Tony looked curiously at the bald lady and thought, 'So this is the ancient magic lady. She does not look that old. Well she might have been a lot hotter if she had hair. Not that I am judging.'
As if she had read his mind, the Ancient One looked straight at him. Tony felt a chill run down his spine. 'Don't tell me this magic lady can read my thoughts?'
The Ancient One spoke in her calm voice. "No I cannot read your thoughts Mr. Stark. But I can read your facial expressions and body movements and from them I can tell that you were thinking something indecent about me. Not that I mind considering you would be saving the entire universe including me soon so I can ignore it this time."
Tony coughed and looked away quickly. His face turned a little red. He tried to play it off with a small laugh. "Okay, noted. No more thinking around you."
The Ancient One smiled slightly and continued. "Anyways, I have prepared a ritual that would open a portal to the other universe. The preparations have been made and since you are ready, you can leave as soon as possible."
She looked at each person in the group. Her eyes were steady and kind. "Keep in mind that by opening the portal, we are weakening the reality barriers between the universes a little more. So the timeframe for you would decrease for finding the culprit. But you should at least have a couple years for it. I hope that you have taken care of your business here for at least a couple years?"
Everyone nodded. They had spent the last few days making arrangements. Tony had left instructions for Pepper and his company.
Steve had written letters to a few old contacts. Bruce had warned his few friends to stay safe. Natasha just gave a letter of absence to Fury even if she was not employed with Shield anymore but she was still Fury's little spy.
The Ancient One nodded once. "Good. You should not worry about Earth. I and Kamar-Taj will protect Earth from both magical and physical threats during the timeframe of your mission."
Tony raised his hand. "Quick question. You are basically immortal, right? Hundreds of years old?"
The Ancient One smiled. "Yes."
Tony continued. "So you have seen a lot. I have questions. But I am going to just point out statement that I know my previous self would not have accepted to be corrected. Tell me if any of the statements I make are incorrect."
"I know now that magic is real. You are ancient and have lived hundreds of years. No science cannot explain magic. No magic cannot be replicated by science. Anyone with talent can do magic. Is that all correct?"
The Ancient One answered each point. "Yes. Yes. Correct. Correct. And yes, anyone who trains hard and has the gift can learn."
Bruce asked next. "Do you have a magical way of curing me?"
The Ancient One looked at him kindly. "You are not sick Mr. Banner. Just like I advised you, Kakashi had advised you. I would suggest living with your Hulk side. Maybe you would like it. Try becoming friends with him."
Bruce looked down at his hands. He thought about those words. He had spent years hating the Hulk. Fighting it. Running from it. Maybe the Ancient One and Kakashi was right. Maybe peace was possible.
Tony asked another question. "Should we expect to meet our counterparts?"
The Ancient One answered. "I do not know. What I am sure is that there is no counterpart for me in that universe."
Tony looked surprised. "How can you tell?"
The Ancient One replied. "Because if she was, she would have stopped the Incursion already or would have died trying."
Bruce asked the next question. "Can you really see the future?"
The Ancient One explained patiently. "Let me tell you. I cannot see the future of what happens in the other universe. But I can see what you would tell me in the endless possibilities that you pass the mission and return home."
Natasha spoke up. "So you can just tell us the different ways we have earned success and the results and we can just copy it."
The Ancient One shook her head. "Time does not work that way Miss Romanoff. I cannot tell you anything or it would not come to pass. But what I can tell you is that you have a high chance of success."
Tony and Banner nodded. They understood time travel paradoxes. They had read enough theories. Changing the future by knowing it could create new problems. They accepted her answer.
The Ancient One guided them through a long corridor. They entered a large circular room. Symbols covered the floor in glowing lines. Candles burned in patterns.
"I will know if the barriers between universes stop weakening," she said. "And if they stop for a whole week, I will create a return portal for you."
She looked at each person. "Your return portal would be at the same location from where you would arrive in the other universe's Earth."
She stepped back. "Are you all ready?"
Everyone nodded. Kakashi had been quiet since they arrived. He stood at the back of the group.
The Ancient One began the ritual. She raised her hands. Her voice filled the room. She spoke in an ancient language that sounded like wind and fire mixed together.
"By the light of the Vishanti and the will of the universe, I open the path between what is and what may be. Through the weakened veil, I call the way forward. Let the barriers part. Let the travelers pass. Let the balance hold until their return."
Orange sparks formed a circle in the air. The circle grew larger. Inside it, colours swirled. A portal took shape.
"Go before the barriers weaken by much," she said.
She looked at the team with steady eyes.
"I wish you all the best, Earth's mightiest heroes. The fate of Earth and this universe lies in your hands."
Tony stepped forward first. He looked at the portal with a mix of excitement and nerves. Cap followed. Bruce took a deep breath. Natasha gave one last look at the Ancient One and walked through.
Kakashi was about to step in when the Ancient One spoke again. Her voice sounded ominous.
"Kakashi, remember… When the time comes, I trust you to make the right choice."
Kakashi paused for one second. He looked back at her. Her face was serious. He gave a small nod. Then he stepped through the portal.
The portal closed behind him with a soft sound. The Ancient One stood alone in the room. The candles flickered once and went out.
-----Author Notes---------
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