𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐖𝐎 — the ancient one

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 "𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓, 𝐖𝐄 have a plan." Steve Rogers stood before each of them with his hands heavily planted upon his hips. Tony was at his side once more; and though Emilia still despised everything that had happened between the two of them, as well as the half-assed reconciliation... She had to admit that they looked like the leaders they all needed.

 The screen behind them glinted as sunlight tore through the window of the conference room, it glittered over the images of the colourful infinity stones; the very stones that they hoped would bring their loved ones home.

 There were three teams, each consisting of those thought to be best suited to gather each stone; Group one would head to the year twenty-twelve in the depths of the battle of New York and split off into two teams. Tony, Steve and Scott would head to the Stark Tower and get their mitts on both the Scepter and the Tesseract while Emilia and Bruce would find the Ancient One and return with the Time Stone.

 Team two would head to Asgard, twenty-thirteen. Thor and Rocket would find the Reality Stone — or rather... the Reality Sludge, as Thor kept pointing out — and bring the thing back.

 The final group would travel to Morag, twenty-fourteen and split off into two groups; Rhodey and Nebula would scout out the Power Stone while Natasha and Clint would head off to Vormir to secure the Soul Stone.

 They all had their objectives, and they were all determined to accomplish them.

 "Six Stones, three teams, and one shot." The soldier continued on. He cut his gaze from the team and instead, he drifted closer to the screen, eyes glued to each sparkling stone.

 Emilia rose to her feet just as the others did, each standing as tall as they could in the hopes of at least installing a sense of confidence within their bellies. Emilia couldn't help the rush of anxiety that suddenly blossomed in the pit of her gut, nor could she quell the tremors that suddenly had her fingers shaking.

 A hand rested on her forearm, squeezing gently, yet tough enough to bring her back and cease the panic that had already started to pry air from her lungs; Bruce. He was by her side, as per usual, making sure that the waves didn't drag her under.

 Emilia smiled at him as he removed his palm and shoved it back into his pocket.

 It was time; they'd all disappear and don their new suits that melded just perfectly with their bodies; ready to travel through the Quantum Realm and get those damn stones back.

 They were a rag-tag group, that much was obvious; a raccoon, a synthesoid, a retired billionaire, an old-ass soldier, a former assassin, a god with a drinking problem, a meek physicist that could meld with his garishly green counterpart, and a former physicist with unimaginable power at the very tips of her fingers... They were hardly a team, hardly a cohesive group... But they had all come together for the sake of something bigger than them all.

 For once, they walked as one. From the smallest and furriest to the tallest with the scraggliest beard anyone had ever seen; they all wore their Quantum suits with confidence, each of their chins high in the air, all shoulders relaxed as they strode closer and closer to the Quantum Tunnel.

 Steve took the lead, Tony at his right, "Five years ago, we lost," He reminded them in that monotonous voice of his — though they hardly needed the reminder. He stepped onto the portal first, heavy footsteps echoing in sync with his team. His eyes followed Emilia and Bruce momentarily as they parted from the group to set the controls, "All of us. We lost friends, we lost family; we lost a part of ourselves."

 A familiar ache burned within Emilia's chest; longing for that missing piece of her heart.

 Her throat bobbed with a hearty swallow as she flicked a switch. Bruce followed suit, his fingertips pinching at a switch as he stared down, knowing as soon as they arrived in New York he'd have to turn green.

 Even despite the resolved tension and anger between himself and the Hulk, merging together as one was always odd; there was always a voice in the very depths of his mind, guiding his heavy swings and supplying him with the rage he needed to keep the anxiety at bay.

 The duo spared a look at one another, hands curling together as they made their way to join the rest of the team. Emilia took the empty spot beside Tony who offered a wink — which she obviously rolled her eyes at — while Bruce stood to her left and wrung his hands together.

 "You know your teams," Steve continued as he stared at them all, slowly moving his eyes to each of them individually. His eyes met Emilia and he nodded, receiving a short nod in return, "You know your missions; get the Stones and get them back. We have one round-trip each, no mistakes, no do-overs, just one shot." He looked to his side where Tony rocked on his heels, "Most of us are going somewhere we know but that doesn't mean we know what to expect. Be careful," He looked between Nat and Clint, moving to do the same with Emilia and Bruce, "Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives..."

 The Avengers... and CO... heaved heavy breaths into their lungs, chests puffed out as they waited for Steve to part with his final words.

 Emilia blew hot air from her lips as she felt her heart beat faster.

 "We're going to win." The super soldier finalised. The confidence in his voice, the urgency and the utter determination he displayed was enough for his team to nod. No hesitancy to be found. "Whatever it takes." The soldier gave a final glance at the team before him; they could do this, they had to. "Good luck."

 Emilia's fingers twitched by her side as she cast a side-long look at Bruce, her partner for their upcoming mission. His trembling pink — though soon to be green — fingers were curled around the remote button that would finally send them hurtling through the Quantum Realm.

 Emilia looked to Tony, awaiting his nod.

 "All right, you heard the man," Tony announced and all eyes fell on him. He shifted in place, boots scuffing against the ground as he tried his best to brush away the uneasiness of heading back to the day that had plagued him with nightmares for the remainder of his life, "Press that key, jolly green."

 Bruce grimaced at the name, after years of knowing Tony and becoming used to the awful nicknames he bestowed upon every single person he'd met, he should have been used to it. Hell, even Emilia had adopted some of Tony's ways and accidentally let slip a name or two before snorting at the contorted expression on Bruce's features.

 "Tractors engaged," Bruce muttered loud enough for them all to hear, his shaking thumb clamping down on the button that would set their silent countdown.

 There was a bout of bickering between Clint at the Raccoon that peered up at him through narrowed eyes; the furry thing had likely told Clint to be as careful as he possibly could with the miniaturized ship — the Benatar, Emilia was certain she'd heard Rocket call it — in the palm of his hand.

 Clint looked mildly put out with the creatures, electing to lightly kick his shin as he rolled his eyes.

 Emilia could feel herself teetering back and forth, bouncing on the balls of her feet before tipping to her heels; she was going back to a time she'd never really experienced; the invasion. She hadn't been there; sure the news was wildly broadcasted, and she could easily recall the feeling of unease that not only the Chitauri had given her, but the sight of the Hulk had too.

 Emilia had been cooped away; having resorted to locking herself in an old motel that scarcely had visitors. It had been the safest option at the time; a time before she knew of the Kamar-Taj.

 She would see the Ancient One again, and though a spark blossomed in her heart at the prospect, Emilia knew she'd inevitably have to say goodbye to her mentor once more; and for the final time. That thought weighed heavily on her shoulders. But it was of no matter now; they had a mission to complete and lives to save. So who was she to put her grief first?

 Natasha looked around at them all, "See you in a minute." her teasing grin was enough to at least alleviate some of the panic that had begun to swarm within all of their guts. With those words being the last, everybody tapped at the buttons waiting eagerly on their wrists.

 Emilia's eyes clamped shut, her fingers finally parting from the button...

 There was an abundance of smoke that filled Emilia's senses, a slight metallic twang to the air from the moment her feet landed upon solid ground once more. She blinked against the light, eyes focusing on the billowing smoke crawling into the air and on the mangled faces of the Chitauri as they passed them by.

 There was a blur of red and gold that hurtled through the sky, the roars of a great beast and the sound of whizzing arrows; the Avengers were already engaged with the aliens; hopefully that would mean nobody would cast Emilia and the others a second glance.

 She offered Bruce a short nod as the man approached her side still in his 'human' form; his hands were clasped together and his eyes darted around their surroundings with hesitance; the invasion couldn't have brought back many great memories for him, for any of them.

 Steve turned to them after ensuring their path was clear. His Quantum suit faded from his body and that garish red, white and blue suit he'd worn back in the day was now loud and proud as it took the spotlight, "All right, we all have our assignments, two Stones uptown," He glanced at Tony and Scott, the two who would accompany him to pluck the Soul and Space Stone from their former selves before he settled on Emilia, "One Stone downtown. Stay low and keep an eye on the clock."

 Steve had parted his lips once more, and Emilia knew he'd likely have trailed off with some silly little speech that they really didn't have the tie for, thankfully, however, a close-by crash made each of them cast their eyes to the side. A Chtauri had paused in its steps, blasting its weapon into the sky as Bruce's former self — though this 'former self' was far more green, and far more angry — came hurtling to the ground.

 The Hulk landed with a thud that shook the earth; pieces of the road and pavement crumbled beneath its weight before the giant spun on his heel, wrapped his gigantic green hands around an already dented and damaged car, and began to continuously slam said car onto the Chitauri.

 Emilia grimaced; the Chitauri was surely crushed after the first assault, let alone the twelve that followed.

 The surrounding Chitauri scuttled like mice, something akin to a scream emitting from their gruesome forms, and the Hulk chased after them with a lingering roar on his tongue.

 Emilia was the first to slide her eyes to Bruce who had hung as far back as he possibly could, his pink fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. She almost laughed; to think the man before her who spoke in calm and quiet tones, who could barely stomach killing the bugs they'd somehow find within the lab... was... The Hulk.

 Bruce peered up, eyes squinting at Emilia's risen brow, "Let's not talk about it."

 Emilia's lips curled into her mouth, a rather shoddy attempt at hiding her amusement. Nonetheless, they needed to move and so she approached Bruce and held out a hand, wiggling her fingers. "Time to go green."

 He sighed heavily, shoulders slumping as though a tonne of rocks had collided with his aching back; it wasn't that he was frightened of becoming... 'professor Hulk' as Tony had once snorted into his coffee, but more so... the clothes. The hassle. Having to strip down to his stretchy shorts and watch as his skin was flooded with green. He couldn't even remember how many borrowed shirts he'd ruined, nor did he want to think about the piles of shredded trousers he'd destroyed by suddenly flicking that switch within himself.

 Emilia did her best to smile reassuringly as her fingers curled around the jacket Bruce had passed her. He handed over his shirt, his belt and then his jeans; left in nothing but those terribly ugly shorts they had all designed; something that could withstand such a transformation.

 "Okay..." Bruce muttered to himself, fingers curling to fists by his side. He looked up once more, finding Scott peering at him with wide eyes; he almost toppled over as he teetered closer.

 Emilia noticed, of course, and swiftly grabbed Scott by the back of his shirt. Blue pulsated from her fingertips as it spread to the man's toes, forcing him upright. He at least managed a sheepish grin.

 Green veins appeared on Bruce's neck, his arms and his chest, all of them slowly spreading like a virus; the very thing Bruce had once thought the Hulk to be. His body began to grow, muscles suddenly protruding from his legs and arms, his chest quickly solidifying.

 Then, before their very eyes stood the Hulk, with the temperament and voice of Doctor Bruce Banner.

 "You know..." Tony trailed off as he almost hopped his way to Bruce. He tapped the Doctor's gigantic lime-green arm, "Not sure if I'll ever get used to that."

 "Me neither." Bruce agreed.

 Emilia thought the very same; watching as those veins protruded from his skin and swiftly became doused in green, watching as Bruce's skin was suddenly flooded with outrageous muscle... but then hearing Bruce's voice and those docile tones... It was quite jarring.

 Steve, of course, broke their small moment apart, "Maybe you should smash a few things along the way."

 Bruce almost sulked, though even still they could hear his past self tossing cars and turning buildings to rubble. He wouldn't be able to simply stroll through the dilapidated streets of New York with Emilia by his side... There would certainly be some questions if one of the Avengers found them.

 "I think it's gratuitous but whatever," Bruce muttered back as he slowly stomped into the street, ignoring the smiles that steadily grew on both Emilia and tony's lips; sometimes he really couldn't tell if it was Tony's influence that made Emilia into who she was, or if she'd simply grown so different in their years apart.

 Emilia struggled to keep a chuckle lodged in her throat when Bruce, quite delightfully, put on a show for them. Half-assed growls and roars were forced from his garish lips, his hands waved in the air as though to appear threatening.

 "Okay, please, that's enough." Emilia snorted as she hastily bypassed Tony, Steve and a giddy-looking Scott. "Let's just..." She blew out an amused breath as Bruce let a dishevelled motorbike slip from his hands and to the ground with a crash, "Let's get going, this is hard to watch."

 "You've gotten mean." He responded, pouting like a child.

 "Sure I have." Emilia rolled her eyes, and with a small huff and a light smattering of blue bursting from her fingertips, she swiftly hovered in the hair and moved forth, clamping her arms around Bruce's neck; or as much as she could, at least. Her powers settled back and she tossed a look at Tony who looked about ready to double over in laughter at the sight of Emilia clinging to a very green Bruce Banner, "Tones?"

 "Hm?"

 "If you see your old — younger self, give him a kick to the shins for me?"

 "He's right," Tony nodded to Bruce as he folded his arms, "You have gotten mean."

 The Sanctum Sanctorum was surrounded by Chitauri; some blasts from their weapons hit and merely bounced off the stone walls, leaving behind the image of amber runes — The Ancient One Protected the place well.

 With every Chitauri that came close, a sliver of golden sparks would soon push them away. The Ancient One stood in place atop the Sanctum, and her familiar golden weapons were in hand.

 Two fans, she always favoured them; The Tao fan was an ancient relic, much like the Vaulting Boots of Valtorr, or even the Cloak of Levitation. Eldritch magic flowed through the wooden weapon and with great ease, allowed the user to create a duplicate within their other hand. They could redirect the current of the wind, and shoot out the fizzling sparks that sorcerers were oh-so acquainted with.

 Emilia watched her mentors form grow closer and closer as Bruce jumped from the tops of the building littering New York; Emilia kept them safe with one hand wrapped around Bruce's neck to keep her steady, whilst her other hand batted the Chitauri away or tore them to pieces with whatever form of energy she called upon.

 There was a knot in her stomach as she watched the Ancient One spin on her feet with the grace of a dancer; white robes billowed around her as she made the Chitauri fall to her strength in clusters.

 It had been so long, and Emilia could almost hear that gut-wrenching beep of the heart monitor that had been hooked to her mentor those years ago; alerting her to her death.

 That longing to run away appeared, seizing her heart in an iron grip but even though Emilia would never truly admit it; she would always put others above herself. People needed them to succeed, they needed that Time Stone... so if she had to face the past and its monsters once again... Well, she should really be used to it, shouldn't she?

 The Ancient one had turned to face them before Bruce had even landed atop the Sanctum and while her eyes narrowed upon Bruce's garishly green body, slowly they slid to Emilia and all muscles slackened.

 "Emilia," It was so strange to hear that voice again. It made Emilia swallow as she slowly lowered herself beside Bruce, blue waves alight at her fingertips. The sight made her mentor smile, "You're rather early, our first meeting isn't for quite some time."

 "I know." Emilia's voice sounded foreign to her, as though she hadn't even been the one to open her own mouth. Small, like a wounded child, is how she sounded; nothing like the woman she'd forged herself into being — the woman who shouldered everything and pretended as though nothing was wrong until she'd explode.

 When Emilia offered no explanation, too caught up in her own head, the Ancient One took a short step back, "While it is lovely to see you... What is it you're here for?"

 Emilia was well aware of the look thrown to her by Bruce; they'd agreed that she would be the one to talk, to be the one to ask for the Stone... He hadn't realised just how hard it would be for her. Hell, Emilia had thought she'd be fine, that she'd simply wave away the sadness that would etch in and replace it with the stoicism she'd often wear in the face of her past.

 Bruce's gaze flitted to the old artefact hanging around the Ancient One's neck; the Eye of Agamotto. He'd seen Stephen Strange open the artefact with a dramatic swish of his fingers, only for it to reveal the hidden Time Stone.

 He pointed a large green finger her way, "That, actually."

 "Ah..." The Ancient One chuckled breezily as she shook her head, "I'm afraid not."

 "Sorry, but we aren't asking —"

 "— Bruce." Emilia's tone had firmed and the resolve she'd been searching for finally came to her. Hearing the Ancient One deny their request had sparked a bitter flame; they needed that Stone.

 That pang of sadness and utter longing for what had once been was still there, brewing in the pit of Emilia's stomach, but the Ancient One... Her Ancient One was dead. There was no bringing her back, no watching as she rose from the dead. She had died of a fatal wound, and she had accepted it after so many years.

 Stephen... God, her eyes blurred at the mere thought of his name as it echoed in her skull. He was ashes on a cold breeze waiting for her to bring him home, to bring him back to her. The ring on the chain around her neck felt heavier than ever before.

 The Ancient One would die, and there would be no bringing her back... But Stephen... if they pulled this off, she'd see his face again, feel those calloused fingers tremble over her skin. She'd hear his voice muttering words into her ears as they fell asleep with arms draped around each other. He could come home.

 "We need it." She spoke again, stepping forwards as the cracks in her shield receded. She could see a slight trace of surprise alight the Ancient One's features, but there was something else too; pride.

 "Emilia, you of all people should know who you are facing." The Ancient One's words were slow, and enunciated. Her head had slightly dipped, eyes growing a speck colder.

 "I do, but you don't know the woman standing before you. You know some of me, not all of me." Even despite her words, Emilia forced her fingers to curl into her palm, "I'm not here to pry the damn Stone from your hands, I'm here to ask you for your help... Something you've never denied me before."

 The Ancient One remained still, silently blinking as she digested Emilia's words, her stance and her tone. This woman was nothing like the girl she'd seen in the future. Nothing like the woman who would soon find her way to Kamar-Taj with nothing but a broken spirit and unruly powers. She was no longer the student who'd sink when a teacup shattered, or when a stool would go flying across the room.

 That heartbreak was still evident in her eyes and the way they lacked all shine; a shine she had watched Emilia gain in the presence of Stephen Strange... The Emilia she would soon find seeking sanctuary was gone, nothing but a shadow following this woman before her around.

 Emilia felt exposed, just as anyone did beneath the Ancient One's beady gaze. Her mentor was pulling her apart by the seams, searching for traces of her old self; Emilia hoped she wouldn't find her. It had taken years for fear to finally be vanquished when it came to the abilities she possessed; she could feel them now. The power that pulsed through her bloodstream, the sensation of everything around her... when years ago she only felt afraid.

 She wouldn't shrink away this time, not even in front of the Ancient One.

 "Perhaps," The Ancient One began, her tone hardly shifting, "But I don't recall you ever planning to ask me for an Infinity Stone. I believe shelter and education are hardly comparable to the Time Stone."

 "They aren't, and believe me, I really am thankful for everything you've done —" Emilia's nose scrunched up, "— Will do? You helped me grow, you never once judged me, you kept me alive... You lead me to him —"

 Her voice cracked and Bruce dipped his head.

 Emilia screwed her eyes shut for a beat, pushing down that lump in her throat before she met her Mentors stoic gaze once more, "I wouldn't ask you if I didn't have to, I wouldn't be here," She gestured around them, and a Chitauri flew by, "If I didn't have to be... But people need us, and people need that Stone."

 The Ancient One moved to speak, and Emilia, for the very first time, interrupted her, "Listen to me." That steel was back, echoing in the harsh planes of her voice. Emilia knew there was no fault in telling the Ancient One of the future that preceded her death, for she knew not to mess with time, "In twenty-eighteen Thanos and his... children... will come to Earth and seek out the Infinity Stones, and despite our best and collective efforts... He wins. He gets all of them; Time, Mind, Space, Reality, Soul and Power..." Her brows curled together, and Bruce swiftly intervened, taking over where she left off.

 "And he uses them to wipe out half of all living creatures. We set out to collect the stones and take them back to our time so that we can bring them all back. Please, let us have that Stone."

 For a small moment, both Emilia and Bruce thought she'd say yes. There was pity in her eyes as she looked at them, sadness almost etching away at the lines in her skin... but then she shook her head, "I'm sorry. I can't help you. If I give up the Time Stone to help your reality, I'm dooming my own."

 Emilia should have expected this. She should have walked onto the damn roof knowing they'd get a no; just because Emilia was there, just because at some point within the Ancient One's future they'd be friends and allies... It meant nothing right now.

 Emilia stepped forwards once more and the Ancient One remained where she was. There was no fear in her eyes when Emilia looked into them because she knew that despite Emilia having grown and changed, she'd never turn her back on the Ancient One. She'd never cause harm.

 But then, as Emilia gazed at the Eye of Agamotto that rose and fell in time with the Ancient One's breaths... "Is that true?"

 "Hm?"

 "That we would be dooming this reality?"

 "Emilia —"

 Emilia rose her hands, and rather than a burst of blue emanating from the tips of her scarred fingers, a puff of golden smoke trailed between herself, and the Ancient One. A timeline made of glittering gold stretched between them, never quite meeting as it faded into the distance.

 The Ancient One looked on as Emilia demonstrated her use of the Mystic Arts, something she'd never truly witness again; after all, Emilia was quite resolved in the Kamar-Taj Bruce hurried forth, wincing at his thunderous steps as he clambered for a closer look.

 Another wave and Emilia did just as Wong had done those years ago when he'd explained each of the Stones to Bruce and Tony. An illusion, a glittering image of the stones circled the timeline, spinning on a crooked axis. Emilia pinched the glowing green gem and pulled it from its place, "I know that the Stones create a flow of time, they keep our timeline on the straight and narrow..."

 "Then you also know that if a Stone is removed..." The Ancient One watched on as a black branch spurted from the golden timeline, "The flow splits. This may benefit your reality... as for my new one, not so much. In this new branch of reality, we'd be without our chief weapon against the forces of darkness, and our world would be overrun. Millions would suffer, Emilia, could you live with that?"

 Emilia's teeth ground together painfully as she let those words sink in; the Ancient One knew just how much guilt could cripple her, and now it was being brandished like a sword in an attempt to make her stand down.

 Emilia cocked her head, eyes swiftly darting from her mentor to the timeline once more. The black branch continued to flow whilst the image of the Time Stone remained in her grasp.

 The Ancient One was right, taking any of the Stones from their rightful place in the timeline would hinder the reality they were plucked from; but this had already been a dilemma Emilia and Bruce had pondered.

 "And if it never left?" She said, awaiting a response with her head tilted to one side.

 "Yeah, what if — what if we erased that timeline?" Bruce held his hand out and without words exchanged, Emilia passed over the illusion of the Time Stone, watching silently as he placed it back in its rightful place, "Because once we're done with the Stones, we can bring them back... we can return them to their original timelines, to the exact moment." With the Time Stone back in its place and circling the timeline with the other stones, the branched timeline faded into nothing... as though it had never existed in the first place, "So, chronologically — in that reality — it never actually left."

 Emilia dropped her hold on the timeline, blank eyes watching as it simmered away. Her stomach twisted as she recalled the very day that Thanos had taken everything from them. She'd thought about it often, knowing she could have done more if she had pushed herself further... But she'd also dream and sob and scream at Stephen's parting words 'we'll see each other again'.

 Despite the robes, sentient artefacts and magic at his fingertips; Stephen Strange was not cryptic. He didn't speak in riddles like the wizards you'd find in movies and children's storybooks; no matter how many times Tony had regarded him as Gandalf. Stephen was a straightforward man, if anything, he absolutely despised riddles and words that didn't depict what they actually meant. So why the hell would he mutter those words, if he didn't mean them?

 Emilia cleared her throat, forcibly burying that stinging sensation once again, "Stephen told me we'd see each other again."

 Silence ensued. Bruce hadn't heard that name fall from her lips in years. He hadn't heard anyone even mention it whilst she was around, all in the fear that she'd either sob or give them a one-way trip to the Antarctic via a magical portal.

 He hated to be the bearer of bad news, and he hated to have to be the one to quash her hope, but he had to say what he was thinking, "Are you sure he didn't mean..." He scratched at his neck, feeling rather queasy when Emilia glared at him,

 "In death?" Emilia scoffed with a mirthless smile, her arms folding across her chest, "It was hard enough to get him to believe in the Mystic Arts, and you think he believes in God, or the afterlife, are you joking?"

 Bruce mutely nodded along.

 "Look," Emilia breathed, raking her hands across her face — out of habit, she still avoided her discoloured temple, "I know him better than anyone... He wouldn't have said that if he didn't actually mean it. He wouldn't have done that —" She sniffed, "He wouldn't have done that to me. He used the Stone when we were up there, to look at all the possibilities and he said that just one outcome favoured us, there was one outcome in which we would win..."

 She dropped her hands then, staring at the long scar that trailed along her left pointer finger, it looked just as Stephens did. Bumpy, pearly-white, and it trailed all the way to the tip of her finger, "This has to be that one way."

 The Ancient One waited for Emilia to meet her eyes. Cold and stoic as per usual, but then they softened in a way that Emilia could just barely remember; it was akin to the days of her training; when she'd finally managed to lift the damn teacup without it shattering into a thousand pieces. Her mentor had smiled, a simple action that had meant the world to Emilia.

 "I know you." The Ancient One said, "Or I will, soon enough. I've lived the future with the power of this Stone —"

 "— Until the day where there's thunder and snow in the sky, I know." Emilia's words had trailed off into a whisper.

 "Yes... I entrust the Sanctum to the pair of you; not one Master, but two. Balance." She spoke so surely, with no ounce of regret in her tone, "You've grown, not just in body, but in mind and skill. I know the woman you were, and even then I know you'd never put your desires before the safety of those around you. You would suffer if it meant others could be happy. That's who you are."

 Bruce looked down, feeling his old friend leaning heavily against his arm, but the Ancient One continued despite the pain clearly seizing Emilia, "I would trust you with the Stone, Emilia Clemente, but how can you truly guarantee that you'll win?"

 "Because I'll do more. Back on titan when we were fighting Thanos, I know I could have done better —"

 "— Em —" Bruce tried, only to zip his mouth shut as Emilia shook her head and ploughed on.

 "— I could have done more. But I was still the same scared girl that you met when I arrived at Kamar-Taj. I can do more now, I can do things that I was downright petrified of doing before. The Avengers were separated back then, but now they've come together to bring everyone home. We will do this. This is our one way to win, I know it."

 "Strange is supposed to be the best of us..." The Ancient One trailed off, her eyes glossing over for a short second until her face tightened once more and she pointedly stared at Emilia, "And you... You, Emilia," She paused, wondering if her next words should flow free.

 "If you're about to talk about how I got my power from Dormammu, believe me, I know."

 Then something odd happened. Emilia watched as her mentor frowned in confusion, an emotion so rare to see on her features. She was wise beyond her years — though that was obviously due to her extended life, thanks to the power she drew from the dark dimension. But never before had Emilia seen her mentor... stumped.

 The Ancient One shook her head, "Your powers were enhanced by Dormammu, not given to you."

 A beat passed as Emilia tried to keep her face from crumbling, as she tried to remain steady on her feet. Dormammu had explicitly told Stephen that the power running through her blood had come from the ruler of the Dark Dimension. They had sought destruction and found its host within her. If that was all... A lie, if that was all false words, then that would mean...

 "Enhanced?" Emilia bit out, "That would mean I had powers to be enhanced. I didn't, I can promise you that."

 "Are you so sure?"

 White-hot anger began to flare; a simple by-product of stepping into something she had thought once solved. It had always plagued her, not knowing where such power and destruction had come from but now she had made her peace. It had taken years to finally find comfort in the fact that Dormammu had sent her off as a vessel for his own craving for destruction and chaos... But she had broken free.

 "I think I would have noticed flying objects and complete chaos as a child." Emilia scoffed, her arms tightening around her abdomen. Even Bruce has curled a brow at the Ancient One's words. He'd known Emilia for years prior to her sudden burst of unstable power, and he could say with utmost certainty that he'd never caught a beaker spontaneously explode and cover the laboratory in shards of glass.

 The Ancient One looked between the pair, "You have always been a woman of science Emilia, from a young age, a mere child, all you had ever wanted was a white coat. You sought facts and evidence to support them. That alone is enough to suppress things you wished not to see. You have always had this power, Dormammu's surge of dimensional energy merely brought it out of stasis, out of... Hibernation, if you will."

 Why did it always feel like whenever Emilia had finally come to terms with the things that caused her mind to spiral into a frenzy or cause her heart to break, the world threw her progress back in her face to choke on once more? She had spent time and effort honing her skill, beating herself up for not doing it sooner. She had spent years running from the thought of Dormammu's power flowing through her twisting veins... only now to find that it was never truly the case.

 "I don't understand..." Emilia breathed, and it almost sounded like a childish whine. Begging for someone to finally tell her the truth, tell her what the hell was wrong with her. "How can somebody be... How could I have been born with this?"

 Her fingers had so swiftly moved that Bruce had missed the action altogether until pieces of rubble flitted into the air with a sheen of blue cascading around them. Her fingers tightened and the rubble crumbled into dust, flowing to the ground in small, delicate heaps.

 The Ancient One only smiled, watching the display with attentive eyes. Definitely not the woman she would soon meet, and then soon say goodbye to beneath the light fall of snow, "You aren't the only one to have been born with power, Emilia. While others make suits," It was a rather well-timed reference, for the sound of firing repulsors reached their ears, "Or pump their blood with serums, even botched ones," she cast Bruce a crooked smile, he rubbed his neck sheepishly, "There are a small few that are born with power, you happen to be one of them." 

 She flicked a wrist in the air, easily destroying an oncoming Chitauri as she turned from them both, "Dormammu likely thought you were powerless and thus gave you power you shouldn't have been able to control. But with the abilities you've had since birth, you tamed what he gave you and made it your own. You took his strength, and combined it with what already resided within you, an almost impossible feat."

 Well, when she put it that way, it did seem rather fantastical. She made it sound as though Emilia had accomplished something great, but all Emilia could feel was that peculiar spark of emptiness once more. She still didn't know herself.

 "Come here." The Ancient One murmured, though she did not move to face them.

 Emilia glanced at Bruce, still feeling uneasy on her own two feet. Still, she stepped closer with questions swimming in her wide green eyes.

 When her mentor finally turned to face her, the Eye of Agamotto was no longer settled on her chest, but rather, in the palm of her hand. She held it up, and the familiar glisten of the old metal brought a pang to Emilia's heart; the last she had really seen of it was mere moments before Stephen had left her alone.

 The Ancient one stood tall and as her stark-white robes billowed in the breeze, she truly embodied her name sake. She looked young, yet her stance was so rigid and strong, her eyes so blank and wise. She secured the Eye of Agamotto around Emilia's neck, watching with a suddenly soft gaze as it fell perfectly to the centre of her chest; rising and falling with every thud of her heart. It suited her.

 "Go on, bring them home." The Ancient One said, her eyes leaving the artefact as they finally landed upon Emilia's features, "I'm counting on you, we all are."

 Despite the Eye of Agamotto resting on her chest, she felt lighter. They finally had the damn Stone, and they could finally return back to their time and bring everyone back. She'd see... She'd see him again. She'd see Wong, the students of Kamar-Taj that had faded to ash. They'd all come back.

 But still the words they'd tarded echoed in her mind; Emilia had been born with power that she had quashed and stomped away with her ideals and thirst for knowledge. Would things have turned out differently if she'd opened her mind sooner? Would she have gained control sooner? Could she have beaten Thanos?

 They were all things she'd soon ponder, but only when they had completed their task. For the Ancient One was right; Emilia would always choose to suffer if it meant easing the pain of others.

 Emilia felt her lips wobble, "Thank you." Her words were almost stolen by the wind as it brushed them by, jostling their clothes and Emilia's hair. She swallowed then, despite the goodbye she'd gotten to share with her mentor those years ago when she passed, Emilia still felt the need to say it again, "For everything that you have done, and will do for me. This will be the last time I see you, so... Thank you."

 To try and brush those tears bubbling upon her waterline and mingling with her lashes, Emilia shrugged her shoulders, "And sorry, I guess. I'm a lot to deal with when you meet me."

 A rare chuckle flooded from her mentor, "Compared to Stephen Strange, you will prove to be an easy student."

 "Yeah... Yeah, he was a mess." Being able to joke about him and his ungodly attitude was new, only accompanied by the reminder that maybe, if things went their way just this once; she'd see him again and be able to say it to his face. Idiot, moron, insufferable... But Emilia knew that when she'd finally see his face, none of those words would really slip off the tongue. Just three words would; be it 'i missed you' or 'i love you'.

 Probably both... the insults would come after.

 "Go on, now," The Ancient One broke her thoughts, shattering the longing that clawed at her ribs, trying with all its might to conquer her heart, "And make certain that the Stone finds its way back here, to this moment."

 "I will, I promise." 

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DATE: 03-03-2023

:･ﾟ★ SORRY FOR THE BREAK INBETWEEN UPDATES - I'M SICK, UNMOTIVATED AND DEAD TO THE WORLD <3

but anyway... uh... emilia was born with her power?? i planned this from the start and it only all fit together perfectly when charles came back in MoM; that'll be an interesting meeting for sure.

It was quite fun to write the ancient one again, especially intercating with her emilia after so much growth, lmk what you thought!

(this is update one; after leaving y'all high and dry i think a double update is due<3)

please remember to leave feedback & comments. i require a certain number of comments before i publish the next update. please give me a follow to keep updated and receive sneak peeks! do not leave 'update' comments, you will be muted.