understand your concerns," Rogers tried to piece together some persuasive words. "But we'll return the Infinity Stones within minutes of borrowing them. I don't know if you can grasp the implications of that... but looking at you, you seem like someone who does. Am I right, Tony?"
"Yeah, for once, the old man's got it right," Stark agreed with a nod.
"Strange used the Eye of Agamotto to see the possibilities of your success, and it seems things are progressing according to plan. Though I despise that fool, I can't deny his talent—especially for courting disaster." Solomon glanced at the four travelers from another timeline. "In reality, the Infinity Stones of your universe won't vanish. They'll exist somewhere, in some form. But you probably don't have the time to track them down. That's why you need a failsafe—and that's me. I must ensure that no matter what happens, the three Infinity Stones you borrow will be returned to this universe. Do you agree?"
Solomon's demand was reasonable, and the interdimensional travelers accepted it.
"How do you know all this?" Stark asked another question. "You're from this universe. You've never been to ours. How could you possibly know so much about what's happening in our world?"
"Because this has already happened before you crossed worlds," the mage replied. "Time is not linear—it's an extension of parallel worlds. You should be able to understand that. As for why I know this... I can only tell you it's part of my research."
"So, can you help us get the Time Stone?" Banner asked.
"That's up to you to convince my mentor," Solomon shook his head. "With me as the failsafe, I think my mentor might be willing to take a gamble—for the sake of opening up future possibilities."
"How do you plan to return with us?" Stark shot Rogers a look, suspecting Solomon might have some hidden agenda, like stranding one of them here until the mission was complete. Stark wasn't comfortable with this idea. He trusted his teammates far more than someone he'd just met.
"Your suits," Solomon said, glancing at the massive shadow cast on the ground by a giant beast. His time was running out, so he spoke quickly. "The only time to return the stones is at a moment outside the events you interfere with—for example, now. This moment is ideal. You'll place the returned stones somewhere inconspicuous, and after you leave this timeline, you'll notify the original stone-holders. This will minimize disruptions to this universe.
"In other words, at this moment, there are two versions of you. One of you will even exist as three separate instances across parallel universes. That person will be the one to return the stones. No one but me will know who that is, to avoid affecting your actions now. We'll set a time: after I finish speaking, you'll continue your mission. I'll wait here for one minute.
"The person returning the stones will arrive here, hand me the spare suit, and then proceed to return the stones. That suit will have a recall timer set to your return time. Once this mission is complete, I'll use the suit at a predetermined point to join you in your universe, ensuring the Infinity Stones are properly returned."
"If we can return the stones ourselves, why do we need a failsafe?"
"Because this is the multiverse, Dr. Banner," Solomon answered. "If someone does give me the suit, it means the person returning the stones is the version of you that achieves success. But that doesn't guarantee success for you now. You might be experiencing a failed outcome. As long as there's a possibility of success, someone will return the stones—but that person might not be from the same parallel universe. The universe you're borrowing the stones from isn't necessarily the same one you're returning them to. That's why this is a gamble. That's why I have to follow you to ensure the continuity of all parallel universes remains intact. Do you agree?"
Solomon's explanation was clear enough. For example, if Captain America were the one to return the stones, the Captain America of this timeline would be "Version 1." The one traveling across parallel universes is "Version 2." And the Captain America who successfully returns the stones is "Version 3." Solomon was waiting for "Version 3" to hand over the quantum suit. At some future point, he would use the suit to appear in "Version 2's" parallel universe.
Version 3 represented a successful outcome for Version 2. However, this didn't guarantee that Version 2 would become Version 3—failure could lead to Version 4, or even countless other versions.
Solomon's task was to ensure that regardless of success or failure, the Infinity Stones would either return or Version 2 would become Version 3.
Observing the result, then determining the cause.
"Agreed," Banner nodded thoughtfully.
"Agreed," Stark eventually conceded.
"Agreed," Rogers decided to leave the complicated details to the smarter members of the group.
"Uh... agreed," Ant-Man added, feeling his vote didn't matter much.
"Excellent. Then let's begin the mission," Solomon said, relieved by their agreement. Otherwise, he might have had to use force—a last resort to ensure this universe wasn't irresponsibly compromised by lending the Infinity Stones to another. He believed the Sorcerer Supreme would approve.
"Synchronize the timeline and start the clock. I'll await the possibility of your success. Don't think of running. I know when you'll have the stones."
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The lance pierced through the beast's skull. Pegasus flapped its wings, propelling the weapon through thick metal plating and out the other side. The sheer force pinned the beast against a building's wall. As the creature's anti-gravity systems failed, gravity reclaimed its massive body. Fortunately, Solomon withdrew his lance in time to avoid being dragged down with it.
This was the third beast Solomon had slain. Meanwhile, the Bruce Banner of this timeline had been airlifted to the battlefield by S.H.I.E.L.D. using a Quinjet. The mage couldn't deny Hulk's sheer power—it was something one had to witness firsthand to truly comprehend. The stories of Hulk's limitless strength fueled by rage seemed increasingly plausible.
Solomon could only hope the Hulk wouldn't hold a grudge or catch him off guard with a punch. His body wasn't yet fully developed, and the excess magic he absorbed hadn't granted him the Asgardian-like resilience he needed. He'd seen what happened to Loki—utterly incapacitated by Hulk's battering.
At this moment, Phoenix was absent from Solomon's side, tasked with delivering something vital to Kamar-Taj's headquarters. It was the key to opening the door to parallel worlds—the first rung of his ultimate research.
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