"Hey, Nick Fury, you still haven't told me why we're being targeted."
In midair, Tony Stark glanced at the swarm of Sentries—each one having shapeshifted into terrifying new states. His scalp tingled. He turned toward Nick Fury.
"Tony Stark, this isn't the past you remember," Nick said, his tone more serious than ever. "In 2012, HYDRA completely infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. These Sentries took control of the world."
Nick's face was grim. Over the past few years he had fought HYDRA countless times—barely surviving, often escaping in humiliation. If not for the Tesseract in his possession, HYDRA would have wiped him out long ago.
"These Sentries were developed by Brain Allens. They're super-powered combat robots—with terrifying abilities."
The Sentries in front of them finished charging. Nick didn't bother explaining further; with Tony's intelligence, he'd already figured it out.
"Ice-Giant Mode: activated."
Opposite Tony, the ice-blue Sentry's body released a dense cloud of freezing mist. Its right hand transformed into an enormous blade of ice. The temperature plunged below zero. Frost rapidly spread across Tony's Blood-Edge armor.
Rumble—
Behind the Ice Sentry, a Thunder Sentry crackled with purple electricity. Lightning danced through the sky, dark clouds gathering overhead as an overwhelming pressure swept across the battlefield.
Behind the Thunder Sentry floated another one—no obvious change in appearance, but an invisible telekinetic force field wrapped around its body. Even scraps of debris on the ground floated into the air.
Other Sentries flickered with blue halos, some emanating microwave energy waves, and some looked unchanged visually—but every one of them radiated a dangerous new aura.
BOOM!
Thunder Sentry moved first. It rocketed upward, its entire body glowing like a mechanical version of Thor. Its right arm morphed into a giant axe crackling with lightning, then swung down violently.
"Veronica, Anti-Thor mode!"
Cold sweat trickled down Tony's neck. He immediately activated the Anti-Thor modules he had designed.
Nanoparticles surged across his armor, forming new layers of specialized material. A triangle of white light appeared on his chest—within it, runic lightning symbols were locked in place.
CRASH!
The Thunder Sentry's electrified axe slammed into Tony's armor—but all the lightning was absorbed, funneled into the triangular module, and reflected back in a massive burst, blasting the Sentry away.
"F***—super armor technology? Even Thanos's Black Order doesn't have anything like this…"
Tony's expression darkened.
During the Infinity War, he had studied Thanos's technology firsthand aboard the Titan spaceship. He could confidently say that armor like this—created purely through tech—was something even the Thanos army had never achieved.
Crack—
While Tony battled the Thunder Sentry, the Telekinesis Sentry raised its hand. A massive wave of rocks and rubble surged toward Captain America and Ant-Man. The psychic force behind it was something neither of them could possibly withstand.
Bang! Bang!
Both Blood-Edge armors were hurled through the air, spinning uncontrollably. The violent tumbling would make even Captain America dizzy—Ant-Man even more so.
Swish—
The Phase-Shift Sentry shot forward at extreme speed, turning into a stream of liquid metal. It merged directly into a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent's armor.
When it reappeared, its right hand had already phased through the agent's chest. A sharp mechanical blade extended and pierced straight through the armor and the agent's heart.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Under Veronica's control, the remaining Blood-Edge armors fired clusters of missiles and energy blasts at the Phase-Shift Sentry—but everything passed straight through its body harmlessly.
"ROAR!"
Hulk—still controlled rationally by Banner—roared, though he was nowhere near full Hulk strength. Wrapped in Blood-Edge armor, his movements were powerful but restricted.
"Guys… we're in seriously deep trouble here."
Tony's face tightened. The super-powered Sentries circling them all focused on him. Even Tony Stark—confident as he was—knew the situation was critical. One mistake and they were dead.
—
Meanwhile, in Kamar-Taj, within the Ancient One's dojo…
The Sorcerer Supreme stood with hands positioned in an intricate gesture, chanting an esoteric spell. The Eye of Agamotto on her chest slowly opened.
"Hmm… these future Avengers are in danger."
"The final battle against Brain Allens must be stopped here. If we fail… he will only grow stronger."
Ancient One's face grew solemn. The Eye of Agamotto had revealed a terrifying possible future—one that even she feared.
She could no longer allow events to unfold unchecked.
"Master Modu."
At her call, Mordo—who had been waiting outside—entered. As the Ancient One's foremost disciple in this era, Mordo possessed talent far beyond most of Kamar-Taj.
"Sorcerer Supreme. The most powerful of the ancient masters," Mordo said respectfully. Though humble outwardly, his confidence and natural magical aura radiated clearly.
"Mordo, my disciple, you must go to New York. The future Avengers are in danger on Viken Avenue. They need our help."
Ancient One's voice carried the weight of the universe. Mordo frowned but nodded.
"Yes, Ancient One."
Even though he disapproved of these "future Avengers," he hid his emotions well. With a sweep of his arms, Mordo drew a glowing circle, conjuring a portal.
And stepped through.
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[Naruto: I Don't Want Recognition]
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